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The U.K. government of Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that it will make “creating sexually explicit deepfake images a criminal offense” as it cracks down on “vile online abuse.”
“The proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target,” it highlighted. “To tackle this, the government will introduce a new offense meaning perpetrators could be charged for both creating and sharing these images, not only marking a crackdown on this abhorrent behavior but making it clear there is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent.”
The new sexually explicit deepfakes offenses, which will be included in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, will apply to “images,” a word that in British law not only covers photos but also videos or films,...
“The proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target,” it highlighted. “To tackle this, the government will introduce a new offense meaning perpetrators could be charged for both creating and sharing these images, not only marking a crackdown on this abhorrent behavior but making it clear there is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent.”
The new sexually explicit deepfakes offenses, which will be included in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, will apply to “images,” a word that in British law not only covers photos but also videos or films,...
- 1/7/2025
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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Fortnite’s fanbase is pretty open-minded; they accept the small changes that the developers bring to these games with every new update. Sometimes they would get new weapons, and other times they would get new equipment. New powerups, new ways to get around the game—things never stop changing in this game, and it’s not a bad thing either; these changes keep it fresh.
But sometimes there are some things that might sound trivial during the initial stages, but fans start hating them. There can be a bunch of reasons for it. Maybe one weapon is too overpowered, maybe fans do not love a powerup that gives players a brief moment of invincibility, or sometimes there are skins that allow players to blend into the environment. Similar to these examples, there are a bunch of things that fans want changed in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2.
Mythic powers are too much...
But sometimes there are some things that might sound trivial during the initial stages, but fans start hating them. There can be a bunch of reasons for it. Maybe one weapon is too overpowered, maybe fans do not love a powerup that gives players a brief moment of invincibility, or sometimes there are skins that allow players to blend into the environment. Similar to these examples, there are a bunch of things that fans want changed in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2.
Mythic powers are too much...
- 3/19/2024
- by Rohit Sejwal
- FandomWire
The new indie romantic drama The First Time is the sophomore feature film from writer/director Jon Kasdan ( In the Land of Women ), pairing Britt Robertson ("The Secret Circle") and Dylan O'Brien ("Teen Wolf") as Aubrey and Dave, two high school seniors who, after meeting each another one night outside a party, slowly begin to form their first serious relationship. ComingSoon.net spoke with Kasdan, Robertson and O'Brien about their film's honest, open take on young love, a subject that Kasdan, the son of director Lawrence Kasdan, previously tackled as a writer on the short-lived but much-lauded "Freak and Geeks." Also starring Victoria Justice, James Frecheville, Craig Roberts, Joshua Malina, Halston Sage, Maggie Jones and Adam Sevani, The First...
- 10/18/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The trailer for Jonathan Kasdan's The First Time has debuted online and you can check it out in the player below, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies . Starring Dylan O'Brien, Britt Robertson, Victoria Justice, James Frecheville, Craig Roberts, Joshua Malina, Halston Sage, Maggie Jones and Adam Sevani, the romantic drama follows Dave (O'Brien), a high school senior who spends most of his time pining away over a girl he can.t have. Aubrey (Robertson), a junior with artistic aspirations, has a hot boyfriend who doesn.t quite understand her or seem to care. Then Dave and Aubrey meet one night at a party. A casual conversation sparks an instant connection, and, over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic, complicated and funny as Aubrey and Dave discover what it's like to fall...
- 10/1/2012
- Comingsoon.net
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Fox is going with a four-show, two-hour comedy block on Tuesdays this year. "Raising Hope" and "New Girl" are returning and we already showed you the first set of pictures from Mindy Kaling's appropriately titled "The Mindy Project." Now, let's check out images from "Ben and Kate" and "The Goodwin Games." "Ben and Kate" airs in the 8:30 Tuesday slot premiering in the fall and focuses on an irresponsible dreamer named Ben (Nat Faxon) who moves back in with his overly responsible sister Kate (Dakota Johnson) to help her raise her adorable kid (Maggie Jones). Dana Fox created...
- 5/15/2012
- by HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
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The trailer for Mindy Kaling's new Fox comedy "The Mindy Project" has hit the web, so you can now officially dry your tears about Kelly Kapoor's departure from "The Office."
In Kaling's new series, which was officially added to Fox's recently announced 2012-2013 schedule, she starts as an Ob/Gyn who has it all together in the examining room, but basically nowhere else.
In this first look at "The Mindy Project," Kaling's character Mindy Lahiri is a Meg Ryan movie devotee who is looking for a man with "the wealth of Mayor Bloomberg, the personality of Jon Stewart, the face of Michael Fassbender ... the penis of Michael Fassbender." Look out for guests stints from "Saturday Night Live" star Bill Haden and Kaling's former "Office" co-star Ed Helms in the trailer below.
"The Mindy Project" (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Et on Fox in the fall)
Check out the trailers...
In Kaling's new series, which was officially added to Fox's recently announced 2012-2013 schedule, she starts as an Ob/Gyn who has it all together in the examining room, but basically nowhere else.
