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Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harry Potter series price tag unveiled after claims of record breaking budget
Harry Potter is facing a reboot with a brand new cast of actors and it's been reported the series would beat Rings of Power as the most expensive TV show ever to be created HBO has responded to claims the upcoming Harry Potter TV series will be the most expensive television show ever made, following reports suggesting the cost per episode would reach a staggering £75 million. The adaptation of JK Rowling's book series is set to be a decade-long project, with each season dedicated to one of the seven novels. Reports originally published by The Express claimed that the ambitious project would dramatically outspend even Prime Video's The Rings of Power, which cost around $465 million (£399 million) for its first season. However, a source close to the production has now confirmed to that the reported £75 million per episode figure is inaccurate. Instead, the budget is expected to be more in line with the final season of Game of Thrones, which cost approximately $15 million (around £12 million) per episode. Even with a more modest budget than reported, the new Harry Potter series is shaping up to be a landmark production. Casting directors received over 30,000 applications from young actors hoping to play the new generation of Hogwarts students. Now, Warner Bros. and HBO have confirmed that Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will take on the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. This also marks the actors' first professional appearances on screen. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared: "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." Francesca Gardiner, whose previous credits include His Dark Materials and Killing Eve, is on board as showrunner and writer. She will be joined by Mark Mylod, a veteran director known for his work on Succession and The Last of Us, who will direct multiple episodes. The cast also includes acclaimed actors such as John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The series is scheduled to begin filming this summer and premiere in 2026. It is said to be a faithful adaptation of the books and HBO bosses are hoping to use it to bring the wizarding world to new and existing fans alike. HBO Max will stream the series in various countries, including the UK, Germany, and Italy. Production is already underway, with a £1 billion studio expansion being constructed in Leavesden that includes an on-site school for the show's young stars. Analysts are predicting that this will have a long-term impact on the UK's creative industries. Tom Harrington from Enders Analysis has told The Times: "It's not just the box office, the merchandise, the tourists or the tours arising from the books, but the resurgence of big UK film and TV production that came in the wake of the Potter films."
Man of Many
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Will ‘Sirens' Return for Season 2? Here's What We Know So Far
Despite only hitting screens this week, Netflix's new five-part limited series Sirens has already skyrocketed into the streaming service's most-watched spot. The Julianne Moore-led dark comedy, which lands somewhere between The White Lotus and Nine Perfect Strangers, has amassed a remarkable following online and nabbed a series of glowing reviews, with the series' devastating cliffhanger finale raising speculation over a Sirens season two storyline. Julianne Moore in 'Sirens' (2025) | Image: Netflix What is Sirens About? From showrunner Molly Smith Metzler, the five-part limited series follows Meghann Fahy's Devon DeWitt, a down-on-her-luck outcast who finds herself on a downward spiral back in Buffalo, New York. Tasked with caring for her ailing father in her childhood home, Devon is desperate to build a stronger bond with her sister Simone (The Rings of Power's Milly Alcock). However, a strange and imbalanced dynamic between Simone and her new boss, Michaela Kell (played by Julianne Moore), threatens to derail the family reunion. Moore's enigmatic socialite leads a cultish life of luxury that is 'like a drug to Simone', and with Devon deciding that it is time for an intervention, friction occurs. Sirens takes place over the course of one explosive weekend at the Kells' lavish beach estate, when lines are drawn and awkward encounters dominate. 'This story has a lot of teeth,' Smith Metzler told Tudum. 'There are real moments of drama, and it's going to make people uncomfortable. Operatic is a word I like to use to describe it. It's a true dark comedy — and it's got a Greek mythology vibe.' The limited series comprises five tumultuous episodes, each delivering twists, turns and traumatic retellings, culminating in an explosive finale that leaves the door open for a second season. But will the breakout smash actually return or has Sirens reached its conclusion? Glenn Howerton in 'Sirens' (2025) | Image: Netflix Will There Be a Sirens Season 2? Unfortunately for fans, Sirens season two appears highly unlikely. Netflix billed the production as a 'limited series' rather than an ongoing project and Smith Metzler's Elemeno Pea, the play that the series is based on, does not have a sequel. Without the necessary source material to pull from, it would be difficult for Netflix to capture the same level of intrigue and mystery. Moreover, the story does appear to reach a full resolution. While fans online might be dissatisfied with the conclusion, lambasting decisions made and the lack of a full character arc for some key players, the series does arrive at a stifling destination. That being said, the prospect of a second instalment isn't entirely off the table. In a recent interview with Variety, showrunner and creator Molly Smith Metzler revealed that while Sirens' story is essentially 'contained', she is highly interested in working on a continuous series. 