Nicholas Denton stars in “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order”
By Dana Simpson TV Media
O‘Order’ amid chaos
Watchers of the supernatural keep peace in ‘Talamasca’ series
ctober has arrived. Complete with hefty pumpkins, crisp apples, cool breezes and a colorful, swishing carpet of fallen leaves, it’s easy to see why so many people are enamored with “spooky season.” On AMC, however, spooky season never really ends, with shows such as “Interview with the Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches” available to watch yearround.
Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, which so far includes the two series listed above (each of which currently holds two seasons), expands Sunday, Oct. 26, when “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order” premieres on AMC and the affiliated AMC+ streaming service. Focused on the titular society of watchers, the six-episode series follows members of the Talamasca as they keep a close eye on supernatural beings and try to contain their misdeeds around the world.
Starring Nicholas Denton (“Dangerous Liaisons”) as leading man Guy Anatole, who “on the cusp of graduating law school, [is] approached by a representative of the Talamasca” for the purposes of recruitment, says AMC.
“When Guy learns that the Talamasca has been tracking him since his childhood,” the AMC press description continues, “he falls headlong into a world of secret agents and immortal beings who, up to now, have maintained a fragile balance with the mortal world.”
The Talamasca was first introduced to Rice readers in the author’s 1988 novel, “Queen of the Damned,” which was subsequently adapted into a film of the same name starring late R&B princess Aaliyah (“Romeo Must Die,” 2000) in 2002. Reportedly founded in 758 CE (according to “The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead” by J. Gordon Melton), the fictional society has “documented a wide variety of phenomena, including vampires” in an “effort to more empirically understand the supernatural world” (per Becket’s 2018 compendium “Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles: An Alphabettery”). As such, the organization has appeared in several of Rice’s novels, beginning in the late ‘80s.
In the AMC series, the New York City Motherhouse of the Talamasca is led by the cold and calculating Helen, as portrayed by Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Elizabeth McGovern (“Downton Abbey”). A “seasoned veteran of the Talamasca,” Helen is a major part of Guy’s recruitment and training while she oversees other members of the group and maintains an acceptable level of order and secrecy.
William Fichtner (“Crash,” 2004), meanwhile, portrays Jasper, “a mysterious American who has quietly assumed control and influence over the Talamasca’s London Motherhouse,” thus indicating that the series plans to take viewers on a jour-
ney around the globe, visiting old familiar faces in the Immortal Universe while introducing a few new ones.
Among the new additions to the AMC television franchise are Olive (Maisie Richardson-Sellers, “Nine Perfect Strangers”), a “beguiling and ambitious agent of the Talamasca”; Doris (Celine Buckens, “Warrior”), a strong-willed, old soul who “lives with a coven of witches on a houseboat”; and Burton (Jason Schwartzman, “Rushmore,” 1998), a “charming, rakish vampire” who leads a very elite Upper West Side existence. Meanwhile, returning figures to the Immortal Universe include Justin Kirk as agent Raglan James and Eric Bogosian as bad-boy journalist Daniel Molloy, both of whom appeared in Jesse Armstrong’s hit HBO series “Succession” and first originated their Rice-created roles in AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire.” But just because many characters and themes connect to previous Rice series doesn’t mean that “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order” will simply be “another Anne Rice show,” co-showrunner Mark Lafferty
(“The Right Stuff”) told Collider’s Perri Nemiroff ahead of the premiere.
“Anne Rice allows us to have shows that are connected but couldn’t be more different,” Lafferty explained. “What we tried to do with this show is not be another Anne Rice show, but take something, an idea of hers, not based on a particular book, and turn it into something that will fit into her universe, but nevertheless be quite unique and distinct on its own.”
With respect to the Talamasca’s story and its relevance for today’s audiences, Lafferty noted simply that “Guy Anatole is us.
