Latest news with #Shōgun
Express Tribune
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
BAFTA makes major rule change that could shake up who wins next year
In a significant shift for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA has overhauled how winners are selected in its international TV category, scrapping the jury-controlled process and handing full voting power to its entire membership of 6,000. The change marks a clear pivot toward greater inclusivity and global recognition, aligning with the increasingly international nature of television production. BAFTA said the decision was made to enhance engagement from its voting body and better reflect its global membership base. Previously, while members could vote on the longlist, final nominations and winners were determined by a select jury. That's no longer the case. 'This change will strengthen the category and ensure the very best international programmes get the recognition they deserve,' BAFTA stated. This rule revision follows a string of headline-grabbing wins in the international category. Last year's top honour went to Disney+'s Shōgun, beating out major titles like Beef and The Bear. In 2024, Netflix France's Class Act shocked many by overtaking fan-favourites such as Succession. By opening the vote to thousands rather than a small panel, BAFTA may see even more unpredictable outcomes ahead. Alongside this, a new exemption clause now allows one non-UK senior team member to be included in submissions, provided 80 percent of the production team qualifies as UK-eligible. BAFTA says this reflects the reality of global co-productions while maintaining its focus on British talent. The 2026 TV Awards are now accepting submissions, with nominations set to be announced in March. The BAFTA TV Craft Awards will take place April 26, followed by the main ceremony on May 10. This year's shakeup could signal a more democratic and potentially more surprising awards season than ever before.
Courier-Mail
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Demascus review: Martin Lawrence comedy series premiere
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. After months of speculation, the new Martin Lawrence comedy series Demascus has just been released — and the first review is in. STREAMING, TUBI Demascus On a quest of self-discovery, Demascus (Okieriete Onaodowan) is urged by his therapist (played by The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air's Janet Hubert) to try an experimental treatment that allows him to visit alternative realities. Each version – where the same friends and relatives (including Martin Lawrence as an aged uncle) keep popping up but reshaped by their new context – sees Demascus gain new insights into himself and his fear of commitment as he navigates one awkward situation after another. There has been a lot of buzz around this comedy in the US media as it was uncertain fans would be able to see it until it was snapped up by free streaming service Tubi. The first review of new Tubi series Demascus has landed. Picture: Tubi STREAMING, FOXTEL AND BINGE If You Liked: Shōgun Try: Chief Of War STREAMING, APPLE TV+ Visually spectacular, this epic historical drama (created by and starring Jason Momoa) recreates the bloody battles over the unification and colonisation of Hawaii. Momoa plays warrior Ka'iana who, having forged a simpler life on one of Hawaii's smaller islands, is talked into returning to battle by King Kahekili (Temuera Morrison). Told in traditional language, the series is a deep dive into a lesser-known chapter of history. Momoa is believable as a wave-riding hero who can lead an army to victory without any armour, let alone trousers. Jason Momoa stars in Chief of War for Apple TV+. Picture: Getty Images If You Liked: Sandition Try: Miss Austen 9PM, SUNDAY, ABC TV AND STREAMING, ABC iVIEW If you have a passion for Regency romance then you're in for a treat with this new drama starring Keeley Hawes (pictured). Based on Gill Hornby's book, this delightful series casts the other Miss Austen – author Jane's sister, Cassandra – as the heroine. Austenites will already be familiar with Cassandra's diabolical act of literary vandalism (destroying almost all of her sister's correspondence to protect the family's privacy). This series imagines her motivations, offering glimpses into the inspirations for Jane's most famous stories. The Couple Next Door STREAMING, BINGE In the aftermath of the last murderous neighbourly entanglement, the remaining residents of the tight-knit cul-de-sac are trying to get on with their lives. Here in this fancy Leeds neighbourhood, we find surgeon Charlotte (Annabel Scholey, pictured second from right) and her anaesthetist husband Jacob (Sam Palladio, pictured second from left), who struggle to find time for each other amid the pressures of their careers and caring for her elderly father. So when disarmingly confident nurse Mia (Aggy K Adams, pictured right) and Charlotte's old flame (Sendhil Ramamurthy, pictured left) begin working at the hospital, the stage is set for another dangerous love quadrangle. Some of Kylie Minogue's most successful hits were