How is Ted Lasso season 4 going to end? Outside of those who worked on it, nobody knows — but I can tell you when its eighth episode will be released on Apple TV.

Indeed, as one of TechRadar's resident entertainment experts, I'm your best source for all manner of release date and launch time information. So, if you're desperate to know more about when this week's chapter — titled 'Follow the Anger' — will premiere, I've got you covered.

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8?

Ted Lasso season 4's next entry is expected to drop in the US and Canada at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, September 22.

Apple has always made a habit of telling us that episodes of its new and returning TV Originals will come out every Wednesday at 12am PT in North America. Nonetheless, every single one of this season's episodes has arrived on Tuesday evenings at the times I mentioned above. It's all but confirmed, then, that season 4 episode 8 will do the same.

As for the rest of the world, Ted Lasso's next installment will be released on Wednesday, September 23. Read on to see what time it'll launch where you live:

• US — Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, September 23 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Wednesday, September 23 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, September 23 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, September 23 at 1pm NZST

Ted Lasso season 4 full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

Unless there's an unexpected alteration to this season's current release schedule, new episodes will make landfall every Tuesday in North and South America, and on Wednesdays on other continents. Read on to see when the final two installments will air near you:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

In the UK, we're exceptionally good at producing legal dramas. From Silk to Kavanagh QC, we've been offering the world a strictness and sense of traditionalism that the likes of Law & Order just can't touch.

Nowhere was this more apparent that The Split, one of the most popular dramas on BBC iPlayer in recent years. Exploring the world of divorce law, we follow the Defoes, a family of sisters working as divorce lawyers, who come face-to-face with their past after their estranged father returns to the fold.

The series came to an end in 2024, but two years later, spinoff The Split Up is ready to take up the mantle. This time, we're following Kishan Law, a powerhouse British South Asian family law firm.

Aria (Ritu Arya) is poised to take over leadership from her father Dhruv (Sanjeev Bhaskar), but the death of Aria's mother six months prior causes Dhruv to hesitate. Add in a workplace love triangle, complicated siblings and a messy divorce trial walking through their doors every week, and we've got something to get our teeth into.

It's a brilliant and delicious watch — so much so that I binged all six episodes in one sitting. Speaking to writer Ursula Rani Sarma, I learned that she already has ideas for more (though no official renewal has been made). On top of that, they're not ruling out a Nicola Walker cameo further down the line.

'If a storyline created that opportunity, we could 100% do it'

"My personal hope is for three seasons minimum," Sarma tells me. "I feel like I'm only just getting started with writing these characters and their journeys. As I was coming up with these storylines for season 1, I also had ideas for seasons 2 and 3 in my head."

This last statement alone immediately makes The Split Up worth investing in. We're living in an age of routine TV cancellations and one-season miniseries, so for Sarma to be taking the time to think further ahead means there's a natural richness that (surely) the BBC can't say no to.

"The three-season arc also emulates The Split," she continues. "But of course, that turned around and surprised everyone with a special. It's endless, my hopes and dreams for this family."

No spoilers, but we leave The Split Up at a place where enough is resolved and left unspoken simultaneously — which, frankly, is exactly where you want be heading into another season.

But what about a direct crossover? "I don't think anything's off the table," Sarma adds. "It was really important for the first series to establish this family to hopefully make audiences fall in love with them in the same way. To build that up without wondering what would happen if Hannah [Walker] were to walk in.

"But this is the gift of being part of The Split. If a storyline created that opportunity, we could 100% do it. Its cast are clearly so fond of that show."

That's the sense of optimism I like to see... now I just need to keep my fingers crossed.

For the past couple of weeks we’ve been seeing how Reality Fracture will conclude the multiverse-tearing Omenpath saga of Magic: The Gathering’s story. Jace’s domination of his Echoverse rings through his presence on seemingly every other card as the Empower Jace mechanic — which brings forth a Planeswalker token of himself, as a sort of simulacrum of the popular Amass mechanic.

But before Jace attempted to break the multiverse, Wizards of the Coast was already dabbling in powers beyond their control with Universes Beyond. This sees non-native IP break into the Magic: The Gathering game, and it has proven itself both incredibly popular and divisive.

One setting that has managed to unite both sides of the aisle, however, is Middle Earth: the land of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and dark forces attempting to enact Sauron’s corrupting plans on the world.

We recently returned to this setting through The Hobbit set, a return which felt much more like a return to a classic Magic world such as Ravnica, Lorwyn, or Dominaria rather than a return to a UB world like… New York City, which we experienced through both Marvel Super Heroes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after first swinging through with Spider-Man.

Through his YouTube channel Good Morning Magic, Gavin Verhey (Principal Magic Designer at Wizards of the Coast) details the design philosophy and origins of cards from throughout Magic’s history, including its most recent releases. At Gamescom, I got some time to chat with him, deep diving into Wizards’ approach for The Hobbit — and its approach to Universes Beyond more generally.

A return to a Magic plane normally means the return of mechanics associated with that world. Case in point, after debuting a variant of Amass with Amass Orcs in its Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle Earth set, another variation appeared with Amass Goblins in The Hobbit — enabling players to assemble a Goblin Army, one of the five armies that battled in the book’s climax.

However we didn’t see the return of The Ring Tempts You, not even as a cameo on a Bilbo or Gollum game piece (a term designers use to denote a mechanic we see on only a couple of cards rather than as a core feature).

Verhey explained the team did look into including it, but ultimately decided against it.

“The Ring Tempts You was a mechanic that did not play out super great, and was quite complicated, and doesn’t make a lot of sense because the Ring is such a small part of The Hobbit,” says Verhey.

He explained that it could have fit as a one-off cameo, but “There’s no reminder text on the card for what The Ring Tempts You does, that’s on an entirely different card you have to track. Maybe it could have worked as a Jumpstart card, but we decided it would be a lot of work for a little gain so we didn’t bring it back.”

At least my Food and Fellowship precon deck got a couple of food token and lifegain support pieces in the set.

There, and back again?

Now that we have returned to Middle Earth, a question I’ve had rattling through my brain is which UB plane could we planeswalk back to next? Gavin Verhey wasn’t about to spoil anything, but I did ask if the possibility of returning meant Wizards of the Coast was more cautious about what it did or didn’t use from a partner’s IP.

The Lord of the Rings set only included one The Hobbit reference through the card There and Back Again, meanwhile The Last Airbender didn’t include any ties to The Legend of Korra — not even as a Secret Lair.

“In general we want our designers to use everything they can, because there’s no guarantee we’ll ever make another set in that world. So you should make as much as you can, and what makes sense. But we’re often making them based on very specific properties.

“So with Avatar: The Last Airbender the set was Avatar: The Last Airbender not Avatar: The Legend of Korra. So Korra was off the table for that set. The same for The Lord of the Rings set, The Hobbit was off the table.

“It’s a bit of preservation for the future, but also just a bit of what we have access to.”

Verhey adds this is contrasted by sets like Final Fantasy or Doctor Who where the designers knew they had access to the whole franchise’s history for one set.

The Marvel collab is also a bit different as Wizards of the Coast knew there would be multiple sets from the get go: “So we actually figured out, before we did anything else, how we were going to divvy all of those sets up to make sure cards ended up in the right place.”

Riddles in the dark

Gavin Verhey explained there are plenty of positives that come from working in a Universes Beyond set — chiefly the distinct characters the worlds are filled with are a delightful design puzzle to bring to life in MtG. But what are the challenges?

“The place that you get into the most trouble is figuring out how the characters translate into colors — because a well-written character is usually many different colors over the course of their lifecycle.”

Verhey explained players have different expectations of the characters. Someone will reasonably see Bilbo as Blue for his riddles expertise, another person sees him as Black as he embraces thievery, another as Green for hobbits’ embrace of food and nature in the Shire — we’ve seen him represented across all five colors in fact across both Middle Earth-based sets.

We’ve seen how the designers solve this: make multiple versions of the same character at different points throughout their story. This prevents every legend becoming five-color soup, and keeps things simple and accessible for newcomers — who are more likely to open a card belonging to a popular character if there’s multiple of them, and cards with fewer colors are usually less complex as they don’t need to mechanically justify why they’re multi-disciplined.

That said, Verhey said there do need to be multi-color legends to encompass other similar legends so folks can play them all in the same deck more easily if they want — “For example, we make sure there’s a Red-White Dwarf lord that all other Dwarves can go into a deck for.” (Note: A lord is a term for a card which offers a static benefit to all cards of a certain creature type).

This doesn’t just account for creatures in The Hobbit. The designers also try to make sure the cards pair well with the Dwarves, Elves, Goblins, and Hobbits they’ve released before.

Universes Beyond can also create almost the reverse challenge for the designers: not having enough characters in each color.

Verhey explained. “You know, this is not the case for The Hobbit but a funny Universes Beyond problem is usually most worlds have heroes — that makes for easy White characters — and they have villains which tend to want to be Black characters. Then there’s usually someone who’s a little aggressive or impulsive, so our Red characters. And there’s always the smart people so that’s the Blue. But Green?”

For The Hobbit Elves, Bears and other nature-aligned figures fill this slot, but that’s not always the case.

“Figuring out what Green means in a world without Elves, growth, or lots of nature is really challenging — that’s what many Universes Beyond can live or die on.”

A Warm Welcome

Universes Beyond has been a standout success for Magic: The Gathering. It makes perfect sense, therefore, that Wizards of the Coast would want to apply this to its other world-famous brand: Dungeons and Dragons.

So far it has announced collaboration plans with World of Warcraft and Star Wars — partnerships which will bring iconic characters, worlds, items and archetypes (as classes and subclasses) into the tabletop roleplaying game.

However no Universes Beyond property has yet to feature in both games, so I asked Verhey if any rivalry or jealousy has developed between the teams — Star Wars fans on the Magic side or The Last Airbender lovers on D&D wishing they could be building inside those worlds.

Unsurprisingly Verhey said there’s nothing but excitement around the office, “It’s honestly very cool to see D&D be like ‘Hey this thing’s been great for Magic, Let’s have us give that a try as well’. I’m stoked to see what they do with it.”

The Last Stage

There’s only a few months left of 2026, but we have a lot more Magic: The Gathering to enjoy. Verhey says reality is “huge. It’s the capstone event of the current story arc, and like nothing we’ve made before.”

Previews have showcased dozens of alternate reality pairings — showing original and Echoverse versions of characters from across Magic’s worlds — and in Verhey’s words the team has done “a heck of a lot better a job than we did with Planar Chaos” in terms of warping Magic characters and mechanics without warping the color pie in ways designers regret later.

We also have Star Trek, another Universes Beyond property. This may seem like an odd inclusion for a fantasy focused game, however space has featured in several sets now — Unfinity, Doctor Who, and Edge of Eternities — and Star Trek actually featured all the way back when MtG was still in early testing. Spock performing a Vulcan salute was placeholder art for a card called Blessing.

Verhey also said we can expect a set filled with the new Dilemmas — a new mechanic for the set related to mimic the tough choices characters face — and for us to “try an experience that’s a little different than normal”. Verhey mentioned combat isn’t a massive part of the Star Trek shows, so perhaps we’ll see Limited games play out very differently when this set rolls around.

Finally, there’s Mystery Booster Commander Edition. This event-exclusive set has been filled with exciting Commander cards, including several brand new game pieces that break the rules of the format, and harken back to Magic’s past in creative ways — Verhey is currently explaining these callbacks on his YouTube channel.

“I cannot wait for folks to start playing it at MagicCon Atlanta, it’s a blast.” As a Commander lover, I can’t wait either.

It's a legendary fantasy franchise, which has influenced pop culture for almost 90 years now. But how well do you know The Lord of The Rings?

Ever since the first-published story back in the 1930s, the franchise has become a giant. We've seen video games, TV shows, board games, radio plays and, of course, one of the most famous movie trilogies ever made. It's safe to say that The Lord of The Rings is something any fantasy fan should know about.

But do you? To figure out, we've compiled a 30-question The Lord of The Rings quiz, to see if you're a smart elf or a bumpkin Hobbit. These won't pick your brain about the story: you don't need to know about the comings and goings in Rhun, what Beregond does, or what Ancalagon the Black did. Instead, it's about the franchise itself; all the media based on the books (and the books themselves).

The questions are organized by difficulty: we'll start with 10 easy ones (to make sure you're not better suited for our Harry Potter quiz), then 10 medium ones, and finally 10 harder ones.

So let's dive in, to see how much you know about The Lord of The Rings.

Need to brush up on your Middle-earth knowledge? Maybe this will help:

I'm sure that you'll be looking for some soothing escapism to stream this weekend, but ITV has other ideas. From September 20, new crime drama The Blame hits our screens, with episodes available to stream en mass on ITVX.

Led by Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth, the six-part series follows the murder of a teenage skater, which not only draws detectives down a dark, treacherous path, but also forces them to investigate their own team.

The call is coming from inside the house, as the kids say. DI Emma Clare (Keegan) is not just the only member of the force to work out what's really going on, but she's the only person brave enough to call out (the fictional) Wakestead police force on its biggest issue: misogyny.

From the moment The Blame begins, the murder investigation becomes shockingly intertwined with just how prevalent casual misogyny is across multiple officers involved in the case. It's a heavy-handed approach, which includes text messages from real officers discovered through whistleblowing operations. They're hideous, and it's tough to watch.

I quickly wondered whether the series needed to be so blatant with the issue to get its point across (in my view, yes it does). But Keegan and Douglas Booth don't just think that this creative decision leads to an "even deeper" storyline, but the original opening to episode 1 was so explicit that it had to be re-filmed.

'If you've done nothing wrong, what would you be worried about?'

"It was a deliberate choice to start with that," Booth, who plays 'nice guy' DI Tom Radley in the series, tells me. "It's on the nose, but I think even if it wasn't that blatant, the effect would be the same. As you go through the story, it goes much deeper.

"You're trying to solve a crime, but the way that men talk to you, the way they interfere or get in the way, even the compliments... this is all explored through many facets," Keegan adds. "But starting with the base of something seeming harmless immediately drops you into the right place."

When we first meet Clare and Radley, they're talking over the day's events in the local pub — before anyone knows that a murder has taken place. Other officers are also scattered around, talking about the best way to try to pick up an attractive woman at the bar. It's a subtle yet all too familiar reminder of the social culture that's become ingrained.

The more grisly action doesn't begin for another 10 minutes or so, but this wasn't always the case. "There were actually a couple of different versions of that scene," Booth adds. "There was a much more explicit one that [creators] decided not to go with. It was explicit... I won't go into what. But they didn't start with it. As you see them, things are still blunt and direct, but things are later dissected from there."

It's this constant moral back-and-forth experience you have as a viewer that I think is the most poignant part of watching The Blame. You don't feel as though you can believe any part of what you're seeing, including the texts that you know for a fact are real. We naturally want to believe that decent human behavior is something more frequent than it actually is.

But is anybody worried about potential public backlash? "When we spoke to police, they understand that there are issues. I don't think anyone can say otherwise," Booth explains. "But you also see all of the brilliant work that the police do. They're doing a really difficult job out there, all the time.

"That doesn't mean that there aren't systemic issues, and a certain institutional rot that is portrayed in this show. But I'm not really worried. Because if you've done nothing wrong, what would you be worried about?"

Reacher season 4 has only just ended, and I'm already thinking about what could be to come in Reacher season 5.

That's partially because I wasn't completely taken with the season 4 storyline. My favorite Reacher seasons are where we see him drifting through small US towns that we've never heard of, punching a load of people as penance for their crimes, and then leaving.

But season 4 moved us towards a big city political espionage narrative — a move that clearly divided viewers, not just me. But with season 5 already renewed by Amazon, the first plot details reveal that we're heading away from the city once again.

But what has Prime Video actually told us about what to expect from Reacher season 5? We're breaking down everything from release date speculation to potential cast below.

Reacher season 5 release window predictions

With no production schedule currently public, it's going to be a little while before Reacher season 5 hits our screens.

Based on season 4's filming calendar, which ran from June-November 2025, we can guess that the very earliest we'd see season 5 episodes is late 2027.

While season 4 aired from August 2026, seasons 1-3 dropped anywhere from December to February, which again, could influence when we might see season 5.

Renewal news came in May 2026, with Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios, explaining in a statement: “The series’ ability to combine high-octane action with compelling character storytelling continues to resonate with tens of millions of viewers around the world.

"We’re excited to move forward with a fifth season ahead of Season 4's debut and to build on this incredible momentum.”

Reacher season 5 trailer: is there one?

Don't be silly. It took us until the end of July 2026 to get one for season 4, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around two weeks before the fifth season does.

Reacher season 5 cast

As Reacher's supporting cast tends to change on a season-to-season basis, the only person we can guarantee will return for season 5 is Reacher himself: Alan Ritchson.

However, past cast members such as Neagley (Maria Sten) appeared in multiple seasons of the show, so there's currently nothing stopping the below season 4 cast from returning:

• Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher
• Sydelle Noel as Tamara Green
• Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette as Jacob Merrick
• Kevin Corrigan as Detective Shaun Docherty
• Kevin Weisman as Russell Plum

The above hugely depends on how closely show creators will follow the original novel's source material. We can quite easily rule out Neagley's return now that she has her own spinoff.

New faces will likely be announced as filming kicks off, so watch this space.

Reacher season 5 plot predictions

We know that Reacher season 5 will adapt Child's novel Make Me, which is the 20th installment in his Jack Reacher series.

In short, Reacher arrives at a remote, quiet prairie stop named Mother's Rest. There he meets Michelle Chang, a former FBI agent turned private investigator who is searching for her missing partner, Keever. Together, they trace clues across Chicago, Los Angeles, and the Deep Web, uncovering a horrific online operation.

With the local townspeople hostile and incredibly cryptic, it feels as though the season's tone will be more similar to seasons 1 and 3. However, the ties to bigger cities — particularly Chicago — provides a potential gateway for old characters to return.