In this first look at "The Mindy Project," Kaling's character Mindy Lahiri is a Meg Ryan movie devotee who is looking for a man with "the wealth of Mayor Bloomberg, the personality of Jon Stewart, the face of Michael Fassbender ... the penis of Michael Fassbender." Look out for guests stints from "Saturday Night Live" star Bill Haden and Kaling's former "Office" co-star Ed Helms in the trailer below.
"The Mindy Project" (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Et on Fox in the fall)
Check out the trailers...
- 5/14/2012
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Huffington Post
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The trailer for Mindy Kaling's new Fox comedy "The Mindy Project" has hit the web, so you can now officially dry your tears about Kelly Kapoor's departure from "The Office."
In Kaling's new series, which was officially added to Fox's recently announced 2012-2013 schedule, she starts as an Ob/Gyn who has it all together in the examining room, but basically nowhere else.
In this first look at "The Mindy Project," Kaling's character Mindy Lahiri is a Meg Ryan movie devotee who is looking for a man with "the wealth of Mayor Bloomberg, the personality of Jon Stewart, the face of Michael Fassbender ... the penis of Michael Fassbender." Look out for guests stints from "Saturday Night Live" star Bill Haden and Kaling's former "Office" co-star Ed Helms in the trailer below.
"The Mindy Project" (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Et on Fox in the fall)
Check out the trailers...
In Kaling's new series, which was officially added to Fox's recently announced 2012-2013 schedule, she starts as an Ob/Gyn who has it all together in the examining room, but basically nowhere else.
In this first look at "The Mindy Project," Kaling's character Mindy Lahiri is a Meg Ryan movie devotee who is looking for a man with "the wealth of Mayor Bloomberg, the personality of Jon Stewart, the face of Michael Fassbender ... the penis of Michael Fassbender." Look out for guests stints from "Saturday Night Live" star Bill Haden and Kaling's former "Office" co-star Ed Helms in the trailer below.
"The Mindy Project" (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Et on Fox in the fall)
Check out the trailers...
- 5/14/2012
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Aol TV.
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Move over, New Girl — there’s a new new girl coming to Fox for the 2012-13 TV season: Mindy Kaling as an adorably lovelorn gynecologist. And she’s not alone. The network’s also got Kevin Bacon playing a serial killer-stopper and Jordana Spiro as a fearless Mob doc.
Wanna meet ‘em? Of course you do. But since premiere season is still a ways away, maybe the full-length trailers for their respective series (and more) will suffice to tide you over.
Related | Fall TV Grid — What’s On When? And Versus What?
Take a peek below, and then hit the comments with your snappy judgments!
Wanna meet ‘em? Of course you do. But since premiere season is still a ways away, maybe the full-length trailers for their respective series (and more) will suffice to tide you over.
Related | Fall TV Grid — What’s On When? And Versus What?
Take a peek below, and then hit the comments with your snappy judgments!
- 5/14/2012
- by Megan Masters
- TVLine.com
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Fox is shaking things up for its upcoming 2012-2013 TV season with five new shows -- three comedies and two dramas -- and moving around some old favorites.
This fall, "Glee" moves from Tuesdays to Thursdays and is airing a bit later. The Ryan Murphy dramedy will follow "The X Factor" and "American Idol" results shows at 9 p.m. Et. Also making a jump is "Touch," starring Kiefer Sutherland, which will have its second season precede "Fringe's" fifth and final season on Fridays at 8 p.m. Et.
As for the new content, Mindy Kaling's new comedy about a young Ob/Gyn, which is currently being referred to as "The Mindy Project" (after "Mindy" and "It's Messy" were thrown around), and "Ben and Kate," about a pair of odd-couple sibling, join Fox's all-new Tuesday night comedy block, sandwiched between "Raising Hope" and "New Girl."
On the drama end of the spectrum,...
This fall, "Glee" moves from Tuesdays to Thursdays and is airing a bit later. The Ryan Murphy dramedy will follow "The X Factor" and "American Idol" results shows at 9 p.m. Et. Also making a jump is "Touch," starring Kiefer Sutherland, which will have its second season precede "Fringe's" fifth and final season on Fridays at 8 p.m. Et.
As for the new content, Mindy Kaling's new comedy about a young Ob/Gyn, which is currently being referred to as "The Mindy Project" (after "Mindy" and "It's Messy" were thrown around), and "Ben and Kate," about a pair of odd-couple sibling, join Fox's all-new Tuesday night comedy block, sandwiched between "Raising Hope" and "New Girl."
On the drama end of the spectrum,...
- 5/14/2012
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Huffington Post


Fox is shaking things up for its upcoming 2012-2013 TV season with five new shows -- three comedies and two dramas -- and moving around some old favorites.
This fall, "Glee" moves from Tuesdays to Thursdays and is airing a bit later. The Ryan Murphy dramedy will follow "The X Factor" and "American Idol" results shows at 9 p.m. Et. Also making a jump is "Touch," starring Kiefer Sutherland, which will have its second season precede "Fringe's" fifth and final season on Fridays at 8 p.m. Et.
As for the new content, Mindy Kaling's new comedy about a young Ob/Gyn, which is currently being referred to as "The Mindy Project" (after "Mindy" and "It's Messy" were thrown around), and "Ben and Kate," about a pair of odd-couple siblings, join Fox's all-new Tuesday night comedy block, sandwiched between "Raising Hope" and "New Girl."