written by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. Picture: Getty Images Hitmakers STREAMING, NETFLIX In the 1980s, the songwriting team of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman famously wrote Kylie Minogue's hit I Should Be So Lucky in 40 minutes, proving that when inspiration strikes, magic can happen fast. In this reality series, aspiring hitmakers are thrown together and given a few short hours to write the next big pop song for musicians such as John Legend (pictured left) and Lisa of Blackpink (and The White Lotus). You may not know their names, but you will already know some of their lyrics, as the cohort has penned hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and boy band BTS. Creativity flourishes and rivalries flare in the pressure-cooker environment. Lisa from Blackpink at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. Picture: AFP Dancing With The Stars 7.30PM, MONDAY, SEVEN The glittering stage is set as six celebrities – comedian Felicity Ward, journalist Michael Usher, footy player Trent Cotchin, actor Kyle Schilling, TV host Shaun Micallef (pictured with Ash-Leigh Hunter) and radio personality Brittany Hockley – and their partners hit the floor in the final. While Ward makes no secret of her desire to win and newlywed Hockley dances in tribute to her husband, it's clear everyone is keen to put their best foot forward. The Decline Of Western Civilization Part Ii: The Metal Years STREAMING, TUBI In Black Sabbath's farewell concert last month, held just weeks before the July 22 death of frontman Ozzy Osbourne (pictured with his family), the singer reunited with his bandmates to feel the love of fans and fellow musicians such as Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Guns N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose. In this 1988 doco, Osbourne joins another legendary line-up to reflect on his headline-grabbing career. The late Ozzy Osbourne, pictured in 1997. Picture: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, file In Case You Missed It … The Kennedys If the Kennedy clan is basically America's answer to royalty, then this 2011 series is its equivalent to The Crown. With a star-studded cast that includes Tom Wilkinson as domineering patriarch Joe, Greg Kinnear as JFK and Katie Holmes (pictured) as Jackie, the four-part miniseries takes real people and events and serves them up as a salacious soap opera. The series attracted some fierce criticism from the family's inner circle, who feared it wasn't an accurate portrayal of the Kennedy legacy. Certainly this is not a historically accurate account of JFK's time in the White House. But it doesn't claim to be. And, if you enjoy a good biopic (as I do) then this one will be your next guilty pleasure – if only to watch Holmes's wardrobe and breathless impersonation of the fashionable First Lady. Katie Holmes stars in The Kennedys. Picture: Getty Images One Show. Two Views The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer Siobhan Duck Whether it's an old-school classic like Perry Mason (and its grittier reboot starring Matthew Rhys), a series playing the legal system for laughs like Ally McBeal, or TV justice served with a sidebar of politics such as The Good Wife, I love courtroom dramas. Certainly, this series starring Sam Neill as wily defence barrister Brett Colby is the best Aussie take on the genre since Janet King. In this new season, Colby is called upon to defend an old friend accused of killing a woman who was digging into a cold case murder. Complicating matters further for Colby is the fact he's squaring off against his former protégée, Gabe Nicholls (Danielle Cormack) in court. Against the backdrop of the whodunnit are the equally intriguing machinations of the sequestered jury. As the case unfolds, viewers will also learn about the private lives and prejudices of these 12 strangers sitting in judgement – and you will start to judge them as well. Sam Neill and Danielle Cormack in a scene from The Twelve. Picture: Daniel Asher Smith James Wigney As the guilty verdict from one of the most fascinating murder trials in living memory still rings in our ears, it's a tough ask for any homegrown courtroom drama to top a woman killing her lunch guests with death cap mushrooms. Indeed, with the proliferation of top-notch true crime documentaries and podcasts, I'm finding it harder to look past the factual in favour of the fictional, no matter how well made. That said, while the format is starting to show a few familiar signs in its third season, The Twelve is still solid, thanks to its one constant: Sam Neill as the cunning and calm Brett Colby. Smartly, he's now a reluctant defence barrister, concerned about being compromised thanks to his connection with the accused. And if the time shifts between the current crime and a historical double murder, secret lives of jury members and many twists get too much, just crack a bottle of Neill's Otago pinot noir and enjoy the stunning Margaret River scenery. Read the full reviews inside today's issue of The Watchlist, in The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland) and Sunday Mail (SA). For more from Stellar and The Watchlist, click here. Originally published as Much-buzzed-about comedy Demascus finally releases
