Interview with Jocko Sims (Tucker) of “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” on NBC by Suzanne 3/19/25
This was a fun interview. Jocko was very entertaining just to speak with. He’s an amazing actor as well. I hope this show survives, and that he doesn’t get killed. I want to see more of Tucker, Catherine’s husband!
“Grosse Pointe Garden Society” follows four members of a suburban garden club who find their lives intertwined by scandal, mischief and a shared secret – a murder no one wants to talk about. As dark truths begin to rot their lives under the surface, they struggle to remain as perfect as the flowers blooming in their garden above.
The cast includes Melissa Fumero, Aja Naomi King, Ben Rappaport, AnnaSophia Robb, Matthew Davis, Alexander Hodge, Nancy Travis and Felix Wolfe.
Grosse Pointe Garden Society is written and created by Jenna Bans and Bill Krebs. They serve co-showrunners and executive producers alongside Casey Kyber.
Jackie “Jocko” Sims III is an American actor, known for playing Anthony Adams in Crash and later playing Carlton Burk in the series The Last Ship. On the NBC TV show New Amsterdam, he portrayed Dr. Floyd Reynolds. More at Wikipedia
Interview with Paul Guilfoyle and Eric Aronson of the film “Any Day Now” by Suzanne 3/13 and 3/14/25
This is a good indie movie about a real-life art museum heist that happened in 1990…but really, it’s about two (fictional) men (one older) that meet and get involved in a plot to steal the art. Marty (Paul Guilfoyle) ropes Steve (Taylor Gray) into helping him with the job. Marty is a career criminal with loads of bad advice for Steve, who is used to people walking all over him. The character studies and the acting are great to watch, and the basic story is unusual and enjoyable. Don’t miss this one! It premieres Friday, 3/21/25 in theaters – 35 years after the real-life museum robbery happened!
It was great speaking to both of these gentlemen about the movie. I’ve long-admired Guilfoyle’s work on CSI and other shows. Aronson not only came up with the idea for this movie, but he wrote, directed and produced it. Both he and Guilfoyle are from Boston, where the movie takes place (and where the real heist happened). See more info below. Enjoy the videos!
*Winner – Audience Favorite Feature Award – 2024 Boston Film Festival**
Starring: Paul Guilfoyle (L.A. Confidential) Taylor Gray (Saturday Night) Alexandra Templer (“Only Murders in the Building”) Thomas Kee (Blow the Man Down) Armando Rivera (Wolves)
Written and Directed by Eric Aronson
Produced by Eric Aronson, Mark Donadio, Dana Scott, Emily Sheehan
Executive Produced by Jan Egleson, Paul Guilfoyle
Steve (Taylor Gray) is a night watchman in his early 20s but his life is already getting away from him: his band is falling apart, he owes a ton of money, and he’s in love with his best friend’s girl. When Marty Lyons (Paul Guilfoyle) comes along and ropes Steve into a world of misfits, oddballs, and lost souls as dirty as the Charles River, Steve wonders if this is a change for the better of if he’s about to make the worst mistake of his life.
ABOUT STAR TAYLOR GRAY
Taylor Gray is a versatile actor, best known for his appearance as Al Franken in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night as well as voicing Ezra Bridger in Star Wars Rebels. With Any Day Now, Gray is making his feature star debut.
ABOUT STAR PAUL GUILFOYLE
Paul Guilfoyle commands the screen as Marty Lyons in Any Day Now. Born in Boston, is best known for his role as Captain Jim Brass on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” His film credits include L.A. Confidential, Air Force One, and Spotlight, while his TV roles range from “Miami Vice” to “Star Trek: Discovery’s Guardian of Forever.”
ABOUT DIRECTOR ERIC ARONSON
Eric Aronson is a Boston-based writer/director with 22-years of experience as a Hollywood screenwriter. He’s written numerous high-profile projects for Warners, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, and has worked closely with the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen, etc. Any Day Now is not only a labor of love to Boston, but also his directorial debut.
RT: 81 Minutes (the exact duration of the robbery)
FBI Confiscated Stolen Rembrandt! ANY DAY NOW Unique Activation for Upcoming Heist Film | Directed by Eric Aronson
Based on a true-ish art heist of Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the thieves who walked away with hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of art – the single largest unsolved property theft in the world.
The team behind the upcoming heist film ANY DAY NOW
staged a unique art gallery experience in NY in a guerilla-marketing stunt that was captured by numerous influencers causing a social media commotion
leading to 6.8M+ views across platformsOf these influencers, @davidwma shared his coverage to his 1.3M Followers and his video currently sits at 3M views. Similarly, @kaylakrasnow shared with her 27K Followers and her video is sitting at 1M views; @itsnickholiday 541K Followers and 76.9K views; @definitely_kai_13 16.9K followers and 19.3K views.
The gallery exhibition, which was titled “13 Masterpieces, An Exclusive One-Weekend-Only Exhibition in Chelsea”, appeared to the general art gallery crowd – who lined up outside for entrance and packed the space on opening night – simply as any other gallery.
However, it was be revealed that the art was in fact fake and the security protecting the precious artifacts were actually from Improv Everywhere who partnered with the film to set up this special event.
Interviews with Kat McNamara, director James Bamford and producer Steven Paul of the film “High Ground” by Suzanne 3/10 and 3/17/25
Here are two interviews…one I did with James Bamford and Steven Paul on March 10th, and one I did with Kat McNamara on March 17. I enjoyed speaking to all three of them.
Katherine (or “Kat” as she’s called) was great fun to chat with. I learned something today. She is not only beautiful and multi-talented, but she’s also very smart, kind and dedicated to making change in the world (as well as in her own life). I learned that from reading about her, as well as from speaking with her. I would have like to ask her about how she deals with actor’s disappointments (such as not getting the “Arrow” spinoff, or having her other show canceled after one season), but I’ll bet she handles them very well.
The director and producer have clearly been working on movies and TV shows for a long time. Bamford worked on “Arrow “, so he and Kat know each other very well. They also did some previous movies together. They were both very good about answering my questions.
“High Ground” is an action-packed modern western, but I noticed that it was also similar to some horror movies I’ve watched. Kat (“Arrow,” “Walker: Independence”) plays a local waitress, the girlfriend of the new sheriff, Jake (Charlie Weber, “How to Get Away With Murder”). Jake’s father, Ezra (Oscar-winner Jon Voight) is the old wise man who’s trying to help Jake become the great sheriff that he knows he can become. A stranger, played by Henry Thomas (“E.T.”, “The Fall of The House of Usher”) comes to town, arrested by the deputy for speeding. Some gangsters are hunting the stranger and are willing to do whatever’s necessary to get him. It’s an exciting movie, with amazing actors, and it’s worth watching if you like action films or westerns. It premieres tomorrow, 3/18/25, on various digital platforms and OnDemand. I prefer Amazon Prime, myself, but I’m sure it will be in other places as well.
When a mysterious prisoner lands in his jail, a border town sheriff faces the wrath of a brutal cartel in this action-packed thriller starring Charlie Weber, Katherine McNamara, and Academy Award® winner Jon Voight.
RELEASE DATE: Available to Buy on Digital March 18, 2025
DIRECTED BY: James Bamford
STORY BY: Bill Sondheim
SCREENPLAY BY: John Thaddeus
PRODUCED BY: Steven Paul
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY: Scott Karol, Charlie Weber, Bernard Kira
STARRING: Charlie Weber, Jon Voight, Katherine McNamara, Dustin Ingram, James Oliver Wheatley, Henry Thomas, Skyler Shaye
DISTRIBUTED BY: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label)
GENRE: Thriller, Independent, Western
RATING: R for strong violence, and language
SYNOPSIS: When a mysterious prisoner lands in his jail, a border town sheriff faces the wrath of a brutal cartel in this action-packed thriller starring Charlie Weber, Katherine McNamara, and Academy Award® winner* Jon Voight.
KAT MCNAMARA is a singer, dancer, songwriter, actress and producer. Her first big role was in “Shadowhunters” on ABC Family. Then she was in the 2nd and 3rd Maze Runner movies. She appeared in the last two seasons of “Arrow” on The CW as Oliver and Felicity’s daughter, Mia, from the future. Following that, she starred in the western spinoff of “Walker” on The CW, “Walker: Independence,” which, unfortunately, lasted only one season. She’s been making movies, like “High Ground,” ever since.
JAMES BAMFORD, also known by the nickname “BamBam”, is a Canadian film & television director, who was the sole “directing producer” of the series Arrow and directed 17 episodes of the series including multiple premieres, season finales, crossovers and the series finale. He started his career in the film and television industry as a stuntman and fight choreographer with his martial arts experience as his entry skill set. He continued on in his career to become a stunt coordinator, 2nd unit director, then director, and directing producer/executive producer. (From Wikipedia)
STEVEN PAUL is a prominent independent film producer with credits including Marvel’s ‘Ghost Rider’ and the more recent ‘Ghost In The Shell’ for Paramount Pictures. Paul also heads SP MEDIA GROUP, made up of the leading independent film studio SP ENTERTAINMENT, international sales agency CRYSTAL SKY, worldwide distribution arm SP RELEASING, and home entertainment distributor ECHO BRIDGE. Most recently, SP MEDIA GROUP acquired a majority stake in the Atlas Comics library in partnership with Paramount Pictures. (From https://www.spreleasing.net)
Interview with Enrico Colatoni of “Suits LA” on NBC by Suzanne 3/13/25
It was quite an honor to interview Enrico because I’ve long admired him as an actor. He seemed surprised but pleased when I told him that I’d first seen him 30 years ago in the show “Hope & Gloria,” which was also his first regular TV role. The show didn’t last long, but he went on to do many good roles, such as playing the alien Mathesar in the now-classic scifi comedy movie “Galaxy Quest,” and then in the long-running sitcom “Just Shoot Me”. He’s done so many wonderful roles since. I particularly loved his role in “Veronica Mars,” where he played Keith, Veronica’s father.
This Sunday, March 16th, he’s guest-starring on an episode of “Suits LA” on NBC. He’s playing himself…or rather, a more quirky and irascible version of himself. I hope you can tune in just for his role on the episode, but that’s not the only thing in store for viewers because there is another famous guest-star that will be seen (I won’t spoil it for you, but if you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you’ll see who it is). It’s not exactly a spoiler because the photo was all over social media already. It’s a very good episode and very fun. I wasn’t sure, at first, if I would like this version of “Suits” as much as the original, and the jury is still out (pardon the pun). However, I am definitely enjoying the intrigue, the office politics and the quirky humor. Don’t miss this one! “Suits LA” airs Sundays, 9/8c on NBC and then streaming on Peacock.
I completely forgot that I had interviewed Enrico back in 2013 for “Warehouse 13!” Wow! That’s what happens when you’ve been doing this for 18 years, I guess! The interview here is short, but it was fun. He was in a bit of a playful mood. Please watch and enjoy…
Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor from New York, has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles. His firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive, he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while we slowly unravel the events that years ago led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.
The series stars Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt and Bryan Greenberg.
Aaron Korsh is creator and executive producer. David Bartis, Doug Liman, Gene Klein, Anton Cropper, Genevieve Sparling, Rick Muirragui and Jon Cowan also executive produce.
“Suits LA” is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.
104, “BATMAN RETURNS” (Sunday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT)
Ted and Erica take on Samantha to save Lester’s movie, but the battle may hurt his murder trial. Rick enlists Stuart’s help when a difficult actor is arrested. In the past, the danger of going against a mob boss sends Ted to an old friend.
About Enrico Colantoni:
Enrico Colantoni most recently co-starred on the FX comedy series “English Teacher,” opposite Brian Jordan Alvarez. He’ll also recur opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the upcoming season 2 of Netflix’s action comedy “FUBAR.”
Colantoni is currently in the CBC police drama “Allegiance” and the Crave comedy series “The Trades,” both shooting their second seasons.
TV credits include “The Hot Zone: Anthrax,” “Station Eleven,” “Ghosts,” the revival of “Veronica Mars,” “Just Shoot Me,” The Good Fight,” “Westworld,” “Madam Secretary,” “iZombie,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Warehouse 13” and “American Gothic.”