“There’s something going on,” Lafferty shared. “We don’t know that we belong. In all likelihood, we don’t, and we’re sort of lost. We’re in a world surrounded by people we don’t know if we can trust, and, quite frankly, expectations on us that we don’t know that we can meet. That’s what this show addresses.”
John Lee Hancock (“Saving Mr. Banks,” 2013) joins Lafferty as co-showrunner behind the scenes, while Donald Joh (“The Romanoffs”),
Anna Fisher (“In the Dark”) and Vinnie Wilhelm (“The Terror”) provide additional writing.
Molly Osborne (“Call the Midwife”), Ahmad Sakhi (“The Outpost”), Chidi Ajufo (“The Gentlemen,” 2019), Robert Goodman (“Those About to Die”), Mark Wilkinson (“Midas Man,” 2024), Gerard Monaco (“3 Body Problem”) and Jean-Pascal Heynemand (“House of Guinness”) also star. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of an underground society of watchers when “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order” premieres Sunday, Oct. 26, on AMC and AMC+. For those who simply cannot wait, why not get a head start on your research? Your secure agent “command center” awaits at Talamas.ca.
Maisie Richardson-Sellers in “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order”
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Highlights
this week
Sunday Tracker
(2) WBBM WCIA 7:30 p.m.
After the discovery — and inevitable disruption — of a sinister underground operation called The Process, Colter (Justin Hartley) and Russell (Jensen Ackles) find themselves racing to uncover the source behind countless connected events.
Monday
TV We Love
(9) WGN 7:00 p.m.
This docuseries looks at nostalgic TV series and their legacy. “The Love Boat” was a sensation in the 1970s from its iconic theme song to its incredible list of
Wednesday
Bigfoot Took Her DISC 7:00 p.m.
What happened to 16-year-old Theresa Bier in the remote forests of central California? For locals, it’s one of the strangest missing person cases of a lifetime. They’ll tell you Bigfoot took her — but two investigators believe there is more to the story.
Thursday
Elsbeth
(2) WBBM WCIA 9:00 p.m.
In this spook-tacular Halloween episode, series star Carrie Preston is joined by guest star Annaleigh Ashford, who adds to the holiday fun. In between tricks and treats, Elsbeth (Preston) must solve yet another crime with her unique talents.
Friday
Fire Country 8:00 p.m.
Sunday
HBO 8:00 p.m.
It: Welcome to Derry
“It: Welcome to Derry” premieres on HBO this Sunday, Oct. 26. Based on author Stephen King’s “It,” this prequel to Andy Muschietti’s 2017 and 2019 films is set in the 1960s, following the murderous rampage of Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgard), an evil entity that terrorizes the fictional town of Derry.
Saturday Signs
AMC 9:00 p.m.
From filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, this supernatural flick from 2002 sees a
Pennsylvanian farmer (Mel Gibson) and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) investigating the appearance of massive, inexplicable circles in their crop fields. Rory Culkin also stars.
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W <++ It's Complicated (‘09) Last Week To. <+ The Watch (‘12) Ben Stiller. Real, Bill Maher Country Doctor < I Love You Forever (‘24) Welcome Th <+ Get a Job (‘16) <++ Couples Retreat (‘09) Vince Vaughn. IT: Welcome to Derry Last Week To. The Chair <++ Alien: Covenant (‘17) Michael Fassbender. Welcome F <+++ Drag Me to Hell (‘09) < Talk to Me (‘23) Jonathan Berlin. <+++ Final Destination Bloodlines (‘25) <+++ Sinners (‘25,Horror) Hailee Steinfeld, Michael B. Jordan. Movie MAX
M < Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Ma < 3 From Hell (‘19) Bill Moseley <++ Unknown (‘11) Diane Kruger, Liam Neeson. <+++ It Follows (‘14) Maika Monroe. <++ Jupiter Ascending
T <++ Love Happens <+++ The Lovers (‘17) <++ Sleepwalking (‘08) Nick Stahl. < Amityville: Where the Echo Lives < Low Tide (‘19) Keean Johnson. <+++ Sully (‘16)
W < Knox Goes Away <+++ Marshall (‘17) < Janet Planet (‘23) Julianne Nicholson. <++ Table 19 (‘17) Anna Kendrick. <+++ The Bling Ring (‘13) Movie
Th < Sergio Leone: The Ita <+++ Eye in the Sky (‘15) < The Sunlit Night (‘19) Jenny Slate. < Mortal Kombat Lege < Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of < Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind F <++ Beyond the Black Rainbow < Amityville: Where the Echo Lives < Oracle (‘23) Ryan Destiny <+++ It Follows (‘14) <++ The Invitation (‘22) Nathalie Emmanuel.