Boston Globe
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Tom Brady's soccer docuseries, plus more new TV shows and movies to watch this weekend
Brec Bassinger in 'Final Destination Bloodlines." Eric Milner 'Final Destination Bloodlines' The Available on HBO Max Advertisement New TV shows now available to stream "Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues" premieres Friday on Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios 'Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues' Taking a page out of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's 'Welcome to Wrexham' playbook, Brady tries to bring his winning ways to a soccer team across the pond in his new docuseries for Prime Video. With all five episodes dropping on Friday, the show follows Brady, who became a minority owner of the Birmingham City club in 2023, as he and the Blues look to take the team to the next level. Available on Prime Video 'Eyes of Wakanda' Explore the legacy of the Available on Disney+ Advertisement Binge-worthy weekend TV pick Hiroyuki Sanada in "Shōgun." Kurt Iswarienko/FX 'Shōgun' If the premiere of Available on Hulu Movie night pick From left: Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder in "Blazing Saddles." Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock 'Blazing Saddles' We could all use a laugh these days, and there's no better classic to queue up for a fun movie night than 'Blazing Saddles,' which streams on Paramount+ beginning Friday. The Mel Brooks-directed film, which turned 50 last year, stars Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little as unlikely Old West heroes who must protect their town from being taken over by an unscrupulous railroad company. Globe film critic Odie Henderson called the western parody a 'masterpiece' in Available on Paramount+ Matt Juul is the assistant digital editor for the Living Arts team at the Boston Globe, with over a decade of experience covering arts and entertainment. Advertisement Matt Juul can be reached at
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Chief of War review: Breathtakingly beautiful, Jason Momoa's Apple show is like a political alliance between Avatar and Black Panther
It takes great writing discipline to make a show like Chief of War. Nearly everybody who watches it on Apple will be entering a world that they're entirely unfamiliar with. And yet, they must surrender to its intimate yet epic narrative. Set in the late 18th century, the nine-episode drama tells the story of the unification of the Hawaiian islands, from the perspective of the Polynesian community. Riskier is the creative decision to set it almost exclusively in the native language. Perhaps the folks behind it — Chief of War is co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett — were empowered by the success of similar grand-scale productions such as FX's Japanese-language drama Shōgun and Apple's own Korean-language show Pachinko. While it focuses on the campaign of Kamehameha the Great, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii, it unfolds from the perspective of a warrior named Ka'iana. This is the character played by Momoa himself. A warrior of noble descent, Ka'iana deserted his king's side and went off to live with his brothers in a different corner of the community. At the time, the Hawaiian islands were ruled under different warring monarchies, with the threat of white invaders on the horizon. Ka'iana was aware of this threat when he accidentally found himself on one of their boats, headed for the mainland. Like Thor stranded in the middle of New Mexico, Ka'iana discovers the ways of the West on this voyage, during which he becomes a little too familiar with the moral failings of white men. Also read – A Gentleman in Moscow review: Utterly irresistible, the most gloriously entertaining show of the year finds Ewan McGregor in towering form Presumed dead by his family, Ka'iana learns English and concocts a plan to have arms and ammunition smuggled to his district. These weapons will be useful in the civil war that would inevitably follow the passing of the ageing Chief Kahekili, played by Maori legend Temeura Morrison. We witness Kahekili's cruelty in an early episode, as he wreaks havoc on those who oppose him. Over the course of the next few chapters, while Ka'iana is having his own adventures abroad, we are introduced to a host of supporting players. Ka'ahumanu is like Daenerys Targaryen, married off at a young age to Kamehameha in a political alliance. Cliff Curtis delivers a particularly unhinged performance as a Roman Roy-type, overlooked for the big job because of his unpredictability. In one scene, he vows vengeance by punching himself repeatedly in the face, plucking out a tooth and waving it around before a crowd. Later, egged on by his overeager mother, he stands at the edge of a volcano and allows the skin on his back to be singed off by the toxic fumes. Kamehameha, on the other hand, is a rather mild-mannered fellow. Played by Kaina Makua, a