Film credits include “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” “Galaxy Quest,” “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Contagion.” He has also enjoyed success as a writer/director with two short films – “The Bike” and “Issues” – the latter of which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
Colantoni’s theatre credits include Neil LaBute’s “The Distance from Here” at the Almeida in London, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Delacorte Theater in Central Park, “Arabian Nights” at the Manhattan Theatre Club, “The Triumph of Love” at the Guthrie Theatre and “Dracula” at San Diego’s famed Old Globe Theatre. He also played the title role in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” at the Matrix Theater and “Uncle Vanya” at the Lillian Theatre in Los Angeles.
Interviews with Alexander Hodge and Matt Davis of “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” on NBC by Suzanne
I had a blast speaking with both of these amazing artists. Alexander plays Alice’s husband, Doug, who’s an artist. Matt plays a world-weary cop. Both actors were a lot of fun to chat with – the complete opposite of their somewhat-dour characters. I hope you watch the show, which twists and turns with many mysteries and has lots of humor, too. It reminds me of “Desperate Housewives,” with a little bit of “Devious Maids” and “How to Get Away with Murder” thrown in. The show airs Sundays 10/9C or streaming on Peacock.
“Grosse Pointe Garden Society” follows four members of a suburban garden club who find their lives intertwined by scandal, mischief and a shared secret – a murder no one wants to talk about. As dark truths begin to rot their lives under the surface, they struggle to remain as perfect as the flowers blooming in their garden above.
The cast includes Melissa Fumero, Aja Naomi King, Ben Rappaport, AnnaSophia Robb, Matthew Davis, Alexander Hodge, Nancy Travis and Felix Wolfe.
Grosse Pointe Garden Society is written and created by Jenna Bans and Bill Krebs. They serve co-showrunners and executive producers alongside Casey Kyber.
Alexander Hodge
Doug, “Grosse Pointe Garden Society”
Alexander Hodge plays Doug on the new NBC drama “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.”
Hodge is well known to audiences for role on Issa Rae’s groundbreaking, Emmy Award-winning HBO series “Insecure.” Other credits on Hodge’s resume include the films “Joy Ride,” “She Taught Love,” “Adult Best Friends,” “Which Brings Me to You” and the TV series “Wellmania.”
He will soon appear on the Netflix series “The Madness,” opposite Colman Domingo.
Matthew Davis
Joel, “Grosse Pointe Garden Society”
Mattew Davis plays Joel on the new NBC drama “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.”
Davis previously co-starred in the CW fantasy drama “Legacies,” a role he originated on the hit series “The Vampire Diaries” and portrayed for eight seasons. He also previously starred in the ABC comedy-drama series “What About Brian” and the CW mystery series “Cult.” He had recurring roles on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Damages.”
On the film side, he will next be seen in the independent feature “Held Hostage in My House” and is well known for co-starring in “Legally Blonde,” opposite Reese Witherspoon. Other film credits include “Blue Crush,” “Tigerland” and “Bloodrayne.”
Interviews with Josh McKenzie and Patrick Sabongui of “The Hunting Party” on NBC by Suzanne
I enjoyed speaking with both of these actors. I interviewed Josh a few times previously, for the show “La Brea,” also on NBC. He’s very popular due to his previous roles. I’m very glad I got to speak with Patrick because not only is he doing a bang-up job on this show, but he was amazing in “The Flash” as Captain Singh (a small but notable role). I hope they get a second season!
Josh McKenzie stars as Shane Florence, former solider and current prison guard, on the NBC drama “The Hunting Party.”
He first broke out in native New Zealand in the acclaimed feature “Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell,” for which he won the Oscar equivalent for Outstanding Feature Film Debut.
He’s familiar to audiences for his starring role on the NBC series “La Brea.” Prior to that, he was featured in the Australian series “Five Bedrooms.”
Other credits include roles in the international series “Shannara Chronicles” and “The New Legends of Monkey” on Netflix. He can be seen in season two of the Australian series “The Twelve.”
Patrick Sabongui
Jacob Hassani, “The Hunting Party”
Patrick Sabongui stars as CIA agent Jacob Hassani on the NBC drama “The Hunting Party.”
Sabongui’s most recognizable television credits include “Homeland,” “Shameless,” “Firefly Lane,” “Shooter” and CW’s “The Flash,” where he played Captain David Singh for nine seasons.
On the big screen, his credits include “Godzilla,” “300,” “Drone,” “Between Borders” and the upcoming feature film “In Cold Light,” with Oscar winners Helen Hunt and Troy Kotsur. Other films include Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen” and “Sucker Punch,” “Tron: Legacy” and “Interrogation.”
On stage, credits include the Canadian premiere of Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Disgraced,” and, most recently “Art” by Yasmina Reza at The Guthrie Theatre.
Sabongui earned a BFA in drama for human development from Concordia University, Montreal; a collegiate degree in drama from Vanier College, Montreal; a certificate from the National Theatre Conservatory Intensive, Colorado; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from the University of California.
Sabongui is an advocate for underrepresented voices and professor of theater and head of the BFA acting program at CUNY: Brooklyn College.
The Hunting Party
Series Premiere Monday Feb 3 on NBC (10 pm ET/PT)
A high-concept crime procedural about a small team of investigators who are assembled to track down and capture the most dangerous killers our country has ever seen, all of whom have just escaped from a top-secret prison that’s not supposed to exist.
The cast includes Melissa Roxburgh, Nick Wechsler, Patrick Sabongui, Josh McKenzie and Sara Garcia.
Co-showrunners JJ Bailey (creator) and Jake Coburn are writers and executive producers. Thor Freudenthal is director and executive producer. Keto Shimizu is writer and executive producer.
“The Hunting Party” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Interview with Nikohl Boosheri and Amber Afzail and with activists/writers Roya Mahboob and Elaha Mahboob from the film “Rule Breakers” by Suzanne 2/13/25
This is a truly inspiring story that everyone should watch. It’s based on the real story of how Aghani entrepeneur Roya Mahboob taught young women in Afghanistan and put together a female robotics team that entered in world-wide robotics competitions for students during war and oppression in Afghanistan. Besides the drama, it has moments of fun, too, and you’ll be cheering on the women, no matter what. I enjoyed speaking to two of the actresses: Nikohl Boosheri (who played Mahboob) and Amber Afzail, who played Esin (one of the young women), and real-life heroines Roya Mahboo, and her sister, Elaha, who co-wrote the movie. Usually, I only interview actors, producers, etc. but this is one of the few times I’ve interviewed the real-life people whose story has been brought to life. It’s always fascinating. I have to say that all of these women are beautiful, inside and out. Don’t miss the movie, which premieres today, Friday, March 7, in theaters everywhere. Buy tickets here!
Nikohl Boosheri as Roya Mahboob (“Supergirl,” “Altered Carbon”) + Amber Afzail as Esin (“Dear Home”) (Paired)
Executive Producer and Subject of the Film Roya Mahboob + Co-Writer Elaha Mahboob (Paired)
Synopsis: In a nation where educating girls is seen as a rebellion, a visionary woman dares to teach young minds to dream. When their innovation draws global attention, their success sparks hope-and opposition. As threats loom and sacrifices are made, their courage and unity ignite a movement that could forever transform the world.
Directed by: Bill Guttentag
Produced by: Bill Guttentag and Samudrika Arora
Written by: Jason Brown, Bill Guttentag, Elaha Mahboob
Cinematography: John Pardue (The Girl; Resistance; And Then There Were None)
Cast:
Nikohl Boosher (“Circumstance”) as Roya Mahboob
Ali Fazal (“Death on the Nile”)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”)
BIOS
Nikohl Boosheri is a Canadian actress based in Los Angeles. She made her film debut in 2011 with the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award Winner, “Circumstance.” Her acclaimed performance in the film won Best Performance at three other Film Festivals: LA Outfest, International Rome Film Festival, and the Noor Film Festival.
At the Tribeca Film Festival, 2013, Nikohl was named among the 10 Actors to watch for by IndieWires for her performance in Meera Menon’s feature “Farah Goes Bang.”
Nikohl’s credits include acting opposite Thandie Newton in DirectTV’s “Rogue”, and portraying the colorful character Sara in Daniel Grove’s “The Persian Connection.” This has been a busy year for Nikohl, she is playing a wide range of roles across several Networks this fall. Nikohl is also a songwriter, frequently collaborating with LA artist Wild the Coyote.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Amber Afzali discovered her passion for acting at an early age. After moving to Southern California with her family when she was eight, Afzali’s parents enrolled her in acting classes to help her overcome her shyness. It didn’t take long for Afzali’s natural talent to shine through and, when her teacher presented her with an award for best commercial skit, her confidence began to flourish. While she loved the creative freedom that performing afforded her, Afzali soon found it difficult to balance the demands of acting classes with her school work and made the decision to focus on her education as she pursued her dream of attending an Ivy League University. She channeled her energy into academics and other pursuits including serving as school president and in student government, among many other activities. After graduation, her Ivy League dreams came true when she enrolled at The University of Pennsylvania to study Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic forced Afzali to return to California and continue her studies remotely, that she began to realize her creative spark was missing. As the world began to reopen, she sought out a local acting class and once again found her love for performing. With her passion reignited, Afzali decided to seriously pursue a career in acting which would ultimately lead to an audition that would change her life forever.
Her big break came when she went on her first audition after returning to acting and landed a lead role in the upcoming Angel Studios film Rule Breakers. The movie chronicles the inspiring true story of the first all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan founded by Roya Mahboob, which would defy cultural expectations and go on to compete in competitions around the world. Afzali stars as Esin, a member of the team, alongside a talented cast including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Nikohl Boosheri, and Ali Fazal just to name a few. It is set to be released in theaters March 7th.
Roya Mahboob is Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO and entrepreneur, making a significant impact beyond the business world. She leverages her tech success to foster education and empowerment for Afghan women and girls and champions their rights. Mahboob founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) to improve Afghan women’s technological and financial literacy. She is also the co-founder of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team and supports their endeavors while promoting robotics education through the Inoura platform. Additionally, she started a robotics company and is launching her educational project called Roby Robot, which is set to hit the market on July 25. She is also launching Zalla, an online platform to elevate the voices of Afghan women and journalists.
Roya Mahboob’s commitment to STEAM education and economic opportunities for women, with a strong emphasis on human rights, has earned her global recognition. She was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2013, received the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award in 2014, and received other prestigious accolades, such as the Advancement of Gender Equality through Education Award. She was a Young Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2015, an Asia Game Changer in 2019, and received the Doha Forum Award in 2022. Her contributions have been honored with the Lantos Human Rights Awards, the Presidential Leadership Scholarship, and an honorary Doctorate of Science from McMaster University.
Elaha Mahboob is a tech entrepreneur, social impact advocate, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Finalist in Social Entrepreneurship. She co-founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF), an organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for Afghan women and children through technology education, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship training. Among DCF’s innovative programs was the creation of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, whose remarkable journey is the subject of the feature film Rule Breakers. Through its IT centers across Afghanistan, DCF has equipped thousands of women with essential skills in technology and entrepreneurship, building pathways to economic independence.
As the co-writer of Rule Breakers: The Story of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, Elaha brings to life the resilience and determination of young women breaking barriers in science and technology.
Elaha is also the founder of Teamix, a platform that connects startups in emerging technologies—AI, Web3, and Robotics—with top talent to drive innovation and scale. Teamix is on a mission to create meaningful, human-centric jobs that AI and automation cannot replace, while addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these industries.
With expertise in driving growth and forging strategic partnerships, Elaha has been instrumental in delivering impactful solutions within the tech sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Herat University in Afghanistan and a Master’s in Public Administration from Cornell University, combining her technical expertise with a deep understanding of leadership and public policy.
Interview with Eric McCormack, David Ajala, Peter Gadiot and Lydia Wilson of “Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue” on MGM+ by Suzanne
Interview date: 2/26/25
I enjoyed speaking with these talented actors. I’ve loved their previous work, and they all do a wonderful job in this intriguing drama. I only had about 10 minutes to speak with them, but it was well worth it. I can’t wait to see the last two episodes of this 6 part miniseries! It premieres March 2nd on MGM+.
Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue is a strikingly original and taut thriller series with a jaw-dropping reveal waiting at the end. A light aircraft with nine passengers crashes in the Mexican jungle – and everyone survives. But then, one after another, they begin to die in strange and violent ways and very soon they begin to realize that, for some inexplicable reason, somebody wants them dead. As the story unfolds in flashback, we meet the survivors as they fight against the heat, a shortage of supplies, the many dangers of the jungle – and each other. The setting becomes increasingly tense and claustrophobic until finally the identity of the killer and the truth are revealed.
