Latest news with #SkyOriginal
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Dominic McLaughlin? Meet the new Harry Potter of the HBO series
HBO's Harry Potter TV series has found its official Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Dominic McLaughlin is set to play the role of Harry, Arabella Stanton is Hermione and Alastair Stout is Ron. Since HBO launched an open casting call last fall, over 30,000 actors auditioned for the lead roles, Variety reported. Filming is set to start this summer. McLaughlin, who is set to play the titular character that was previously played by Daniel Radcliffe, has been described as a "screen newcomer' who got the role after auditioning in an open casting call for actors aged between 9 and 11. He was previously involved in projects like the Sky Original film Grow and the upcoming BBC series Gifted, both of which will release later this year. The three youngsters are going to join fellow cast members John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione and Ron. 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,' said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer and director Mark Mylod in a statement. Max shared a picture of the new trio on Instagram, with the caption, 'Dear Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley: We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please welcome Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley to the HBO Original Series Harry Potter.'
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Who is new Harry Potter star Dominic McLaughlin - BBC role and link to co-star
HBO Max's Harry Potter has found its lead in Dominic McLaughlin, who was announced as part of the TV reboot's cast alongside Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout this week Further casting for the TV reboot of Harry Potter has been unveiled this week. Producers have announced who will be playing the title character in the HBO series, with Dominic McLaughlin following in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe. Daniel, now 35, rose to fame playing Harry Potter in the film series of the same name. The actor starred in all eight films, from the Philosopher's Stone to the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, which were released in 2001 and 2011 respectively. It was announced earlier today that Dominic will play the literary character on-screen next, with him starring in the TV reboot. The news comes following an open casting call last year for actors aged between 9 and 11 in April this year. Dominic has been described as a "screen newcomer" but the adaptation of the J. K. Rowling novels isn't the only upcoming project that he's set to appear in. The Mirror has taken a look at his casting and career following the news, including how his role as Harry Potter will bring a reunion. HBO's Harry Potter Earlier today it was announced that Dominic had been cast in the role of Harry Potter in the HBO Max series. It came alongside the news that Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play Hermione Granger and as Ron Weasley respectively. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and fellow executive producer Mark Mylod said: "After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen." They added in a statement that accompanied the casting news earlier: "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 show has been described as a "faithful adaptation" of the book series by J.K. Rowling, who's an executive producer. It's been teased that the cast will "lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years". It was previously revealed that John Lithgow, Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu will portray Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape respectively. They will serve as series regulars alongside Nick Frost, who has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming show. Other cast members include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell. It has also been announced already that Paul Whitehouse will portray Argus Filch in the TV adaptation. Sky film Grow Dominic has already worked on a project with co-star Nick, with their roles as Harry and Hagrid marking a reunion for the two actors. They are also among the cast of the Sky Original film Grow, which is set to be released later this year. It's been teased that the film, which is set in a world of pumpkin rivalry, is a "comedy all about family, growth and nurturing". It centres around a "cutthroat giant-pumpkin-growing contest where the entire town gets their pumpkin patches ready to compete for a cash prize and pumpkin glory". The cast is led by Bridgerton 's Golda Rosheuvel and Priya-Rose Brookwell as pumpkin farmer Dinah Little and her niece Charlie Little. Dinah's farm hosts the contest and Charlie is among those who take part in the event, though she faces sabotage in her attempt to win the coveted prize. Nick will appear as eco-loving pumpkin pundit Arlo, whilst, according to IMDb, Dominic plays Oliver Gregory. The cast also includes Jeremy Swift, Kathryn Drysdale, Alan Carr and Joe Wilkinson. BBC show Gifted Dominic is also set to star in the upcoming BBC series Gifted, which is adapted from Marilyn Kaye's novels of the same name. He will play the character of Martin, with his co-stars in the show including Jessica Hardwick as Madame. Set in Edinburgh, the show "tells the story of a diverse group of young Scottish teens who discover they each have unique superpowers". Their abilities are said to range from telekinesis to invisibility and mind reading. It's been teased that the group must join forces to protect themselves when they are targeted by an organisation known as the Bodkin. Guided by their teacher Madame, they embark on a journey to learn about their powers. It was announced last year that the show was already in production. At the time, it was stated that Gifted is set to premiere on BBC iPlayer"at the end of 2025".
