TAGGED AS: casting, Comedy, Drama, Netflix, Showtime
Have you revealed what you would do #FortheThrone yet? HBO’s marketing campaign for the final season of Game of Thrones is in full swing. Next up: beer #ForTheThrone. The series is also getting a “making of” documentary as a digestif for its final season. Plus, Killing Eve slays the BAFTA TV nominations, but some argue that the BBC America original doesn’t meet the criteria to be eligible for all 14 of its nominations. And another Sex and the City? Really?
(Photo by Helen Sloan/HBO)
HBO will offer a behind-the-scenes-look at filming of the final season of Game of Thrones with a two-hour documentary later this year, titled Game of Thrones: The Last Watch. The film traces the making of the series’ upcoming eighth season, and is set to air May 26, one week after the series’ final season finishes airing. Directed by British filmmaker Jeanie Finlay, The Last Watch promises “unprecedented access” while the cast and crew “contend with extreme weather, punishing deadlines and an ever-excited fandom hungry for spoilers,” according to HBO. Game of Thrones showrunner D. B. Weiss, producer Bernadette Caulfield, and writer David Benioff are executive producers on the documentary. The Last Watch will be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, and HBO On Demand on May 26.
In other Thrones brand-extension news, Brewery Ommegang and HBO Licensing & Retail will release the latest Game of Thrones beer nationwide in early April. Called “For the Throne,” the 9.5% ABV golden ale is co-fermented with pinot grigio and viognier grape juices and then bottle conditioned with Champagne yeast. For the Throne joins the four other Game of Thrones beers Ommegang has available, including Queen of the Seven Kingdoms (a blend of sour and blonde ales), Mother of Dragons (smoked porter and kriek ale blend), King in the North (a barrel-aged imperial stout), and Hand of the Queen (a barleywine ale). Find out where to purchase on the brewery’s site. Let the #HoldMyBeer #ForTheThrone memes begin.
The beer is just one part of HBO’s #ForTheThrone campaign, which includes outdoor events, social media emojis, a “Quest for the Throne” worldwide hunt for Iron Throne locations, a partnership with the American Red Cross to “Bleed for the Throne,” and an art collection of inspired by props, from swords to fashion, from the show.
And, as Tyrion might remind us, don’t forget the wine…
(Photo by BBC America)
Killing Eve and A Very English Scandal led the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 2019 awards nominations with 14 and 12 nominations, respectively. Patrick Melrose received six, while Bodyguard and The Little Drummer Girl each received five, BAFTA announced on Thursday. See all of the nominees on BAFTA’s site here.
British media reports note, however, that the spy comedy from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, which stars Jodie Comer as assassin Villanelle and Sandra Oh as MI5 officer Eve Posner, violates the awards’ rules that state that to be eligible, a series must have had the worldwide premiere in the UK and a UK broadcaster must have primary control over it. Killing Eve was commissioned by BBC America, however, which is co-owned by the BBC and U.S. cable network AMC. Killing Eve should only be eligible in the international series category, according to one interpretation of the rules.
The Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards ceremony will be held at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, May 12, with the British Academy Television Craft Awards taking place two weeks earlier on Sunday, April 18 at The Brewery, London.
(Photo by Warner Bros.)
There might be another Sex and the City sequel after all — but it’s headed to the small screen. According to Deadline, Paramount Television has acquired the rights to SATC author Candace Bushnell’s latest book, Is There Still Sex in the City?, that examines love and dating after 50. Bushnell will write a pilot script and executive produce alongside Liza Chasin and Robyn Meisinger. The most recent effort in the franchise, CW series The Carrie Diaries, starred AnnaSophia Robb, focused on a teenage Carrie Bradshaw, and was canceled after two seasons.
(Photo by FX)
Pose executive Producer Ryan Murphy announced at PaleyFest last weekend that there will be a “time leap” between seasons 1 and 2 of the FX series about the New York City ball scene. While season 1 is set in the 1980s, season 2 will pick up in the 1990s on “the day Madonna releases ‘Vogue,’” Murphy teased.