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T Movie <++ Lions for Lambs (‘07) <++ Carriers (‘09) Lou Taylor Pucci <+++ Love and Monsters (‘20) Dylan O'Brien <+++ Talk to Me (‘22) <++ The Man Who Kn
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W < Murder Company (‘24) <+++ Heat (1995,Crime Story) Robert De Niro, Al Pacino. <+++ Past Lives (‘23,Rom) Teo Yoo, Greta Lee. <+++ The Wedding Banquet (‘25)
Th Movie <++ Red (‘10,Act) Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis. <++ The Return (‘24) Ralph Fiennes. < Crisis (‘21,Thriller) Armie Hammer, Gary Oldman < The Infernal Machine (‘22)
F <+++ Paranormal Activity (‘07) < Don't Knock Twice (‘16) <+++ Scream (‘96) Neve Campbell. <+++ Scream 2 (‘97) David Arquette. <++ Scream 3 (‘00)
M Movie <+++ War of the Worlds (‘05) Tom Cruise <++ The Mothman Prophecies (‘02) <+++ This Is the End (2013,Comedy) <++ Talladega Nights: The Ballad o
T <++ The Vow (‘12) <+++ This Is the End (2013,Comedy) <+ Meet the Blacks (‘16) Mike Epps. <+ The House Next Door: Meet the <++ The Crazies (‘10)
W <++ The Da Vinci Code (‘06) Tom Hanks. <++ Underworld: Rise of the Lycans < The Exorcism of God (‘21) Joseph Marcell. < Sugar Baby (‘24) Mary Beth Barone. <++ Don't Breathe 2
Th <+ Imaginary (‘24) DeWanda Wise. < Navy Seals vs. Zombies (‘15) < Human Resources (‘21) Hugh McCrae Jr.. <++ Resident Evil (‘02) <++ Flight Risk (‘25)
F < The Exorcism of God (‘21) Joseph Marcell. <+++ Hellboy II: The Golden Army (‘08) <+++ From the World of John Wick: Ballerina <+ The Strangers: Chapter 1 (‘24) Movie
M Movie <++ Angels & Demons (‘09,Act) Ewan McGregor, Tom Hanks <++ Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (‘14) Chris Pine. < How I Learned to Fly (‘23) < Bagman (‘24) Sam Claflin.
T <++ Jack Ryan: Shado <++ The Chronicles of Riddick (‘04) Vin Diesel <++ Passengers (‘16) <+ Borderlands (‘24) Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett. < For the Love of Money (‘21)
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W <++ Immortals (‘11) Henry Cavill. <+++ Gladiator (‘00,History) Joaquin Phoenix, Russell Crowe. < Dirty Angels (‘24) Maria Bakalova, Eva Green. < The Commando (‘22) Movie
Th Movie <+++ This Is the End (‘13,Comedy) <++ The Vow (‘12) Rachel McAdams <++ Inferno (‘16,Thril) Felicity Jones, Tom Hanks <++ Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Movie
F Movie <++ Pitch Black (‘00) <++ Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (‘09) <++ Fear (‘96) Mark Wahlberg <+++ War of the Worlds (‘05) Tom Cruise Movie
M <++ Project Almanac <+ The Devil Inside (‘12) < Good Boy (‘22) Gard Løkke. <+ Venom (P) (‘05) Agnes Bruckner. <++ The Mexican (‘01) Julia Roberts,Brad Pitt. Movie
T <++ Naked Gun 33 1/ 3: The Final I <++ John Carpenter's Escape From <++ Imagine That (‘09) Eddie Murphy < Bad Behaviour (‘23) Jennifer Connelly <++ The House of Mir
TMC 590
W <+++ The Assistant <+++ Zodiac (2007,Thriller) Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal. < Parallel (‘24) Aldis Hodge. < Breathe (‘24) Jennifer Hudson. <++ Allied (‘16) Brad Pitt.
