These talented stars are on the rise. How many do you recognize?

These Stars Are on the Rise

From popular franchises to brand new worlds of exploration, science fiction and fantasy stories are more popular than ever. Check out our list of the best and brightest new and upcoming movies and series.

New and Upcoming Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Discover some of the most anticipated sequels, prequels, and spin-offs coming to theaters and streaming.

New Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-Offs

Born in London in 1961, Chris Lang is a British screenwriter, producer and actor who has written a number of British drama series, notably the award-winning Unforgotten (2015), the four-part thriller Innocent (2018) and the Netflix series The Hookup Plan (2018).

Lang began his writing career in 1993, writing on British TV series including The Bill (1984-2010) (which earned him a Writer's Guild nomination), Soldier Soldier (1991-1997) and The Knock (1994). In 2000, he wrote his first original drama _"The Glass" (2001)_, and has since written a number of successful, critically acclaimed TV movies and dramas (including Sirens (2002), Unconditional Love (2003), Lawless (2004), The Reckoning (2011), and Undeniable (2014) as well as contributing many episodes to existing shows like Hustle (2004- ) and Sky Atlantic's The Tunnel (2013).

Lang is best known as the writer, creator and executive producer of the critically acclaimed Unforgotten (2015). The series starred Nicola Walker (who was nominated for a Press Guild Award for best actress) and Sanjeev Bhaskar, Trevor Eve, Sir Tom Courtenay (who was nominated for an RTS award for best actor, and who won the BAFTA for best supporting actor) Sanjeev Bhaskar and Bernard Hill. Season One was first broadcast in Autumn 2015. ITV recommissioned the series: Season 2 was broadcast in February 2017, Season 3 in July 2018 and Season 4 in 2020. Season 4 of Unforgotten earned a Bafta nomination in the category Best Drama Series.

"Dark Heart (2016)", which Lang adapted from the Adam Creed novel, was first broadcast in November 2016. He also co-wrote the four-part thriller "Innocent (2018)", starring Lee Ingleby, first broadcast in May 2018. The series was adapted for German television as Unschuldig (2018), and broadcast in December 2019

A second series of "Innocent", co-written with Matthew Arlidge and starring Katherine Kelly was broadcast in May 2021.

He created the series The Hookup Plan (2018) (Plan Coeur) with Noémie Saglio for Netflix, which was renewed for t second season in 2019

Lang wrote the four-part drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe (2022), starring Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan based on the true story of prison officer John Darwin, who faked his own death to claim life insurance and avoid bankruptcy - unbeknownst to his two sons.

Unforgotten has been re-commissioned for a fifth season and is currently in production

As an actor he worked on such British television series as Drop the Dead Donkey, Outside Edge, A Dance to the Music of Time and All Along the Watchtower. As a voice actor, he has contributed to films such as A Monkey's Tale, and the Children's television series Kipper the Dog.

He co-founded the production company TXTV with Matthew Arlidge and Jeremy Gwilt, which produces much of his work, and generates other original projects for British broadcasters. He lives in London with his wife and their children.

Awards

Chris Lang

BAFTA Awards

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards

Edgar Allan Poe Awards

British Screenwriters' Awards

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