After the success of Pose producer Janet Mock’s directorial debut, the Billy Porter–fronted episode “Love is the Message,” the writer will return to direct this coming season (and, of course, will continue to write throughout the season as well).
Murphy teased that Tony Award winner Patti LuPone would be “coming to play with us in a couple weeks,” when she will share several scenes with Blanca (MJ Rodriguez). Season 1 guest star Sandra Bernhard has been promoted to series regular for season 2.
All charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett were dropped after the actor was accused of faking a hate crime he reported in January. According to reports, the charges were dropped as a part of a settlement that included the actor participating in community service and the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond.
CONFIRMED: As part of settlement with Cook County SAO, #JussieSmolett performed combined 16 hours of community service at Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr’s @RPCoalition. Included critiquing students in broadcast center, working in bookstore, and talking to visitors. @fox32news
— Dakarai Turner (@Dakarai_Turner) March 26, 2019
The actor’s troubles aren’t over, however, as the prosecution’s decision to a deal with the actor has sparked widespread criticism about special treatment for a celebrity. The FBI and Department of Justice were even called upon to review the matter. One insider tied to Empire told Deadline, “Things are so unclear and there is a feeling that this isn’t over, that there’s more to come.” The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is also reportedly working with law enforcement to investigate a hate-filled letter that the actor received on the set of the Fox drama. If it is discovered that the letter was sent by the actor to himself, he could face 5-20 years of jail time.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has been critical of the deal prosecutors agreed to in the attack, is sending Smollett a bill for $130,000 for police overtime.
In the meantime, the actor is nominated for the “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” NAACP Image Award to be presented on Saturday. The ceremony will air live on TV One at 9 p.m. EDT.
(Photo by Showtime)
Hugh Dancy is set to join real-life wife Claire Danes for the eighth and final season of Danes’ award-winning series Homeland. He’ll play John Zabel, a savvy Washington consultant who joins the White House as a new foreign-policy advisor to the president and a formidable opponent to Saul (Mandy Patinkin). Per Showtime, the final season of the series will find Carrie (Danes) recovering from months of brutal confinement in a Russian gulag. Her body is healing, but her memory remains fractured – which is a problem for Saul, now National Security Advisor to the newly ascendant President Warner (Beau Bridges). The top priority of Warner’s young administration is an end to the “forever war” in Afghanistan, and Saul has been dispatched to engage the Taliban in peace negotiations. But Kabul teems with warlords and mercenaries, zealots and spies – and Saul needs the relationships and expertise that only his protégé can provide. Against medical advice, Saul asks Carrie to walk with him into the lion’s den one last time.
Russian Doll star Charlie Barnett will guest star on season 2 of Lifetime series-turned-Netflix original You. He’ll play the best friend of female lead Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti). Gabe is Love’s oldest friend and closest confidant, a successful acupuncturist and psychedelics aficionado living his L.A. life to the fullest.
Netflix’s newest in-the-works holiday movie is called Holiday Rush, and will star Romany Malco, LaLa Anthony, Darlene Love, and Deon Cole.
Sony Pictures Television has sold its stake in Crackle to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Variety reports.
Isn’t It Romantic writer Dana Fox signed a deal with Paramount TV and Anonymous content, THR reports. Fox is showrunner for upcoming Apple TV+ series Home Before Dark. Read RT’s coverage of Apple TV+ here.
Producer Nora Smith (Bob’s Burgers) makes deal at 20th Century Fox, according to Variety.
Netflix announces that Jordan Fisher joins its To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before sequel as John Ambrose McClaren.
John Ambrose McClaren will be played by @Jordan_Fisher in our “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” sequel! pic.twitter.com/0B3KkC6sS3
— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) March 28, 2019
Notable upcoming TV: the series finale of Broad City, the season 9 finale of The Walking Dead, the season 3 finale of This Is Us; premieres include season 1 of Amazon Prime Video original Hanna (based on the film), the final season of Veep, Barry season 2, Certified Fresh season 1 of Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone on CBS All Access, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow season 4 winter premiere, and season 2 of Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger on Freeform.
Read about more upcoming premieres and finales and find out whether your favorite show is renewed or cancelled.