Credits
Written, Created, and Executive produced by
Anthony Horowitz CBE
Executive Produced by
Anthony Horowitz, Jill Green & Eve Gutierrez for Eleventh Hour Films
Produced by
Eleventh Hour Films, a Sony Pictures Television (“SPT”) backed company
Richard Burrell
Directed by
Brian O’Malley, Viviane Andereggen
Cast
Eric McCormack, David Ajala, Lydia Wilson, Peter Gadiot, Siobhán McSweeney, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Adam Long, Jan Le
First, some family background to help you out: The main family of this soap is the wealthy Dupree family. Grandfather Vernon was an activist and senator. His wife, Anita, was a singer who raised their family and supported his work (Both are now retired). Anita dresses in fancy clothes, but with her own personal tastes. Everyone on the show dresses very well. They have two daughters: Dani (a former model) and Nicole, a successful doctor. Nicole is married to a surgeon, Ted. They have two children: Martin, an ambitious congressman, and Kat, who’s starting a business with her cousin, Chelsea. Ted has a nephew, Andre, who’s a photographer. Martin is gay and has a husband, Smitty, a former reporter. They have two teens, Tyrell and Samantha. Dani has two daughters, Naomi and Chelsea. Her ex-husband, Bill, is a savvy attorney. He and Dani are divorced, and he’s marrying a former family friend, Hayley. Naomi’s best friend is Ashley, a nurse. Ashley is married to Derek, a firefighter. Naomi’s boyfriend is Jacob, a police detective.
SUMMARY:
Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson drives her car into the gated community of Fairmont Crest while the song “Best of My Love” by The Emotions plays. She and her mom, Anita Dupree, are welcomed into the country club restaurant by the host, Calvin (clearly they eat there a lot). Anita and Nicole hug and sit down. They talk about Dani, another daughter, who’s supposed to be there, but neither has heard from her. Anita hopes that Dani isn’t giving her emotions free freight. The waiter, Jerome, greets them. Anita sighs that Nicole and Dani are so different. They talk about how Dani’s ex-husband, Bill, cheated on her with Hayley. Dani is still reeling from the end of her marriage, and now that Bill and Hayley are getting married there at the club, it’s set her off again (even though she and Bill have been divorced for a while now).
Dani is in her kitchen, looking upset and making coffee. She has two mugs. She throws one across the room. It smashes against the wall. She tries to calm down, but instead, she throws the other mug, too. Her good friend Vanessa drops by for a visit. She sees the mug debris on the floor and makes a funny comment. She can’t believe it when she sees that Dani still has the invitation to Bill and Hayley’s wedding. She thinks Dani should have thrown it into the garbage like most people have. Dani feels humiliated, but Vanessa assures her that she shouldn’t be embarrassed because her family rules Fairmont. She suggests they have a spa day to make her feel better. Dani likes the idea, but she has to meet her mom and sister.
Anita mentions to Nicole that she never liked Bill and felt that he just used them to get ahead and become more upper crust. It reminds her of how men acted in the music business (when she was a singer years ago). She wishes Dani had taken her advice and not given up her modeling career. Naomi texts Nicole to let her know that she’s running late. Naomi, meanwhile, is having sex with her husband, Jacob Hawthorne.
New nurse Ashley Morgan is greeted by her husband, Derek, in their kitchen. He is wearing pants and an apron (no shirt) as he offers her breakfast. He wanted to do something special for her on her first day as nurse.
Dani phones her daughter, Chelsea, to remind her about her wardrobe fitting later on. Chelsea is annoyed that her mom doesn’t think she can handle her life. After she gets off the phone, Dani remarks to Vanessa that her daughter is a brat. Chelsea is a model (and influencer) like Dani was when she was younger. Vanessa wishes she had known Dani back when she was a model. Dani speaks fondly of those days, saying that she faked confidence that she didn’t have.
Chelsea gripes about her mom to her cousin, Kat. Kat reminds her that they’re going to be starting their new line of purses, so they will be making their mark. Chelsea isn’t sure that she wants to abandon her mom just yet.
Nicole is going to receive an important award, so Anita tells her that she’s very proud of her. Nearby, Hayley is chatting with her wedding planner – giving her instructions. The planner points out that most of the invited guests haven’t responded, but Hayley dismisses the idea that there is any problem. She spies Dani, who’s just walked in. Hayley tells her that she’s upset that Dani and her family all hate her. She wonders if they can salvage their relationships. Dani tears into her for stealing Bill, saying that she betrayed them all. Hayley asks if they can find a way to be civil to each other, but Dani’s not having it.
Ashley thanks Derek for his support, as she sits on his lap. He is proud of her starting her new job as a nurse at Garland Memorial. He praises her for being so selfless, and they kiss.
Dani arrives at the table where Anita and Nicole sit, griping about Hayley. They remind her that Bill is also to blame, and in fact, he cheated before that. Dani is aware of that, but is more insulted that he slept with the woman that they had taken in, right under their roof. Dani makes fun of Nicole having the perfect husband and family.
Bill arrives at his office. His assistant, Caroline, has given him a very heavy schedule. She knows that he’ll be off on his honeymoon soon, so that’s why she’s given him so much to do before that. Bill tells her earnestly that “This is a new dawn.”
Hayley gets the keys for her new home in Fairmont Crest from Vanessa, her realtor. Vanessa wonders why she and Bill picked the same community where Bill’s family lives. She points out that everyone will freeze Hayley out, socially, thinking of her as the “sexy, younger, husband thief.” Hayley is optimistic that people will come around. Vanessa wishes her luck, sarcastically, saying that she’s going to need it.
Vernon, Anita’s retired Senator husband, meets his grandson, Martin, at a diner called Orphy Gene’s. It’s clear that they go there often. Vernon counts his many blessings and praises Martin for following in his footsteps to make a difference in their community. Martin declares that he wants more, but he’s not sure what that is yet.
Naomi checks in via text with her mom and Dani. She undresses Jacob again, to have more sex. Jacob is a police detective at the DC police department.
A woman, Bessy, walks up to Vernon and Martin at the diner. She chats with them about how she was also involved with the civil rights movement in the 70’s. She admires Anita as well, and his work as a senator. They shake hands, and he’s glad to hear from her. Vernon points out to Martin that this is the best way to get people to vote for you – talking to them personally and giving them attention.
A man named Wayne (a former football player) visits Bill in his office to ask him for help. He tells him that his son, Terry, was arrested. He’d gotten in trouble with drugs, so he broke into someone’s home to steal jewelry and cash. He tells Bill that the couple he stole from were Diana and Jerry Overton. Bill tells him that he’ll make this go away.
Dani and Nicole bicker (in front of Anita) about marriage. Naomi thinks that Dani should stop obsessing about Bill and Hayley; Anita agrees. Dani doesn’t like that advice and wants to make the cheaters pay.
Derek leaves with Ashley, saying that he’ll take her to the hospital and pick her up after her shift. She’s impressed with how much he’s spoiling her. They kiss.
Naomi tells Jacob that she has a gift for Ashley – a stethoscope on a nice chain. She also got him a gift: pink, fuzzy handcuffs. He puts them on her
Vernon and Martin join Anita, Dani and Nicole. Dani vents that everything she had is one, telling Nicole that she has a right to her feelings. Vernon says soothing things to Dani, which calms her down. He agrees with her, saying that Bill is not worth her tears. They do a little verbal thing that seems like they’ve done it many times in the past, where he gets her to say that she’s the best and brightest. She agrees to let it go.
Chelsea and Kat sit nearby, admiring how Vernon got Dani to cheer up and actually laugh. Naomi comes in and joins them. Chelsea’s not sure how she feels about hating her dad for all he did, but Naomi already feels that way. They go over to join the rest of the family in the lounge.
Ashley starts her first day as nurse at the hospital.
Bill gets the Overtons to drop the charges. Wayne is astonished and how quickly that happened. He’s even more shocked when Bill tells him that there’ll be no charge. Bill tells him that he owes him one.
Vernon tells his family a story (that they’ve probably heard many times already) about trying to find Asian pears when Anita was pregnant with Dani. They talk about family and marriage. Naomi says she plans to stay single. Nicole tells her that there’s nothing wrong with that.
At the hospital, Andre, a photographer (Naomi’s husband’s nephew), chats with Ashley and congratulates her on her first day. He flirts with her as well.
Bill has a short video chat with Hayley. They make a date to have some sexy time in his hotel room.
Vanessa arrives at the club briefly to tell Dani that Bill and Hayley bought a house in Fairmont Crest. Dani is outraged, saying that she’s done being disrespected. She approaches Hayley and yells at her for moving into the house. She slaps Hayley, hard. The rest of the family each glare at Hayley as they walk out, one at a time. A woman sitting nearby, played by guest star Karen Huger of “The Real Housewives of The Potomac.” She says to Hayley, “Welcome to Fairmont Crest.”
Interview with JJ Bailey, co-creator/showrunner of “The Hunting Party” on NBC by Suzanne 2/20/25
This was a nice interview. I always enjoy talking to writers and producers because they know more about the background and creation of a show than the actors do. I was supposed to speak with his co-creator/showrunner, Jake Coburn, but I was told at the last minute that he wasn’t feeling well. It was a short interview, but I asked most of my questions, so I was happy with it. It’s an interesting show, so I hope it gets a second season.
A high-concept crime procedural about a small team of investigators who are assembled to track down and capture the most dangerous killers our country has ever seen, all of whom have just escaped from a top-secret prison that’s not supposed to exist.
The cast includes Melissa Roxburgh, Nick Wechsler, Patrick Sabongui, Josh McKenzie and Sara Garcia.
Co-showrunners JJ Bailey (creator) and Jake Coburn are writers and executive producers. Thor Freudenthal is director and executive producer. Keto Shimizu is writer and executive producer.
“The Hunting Party” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
J Bailey
Executive Producer/Co-Showrunner, “The Hunting Party”
JJ Bailey is the creator, executive producer and co-showrunner on the NBC drama “The Hunting Party.”
After receiving a degree in business and economics from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Bailey made the left turn into entertainment, moving to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in screenwriting. Since 2017, he has developed several projects with UTV/NBC, which include two pilot orders for “Echo” and “Getaway.”
Now working under an overall deal with NBCUniversal, Bailey has his first series order with “The Hunting Party” along with another project currently in development.
He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.
Interview with Sara Garcia of “The Hunting Party” on NBC by Suzanne 2/14/25
This was fun, but short. It was nice to speak to Sara, whom I interviewed (in a group) 2 years ago for the family drama “Ride” on Hallmark. This new series is quite a different show, about a team of FBI agents that chase down serial killers that have escaped from a high-tech prison. She plays the army tech person that helps the field agents. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but it’s got a wonderful cast and solid action. It seems a little bit like “The Blacklist” crossed with “Criminal Minds,” but it’s got its own original take.
A high-concept crime procedural about a small team of investigators who are assembled to track down and capture the most dangerous killers our country has ever seen, all of whom have just escaped from a top-secret prison that’s not supposed to exist.
The cast includes Melissa Roxburgh, Nick Wechsler, Patrick Sabongui, Josh McKenzie and Sara Garcia.
Co-showrunners JJ Bailey (creator) and Jake Coburn are writers and executive producers. Thor Freudenthal is director and executive producer. Keto Shimizu is writer and executive producer.
“The Hunting Party” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Sara Garcia
Jennifer Morales, “The Hunting Party”
Sara Garcia stars as Jennifer Morales, an intel officer and major in the Army, on the NBC drama “The Hunting Party.”
Ontario-born and Toronto-raised, Garcia applied and was accepted to one of Toronto’s most prestigious arts schools, the Etobicoke School of the Arts. When it came time for college, Garcia chose to attend the renowned Queen’s University, where she double majored in global development and theater.
Her first foray on TV was a role on FX’s “Man Seeking Woman.” Other television credits include CW’s “The Flash” and “Reign,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” Hallmark’s “Ride,” the USA series “Falling Water,” the SYFY movie “Stickman” and the action series “X Company” for the CBC.