At this stage, we're running before we can walk. I'm just glad that once again, the small town feeling wins out.

Black Panther 3 is already primed to round out Marvel's 2028 line-up on the big screen. Indeed, with its launch set for December 2028, we know it'll be one of three movies the comic book giant will release in just over two years' time.

What do we know so far about our next trip to Wakanda? Below, I've rounded up all the latest information on the forthcoming Marvel film, including its official release date, confirmed cast, and more. Let's dive in, then — altogether now: Yibambe!

Black Panther 3 release date

Black Panther 3 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters worldwide on December 15, 2028. That launch date was revealed during Marvel's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026 in late July.

There's no word on when filming might begin or how much of the script has been written. However, it's highly unlikely the cameras will start rolling until principal photography has wrapped on Avengers: Secret Wars, aka the final film of the Marvel Multiverse Saga.

The reason? Some of Black Panther 3's confirmed cast (more on them shortly) will appear in the sixth Avengers movie, so it won't enter full production until they're available to shoot it.

Black Panther 3 trailer: is there one?

No — and it's going to be a long time before a teaser for the next Black Panther movie is publicly released.

If I had to guess, I expect its first trailer will be unveiled at SDCC 2028. That's a good 18 months away, so don't expect me to update this article section for some time.

Black Panther 3 confirmed cast

Per Marvel.com, here's the confirmed cast so far:

• David Jonsson as T'Challa II
• Letitia Wright as Shuri
• Winston Duke as M'Baku

Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, The Long Walk) was officially announced as T'Challa II — FYI, his legal name is Toussaint — at SDCC 2026.

We first met T'Challa's son in the final scene of 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but it was unclear if he'd ever succeed his father and become the technologically advanced African nation's new protector-in-chief.

Indeed, speaking exclusively to TechRadar back in February 2025, Black Panther producer Nate Moore suggested that the eponymous hero wouldn't be played by a third actor. The first two being, of course, the late Chadwick Boseman, who played T'Challa before his passing in August 2021, and Letitia Wright, whose Marvel character Shuri assumed the mantle in Wakanda Forever.

Now, though, we know that Jonsson will play the grown-up version of T'Challa II. Chatting to Empire magazine, Marvel President Kevin Feige revealed Jonsson was cast after a secret meeting in February 2026, so Moore wasn't pulling the wool over our eyes 12 months earlier.

Meanwhile, Wright told Entertainment Weekly that she's happy for Jonsson to take ownership of the role, although there's no word on whether Shuri will have passed the torch by the start of this movie, or whether it'll happen as part of its plot.

Jonsson won't be the only Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debutant in Black Panther 3.

Speaking on The Today Show in late 2025, multi-award-winning actor Denzel Washington dropped the bombshell that he'll appear in the threequel. Per Variety, Washington personally called director Ryan Coogler to apologize for jumping the gun on that announcement, but everything's been smoothed over now. Indeed, Coogler doubled down on Washington's casting during a chat with people.com, though he declined to reveal the identity of the A-lister's character.

As for other stars who might feature, it's possible Danai Gurira might return as Okoye, the former head of Wakanda's Dora Milaje. Lupita Nyong'o could be back as Nakia, aka T'Challa II's mom, too. Until Marvel announces their returns, I'll keep them off the confirmed cast list.

Black Panther 3 plot rumors

Predictably, there are no story details for Black Panther 3. Marvel is fully focused on Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in cinemas this December, and its Secret Wars sequel, which comes out in December 2027. With the MCU's future being dictated by what happens in these films, we won't have any concrete information about Black Panther 3's plot until the Multiverse Saga has drawn to a close.

That said, there are a couple of things we can speculate on.

For starters, if T'Challa II adopts the Black Panther mantle and also plans on ruling Wakanda, M'Baku — the leader of the Jabari Tribe and the African nation's current monarch — would need to step aside. Will he do so willingly, or will T'Challa II have to fight him in ritual combat for that honor?

Then, as I mentioned earlier, it'll be interesting to see if T'Challa II is already the new Black Panther by the time this Marvel Phase 7 movie starts. The alternative is that he'll replace Shuri at some point during its runtime. This might be a better way of introducing T'Challa II to audiences and giving him a traditional hero's journey to embark on before he becomes the Black Panther's latest custodian.

On top of all that, we'll eventually learn if Washington's character is an ally or enemy of Wakanda's aristocracy, and what role the fictional kingdom will play in version 2.0 of the MCU (I'll circle back to this in a moment). Furthermore, we should find out whether Boseman's legacy as T'Challa, and his untimely death, will loom as large over proceedings as it did in Wakanda Forever. Once more has been discussed by those involved in the movie's production, I'll update this section.

How will Black Panther 3 impact the MCU?

In short: nobody knows. As I said earlier, we've got to get through Doomsday and Secret Wars before we know what version 2.0 of the MCU will look like. Once we do, we'll have a better understanding of how Black Panther and Wakanda fit into Marvel's streamlined cinematic universe.

While we wait, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday and then get the full lowdown on Avengers: Secret Wars.

Once you're done, learn all there is to know about VisionQuest before getting the complete scoop on Daredevil: Born Again season 3 ahead of both projects hitting Disney+.

Now that MobLand season 2 has started streaming on Paramount+, I'm glad we've got more insanely epic television to watch. Nonetheless, in recent times, we've been preoccupied with the unverified Tom Hardy rumors that dogged this season's filming schedule.

In late May, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) claimed that, if MobLand season 3 was to be renewed — which it has been — shooting would begin later this year. However, gossip about Hardy's behavior on set was not only said to have "spooked producers", but even led to the star's firing from the hit crime drama.

THR's source said: "He refused to come out of his trailer for hours at a time. He kept the cast waiting, [which is] a power play. Keeping Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, and others waiting is career suicide, I would wager.”

However, speaking to Variety a separate source refuted those accusations, adding: "Tom was not fired, the door is not closed for season 3, and things are being worked through creatively."

We now know that Hardy is confirmed to return for MobLand season 3, and the cast has moved quickly to shoot down any supposed tension on set. Indeed, Anson Boone (Eddie Harrigan), Mandeep Dhillion (Seraphina Harrigan), and Teddie Allen (Gina Da Souza) all confirmed to TechRadar that the cast is "all family."

'It feels like family'

"Just fun, isn't it? Because we all know each other so well," Dhillon replied when I ask what the on-set vibes were like for season 2. "More playful. It's nice coming back for a season 2, because everyone's just so comfortable."

Boone added: "In season 1, we were all getting to know each other. To then come back for season 2, you have that added level of comfort. We're all pals now."

Honestly, it's easy to see how this is the case. When rumors initially surfaced, it was Helen Mirren who posted a message of support for Hardy on Instagram, with the post reading: "love you now and always, Helen."

"It feels like family," Boone continued, as Dhillon and Allen nodded in agreement. "It's so satisfying when we get to do big group scenes together. When you start season 2, everyone is banished to the four corners of the kingdom.

"No one's talking to anyone. We're a little team [pointing to him and Allen], Seraphina is a little team on her own, also, then you have Kevin (Paddy Considine) and Bella (Lara Pulvey), Maeve (Mirren) Conrad (Brosnan), and Harry (Hardy) all trying to piece it together.

"Obviously, in reality, that means that we're all filming scenes separately. Keep tuning in season 2 and you'll see when people do come together. It's so much fun to film. It's the best days knowing that everyone's in."

Even for a potential PR line, this doesn't feel like the energy of actors who genuinely have had a bad time at work. Perhaps we can finally draw a line under the so-called MobLand scandal and focus on what's really important: the show itself.

Lanterns' endgame is fast approaching. Indeed, only three episodes remain of the increasingly popular sci-fi crime show's debut season, so it won't be long until it no longer lights up our screens.

Right now, though, you just want to know when the DC Universe (DCU) TV series' next chapter, which will pick up the story 10 years after the devastating Rushville-based events we saw in last week's entry, will air. So, read on to find out when HBO's Green Lantern TV show will return for its sixth episode.

When does episode 6 of Lanterns come out?

Titled 'Bad Optics', Lanterns episode 6 will arrive in the US and Canada on Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Don't live in those nations? You'll have to wait until Monday, September 21 to catch the DCU Chapter One TV series' sixth chapter. I can point you in the right direction of its launch time where you're based, too, so check out the list below for more details:

• US — Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, September 21 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, September 21 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, September 21 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, September 21 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, September 21 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 6?

I sound like a broken record at this point, but every episode of Lanterns — including this week's entry — will drop on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, in countries that it's launched in.

Live somewhere that the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned platform hasn't come to yet? There are other TV networks and streamers that the DC comic book show is available on. Read on to see where you can see it in your neck of the woods:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

Lanterns full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

As I mentioned above, there are only three more episodes of the Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler-fronted TV program to enjoy before it'll go off air.

So, when will that final trio arrive? If you've been watching from the start, you'll already be aware that new installments premiere every Sunday in North America, and on Mondays in other territories.

Even so, regardless of whether you're a long-time reader or new around these parts, you'll want to know the exact date that every remaining chapter will come out on. For more details, scroll on:

• Lanterns episode 1 — out now
• Lanterns episode 2 — out now
• Lanterns episode 3 — out now
• Lanterns episode 4 — out now
• Lanterns episode 5 — out now
• Lanterns episode 6 — September 20/21
• Lanterns episode 7 — September 27/28
• Lanterns episode 8 — October 4/5

For more on the hit series' ahead of its next episode, read about the five big questions I need Lanterns episode 6 to answer. Then, see what Lanterns' midseason trailer tells us about its final three chapters. Lastly, find out why I'm fearing the worst for Lanterns season 2.

An opening act that was chock-full of shocks – we're looking at you Jets and Giants and, for very different reasons, Rams, Chargers and Packers – has given NFL Week 2 a completely different feel.

It's probably why the slate is so wonky, with many of the best games set to play out simultaneously during Sunday's early-afternoon window. You've got some tough choices to make (unless you give up entirely and go with RedZone), but whichever game you go with, the outlook looks promising.

Scroll down for our pick of the top five NFL Week 2 games – and who's showing them.

• 🏈 Unlock your stream with IPVanish (save up to 83%)

Bengals vs Texans

• Sunday, 1pm ET, CBS/Paramount+ (US) | FREE on 5 (UK)

We stand to learn a lot from the Bengals' early-window clash with the Texans – specifically if Cincinnati's defense has gone from bad-to-good, and if Houston's has somehow gone the other way. The Texans ranked No.1 in the NFL for yards allowed last season and the Bengals No.31 (of 32), but you wouldn't have guessedit from their opening-day showings.

Packers vs Jets

• Sunday, 1pm ET, Fox/Fox One (US)

It took the Jets eight weeks to claim their first win last year. This time, they've done it straight out of the gate. No.2 pick David Bailey registered a sack on debut as New York embarrassed the Titans, while the Packers were all kinds of awful in a blowout by the Vikings, squandering a 12-point lead as just 21 of Jordan Love's 42 passes found their target. Green Bay have now lost six straight games – but this would take the biscuit.

Vikings vs Bears

• Sunday, 1pm ET, Fox/Fox One (US) | FREE on 7Plus (AU) & TVNZ+ (NZ)

Bears coach Ben Johnson raised eyebrows in preseason by stating his aim to break the NFL scoring record, and Chicago duly kicked off with a monster 59-point showing. The Brian Flores-run Vikings defense will provide a sterner test. However, while Minnesota's defense ranked at No.2 against the pass last season, it struggled to stop the run – and Williams, D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined for 291 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last week.

Raiders vs Chargers

• Sunday, 4.05pm ET, CBS/Paramount+ (US)

Chargers fans definitely won't want to miss this one, because they might not get a sniff of victory again until late November. The Bolts' schedule from Week 3 to Week 10 is horrendous, but on the bright side there's no possible way they could lose either of their first two fixtures... The Cardinals, who are projected to be at the very bottom of the pile come the end of the season, wiped the floor with them last weekend, and Justin Herbert was utterly lost in Mike McDaniel's new-look offense.

Giants vs Rams

• Monday, 8.15pm ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN Unlimited (US)

The Rams were so bad in their opener they've gone from Super Bowl favorites to a potential bust in record time. The one saving grace from their atrocious showing in Melbourne is that they only flew out a day before the game, but with three tough fixtures set to follow this MNF meeting with the Giants, Sean McVay's men need to get a W on the board. Unfortunately for them, Big Blue look transformed under new coach John Harbaugh.

Use a VPN to watch NFL Week 2 live streams

A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual streaming services. One of our favourites is IPVanish – it does everything and comes with up to 83% off.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

We've officially passed the midway point of September 2026 — and your reward for doing so is a weekend full of thrilling television.

Indeed, our latest streaming round-up features a bumper crop of new and returning shows on the world's best streaming services. That's a good thing, too, because new movies released at home are at a premium this week.

Still, with the eagerly anticipated new seasons of Apple TV and Paramount+ Originals — among others — to enjoy, you're spoiled for choice over what you should watch first this weekend. So, scroll on to see what'll be top of your watchlist. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

MobLand season 2 (Paramount+)

Look lively, gang — the Harrigans are back in town. MobLand season 2 is even more chaotic than before, and that makes for absolutely exceptional TV.

Conrad's feud with Kevin ramps up a notch, embroiling new 'fixer' Frankie in their mess as family arch-rival Kat tries to take control of London from a distance. This leaves Harry having to clean up even more mess than before, particularly considering his and Jan's impending divorce.

If you think you understand, you don't — between the Harrigans and us, it's the blind leading the blind. But, that makes tuning into Paramount+ this week all the more enriching, because everyone is prepared to take a risk. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch MobLand season 2 on Paramount+

Slow Horses season 6 (Apple TV)

The latest season of Slow Horses didn't trot, but rather galloped back onto Apple's streaming platform earlier this week — and with good reason. The hit thriller's sixth installment sees past and present agents of Slough House targeted by mysterious adversaries, which forces the likes of Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden's River Cartwright, and — spoiler — the returning Olivia Cooke's Sid Baker to go on the run.

With two more seasons already in development, there'll be even more spy- and crime-based drama to enjoy sometime in 2027. Whether we'll see all of our favorite oddballs and damaged individuals return for that chapter, though, remains to be seen. — TP

• Watch Slow Horses season 6 on Apple TV

Neagley (Prime Video)

If you've loved watching Reacher season 4 but absolutely hated that loyal sidekick Neagley wasn't in it, I've got the perfect solution for you. Self-titled Neagley is the spinoff you'll have been waiting for, and it's a seamless continuation of the popular Amazon TV Original.

Taking on the lead role, she's working as a private investigator in Chicago, learning that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident. Obviously, Neagley is hell-bent on getting revenge and bringing the killer to justice, and puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil.

Who does that remind you of? It's clear to see why Neagley has become the fan-favorite that she now is... but don't think that Reacher himself is too far away from this Prime Video off-shoot. — JV

• Watch Neagley on Prime Video

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Netflix)

Another installment of Ryan Murphy's controversial Netflix anthology series... consider me sat. This time around, he's taking on the infamous story of Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted of murdering of her father and stepmother in 1982.

The above trailer quickly shows how the dark nursery rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks" took hold, or why Martin Prince plays her in the Cape Feare episode of The Simpsons (couldn't not mention him). But, trapped in a cruel Victorian-era household, there's more psychological damage here than meets the eye.

Led by Ella Beatty in the titular role, this is the first time that Monster is fully female-focused. In even better news, American Horror Story stalwart Sarah Paulson also makes an appearance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Go figure. — JV

• Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix

Youth (HBO Max)

Sharon Horgan has made the jump to HBO Max with her latest comedy vehicle Youth, whose first two episodes drop this Sunday (September 20).

In it, the Irish writer/actor/producer plays Alex, a 50-something divorcee struggling to navigate her newfound post-marriage world. Throw having to juggle her career, family, and quest to find love again into the mix, and Alex has certainly got her hands full.

Horgan's most recent live-action TV projects have all landed well with critics and general audiences alike, so Warner Bros. will be hoping she weaves her magic with this latest venture. — TP

• Watch Youth on HBO Max

Best of the Best (Netflix)

The coming-of-age school dance storyline has been in dire need of a revamp for years, but Best of the Best is coming to save the day.

In it, we follow two childhood besties who join UCLA's competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team, only to find the road to the US championships is fiercer than they imagined.

Leading lady Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is truly the entertainment it-girl of the moment, meaning anything she's in is well worth streaming. Frankly, I'm just happy for an excuse to dance while I watch something. — JV

• Watch Best of the Best on Netflix

Golden Axe (Paramount+)

The first of many SEGA franchises that are getting turned into movies or TV shows over the next few years, Golden Axe is billed as a "hilarious homage to SEGA's iconic 1989 video game", and boasts a strong voice cast that includes recent Emmy double winner Matthew Rhys.

An animated offering, it sees three legendary warriors in Ax, Tyris, and Gilius reunite and embark on a quest to defeat the evil giant known as Death Adder. Unfortunately for the trio, their mission is hampered by Hampton Squid, an inexperienced adventurer who invites himself along for the ride.

All 10 episodes are out now on Paramount+, so those who like to binge watch shows and/or want to get nostalgic over the classic arcade game can do so now. — TP

• Watch Golden Axe on Paramount+

Spoilers for MobLand season 2 episode 1 ahead.

Unsurprisingly, Guy Ritchie has wasted no time getting stuck into absolute madness in MobLand season 2.

Helpfully, he's included a season 1 recap montage before any of the new action gets underway. Conrad's (Pierce Brosnan) feud with Kevin (Paddy Considine) has reached civil war levels, with Jan (Joanne Froggatt) accidentally stabbing Harry (Tom Hardy) in the stomach while daughter Gina (Teddie Allen) made a run for it.

They've all made it through to a new season unscathed, but for how long? With MobLand season 2 episode 1 now on Paramount+, let's dig a little deeper into what's actually happened.