Th <+++ The Great Debaters (‘07) < Queen of the Desert (‘15,Hist) James Franco, Nicole Kidman. <+++ Strange Darling (‘23) <++ Below (‘02) Matthew Davis. F <++ The Uninvited <++++ Rosemary's Baby (‘68) Mia Farrow. <+++ Beneath (‘07) Nora Zehetner. <+ Venom (‘05) Agnes Bruckner. <++ The Stepford Wives (‘04) Movie
8
From the list below, find each word and circle its letters in the puzzle to reveal the message relating to this week’s topic.
Russian Doll
Sports this
week
Sunday
9:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Aston Villa vs. Manchester City. (Live) (2:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 Spanish Primera Division Soccer Spanish Primera Division Soccer. Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona. (Live) (3:00)
11:30 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur. (Live) (2:00)
Noon (2) WBBM WCIA NFL Football (Live) (3:25)
BIG10 Women’s College Soccer Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
TRU Soccer U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team vs. German Men’s Deaf National Team. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN Women’s College Volleyball Florida at Arkansas. (Live) (2:00)
12:30 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Champions 2025 Simmons Bank Championship (Final #2): Final Round. (Live) (3:00)
1:00 p.m. (5) WMAQ NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500. (Live) (4:00)
2:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Rutgers at Iowa. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN Women’s College Volleyball Louisville at North Carolina. (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. (7) WLS Formula 1 Racing Mexico City Grand Prix. (Live) (2:00) (32) WFLD NFL Football Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints. (Live) (3:00)
TRU TNT Women’s International Soccer Friendlies USA vs. Portugal. (Live) (2:00)
3:25 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA NFL Football (Live) (3:05)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship Golf Final Round. (Live) (0:30)
4:00 p.m. (9) WGN PBR Camping World Team Series Championship. (Live) (2:30)
BIG10 Women’s College Soccer USC at UCLA. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 PPA Tour Pickleball Las Vegas Open. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Duke at Tennessee. (Live) (2:00)
7:15 p.m. (5) WMAQ NFL Football Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers. (Live) (3:15)
Monday
7:00 p.m. (7) WLS ESPN NFL Football Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs. (Live) (3:15) (32) WFLD 2025 World Series Game 3: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 NFL Football Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli: Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs. (Live) (3:15)
TueSday
5:00 p.m. ESPN NHL Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers. (Live) (2:30)
7:00 p.m. (5) WMAQ NBA Basketball New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks. (Live) (3:00) (32) WFLD 2025 World Series Game 4: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 College Football James Madison at Texas State. (Live) (3:00)
7:30 p.m. ESPN NHL Hockey Washington Capitals at Dallas Stars. (Live) (2:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN NHL Hockey Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks. (Live) (2:30)
WedneSday
10:00 a.m. GOLF Asian Tour Golf Asian Tour Golf. 2025 International Series Philippines: Round 3. (Live) (2:00)
6:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Football Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee. (Live) (3:00)
7:00 p.m. (32) WFLD 2025 World Series Game 5: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Illinois at Minnesota. (Live) (2:00)
