SciFiAndTvTalk

Three Little Birds Premiering In February 2024 (BritBox)

Prepare for the U.S. premiere of Three Little Birds, the captivating, original new drama series from Britbox. Following its highly acclaimed UK debut, the show arrives on US shores on Thursday, February 1st 2024. Stream the first three episodes at launch, with the final three episodes releasing a week later. Today’s launch date announcement is accompanied by the thrilling first-look trailer for the contemporary historical drama. Three Little Birds narrates the adventures of gregarious sisters Leah and Chantrelle, who hail from the St 

Anne’s district of Jamaica, and their virtuous, bible-loving acquaintance Hosanna, as they board a ship heading for a new life in Great Britain. Written by Sir Lenny Henry (Chef!, Broadchurch, The Long Song), this life-affirming six-part drama is inspired by Henry’s mother’s stories of leaving Jamaica in the 1950’s for Great Britain, which became her lifelong home and where she raised her family. The series introduces a powerhouse of new British talent:  Rochelle Neil (Amazon’s Das Boot, HBO’s The Nevers) as Leah; Saffron Coomber (Steve McQueen’s Small Axe) as Chantrelle; and Yazmin Belo, making her screen debut as Hosanna. Supporting cast includes Javone Prince, Bobby Gordon, Arthur Darvill, Tierney Turner and Malachi Hall. Check out the trailer below!

Sir Lenny Henry, the series creator, is a renowned actor, comedian, presenter, writer, and campaigner. Born to Jamaican immigrants in the UK in 1958, he made his TV debut as a standup comedian at just 16 and went on to have a multifaceted career across both stage and screen. In 1985, he co-founded Comic Relief in response to the devastating Ethiopian famine, and has since raised billions for the charity. Granted a Knighthood in 2015, Henry is fondly celebrated as a true British "National Treasure." 

Three Little Birds was filmed in The Midlands, UK. Tiger Aspect Productions produced the six-part drama, written by Sir Lenny Henry and guest episode writers Carol Russell and Avril Russell, in association with Douglas Road Productions. The series is co-produced by BritBox International, with Diederick Santer as Executive Producer. Charles McDougall, Yero Timi Biu and Darcia Martin directed two episodes each and Sir Lenny Henry, Lucy Bedford, Kate Crowe, Russell T. Davies, Charles McDougall and Angela Ferreira serve as Executive Producers, with Stella Nwimo producing. BritBox International acquired Three Little Birds from Banijay Rights. 

After The Flood Coming To BritBox in 2024

Sophie Rundle as PC Joanna Marshall in After The Flood. Photo courtesy/copyright of BritBox/ITV.

BritBox & ITV have released striking first-look images of Sophie Rundle, Nick Gleaves, Lorraine Ashbourne, Philip Glenister and Jacqueline Boatswain in new drama After the Flood premiering January 10th, 2024 on ITV1 and ITVX and on BritBox later in 2024. The six-part mystery drama is produced by multi-award-winning Quay Street Productions in association with and distributed internationally by ITV Studios. BritBox International is a co-production partner for the drama.

The powerful imagery released today sees Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders) as PC Joanna Marshall in the midst of the flood that devastates a Yorkshire town and incites the thrilling events in After the Flood. The images also give a peak at other leading cast in their roles including Nicholas Gleaves (The Crown, The Rising, Bodyguard) in police uniform as Jo’s boss and surrogate father figure, Sergent Phil Mackie, Philip Glenister (Belgravia, Life on Mars) as property developer Jack Radcliffe, Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Bridgerton) becomes Jo’s worrying mother Molly and Jacqueline Boatswain (Carnival Row, Ridley) as local politician Sarah Mackie. The compelling drama is written by BAFTA-nominated writer and actor Mick Ford who is known for his work on Stay Close, Living the Dream and The Stranger.

Lorraine Ashbourne as Molly, Philip Glenister as Jack Radcliffe, and Jacqueline Boatswain as Sarah Mackie in After the Flood. Photo courtesy/copyright of BritBox/ITV. 

When an unidentified man is found dead in a lift in an underground car park police assume he became trapped as the waters rose, and as the investigation unfolds PC Joanna Marshall, played by Sophie Rundle, becomes obsessed with discovering what happened to him. How did he get in the lift and why does no one know who he is? The mystery in After the Flood unfolds across the series while we also see the real impact of climate change on the lives of residents in this small town. The floods threaten to expose secrets, and fortunes and reputations are at stake. But how far will people go to protect themselves?