real-life farmer with no previous acting experience, he assumes the role of the reluctant hero. Chief of War seems to be suggesting that there is space still in politics for relatively uncorrupted souls. However, our conduit into this world is the far edgier Ka'iana. Having already earned a notoriety for abandoning his previous post, Ka'iana is described as the 'fist' to Kamehameha's 'head' in the battle against Kahekili. But over the course of the show, he proves himself to be a rather able tactician as well. Momoa cuts a striking figure on screen, even if you were to watch Chief of War on your Apple device. Plus, the streamer seems to have spared no expense on the production — this is one of the most staggeringly shot shows you're likely to see this year. Barring a few scenes that are visibly filmed against green-screens, the rest of it appears to have been produced on location. Read more – The Pitt review: Thrilling, trailblazing; the next best show of 2025 is already here, mere weeks after Netflix's Adolescence A passion project for Momoa — he said in an interview with GQ that he waited for Minecraft 'to save cinema' before he could get a project like this off the ground — Chief of War reportedly employed key members of the Hawaiian community to ensure that every detail is as accurate as it can possibly be. The costumes, the sets, the dialect that Momoa compared to Dothraki from Game of Thrones; everything is painstakingly put together. But binding all these elements together is the writing. Momoa and Sibbett co-authored every episode, but whoever came up with the winning note to repeatedly address characters by their names deserves a raise. It's an elegant trick to familiarise the audience with a large cast, without stranding them at sea. The cultural specificity of Chief of War is a feature, not a flaw. It enhances the show's thematic universality. Here is a story about identity and individuality, about loyalty, love and legacy. In theory, the show can be enjoyed by anybody who liked James Cameron's Avatar, or Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. It's epic and exotic; daring yet dignified. Chief of War is yet another example of Apple's ambitious quest to replicate the golden era of HBO. And to think that Prime Video was wasting its time and money on something like Citadel. Chief of War Creators – Jason Momoa, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett Cast – Jason Momoa, Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, Luciane Buchanan, Kaina Makua Rating – 4.5/5 Rohan Naahar is an assistant editor at Indian Express online. He covers pop-culture across formats and mediums. He is a 'Rotten Tomatoes-approved' critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild of India. He previously worked with the Hindustan Times, where he wrote hundreds of film and television reviews, produced videos, and interviewed the biggest names in Indian and international cinema. At the Express, he writes a column titled Post Credits Scene, and has hosted a podcast called Movie Police. You can find him on X at @RohanNaahar, and write to him at He is also on LinkedIn and Instagram. ... Read More
Buzz Feed
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Newly Emmy-Nominated Hulu Shows You Should Be Watching
FX received a total of 35 nods and Hulu raked in 23, bringing its overall haul to 58. This is significantly less than last year (not every year can be a Shōgun year!), but still an impressive showing when you look at its dominance in the major acting categories. The Bear (S3) As suspected, The Television Academy yet again said yes, chef to The Bear. Having a new (and considerably more favored) season of The Bear streaming during the voting window might have been exactly what the show needed to boost its Emmy chances. The drama (with some comedic moments!) was able to bring in 13 overall nominations — including for Ayo Edibiri's directing on the episode "Napkins" — despite a more tepidly received third season. That brings its total to 49 Emmy noms across three seasons.13 nominations, including: Comedy Series, Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeremy Allen White), Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Ayo Edibiri), Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Liza Colón-Zayas), Directing for a Comedy Series (Ayo Edibiri), Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Jon Bernthal), Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Olivia Colman), Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Jamie Lee Curtis)Watch it on Hulu. Dying For Sex No surprises here! This limited series, based on the real-life story of Molly Kochan — whose terminal cancer diagnosis prompted a journey of sexual exploration — was an undeniable critical hit and featured what many believe to be career-best work from Jenny Slate and Michelle Williams. Its nomination haul reflects that. 9 nominations, including: Limited or Anthology Series, Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Michelle Williams), Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Rob Delaney), Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Jenny