TRU TNT Women’s International Soccer Friendlies USA vs. New Zealand. (Live) (2:00)
8:35 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Teams TBA. (Live) (2:30)
9:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball UCLA at USC. (Live) (2:00)
ThurSday
5:30 p.m. BIG10 College Hockey Penn State at Ohio State. (Live) (2:30)
6:00 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey Dallas Stars at Tampa Bay Lightning. (Live) (3:00)
6:30 p.m. ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 College Football Marshall at Coastal Carolina. (Live) (3:00)
8:00 p.m. BIG10 College Hockey Minnesota at Wisconsin. (Live) (2:30)
Friday
9:30 a.m. BIG10 College Track and Field Big Ten Cross Country Championships. (Live) (1:30)
5:30 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Penn State at Michigan. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 College Football Memphis at Rice. (Live) (3:00)
6:30 p.m. ESPN College Football North Carolina at Syracuse. (Live) (3:00)
7:00 p.m. (32) WFLD 2025 World Series Game 6: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
8:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Nebraska at Wisconsin. (Live) (2:00)
9:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Football Idaho at Northern Arizona. (Live) (3:00)
10:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Oregon at Washington. (Live) (2:00)
SaTurday
10:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester United. (Live) (2:00)
11:00 a.m. (2) WBBM WCIA College Football Army at Air Force. (Live) (3:30) (5) WMAQ (7) WLS (32) WFLD ESPN ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00) TNT College Football (Live) (3:30)
11:30 a.m. TRU College Football (Live) (3:30)
2:00 p.m. (9) WGN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
2:30 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA (7) WLS (32) WFLD BIG10 ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00) (5) WMAQ 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic (Live) (3:30)
3:00 p.m. CNBC Rugby (Live) (2:30) ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00) USA Premier League Soccer Liverpool vs. Aston Villa. (Live) (2:00)
4:00 p.m. TRU NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Qualifying. (Live) (1:00)
6:00 p.m. BIG10 ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
6:30 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA College Football Washington State at Oregon State. (Live) (3:30) (5) WMAQ (7) WLS College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
(9) WGN NASCAR Xfinity Racing Series NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship. (Live) (3:00)
7:00 p.m. ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
Solution on page 6
6:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Teams TBA. (Live) (2:35)
9:30 p.m. ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
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Recruit (‘14) Chris Pine. <++ Angels & Demons (‘09) Tom Hanks. < Bagman (‘24) Antonia Thomas, Sam Claflin.
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Traitor (‘08) Guy Pearce, Don Cheadle. <++ Blue Beetle (‘23) Xolo Maridueña. <++ Pan (‘15) Garrett Hedlund, Hugh Jackman. <++ Wilson
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Fight or Flight (‘24) Josh Hartnett. Mayor of Kingst own (N) The Guest (N) <++++ Pulp Fiction (‘94) Samuel L. Jackson, John Tra volta. Movie
Couple "Episode 6" <++ Never Let Go (‘24) Halle Berry The Couple "Episode 6" Sweetpea Sweetpea <++ Resident Evil Milla Jovovich. < Resident Evil: Welco
Comeback Trail <++ Good Burger (‘97) Kel Mitchell. <++ Death at a Funeral Keith David. <++ The D Train (‘15) Jack Black. <++ Masterminds (‘16) Zach Galifianakis.
Jackson-Cohen, Elisabeth Moss <++ Scarecrows (‘88) Ted Vernon. <+ Winchester (‘18) Jason Clarke, Helen Mirren.