On the drama end of the spectrum,...
This fall, "Glee" moves from Tuesdays to Thursdays and is airing a bit later. The Ryan Murphy dramedy will follow "The X Factor" and "American Idol" results shows at 9 p.m. Et. Also making a jump is "Touch," starring Kiefer Sutherland, which will have its second season precede "Fringe's" fifth and final season on Fridays at 8 p.m. Et.
As for the new content, Mindy Kaling's new comedy about a young Ob/Gyn, which is currently being referred to as "The Mindy Project" (after "Mindy" and "It's Messy" were thrown around), and "Ben and Kate," about a pair of odd-couple siblings, join Fox's all-new Tuesday night comedy block, sandwiched between "Raising Hope" and "New Girl."
On the drama end of the spectrum,...
- 5/14/2012
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Aol TV.
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Fox has given the green light to five new series for next fall, including comedies fronted by Mindy Kaling and Becki Newton and a serial killer drama from Vampire Diaries‘ Ep Kevin Williamson starring Kevin Bacon.
Also receiving pickups are the sitcom Ben & Kate (formerly Ben Fox Is My Manny) and a mob-tinged medical drama starring Jordana Spiro.
Details on the new shows are below…
• The Kaling project, titled It’s Messy, finds the Office vet playing a Bridget Jones-type Ob/Gyn trying to navigate both her personal and professional lives.
* The Williamson thriller, titled The Following, revolves around...
Also receiving pickups are the sitcom Ben & Kate (formerly Ben Fox Is My Manny) and a mob-tinged medical drama starring Jordana Spiro.
Details on the new shows are below…
• The Kaling project, titled It’s Messy, finds the Office vet playing a Bridget Jones-type Ob/Gyn trying to navigate both her personal and professional lives.
* The Williamson thriller, titled The Following, revolves around...
- 5/10/2012
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
Faxon & Rash Have Also Written Another Screenplay With Alexander Payne
Winning an Oscar Sunday night for Best Adapted Screenplay, for an acclaimed film directed by Alexander Payne and starring ultimate modern movie star George Clooney, probably sounds a lot better in meetings than being the two guys who play outrageous character parts on shows like “Community” and “Party Down.” As much as we appreciate Jim Rash’s role as Dean Pelton, along with his frequently hilarious writing partner Nat Faxon’s appearance in Broken Lizard comedies, something about being fresh off an Oscar win for adapting “The Descendants” for the big screen has done wonders for both gentlemen’s careers.
First up, Variety has word that Faxon and Rash have sold an untitled action-comedy to production house Indian Paintbrush, with none other than “Bridesmaids” star Kristen Wiig attached to lead. While Wiig’s deal is being negotiated, Faxon and Rash...
Winning an Oscar Sunday night for Best Adapted Screenplay, for an acclaimed film directed by Alexander Payne and starring ultimate modern movie star George Clooney, probably sounds a lot better in meetings than being the two guys who play outrageous character parts on shows like “Community” and “Party Down.” As much as we appreciate Jim Rash’s role as Dean Pelton, along with his frequently hilarious writing partner Nat Faxon’s appearance in Broken Lizard comedies, something about being fresh off an Oscar win for adapting “The Descendants” for the big screen has done wonders for both gentlemen’s careers.
First up, Variety has word that Faxon and Rash have sold an untitled action-comedy to production house Indian Paintbrush, with none other than “Bridesmaids” star Kristen Wiig attached to lead. While Wiig’s deal is being negotiated, Faxon and Rash...
- 2/29/2012
- by Benjamin Wright
- The Playlist
Pilot casting news is coming fast and furious these days. The latest:
- Scott Foley, late of "Grey's Anatomy," will star opposite Becki Newton in Fox's comedy "The Goodwin Games," about three siblings poised to inherit their late father's fortune -- if they agree to his terms. Foley will also have a recurring part on "True Blood" this summer. [Deadline]
- Dennis Quaid has signed on to what could be his first TV series, a CBS drama about Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy-turned-1960s sheriff in Las Vegas. Michael Chiklis ("The Shield," "No Ordinary Family") has also joined the show as Lamb's primary antagonist, Chicago mobster Johnny Savino. [Hollywood Reporter]
- "Saturday Night Live" regular Abby Elliott will star in a Fox comedy called "Ned Fox Is My Manny," playing a type-a single mom who hires her more laid-back brother to help raise her daughter (played by Maggie Jones). If the show goes to series,...
- Scott Foley, late of "Grey's Anatomy," will star opposite Becki Newton in Fox's comedy "The Goodwin Games," about three siblings poised to inherit their late father's fortune -- if they agree to his terms. Foley will also have a recurring part on "True Blood" this summer. [Deadline]
- Dennis Quaid has signed on to what could be his first TV series, a CBS drama about Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy-turned-1960s sheriff in Las Vegas. Michael Chiklis ("The Shield," "No Ordinary Family") has also joined the show as Lamb's primary antagonist, Chicago mobster Johnny Savino. [Hollywood Reporter]
- "Saturday Night Live" regular Abby Elliott will star in a Fox comedy called "Ned Fox Is My Manny," playing a type-a single mom who hires her more laid-back brother to help raise her daughter (played by Maggie Jones). If the show goes to series,...