Conrad and Maeve open fire on the dog track after Kevin goes behind their back

As episode 1 picks up, we're down the dog track. Conrad, Maeve (Helen Mirren) and a handful of their cronies have arrived for a 'sit down' with Turkish gangster Gakbu, who we understand has entered into a drug partnership with the family.

However, Gakbu himself hasn't shown up to meet Conrad. Instead, he's approached Kevin to strike a deal, having considered Conrad to be "old news." In the heat of the moment, Kevin's only too happy to betray his dad, leaving Gakbu's brother Luca to attend the dog track face-to-face.

Within the first 10 minutes of the episode, Gakbu's henchmen are all dead, with Conrad and Maeve opening fire on the group as if they're "a real-life Bonnie and Clyde." Staff cower behind the bar in fear, while Conrad screams "We are the Harrigans! Don't know the name? Then f**king Google us."

Harry and Jan start divorce proceedings as the Harrigans hit a 'death spiral'

We then cut to Jan and Harry, who are sitting in a therapist's office. Jan discusses their "rough patch," explaining that they've struggled to make quality time for each other thanks to Harry's work, including the admission that Jan stabbed him in the stomach.

Jan reveals that Gina left a note before she left, reading "Mum, you saw a way out. There's another one… it's called a door. Gina. P.S. I wish you'd killed the c***."

Their session is interrupted when Harry gets a call from Paul (Emmett J. Scanlan) who briefs him on what's happened at Green Park Dogs. Harry, surprisingly, didn't have a clue that a meeting with Gakbu was taking place.

As DCI Kavanagh (Ophelia Lovibond) arrives at the scene, Harry tells police mole Finch (Warren Brown) to clean up the mess from the inside. Bella (Lara Pulvey) is across town meeting with a prospective team of lawyers, but Kevin pulls her out of the meeting — he's heard too, and it's no longer safe for Bella to leave in a known car.

Harry arrives at Conrad and Maeve's house, as Paul tells him that they've gone into a "death spiral." He believes that the chain of command has gone completely out of the window, and everyone is terrified of what's to come.

Harry questions Conrad about why he didn't know about the Gakbu meeting, but Maeve admits that it was her idea. She believes that his closeness with Kevin means that sensitive plans must be on a "need-to-know basis." Harry tells them at the family is now "surrounded by sharks, ripe for the picking," and theorizes that Gakbu was being controlled by Kat McAllister (Janet McTeer).

In Harry's eyes, the opposition is capitalizing on the fractures between Kevin and Conrad, meaning that a war on the family has already begun.

A witness comes forward while Maeve secretly meets with Eddie to try and get rid of Gina

As Harry leaves the house, one of the dog track waiters arrives at the police station. Finch clocks him and alerts Harry, as the waiter tells Kavanagh exactly what Conrad did.

As Maeve leaves for London, Conrad insists that new recruit Fergus (Jack Archer) goes with her. Maeve drives down the road before ordering Fergus out of the car, who chooses to spend the afternoon hiding in the bushes so he doesn't get in trouble with either of them. Harry asks Zosia (Jasmine Jobson) to follow her from a distance.

Jan officially asks Harry for a divorce, telling him "I know you love me. I know you love Gina. But it's not enough." Harry leaves once Dean, the waiter who went to the police, is found trying to return to his flat. Harry packs him into a van and drives him to an empty warehouse unit.

Dean is told to return to the police station to retract his statement, and instead claim that he was coerced into making it by Gakbu. If not, he "won't be needing his bicycle anymore."

We then see Maeve meeting Eddie (Anson Boone) in a Greasy spoon, with Zosia watching on outside. Eddie gives her a bag with £30,000 inside, claiming that it's "her cut." Eddie explains that he and Gina have been shaking down prolific YouTubers with cash to spare, offering them security in exchange for a hefty fee.

Maeve, however, isn't happy with this. She claims that she has "big plans in store," for Eddie, and they involve Gina being in the "f**king rear view mirror." Next time they meet, Maeve wants Gina taken care of... and another £50,000.

Seraphina tries to make her move on Kat McAllister as Kevin admits all to Harry

Harry pays a visit to Kevin, who explains what happened with Gakbu. He explains his theory that Gakbu is being controlled by Kat, though Kevin doesn't seem phased by this.

"She's gonna eat us piece by piece," Harry explains. "Her mob has eight trillion in cash and the world's biggest nuclear arsenal." Kevin remains convinced that "he can look after himself," despite everyone else thinking that he's the weakest link in the family.

We cut to Kat, who is giving a speech at the London Imperial College. Two notable people are in the audience: Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) and Colin (Toby Jones).

Seraphina gets to her first, who tells Kat that it's time for Conrad to move on. She's convinced that Harry feels the same way after saving her life at Antwerp. Kat tells Seraphina that she'd want half of all Harrigan revenue for the next five years, if she's to be trusted as a business partner.

Seraphina tries to barter this down to four, convinced that Kat is out of other options after her attempts to corrupt Harry proved futile. Kat gives her a number and tells her to call it whenever she has a conversation with another family member, and to repeat it word for word. "You wanna play in the f**king big league? Honey, you're here... and you're up to bat."

Colin offers Kat her own Harry Da Souza as Gakbu meets his maker

As Seraphina leaves, Colin arrives. Through one of his infamously long-winded historical references, Colin offers her "a brave knight to ride into battle for you," allowing Kat to keep her nose, and reputation, clean.

Describing himself as a "lowly middleman," he wants a fee to find the right person to act in Kat's interest... much like Harry does for the Harrigans. "In five years time, this man will run London with your help, and as such, you will own him. The Harrigans will be consigned to the dustbin of history" he claims.

Kat doesn't give an answer as Colin leaves, but she's clearly mulling it over. Harry, meanwhile, has gone to pay Gakbu a visit, taking every last remaining family member — and the main man — out. Zosia rings, telling Harry that he's found Gina.

Colin arrives at a house full of young men, approaching a man called Frankie (Johnny Flynn) while he uses a barbecue. "Start talking, copper," Frankie says as the scene closes out.

• A midseason trailer for Lanterns has been released
• It teases the appearance of Guy Gardner, more Sinestro, and Hal Jordan's possible killer
• The HBO TV show might also be adapting one of the best Green Lanterns stories of all time

HBO and DC Studios have debuted a midseason trailer for their hit show Lanterns — and its 2026 storyline appears to be inspired by a fan-favorite Green Lantern comic-book series.

Released yesterday (September 17), the teaser, well, teases what's to come in the popular HBO Max TV series' final three episodes. Be aware that the following trailer is full of potentially big spoilers for Lanterns episode 6 through 8. If you don't want any plot points ruined ahead of time, click away now.

I'm really not joking when I say the 90-second, hype-generating trailer for the DC Universe (DCU) TV show's final three entries contains myriad spoilers.

For starters, Guy Gardner, aka Earth's new Green Lantern, is finally going to show up, although he has no interest in helping John Stewart investigate Hal Jordan's death (more on this shortly). Other takeaways are that we'll see Hal's backstory at some point, and John and what seems to be the Hal-O-Gram — aka the digital backup of Hal's consciousness that lives inside Hal's power ring — travel to some alien worlds.

Additionally, we'll be treated to more of Jordan's villainous former mentor Sinestro. Considering the latter isn't imprisoned in the space jail that we saw in episodes 2 and 4, he's obviously been broken out by someone. Place your bets on who did the deed.

Furthermore, there's also a surprising albeit expectedly cold reunion between John and at-the-time alive Hal in 2026. They haven't seen each other since the devastating events of Lanterns episode 5, which occurred 10 years prior. Clearly, there's no love lost between John and Hal after their brutal showdown in that chapter's final act, too.

That said, there must be an ounce of underlying respect left, because Stewart sticks around Rushville to investigate Hal's apparent murder. We've known that Hal Jordan is supposedly dead since Lanterns episode 1, but it's only now that the DCU Chapter One program will shine a light on events before, during, and after Hal's presumed demise.

And I keep saying that Hal's death is only implied, because it looks like Lanterns' midseason trailer is teasing an adaptation of one of the most beloved Green Lantern tales of all-time...

Lanterns' midseason trailer could be teasing a live-action take on DC's 'Blackest Night' comic-book story

For the uninitiated, 'Blackest Night' is a DC Comics miniseries that ran from June 2009 to May 2010.

Written by acclaimed comic-book scribe Geoff Johns and penciled by Ivan Reis, it's a crossover story that involved Earth's four Green Lanterns in Stewart, Jordan, Gardner, and Kyle Rayner, other prominent Green Lantern figures like Sinestro, and characters from other DC properties.

Anyway, in the event that Lanterns' 2026 storyline is indeed inspired by 'Blackest Night', I won't spoil everything that happens as part of its story. However, what I will say is that, if 'Blackest Night' has influenced Lanterns' next three episodes, it might explain how Hal Jordan could come back from the dead. Minor spoilers immediately follow for 'Blackest Night', so proceed at your own risk.

'Blackest Night' includes a DC comic-book character called Nekron, who can reanimate dead superheroes. I won't say how they bring people back to life, but the fact that they can implies there might be a way for the DCU's Hal Jordan to be resurrected.

Lanterns' midseason teaser doesn't hide that this could be possible, either. At the 1:22 mark, we hear Sinestro tell John "Hal didn't have to die in vain. I know a way..." before his sentence is seemingly cut short. Are DC and HBO hiding the fact that this line of dialog is supposed to end with Sinestro saying "I know a way to bring him back"?

That's not the only clue that indicates Hal could be revived. As the aforementioned Sinestro voiceover plays, we see Hal lying on the floor as someone menacingly approaches him. Hal asks "what are you?" before the teaser moves on to the next excitement-building clip.

As multiple fans have pointed out online, Hal can be seen with a mark on his arm that's identical to the one that John had after he was healed by Zoe, aka the mysterious Manhunter hunted by John and Hal in Lanterns' 2016 storyline. Remember, that mark was left because the Manhunters' technology takes a tissue sample before it can heal/cure someone of their injuries or ailments.

If — and it's a big if — Zoe (or another Manhunter we don't know about!) took a tissue sample from Hal, it's not only possible that his body could be cloned from said sample, but the Halo-O-Gram could be embedded into that clone. Hey presto, Hal Jordan lives once more.

Of course, that would negate the need for Nekron to be part of proceedings. Regardless, if Nekron doesn't show up before Lanterns ends, it could still retroactively be inspired by the 'Blackest Night' comic series. All it needs to do is replace Nekron with a Manhunter cloning facility that, say, Sinestro located after his jailbreak, then lay the breadcrumbs for John and the Hal-O-Gram to follow to find him, and persuade them to bring Hal back from the dead. Sure, Sinestro will have a nefarious reason for wanting to do so, but I'm sure John and the Hal-O-Gram can find a way to outwit him.

What did you think of Lanterns' midseason trailer? Do you like the above theory, or have an even more impressive one of your own? Let me know in the comments. Once you're done, check out the five biggest questions I have heading into Lanterns episode 6.

Minor spoilers for Neagley ahead.

Neagley naturally had a lot to live up to as a spinoff of popular Prime Video action series Reacher, but now that I've binged all eight episodes, I think it deftly rose to the challenge.

It doesn't hurt that Neagley herself (played by Maria Sten) is the most popular character aside from Alan Ritchson's hero in Reacher history, to the point where many Reddit threads were dedicated to mourning her absence in season 4.

However, the move to give her her own spinoff has been a wise one. Neagley effortlessly carries on the same vibe, emotion and expectation we have from the main series, and the exploration of Neagley's personal backstory — which finally solves a huge mystery — doesn't disappoint.

In my mind, Amazon would be incredibly silly not to greenlight Neagley season 2 in the next few weeks. While it's still too early to tell exactly how many viewers will be tuning in, that number is like to be a high one. Add in how much the streamer is already invested in the Reacher IP, and you've got a surefire success.

The wait to find out if Neagley season 2 will happen is a frustrating one, so I've chosen to get a jump-start. Luckily, creator Nicholas Wootton and the show's lead cast all know what they want from future episodes... and their ideas couldn't sound more exciting.

'This is where we develop our future seasons'

"I hope we get to dig deeper into the relationships and emotionality of the show," Neagley star Maria Sten tells me.

"We have so many great action sequences in this show, and if we get another season, I want to build on that... make it even bigger. Continue to develop these characters, get them into trouble, and get them to face the consequences of their emotional problems."

Sten knows exactly which beats to hit, but she's not the only one we'd need to consider in a second season. In the final moments of the season finale, Renee (Adeline Rudolph) and Keno's (Jasper Jones) romantic relationship is tentatively cemented — so we're only just starting to scratch the surface of what's between them.

"I think for Renee, there's still a lot of unanswered questions," Rudolph says. "I personally have them too, and I'm so excited to find out about them. And to see what the next adventure is."

Jones agrees, "I kind of want to leave things open because I want to be surprised. I want to keep giving something new. Maria has done such a beautiful job of that in reprising this character... now that she has her own show, she has to bring something new to the table. I would like to hold that torch and bring that forward."

For Wootton, what season 2 holds is much more straightforward. "I've always seen Neagley as being a Chicago-centric show with a team," he explains. It differentiates from Reacher in that it has a home base and a consistent group. That means we can explore more about her psychology and movement forward.

"She's never been in love, had a first dance... all of these sorts of things. Then you've got the richness of Chicago's own crime history. It's fascinating. This is where we develop our future seasons."

Yes, I transcribed that correctly: future seasons, plural. This lot are clearly on a mission, and I'm keeping everything crossed that they'll be successful.

Lanterns' endgame is fast approaching. Only three more episodes remain of the increasingly popular DC Universe (DCU) TV show's debut season, so it won't be long before it departs our screens.

Right now, though, all eyes are on episode 6, which will reunite us with John Stewart, Hal Jordan, Kerry Kane, and other characters 10 years after last week's explosive episode.

Heading into this week's chapter, titled 'Bad Optics', there are five specific questions that need to be addressed, including one that's cast a large shadow over the HBO TV Original since its premiere. Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns up to and including episode 5.

1. What are John Stewart and Hal Jordan up to in 2026?

We already know what happened to the Rushville residents who survived the devastating events of last week's episode.

Indeed, as Lanterns episode 1's time jump revealed, Sheriff Kerry Kane stuck around as the town's primary law enforcer. Meanwhile, her son Noah is sure to have remained, while a teaser for Lanterns episode 6 confirmed that Bill Macon stayed put despite his father's death, and the decimation of his and his family's community. But, what happened to the sci-fi crime show's lead duo in John Stewart and Hal Jordan?

Where Jordan is concerned, the episode 6 teaser heavily implies that he and Kane got together. After all, Kane wouldn't say "he came back for me" if they hadn't become romantically entangled in the years since the Battle of Rushville. That would also mean that, at some point, Kane and Macon's marriage ended, so it'll be interesting to see when that occurred, and how long it took for Jordan and Kane to become an item.

Furthermore, I'm intrigued to see what kind of life Jordan has made for himself in Rushville. Given his involvement in episode 5's destructive events, he won't be on any of the townsfolks' Christmas card lists. Stripped of his ring and identity, though, I'm fascinated to learn if he's mellowed out since we last saw him and if he's learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.

As for Stewart, he seemingly departed for pastures new after walking away from becoming Earth's next Green Lantern. So, where is he now? And what's he been doing for the last decade?

If the DCU Chapter One TV show takes cues from his comic book history, I suspect he'll not only return to his artistry-based roots, but he'll have also turned his number one passion into a career and become a successful architect. Additionally, I'm willing to be bet he's settled down in one of DC's famous fictional cities, such as Metropolis, rather than back at home where he'll likely have incurred the wrath of his pushy parents. Hey, they won't be happy that he turned his back on his (read: their) Green Lantern dream!

Of course, we know Stewart will be pulled back to Rushville not after Jordan is mysteriously killed (more on this later) but, as Lanterns' midseason trailer confirms, prior to his death. I imagine that his architectural career will last as long as his military one did, then, once he starts to investigate Jordan's death.

2. Why is there a Green Lantern beacon in the center of Rushville?

Another thing teased in Lanterns' episode 6 preview was the unexpected appearance of a Green Lantern beacon in the center of Rushville.

Considering the disdain that its residents have for Stewart and Jordan, why would they erect something like this in their town? Or, more likely, did Guy Gardner — aka the DCU's current human Green Lantern — install it, and why was he allowed to (if at all) by Rushville's community? Furthermore, is its design supposed to poke fun at a certain Gotham City vigilante's own light-based signal?

Gardner is finally set to appear in the HBO Max TV show in this week's episode, so I'm sure we'll get answers from him — or someone else — shortly.

3. Who killed Hal Jordan...

One of the biggest unresolved mysteries at the heart of this season's 2026 storyline, we need answers — or, at the very least, clues — about who apparently murdered Hal Jordan.

Frankly, I don't think we'll find out who did the deed in this week's episode. Lanterns' final three chapters will largely revolve around this whodunit, so I highly doubt we'll learn the culprit's identity until the season finale.

Nonetheless, there are myriad potential candidates. In my view, Bill Macon is an obvious choice. There's also an increasingly popular theory circulating online that Noah was responsible. Then there's the possibility that Jordan was killed by someone we haven't met yet.

Hopefully, 'Bad Optics' will start to thin out the crowd of would-be murderers. That is, unless Jordan isn't actually as dead as we've been led to believe...

4. ...and is he really dead?

Ever since Jordan's death was revealed in Lanterns episode 1, some viewers have refused to accept that he's actually shuffled off this mortal coil. After last week's episode, they might have a point, too.

Indeed, the above screenshot, which quickly made the rounds online following episode 5's release, appears to indicate that the Jordan we've followed through Lanterns' 2016 storyline is a clone. That much appears to be clear by the subtitles in the aforementioned screengrab.

Now, it's entirely possible that, during the post-production process, someone made a mistake with these subtitles and the error wasn't picked up before episode 5 was completed. If that's the case, this isn't a Jordan clone, which would mean he's dead and gone.