Most recently Garcia had a leading role in the animated Netflix series “Unicorn Academy,” which garnered her a Canadian Screen Award nomination; a recurring part on Netflix’s “My Little Pony” franchise; Amazon’s “Gary & His Demons”; and the Apple TV/Dreamworks project “Pinecone & Pony.”
Outside of film and television, she has displayed her acting skills with major roles in two incredibly successful video game franchises, “Far Cry 6” and “Starlink: Battle for Atlas.”
Interview with Selina Ringel and Ritesh Rajan of the film “You, Me & Her” by Suzanne 2/7/25
It was fun to speak to these two actors (even though I was having a very bad hair day! LOL!). The film is sexy, fun, entertaining, and it shows marriage in a real way. Make sure to catch it when it opens tomorrow, February 14, in theaters nationwide.
The romantic comedy YOU, ME & HER, presented by Two Hands Productions, starring Selina Ringel (Single Mother By Choice), Ritesh Rajan (Definition Please, Russian Doll), and Sydney Park (First Love, The Walking Dead), will be released in 250+ theaters nationwide as the Alpha Test film for The Fithian Group’s new platform Attend on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, 2025.
The film is directed by Dan Levy Dagerman and written by Selina Ringel, a husband-and-wife powerhouse.
“A thoughtful, provocative and ultimately moving marital drama that feels more realistic and more honest than any number of Hollywood romcoms.”
– Action Reloaded
ABOUT YOU, ME & HER
94 minutes | Comedy | 2025 | English | USA | MPA Rated R for sexual content, nudity, drug use, and language
SYNOPSIS | For Mags and Ash, marriage has become a series of arguments and compromises, leaving them both yearning for more. On their first vacation alone since becoming parents, their arguments threaten to ruin the trip—until they meet Angela, a free-spirited digital nomad who stirs unexpected feelings in Mags and gives her permission to be a version of herself she has not been in years, fun! Intrigued by Angela, the couple flirts with the idea of a threesome, but it’s never as simple as it seems.
LOGLINE | A chronically married couple flirts with a threesome to rediscover themselves.
TAGLINE | Don’t Make it Weird.
THEATRICAL RELEASE | Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2025
DIRECTED BY | Dan Levy Dagerman
WRITTEN BY | Selina Ringel
PRODUCED BY | Selina Ringel, Dan Levy Dagerman, Fernando Lebrija, Pablo Lebrija, Ritesh Rajan, and Cameron Fife
STARRING | Selina Ringel (Single Mother By Choice), Ritesh Rajan (Definition Please, Russian Doll), and Sydney Park (First Love, The Walking Dead).
PRODUCTION COMPANY | Two Hand’s Productions
IN PARTNERSHIP | Fifthian Group and Attend
BIOGRAPHIES:
ABOUT DAN & SELINA: Dan Levy Dagerman and Selina Ringel are a filmmaking husband and wife team. Their last movie Single Mother By Choice sold directly to HBOMax. Their newest film You, Me & Her has partnered with the Fithian Group as the Alpha Test for their new platform called Attend which might reshape the independent theatrical model. Their film will be in over 200 theaters nationwide on Valentine’s Day! They both graduated from AFI.
SELINA RINGEL, Mags (Lead Actress, Writer, Producer): A dynamic Mexican-American filmmaker, has carved a niche in the independent film scene with her compelling narratives and unique voice. An award-winning writer, producer, and actress, her recent project, “You, Me & Her,” has won 15 awards, including Best Picture at the Mexican-American Film & Television Awards, and boasts a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Selina’s groundbreaking film “Single Mother by Choice” captured her real-time pregnancy journey during COVID-19 and premiered on HBO Max. She is also known for her engaging comedy special on Amazon Prime, “2 Moms 1 Mic,” and her internationally recognized film “The Best People,” distributed domestically by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Selina’s work continues to resonate globally, pushing boundaries and sparking conversation.
RITESH RAJAN, Ash (Lead Actor): A graduate of NYU Tisch, you can see Ritesh’s work as the lead in Sujata Day’s new film “Definition Please” produced by Mindy Kaling & Ava DuVernay, as Farran in the Emmy award-winning hit “Russian Doll” and as the voice of Ken in “Barbie: Dream House Adventures”: and more all on Netflix. Other credits include recurring on Shonda Rimes “Station 19,” Disney’s “The Jungle Book, FreeForm’s “Stitchers,” “NCIS LA,” “Star Wars,” “Rebels,” “Beavis & Butthead” and the Hulu original, “Dollface.”
DAN LEVY DAGERMAN (Director): Dan is a distinguished director, producer, and innovator in the film industry, known for blending poignant narratives with groundbreaking cinematic techniques, establishing himself as a formidable force in modern independent cinema. After earning an MFA in Directing from AFI Conservatory, Dan co-founded Two Hands Productions with his wife, Selina Ringel. Their most recent feature, “You, Me & Her,” has garnered significant success on the film festival circuit, winning 15 awards, including Best Picture at the 2024 Mexican-American Film & Television Festival, and achieving a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, ahead of its 2025 theatrical release. Their previous feature, “Single Mother by Choice,” documented Selina’s real-life pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic and was acquired by HBO Max, receiving critical acclaim and the Best Indie Feature award at Film Threat’s Annual AWARD THIS! in 2022, showcasing Dan’s directorial sensitivity to intimate, real-life stories. Dan founded High Concept Entertainment, a production company at the intersection of cannabis and entertainment, pioneering content marketing and distribution strategies that reflect the evolving demands of digital-age audiences. His career is marked by a commitment to innovation, storytelling excellence, and a keen understanding of cultural trends, whose work continues to inspire and drive change.
SYDNEY PARK, Angela (Supporting Actress): Sydney got her start at the age of 6 doing stand-up comedy at the Hollywood Improv. At the age of 8, she competed on reality competition show “America’s Got Talent” as “Syd the Kid,” the youngest stand-up comic to compete. She went on to guest star on hit Disney Channel series “That’s So Raven” and “Hannah Montana,”, in addition to HBO’s “Entourage,” “Comedy Central’s “The Sarah Silverman Program” and CBS’ “CSI: NY.”. Continuing her versatile work, Sydney starred in Nick at Nite’s “Instant Mom,” AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” the Netflix animated series, “Spirit Riding Free” and Freeform’s spin-off series “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists.” Her performance was highlighted as “the standout of the young cast” by Variety magazine. Sydney‘s credits also include season 3 of the hit Netflix series “Santa Clarita Diet,” the 2017 horror film “Wish Upon” and the Netflix slasher film “There’s Someone Inside Your House.”
FILMMAKERS STATEMENT
As a husband and wife team, we write stories that are a hyperbole of our lives. We believe that this approach allows us to create films that resonate with audiences on a deeper level, sparking conversations about love, relationships, and the human condition. You, Me & Her is a romantic comedy that draws on our personal lives and influences as diverse as Knocked Up, Scenes from a Marriage, and Force Majeure to bring the audience into the exploration of Mags and Ash’s relationship.
It’s fair to say everyone in a relationship has fantasized about what it would be like to be with someone else and on the surface the idea of a threesome seems like the ultimate loophole for a couple. In our film, we were determined to explore these complex emotions honestly and authentically within the characters and ourselves. The film poses the question of whether this ‘relationship band-aid’ can save a relationship or if festering issues buried under the surface have become too deep of a wound to fix.
You, Me & Her is the first film for the Fithian Group’s experimental Alpha development phase of its recently announced online theatrical digital distribution and marketing platform, Attend. (The Hollywood Reporter).
The release will allow the parties to harness the conversations between filmmakers and theater owners into automated tools that will combine with the industry’s leading data set to form Attend.
The Fithian Group and the groundbreaking distribution platform Attend, are endorsed by over 90 significant filmmakers and producers including Damien Chazelle, Patty Jenkins, Steven Soderbergh, Sean Baker, and many more.
You, Me & Her is actively partnering with influencers, content creators, and brands that authentically resonate with the themes of the film. Their brand partners to date include Lindt Chocolate, Lyft, Lalo Tequila, Zomoz Mezcal, The Pleasure Chest, PleasureMed, Candier by Ryan Porter, Simmr, Potli, PYM Mood Chews, FemmeFun and La Nua.
The You, Me & Her team will be activating unique experiences in different theaters all over the nation. In partnership with Riviera Nayarit, Hotel Ysuri and Casa Selva audience members will even have the chance to win a trip to Mexico.
Selina and Dan will participate in a Panel at Sundance 2025, Revolutionizing Theatrical Distribution to Expand the Range and Impact of Independent Films. Speakers include, Elizabeth Woodward (Founder and CEO, Willa) Selina Ringel (Screenwriter, You, Me & Her) Dan Levy Dagerman (Director, You, Me & Her), Jackie Brenneman (Co-Founding Partner, The Fithian Group). Please see the recorded Q&A here.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Selina identifies as a bisexual woman and is married to Dan who identifies as a straight man
The film was sparked by a moment that made Selina question her sexuality, societal conventions, and honesty in relationships, which, needless to say, was quite a journey to experience with her husband, Dan.
Selina is Mexican-American and was raised in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The movie was shot in Spanglish and half of it was shot in Nayarit, Mexico.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS:
Grand Jury Award Best Feature Film Comedy Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2023
Grand Jury Award Best Performance by a Cast 2023
Grand Jury Award Best Screenplay 2023
Best RomCom Amsterdam World Canvas Film Festival 2024
Best Picture Festigious 2024 (2/6/2024)
Best Original Story Festigious 2024 (2/6/2024)
Best Comedy Festigious 2/6/2024
Best Romantic Comedy Los Angeles Film Awards 2023
Best LGBTQ+ Film Athens International Film Festival
Best Picture New York Film Awards 2023
Best Actor New York Film Awards 2024 (1/10/2024)
Best Actress New York Film Awards 2024 (1/10/2024)
Best Picture Mexican American Film Festival 2024 (5/18/2024)
Best Queer Feature Film Lone Wolf International Film Festival 2024
Best Director Paris Awards Film Festival 2024
PRESS QUOTES & REVIEWS
“Attend allows for an unprecedented collaboration between filmmakers, theater owners and marketers in expanding the reach of theatrical moviemaking. With You, Me & Her, and Dan and Selina’s embrace of experimentation, we think we have an ideal projet to build the tools that will become Attend.”
“We tell stories inspired by our lives. This film was sparked by a moment that made me question my sexuality, societal conventions, and honesty in relationships, which, needless to say, was quite a journey to experience with your husband [Dagerman]” said Ringel.
“Dagerman and Ringel walk the line masterfully between titillation and meditation. There’s no reason a film can’t do both, but generally, filmmakers don’t even try to approach sex thoughtfully or with any emotional depth. The beautiful Mexican beach and Latin party music for the trip provides a visual feast, serving as a getaway for the audience as well as the characters.”
“With a compelling storyline, strong performances, and a tasteful approach to adult themes, You, Me & Her succeeds in offering a refreshing perspective on love, laughter, and the unconventional paths that relationships may take.”
“What looks to be a raunchy sex comedy eventually turns into something more substantial, as Ringel’s nuanced script finds surprising depth as well as humor in a strained domesticity nearing the breaking point.”
“Attend expands possibilities for filmmakers and non-studio movies to reach audiences and to expand the reach and efficiency of existing distributors. Over many years of grappling with the challenges and opportunities facing the theatrical market worldwide, as industry leaders we have sought solutions that grow the business for all stakeholders.”
January 16, 2025: “’You, Me & Her’ Releases First Trailer; Romantic Comedy Will Test Fithian Group’s Digital Distribution Marketplace (EXCLUSIVE)” https://x.com/Variety/status/1879966894402294260
*Please note, this was shared with VARIETY’s X (2.9M Followers).
This show has an interesting concept: Amy Larsen, a middle-aged doctor and Chief of Internal Medicine (played by Molly Parker) seems to care more about figuring out medical mysteries at her Midwestern hospital than being nice to patients or co-workers (shades of “House!”); then she gets into a terrible car accident in the rain. When she wakes up, she doesn’t remember the last 8 years of her life. On the one hand, she seems to be a much nicer person, but she also doesn’t remember a lot of bad things that happened, such as her young son’s death, and divorcing her husband, Michael (Omar Metwally) – who’s also her boss. She has to learn all of that and deal with it. She also doesn’t remember that she and her daughter are at odds, or that she’s in love with one of the other doctors, Jake Heller (Jon Ecker), who’s younger and very handsome.