- 2/24/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
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Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks is coming to NBC’s comedy "Up All Night," reports EW.com.
The legendary singer will play herself in a guest-starring appearance on the comedy. In an episode airing later this season, Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Ava (Maya Rudolph) will need to woo Stevie to get her to be on Ava’s talk show.
In other casting news ...
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Abby Elliott is reportedly heading to "My Manny." According to EW, she is close to a deal for the lead role in the Fox comedy pilot as an uptight single mom and her laid-back brother who move in together to raise a child (Maggie Jones). A source told EW 'SNL' chief Lorne Michaels has agreed to let alumna Elliott out of her contract. [EW]
"Friday Night Lights" alum Aimee Teegarden has landed the starring role in the CW's "Hunger Games"-like drama pilot "The Selection.
The legendary singer will play herself in a guest-starring appearance on the comedy. In an episode airing later this season, Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Ava (Maya Rudolph) will need to woo Stevie to get her to be on Ava’s talk show.
In other casting news ...
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Abby Elliott is reportedly heading to "My Manny." According to EW, she is close to a deal for the lead role in the Fox comedy pilot as an uptight single mom and her laid-back brother who move in together to raise a child (Maggie Jones). A source told EW 'SNL' chief Lorne Michaels has agreed to let alumna Elliott out of her contract. [EW]
"Friday Night Lights" alum Aimee Teegarden has landed the starring role in the CW's "Hunger Games"-like drama pilot "The Selection.
- 2/23/2012
- by Crystal Bell
- Huffington Post

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Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks is coming to NBC’s comedy "Up All Night," reports EW.com.
The legendary singer will play herself in a guest-starring appearance on the comedy. In an episode airing later this season, Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Ava (Maya Rudolph) will need to woo Stevie to get her to be on Ava’s talk show.
In other casting news ...
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Abby Elliott is reportedly heading to "My Manny." According to EW, she is close to a deal for the lead role in the Fox comedy pilot as an uptight single mom and her laid-back brother who move in together to raise a child (Maggie Jones). A source told EW 'SNL' chief Lorne Michaels has agreed to let alumna Elliott out of her contract. [EW]
"Friday Night Lights" alum Aimee Teegarden has landed the starring role in the CW's "Hunger Games"-like drama pilot "The Selection.
The legendary singer will play herself in a guest-starring appearance on the comedy. In an episode airing later this season, Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Ava (Maya Rudolph) will need to woo Stevie to get her to be on Ava’s talk show.
In other casting news ...
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Abby Elliott is reportedly heading to "My Manny." According to EW, she is close to a deal for the lead role in the Fox comedy pilot as an uptight single mom and her laid-back brother who move in together to raise a child (Maggie Jones). A source told EW 'SNL' chief Lorne Michaels has agreed to let alumna Elliott out of her contract. [EW]
"Friday Night Lights" alum Aimee Teegarden has landed the starring role in the CW's "Hunger Games"-like drama pilot "The Selection.
- 2/23/2012
- by Crystal Bell
- Aol TV.
Jake Kasdan, who directed the pilot for Liz Meriwether’s freshman hit New Girl, will direct another female-centered single-camera comedy pilot from a female creator for Fox, 20th TV and Chernin Entertainment this season. Kasdan has come on board to helm Dana Fox’s Ben Fox Is My Manny, which centers on an uptight single mother whose aimless brother moves in to help raise her daughter (Maggie Jones). The gig stems from the overall deal Kasdan signed with 20th TV last summer. Another director of a 2011 pilot that went to series, Michael Mayer, is back on pilot duty. Mayer, who made his pilot directing debut last season with NBC/Universal TV’s upcoming musical drama Smash, has been tapped to direct another NBC/Universal TV pilot, Do No Harm, a medical drama about a brilliant neurosurgeon who wrestles with his dangerous alter-ego that threatens to wreak havoc on his personal and professional life.
- 2/2/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The Ghost Whisperer alum David Conrad and Tovah Feldshuh round out the cast of NBC’s drama pilot Beautiful People. The project, written by Michael McDonald, is set in the near future in a society where humans co-exist with mechanical androids that look like people but are treated like second-class citizens. Gersh-repped Conrad will play Jerry, the head of Universal Kinematics, a Steve Jobs-type of entrepreneurial genius, expert at both high-level design and higher-level marketing of sophisticated Mechanical servants. Feldshuh will play the head of the Mechanical Control Division of the police department who is determined to keep them a cowed, servile underclass. Daniel Lissing (The Cure) is the first actor cast in ABC’s drama pilot Last Resort, from Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek. The Sony TV-produced project centers on the crew of the U.S.S. Nevada, a nuclear submarine, who, after disobaying a suspicous order, become fugitives.