Whilst filming the gripping series in Northwest England, Sophie Rundle said: “These images perfectly set the significant tone for After the Flood. I know viewers will be both gripped and moved by the story we are telling. A story brought to life by the brilliantly talented team I am surrounded by, both on and off-screen.”

Nicholas Gleaves as Sergeant Phil Mackie in After the Flood. Photo courtesy/copyright of BritBox/ITV.

The series also stars Matt Stokoe (Cursed, Jamestown) is Jo’s husband, Pat and Jonas Armstrong (The Bay, Floodlights) plays the seemingly heroic local man Lee.

After the Flood is a 6 x 60mins Quay Street Productions drama commissioned by Polly Hill for ITV. Juliet Charlesworth (Stay Close, Brassic) is the producer and Azhur Saleem (Anansi Boys, Doctor Who) will direct and executive produce. Executive producers for Quay Street Productions are Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin) and Richard Fee (Stay Close, The Stranger). Huw Kennair-Jones for ITV and Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International. The series will air on ITV in the UK, and on BritBox in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and across Nordic markets.

MGM+ Renews Beacon 23 For Second Season

MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, has picked up the second season of the science-fiction mystery thriller Beacon 23, based on the best-selling book by Hugh Howey. Produced by Boat Rocker, the new season will premiere on MGM+ in April 2024 with eight new episodes. Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) created the series and executive produces. Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead, The Shield) and Joy Blake (The Passage, Ghost Whisperer) serve as co-showrunners and executive producers on Season Two. 

Beacon 23  takes place in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and Season One followed Aster (Lena Headey), a government agent, and Halan (Stephan James), a stoic ex-military man, whose fates became entangled after they found themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that served as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. In Season Two, Beacon 23 is now little more than a prison with Aleph onboard, and The Artifact provides more questions than answers. Without a clear path forward, the inhabitants of Beacon 23 must rely on each other, but their conflicting agendas may get in the way. 

“The creative team behind Beacon 23  has masterfully brought Hugh Howey’s best-selling book to life, and we’re excited for fans to continue this journey into  Beacon 23’s universe of suspense, emotion, and unforeseen twists,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. 

“We’re thrilled that Beacon 23 has found a loyal audience on MGM+ and look forward to sharing more episodes with fans in 2024,” said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Co-Executive Chairmen, Boat Rocker Media and Co-Chairmen, Boat Rocker Studios. “Thank you to our dedicated creative partners, the wonderful team at MGM+, and the talented cast and crew for helping deliver what is sure to be an unforgettable season of television.”   

“Beacon 23’s Season Two ups the game: more action, more mysteries, more twists, and exciting new characters,” said Glen Mazzara. “It’s a thrill ride. I can’t wait for the audience to see it.”  

"I'm so grateful to MGM+ for continuing the story of Beacon 23. What an incredible opportunity for us to tell the stories of such unexpected characters whose lives are inextricably linked by a place that few understand, and none can ever leave," said Joy Blake. 

This season will feature Stephan James (Homecoming), Natasha Mumba (The Last of Us), and Ellen Wong (GLOW).   

Produced by Boat Rocker, Glen Mazzara and Joy Blake serve as the executive producers alongside Zak Penn, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, James Middleton, Nick Nantell, Katie O’Connell Marsh, Liz Varner, and Stephan James.  

Murderbot Starring Alexander Skarsgård Coming To Apple TV+

Alexander Skarsgård to star in Murderbot. Photo courtesy/copyright of Alamy.

Apple TV+ today announced that it will expand its slate of acclaimed, expansive sci-fi series with Murderbot, a new 10 episode action-packed Sci-Fi series hailing from Academy Award-nominated creators and directors Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy, Mozart in the Jungle) that will star Emmy Award-winner Alexander Skarsgård (Succession, Big Little Lies, The Northman) in the lead role. In addition to starring, Skarsgård will serve as executive producer alongside the Weitz Brothers. The project hails from Paramount Television Studios and is based on the best-selling and Hugo and Nebula Award winning novels by Martha Wells about a self-hacking security android who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable “clients.” Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.

Murderbot hails from Paramount Television Studios. The Weitz Brothers will write, direct, and produce under their Depth of Field banner. Andrew Miano also executive produces alongside for Depth of Field. David S. Goyer executive produces alongside Keith Levine for Phantom Four. Martha Wells will serve as consulting producer. Paul Weitz recently wrote and directed Fatherhood starring Kevin Hart, while Depth of Field’s The Farewell won best feature at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards. Chris Weitz most recently wrote The Creator and is in post on his next feature They Listen.