On the other hand, if this is a clone, it would imply that the Hal-O-Gram — ie the digital backup of Jordan's consciousness, which lives inside his ring — is the real Jordan, and would mean he's technically still alive. That would be a huge twist that very, very few people would have seen coming.

Again, it's likely this won't be revealed until Lanterns episode 8, so I don't anticipate a definitive answer will be given when 'Bad Optics' premieres on some of the world's best streaming services. At any rate, I hope we'll get a hint or two that Jordan might yet be alive. If nothing else, it'll keep fans guessing for a couple more weeks.

What happened to Hal Jordan's Green Lantern ring?

With Jordan no longer being in possession of his ring, and Stewart giving it back to the Guardian of the Universe known as Lianna in episode 5, where is it now?

The logical answer is it was gifted to Gardner when he became Earth's latest Green Lantern. However, some fans have pointed out that there slight differences between Jordan and Gardner's rings, which suggests that the latter has a different one to his predecessor.

If Gardner's ring is a different one, it begs the question: who's got Jordan's ring now? Jordan doesn't have it, because Stewart checks his former mentor's right hand for the cosmic weapon and quickly realizes that Jordan isn't wearing it.

So, was it stolen by whoever apparently killed Jordan? Has Jordan locked it away somewhere safe, such as the pocket universe-based vault that Jordan kept his Lantern battery in back in Coast City? Or did the Guardians keep it once Stewart gave it back to them? All could be revealed very soon.

For now, find out why recent comments made by the head of HBO have got me fearing the worst about Lanterns season 2.

• Disney+ has rolled out a new Playlists feature
• The feature groups movies and series by genres, franchises, characters, or moods, providing a continuous, 'lean-back' viewing experience
• You can also pause, rewind, and skip to the next title

Disney+ just rolled out a feature that could help put an end to incessantly browsing for a movie or TV show to watch — and it’s made one of the best streaming services even better.

The new Playlists feature, which has rolled out to Disney+ subscribers globally, is a collection of titles grouped by a specific genre, franchise, character, or mood. It's designed to give you an even more relaxed way to browse for movies and shows, allowing you to — as Disney puts it — enjoy a "lean-back viewing experience". So, if you’re after an action blockbuster or can’t decide on which Pixar movie to reminisce in, Playlists have your back.

I know what you’re thinking, ‘Disney+ already has themed Collections’ — and you’re right, it certainly does. But these new Playlists have a more of an edge over those standard Collections.

While Collections are mini hubs that group titles around a character, franchise, or theme, Playlists builds on this by offering a continuous viewing experience with playback controls to ensure you’re still the boss. For example, if you’re feeling a comedy movie, hit ‘Play’ on the ‘Comedy Movies’ playlist and a title will start playing at random — removing the time you would’ve spent searching individual categories.

That said, it doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to watch the first movie the playlist decides to show. Each playlist has its own controls allowing you to pause, rewind, and skip to the next title in the sequence. Additionally, Disney says that seasonal Playlists will become available throughout the year, so expect to see Halloween- and festive-themed collections.

However, Playlists aren't just about moods, there’s already a fair few collections dedicated to TV shows, including Modern Family, The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, and my personal favorite, Family Guy. Essentially, these Playlists are like non-stop, 24-hour live channels dedicated to individual shows, except you have more freedom to skip.

I have severe indecisiveness issues just as much as the next person, and though I’m subscribed to Disney+, it’s definitely not my most-used streaming service — and that's largely due to how its search hub is designed. I was one click away from canceling, but Playlists could be the one feature that makes me stick around for a bit longer.

I’ve been playing around with Playlists just to get a feel for it, and from what I’ve seen so far, I’m quite impressed, especially with the TV show-themed ones. Hitting ‘Play’ on the Family Guy playlist starts a continuous run of random episodes, and you don’t have to do anything as much as lift the remote to stream an episode after another finishes — it’s literally my dream feature.

Disney+ could really be onto something here, and I hope that as time passes more themed Playlists are added (please, just give me the Glee and Desperate Housewives Playlists I’m urgently yearning for).

But Disney+ can’t get all the credit. Netflix released a similar feature years ago called Play Something, which was basically a shuffle feature that played a random movie or TV episode when you couldn’t decide on what to watch. However, low user engagement resulted in its short lifespan.

On paper it was a solid idea, but I think one of the reasons why it didn’t last very long was because Play Something didn’t divide titles into categories, and you got what you were given. Whereas with Disney+, narrowing down titles by genre, show, and character at least gives you some kind of a starting point.

I think Disney already has the edge over Netflix for this very reason, and there are plenty of choices at hand. I just hope that Disney+ continues to invest in this tool so it doesn’t join Play Something in the graveyard of streaming features.

MobLand season 2 makes its debut on Paramount+ very soon — and, if you've read my five-star review, you'll know that you're in for an absolute treat.

In short, it's a chaotic masterclass in storytelling. Season 2 picks up Conrad's (Pierce Brosnan) feud with Kevin (Paddy Considine) as it ramps up a notch, embroiling new 'fixer' Frankie (Johnny Flynn) in their mess. Frankie is acting on behalf of the Harrigan's arch-rival Kat (Janet McTeer), who is trying to take control of London from a distance.

This leaves Harry (Tom Hardy) having to clean up even more mess than before, particularly considering his and Jan's (Joanne Froggatt) impending divorce. On top of that, daughter Gina (Teddie Allen) has gone missing.

Just another average day with this lot, eh? Even with the above onslaught of drama, one thing that's still not sunk in after two years of watching is just how much deadly, explicit swearing there is. Weaponised by a former James Bond and a Dame, no less.

With so many See You Next Tuesdays flying about — I did count, and there's four from Conrad in season 2 episode 1's opening six minutes — I asked the young cast members if it's any less surreal watching Brosnan and Mirren at work.

As it turns out, they're much more at ease with the insults than I am... but they're all leading to something even more unhinged.

'You ain't seen nothing yet'

"I think I'm so used to it," Mandeep Dhillon, who plays Seraphina Harrigan, told me, before Allen added: "I think I feel desensitised to it. We get so much, and then when we're doing the extra takes for scenes, it's like a second language."

Anson Boone, who plays grandson Eddie Harrigan, interjected: "I'm desensitised to the swearing, but not the fact that I'm in scenes with them. That is still mad to me. I was a little boy who would watch them in films, and to think that I'm now playing a family with them is still a bit mental."

Watch any episode of MobLand and you won't see a trace of being starstruck in Boone's performance. However, you will notice that Eddie and his grandmother Maeve (Mirren) have a fairly bizarre relationship.

While they rarely cross paths, their time together is charged with an underlying chemistry that borders on Oedipus levels of uncomfortableness. According to Boone, the outlandish swearing is only a gateway for more of those scenes this season... and they go even further.

"Keep tuning into season 2 because things just get weirder and weirder," he teased. "You ain't seen nothing yet. In season 1, we were all getting to know each other, so to then come back for season 2, you have that added level of comfort. We're all pals now.

"It's so exciting when you get to read a really meaty, shocking or strange scene... and then getting to play that out with a national treasure like Dame Helen Mirren is surreal, but amazing."

If I could sum up what's to come in three words, meaty, shocking and strange is also what I'd choose. Without giving anything away, keep your eyes particularly peeled for episode 3.

Spoilers for Neagley ahead.

It likely won't take you long to reach the ending of Neagley on Prime Video — all eight episodes have been released on the streamer — and when you do, it's nothing short of dramatic.

In a nutshell, the Reacher spinoff is following two story strands simultaneously: the death of a young man that's linked to the Echo Canyon Farm cult, and the reasoning behind why Neagley (Maria Sten) has a lifelong fear of being touched and touching others.

We learn that the cult has a secret facility that is being used to test an illegal drug, called Tranqlara, on human subjects, which is all being funded by a Swedish billionaire known as Rawlings. Neagley and her team try to simultaneously avenge her friend's death in episode 1 and save the innocent followers from the effects of Tranqlara, though they're not overly successful.

What it does lead to, however, is the group blowing up the Echo Canyon Farm facility after the death of leader Lawrence (Damon Herriman), walking in the other direction as if they're in the iconic Reservoir Dogs scene.

It's my favorite moment in the entire series (it looks and feels so effortlessly cool), but according to Sten, none of it was filmed in the way that I thought it would be.

'It wasn't as impressive as what you see'

"I thought it was cool, but I could spoil things and say that there was no such explosion behind us as we walk away," Sten tells me. "There was actually a wind turbine. But we played the music that was going to be played and definitely got in the vibe.

Greyston Holt, who plays detective newcomer Hudson Riley, adds, "We knew what it would be. But in the moment, it certainly didn't look as impressive as what you see on screen."

For the first time in what feels like forever, I've been fooled by CGI. If you were to ask me whether the season finale explosion scene was real or digitally generated, I'd have firmly been in the former camp.

However, that doesn't mean everything we see in Neagley was CGI generated. "In the first episode there's a big truck that blows up, and that was a practical explosion. It's a matter of whether we can blow up the set of not," Sten laughs. "It's not always possible, but we always vouch for it."

If Neagley season 2 does get confirmed (come on, Amazon), I'm hoping for even bigger and better actions sequences. Sure, discovering more about Neagley's backstory has been incredibly satisfying, but clearly, nothing truly beats blowing stuff up.

It's time for TechRadar's annual tech awards, and this year we're doing it differently. For the first time, we have a complete set of categories where the winners are chosen 100% by you, the TechRadar readers.

The TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 comprises nearly 100 categories, but we know that not everyone is interested in voting in every one, so on this page you can vote in just our TV, Streaming and Audio categories.

These include soundbars, projectors, Bluetooth speakers, headphones and earbuds, as well as televisions and streaming services. You can vote in the survey just below — or follow the links to see other specific categories, or to vote on the full list instead.

The shortlists were chosen by TechRadar's editors based on the best products we've tested or the most popular products of the year. You'll need to vote before 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026 for it to be counted.

• All categories
• Phones & Cameras
• Computing & Gaming
• Fitness & Home Tech

Once the deadline has passed at 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026, we'll tally your votes to find the winners in each category.

We'll announce the winners in our big TechRadar Awards 2026 Week, starting Monday October 19th. We'll reveal the winners of the Reader's Choice Awards, as well as the winners of our TechRadar Product of the Year Awards, which are chosen solely by our expert judges.

How many products will do the double? We'll be curious to see — but right now, all you can do is vote for what you think should win, so vote away!

Half the fun of being really invested in a TV show is writing your own stories for your favourite characters. If you're a fan of Reacher on Prime Video, there's a chance that you've imagined the titular hero (played by Alan Ritchson) ending up with his loyal sidekick, Neagley (Maria Sten).

A quick Reddit and social media search reveals that I'm definitely not on my own in thinking about this. Though we've not seen Neagley in the main Reacher series since season 3, she remains the fan-favourite right-hand woman, and fans have been publicly pining for her since her departure.

Luckily, the spinoff Neagley lands on the Amazon streamer on September 16, putting her past and present firmly in the hot seat. Reacher will pop his head in along the way... and if anything, this adds fuel to the fire that there's possible romantic tension between.

However, the same could easily be said to be between Neagley and newbie detective Hudson (Greyston Holt), though as of yet, Neagley has chosen nobody but herself.

It's here that I have to be the bearer of bad news: creator Nicholas Wootton has indeed confirmed that there are "no plans" for a Reacher-Neagley romance to be incorporated into the story. Having said that, it's a 'never say never' situation.

'I don't want to put a fork in that'

"I don't want to put a fork in that," Wootton tells me when I ask about the romantic potential. "I don't know what the future may bring. Are there plans for that in our present writing? I will admit no. But I will also say that the world is a big place.

"I don't want to disappoint fans, but right now, the plan for this show is not to explore that. But you never know."

I love a diplomatic answer when I hear one. Though it seems incredibly likely, we're currently waiting to hear whether Neagley season 2 will be picked up or not. So while I've put the request in, for now, we have to make do with how Reacher is utilized in the episodes that we have.

"I love the way that Reacher's been used in this season," Wootton continues. "I felt like it was a handoff to Neagley that allows her to have her own series, yet also gives it a really nice arc.

"His use in this is much more of an emotional tie than an action-based one, and I don't think people will be expecting that. Every time we watched it, I felt it in my chest."

Sounds like the power of love to me, but what do I know?

If you're an Outlander fan like me, you've probably been at a bit of a loss since the emotional season 8 finale back in May.

But while the main series might have finished for good, prequel Outlander: Blood of my Blood is only just getting started.

With season 2 set to debut on September 18 on Starz (US) and September 19 on MGM+ (international), we'll be picking the action back up with Claire and Jamie's parents: Brian (Jamie Roy), Ellen (Harriet Slater), Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry (Jeremy Irvine).

The lovers are separated once again as the Scottish Highlands are split in two by the 1715 Jacobite Rising in season 2. While Brian must fight alongside his father, Julia and Henry are split when their plan to travel back to the 1920s goes wrong at the last minute.

In short, we're in for a lot of twists and turns. But if Outlander fans have yet to tune into the prequel, now's the time — especially because of the Easter eggs the cast is teasing.

'Things shape him into the man we see in Outlander'

"Firstly, I don't think you need to have seen Outlander for this," Irvine begins. "I wasn't familiar with Outlander going into [the prequel]. I like that the scripts just stand alone, but there's a lot of great Easter eggs. Some very familiar characters are showing up."

No spoilers here, but if you've either read the original book series or see the main series, you might have a pretty good idea of what — or who — is to come. My advice? Don't assume any introductions or cameos will only happen towards the beginning of season 2... be ready to stay invested.

"There's lots of things for if you've got a favorite character from the original series, which I think is so great," Roy adds. "Mine is Murtagh from the original series... it's just so great seeing what Rory Alexander does with the character in this series. We saw little things through last season, but in this season, things really shape him to become the man we see in Outlander. I think if you're a fan of the original show, you'll really appreciate that too."

Grown-up Murtagh, for want of a better term, was played by Duncan Lacroix in Outlander seasons 1-5. He's Jamie's (Sam Heughan) godfather and companion, though things don't exactly end up well for him as his time on the show draws to a close.

It's these kind of links between the main series and prequel that make Outlander: Blood of my Blood feel extra special, and the devil truly is in the detail. Take this as your sign to catch up if you haven't already — you've got less than three days until new episodes arrive.

• Streaming guide JustWatch is launching its own streaming service
• It will have both free and paid tiers, including an option to rent titles
• Paramount and New Regency are just two of the partners supporting its content launch

Entertainment guide JustWatch is every movie buff’s best friend, telling you where you can find movies, TV shows, and other content on the best streaming services — and now it’s launching a platform of its own.

Announced at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday (September 15), JustWatch TV will land in October (an exact date hasn’t been revealed yet) on the JustWatch app and website. It’s launching in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand first, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.

Unlike a standard subscription-based platform, JustWatch TV will offer both free and paid options for streaming titles, including a free ad-supported tier, a paid subscription tier, and the option to rent titles similar to Prime Video. While prices for its paid plan haven’t been revealed, I imagine this tier will give you additional perks such as the removal of ads, and possibly upgraded streaming quality.

Since it was founded in 2014, JustWatch has helped countless viewers find their favorite movies and shows when they don’t know where to start. When there’s a sea of hundreds, maybe thousands of streaming platforms globally, JustWatch is a godsend for narrowing it down. But don’t worry, this tool isn’t going anywhere.

If you find that a title isn’t available to stream on the new JustWatch TV service, it will still guide you to other platforms where it's available. So, even though JustWatch TV will house its own catalog of content, its ethos of helping you locate the titles you want to stream isn’t going anywhere.

A new free streamer on the block

Speaking as a movie buff, I use JustWatch just as much as I use my favorite streaming platforms (right now, I’m addicted to HBO Max), and it spares me a lot of disappointment when I head to a platform with the intention of watching a particular movie, and find out it’s no longer available.

The shift to launching its own service is a natural move for JustWatch, and having both free and paid options will not only set it apart from its rivals, but give users more streaming choices. As for its free version, I think it’s already matching Tubi and other best free streaming services for one particular reason, and that’s distribution partners.

As it stands, there are six partners backing JustWatch TV’s content launch, and they’re quite notable. Firstly, you have Paramount and New Regency joining the mix, the latter boasting Oscar-winning blockbusters such as 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Birdman (2014), not to mention iconic TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle. Additionally, you can expect to see titles from Fremantle, Bleecker Street, and Vortex Media coming to JustWatch TV.

Sure, Tubi is by far the most established free streaming service. It has a solid repertoire of programming partners (Paramount being one of them) and major-league distributors like Lionsgate — it’s also a Fox acquisition, so that’s one of the reasons why it can house an extensive library of movies, shows, sports, and current affairs programming.

But as far as JustWatch TV goes, it’s kick-starting with the support of some pretty impressive distributors already, which will serve the platform well for enticing more partners to join in the future. It’s a solid start to what could become the next best free streaming service.

At last, Joe (Zoe Saldaña) has been rescued in Lioness season 3. Frankly, that's an episode earlier than expected.

Still, it seems as though there's more to be solved. The timing of her rescue suggests there's more to the CIA's strategy than we've been able to give proper attention to (at least, I really hope that's the case), with Joe saying she can potentially "never" return home.

But does anybody really know what they're talking about? And when does Lioness season 3 episode 8 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch Lioness season 3 episode 8 on Paramount+?

Lioness season 3 episode 8 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Sunday, September 20 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of Lioness season 3 come out?

Lioness season 3 will have a total of eight episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: out now
• Episode 5: out now
• Episode 6: out now
• Episode 7: out now
• Episode 8: September 20

• The People v Gorilla Grodd is the only DCU TV show in active development
• HBO's boss recently confirmed as much at the 2026 Emmys
• His comments have got me fearing for Lanterns' future

The boss of HBO has revealed that only one DC Universe (DCU) TV show is officially in the works — and now I'm afraid for the future of Lanterns.