- 2/1/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
'Coronation Street' newcomer Sylvia Cropper could be set to fill the shoes of bossy Blanche Hunt. Sylvia - played by Stephanie Cole - will descend upon the cobbles next month to pay a surprise visit to son Roy Cropper (David Neilson) and his wife Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh). However, since the tragic death of actress Maggie Jones - who portrayed battleaxe Blanche in the ITV1 soap until she passed away in 2009 - producers are said to be missing her "acerbic" sense of humour, and are hoping the introduction of Sylvia will bring some of it back. An insider told The Sun newspaper: "It'll...
- 3/24/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
On February 25 & 26, Alive! Expo Green Pavilion & Mix Media Luxury Lounge with Project Green returned to the London Hotel in Los Angeles for their popular Oscar week extravaganza.
Owners Kim Shimmel and Patrycja Siewert-Towns hosted a successful weekend of eco- education & pampering with luxurious yet earth friendly products. Attending celebrity guests included Robin Wright, who stopped by to enjoy raw food chef Jason Wrobel’s Oscar worthy vegan snacks. Beautiful Dr. Yamma Brown (daughter of the late James Brown) grooved to Kemol -DJ Green’s cool music pics and live performances produced by Koffeehouse. A graceful Tippi Hedren stopped in to lend support for our Project Green initiative and visit her friend Maggie Jones “Slimmer Silhouette.” Composer Alan Menken got "Tangled " up in the enormous Eco-Luxe Gift Bag!
Read more...
Owners Kim Shimmel and Patrycja Siewert-Towns hosted a successful weekend of eco- education & pampering with luxurious yet earth friendly products. Attending celebrity guests included Robin Wright, who stopped by to enjoy raw food chef Jason Wrobel’s Oscar worthy vegan snacks. Beautiful Dr. Yamma Brown (daughter of the late James Brown) grooved to Kemol -DJ Green’s cool music pics and live performances produced by Koffeehouse. A graceful Tippi Hedren stopped in to lend support for our Project Green initiative and visit her friend Maggie Jones “Slimmer Silhouette.” Composer Alan Menken got "Tangled " up in the enormous Eco-Luxe Gift Bag!
Read more...
- 3/7/2011
- Look to the Stars
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Blanche Hunt's Alcoholics Anonymous scenes have topped a poll of Coronation Street's best moments from the show's 50 years. The character, played by the late Maggie Jones, had the highest ranking for the scenes where she revealed her family's secrets at Peter Barlow's meeting. The second most popular highlight was the storyline involving serial killer Richard Hillman, portrayed by Brian Capron, where he murdered his (more)...
- 12/10/2010
- by By Kristy Kelly
- Digital Spy
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Soap fans have voted Blanche Hunt as their favourite Coronation Street character in the history of the soap. The acid-tongued matriarch, who was written out of the show earlier this year after the real-life death of actress Maggie Jones, was chosen by almost a third of the respondents in the Inside Soap poll. Hilda Ogden, played by Jean Alexander, came second, while Vera Duckworth, who was portrayed by Liz Dawn and recently made a brief cameo (more)...
- 12/3/2010
- by By Naomi Rainey
- Digital Spy
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More details about the forthcoming Coronation Street anniversary play have been revealed. The soap's long-term scriptwriter Jonathan Harvey, who is penning Corrie!, told BBC Breakfast that the show will open with Blanche Hunt about to discover if she can enter heaven. "The story starts, you have Blanche - Maggie Jones who played her died earlier this year - so I have the show opening at the pearly gates of heaven being interviewed by St. Peter to see if she is going to be allowed in and he says, 'Where are you from?' and she says, 'Well I'll show you where I'm from,' and then you get the sort of history of the street," Harvey revealed. The production will celebrate the soap's 50th anniversary and will condense the programme's history of births, deaths and marriages into two hours. The writer continued: (more)...
- 8/9/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Anne Kirkbride reportedly collapsed yesterday (23.06.10). The 'Coronation Street' actress - who portrays Deirdre Barlow - had a pillow placed under her head as staffed dabbed water on her face after passing out after a photoshoot for the show's forthcoming 50th birthday. The 56-year-old star was then taken off in a wheelchair for further treatment. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''It was a bit of a shock to see her in that way.'' Meanwhile, Maggie Jones - who played Deirdre's mother Blanche Hunt - left nearly £1.2 million in her will, it has been revealed. Probate records show the 75-year-old actress - who died ..
- 6/24/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Coronation Street legend Maggie Jones left almost £1.2m in her will, a report has revealed. According to The Sun, probate records show that the actress left behind £1,188,193, which has been reduced to £1,165,415 after liabilities. It is thought that £8,000 of the star's fortune will go to friends and relatives, while the rest will be inherited by her sister Joan. Jones, who played acid-tongued Weatherfield (more)...
- 6/24/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
'Coronation Street' bosses want Craig Gazey to be the ''new Blanche Hunt''. The actor - who picked up Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards at the weekend for his portrayal of dozy butcher Graeme Proctor - is seen as having a long future on the show and producers are hopeful he can fill the void left by the passing of Maggie Jones, who played Blanche. A source told the Daily Star newspaper: ''We really miss that wicked sense of humour now that Blanche has gone. ''But Craig is such an awesome actor, he can deliver lines with the same sort of comedy ..