The series marks the second collaboration for Apple TV+ with storyteller David S. Goyer, who serves as showrunner and executive producer on the global hit, Apple Original epic Foundation, which recently aired its second season. Apple TV+ is also home to a growing offering of broadly acclaimed, hit sci-fi titles including Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Silo, For All Mankind, Invasion and more.

Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale Coming in January 2024 (AMC+/Sundance Now)

AMC+ and Sundance Now have revealed the trailer and key art for the seven-part drama series, Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale, written and created by Debbie Horsfield and adapted from the novel by V.V. James, which was hailed as “brilliant” and “captivating” by critics worldwide. The Sundance Now Original series debuts with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, January 4th, exclusively on AMC+ and Sundance Now, with new episodes airing weekly. The series will be available on applicable platforms in the U.S. and Canada. Check out the trailer below!

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale is set in a contemporary world where witchcraft is real. It takes place in the idyllic English town of Sanctuary, where for hundreds of years witches have lived peacefully, as valued members of society. Until now…

At the heart of the story is Sarah Fenn (Elaine Cassidy), Sanctuary’s resident witch, on whom the town relies to solve their problems when conventional remedies have failed. When local teen rugby star, Dan Whithall, dies tragically in an apparent accident, his death exposes a terrifying undercurrent of suspicion and fear towards Sarah and her teenage daughter, Harper (Hazel Doupe). Mother of the deceased, Abigail (Amy de Bhrun), once Sarah’s closest friend, is wracked with grief, and to avenge her son’s death, launches a modern-day witch-hunt to get “justice,” no matter what the cost.

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale stars Cassidy, Doupe and de Bhrun, along with Stephanie Levi-John, Valerie O’Connor, Kelly Campbell and Stephen Lord. The series is executive produced by Monumental Television (Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Harlots) and is directed by Lisa Mulcahy and Justin Molotnikov.

Constellation - First Look Images Released (Apple TV+)

Noomi Rapace in Constellation. Photo courtesy/copyright of Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ today shared the first images from Constellation, a new eight-part, conspiracy-based psychological thriller drama starring Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, You Won’t Be Alone) and Emmy Award nominee Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul). Created and written by Peter Harness (Wallander, The War of the Worlds, Doctor Who ), also starring James D'Arcy ("Agent Carter,” “Oppenheimer”), Julian Looman (Emily in Paris, The Mallorca Files) William Catlett (A Thousand and One, The Devil You Know), Barbara Sukowa (Voyager, Hannah Ardendt) and introducing Rosie and Davina Coleman as Alice. Directed by Emmy Award winner Michelle MacLaren (Shining Girls, The Morning Show, Breaking Bad), Oscar nominee Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall,  The Experiment) and Oscar nominee Joseph Cedar (Footnote, Our Boys) Constellation will make its global debut with the first three episodes on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 on Apple TV+, followed by one episode weekly through March 27th.  

The series stars Rapace as Jo - an astronaut who returns to Earth after a disaster in space — only to discover that key pieces of her life seem to be missing. The action-packed space adventure is an exploration of the dark edges of human psychology, and one woman's desperate quest to expose the truth about the hidden history of space travel and recover all that she has lost.

Jonathan Banks in Constellation. Photo courtesy/copyright of Apple TV+.

Produced by Turbine Studios and Haut et Court TV, the series is executive produced by David Tanner (Small Axe), Tracey Scoffield (Small Axe), Caroline Benjo (No Man’s Land), Simon Arnal (No Man’s Land), Carole Scotta (“No Man’s Land”) and Justin Thomson (Liaison). MacLaren directs the first two episodes and executive produces with Rebecca Hobbs (Shining Girls) and co-executive producer Jahan Lopes for MacLaren Entertainment. Harness executive produces through Haunted Barn Ltd. The series was shot principally in Germany and was Series Produced by Daniel Hetzer (Munich - Edge of War) for Turbine Studios, Germany.

Foundation Renewed For Third Season (Apple TV+)

Following its global hit second season, which has been hailed as “the gold standard for all science fiction programming,” Apple TV+ announced that its epic saga Foundation has been renewed for season three. Hailing from storyteller David S. Goyer, produced by Skydance Television, and starring Lee Pace and Jared Harris, the third season of Foundation will expand the acclaimed, sweeping television adaption of Isaac Asimov’s award-winning stories.

“I’m thrilled Apple has given us the opportunity to continue chronicling Asimov’s pioneering galactic saga. This time, the stakes for Foundation and Empire are even higher as the Mule takes center stage, along with fan-favorites Bayta, Toran, Ebling, and Magnifico Giganticus,” said showrunner and executive producer David S. Goyer.