Speaking to Deadline, Casey Bloys confirmed that The People v Gorilla Grodd (TPvGG), aka the recently announced Superman TV spin-off, is the only TV series in active development at DC Studios.

Asked for a status update on DC's myriad television productions, Bloys replied: "People read about development, and they assume that those are greenlit shows and they're [already in] development. And everybody knows that development is just that — you're trying things, you take big swings, [and] not everything comes through.

"I would say our track record in DC, from Watchmen to Peacemaker to Penguin and now Lanterns, is pretty good. We're very selective. We're careful about what we do, nothing has changed. You'll read about development, but focus on what we're greenlighting."

Pressed on whether any other show was in active development, Bloys added: "No, not right now, obviously you've got [The People v] Gorilla Grodd, which I'm very happy about, [they're] doing something different, and I think it's a really fun idea. They just started shooting."

Why I'm fearing the worst for the fate of HBO's Green Lantern TV show

For fans who've immersed themselves in the DCU since day one, Bloys' comments will be of concern.

Indeed, when DC Studios co-head James Gunn revealed the official lineup for DCU Chapter One in January 2023, six small-screen projects were unveiled as part of the rebooted cinematic franchise's initial slate.

Since then, four more series have been added to the list of potential TV candidates, but only one — The People v Gorilla Grodd — has been greenlit. Meanwhile, some shows that were named as part of Gunn's initial announcement, including Waller and Paradise Lost, have reportedly been shelved. Others, such as Booster Gold, have been trapped in development hell.

With Bloys outright confirming TPvGG is all that DC Studios' TV division is actively working on, it's not surprising that fans — myself included — are fearing for Lanterns' future.

The Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler-led sci-fi crime drama, which has seen its audience share seemingly grow week-on-week amid positive word of mouth, is one of the most popular shows on television right now. With three more episodes of its debut season yet to air (at the time of publication, anyway), I'm convinced that its viewership will increase in the weeks to come, too.

Considering that HBO's Green Lantern TV show has been such a hit, it's inevitable that a second season will be made, right? Not if we believe Bloys. After all, there are numerous examples of hugely successful shows — on HBO, HBO Max, and otherwise — that haven't returned for another round. There's no guarantee, then, that Lanterns season 2 will be a thing.

That said, DC Studios has assembled a writers room for Lanterns season 2 to kick around potential story ideas. That doesn't mean DC and HBO have pledged to make another season of the DCU Chapter One program, but it does offer hope that, if the right story angle can be found, another eight-part installment might be *ahem* constructed.

As I said at the start of this article, though, I am worried for Lanterns' fate. Bloys is likely playing it coy, but I'm of the opinion that he would've had something positive to say about Lanterns' future if a sophomore season was more likely to happen than not. Right now, then, I'm reluctantly confident that it'll be a one and done scenario.

Mind you, that doesn't mean we won't see Pierre's John Stewart — and, potentially, Chandler's Hal Jordan — again in the DCU. Pierre's Stewart is already set to play a role in Man of Tomorrow, aka next July's follow-up to Gunn's Superman sequel. Meanwhile, there are unsubstantiated rumors floating around that a DCU Green Lantern movie might be fast-tracked because of how popular Lanterns has proven to be.

If, and it's a big if, we get a big-screen Lanterns follow-up to the hit comic book-inspired show, you certainly won't hear me complaining about the decision not to make a second season.

For now, find out everything we know so far about Man of Tomorrow, get the full lowdown on The People v Gorilla Grodd, and learn all there is to know about Clayface.

We're living in a drought of bold and brave storytelling. By that, I mean that almost everything we consume on our favorite streaming services plays it safe, looks the same, or lacks so much substance that you can't really say anything about it other than "it's fine".

MobLand, however, has been bucking that trend, and season 2 continues to build on an authenticity that's light years ahead of anything else. Why? At large, it's because MobLand trusts its audience to be able to think critically.

You've probably read reports of streamers modifying their scripts and plots to accommodate 'second screen' viewers — subscribers who've put something on in the background while doing something else. Without naming any names, this is starting to result in bland, unambitious storytelling that spoon-feeds you information unnecessarily.

But MobLand season 2 shows us just how fulfilling the results can be when creators and distributors alike are prepared to disrupt popular industry trends. The rich, complex layers to the central storyline feel never-ending, forcing you to play close attention to every second of dialogue and action.

The Harrigan family, as always, are unhinged. Conrad's (Pierce Brosnan) feud with Kevin (Paddy Considine) ramps up a notch, embroiling new 'fixer' Frankie (Johnny Flynn) in their mess as family arch-rival Kat (Janet McTeer) tries to take control of London from a distance.

This leaves Harry (Tom Hardy) having to clean up even more mess than before, particularly considering his and Jan's (Joanne Froggatt) impending divorce. On top of that, daughter Gina (Teddie Allen) has gone missing.

If you think you understand, you don't — between the Harrigans and us, it's the blind leading the blind. But that makes tuning into Paramount+ this week all the more enriching... because everyone is prepared to take a risk.

MobLand season 2 is a masterclass in how 2020s TV should be constructed

There's something so wonderfully hypnotic about watching a Dame and a former James Bond shower us with See You Next Tuesdays like it's no big deal (I counted, and Conrad says this four times within the first six minutes of episode 1). But such gimmicks aren't what makes MobLand season 2 so entertaining.

As I've touched on above, it all comes down to the construction. Having a whip-smart script, edgy editing and a soundtrack so defiant that Spotify would ask a listener with the same taste if they were okay, doesn't automatically give you a good show — all elements of production need to be working in complete synergy.

There will be no spoilers in this review, so I need you to trust me when I say that some scenes had all of their creative elements working in such beautiful harmony that I spiritually ascended. Never before have I wanted to be involved in organized crime, but throw me into an action sequence with dynamically rhythmic edits and Firestarter by The Prodigy as the soundtrack and I'd seriously consider it.

If I had to described MobLand season 2 in one word, it would be relentless. From the onslaught of family issues to the duplicity and deceit within them, nothing ever lets up. It's a mental scramble to keep up with everything that happens in a single episode (let alone the entire season); Guy Ritchie has created the most violent workout for the mind possible.

Throw yourself into it at full-throttle and you'll never want the grip of MobLand to let you go. It's not worth having any favorites — they'll either die or deceive you — but that in itself is a fitting lesson in trust. You stick out the ride and try to survive, and become pleasantly addicted to the process.

I've never loved a 'prick on a scooter' more

It goes without saying that our ensemble cast is, as always, on top form. If there was any truth to the alleged behind-the-scenes drama involving Tom Hardy, all it's done is fuel the fire of some exceptional television. Harry's constant need to live on his wit's end is often amusing, while Conrad's slowly declining grip on reality never loses its gravitas.

Maeve (Helen Mirren) needed no improvement, really, but I've particularly enjoyed her power-dressing wardrobe this time around. In direct contrast is Bella (Lara Pulvey), who is the most fretful and unguarded we've ever seen her. Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) is on the way up the food chain, but her own worst enemy.

It's a social study in how complicated humans are while intent on making their own problems infinitely worse, then. But a particular shoutout must go to our most important newcomer, "prick on a scooter" Frankie Cooper.

Without giving too much away, he's brought into's Harry's orbit to act on behalf of the terrifyingly aloof Kat, all while dressed like the third Gallagher brother if he used the Lime app. With a chillingly monotone voice, and eyes that seem like they're constant dissociated from the world around him, he's the first genuinely troubling threat to Harry since the show began.

Frankie's relationship to everyone around him is just another fascinating dimension to behold, revealing a collective fear and vulnerability among the rest of the characters that we've not yet seen. From beginning to end, Ritchie's thought process is truly masterful.

Thank God MobLand season 3 is already a done deal. Thank God we get to experience more of this addictive high. If you thought The Gentlemen season 2 was good, you ain't seen nothing yet.

If you've been watching Reacher season 4 on Prime Video and think that it's been missing something that you can't put your finger on, never fear: highly-anticipated spinoff Neagley is finally here.

Maria Sten reprises her role as the titular character following her last on-screen appearance in Reacher season 3, and is now working as a private investigator in Chicago. As the official synopsis reveals, she quickly learns that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident and becomes hell-bent on justice.

But, what does that actually mean? The creative team behind the spin-off are in a unique position: create an original story that can sit adjacent to an existing IP with a rich source material — that being, Lee Child's original Jack Reacher book series. Creative license is there to be taken and, in a way, it has been.

Having said that, creator Nicholas Wootton has confirmed that, across its eight episodes, all of which drop on Prime Video on September 16, we get to the bottom of Neagley's unsolved fear of being touched by, well, anyone. And, as Wootoon confirms, you've got your fellow fans to thank for getting an answer to this lingering conundrum.

'This is a detective show format to be able to tell Neagley's own story'

"We're given the vibe of Reacher as a show, which is very specific, grounded, and real," Wootton exclusively told me ahead of release. "And, there's this one nugget of information that we get about Neagley, which is that she cannot touch people. We've no idea why and no clue about her backstory.

"To me, it was like 'This is our sandbox, and this is the one thing we can play with.' We built this season out from there. We wanted it to be a detective show like Reacher — there's going to be a mystery — but if it's successful in this first season, it's ultimately telling Neagley's story. The best first season of any show asks what we're learning about our main character, so if we can tell that through a detective story, we've got it."

As fans will find out over the course of the series, Neagley's family life and personal story is threaded through each episode. No spoilers here, but you're guaranteed to get answers as to why she has haphephobia... and they're pretty sobering.

The fact that we're finding any of this out to begin with, though, is all thanks to the fans. "She's such a popular character that is was clear that if a Reacher spinoff was being done, this was the direction that would be supported," Wootton explained. "To say that the fans have had a hand in it is absolutely true."

"I've really felt the love from the fans. Kudos to Amazon for plotting this all out... we shot Neagley before Reacher season 4 was filmed," lead star Sten added. "But, I love that they've decided to air them this way. We know and love Reacher, so it only made sense for Neagley to air right after. For the people who have missed Neagley, there's a lot more coming."

• You can watch Forever Home for free on Channel 5 now
• Traveling outside the UK? Use NordVPN to watch from anywhere

Channel 5’s new six-part thriller Forever Home adapts Graham Norton’s bestselling novel, with Downton Abbey's Amy Nuttall starring as Carol Crottie and Shetland favorite Douglas Henshall as her older partner, Robert.

When Robert’s dementia worsens, Carol begins questioning why he refuses to leave their home – and what really happened to his first wife, Joan, who supposedly disappeared 20 years earlier. A gruesome discovery soon reveals the family’s dark past.

Denise Welch, Kevin Whately, Samantha Bond, Lewis Cope and Jenny Walser also star in the British mystery-drama.

Forever Home premiered September 14 at 9pm, and all six episodes are streaming no on Channel 5. Outside the UK? Here's how to watch Forever Home online and from anywhere with a good VPN.

Unblock any stream with a VPN

If you're keen to watch Forever Home but you're away from home and access to the show is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.

Use a VPN to watch Forever Home from anywhere:

Can I watch Forever Home (2026) in the US?

As yet, Forever Home hasn’t arrived on any US streaming services. However, as Graham Norton is well known in the States for his talkshow, we'd expect to see it arrive at some point in the next 12 months.

A UK fan in the US? You’ll need a good VPN to unblock Channel 5 and watch your usual shows from anywhere.

How to watch Forever Home for FREE in the UK

Graham Norton's Forever Home season 1 dropped on Monday, September 14 at 9pm BST. There will be six episodes in total, broadcast across two consecutive Monday-to-Wednesday runs on Channel 5.

Streaming: watch all six episodes of Forever Home now at Channel 5.

Outside the UK? To access Channel 5 from abroad, you'll need to download a good VPN, as detailed below.

Can I watch Forever Home in Canada?

No is the short answer. We've not seen any news of Forever Home's US or Canadian release dates.

However, British citizens in Canada could simply purchase a VPN and enjoy the drama just like they would back home.

Can I watch Forever Home online in Australia?

We’re still waiting on Forever Home's release date Down Under.

If you’re out of the country – say, a British citizen abroad – sign up to our No.1 VPN to use Channel 5 as if you were back in the UK.

Can I watch Forever Home season 1 in New Zealand?

Sadly, Kiwis can’t watch Forever Home online yet.

Traveling away from home? Don’t forget that if you’re abroad, you can use a VPN to tune into Channel 5 when visiting other countries.

Forever Home cast

• Amy Nuttall — Carol Crottie
• Douglas Henshall — Robert Barrie
• Denise Welch — Moira Crottie, Carol’s mother
• Kevin Whately — “Silent Dave,” Carol’s father
• Samantha Bond — Joan Barrie, Robert’s first wife
• Lewis Cope — Kaden Barrie, Robert’s son
• Jenny Walser — Sally Barrie, Robert’s daughter
• Shane Zaza — Dan Evans, Kaden’s husband
• James Baxter — Patrick Tanner
• Aimée Kelly — Martha
• Anna Leong Brophy — Anna Tanner
• Ricky Shah — DCI Isaac Taylor

VPN services are evaluated and tested by us in view of legal recreational use. For example:a) Access to services from other countries, (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).b) Safeguarding your online security and making your online privacy more robust when abroad.Future plc does not support nor condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. We do not endorse nor approve of consuming pirated content that is paid-for.

• Fire TV owners spotted an issue that prevented sideloading on compatible Fire TV models
• This convinced users to believe that Amazon was clamping down on sideloading on older devices
• Turns out it was just a bug, and Amazon is rolling out a fix soon

There's a dedicated community of Amazon Fire TV Stick owners who like to sideload apps on their devices. However, a recent issue seemed to block the feature, leading to users worry that the tech giant was removing sideloading for older devices to match the lack of sideloading capability on the latest Fire TV Stick HD.

Turns out, it was just a bug. It's been plaguing Fire TV owners for the past month, and was first spotted by users when Amazon rolled out an update that effectively stopped Downloader, a popular sideloading service developed by AFTV News, from working.

Soon after, similar services started vanishing from the ‘Install unknown apps’ list in Fire TV settings, mainly ones that can install apps from sources that aren’t the official Fire TV app store.

While the bug didn’t invade every Fire TV device, it was enough to make users suspicious that Amazon was cracking down on the feature. Without Downloader and similar apps, you can’t grant permission for them to install other apps.

Thankfully, Amazon has confirmed that a fix is on the way, sharing the following with AFTV News:

"There was a bug in a recent Fire TV Settings update that caused the 'Install unknown apps' list to appear incomplete or empty on some Fire TV devices. We have identified the cause and a fix will roll out in an upcoming Fire TV Settings update, installed automatically on affected devices over the coming week."

According to AFTV News, the update will be installed to your Fire TV device automatically and will likely arrive as a component update. You can also check for it by going to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for updates.

Of course, this all still only applies to the older devices — anything powered by Amazon’s own Vega OS, which is taking over from the Android-based Fire TV OS in newer models, will likely never have sideloading abilities.

With Reacher season 4 still streaming on Prime Video at the time of writing, fans are divided on whether its pivot to a political espionage plot has worked. But there is one detail that unites them: the show was better with Neagley (Maria Sten) in it.

After three seasons of dedicated service to Reacher (Alan Ritchson), Neagley is now a spinoff all her own. Taking on the lead role, she's working as a private investigator in Chicago, learning that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident.

Obviously, Neagley is hell-bent on getting revenge and bringing the killer to justice, and "puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil," according to Amazon. Who does that remind you of?

We might have changed the surname in the title, but aside from Neagley's return, it all feels very like Reacher. From the look of each scene and the eight-episode storyline structure to how new supporting characters are introduced and utilized, everything is feeling very familiar.

It's also no secret that Reacher himself (Alan Ritchson) will make an appearance in Neagley, a cameo which, while likely to provide plenty of entertainment and action, blurs the lines between the two shows even further.

Sure, some elements of the new spinoff have been effective (more on that below), but when the opportunity arises to create an entirely original story that's adjacent to an existing, beloved IP... could the creative team behind Neagley not have been a little bit braver?

Neagley is still Reacher... just with a different focal point

Even though I know that a review of Neagley is something that Reacher fans will be looking for, this is one of the rare times in my job where I don't feel enthused to write... well, anything.

Why? As a reviewer, the most difficult movies or TV shows comment on are the ones that are forgettably fine. It's easy to lift something brilliant up and fun to trash something that you've hated — but if a project has nothing to say for itself, you're stuck.

This is where I think both Neagley and Reacher sit in the TV landscape. Both are designed to be intentionally dumb fun wrapped in the popular package of a crime drama, and therefore, they require very little of you as a viewer.

Credit where credit is due, though. Where Reacher season 4 has potentially tanked its own legacy by getting too entangled in its political tone shift, Neagley has kept things much more straightforward.

Its overarching storyline is much more akin to Reacher seasons 1-3, with a surprising connection to a little-known cult effectively tapping into our continued love affair with all things true crime. There's a healthy mix of CGI and real-life action scenes, all of which are incredibly cool and draw you into Neagley's ridiculously varied day-to-day.

However, our new supporting faces are sweet and ever-present, but they don't hold the same sidekick weight as Neagley herself did as Reacher's right-hand woman. In short, it's swings and roundabouts on a fairly inconsequential level.

At the same time, this is Maria Sten's love letter to fans

This brings me neatly to my main argument: it almost doesn't matter what Neagley as a show has got right or wrong, because we're only really showing up for Neagley herself.

For Maria Sten alone, Neagley is exactly the Reacher spinoff that fans have been waiting for. Search for anything Reacher related on social media and you'll quickly find fans pining for Neagley to return to the main series, or for the pair to finally give into their (questionable) underlying romantic chemistry and make things official.

Not only is Sten as impeccable as she was in the main series, but she understands exactly what both fans and the story need from her character. The exploration of Neagley's past and backstory is easily the most satisfying element of the new series, getting into the murky depths of why she is the way she is.