'I'm really excited to move into an ongoing space,' she said, 'and I'm actively thinking about that and looking for what that will be.' Meghann Fahy in 'Sirens' (2025) | Image: Netflix Smith Metzler's sentiments were echoed by lead actor Meghann Fahy, who hinted at the concept of future stories within the Sirens universe. Speaking with Variety, Fahy explained that she 'would love to know what happens to Michaela, where she goes. So I think it's definitely within the realm of possibility. We didn't talk about it on set, but I would love to do more.' Even show production designer John Paino seems on board with the idea of a Sirens season two, telling Town & Country Magazine that: 'I think there's a lot to explore there. I would love to do it with everyone because it was a great experience.' In the same interview, Australian actor Milly Alcock, who plays Simone in the series, added that they would 'love to explore' a season two. 'It would just be a different story; I don't know how it would link, because Simone and Devon's relationship, we leave it at such a sad . We leave these two women in this beautiful goodbye, so I don't really know how, if there was to be a second season, how it would kind of go about. But of course, I think that Simone's such a fascinating person. I'd love to.' As of now, Sirens season two does not appear to be going ahead. Despite significant interest from cast members and fans, Netflix has not renewed the limited series. This article will be updated as we learn more about the possibility of Sirens season two. All episodes of Sirens season one are now streaming on Netflix.
Tom's Guide
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video cancels hit fantasy series 'The Wheel of Time' after its best season yet
We thought "The Wheel of Time" season 3 was its best season yet, and last month's explosive finale left us excited for more. Sadly, we won't be getting any, since Amazon won't be renewing its hit fantasy drama for a fourth season. The decision came after "lengthy deliberations," Deadline reported this week, as the streamer's executives enjoyed what the programming offered. However, high fantasy can come with high production costs, and viewership slipped with season 3 to a point that Prime Video could not justify a season 4 commitment. Co-produced by Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, "The Wheel of Time" is an adaptation of the much-loved fantasy book series of the same name by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. We count it as one of the best Prime Video shows, so it's frustrating to see it get the axe. Granted, the first two seasons got off to a rocky start thanks to notable deviations from the source material that sparked backlash from fans of the books. If we're talking viewership, though, it was a verified hit, becoming Prime Video's most-watched series premiere of the year in 2021 and one of its top five series launches of all time. Season 3 marked a high point that seemed to finally win over the fanbase. It earned a near-perfect 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest for the series yet, and was equally popular among audiences. "I think it'd be hard to argue that this third chapter hasn't been bigger and better than ever, and that meant this finale felt huge," my colleague Martin Shore wrote in his "The Wheel of Time" season 3 finale review. "The finale hurtled along at a clip, constantly delivering more spectacle, more reveals and more terrific performances." Now Prime Video's "Lord of the Rings" prequel, "The Rings of Power," is the streamer's sole remaining fantasy series in production. Prime Video has officially renewed "The Rings of Power" for a third season, so fantasy fans will have that to look forward to at least. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Amazon cancels The Wheel of Time fantasy series after 'best season ever'
Despite a record-breaking debut, The Wheel of Time was axed over financial concerns, angering fans who praised the third season. Amazon Prime Video has confirmed the cancellation of its acclaimed fantasy series The Wheel of Time after just three seasons, much to the disappointment of fans. The show, based on Robert Jordan's iconic novels, was officially axed on Friday, May 23, a little over a month after the third season finale aired in April. Despite debuting as Prime Video's most-watched premiere in 2021, the series suffered from declining viewership, with Deadline attributing the cancellation to financial reasons, Mirror reported. This decision has sparked frustration among loyal viewers, especially as many praised season three for being a marked improvement on earlier instalments. On social media, fans vented their anger and disbelief. One viewer on X, formerly Twitter, questioned: 'Wdym Prime cancelled The Wheel of Time after the best season they ever had? Rosamund Pike