Scott Wolf (“Night Shift,” “Nancy Drew”) has a small role as a doctor that she’s had problems with. He’s clearly supposed to be incompetent, or worse. When she’s injured, he’s made interim Chief of Internal Medicine, much to his weaselly relief.
I have to admit that, while I find the show intriguing and will keep watching it, I think that Parker was miscast. She’s a very good actress (and she’s been in many movies and shows, so she’s also very experienced), but she seems very bland to me and doesn’t have a ton of chemistry with anyone. Her character appears to be very unlikable as well (even when we see her nicer version). The actors around her have much more charisma, in my opinion. Perhaps she will grow on me. I hope so because I enjoy medical dramas.
Inspired by a true story and based on the hit eponymous Italian drama series, Doc is a new life-affirming medical drama, starring Emmy nominee Molly Parker (House of Cards) as hard-charging, brilliant Chief of Internal Medicine Dr. Amy Larsen, who suffers a brain injury that erases the last eight years of her memory.
After a late-night car crash results in severe head trauma, Amy wakes up from surgery with no recollection of the patients she’s treated, the colleagues she’s crossed and the tragedy that caused her to push almost everyone away. The relief that Amy gets from seeing her family post-accident is fleeting when she learns the incomprehensible – that she and her beloved husband, Dr. Michael Hamda (Omar Metwally, Big Sky, Lisey’s Story) have been divorced for four years. In fact, her entire family is not at all as she remembers them, rocking her foundation to the core.
Amy’s best friend, neuropsychiatrist Dr. Gina Walker (Amirah Vann, A Jazzman’s Blues, How To Get Away With Murder), has little guidance to give her for this new reality since matters of the brain are, even to the experts, still a big mystery. While Gina is hopeful, she does not know if Amy will ever recover her memories. In Amy’s fragile state, Gina must choose carefully what information from the past eight years to reveal to her, scared that too much too soon could prove more harmful than good. This includes her secret romance with Dr. Jake Heller (Jon Ecker, The Watchful Eye, Firefly Lane), since Amy now has no recollection of ever meeting him before, let alone being in a passionate relationship with him. Certain other memories, those close to her believe, would perhaps be too painful to relive and are best left forgotten.
In a fateful irony, that’s the fervent hope for Amy’s colleague, Dr. Richard Miller (guest star Scott Wolf, Nancy Drew, Party of Five), who has now been promoted to take over as Chief of Internal Medicine after Amy’s accident. Richard is desperate for Amy’s memories to never return since she was the only person to uncover his career-ending mistake – another thing she now doesn’t recall. And Richard isn’t alone in relishing Amy’s predicament – her previously contentious and unkind behavior left her with more than a few enemies at the hospital, including Dr. Sonya Maitra (Anya Banerjee, The Blacklist). While she does remember Dr. TJ Coleman (guest star Patrick Walker, Lessons In Chemistry), she does not recall that he became a doctor – nor that it was she who inspired him to do so.
Feeling completely off balance and having to piece together what happened through the prism of other people’s subjective points of view, practicing medicine remains the one constant for Amy, and she is determined to become a doctor again. While she may never get back what she’s lost, Amy knows she’s been given a second chance to do things differently and she will not take that gift for granted.
Doc is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and FOX Entertainment Studios. Barbie Kligman serves as showrunner and executive producer. Hank Steinberg, Erwin Stoff and Judith McCreary are executive producers. Doc is based on the globally acclaimed Italian series, Doc — Nelle tue mani, which was created and is produced by Lux Vide, a Fremantle Company.
Interview with Bailey Chase, Jesse Hutch and Dawn Olivieri of the movie and TV series “Homestead” on Angel Studios by Suzanne 12/11/24
This is a really good movie, and I look forward to seeing the TV series that comes next. I really enjoyed Bailey Chase’s work, ever since I saw him in “As The World Turns” years ago, but he has grown into an amazing actor. It was nice to speak with all three of these gifted performers after watching them in the movie. I was originally supposed to speak to the show’s creator/director/showrunner, Ben Smallbone, but he had to leave at the last minute. Dawn was a real trouper to answer what she could of my questions for him as well.
Angel Studios Launches the companion HOMESTEAD: FAMILY SURVIVAL Series
Exclusively on Angel.com and the Angel App on December 20th.
Synopsis: A nuclear bomb is detonated in Los Angeles, and the nation devolves into unprecedented chaos. Ex-Green Beret Jeff Eriksson and his family escape to The Homestead, an eccentric prepper’s fortress nestled in the mountains. As violent threats and apocalyptic conditions creep toward their borders, the residents of The Homestead are left to wonder: how long can a group of people resist both the dangers of human nature and the bloodshed at their doorstep?
Directed by: Ben Smallbone (Documentaries: Stone Cold Country + Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon)
Written by: Phillip Abraham, Leah Bateman, Ben Kasica Produced by: Ben Kasica, Andrea Royer and Ben Smallbone Starring: Neal McDonough (Minority Report), Dawn Olivieri (1883), Bailey Chase (Longmire)
Jesse Hutch (FBI: International), Currie Graham (Assault on Precinct 13), Olivia Sanabia (NCIS)
Bailey Chase (Jeff Ericksson)
Bailey was born in Chicago but moved to Florida after his parents divorced at a young age. He attended Duke University on a football scholarship and majored in Psychology. After graduation, Bailey moved to LA to pursue his boyhood dream of acting which encompassed a training stint in London (LAMDA). His first film break came in Adam Shankman’s Cosmo’s Tale (1998), which screened at both Sundance and Cannes. Bailey’s career blossomed in television starting with Buffy, the Vampire Slayer then working with Oscar-winners in Saving Grace and Damages before his own critically acclaimed performance in Longmire. Bailey has starred in various projects since including Batman V Superman, Chicago PD, Grimm, 24: Legacy, Twin Peaks and Queen of the South. He was recently nominated for Best Lead Actor for his performance in Far Haven and is currently shooting Homestead (2024). Bailey resides in North Carolina with his wife and three children.
Dawn Olivieri (Jenna Ross)
Dawn Orienne Olivieri is an American actress perhaps best known for her turn as Lydia in Heroes and Monica Talbot in House of Lies. She has appeared in the Showtime series House of Lies for 41 episodes, starting in 2012, playing the competitive management consultant and ex-wife of main character Marty Kaan and mother of their son, Roscoe Kaan. She acted as Janice Herveaux in the third season of the HBO series True Blood. She played a reporter and Damon Salvatore’s girlfriend Andie Star in the hit CW show The Vampire Diaries. Wrapping up the 4th season on Heroes, she has also completed parts on TBS’s My Boys, NBC’s Knight Rider, TNT’s Trust Me, and SyFy’s Stargate: Atlantis, and recurred on CBS’s How I Met Your Mother. Olivieri played a lead role in the SyFy movie Hydra, and she is the voice of Pepper Potts in the new Avengers animated series on Disney XD. She appeared in the October 2009 issue of Maxim. Olivieri appeared on HBO’s Entourage on September 13, 2009, and hosted a contest on Scripped. She voiced Lucy Kuo in a PlayStation 3 video game, Infamous 2, which was released in June 2011. As of March 2018, she has a recurring role in the CBS action-adventure series SEAL Team as Amy Nelson.
Jesse Hutch (Evan Lee)
Jesse Hutch was born in the same geographical location as the Marvel hero Wolverine. This could be nothing more then a fun fact, however, it does not excuse why Mr. Hutch is immune to Tylenol and Novocaine(most commonly used in dental practice). He drowned when he was 19 years old. Fell from a 25 foot rock quarry while free climbing in middle school. Had his stomach cut open by a barbed wire fence when he was 10, and he moved across the country(solo) when he was 21 to pursue acting. Mr. Hutch says he’s still working on his: “24 year overnight success story”.
With over 100 professional Television and Film credits to his name, You may have seen him in cult classics such as “Freddy vs Jason” and “The Butterfly Effect”. Maybe you saw him in the 60’s as Jimmy Riley on Dick Clark’s ”American Dreams”. FBI International, Dark Angel, Kyle XY, Smallville, Arrow, Almost Human, Supernatural, Batwoman and Project Blue Book are but a few of his television roles.
Jesse’s upcoming theatrical releases include: “MEMEC” a dark thriller comedy where he plays the main antagonist. And “HOMESTEAD” a present day post apocalyptic series by Angel Studios. When asked what his best role has been to date, his response: “My best roles will always be that of husband and father. I believe that giving your life for others is one of the greatest gifts you can strive for. Turns out this is also the best acting class you will ever take…life”.
As for new Television in 2024: Jesse recently was a producer and actor on “A Little Women’s Christmas” where he acted alongside his daughter Charlize. He co-stars alongside Jill Wagner in their new Christmas Film which will also air on Great American Family.
Keep an eye out for Mr.Hutch. His performances range from Drama, to action, to comedy and back again. We are always in a state of mystery as to what his next role will be. His ability to be extremely grounded allow depth, yet he can be funny, charming, dangerous and unpredictable at times. He can play a large range of roles with believability. His stunt ability is backed by a consistent and regimented style of training. Hutch commands the screen regardless of wether he is speaking or listening.
Mr. Hutch is married to his beautiful Wife Loreili, and they have 3 wonderful children.
As a final note, His social media presence is fun, genuine and family friendly.
“Dexter: Original Sin” on Showtime Review by Suzanne 12/16/24
My original review is below. I didn’t like the casting, at first, but the show won me over. Gibson sounds more like Dexter than I had originally observed, and he plays a younger, more innocent version of the serial killer we all know and love. Christian Slater is always great, and he excels here as Harry. Molly Brown captures the essence of Deborah. After awhile, I could enjoy the show and forget that these two don’t really look anything like the actors on the mother ship. It’s a great show, and I’m sad that it’s over now. I sure hope we get a second season.
I loved “Dexter” and its sequel, mostly because of Michael C. Hall and his devilish grin. He’s a fantastic actor, and he’s – let’s just say – sexy. He has a lot of charisma, no matter which role he’s playing. The new actor playing the college-age Dexter, Patrick Gibson, doesn’t really look at all like Michael C. Hall. Moreover, he is not as good of an actor and is not as charismatic nor handsome. He’s handsome enough, I suppose, but he’s not going to make the female viewers swoon. He reminds me of the actor who starred in “Ugly Betty,” Eric Mabius. Mabius looks kind of dopey (he’s great at comedy), and so does Gibson. It doesn’t really work.
That would be bad enough, but the actors they chose to play Harry (Dexter’s adopted father) and Deb (his sister) don’t look or sound at all like the actors who played them in “Dexter.” Christian Slater plays Harry Morgan. He’s a great actor, no question, but he doesn’t look or act anything like James Remar (who played Harry). Molly Brown plays Deborah, and she’s a beautiful woman. She’s a good actress, but the original actress, Jennifer Carpenter was not beautiful. She is an amazing actress, but she has a big, pointy nose and is gangly, like she doesn’t know what to do with her arms and legs all of the time. For me, this part of the casting is terrible. I may get used to it, but I don’t know. It helps that Michael C. Hall narrates the show. The other actors, who play Masuka, LaGuerta and Batista, look and act enough like their “Dexter” counterparts. There are three new characters, played by familiar actors: Sarah Michelle Gellar (of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” fame) plays Dexter’s new boss at the forensics lab, Tanya. Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatony”) plays the chief detective, Captain Aaron Spencer. Lastly, Reno Wilson (“Good Girls”) plays Detective Bobby Wyatt, who is partnered with Harry (and his best friend).
In the first episode, Dexter was still in college and about to graduate. He told Harry that hunting animals no longer satisfied his “urges.” Because of a situation, Dexter has to get his first kill, and it goes well. Then he gets a job at the lab. I don’t want to give you any spoilers. It’s a good show; very well written by the same people who wrote “Dexter” and “Dexter: New Blood.” Prequels are very popular now on TV. We’ve had many, such as “Bates Motel,” “Young Sheldon,” “Young Rock,” and the new “NCIS: Origins.” There’s also a new “Dexter” series, “Dexter: Resurrection.” I hope they’ll have a better ending than the last one.