Through this lens, Neagley pulls no punches and leaves no stone unturned while reaching its hard to swallow conclusion. Even while she's recounting hidden trauma in the most vulnerable way possible, Neagley herself remains everything we want from the TV presence we've sorely missed.

Frankly, I credit anything and everything positive about the Reacher spinoff to Sten herself, and if Neagley gets commissioned for future seasons (which I think is highly likely), she'll be the one that makes them satisfying enough to keep watching.

If you're simply tuning in because you're upset that Reacher season 4 is ending on the same day, I'd probably advise that you rewatch seasons 1-3 instead. When it's good, it's golden, as they say... and we're still yet to beat that run.

All eight episodes of Neagley will be available to stream on Prime Video on September 16.

As if Stuart Fails to Save the Universe couldn't be more unhinged, this week the gang is trapped in a legitimate comic book... as illustrated versions of themselves.

It feels like a chaotic move, but actually, we probably should have been expecting it. As HBO itself puts it, "Finally a world that Stuart can (hopefully) thrive in."

But will he? My vote is no. Still, when does Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 9 arrive on HBO Max?

What time can I watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 9 on HBO Max?

For US viewers, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 9 will drop on Thursday, September 17 at 6pm PT/9pm ET.

Internationally, you're looking out for these timings:

• US – Thursday, September 17 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada – Thursday, September 17 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK – Friday, September 18 at 2am BST
• India – Friday, September 18 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore – Friday, September 18 at 9am SGT
• Australia – Friday, September 18 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand – Friday, September 18 at 1pm NZST

When do new episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe come out?

New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will make landfall every Thursday in the US, and on Fridays everywhere else. Here are the all-important dates you need to know about:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: out now
• Episode 5: out now
• Episode 6: out now
• Episode 7: out now
• Episode 8: out now
• Episode 9: September 17
• Episode 10: September 24

Strap in for the chaos... the Harrigans are returning to the small screen in MobLand season 2.

This time around, the dysfunctional family struggles to show a unified front as rising rivals threaten their fractured criminal empire.

'Fixer' Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy) must walk a dangerous tightrope when tensions within the family intensify. As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary, and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.

Just another day for this lot, by the sounds of it. But when does MobLand season 2 episode 1 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch MobLand season 2 episode 1 on Paramount+?

MobLand season 2 episode 1 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Friday, September 18 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations globally:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of MobLand season 2 come out?

MobLand season 2 will have a total of 10 episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

• Episode 1: September 18
• Episode 2: September 25
• Episode 3: October 2
• Episode 4: October 9
• Episode 5: October 16
• Episode 6: October 23
• Episode 7: October 30
• Episode 8: November 6
• Episode 9: November 13
• Episode 10: November 20

Lanterns episode 5 has landed on HBO Max — and it's not only the DC Universe (DCU) TV show's most devastating chapter so far for myriad reasons, but it also wraps up its 2016 storyline. From here on out, then, we'll be back in 2026, aka the DCU's current timeline.

Its present-day plot will have to wait another week, though, because we need to dissect all the hugely significant events that happened in Lanterns' fifth episode. Consider this your one and only warning: full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns chapter 5, titled 'Lights Out'. If you haven't seen it yet, bookmark this page for later and return once you're caught up.

Who dies in Lanterns episode 5?

Frankly, lots and lots of people die. Innocent Rushville civilians caught in the crossfire and foot soldiers in Will Macon's militia and Antaan's extraterrestrial forces all bite the dust in the HBO Max show's latest installment.

Three notable individuals also lose their lives — the first two being the aforementioned Macon and Antaan. Macon is actually killed by Antaan, the latter believing the former is the Manhunter that Antaan's forces have been pursuing for some time.

However, after Antaan murders Macon and cuts out his heart to confirm Macon is the Manhunter — remember, a Manhunter's heart crystallizes once they die — he realizes Macon isn't the Manhunter. Cue Antaan going after Hal Jordan because the latter lied about the Manhunter's identity when the pair crossed paths earlier in episode 5.

Unfortunately for Antaan, he doesn't last much longer. In an attempt to kill Hal, he activates the explosive device woven into his skeleton. But before he goes out with a bang, trying to take Earth's first Green Lantern with him, Hal uses his ring to make a whirlwind construct that flings Antaan into the air before he detonates.

Of this episode's three big deaths, though, Zoe's is arguably the most significant.

Lanterns episode 4 finally revealed Zoe was the Manhunter, but she also appeared to meet her end in that chapter after her truck was destroyed by a lethal laser satellite attack. As it turns out, she survived that ordeal — one she instigated herself to try to trick Hal (with a little help from John Stewart) into thinking she was no longer a threat to him, the Green Lantern Corps, or the Guardians, which would finally make Hal leave Rushville.

It's ironic, then, that Stewart is the one who puts her down. The pair slept together twice in the DCU Chapter One show's first four episodes. Meanwhile, Zoe saved Stewart's life after he was critically injured when his rental car — you know, the one that Hal purposefully crashed in last week's entry — exploded. So, it stands to reason that Stewart wouldn't be the one who takes Zoe out.

Not so. Stewart shoots Zoe in the head and cuts out her heart, which crystallizes in his hands, so he can not only prove to the Guardians that the Manhunter has been destroyed, but also that he's worthy of being Hal's replacement. Speaking of which...

Why does John Stewart give up the Green Lantern ring?

Plainly, Stewart doesn't actually believe he's worthy of the Green Lantern mantle. That much is clear in his decision to give Hal's ring and lantern, which he wrestled off his mentor in a climactic duel, back to the Guardians of the Universe.

There are other reasons why Stewart makes this choice, though. Ultimately, he doesn't believe in working for a manipulative group of individuals like the Guardians, nor does he feel that, despite training to become a Green Lantern for as long as he can remember, it's his dream to join the space cop agency. Remember, he was pushed into this by his parents and, after plenty of measured introspection, it's evident Stewart doesn't want his parents to live vicariously through him anymore. As such, he takes ownership of his life and walks away from the lofty goal they've projected onto him since day one.

What will happen in Lanterns episode 6?

With 'Lights Out' officially bringing Lanterns' 2016 storyline to a close, all eyes will now turn to the sci-fi crime series' present-day plot.

First and foremost, the DC comic book show's sixth episode will need to pick things up around Hal Jordan's death. It feels like an age since Lanterns shockingly revealed Jordan's demise at the end of its first chapter, so it'll be interesting to see if next week's episode begins where the show's premiere left off, or if it'll go back prior to this pivotal event.

If the 2026 storyline starts before Jordan is murdered, we'll likely find out what he and Stewart have gotten up to in the decade since we last saw them. I wouldn't be amazed if we also learn what happened to the likes of Bill Macon, why Sheriff Kerry Kane stuck around Rushville after the town's near-decimation in 2016, and the wider impact that those explosive events had on those who had to pick up the pieces.

Last but by no means least, I wager we'll discover when and why Guy Gardner became Earth's new Green Lantern. It's clear he was chosen by the Guardians after Stewart refused to answer the call. However, we don't know how long he's been operating as a Green Lantern or, based on a clip shown on a recent episode of The Jimmy Kimmel Show, how Gardner and Stewart know each other. Over to you, Lanterns.

The clock is ticking on Ted Lasso season 4's run on Apple TV. Only four more episodes remain of the soccer comedy-drama's latest season, so it doesn't have many more opportunities to kick a ball in anger and/or celebrate any goals.

That's a worry for another day, though. Right now, you just want to know when its seventh episode will be released, so read on to see when it'll premiere on one of the world's best streaming services.

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7?

Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 is expected to drop at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, September 15 in the US and Canada.

Apple has always stated that new entries will air every Wednesday at 12am PT in North America. However, every one of this season's chapters has debuted at the aforementioned times on the past six Tuesday evenings, so it stands to reason that this week's installment will do the same.

Meanwhile, those of you who live elsewhere will have to wait until Wednesday, September 16 to catch this week's episode, which is titled 'Yes and Baby'. Read on to see what time it'll launch where you are:

• US — Tuesday, September 15 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, September 15 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, September 16 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Wednesday, September 16 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, September 16 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, September 16 at 1pm NZST

When can I watch the final three episodes of Ted Lasso season 4?

Unless Apple makes a sudden adjustment to season 4's release schedule, new episodes will air every Tuesday in North and South America and every Wednesday on other continents until the finale is released in early October.

Check out the list below for the remaining episodes' all-important launch dates:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 15/16
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

I'm sad that Reacher season 4 is coming to an end, but thanks to some expert scheduling from Amazon's content team, it's not all bad news.

Just as the popular series' fourth season comes to a close, its highly-anticipated spinoff Neagley takes its place. Maria Sten reprises her titular role from Reacher's first three seasons, and is now working as a private investigator in Chicago. As it happens, she quickly learns that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident and becomes hell-bent on justice.

So far, so good, but when does Neagley arrive on Prime Video?

What time can I watch Neagley on Prime Video?

We're expecting Neagley to be available on September 16 at 12am PT / 3am ET in the US and Canada. That's when Amazon TV Originals usually make their debuts on Prime Video, so there's no reason to suspect Neagley won't do likewise.

Internationally, look out for the below times:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of Neagley come out?

All eight episodes will be released at the same time. Unlike weekly episodic drops for other Prime Video TV series, then, you won't need to wait around for new installment of Neagley.

As for the series' future, there's currently no public word on whether a second season has been greenlit. Hopefully, we won't be made to wait much longer for confirmation about its potential return.

Just as soon as we've got our boy back on the TV, he's set to disappear again. Reacher season 4 officially ends this week, but not without an epic showdown as a fitting farewell.

Some fans argue that the political espionage plot at the center of new episodes has come too far away from what a Jack Reacher story should be... and to an extent, I agree. We've definitely all forgotten that Reacher is intended to be light-hearted and silly, but a fresh take on a worn format is often a necessity.

Now we're at the end, when does Reacher season 4 episode 8 arrive on Prime Video?

What time can I watch Reacher season 4 episode 8 on Prime Video?

We're expecting episode 8 of Reacher season 4 to be available on September 16 at 12am PT / 3am ET in the US.

Internationally, look out for the below times:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of Reacher season 4 come out?

They won't. As I mentioned up top, Reacher season 4 draws to a close with this week's chapter, so there won't be any more entries to enjoy once this season's finale has premiered on September 16.

However, the Reacher season 4 finale coincides with the day that all episodes of its first spin-off Neagley lands on Prime Video. So, if you want to continue immersing yourself in this world, you'll be able to do so.

"Lyrics are where people find meaning in music."

So says Marco Paglia, Chief Product Officer at Musixmatch - the platform delivering time-synced lyrics and translations across all major music streaming services.

At a time when passive background streaming feels like it dominates the landscape, I spoke to Marco to find out how lyrics are changing the game for musicians and their listeners.

In an era of passive streaming, why are lyrics still an important tool for turning casual listeners into diehard fans?

Lyrics represent one of the few moments in streaming when the listener stops being passive. A playlist plays at you, while lyrics make you lean in, follow the words and recognise something about yourself in what an artist is saying. That moment of connection is often where a casual listener starts to become a fan.

This experience has changed significantly over the last few decades. Lyrics used to be a souvenir: you bought the CD, pulled out the booklet, and read along. Now they are a fundamental part of the listening journey itself - time synced, translated and available immediately on screen as the song plays.

The scale of that behaviour is significant, with 88% of premium subscribers actively using lyrics. People read along, search for a chorus to find a track, share a line on Instagram or TikTok and print it on shirts.

Lyrics are where people find meaning in music. We see that reflected in listening behaviour too: tracks with lyrics generate 3.5x more saves, one of the clearest signals that someone wants to come back to a track. None of that is passive.

Ultimately, that’s why lyrics are such a powerful connective tissue between a song, an artist and the people who become invested in it.

On social media, a track can blow up in 24 hours. How much momentum does an artist lose if their lyrics aren’t synced on day one?

More than most artists realise, and that loss isn’t recoverable! The first few days of a release are a unique window: attention is at its highest, fans are actively searching for the track, and the moments that shape its trajectory are starting to build. Once that window passes, you can’t recreate it.

There are three things happening all at once in that initial period. Firstly, discovery: 81% of listeners search for lyrics online, so if a track’s lyrics aren’t available, it risks missing people actively trying to find it through words they’ve heard.

Secondly, algorithmic weighting: days one to seven are when saves and completion count most, and lyrics drive both of these things.

Thirdly, social engagement: lyrics give fans something to interact with and share. If there is no lyric card to screenshot, no sticker, no karaoke moment, you’re leaving fan engagement on the table right as curiosity peaks.

Then the window closes. Add lyrics on day eight and the opportunity to capture that initial release-week momentum has already passed. At that point, the focus shifts to longer-term discovery - and there’s no way to recreate that first week.

That’s exactly why we built Pre-Release, which means lyrics, sync and translations can all be in place and live from the moment a track drops.

For example, when the Rolling Stones released their latest album it launched fully covered, with lyrics, sync and translations in eight languages. Day-one lyrics aren’t a nice-to-have. They have to be part of the release itself.

How much manual effort is actually required from an artist or manager to get their lyrics and metadata release-ready across all platforms?

Historically an enormous amount, and almost all of it is invisible, unglamorous work: transcribing, time-syncing line by line, getting the structure and credits right.

Our job is to collapse that process. Customers can get verified in one step, we then pull their catalogue automatically from distributor data and audit it against what’s live on every Digital Service Provider (DSP). That produces a coverage report showing exactly where lyrics are missing, and prioritising the tracks where filling those gaps will have the greatest impact.

From there, customers can use our AI tools to transcribe and sync lyrics, or hand it to our expert curators. Our transcription engine is built specifically for the singing voice, and is more than twice as accurate as general speech tools.

That technology is backed by a global curator network that can help with proofreading across 100+ languages. Once everything is ready, it can be distributed to 25+ platforms simultaneously, with live status tracking. What could have taken months, now takes days.

There’s another part of this that catalogue managers sometimes underestimate: the same process can power the campaign around a release. Once the lyrics are ready ahead of release day, that file can also produce the vertical video loops for TikTok, Instagram, Spotify Canvas assets, and the YouTube lyric videos ready to go live alongside the track. One deliverable, every surface, no video shoot.

You describe Music Lens as ‘the world’s first Music Agent’. What does that mean in practice, who benefits and how?

Music Lens allows users to stop querying a database and to have a conversation with their catalogue. In practice, that means four things.

It can match a catalogue to a creative brief, it turns global trends into readable insight so you can see a breakthrough moment while it’s still happening, it gives clear visibility into royalties, splits and DSP performance (market by market), and it generates campaign-ready visuals from songs in seconds.

I like to think of it as an agent that develops through four stages: first, a musicologist, reading lyrics and extracting meaning, moods and themes. Then a DJ, enabling search by feeling, rather than simply based on the artist or title. Then it becomes a music expert, reasoning through a brand brief in the way a human sync agent would. Finally, it is an analyst, mapping how an artist's themes evolve and identifying patterns across countries and genres.

The biggest beneficiaries are publishers and labels with catalogues too large to know intimately, sync teams doing the matching process from memory, and independent artists who’ve never had this class of analysis available to them at all.

And the part I care most about is that it’s non-generative: it analyses meaning, but it doesn’t write songs. It’s built on derived data, meaning new information created by processing a catalogue of over 100 million works. It’s permission-based, with no scraping, no unlicensed content and no raw lyric ever surfaces in the output. That was a hard licensing constraint and it shaped every architectural decision downstream.

Do platforms like this level the playing field for artists to build a career without needing the support of a major label?

We give independent artists access to the tools and the infrastructure that historically were much harder to access without the support of a major label. We can offer reach across every platform, control over metadata, professional-grade catalogue intelligence, a merchandising operation, and the one people often forget: translation.

For example, an independent artist can verify their profile, own their lyrics, sync them for free, distribute them to 25+ platforms, ask Music Lens which of their songs has untapped potential, turn a lyric into merchandise, and reach fans in their own language on day one.

More than 1.5 million artists already use Musixmatch Pro to do exactly this. Ten years ago, much of that capability would have sat behind a label services deal.

Translation is the most underrated part of that shift. An artist making music in a bedroom in Bologna with listeners in São Paulo used to have no way to close that gap. Now the words travel with the music.

There are of course elements of labels that we don’t replace, and which are still a real advantage, such as capital, generating radio and playlist relationships and dedicated teams focused on building an artist’s career.

But we have certainly helped level the playing field by putting more information, tools and infrastructure directly into the hands of independent artists.

Beyond backend metadata and licensing, how do you plan to turn your platform into an active community and a richer experience for fans?

Musixmatch has always been a community, a large one, made of people who care enough about a song to get its words right. That passion is our asset. What we’re building now is the layer where fans and artists actually meet.

Translation is one of the most powerful examples. Most people know lyrics in languages they don’t speak, and translation turns that from a novelty into belonging.

Last November, we powered Spotify’s first global rollout of lyric translations on Rosalía’s LUX: 14 languages on one record, 23 translations synced for release day. It became the most-streamed album in a single day by a Spanish-speaking female artist. When language stops being a barrier, fandom stops being local.

Merchandise, and specifically fan-personalised merchandise, is another opportunity. Our Lyrics Merch tool allows an artist to turn a lyric into something a fan wears: designed, printed and sold through us, with the artist keeping 100% of sales. But the part I find most interesting is what happens when an artist opens that experience up to their fans.

If they want to offer it, the fan can choose their own favourite line from the song and have that printed on a shirt. It’s a completely different relationship from buying tour merch. The fan isn’t picking from what the artist decided to print, they’re telling the artist which words mattered most to them. Every shirt becomes a small piece of feedback about which lyric actually landed, and the fan ends up wearing a line they chose themselves.

Finally, there’s participation. We have a global community made up of music lovers, who transcribe, sync and translate lyrics. Our curators help us to ensure lyrics are accurate, properly synced and accessible to fans around the world. The more credit and better tools we give them, the better the data gets, which improves the experience for everyone.