- 5/12/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Tracy Barlow causes a scene at Blanche Hunt's funeral. Kate Ford - who plays the malicious minx in the ITV soap - admits her character is upset by the passing of her grandmother (Maggie Jones) but will be ready for a confrontation with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), the father of her daughter Amy. She said: ''She's devastated by the news of her grandma's death, and really takes it to heart. But when the prisoner governor agrees to let Tracy to go to the funeral, the thing she's really looking forward to is seeing her daughter, Amy. So anything could happen when they ..
- 4/29/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Coronation Street star Kate Ford has admitted that she tried to switch off her real-life emotions when she filmed her screen grandmother Blanche Hunt's funeral scenes. The actress's jailed character Tracy Barlow will feature in the soap for the first time in three years next month when she is granted day release to pay her last respects to the Weatherfield battleaxe. Blanche's death storyline was created by the serial's producers after Maggie Jones, who played the character from 1974, passed away following a period of ill health. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Ford explained: "I went to Maggie's funeral in London - that was beautiful. But for me, personally, I (more)...
- 4/23/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Blanche Hunt's voice will be heard during her 'Coronation Street' funeral. The battleaxe character - who was portrayed by Maggie Jones, who died earlier this year - will speak to her friends and loved-ones in the ITV1 soap one last time, during her Weatherfield funeral scenes. Discussing the episode, Katherine Kelly - who plays Becky McDonald in the soap - said: ''It was created so people can say goodbye to the character. ''The brilliant writers have found a very clever way of getting her voice into the episode.'' Katherine and her co-star Antony Cotton (Sean Tully) are currently promoting the show in Canada. Speaking to Toronto's ..
- 4/16/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Bill Roache grieved for Maggie Jones twice. The 'Coronation Street' actor - who plays the soap's longest serving character Ken Barlow - has admitted it was difficult having to grieve for Maggie Jones both in real life and on set for her character Blanche Hunt. He told The Sun newspaper: ''It really got very complex. I have never had a confusion of reality and non-reality before and it was really upsetting for a lot of us. ''What was quite bizarre was that on-screen we were doing the death of Blanche and then we had to break off and do the memorial service ..
- 3/31/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Coronation Street star Bill Roache has admitted that he found it difficult to film Blanche Hunt's forthcoming death storyline. Later this year, the Barlow family will be told that Blanche - who is currently enjoying a holiday in Portugal with a friend - has passed away. Viewers will then see a screen funeral for the Weatherfield favourite. While filming the emotional scenes, Roache - who plays the battleaxe's son-in-law Ken Barlow - and his co-stars were busy preparing for a public memorial service held to celebrate the life of Blanche actress Maggie Jones. Speaking (more)...
- 3/30/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Anne Kirkbride broke down in tears while filming scenes for her on-screen mother's funeral. The 'Coronation Street' actress, who plays Deirdre Barlow, had to take a break as she became overwhelmed when Blanche Hunt - played by Maggie Jones, who died in December - was laid to rest outside a church in Manchester. One onlooker said: ''It must be a very emotional time for all the cast to be filming these scenes. ''Maggie was a brilliant actress and clearly a much-loved part of the cast.'' However, the sombre mood was lightened when it emerged that Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris Cole, had fallen asleep and ..
- 3/25/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Coronation Street stars were reportedly baffled when they heard snoring as they filmed a scene for Blanche Hunt's funeral. According to The Mirror, the cast noticed the noise after Anne Kirkbride stood up and started giving a speech in character as Blanche's daughter Deirdre for the ceremony. Filming for the funeral has been taking place in recent weeks as a tribute to the character of Blanche, who was played by late actress Maggie Jones. After hearing the snoring during shooting this week, it is thought that Weatherfield's (more)...
- 3/25/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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Veteran actress June Whitfield is to join the cast of Coronation Street, it has been confirmed. The 84-year-old - whose extensive filmography includes Carry On films and more recently Doctor Who - takes on the role of May, Blanche's old friend who turns up for her funeral. On Tuesday, it was announced that Roy Hudd is to reprise his role as undertaker Archie Shuttleworth for the commemorative episodes. In October, Blanche actress Maggie Jones was quickly written out of the Manchester serial (more)...
- 3/4/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Jones Honoured With Manchester Memorial
Friends, colleagues and fans of beloved British actress Maggie Jones gathered to celebrate her life and work at a public memorial service in Manchester, England on Friday.
Jones, best-known for playing Blanche Hunt on the long-running TV soap Coronation Street, passed away on 2 December after failing to recover from an operation in October. She was 75.
Filming was temporarily suspended to allow Jones' former cast members, including actress Anne Kirkbride, to attend the service at the city's Salford Cathedral.
The memorial also featured an emotional address from actor William Roache, who played her son-in-law on the hit U.K. drama.
Jones, best-known for playing Blanche Hunt on the long-running TV soap Coronation Street, passed away on 2 December after failing to recover from an operation in October. She was 75.
Filming was temporarily suspended to allow Jones' former cast members, including actress Anne Kirkbride, to attend the service at the city's Salford Cathedral.
The memorial also featured an emotional address from actor William Roache, who played her son-in-law on the hit U.K. drama.