literally spent weeks in a desert for nothing?' James Dyer from Empire was equally outraged, tweeting: 'No, I'm sorry @primevideouk, this WILL NOT STAND! Season 3 was f***ing fantastic and if you can afford to pour a billion dollars into The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power, you can throw some cash at this glorious show!' Another fan agreed, saying: 'I thought it really found its feet with Series 3 as well. It felt more focused and the younger actors were starting to give Rosamund Pike a run for her money. "Completely agree with you on The Rings of Power as well. It's ok. But Wheel of Time was much better.' This sense of disbelief was echoed on Reddit, where one user mocked: 'lmao of course they waited for the show to actually be well received by fans and critics to cancel it.' Another added: 'I'm genuinely surprised by this... Seems like they had a lot of positive momentum after Season 3 and people were happy with the direction the show was going.' A third simply shared their sadness: 'I am so sad. I was really loving the last season.' However, not all viewers were shocked by the news. Some criticised The Wheel of Time as an underwhelming adaptation that never quite matched the cultural impact of giants like Game of Thrones. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'They wanted the next Game of Thrones,' one commenter observed. 'It just wasn't the same kind of cultural phenomenon, no matter how good the last season was in comparison. This was bound to happen, they put a lot of money into it.' Despite the cancellation, fans are not giving up. Several petitions have already been launched, urging other streaming platforms such as Netflix to rescue The Wheel of Time and give it a new lease of life. For now, the series remains available to stream on Prime Video, leaving fans to wonder if this might not be the end after all.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
No season 4? Here's everything we know about why The Wheel of Time is cancelled
Amazon Prime Video has canceled 'The Wheel of Time' after three seasons, despite its initial promise as a major fantasy series. Viewership declined significantly in Season 3, leading to financial concerns given the show's high production costs. While fans are disappointed by the lack of closure, all three seasons remain available for streaming. The Wheel of Time debuted in November 2021 and quickly gained attention. Season 2 dropped in September 2023, followed by Season 3 in March 2025. The show starred Rosamund Pike as the powerful Aes Sedai, Moiraine Damodred, and featured a diverse ensemble cast including Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Zoë Robins, and Madeleine Madden. (Image source: Amazon Prime Video) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Is there a season 4 of Wheel of Time? Is Wheel of Time worth watching? Why is Wheel of Time so famous? Is the Wheel of Time series a hit? Fantasy fans are in for a shock as Amazon Prime Video has cancelled The Wheel of Time after just three seasons. The news comes only a month after the Season 3 finale aired in April series, based on the bestselling novels by Robert Jordan (and later Brandon Sanderson), was once hailed as Amazon's next big fantasy hit after The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. But despite a promising start, viewership declined sharply in its latest Wheel of Time debuted in November 2021 and quickly gained attention. Season 2 dropped in September 2023, followed by Season 3 in March 2025. The show starred Rosamund Pike as the powerful Aes Sedai, Moiraine Damodred, and featured a diverse ensemble cast including Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Zoë Robins, and Madeleine suggest that while the show maintained strong creative support, the numbers simply didn't justify its high production 3 in particular struggled to hold audience interest. The show dropped out of Nielsen's Top 10 streaming originals just three weeks into its run, an alarming sign compared to earlier seasons, which held strong throughout their Video has made no official statement yet, but insiders say financial concerns played a major role in the decision. The fantasy series was among Amazon's more expensive productions with its massive world-building, visual effects, and large ensemble news leaves fans without closure on many storylines. The original Wheel of Time book series spans 14 volumes and a prequel, meaning the show only scratched the surface of its source material. Some viewers are now calling for another studio to pick it up or for the story to be completed in film now, all three seasons remain available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. While the series may be over, its complex world of prophecy, magic, and battle will continue to live on in the books and the hearts of its 4 of The Wheel of Time has been officially canceled by Prime Video. The series will conclude with season 3, and there are currently no plans to continue the show beyond series improves with each season, boasting strong world-building and visuals; many viewers find it increasingly engaging, especially from season 2 renowned for its epic scope, detailed world, unique magic system, and large cast, with the books achieving bestseller status and critical it's a hit—recently, it was the #1 most-watched Prime Video show in 23 countries, and season 3 has received its highest audience scores yet.