Slate), Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieWatch it on Hulu. What We Do in the Shadows (S6) While What We Do In The Shadows wasn't able to break into the major acting categories, it's a relief to see that it's back in the Comedy Series mix for its final season. Now, get ahead of your streaming blues and read our list of show recs if it just hit you that, for the first time since 2018, there won't be a new season headed to FX.8 nominations, including: Comedy Series, Writing For a Comedy SeriesWatch it on Hulu. Only Murders in the Building (S4) No Steve, Selena, or more shockingly, Meryl, but eight nominations is nothing to frown about. In its fourth season, the comedy series had an uphill battle with new entries like The Studio and Nobody Wants This crowding the acting field.8 nominations, including: Comedy Series, Lead Actor In A Comedy Series (Martin Short)Watch it on Hulu. Mid-Century Modern (S1) A posthumous nod for Linda Lavin seemed like the most logical place for the Television Academy to show support for this new series, which follows three gay men who retire to Palm Springs. However, voters seemed more taken by the below-the-line craft, recognizing its sound mixing, production design, and picture editing. Its directing nomination was the biggest surprise of the bunch.5 nominations, including: Directing for a Comedy Series Watch it on Hulu. Paradise (S1) Perhaps the biggest overperformer from Hulu was this new series from This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman. While many were on the lookout for Sterling K. Brown's name, few saw James Marsden and Julianne Nicholson getting in there. Two acting nominations for Nicholson in a calendar year feels absolutely right, though.4 nominations, including: Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Sterling K. Brown), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (James Marsden), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Julianne Nicholson)Watch it on Hulu. Welcome to Wrexham (S3) It should not come as a surprise to anyone that the two-time winner in the Unstructured Reality Program category has yet again received a nod for its third season. This genre-defying docu-series slash real-life Ted Lasso from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds is clearly just getting started. 4 nominations, including: Unstructured Reality ProgramWatch it on Hulu. Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years In this hour-long special filmed at Seattle's Moore Theatre, Bill Burr takes on the mess of contradictions that define our modern lives. Emmy voters did not contradict themselves in their praise for his work — also throwing it a Picture Editing nomination.2 nominations, including: Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)Watch it on Hulu. The Handmaid's Tale (S6) It's a time-honored tradition to see final seasons overperform on Emmy nomination morning. That was not the case with The Handmaid's Tale. The critical favorite, which previously nabbed 15 Emmy wins across its five seasons — including a Drama Series win for its first season — received an underwhelming send-off with S6. Reliably great guest actor Cherry Jones earned the lone nomination for Handmaid's — a third for her. 1 nomination: Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Cherry Jones)Watch it on Hulu. Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius) Questlove's first doc won an Oscar. His second? Well, it may have flown under your radar entirely. Good thing the Television Academy has given the brilliant, underseen project about funk pioneer Sly Stone (and so much more) a bit more visibility by honoring it here. 1 nomination: Documentary or Nonfiction Special Watch it on Hulu. Social Studies This five-part series from Lauren Greenfield is a fascinating and sobering examination of teenhood in the age of TikTok. (And no, this won't be the last time you see TikTok mentioned in this nomination list.) As I expected, voters simply couldn't shake this doc when it came time to put pen to paper.1 nomination: Documentary or Nonfiction SeriesWatch it on Hulu. Say Nothing Well, one nomination is The chatter around this limited series adapted from the Patrick Radden Keefe book seemed to die down in the months after its release — never a great sign for an already under-the-radar title. In a just world, this series would have also landed a nod for Best Limited or Anthology Series. But we don't live in a just world, and you would know that if you watched Say Nothing.1 nomination: Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieWatch it on Hulu. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (S1) My reality feels very unstructured after learning that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives landed a nomination for Unstructured Reality Program. I say that with mostly love in my heart! Hulu's breakout hit, now in its second season, introduced many to the messy, disorienting world of MomTok. Now, can we get these ladies in the same room as Julianne Nicholson's Dance Mom at the Emmys?1 nomination: Unstructured Reality ProgramWatch it on Hulu. Watch all of these Emmy nominees on Hulu.