- 2/26/2010
- WENN
'Coronation Street' star Maggie Jones was remembered in a public memorial service yesterday (25.02.10). The actress - who played straight-talking battleaxe Blanche Hunt in the ITV soap until she died in her sleep in December, aged 75 - was paid tribute to by hundreds of mourners, including three busloads of her former co-stars. Actor Bill Roache - who played Maggie's screen son-in-law Ken Barlow - told the congregation at Salford Cathedral in Manchester she was a ''unique and wonderful'' actress. He added: ''She simply stole every scene she was in.'' Show producer Kim Crowther spoke lovingly to the crowd - which consisted of Katherine Kelly ..
- 2/26/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Maggie Jones will be remembered at a public memorial next Thursday (25.02.10). The late 'Coronation Street' actress - who played battleaxe Blanche Hunt - will be honoured at a service at the Salford Cathedral next week, where Bill Roache, who plays Blanche's long-suffering son-in-law Ken Barlow will address the congregation. 'Coronation Street' producer Kim Crowther said: ''Maggie was such a wonderful character in real life, and just as unforgettable as her alter-ego Blanche. ''Still missed greatly by cast and crew, we always planned to give everybody the chance to celebrate Maggie's life, both on and off the street. ''Thursday is not just ..
- 2/19/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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A public memorial service for the late Coronation Street star Maggie Jones will be held in Salford next week. The actress's life and career will be celebrated at Salford Cathedral on Thursday at 2pm in a service which will be open to all. Coronation Street filming will be suspended for the afternoon to allow cast and crew to attend. Bill Roache, who plays Jones's screen son-in-law Ken Barlow, has agreed to give a personal address. Jones, best known for her role as Weatherfield battleaxe Blanche Hunt, passed away last December following a period of ill health. Speaking of the planned service, Corrie's series producer Kim Crowther (more)...
- 2/19/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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Coronation Street's series producer Kim Crowther has confirmed that the show's team have no plans to create a new Blanche Hunt-style character. Crowther told Digital Spy that while the Weatherfield soap will continue to have humorous moments, viewers will not see another acid-tongued resident to take Blanche's place. Maggie Jones, who played the battleaxe from 1974, passed away in December following a period of ill health. Speaking of the gap left behind by Jones and her character, Crowther explained: "Maggie's a great loss to the show, there's no doubt about it and everybody knows that - there's no way we could pretend otherwise and we wouldn't even try to fill those shoes." She continued: "Maggie (more)...
- 2/10/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Maggie Jones will have one last rant as 'Coronation Street's Blanche Hunt - from beyond the grave. The late actress - who died in December aged 75 - is set to give her on-screen family a final put-down when her battleaxe character Blanche sends her loved-ones a postcard from Portugal filled with withering words. In the card to her daughter Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) and son-in-law Ken Barlow (Bill Roache), Blanche writes: ''I considered surprising you by flying back for your party. But then I remembered some of your previous anniversary parties and couldn't imagine it would be worth the bother. Besides, it's ..
- 2/9/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Dermot O'Leary has revealed that he would like Maggie Jones to be awarded a posthumous prize at this year's National Television Awards. The presenter, who will front this year's ceremony, argued that Jones deserves recognition for her performances as Blanche Hunt in Coronation Street. Jones passed away at the age of 75 last month following a period of ill health. She had made her first appearance on the Weatherfield soap in 1974. Speaking about the NTAs in an interview with We Love Telly, (more)...
- 1/18/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Tracy Barlow will return to 'Coronation Street' for Blanche Hunt's funeral. The soap murderess will be released from prison and appear back in Weatherfield for her grandmother, Blanche's, send off. The plot twist comes after Maggie Jones, who played much loved battleaxe Blanche, died aged 75 last December after a period of illness. Her death was unforeseen and she had to be written out of the show. 'Coronation Street' producer Kim Crowther said: ''Blanche's death seemed the perfect opportunity to introduce Tracy back. She is released from prison especially to attend the funeral. ''The funeral itself will give a chance ..
- 1/12/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
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Coronation Street legend Blanche Hunt is to get an on-screen send-off after the much-loved character passes away, it has been announced. Producers' plans for Blanche had remained uncertain after actress Maggie Jones, who played the Weatherfield battleaxe from 1974, died last month following a period of ill health. Speaking on This Morning today, the soap's leading producer Kim Crowther confirmed that Blanche will get an on-screen funeral later this year. The occasion will see the comeback of Kate Ford in the role of Blanche's twisted granddaughter Tracy (more)...
- 1/11/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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Former Coronation Street actor Sean Wilson has revealed that he has fond memories of his late co-star Maggie Jones. The 44-year-old, who played nurse Martin Platt on the ITV1 drama for two decades, told This Is Nottingham that Jones did not realise how much she was loved by the public. Jones passed away at the age of 75 earlier this month. The actress, who became a soap legend in her role as battleaxe Blanche Hunt, had suffered ill health for some time. Reflecting on his experiences (more)...
- 12/18/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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A funeral service described as "beautiful and dignified" has been held for the late Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones. The star, whose character Blanche Hunt was known for her withering put-downs in the Weatherfield soap, passed away on December 2, aged 75. The private funeral service, attended by cast members and other colleagues as well as family and close friends, was held at St Peter's Catholic Church in Clerkenwell, London. At the same time, a (more)...