• A report finds that streaming services now cost more than cable
• Disney+, Apple TV+, and Peacock are the platforms with the biggest price increases over the last five years
• According to The Hollywood Reporter, streaming increases have outpaced inflation

When the cost of cable and satellite went up, it gave the best streaming services a big advantage, and soon everyone (including myself) dropped traditional TV to sign up to the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. But given the constant price hikes, streaming is now just as, if not more expensive than cable viewing.

Compared to prices from five years ago, subscription costs today are through the roof. We're pretty used to the odd price hike — Peacock recently raised its prices for the fourth time in four years.

They come around like clockwork, but the difference between now and five years ago is truly shocking, and we have HonestlyRanked to thank for putting these sky-rocketing increases into perspective for us — it compared the past and present prices of nine of the most-used services out there.

Overall, HonestlyRanked found that the combined subscription costs across all nine services have increased by 61% over the last five years, going from $95.91 a month ($1,150.92 a year) between 2021-23 to $154.41 per month ($1,852.95 a year) today. Annually, that's a $702 increase.

But while there are significant increases across the board, there are some platforms that stand out more than others.

Disney+, Apple TV+, and Peacock are the three platforms with the highest increases by percentage, with Apple TV+ taking the top spot with a 200% increase over the last five years, followed by Disney+ at 138%, and Peacock at 100%.

Surprisingly, platforms such as Netflix and Spotify (which have both received a lot of flak when raising their prices), don't come as close, even though Spotify rolled out a price increase earlier this year, shortly followed by Netflix's March price hike.

Then again, these streaming giants say the same thing whenever a price hike comes around: it's always something along the lines of 'we're investing in our services to bring you the best experience possible'. That reads well on paper, but when platforms decide to invest more in vertical video feeds instead of improving the quality of movie and shows, it doesn't ring very true.

Over the past 12 months alone, streaming services have raised prices by 11.8%, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet also pointed out that the highest yearly increase was in 2023 when rates went up by 17.7%, while cable and satellite prices which went up by a mere 3.9% in comparison. Oh, how the tables have turned.

However the fact that streaming prices have surpassed cable prices isn't the most shocking part. The Hollywood Reporter adds that streaming services have 'widely outpaced inflation' which, given the rapidly growing pace of inflation itself, is rather worrying.

Have you been thinking of switching from cable to streaming? Given the comparisons, you're better of staying right where you are.

Ghost Rider is gearing up to ride on the big screen once more. Fourteen years have passed since Nicolas Cage portrayed the titular anti-hero for the second and final time, but with Marvel set to release a new movie starring the Spirit of Vengeance in July 2028, a whole new audience will soon get to meet the supernatural figure.

So, what do we know about the forthcoming film ahead of the character's addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Below, I've rounded up the biggest and latest news on Ghost Rider, including its full launch date and who's involved in its production. So, start revving your demon-fuelled motorcycle, and let's dive in together.

Ghost Rider release date

Ghost Rider will put pedal to the metal in theaters worldwide on July 28, 2028.

Initially, Marvel only announced — at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026 — that it would arrive sometime in 2028. However, Variety has since reported that Disney has locked in a formal release date.

Of course, it's possible, depending on how development progresses, its launch could be delayed or brought forward. For now, it'll be the second of three MCU movies to drop in 2028 — the others being X-Men (May 5, 2028) and Black Panther 3 (December 15, 2028).

Ghost Rider trailer: is there one?

Unsurprisingly, no. Ghost Rider's existence was only confirmed in July, and currently, there's no word on when filming will begin. Long story short: it'll be a long time before a teaser is with us.

My best guess for when it could arrive? Sometime in early 2028. Marvel won't want attention drawn away from Avengers: Secret Wars, which arrives on December 17, 2027, and will cap off the Marvel Multiverse Saga, so there's no chance of a Ghost Rider trailer coming out before then. Whenever one is shared online, I'll update this section.

Ghost Rider confirmed cast

Right now, Ghost Rider's confirmed cast totals one, but it is one big-name star in the form of Ryan Gosling.

Gosling, who has starred in myriad popular movies including Project Hail Mary, Barbie, Drive, The Place Beyond the Pines, and The Notebook, has long been rumored to play Ghost Rider in the MCU.

Reports first emerged of Gosling joining the cinematic juggernaut in 2022. The actor responded by saying he'd be up for following in Cage's footsteps as the so-called Hell King. Weeks later at SDCC 2022, Marvel president Kevin Feige told MTV that he'd "love" to find a place for Gosling in the MCU.

With speculation continuing to mount in the years since, Gosling told the Happy Sad Confused Podcast in March that "some discussions" had taken place with Marvel. Cut to the comic giant's Hall H presentation at this year's SDCC, and Gosling's addition to the MCU was officially confirmed.

As of September 2026, no other cast announcements have been made. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for the rest of its ensemble to be rounded out.

Ghost Rider plot rumors

Given that it's still in early development, Ghost Rider doesn't have a story synopsis yet. Nonetheless, Feige and company have given us some information about who was the driving force behind this Marvel Phase 7 production, and it sounds like Gosling is a major reason for it getting made.

"It was Gosling who had the vision," Feige told Empire Magazine. "It was Gosling who had the pitch that won over Shawn, that had them come and pitch us this idea, which led to us on stage today."

"Literally six minutes into him [Gosling] telling me about it, I’m like, 'Yeah, let’s go. We’re doing that,'" Levy also told People Magazine. "We walked it to Kevin, and here we are."

Some fans might be understandably concerned about Ghost Rider. After all, in a similar situation, Marvel greenlit a film centered on another of its iconic supernatural characters, Blade, after Mahershala Ali pitched an idea to the comic giant in 2019. Seven years on, that flick has not only all but been canceled, but seen Ali officially walk away from it. Here's hoping Ghost Rider won't go the same way.

As for what its story will be about, that'll depend on which version of the skeletal superhuman Gosling will portray. Johnny Blaze and Robbie Reyes are arguably the most well-known iterations of the character, but have already been portrayed in live-action projects by Cage and Gabriel Luna. If Marvel wants to go in a different direction, Danny Ketch would be the most obvious choice. However, I wouldn't discount Blaze or Reyes as the character Gosling is eventually revealed to be playing.

Who is Ghost Rider? The Marvel anti-hero's comic book history explained

The information up until now is all well and good, but who is Ghost Rider exactly?

For the uninitiated, Ghost Rider was originally created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich, and Mike Ploog. The first iteration of the character — Johnny Blaze — made his comic book debut in Marvel Spotlight #5 in August 1972. Blaze gained his superhuman abilities after making a deal with the demon lord Mephisto in exchange for curing his father figure Crash Simpson's cancer.

Eighteen years later, Howard Mackie and Javier Saltares reimagined the character as Danny Ketch. Introduced in Ghost Rider volume #1 in May 1990, Ketch assumed the mantle after coming across a motorcycle bearing a mysterious sigil. Then, in March 2014, Robbie Reyes — devised by Felipe Smith and Tradd Moore — became the new Ghost Rider, revived by the spirit of a man named Eli Morrow after being gunned down by mercenaries.

Other Marvel characters have also held the Ghost Rider mantle, including Alejandra Jones, Kushala, Sal Romero, and Parker Robbins, but Blaze, Ketch and Reyes are the most well-known iterations.

Abilities-wise, most Ghost Riders possess similar power sets, including — but not limited to — superhuman strength, reflexes, stamina, and speed, immortality, invulnerability, pyrokinesis, teleportation, occultism and magic, and reality-bending powers. The bikes ridden by Blaze and Ketch, plus the Challenger car driven by Reyes, are also imbued with various supernatural abilities that allow them to travel at high speeds and/or across dimensions, to name just two.

How will Ghost Rider impact the MCU?

Nobody knows. However, there's the very real possibility that Ghost Rider could breathe new life into the supernatural corner of the MCU, especially with the cinematic franchise set to undergo a soft reboot once the Multiverse Saga draws to a close.

Marvel has already dabbled in otherworldly projects and characters, such as the Doctor Strange films, Moon Knight show, and its Werewolf by Night TV special on Disney+. If Ghost Rider is successful in renewing fans' interest in this side of the new-look MCU, we might not only be reunited with these characters, but also see the likes of Blade finally enter the fray with their own solo projects or — whisper it quietly — give us that long-overdue Midnight Sons movie.

For more Marvel coverage, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday, get the full lowdown on VisionQuest, learn all there is to know about Daredevil: Born Again season 3, and the very latest on Marvel's new X-Men movie.

Lanterns is about to dial things up to 11. Indeed, after last week's episode not only ended on a major cliff hanger, but also set up myriad showdowns to come, the DC Universe (DCU) TV show's next chapter is primed to be its most explosive one yet.

So, when will episode 5 — titled 'Lights Out' — be released on a streaming platform near you? And what'll happen in it? I'm not at liberty to answer the latter, but I can give you some firm details on the former. Let me grab my Green Lantern ring, then, to shed some light on when this week's entry will premiere.

When does episode 5 of Lanterns come out?

Lanterns episode 5 will make its bow in the US and Canada on Sunday, September 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Meanwhile, those of you who live outside of North America will need to tune in on Monday, September 14 to watch the DCU Chapter One TV series' next installment. Here are the all-important launch times you need to be aware of:

• US — Sunday, September 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, September 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, September 14 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, September 14 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, September 14 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, September 14 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, September 14 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 5?

Just like the four episodes that preceded it, 'Lights Out' will come out on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, where this platform is available.

Unfortunately, the Warner Bros Discovered-owned streamer hasn't landed in every world region yet, so some of you will need to look elsewhere to catch episode 5. Luckily for you, I've tracked down where every chapter of Lanterns will air in your neck of the woods. Read on for more details:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

Lanterns full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

New episodes of this DC comic book program will arrive every Sunday in North and South America, and on Mondays in other territories. That'll be the case until the season 1 finale drops on October 4 and 5 — depending on where you're based — too. Need a reminder of those episodic release dates? Check out the list below:

• Lanterns episode 1 — out now
• Lanterns episode 2 — out now
• Lanterns episode 3 — out now
• Lanterns episode 4 — out now
• Lanterns episode 5 — September 13/14
• Lanterns episode 6 — September 20/21
• Lanterns episode 7 — September 27/28
• Lanterns episode 8 — October 4/5

Crystal Lake is the highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series coming to Peacock and Sky. Horror fans around the world, including me, have been counting down the days to this one as we dive into some famous slasher lore.

The series will put the spotlight on Jason's mother, Pam (Linda Cardellini), raising her son alone near Crystal Lake, where she worked. So those curious about Jason's, and indeed his mother's, origins should not miss Crystal Lake when it debuts on October 15.

Ahead of this, I thought it would be fun to revisit the classic Friday the 13th movie franchise and put your knowledge to the test. Since it's among the best horror movies, I'm sure many of you are very familiar with Jason Voorhees and his reign of terror.

With 12 movies in the franchise, this is no easy task, and only true horror fans will get all of these questions right. Are you brave enough to take on the challenge?

Scroll down and enjoy my Friday the 13th quiz...

How did you find the quiz on Friday the 13th? Was it a bit too niche in places, or a good test of your knowledge? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to let me know what other quizzes on horror movies we could try; I'm always up for making more!

• A new trailer for Tom Cruise's forthcoming film Digger was released on September 9
• It's spawned a wild new theory about the dark comedy movie
• The hypothesis has drawn myriad reactions from social media users

A fierce fan debate has erupted online over Tom Cruise's next movie Digger — and it's all thanks to a bizarre new fan theory.

With the forthcoming black comedy due out in theaters worldwide on October 2, Warner Bros. Pictures released one final teaser for the Cruise-fronted vehicle on September 9. You can check it out below if you haven't seen it yet:

The latest trailer for one of late 2026's most anticipated new movies arrived two months after Digger's initial teaser gave us our first look at Cruise's wildest on-screen transformation yet.

And, while both rounds of footage highlight what the film will be about, a new fan theory, which has quickly gained traction online, implies we might be in for a major surprise when Digger is eventually released.

Indeed, in the wake of its most recent teaser's release, X/Twitter user and John Dies at the End author Jason Pargin hypothesized that Digger's marketing campaign is pulling the wool over our eyes. The reason? Pargin believes that, while it's been billed as a dark comedy, it'll actually be a musical.

Outlandish as that sounds, it's not a theory we can immediately discard. After all, Pargin provides some visual evidence in his tweet that indicates that Digger could contain a musical number or four.

Additionally, mystery-laced comments from Cruise earlier this year — ones in which he said that it's taken him 40 years to prepare to play the film's lead — only add further fuel to the fire. Is Cruise really saying, then, that he need four decades' worth of acting experience to pluck up the courage to sing on-screen? I wouldn't be stunned if that's the case.

What are fans saying about this wild fan theory about Digger?

At the time of publication, Pargin's post has been viewed over four million times — and, suffice it to say, it's drawn all kinds of reactions from his fellow X/Twitter users.

"[I've] been following this the last couple of days," Larry Matovina said. "I swear, if I walk into Digger and it’s secretly a musical… I’m gonna be so stoked."

"The way that congressional hearing scene is staged screams musical to me (once I heard about this theory, to be fair)," DankChains opined. "But, everything else I could go either way."

"It's going to take an Oh Brother Where Art Thou level of musical, calling it," I'mma Duck posted. Elsewhere, waynesfury said: "I’m sorry, but the concept of seeing Tom Cruise do a musical makes Digger way more interesting to me", while Regelgorilla simply wrote: "Best theory."

"If I pay to watch this at the cinema and this turns out to be true, very bad things will happen," dharnyyoung fired back. "I'm gonna be so f*****g annoyed if this is true," blameitonyou chimed in, before inceptstellar stated: "To me it'll go from 5/5 to 2.5 instantly [if it's a musical]."

"I lowkey believe that theory," Tanner_Slavin wrote. "But, I also think that it’s such a stupid marketing idea to market musicals as if they aren’t musicals, cause people who don’t like musicals won’t like it. If a film is a musical they should own up to that because there IS an audience for that."

Luvkaters perhaps summed things up best, though, saying: "God, I hope Digger is a musical. Could you imagine an end of the world musical with fat balding southern Tom Cruise?". I certainly can — and, on that description alone, I'm all-in on this theory now.

What do you think about Digger secretly being a musical? Let me know in the comments.

Who's ready to park themselves in front of their TV this weekend? I know I am. And, if you feel the same way, you'll be pleased to hear that a decent amount of new movies and shows have dropped on the world's best streaming services over the past few days.

It's HBO Max and — unexpectedly — Peacock that lead the way with this week's biggest new releases, too. I'm not sure what that says about Netflix and Prime Video's latest offerings but, hey, everyone's allowed an off-day (or, in this case, off-week). Anyway, scroll on to see what's worth checking out at home this weekend. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Supergirl (HBO Max)

James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe (DCU) suffered its first major hiccup with its most recent big-screen offering.

Indeed, many people — myself included — expected Supergirl to fly high in theaters earlier this year. Despite lead star Milly Alcock's best efforts, though, the DCU Chapter One film crashed and burned at the box office, and there are myriad reasons why. Read my Supergirl review for more on my biggest bugbears.

Still, with the DC comic book movie out now on HBO Max, those of you who didn't catch it at your local cinema can now pass your own verdict on it. Once you're seen it, check out my Supergirl ending explained piece to find out how it lays the foundations for Man of Tomorrow, aka Gunn's Superman sequel that'll arrive next July. — TP

• Watch Supergirl on HBO Max

The Paper season 2 (Peacock)

Ready to crack open some more award-winning stories at the Toledo Truth Teller? Well, don't be — we're running seriously short of them in The Paper season 2.

After the team's success at the end of season 1, editor-in-chief Ned is still desperately searching for the stories that'll take his team to the next level.

Esmeralda rarely thinks about anybody's reputation but her own. Meanwhile, Nicole is still giving Kelly Kapoor vibes in a majorly inferior way, and Mare... well, she's just trying her best. More of the same stupidity, in a nutshell. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch The Paper season 2 on Peacock

Call My Agent! The Movie (Netflix)

Call My Agent! has a feature film on Netflix that reunites the cast of the hugely popular French comedy-drama series.

Here, Camille Cottin reprises her role as Andréa, but things aren't going very well for her. As she attempts to direct her first movie five years after the ASK agency closed, she loses her lead actor just days before production starts. In attempt to salvage her movie, she must get the old team back together, rekindling all the old friendships and rivalries that we know and love. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Call My Agent! The Movie on Netflix

Drawn Together (Prime Video)

Who's up for some Spanish language romance? Prime Video doesn't just deliver the dramatic goods in its English projects, as Drawn Together easily proves.

Based on the novel Marfil by Mercedes Ron, we follow the rich daughter of a Spanish businessman living in New York who survives a kidnapping attempt. Her father then hires a bodyguard to protect her... and you can connect the dots from there.

Think a slow-burn, sexy, mutual attraction forming over something potentially fatal. There really is nothing like a tragedy to spark a romance, and I lap it up every single time. — JV

• Watch Drawn Together on Prime Video

Last Seen (Apple TV)

Apple TV's new thriller show Last Seen follows a police dispatcher who believes he's received a call from his long-lost daughter. Desperate to reunite with her, he tries and track her down without thinking about the consequences.

Colin from Accounts' star Patrick Brammall leads the cast, with Shameless' Maxine Peake in a supporting role, as they become caught up in a mystery that's sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

The first two episodes are available now, with subsequent episodes of this acclaimed Apple Original airing weekly until October 7. — LB

• Watch Last Seen on Apple TV

Colin From Accounts season 3 (Paramount+)

Patrick Brammall is everywhere this week, as Colin from Accounts season 3 arrives on Paramount+ (NB: it originally launched on Binge in Australia earlier this year).