Tom's Guide
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This Josh Hartnett action comedy is the wildest movie I've seen in 2025 — it's an absolute riot
If David Leitch's "Bullet Train" was your idea of a good time, then "Fight or Flight" needs to be on your radar. To be honest, James Madigan's Josh Hartnett-fronted thriller could be summed up as "Bullet Plane." We've swapped the mode of transport and switched out Brad Pitt for "Trap" star Josh Hartnett, but the set-up's similar enough: assassins get bundled into a tight space and chaos ensues. The movie just hit theaters in the U.S. on Friday, May 9, but in the U.K. (where I'm based), it debuted as a Sky Original back in February. Having streamed the movie back then and again in the run-up to its theatrical release, I wholeheartedly recommend thrill-seekers and/or lovers of seriously silly action comedies book tickets ASAP — it's a real blast. James Madigan's 'Fight or Flight' sees exiled American agent Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett) being brought back into the fray by his old boss, Katherine (Katee Sackhoff), for a new high-stakes mission. In exchange, he just might get to have his old life back. His new assignment? Board an international flight from Bangkok to San Francisco and identify and take a high-value target known only as 'The Ghost' into custody. The problem? Reyes realizes that this same flight is full of trained assassins assigned to wipe them both out, forcing the pair to band together in a fight for survival that descends into utter mayhem. In addition to Hartnett and Sackhoff, 'Fight or Flight' also stars Julian Kostov, Charithra Chandran, Marko Zaror, Nóra Trokán and JuJu Chan, among others. If, like me, you really enjoyed Shyamalan's flawed 2024 effort, 'Trap,' because Josh Hartnett's off-kilter killer carried that twisty thriller on his back, I just know you're going to enjoy watching 'Fight or Flight.' Madigan's movie has Hartnett firing on all cylinders once more as an off-kilter but exceptionally capable brawler going toe-to-toe with all manner of foes in claustrophobic brawls that fill the aisles of a luxury airliner. The fights themselves are pretty thrilling; there's gore, improvised weapons — tray tables, wine glasses, sprinkler systems, and seatbelts are all wielded to devastating effect — and the choreography makes the most of the setting, chaotically tumbling up and down the aisles, followed by an equally erratic camera and cartoonish sound effects. The story (what little story there is) is in itself fairly forgettable. Not to the point that the movie's connective tissue drags — it's a very pacey, and there's still a twist or two to keep you locked in — but it's the action setpieces and our leading man that make "Fight or Flight" as fun as it is. Reactions from elsewhere across the web have started to pour in, too, and they're leaning positive. At the time of writing, "Fight or Flight" has a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 79% score from viewers on the Popcornmeter. It's not critical acclaim, sure, but viewers who did enjoy "Fight or Flight" are saying similar things. Namely, that it's Hartnett's movie, and it's tons of fun. Take Joe Leydon's review for Variety as an example, where he sings Hartnett's praises. He writes: "it's extremely doubtful that any of this would work nearly as well as it does without Hartnett at the center of the storm, anchoring the bloody chaos and generating rooting interest with a performance defined by propulsive physicality, industrial-strength enthusiasm and an indefatigable willingness, even eagerness, to repeatedly make himself the butt of the joke." Empire's John Nugent gave the movie a 3/5 score, and summed "Fight or Flight" up as "A solid bit of high-concept B-movie fun, establishing Josh Hartnett as a credible action hero, and James Madigan as a genre director to watch." In short, 'Fight or Flight' is light on its feet, goofy, and full of overblown action. If you're looking for a breezy, campy action flick, this is it: get your tickets booked. 'Fight or Flight' hit U.S. theaters on Friday, May 9; check Fandango or your local movie theater's site for listings. UK-based readers can stream 'Fight or Flight' on Sky-backed streaming service, NOW.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders fans gobsmacked as Danny Dyer and Linda Henry finally reunite