- 12/15/2009
- by By Oli Simpson
- Digital Spy
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Coronation Street writer Jonathan Harvey has praised the late, "irreplaceable" Maggie Jones. On Wednesday, ITV announced that Jones - who played comic battleaxe Blanche Hunt in Corrie - had died at the age of 75. Of her passing, Harvey told Digital Spy: "I am absolutely gutted. Maggie was a lovely lady, a proper actress and her delivery and timing were razor sharp." He added: "I loved writing for Blanche as she could say the unsayable and you wouldn't hate her for it. Also, you always (more)...
- 12/4/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
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Coronation Street actresses Beverly Callard and Jane Danson this afternoon paid tribute to their late co-star Maggie Jones. Jones - who played Weatherfield's Blanche Hunt since 1974 - passed away yesterday morning at the age of 75, following a long illness. Speaking of Jones's passing, Liz McDonald actress Beverly Callard said of her passing: "She was great actress and a great lady! A woman of such strength! It was an honour to be on set with her! We will all miss her so much." Meanwhile, Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) commended: "We all feel so very sad but we know (more)...
- 12/3/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
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Jones Dies At 75
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Beloved British actress Maggie Jones has died, aged 75.
The actress, who played Blanche Hunt on the long-running soap Coronation Street, passed away on Wednesday after failing to recover from an operation in October in Hope Hospital in Manchester, England.
Actor William Roache, who plays her on-screen son-in-law Ken Barlow, has paid tribute to the star.
He says, "Maggie was a big part of the Barlow family and a brilliant actress. She was a tower of strength, physically frail but mentally strong as an ox and sharp as someone half her age.
"She had an amazing dry wit and was as funny if not funnier than Blanche."
Jones began her career on the stage, appearing in stage shows Pride and Prejudice and The Woman on London's West End, before she made her TV debut as a policewoman on Coronation Street in 1961.
She first appeared as Blanche Hunte on the soap from 1974 to 1976, before she rejoined the cast in 1999.
The role won her two British Soap Awards for Best Comedy Performance in 2005 and 2008.
In 1971, Jones married John Oliver Stansfield, who died in 1999.
The actress, who played Blanche Hunt on the long-running soap Coronation Street, passed away on Wednesday after failing to recover from an operation in October in Hope Hospital in Manchester, England.
Actor William Roache, who plays her on-screen son-in-law Ken Barlow, has paid tribute to the star.
He says, "Maggie was a big part of the Barlow family and a brilliant actress. She was a tower of strength, physically frail but mentally strong as an ox and sharp as someone half her age.
"She had an amazing dry wit and was as funny if not funnier than Blanche."
Jones began her career on the stage, appearing in stage shows Pride and Prejudice and The Woman on London's West End, before she made her TV debut as a policewoman on Coronation Street in 1961.
She first appeared as Blanche Hunte on the soap from 1974 to 1976, before she rejoined the cast in 1999.
The role won her two British Soap Awards for Best Comedy Performance in 2005 and 2008.
In 1971, Jones married John Oliver Stansfield, who died in 1999.
- 12/3/2009
- WENN
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The cast of Coronation Street have begun to pay tribute to Weatherfield legend Maggie Jones. The 75-year-old actress, who played Blanche Hunt on the ITV soap, passed away in hospital earlier today after losing a long battle with illness. Katherine Kelly, who portrays barmaid Becky McDonald, said: “Our Maggie is irreplaceable. No words can truly describe how fabulous she was. I feel blessed to have known her." Sean Tully, actor Antony Cotton, commented: "I am absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Maggie. I will remember her as a friend and a colleague - a brilliant woman - smart, honest and laugh-out-loud funny. But I will also remember her as the public will - as the unstoppable Blanche Hunt. Sharper than a Velociraptor with a flick knife, she always said just what you wanted to hear. " He added: "In Coronation Street, with the (more)...
- 12/2/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
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Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones died this morning, aged 75. The actress, who played the much-loved soap character Blanche Hunt, passed away in hospital after losing a long battle with illness. Jones, who studied at the Rada drama school, first appeared in Coronation Street in 1961 as a policewoman. She was granted a full time role as Blanche, the mother of Dierdre, 13 years later and remained on the show until 1976. She made several reappearances in the shows for events such as Deirdre's marriage to Ken Barlow in 1981 and the birth of her grandchild Tracy 1977. Jones was made a full-time cast member in 1999. In 2005 and 2008, Jones won the British Soap Award for 'Best Comedy Performance' for her role on the ITV1 soap. She appeared in more that 830 episodes of the show. Her other TV credits included Dalziel and Pascore, Peak Practice, (more)...
- 12/2/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
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Coronation Street veteran Maggie Jones is making a "steady" recovery following her recent health scare, the soap's lead producer has announced. Show boss Kim Crowther updated fans on the 75-year-old's condition as she took part in a live webchat yesterday on the soap's official website, confirming that she is looking forward to seeing Jones back on set. Crowther commented: "Maggie is making a slow and steady recovery and we wish her all the best and can't (more)...
- 11/20/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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