Check it out because it does drag you into the story. If you can look past the different-looking characters, you should enjoy it. It just started on Showtime with Paramount+.
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN chronicles America’s favorite serial killer…in training.
Starring: Christian Slater, Patrick Gibson, Molly Brown, Patrick Dempsey, James Martinez
Dexter: Original Sin
Set in 1991 Miami, DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN follows Dexter Morgan as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry, he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcements’ radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.
Release
PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME UNVEILS TEASER AND PREMIERE DATE FOR SHOWTIME ORIGINAL SERIES DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN
PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME® UNVEILS TEASER AND PREMIERE DATE FOR SHOWTIME ORIGINAL SERIES DEXTER®: ORIGINAL SIN
Series Set to Premiere on Friday, December 13, Streaming on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Plan Ahead of its On-Air Debut on Sunday, December 15
Produced by SHOWTIME Studios and Counterpart Studios
Photo Credit: Patrick Wymore/Paramount+ with Showtime
September 12, 2024 – Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® today revealed the premiere date and new teaser for the highly anticipated prequel DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN. The series will premiere Friday, December 13 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® plan, before making its on-air US debut on Sunday, December 15. The title will begin rolling out on Paramount+ internationally on December 13. Currently in production in Los Angeles, the 10-episode drama series chronicles America’s favorite serial killer in training.
Set in 1991 Miami, DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN follows Dexter (Patrick Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Christian Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN also stars Patrick Dempsey, Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson and special guest star, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Michael C. Hall returns to voice the iconic inner monologue in Dexter Morgan’s head.
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN is executive produced by Clyde Phillips and produced by SHOWTIME Studios and Counterpart Studios. Executive producers also include Scott Reynolds (Jessica Jones), Michael C. Hall (DEXTER, Six Feet Under), Mary Leah Sutton (Resident Evil), Tony Hernandez (Emily in Paris) and Lilly Burns (Russian Doll), with the series being produced by Robert Lloyd Lewis (The Lincoln Lawyer). Michael Lehmann (Heathers) serves as directing executive producer.
For Showtime Studios, the series is being creatively overseen by Gary Levine and Urooj Sharif with production supervised by Tara Power. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ markets.
For more information on Dexter: Original Sin, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X and join the conversation using #DexterOriginalSin.
About Paramount+
Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, the service’s cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.
For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.
About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks
SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others – and, its Studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today’s biggest hits such as Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, George & Tammy, South Park, Tulsa King, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.
It took me a while to warm to this show, but I enjoy it. It’s been a slow burn. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the actor who plays young Leroy Gibbs (Austin Stowell) because he looks nothing like Mark Harmon (who plays Gibbs in the present). We all know what Mark Harmon looked like when he was young because he was on TV at age 22. He was much more handsome and has more charisma than Stowell. Stowell is good-looking but has a longer face, a pointier chin and a larger nose. His eyebrows and ears are different. Harmon has piercing blue eyes, and Stowell does not. He has green eyes and wears blue contacts over the green ones. In short, it doesn’t quite work. However, he is a very good actor, and he has the same quiet intensity that Harmon has (especially as Gibbs). They have similar lips and are the same height. After a while of watching Stowell as Gibbs, it works. The other cast members do a great job, too. There are only two others playing characters we know from NCIS. One is Gibbs’ mentor and friend, Agent Mike Franks. He was originally played by Muse Watson, but now he’s played by Kyle Schmid, who is one of the best things about the show. The other is Special Agent Vera Strickland, played originally by Roma Maffia, now played by Diany Rodriguez. She appears to be a potential romantic interest for Gibbs.
Gibbs’ main story this season has been about grieving the murder of his wife and daughter, dealing with PTSD and injuries from the Gulf War, and fitting in with the new NIS squad in 1991 (they become NCIS in 1992). These events take place a decade before the main “NCIS” show’s events. Anyone who knows the history of the show will remember that Gibbs shot the cartel guy who killed his family, and all that he dealt with in the past, but we get to see it all again in this show. Gibbs’ dad was played well by the late Ralph Waite. Now he’s played equally well by Robert Taylor (“Longmire”). I hope we see more of him.
One of the main things that makes the show more interesting is that Mark Harmon narrates the series. It’s great to hear his voice again.
There have been many spinoffs from NCIS, but this prequel is worth watching. I think the stories are better and not as dull as some procedurals can be. One thing that’s fun about setting a show in the early 90’s is that the technology is different (no cell phones!), and the laws are also a little different. The show is set in Camp Pendleton near Oceanside, CA (about 40 minutes north of San Diego). I grew up in San Diego and then moved to Carlsbad (one of the towns near Oceanside) for high school, so it makes me laugh when they mention that area.
It will be interesting to see how Gibbs changes going forward, as they make him into the Gibbs we know from “NCIS.” I look forward to it.
NCIS: ORIGINS follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS, and is narrated by Mark Harmon. In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid).
Premieres Monday, Oct. 14 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
Interview with actors Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Skai Jackson and Gavin Warren, and Director Warren Skeels of the film “The Man In The White Van” by Suzanne 12/2/24
This is a very suspenseful and chilling thriller, set in the early 1970’s. You don’t want to miss it when it opens tomorrow, 12/13/24, in theaters. Madison Wolfe stars as a young women, Annie, targeted by a serial killer. Brec Bassinger stars as her sister, Margaret. Skai Jackson plays Patty, Annie’s friend. Gavin Warren plays Annie and Margeret’s younger brother, Daniel. Sean Astin and Ali Larter play Margaret and Annie’s parents. I hope you enjoy our video interviews! I was particularly glad to speak to Brec Bassinger, since I was a huge fan of her show, “Stargirl.”
STARRING: Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Goonies), Ali Larter (Final Destination, upcoming Taylor Sheridan series, Landman), Madison Wolfe (The Conjuring 2, Malignant), Brec Bassinger (CW’s Stargirl, Final Destination: Bloodlines), Skai Jackson (Disney’s Jessie and spinoff Bunk’d), Gavin Warren (Night Swim)
SYNOPSIS: Based on true events. In 1975 Florida, a series of violent disappearances go unnoticed, and young Annie (Madison Wolfe) is targeted by an ominous white van that stalks her every move. As the menace escalates, her parents dismiss her fears, and Annie is soon plunged into a terrifying nightmare that shatters her world. Also starring Brec Bassinger, Skai Jackson, Ali Larter, and Sean Astin. Directed by Warren Skeels.
GENRE: Thriller
Madison Wolfe was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began acting at the age of seven, and made her debut alongside Kristen Stewart and Amy Adams in “On The Road.” In the years following, Wolfe landed many roles in various critically acclaimed films and television shows such as Jessica Brady in “The Campaign,” starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, Audrey Hart in “True Detective,” opposite Woody Harrelson and Matthew Mcconaughey, and Young Poppy in “Mr. Church,” starring Eddie Murphy. She can also be seen playing Bryan Cranston’s daughter in “Trumbo,” and acting alongside Robert DeNiro, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper in David O. Russell’s “Joy.”
Wolfe is best known for her lead role in James Wan’s “The Conjuring 2.” Starring opposite Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, she plays Janet Hodgson: a young girl from Enfield, England who is traumatized and haunted by the possession of demonic spirits. Wolfe is also well known from her lead role in Oscar winner Anders Walter’s “I Kill Giants.” Rotten Tomatoes names Madison’s “powerhouse performance” as troubled teen Barbra Thorson one of the highlights of the film.
Most recently, Wolfe can be seen playing Tessa Mayfair opposite Alexandra Daddario in AMC’s “The Mayfair Witches.” She has completed production for her next true crime thriller, Warren Skeel’s “Man in The White Van.” Set in 1974, Wolfe portrays the lead role of Annie Willains: a free spirited teen from a small town in Florida who becomes the obsession of a horrific stalker. Being a musician, Wolfe also wrote and recorded an original song for the film’s soundtrack to be released. The film is not yet rated.
Brec Bassinger, born May 25, 1999, is an American actress best known for her leading role as ‘Bella Dawson’ on the Nickelodeon series “Bella and the Bulldogs,” her role as ‘Catherine’ in the “47 Meters Down” sequel, her recurring roles in “School of Rock” and “The Goldbergs,” and her starring role in the DC Universe series “Stargirl” (2020).
Brec grew up in a small town in Texas, and first went to Los Angeles for acting when she was 13 years old. Growing up she enjoyed gymnastics, cheerleading, volleyball, and natural-beauty pageants. She was crowned the 2009 World’s Our Little Miss. Her acting career started with a recurring role on Nickelodeon’s “Haunted Hathaways.” She graduated high school at 16 and continues to expand her education. A Type-1 diabetic, she has become a huge advocate for diabetes research and is a national ambassador for JDRF. She had the leading role of Stargirl for the CW for two years, and then she plays the titular role in the miniseries “V.C. Andrews’ Dawn” on Lifetime..
Gavin Warren is an American model and actor. As a child he played the piano and did gymnastics before, inspired by Adam Sandler, he decided he wanted to become an actor. In 2015, Warren won an acting and modeling competition, after which he was accepted into a local artist agency. This was followed by his first roles in the short film Two Wongs Make a White and in the film drama Back Roads, before Warren was seen in Damien Chazelle’s film biography Awakening to the Moon alongside Ryan Gosling in 2018.
In order to focus on his acting career, Warren switched from public school to home schooling. In subsequent years, he made guest appearances in the television series Daybreak and NCIS: New Orleans, while he took on supporting roles in the films Mack (2019), A Hard Problem (2021) and 12 Mighty Orphans (2021). In 2023 he appeared in the eighth season of the horror series Fear the Walking Dead before playing a leading role in the horror film Night Swim the following year.
His other announced film projects include the thrillers The Descendant and Geechee, the drama film Unbreakable Boy and the crime film The Man in the White Van.
Interview with actors Sara Silva, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Harlan Kim and Khobe Clarke; and writers/EP Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher of “Cruel Intentions” on Prime by Suzanne 11/13/24
I really enjoyed watching this show, and the actors I chatted with couldn’t have been nicer; it was the same with the two producers. You don’t want to miss this show! It’s not just any teen drama. The writing is top notch. Even if you never saw the movie(s) or book it’s based on, you should enjoy it; it dragged me into the drama!
Sara Silva (CeCe) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Hank)
John Harlan Kim (Blaise) and Khobe Clarke (Scott)
Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher (co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers)
All eight episodes of Prime Video’s highly anticipated series, Cruel Intentions, will premiere November 21 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Twenty-five years after the iconic film captivated audiences with its provocative drama, sex, and scandal, this series introduces a new class of cruel characters who are ready to take their games and manipulation to a whole new level. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the film or new to the twisted tale, the series promises binge-worthy fun that audiences won’t want to miss.
In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.
Cruel Intentions stars Sarah Catherine Hook as “Caroline Merteuil”, Zac Burgess as “Lucien Belmont”, Savannah Lee Smith as “Annie Grover”, Sara Silva as “Cece Carroway”, John Harlan Kim as “Blaise Powell”, Khobe Clarke as “Scott Russell”, Sean Patrick Thomas as “Professor Hank Chadwick”, and Brooke Lena Johnson as “Beatrice Worth”.
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film. Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film also executive produce along with Roger Kumble. Moritz produced the original film, which was written and directed by Kumble. Bruce Mellon along with Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi of Iervolino & Bacardi Entertainment are producers.
SARA SILVA is a Brazilian-American actress from the San Francisco Bay Area. She studied acting at UCLA’s School for Theater, Film and Television, where she starred as Medea in Euripides’ titular play and Maritza in Tanya Saracho’s Mala Hierba.
Sara will star as ‘CELESTE “CECE” CALLOWAY’ in the Prime Video SeriesCRUEL INTENTIONS written by Phoebe Fisher, and based on the 1999 film by the same name, which starred Selma Blair in the same role.
Sara also recently starred opposite Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) in the feature TAURUS written and directed by Tim Sutton, which premiered domestically at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. You can also spot Sara in the recent season of FX’s anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORIES in episode ‘Necro’. Other recent television roles include the Freeform seriesGROWN-ISH, and Amazon’s THE BOYS. Sara also recently played the Sorority leader ‘Hunter’ in the short ‘Scotty’s Vag’ written & directed by Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Award at the 2023 SXSW film festival.