Linda Henry last appeared as Shirley Carter on EastEnders three years ago but she's set to reunite with her on-screen son Danny Dyer in a new role EastEnders viewers have been pleasantly surprised by the revelation that Shirley Carter actress Linda Henry is set to reunite with Danny Dyer on screen, three years after their last appearance together on the BBC soap. Fans got wind of the exciting news after Sky TV shared a series of stills from the upcoming second season of Mr Bigstuff, a hit comedy starring Danny Dyer and Ryan Sampson. One of the newly released images on Instagram was of Linda Henry, which is how some soap fans discovered that she was cast in the next chapter of the Sky Original comedy. The caption simply read: "Oh, they are so back," which resulted in a wave of excitement from people who have missed seeing Henry and Dyer interact on EastEnders. Several commented on the casting choice, with one person gushing: "Loving the fact Linda Henry is back with Danny Dyer!" Another jokingly asked: "Shirley what you doing babe? Get back to Walford please!" A third was left in shock, writing: "SHIRLEY???" Fans have been waiting for Linda to return to screens since she stepped away from EastEnders in December 2022. Her character Shirley Carter left Walford in emotional scenes following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), who vanished at sea while trying to save his wife Linda and partner Janine on Christmas Day. Shirley struggled to carry on with life in the Square after the tragedy, and left to stay with Carly Wicks and her grandson. Fans briefly started to hope she might return when Dean Wicks turned up in Walford last October and claimed Shirley had suffered a breakdown. Despite Linda Carter's attempts to contact her, Shirley did not make a comeback, and viewers were left wondering if the character would ever be seen again. While EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw previously reassured fans that "it won't be the last you see of her", Linda Henry has remained on an extended break from the soap. However, her surprise casting in Mr Bigstuff means viewers will have a chance to see the actress back in action. Mr Bigstuff first aired in 2024 and became Sky Max's highest-rating new original comedy in three years. Ryan Sampson, who has also worked on Plebs and Brassic, wrote and stars in Mr Bigstuff. The SkyTV comedy follows the story of Glen, a mild-mannered carpet salesman whose quiet life is thrown into chaos when his estranged brother Lee (played by Dyer) suddenly comes out of hiding. The second series of the show was filmed late last year in London and Essex, and is expected to premiere on Sky and NOW in 2025. Sampson teased the upcoming episodes, saying: "Mr Bigstuff series 2: filthy secrets, dirty lies. Someone's gonna have to come clean." Harriet Webb will also return as Kirsty, Glen's down-on-her-luck fiancée, alongside new cast members such as Linda Henry and Rula Lenska, who are popping in for a cameo. In the photo SkyTV released of Linda, she can be seen looking very sternly at someone off-camera while dressed in black work gear. She is said to be playing a "no-nonsense, hands-on mechanic at the family haulage firm" called Pam.
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Aardman announces Halloween-themed Shaun The Sheep film
The animated sheep first appeared on screens 30 years ago in Bafta and Oscar-winning film Wallace And Gromit: A Close Shave. In 2007 the character got his own children's programme on CBBC, which has become one of Aardman's best-performing properties. Shaun The Sheep is one of Aardman's best-loved characters (Yui Mok/PA) The new film sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween until the farmer trashes the flock's beloved pumpkin patch. Shaun tries to fix the problem but things soon spiral out of control and the farmer goes missing while a wild beast roams the woods of Mossingham. This will be the third stop-motion animated feature film about Shaun The Sheep after 2015's Shaun The Sheep Movie and 2019's A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon. In 2021, Aardman released a 30-minute special, the International Emmy-winning Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas. Andrew Orr, executive producer and head of originals for Sky Cinema, said: 'Shaun is a household name, so it's huge news for us to be welcoming him and the flock to our 2026 Sky Original film slate. 'It's an honour to work with Aardman at such an exciting time for the studio, with a film that we know fans of all ages will love. Expect laughs, spookiness and some brilliantly entertaining new characters.' Breaking ewes: A new #ShaunTheSheepMovie is in production! 🎃 The Beast of Mossy Bottom sees Shaun turn mad scientist and a mysterious and very hairy beast let loose around Mossingham… In partnership with @skytv and STUDIOCANAL, and directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker,… — Aardman (@aardman) May 7, 2025 Sarah Cox, chief creative director at Aardman, said: 'Shaun The Sheep is an iconic character, beloved by viewers of all ages around the world. 'In our new animated movie, we bring family-friendly thrills to this light-hearted, spooky Halloween adventure. 'Expect smashed pumpkins, wayward science, and a wild hairy beast on the loose in Mossy Bottom – all delivered with the Flock's trademark joyous comedy.' Earlier in the year, the team behind Wallace And Gromit took home Bafta awards for best animation and best children and family film for their latest movie about the inventor and his loyal beagle – Vengeance Most Fowl. Further details about the Sky Original feature film, written by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow, will be released in due course. Sky is confirmed as exclusive UK distributor, releasing in cinemas and on Sky Cinema, alongside StudioCanal as global partner outside the UK.