“We have all been incredibly impressed with the ambitious, action-packed and imaginative adaptation that David and the rest of this gifted creative team and cast have brought to life with this premium sci-fi series from day one,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+. “To watch Foundation become such a global hit has been beyond exciting with audiences around the world continuing to be captivated week after week by this dramatic and compelling journey to save humanity. We can’t wait for everyone to experience what is in store for characters old and new in season three.” 

Since its global debut on Apple TV+, Foundation has been broadly celebrated as “visually stunning,” “breathtaking,” a “must-see TV event,” and “one of TV’s most expansive sci-fi epics.” The series continues to receive global praise and season two holds a 100% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The complete first and second seasons of Foundation are now streaming globally on Apple TV+. 

In Foundation season two, which takes viewers more than a century after the season one finale, tension mounts throughout the galaxy. As the Cleons unravel, a vengeful queen plots to destroy Empire from within. Hari, Gaal, and Salvor discover a colony of Mentalics with psionic abilities that threaten to alter psychohistory itself. The Foundation has entered its religious phase, promulgating the Church of Seldon throughout the Outer Reach and inciting the Second Crisis: war with Empire. The monumental adaptation of “Foundation” chronicles the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.

In addition to Lee Pace and Jared Harris, Foundation stars Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton, Terrence Mann, Isabella Laughland, Kulvinder Ghir, Ella-Rae Smith, Holt McCallany, Rachel House, Nimrat Kaur, Ben Daniels and Dimitri Leonidas. Foundation is produced for Apple by Skydance Television and led by showrunner and executive producer David S. Goyer, with Alex Graves, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bill Bost, and Robin Asimov also serving as executive producers.

Foundation: The Official Podcast, is available now on Apple Podcasts. The companion podcast to the drama series is hosted by Jason Concepcion & David Goyer, and produced by Pineapple Street Studios with Max Linsky, Jenna Weiss-Berman and Bari Finkel serving as executive producers.

The Boys - Official Season Four Teaser Trailer Released (Prime Video)

Fans attending CCXP, the largest comic convention in the world, were surprised today with a first look at the highly anticipated fourth season of the Emmy-nominated hit drama series The Boys, coming to Prime Video in 2024.

In Season Four, the world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son as well as his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late. The Boys stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit, and Cameron Crovetti. Season Four will welcome Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The Boys is based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, who also serve as executive producers, and developed by executive producer and showrunner Eric Kripke. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Phil Sgriccia, Michaela Starr, Paul Grellong, David Reed, Meredith Glynn, Judalina Neira, Ken F. Levin, and Jason Netter also serve as executive producers. The Boys is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television, with Kripke Enterprises, Original Film, and Point Grey Pictures.

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House of the Dragon - Official Trailer Released (HBO)

HBO has released the official teaser for the second season of the HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon during its CCXP23 panel in São Paulo, Brazil. The eight-episode second season debuts summer 2024 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. Check it out!

Season two sees the return of castmembers  Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham, while new season two castmembers include Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

House of the Dragon production credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere, and Vince Gerardis.

Fallout - Teaser Trailer & Teaser Art Released (Prime Video)

Today, Prime Video debuted the official teaser trailer for Fallout during the series’ panel at CCXP, Brazil’s massive fan and comic book convention in São Paulo. Check out the teaser below!

The teaser delighted fans with a first video glimpse into the Fallout universe, as it revealed more of the series’ signature characters, including The Ghoul, as well as its vaults, mysterious Wasteland, and the Brotherhood of Steel. Fallout will premiere on Prime Video exclusively on April 12th, 2024, in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.  

During the series’ panel conversation on CCXP’s iconic Thunder Stage, executive producer and director Jonathan Nolan, executive producer and co-showrunner Graham Wagner, and series stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Walton Goggins lifted the veil on the epic drama series, giving a sneak peek into its action, tongue-in-cheek gore, and twisted, post-apocalyptic setting, before premiering the teaser in-room to more than 3,500 enthusiastic audience members.  

In addition to the show panel, thousands of convention attendees were transported into the world of Fallout through Prime Video’s immersive show-floor activation, which put fans right into the action, and treated them to never-before-seen glimpses into the universe and exclusive photo-ops.  

Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two-hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.   

The series comes from Kilter Films and executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Nolan directed the first three episodes. Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner serve as executive producers, writers and co-showrunners. The series stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight), and Aaron Moten (Emancipation). Athena Wickham of Kilter Films also executive produces, along with Todd Howard for Bethesda Game Studios and James Altman for Bethesda Softworks. Amazon MGM Studios and Kilter Films produce in association with Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks. The series cast includes Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O'Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time). It will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.