Sara is drawn to provocative stories and loves finding empathy for the twisted characters she plays. When she’s not acting, she’s writing plays, making music with her band “Dance Arts Center” and cuddling with her black cat, Pepita.
Sean Patrick Thomas
Professor Hank Chadwick
Respected actor/producer, Sean Patrick Thomas, is continuing his hot streak. Recently wrapping production on the TV version of “Cruel Intentions,” Thomas is the only member of the original film to appear in the series. He is currently in production on the second season of fan favorite, “Gen V.” Previously he was seen in the critically acclaimed, award-winning feature, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand and the MGM/UA film “Till,” which tells the heartbreaking story of Emmett Till. Other projects include the Hulu limited series, “Reasonable Doubt,” reuniting him with Kerry Washington, who executive produced the series and directed its pilot episode along with a recurring role in “For All Mankind” on Apple+.
Previous film credits include “The Curse of La Llorona,” the ensemble hit franchise “Barbershop,” Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain,” John Sayles’ “Honeydripper,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Halloween: Resurrection” and the box office smash “Save The Last Dance,” for which Thomas won two MTV Movie Awards. On the small screen, Thomas starred in Kenny Leon’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” for which he earned a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie. And on Broadway he conquered a different character, that of Nigerian suitor Joseph Asagai, in “A Raisin in the Sun” once again opposite Denzel Washington. He starred on the CBS series “The District” and recurred on “The Good Fight” as well as voicing the character of Professor Macalester on the animated series “Vixen.” Additional television credits include “Insecure,” “Madam Secretary,” “American Horror Story,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS.”
John Harlan Kim
Blaise Powell
John Harlan Kim will next star in a series regular role as ‘Blaise Powell’ on Prime Video’s “Cruel Intentions,” the highly anticipated television adaptation of the 1999 feature cult classic. The series will be released globally on the streaming platform in November 2024. Previously, John appeared as ‘Bobby’ in the hit Apple TV+ series, “The Last Thing He Told Me,” opposite Jennifer Garner and Angourie Rice. Previous television credits include: the Ryan Murphy Fox series “9-1-1,” the CW series, “Nancy Drew,” and the TNT series “The Librarians.” His film credits include: Netflix’s “Purple Hearts” opposite Sofia Carson and the Warner Brothers’ thriller written and directed by John Lee Hancock,“The Little Things,” opposite Denzel Washington, Jared Leto and Rami Malek.
Khobe Clarke
Scott Russell
Khobe Clarke was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. His childhood was filled with incredible outdoor experiences, including a motorcycle trip across Mongolia, and a trek to the base camp of Mt. Everest. But despite his love for climbing the world’s tallest mountains and exploring the Canadian wilderness, acting was his true passion, and the only thing he wanted to do.
After graduating high school he picked up and moved to Vancouver, BC to pursue a career in film and television. Things started to move quickly for Khobe. Within 2 short years, after signing with his Vancouver agent, he landed a number of great roles. Most notably a major recurring guest star role on Netflix’s popular series Firefly Lane (S2), a lead role in a 4-part movie event series V.C. Andrews Cutler Series for Lifetime, and also recurred on the Emmy-Nominated Showtime series Yellowjackets. Khobe is so excited to be part of the Cruel Intentions cast, and can’t wait to see what type of adventure this brings.
Sara Goodman
She was born 1973, in Toronto, Canada. She’s known for her work in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Gossip Girl (2007), Preacher, Outsiders, The Detail, Rake.
Phoebe Fisher
Phoebe Fisher is known for Cruel Intentions (2024), Assassination Nation (2018) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021).
Credits
Produced by
Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film
Co-Showrunners, Writers, Executive Producers
Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher
Executive Producers
Neal H. Moritz
Pavun Shetty
Roger Kumble
Producers
Bruce Mellon
Andrea Iervolino
Monika Bacardi
Cast
Caroline Merteuil played by Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill; The White Lotus S3)
Lucien Belmont played by Zac Burgess (Boy Swallows Universe; Totally Completely Fine)
Annie Grover played by Savannah Lee Smith (Gossip Girl)
Cece Carroway played by Sara Silva (American Horror Stories)
Blaise Powell played by John Harlan Kim (The Last Thing He Told Me; 9-1-1)
Scott Russell played by Khobe Clarke (Firefly Lane; Yellowjackets)
Professor Hank Chadwick played by Sean Patrick Thomas (Till)
Beatrice Worth played by Brooke Lena Johnson (You)
Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins of “Cross” on Prime by Suzanne 10/29/24
I enjoyed speaking with one of the main actors, and the showrunner, of this great new series. I’ve spoken with the main star, Aldis Hodge, years ago (when he was in “Leverage”). Sadly, I did not get that chance this time.
Hodges stars as Alex Cross, the forensic psychiatrist and detective featured in James Patterson novels (and some movies). Aldis was one of my first one-on-one interviews, so it was memorable. He’s always very nice. I also spoke with him in 2011 and 2012.
Mustafa and Wakins, whom I interviewed recently, also were a joy to speak with. Mustafa is a former football player but has become quite a good actor. He plays John Sampson, Mustafa’s close friend and fellow detective. Ben Watkins created, wrote and executive produced the show. He’s worked on some of my favorites, including “Hand of God” and “Burn Notice”.
These are audio-only, even though I did speak with them on video. I didn’t realize that they were only going to send me the audio until yesterday (that was my mistake for not making sure). Oops!
You should definitely check out this series’ first season, which drops Nov. 14 and has already been renewed for season 2. It is a thrilling drama that everyone should enjoy. It also stars Ryan Eggold (“New Amsterdam”), Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill.
Starring Aldis Hodge, Cross is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer leaving a string of bodies strewn around the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he’s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.
Credits
Produced by
Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount Television Studios, Skydance Television
Created by
Ben Watkins
Directed by
Ben Watkins
Executive Produced by
Ben Watkins
Sam Ernst
Jim Dunn
Craig Siebels
James Patterson
Bill Robinson
Patrick Santa
David Ellison
Dana Goldberg
Matt Thunell
Cast
Aldis Hodge
Isaiah Mustafa
Juanita Jennings
Alona Tal
Samantha Walkes
Caleb Elijah
Melody Hurd
Jennifer Wigmore
Eloise Mumford
Ryan Eggold
Ben Watkins was born on March 19, 1971 in San Francisco, California, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Cross (2024), Burn Notice (2007) and Quest to Ref (2002). He has been married to Kandi Ali since June 1992. They have four children.
Interview with Molly Kunz of “The Irrational” on NBC by Suzanne 10/24/24
I really enjoyed speaking with Molly! I love her show, so it was very nice to speak with her about it, and about her character. Don’t miss the next episode, which airs Nov. 12!
The Irrational
Season 2 Premiering October 8 on NBC (10-11p.m. ET/PT)
“The Irrational” follows world-renowned professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) as he lends his unique expertise to high-stakes cases and mysteries. His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior lead him to work alongside varying clients ranging from the FBI to everyday people caught in perplexing situations desperate for answers. With the help of his trusted team and social-science experiments, Alec solves crimes and uncovers the truth to answer intriguing, and irrational, questions.
The cast also includes Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz and Arash DeMaxi.
Arika Lisanne Mittman, Mark Goffman, Sam Baum, David Frankel and Robert Wolfe executive produce.
The show is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Next Episode: “Anatomy of a Fall” Simon’s mother asks Alec to help stop a suicide contagion when a third student death strikes the campus; Alec asks Marisa to help when he thinks there might be more to the case; Phoebe struggles with her next career move.
Molly Kunz
Phoebe, “The Irrational”
Molly Kunz stars as Phoebe in the NBC drama “The Irrational.”
Kunz recurred on “Colony,” “Finding Carter” and Hulu’s original series “Battleground,” created by J.D. Walsh. She also co-starred in the Lifetime movie “The Marsh Sisters at Christmas.”
On the film side, Kunz will co-star in the thriller “Wild Eyed and Wicked” and was previously in “The Wolf and the Lion,” based on the French film “Mia and The White Lion.” Kunz also had a supporting role in Steve McQueen’s feature “Widows,” opposite Colin Farrell, as well as a role in the indie “The Wise Kids.”
Kunz is originally from Madison, Wisc., and began her career in regional theater. Productions include “The Nerd” (Memorial Theatre Company), “The Sound of Music” (Music Theater of Madison), “Carousel” (Madison Repertory Theater), “The Boxcar Children” (CTM Family Theater Company), “The Secret Garden” (University of Wisconsin Theater), “Annie” (Stagestruck Productions), “Tom Sawyer” (Madison Creative Arts Program), “Alice in Wonderland” (Shorewood Drama), “The Nutcracker Ballet” (Madison Ballet), and “Sleeping Beauty Ballet” (Performing Arts for Children).
Interview with Sarah Drew, star of “Mistletoe Murders” on Hallmark+ by Suzanne 10/18/24
It was a lot of fun to speak with Sarah about her new mystery series! We had a nice chat about the new show. Check it out. It premieres Thursday, 10/31/24 on Hallmark+ .
Stars: Sarah Drew, Peter Mooney, Sierra Marilyn Riley
Mistletoe Murders follows Emily Lane (Drew), the outwardly friendly, and optimistic shop owner of a charming year-round Christmas-themed store, Under the Mistletoe. However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret. Residing in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate not-so-quaint local murders. And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Mooney), a smart local cop – with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited – begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.
Executive Producer/Showrunner Ken Cuperus (Carter), Executive Producers Michelle Melanson (The Next Step), Jocelyn Hamilton (Burden of Truth), Drew and Co-Executive Producer Grant Harvey (The Way Home) and producer Robbie David (Dark Matter).
The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions.
Mistletoe Murders is adapted from the Audible Original series Mistletoe Murders starring Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack and a full ensemble cast. Two seasons are currently available and season 3 will premiere on November 7, only from Audible.
Mistletoe Murders Season 1
With time running out to prove her friend’s innocence, Emily puts her own secret past on the line to find the real tree farm killer, raising suspicion from Detective Sam Wilner.
Sarah Drew
Multi-hyphenate actor, producer, writer, and director, Sarah Drew is best known for playing ‘Dr. April Kepner’ for nine seasons on the hit ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy” and Hannah Rogers in Warner Bros’ “Everwood”.
Her recent TV credits include Freeform’s hit series “Cruel Summer” which was the recipient of the Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Cable Drama Series, and the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series “Amber Brown,” written, directed and produced by Bonnie Hunt. Sarah released four films in 2023, producing and starring in Lifetime’s “The Girl Who Caught a Killer”, Sony Affirm’s “Birthright Outlaw”, and starring in Hallmark’s “Guiding Emily”. “A Cowboy Christmas Romance” marks Sarah’s second feature film that she’s written and executive produced for Lifetime, in 2022, Sarah produced and starred in her writing debut “Reindeer Games Homecoming” as part of Lifetime’s holiday slate. Sarah made her directorial debut in “Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team the Webisodes” which was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Awards for an Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.
She recently directed a radio play for LA Theater Works called “Fever Syndrome” which is set to be released later this year. In film, some notable projects include her debut in Columbia Picture’s “Radio” alongside Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as the lead in the hit Sony comedy “Moms’ Night Out” alongside Patricia Heaton and Sean Astin. In 2022, she received a Canadian Screen Award Nomination for her lead role in Lifetime’s “Stolen By Their Father”. She began producing with Provident Films’ “Indivisible,” in which she starred alongside Tia Mowry.
Sarah got her start in the arts at a young age before booking the lead role of the critically acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet at McCarter Theatre Center, an award-winning regional theater, in her fourth year of university. The opportunity catapulted her career, opening doors thanks to rave reviews by critics. She went on to make her Broadway debut in Vincent and Brixton, a classic play based on Vincent van Gogh, at the Lincoln Center Theater, then London’s West End, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film. When she’s not working, Sarah spends time giving back to her community, donating to charities close to her heart such as Door of Hope in Pasadena and Lwala Community Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving health care in Africa.
I wanted to like this UK series (originally on ITV) because it has top notch acting and writing, and my late mom’s name was Joan!’ but I have a problem with any show like this, where the main character turns to crime. I guess I can’t ever imagine myself being so desperate as to become a criminal (even though I grew up very poor and was also in foster care). We can blame the success of shows like “Weeds” and “Breaking Bad” for these TV series… There are so many, like “Ozark,” “Claws,” and “The Good Girls.” I also don’t like shows like “The Punisher” or “Penguin” that glorify real villains. I’ve always loved the hero of the story; the good guy. It’s really hard for me to be objective about “Joan” because she makes a lot of poor decisions and endangers her life as well as the lives of her family (especially her daughter).