It's the final outing for the beloved Australian romantic comedy, too, so its arrival is bittersweet. I don't want to say goodbye, but I'm also excited to watch all eight episodes this weekend.

Season 3 picks up after the humiliating aftermath of Gordon’s failed proposal to Ashley (at someone else's wedding, if rejection wasn't awkward enough). How on earth do you bounce back from that? You'll have to watch and find out. — LB

• Watch Colin From Accounts season 3 on Paramount+

Band of Brothers: Legacy (HBO Max)

How many ways can the Band of Brothers' legacy truly be eked out over time? As it turns out, a documentary about its timeless appeal with exactly that title is one option.

25 years after release, we retrace its steps through the making and lasting cultural impact of the landmark HBO miniseries. This is less of a reunion, and more rare and previously unseen footage and photographs from HBO’s archives. Don't be too disheartened, though, as there are new interviews with original cast members. — JV

• Watch Band of Brothers: Legacy on HBO Max

Spoilers for The Paper season 2 ending ahead.

Regardless of whether you love or loathe Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore), you can't deny that she's made The Paper season 2 ending incredibly memorable.

While Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) comes to Mare's (Chelsea Frei) rescue at The Cincinnati Chronicle, Esmeralda is on a mission of her own. Distraught by the news that her son has got C on his latest school exam, she undertakes an undercover investigation to get to the bottom of the "injustice."

As Oscar (Oscar Nuñez) tells us, these Esmeralda specials tend to be a regular occurrence. She's donned a fat suit to protest weight restrictions at a local playground, and disguised herself as a balding, older man to work out why those who "aren't attractive" are having problems dating.

This time, Esmeralda's transformation comes in the form of a teenage boy, dressing up in a short brown wig, baggy football jerseys and a backwards cap — much like a member of N*SYNC — to infiltrate Matteo's (Zak Messinger) class, though she's immediately detected.

While Matteo is willing to indulge her ridiculousness (albeit for a short time), the sheer stupidity of it all makes it the best moment in the entire season. But which disguise did Impacciatore find the most uncomfortable?

'I was shocked when I looked in the mirror'

"I had so much fun with that," Impacciatore tells me. "The most uncomfortable was the woman.... but the older man was horrible.

"I felt so shocked looking at myself in the mirror, and that shock remained for a good few days. I didn't recognize myself... just a very shocking experience. It's literally just for a few seconds in the show, but the experience of it lasted."

Personally, I'd enjoy an entire episode dedicated solely to Impacciatore's old man, who tells a group of attractive younger women at a bar that just because he doesn't look like Marlon Brando — already an outdated reference — doesn't mean that he should be ruled out.

While Esmeralda is probably the least predictable character of the bunch, these episode 10 transformations do set her up for future undercover investigations if The Paper season 3 is greenlit.

If her more direct exposé has almost cost Esmeralda her job and status at the Toledo Truth Teller, then why not try alternative methods to do exactly what she wants to? Watch this space, is all I'm saying.

• Marvel has seemingly cast a Gen V alumnus as Angel in its new X-Men movie
• Asa Germann is said to have signed on to play the winged mutant
• For the most part, MCU fans have reacted positively to the news

Marvel has reportedly tapped Asa Germann to play Angel in its new X-Men movie.

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) first broke the news, with the trade publication's sources claiming that the former Gen V star has signed on to play the winged mutant in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Interestingly, THR suggests that Germann was a major contender to portray Scott Summer/Cyclops in the forthcoming flick. However, while Marvel decided to hire Kit Connors to play Cyclops in its X-Men reboot, the comic giant's top brass were so impressed by Germann's audition, they offered him the role of Angel instead.

At 28 years old, Germann is on the older side of the Marvel Phase 7 movie's cast, with many of his fellow stars in the 20 to 25 bracket. Nonetheless, Germann fits the bill as an actor under the age of 30 who, as long as he's signed a multi-picture deal, could feature in numerous X-Men and MCU movies over the next decade.

Real name Warren Worthington III, Angel is a founding member of the X-Men in Marvel Comics. As his mutant alias implies, he's defined by a pair of giant, white feathered wings that protrude from his upper back. Unsurprisingly, these allow him to fly, but Angel also boasts the usual superhuman abilities — super-strength, reflexes, stamina, and durability — that keep him in the fight for longer than ordinary people.

Germann won't be the first actor to embody Angel on the big screen. Indeed, Ben Foster portrayed the Marvel character in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, while Ben Hardy played the same individual 10 years later in 2016 movie X-Men: Apocalypse. For more on those films and other mutant-led flicks, find out how to watch the X-Men movies in order.

What have Marvel fans said about Asa Germann's casting as Angel in the MCU's first X-Men film?

In the main, MCU fans have lauded Germann's casting. Indeed, threads on r/MarvelStudios, r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers, and the ResetEra forums are filled with comments from people excited to see what Germann will bring to the table as part of his portrayal.

Funnily enough, as one eagle-eyed fan pointed out, Germann's first name actually means 'wing' in Portuguese, too. It's almost as if this was planned, isn't it!

While the vast majority are pleased with this hiring — shout out to long-time MCU casting director Sarah Halley Finn for yet another great pick, by the way — a couple of fans are giving themselves a well-earned pat on the back for previously suggesting that Germann would be their top choice for Angel. Not exactly the proven leaks we're used to, but I'll allow it.

Anyway, what do you think of Germann's casting? Let me know in the comments, and if you want to read more on the first MCU movie he'll star in, find out everything else we know so far about Marvel's new X-Men movie.

If you really know your stuff about streaming services, you'll know that Apple TV is the home of consistently high-quality content — and its new Australian thriller Last Seen is no exception.

Based on Ryan David Jahn's novel The Dispatcher, we follow emergency dispatcher — and secret alcoholic — Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall), who receives a call about a body found near his home. He thinks it may be his daughter, who went missing 11 years ago.

For those who have already read the book, there are a few big changes for its TV adaptation: most notably, that it's now set Down Under, not in Texas. Even so, a seemingly never-ending web of twists and turns is still set to unfold.

With the first two episodes of Last Seen now streaming, the remaining four episodes will drop on a weekly basis until October 7. And, according to Brammall, we're really not prepared for what's coming.

'Nothing is black and white'

"Ian is not a hero," Brammall exclusively told me about his character in the Apple TV Original. "His focus on paper is an altruistic one, but it's also mixed with hope, guilt, [and] everybody he's failed. There's a lot of collateral damage.

"Conversely, when we first see Sarah (Chloe Jean Lourdes), she's happy. Nothing's black and white. As the series goes on, you can sort of see that Ian and Henry (Brendan Cowell) are two sides of the same coin."

By the time episode 2 ends, which is where we're currently up to, this doesn't exactly feel like the case. Henry feels like an elusive villain, having clearly held onto some deeply disturbing secrets for too long, and for reasons we don't quite yet understand.

"By the end, the agency is taken away from them both and given to Sarah," Brammall continued. "I think that's completely unexpected. The ending is something that you wouldn't necessarily have anticipated, and it's not the sort of ending you'd usually get in a crime drama, either. That's a testament to how multi-layered the show is."

Intriguing. In this day and age, we should probably consider it a luxury when a crime drama is able to surprise us. If Last Seen can really put its money where its mouth over the next few weeks, then we've genuinely got some unmissable TV on our hands.

• DC fans have received their first look at The People v Gorilla Grodd
• Multiple images and videos of the Superman spin-off have appeared online
• They show The Flash villain attending university and as part of an A Cappella group

The first images and videos for The People v Gorilla Grodd (TPvGG) have appeared online — and they've sparked something of a fierce fan debate over the titular, hyperintelligent ape.

Billed as a mockumentary show, the forthcoming Superman spin-off will see Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) re-examine a case against Grodd (voiced by Jimmy Tatro) to determine whether the latter was wrongly convicted of his father's murder. And, based on the set leaks we've seen thus far, it seems some fans are already convinced that Grodd is innocent.

Their evidence? The numerous behind-the-scenes pictures and footage of the HBO Max TV series shared online yesterday (September 9) that indicate Grodd is nothing more than a popular, intellectual, and fun-loving ladies' man.

For one, in videos shared on X/Twitter, Grodd is seen as part of an A Cappella group at Metropolis University. Further footage shows Grodd trying to woo a fellow student with his singing abilities and — I kid you not — singing LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem' on campus with the rest of his A Cappella group.

But wait, there's more. In images uploaded to the same social media platform, Grodd is also seen graduating from university. A separate shot shows the DC comic book character is pictured wearing a shirt, waist jacket, and trousers (see below), too. It's unclear if this is Grodd wearing his college uniform or if he's dressed smartly for his murder trial.

Regardless, it appears that most DC Universe (DCU) fans are happy with what they've seen of Grodd. Various threads on r/DC_Cinematic, r/DCULeaks, and the ResetEra forums are full of comments from people saying they're coming around to the prospect that The People v Gorilla Grodd will actually be good. In fact, some even want the Grodd stand-in to be kept for the final product, rather than see him replaced by a CGI version.

That said, there are those who aren't enamored with how the supervillain looks. Others don't like that he isn't being used in a movie starring his archnemesis in Barry Allen/The Flash, and/or that he's being disrespectfully reduced to a caricature of his comic book counterpart. We'll see how the DCU's portrayal shakes out when TPvGG is finally ready to go.

Confirmation that filming has begun comes just two weeks after The People v Gorilla Grodd's official title, cast, and plot were revealed and almost 10 months after reports first emerged that a Superman off-shoot was in development at DC Studios. There's no word on when TPvGG will be released but, with the cameras now rolling, it's possible we could see the DCU Chapter One program before the end of 2027.

For more ahead of its eventual debut on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, find out everything else we know so far about The People v Gorilla Grodd.

• The official trailer for Mike Flanagan's Prime Video adaptation of Carrie has been released
• All eight episodes of the series are set to drop on October 7, 2026
• Summer H. Howell stars in the titular role

The official trailer for Mike Flanagan's Prime Video adaptation of Carrie has been released, which you can catch up with in full below.

Following the same narrative as the Stephen King novel and subsequent 1976 horror movie starring Sissy Spacek, we can expect the new eight-episode series to "pull back the curtain on the urgent and arresting reinvention, bringing new depth and complexity to its beloved characters while exploring the forces that shape Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) as she navigates the cruelty and pressure of the modern world - building toward a single, shattering night.

"But how much do we really know about Carrie — or what happened in Chamberlain?"

Series regulars include Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Josie Totah as Tina, Arthur Conti as Billy, Thalia Dudek as Emaline, Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin, and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle.

Given that streamable titles such as Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher are all already under Flanagan's belt, you might have expected the below trailer to feel a little more... spooky.

However, I think that there's a clever reason why it doesn't, and it's all thanks to Amazon.

Opinion: Prime Video's Carrie series looks frustratingly like yet another YA release

Even just within 2026 alone, Prime Video has an exceptional track record when it comes to creating popular young adult (YA) dramas. Shows like Off Campus, Every Year After and Sterling Point have helped to cement its status as the go-to streaming service for the genre.

As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So if YA is a successful Amazon niche, why not make as much of its content fit the bill as possible? I watch the trailer above and don't see disturbing scares, but fairly run-of-the-mill teenage drama.

Of course, I'm getting ahead of myself here to a certain extent. Flanagan is seemingly allergic to creating bad (or bland) TV, and if a trailer is doing its job properly, what's waiting for us is hidden away rather than shown. It could be the case that the Carrie trailer is a total red herring for what's actually to come... and that idea is incredibly exciting.

I really hope I'm right — as brilliant as Prime Video's YA stories are, I don't want to see another in this instance. Bring on the pig's blood, that's all I'm saying.

While I was rewatching season 1 ahead of diving into The Paper season 2, one thing quickly became apparent: the internet was incredibly divided on Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore).

Self-centered, brash and oblivious, she's usually found tearing though the office of the Toledo Truth Teller like a bull in a China shop. She's incredibly hesitant to absorb (or even listen to) other people's ideas, and that comes back to bite her in new episodes.

Without giving anything away, Esmeralda is set up to face more than one brutal reality check across the 10 season 2 episodes, which all land on Peacock on September 9. But perhaps the damage has already been done — some fans think she's too overpowering and narcissistic, although others fully buy into her unique brand of silliness.

Has any of this affected how Esmeralda appears in The Paper season 2? According to Impacciatore herself, she's very much still "a work in progress."

"I don't think so," Impacciatore tells me when I ask her if fan opinion has affected how we see Esmeralda in season 2. "I think Esmeralda, like every other character, is a work in progress. The show itself is so alive. It's something that changes every day. Somehow, we keep exploring new things, and that direction changes day by day.

"We talk a lot with [the show's creators] Greg (Daniels) and Michael (Koman), going to the writer's room. I think we all enjoyed things more this year because we felt more relaxed. But I'm still figuring out how Esmeralda is perceived. I surprise myself when I watch the series... things sound new to me. It's an interesting process."

In my opinion, what will be even more interesting is whether fan opinion of Esmeralda will change following the events of The Paper season 2 — and for now, you'll have to trust me when I say that her upcoming storyline certainly has the power to do just that.

Don't get me wrong, though: in many ways, she's still as annoying as she ever was. If The Paper does get picked up for a third season and beyond, which we're yet to find out, I'm still doubtful that she'll ever fully leave her self-obsessed ways in the past.

• Rivals season 2 part 2 release date confirmed for November 11 by Hulu and Disney+
• Begins with a three-episode premiere followed by weekly releases
• Upcoming episodes will feature 'a Hunt Ball, a chaotic Bonfire Night and a very Rivals Christmas

Breathe a sign of relief, Jilly Cooper fans: Rivals season 2 part 2 returns to Hulu (US) and Disney+ (international) from November 11, 2026.

The season's second half is set to kick off with a three-episode premiere, with weekly releases of the remaining three episodes following after.

Our core cast is set to return — well, all except for one, which we'll get to in a minute — but we'll also see the introduction of three important new characters.

Rachael Stirling will play Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister Araminta Pemberton, Rupert Evans is erudite headmaster David Hawkley, and Santiago Cabrera takes on the role of Argentinian Polo legend Alejandro Mendoza.

While overarching plot details have been limited to episodes featuring " a Hunt Ball, a chaotic Bonfire Night and a very Rivals Christmas," the shock part 1 cliffhanger tells us exactly where we'll be picking the action up... and that's a bittersweet thing.

Rivals season 2 part 2 first-look images tease a Lizzie-Freddie reconciliation

Spoilers for Rivals season 2 part 1 ahead.

Rivals season 2 part 2 is set to pick back up with Monica's (Claire Rushbrook) funeral, with the full mid-season synopsis reading: " Picking up after the gut-wrenching mid-series finale, Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and Declan O'Hara's (Aiden Turner) battle for the Cotswolds crown reaches fever pitch, while Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) is forced to confront his own personal demons.

"Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise war, Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean) must find the courage to follow her heart, while those around her face the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that can no longer remain hidden. But as series two draws to a close, who will get their happy ending?"

Not only does this signal that Taggie and Rupert will find their way back to each other before the season ends, but the above first-look image also teases an much-anticipated reunion between Freddie (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson).

After almost being caught together in the first half of season 2, Lizzie decided to be the bigger person and end things with Freddie before their colliding worlds got any more complicated. Has this decision made her happy? No, so you know that it's not going to last for long.

Expect "secrets, betrayals and explosive twists," and if we're being honest... that's just the start of it.

• The first trailer for Neon's Sam Altman biopic Artificial has been revealed
• The Andrew Garfield-led movie will be released in late 2026/early 2027
• It covers Altman's controversial rise to prominence as OpenAI's co-founder

The first trailer for Artificial, a movie about controversial OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, has been revealed.

Unveiled yesterday (September 8), the teaser for the Neon-distributed film strikes an unusually sinister tone for what's being billed as a biographical comedy-drama.

Indeed, from the gun-laden room that lead star Andrew Garfield, who'll portray Altman, visits, to Garfield's unsettling voiceover that plays over Artificial's publicly-released footage, it's certainly foreboding in nature. I get the feeling, then, that it'll be a dark-comedy dramatization of Altman's rise of prominence, the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, and his brief and somewhat disputable ousting as OpenAI CEO in late 2023.

Artificial will initially debut in US theaters on December 25, 2026, before receiving a wider international rollout in early 2027. UK viewers, for example, will have to wait until January 22, 2027 to catch one of many new movies that'll arrive in the months ahead.

Artificial cast and crew: who's involved?

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Call Me By Your Name) is on directing duties, while Saturday Night Live writing alumnus Simon Rich has penned its screenplay. Meanwhile, Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has also created original music and songs for Artificial.

Where the movie's cast is concerned, Garfield, who impersonates another Silicon Valley techbro following his portrayal of Eduardo Savarin in The Social Network, aka the 2010 dramatization about Facebook's creation, is arguably its most recognizable star — and based on what little footage we've seen thus far, he appears to have Altman's mannerisms, vernacular, and other unique traits down to a tee.

Here's who else you'll see in Artificial:

• Yura Borisov (Anora) as Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientific officer and co-founder
• Monica Barbaro (Crime 101) as Mira Murati, OpenAI's chief technology officer
• Cooper Hoffman (The Long Walk) as Greg Brockman, OpenAI's chairman
• Ike Barinholtz (The Studio) as Elon Musk
• Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) as Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called 'Godfather of AI'
• Jason Schwartzman (The Grand Budapest Hotel) as TBC
• Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) as TBC

What is the plot of Artificial?

Here's the official logline for Artifical: "[The movie] chronicles the incredibly consequential days leading up to the sudden firing and reinstatement of Sam Altman, as the fate of who gets to control the technology at the centre of an AI arms race hangs in the balance."

It's unclear how much of Altman's backstory, his various relationships with his OpenAI colleagues, and ChatGPT's launch and subsequent sociopolitical impact will be covered as part of Artificial's story. One thing is for sure, though: given that it dramatizes events concerning Altman and OpenAI, the discourse that will surround Artificial's release will be impossible to ignore.