Perhaps if the show had started with Joan as a sophisticated, beautiful, rich jewel thief who fell in love with a handsome detective, and then we find out gradually what made her turn to crime, then I would like it more (See “The Thomas Crown Affair”). I think we’re supposed to find her sympathetic because she has a rotten husband, gangsters are threatening her and her child, and she has very little family or money. She’s desperate and turns to a life of crime. However, she also loves the excitement of being a thief, and she clearly enjoys beautiful, sparkly things (doesn’t everyone?). She’s obviously smart, so she should go to college and get a real career. Nope, sorry. No sympathy here.
Anyway, if you like these types of shows, this is a good one. Sophie Turner is excellent as a British woman, down on her luck, who becomes a jewel thief. It’s apparently based on a true story. You won’t be alone because the show is very successful. Check it out!
Sophie Turner (“Game of Thrones,” “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” “The Staircase”) stars as notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in this exhilarating yet emotional story set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1980s — an era known for its bold fashion trends, iconic music and cultural shifts.
The series opens with Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties who is deeply scarred and vulnerable. She is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter, Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous marriage with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary goes on the run, Joan seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter.
Joan becomes a masterful jewel thief. She embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes journey that challenges her every limit, driven by her desire to care for her daughter and create a secure home for them both. Through her sharp intelligence, charm and talent for impersonation and performance, we follow the twists and turns in Joan’s life, the ups and downs, the heartache and the joy that makes this story so compelling to follow.
Turner stars alongside Frank Dillane (“Fear the Walking Dead”) as Boisie, a London antiques dealer. Kirsty J. Curtis (“Match Not Found”) plays Nancy, Joan’s older sister and salon worker while Gershwyn Eustache Jr. (“I May Destroy You”) portrays Albie, an old acquaintance of Boisie who’s made a new life in Spain with his wife Val, played by Laura Aikman (“The Split”).
JOAN is written by acclaimed screenwriter Anna Symon (“The Essex Serpent”) and directed by BAFTA award-winner Richard Laxton (“Rain Dogs”). The series is from Snowed-In Productions and executive produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts (“Stonehouse”), Jenny Van Der Lande (“Too Close”), Neil Blair (“The Midwich Cuckoos”) and Richard Laxton.
JOAN has been commissioned for ITV1 and ITVX by Head of Drama Polly Hill. The series is produced in association with All3Media International and The CW Network.
EPISODES
Episode One
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EpisodeEp.101
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SERIES PREMIERE – SOPHIE TURNER STARS AS JEWEL THEIF JOAN HANNINGTON –Joan O’Connell (Sophie Turner) is a young mother trapped in a catastrophic relationship. When her husband brings danger to their door, Joan takes drastic action to keep her six-year-old daughter, Kelly (Mia Millichamp-Long), safe. Attempting to build a new life, Joan begins working in her sister’s salon, determined to get herself back on her feet, but can’t control her reckless streak. After getting a job at a jeweller, Joan finds herself needing to leave due to the unwanted advances of the manager, and finds herself impetuously stealing several diamonds first. High on the thrill, Joan celebrates in the pub where she meets Boise Hannington (Frank Dillane) who runs an antiques shop nearby and proves to be the consummate gentleman. He is also a professional thief. Joan needs money desperately and Boisie offers her a job instead. Joan agrees – could this be the beginning of a successful business relationship, or something more (#101)? The episode was written by Anna Symon and directed by Richard Laxton. The CW original airdate 10/2/2024.
Episode Two
SeasonS.1
EpisodeEp.102
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THE GLAMOUROUS LIFE – Joan (Sophie Turner) falls for Boisie (Frank Dillane) who recognizes her innate talent. She enjoys the spoils of crime in glamorous Spain, but faces scrutiny over her role as a mother (#102). The episode was written by Anna Symon and directed by Richard Laxton. The CW original airdate 10/9/2024.
Episode Three
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EpisodeEp.103
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HIGHS AND LOWS – Joan (Sophie Turner) rises to new heights: the theft of a valuable painting and an audacious ring switch. Boisie (Frank Dillane) falls for Joan while Kelly (Mia Millichamp-Long) slips even further away (#103). The episode was written by Anna Symon and directed by Richard Laxton. The CW original airdate 10/16/2024.
At first glance, this seems like a slightly-more-dramatic version of “The Love Boat,” from the doctor’s point of view. The series was created by Ryan Murphy, who usually comes up ideas that are either horrifying (“American Horror Story”) or at least, slightly-off-kilter (“Nip/Tuck”) or very original (“Glee”). However, even at second glance, this show really does seem to be a just a breezy medical drama set aboard a cruise ship. I find it a little bit disappointing, just from the fact that Murphy created it and that it stars Joshua Jackson, who’s been excellent in so many series, from “Dawson’s Creek” to “Doctor Death.”
Jackson plays a renowned doctor, Max, who is looking for a more relaxing, fun life aboard a cruise ship after battling COVID and other horrors (he reveals in the first episode that he was “Patient Zero” in NYC and nearly died). The legendary Don Johnson plays the ship’s captain, who runs a tight ship and expects excellence from his crew. (Who knew that Sonny Crockett would turn into Captain Stubing?) Max has two nurses that assist him, Avery (Phillipa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale). The ship, its crew, and the many medical maladies they encounter on board are not the easy life that Max expected.
Amid the health crises, there is plenty of time for romance, dancing, and drinking. Max and Avery have a slight tryst in the first episode. The second episode is about “Singles Week.” Apparently, each weekly cruise has a different theme, to make it slightly more interesting. I guess Ryan Murphy is trying to pay tribute to the shows he loved in his youth on ABC (the same network where “The Love Boat” aired). Although each episode has new guest stars, they’re not the center of all the action the way they were on the original “Love Boat” that ran from 1977-1986. The show’s four main stars are the focus of the show, along with the ship and the beautiful scenery. Guest stars include Chord Overstreet, Shania Twain, John Stamos, Cheyenne Jackson, Gina Gershon and Rachel Dratch.
From what I’ve read, ABC is trying to sell this as exciting and sexy. My advice is that you pour yourself a nice tropical drink and sit down to watch this one….but you may find that it’s not the drinking that makes you sleepy. I really hope it gets better. Otherwise, the talent on the series deserves better than this. FOX had a much better retro show with the “Fantasy Island” reboot that they canceled last year, sadly. I really enjoyed that one. ABC should have rescued that instead.
From the brilliant mind of Ryan Murphy comes high-octane procedural “Doctor Odyssey.” Max (Joshua Jackson) is the new on-board doctor for a luxury cruise ship where the staff works hard and plays harder. It’s all-hands-on-deck as Max and his small but mighty medical team navigate unique medical crises and each other, miles from shore.
“Doctor Odyssey” stars Joshua Jackson, Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale and Don Johnson. The series, produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television, is written and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken. Joshua Jackson and Don Johnson serve as executive producers. Paris Barclay directs and executive produces. Eric Paquette, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson and Nissa Diederich also serve as executive producers.
EPISODES
04. Wellness Week
During a week dedicated to wellness, The Odyssey ironically finds itself overwhelmed by a surge of ailing patients. Meanwhile, Tristan’s new romance sparks jealousy, and Capt. Massey must bring the ship to safety in the midst of a hurricane.
Air Date: 10/17/2024
03. Plastic Surgery Week
Plastic Surgery Week on The Odyssey brings new faces and fresh features to be carefully maintained by the medical team. Meanwhile, when the owner’s wife comes on board, Capt. Massey must juggle charm and skillful dodging to sidestep her advances.
Air Date: 10/10/2024
02. Singles Week
It’s Singles Week on The Odyssey, and lust is in the air. As Max, Tristan and Avery navigate their relationship, the crew fends off advances from passengers. With rising desire and quickly spreading ailments, Max and the team rush to restore order.
Air Date: 10/03/2024
01. Pilot
Max Bankman is The Odyssey’s new onboard doctor, where the staff works hard and plays harder. It’s all-hands-on-deck as he gets acquainted with Capt. Massey and his medical team, Avery and Tristan, while treating crises miles from shore.
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KAT MCNAMARA is a singer, dancer, songwriter, actress and producer. Her first big role was in “Shadowhunters” on ABC Family. Then she was in the 2nd and 3rd Maze Runner movies. She appeared in the last two seasons of “Arrow” on The CW as Oliver and Felicity’s daughter, Mia, from the future. Following that, she starred in the western spinoff of “Walker” on The CW, “Walker: Independence,” which, unfortunately, lasted only one season. She’s been making movies, like “High Ground,” ever since.
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mob boss sends Ted to an old friend. 
Film credits include “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” “Galaxy Quest,” “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Contagion.” He has also enjoyed success as a writer/director with two short films – “The Bike” and “Issues” – the latter of which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
feature “Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell,” for which he won the Oscar equivalent for Outstanding Feature Film Debut.
Patrick Sabongui stars as CIA agent Jacob Hassani on the NBC drama “The Hunting Party.”
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Nikohl Boosheri is a Canadian actress based in Los Angeles. She made her film debut in 2011 with the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award Winner, “Circumstance.” Her acclaimed performance in the film won Best Performance at three other Film Festivals: LA Outfest, International Rome Film Festival, and the Noor Film Festival.
Roya Mahboob is Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO and entrepreneur, making a significant impact beyond the business world. She leverages her tech success to foster education and empowerment for Afghan women and girls and champions their rights. Mahboob founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) to improve Afghan women’s technological and financial literacy. She is also the co-founder of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team and supports their endeavors while promoting robotics education through the Inoura platform. Additionally, she started a robotics company and is launching her educational project called Roby Robot, which is set to hit the market on July 25. She is also launching Zalla, an online platform to elevate the voices of Afghan women and journalists.
Elaha Mahboob is a tech entrepreneur, social impact advocate, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Finalist in Social Entrepreneurship. She co-founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF), an organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for Afghan women and children through technology education, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship training. Among DCF’s innovative programs was the creation of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, whose remarkable journey is the subject of the feature film Rule Breakers. Through its IT centers across Afghanistan, DCF has equipped thousands of women with essential skills in technology and entrepreneurship, building pathways to economic independence.
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SELINA RINGEL, Mags (Lead Actress, Writer, Producer): A dynamic Mexican-American filmmaker, has carved a niche in the independent film scene with her compelling narratives and unique voice. An award-winning writer, producer, and actress, her recent project, “You, Me & Her,” has won 15 awards, including Best Picture at the Mexican-American Film & Television Awards, and boasts a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Selina’s groundbreaking film “Single Mother by Choice” captured her real-time pregnancy journey during COVID-19 and premiered on HBO Max. She is also known for her engaging comedy special on Amazon Prime, “2 Moms 1 Mic,” and her internationally recognized film “The Best People,” distributed domestically by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Selina’s work continues to resonate globally, pushing boundaries and sparking conversation.
RITESH RAJAN, Ash (Lead Actor): A graduate of NYU Tisch, you can see Ritesh’s work as the lead in Sujata Day’s new film “Definition Please” produced by Mindy Kaling & Ava DuVernay, as Farran in the Emmy award-winning hit “Russian Doll” and as the voice of Ken in “Barbie: Dream House Adventures”: and more all on Netflix. Other credits include recurring on Shonda Rimes “Station 19,” Disney’s “The Jungle Book, FreeForm’s “Stitchers,” “NCIS LA,” “Star Wars,” “Rebels,” “Beavis & Butthead” and the Hulu original, “Dollface.”
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Bailey Chase 
Jesse Hutch
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ABOUT THE SERIES
Starring Aldis Hodge, Cross is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer leaving a string of bodies strewn around the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he’s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.
The Irrational
Premieres: Thursday, October 31 on Hallmark+
From the brilliant mind of Ryan Murphy comes high-octane procedural “Doctor Odyssey.” Max (Joshua Jackson) is the new on-board doctor for a luxury cruise ship where the staff works hard and plays harder. It’s all-hands-on-deck as Max and his small but mighty medical team navigate unique medical crises and each other, miles from shore.