TBS 29 139 247 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Mod Fam Mod Fam
TCM 501 132 256 < Mark of the Vampire <+++ House of Dark Shadows Jonathan Frid. <+++ Employees' Entr ance <++ Jewel Robbery <+++ Night Nurse <++ The Divorcee TLC 42 183 280 7 Little Johnstons Baylen Out Loud Baylen Out "The Ticcer" Baylen Out Loud (N) Baylen Out Loud (N) 7 Little Johnstons (N) Sister Wives (N) Baylen Out Loud
(‘19)
<++
Chronicles of Riddick (‘04) Vin Diesel. <++ Passengers (‘16) Jennifer Lawrence. <+++ Gladiator (‘00) Russell Crowe
King (‘22) Viola Davis. Country (N) IT: Welcome to Derry Country The ChairCountry Doctor IT: Welcome to Derry To Be Announced
The Accountant (‘16) Anna Kendrick, Ben Affleck. <+ Mortdecai Oprah Noodlemantra. <+ Nine Lives (‘16) Kevin Spacey. <+++ Menashe Menashe Lustig. < Pawn
Man Who Knew Infi <++ Hotel Mumbai (‘18) Armie Hammer. <+++ American Psycho <+++ Fight Club (‘99) Edward Norton, Brad Pitt. <+++ Basic Instinct
Crazies <++ The Vow (‘12) Rachel McAdams < Fear (‘23) Andrew Bachelor, Joseph Sikora. Sweetpea Sweetpea <+ Meet the Blacks (‘16) Mike Epps < House Next Door: Me
House of Mirth < The Lovers (‘14) Alice Englert, Josh Hartnett. <++ Love Me (‘24) Kristen Stewart. <++ Comet (‘14) Justin Long. <+++ Hard Truths Movie
The witch switch
New lead takes over in latest season of ‘The Witcher’
By Sarah Passingham TV Media
Ghouls, monsters and treacherous villains are no match for Geralt of Rivia. For three seasons, the monster hunter has faced off against all manner of evil, employing both his sword-wielding combat skills and magic — his witcher signs — to prevail against dark forces. A new season of “The Witcher” premieres Thursday, Oct. 30, on Netflix, with Geralt facing one of his biggest challenges so far: recasting. Liam Hemsworth (“Lonely Planet,” 2024) joins the show this 10-episode season as the titular Witcher.
Hemsworth takes over for Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel,” 2013), who portrayed Geralt for the first three seasons of the Netflix series before announcing his departure from the show in 2022 to pursue other projects. But do not fear, there will be no more Geralt variants in this adaptation of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novel series, as Hemsworth stepped into the role for the upcoming fourth season as well as the fifth and final season — both filmed back-to-back.
Last season saw Geralt heal and retrain after a devastating battle with the sorcerer Vilgefortz de Roggeveen (Mahesh Jadu, “Marco Polo”). After being put through his paces by archer Milva (Meng’er Zhang, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” 2021), Geralt proved he had regained his strength by taking on a group of guards at the border of Nilfgaard. The two, accompanied by Jaskier the bard (Joey Batey, “Knightfall”), continued their journey in hopes of reuniting with Geralt’s destined protege.
Geralt’s “destiny” is Ciri (Freya Allan, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” 2024), the crown princess of Cintra, whose bloodline blessed her with ability to manipulate space and time, powers honed with the help of her mentor. Last season was a literal and figurative trip for Ciri, who spent time alone, hallucinating in a seemingly endless desert after being thrown through a portal and landing in the dunes.
After relinquishing her powers for survival in the harsh elements, Ciri made it out alive but at a very high cost. Pulled from the desert by bounty hunters, Ciri was kept captive by them until the Rats — a group of misfit teens that welcomed Ciri on their own journey of mischief and fun — busted in. Ciri and her new troupe escaped and set off on their own way. Unable to trust just anyone, especially in her weakened state, Ciri joined the Rats under a false identity, keeping her lineage to herself.
Starring as the Rats are Christelle Elwin (“Death in Paradise”) as Mistle, Ben Radcliffe (“Masters of the Air”) as Giselher, Fabian McCallum (“The Narrow Road to the Deep North”) as Kayleigh, Aggy K. Adams (“The Couple Next Door”) as Iskra, Juliette Alexandra (“Sex Educa-
Liam Hemsworth stars in “The Witcher”
tion”) as Reef and Connor Crawford (“The Continental”) as Asse.
Also separated from Geralt and Ciri by the events of last season is Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra, “The ABC Murders”), who, after the Brotherhood of Mages imploded, found herself the leader of Aretuza. Faced with rebuilding an essential institution, Yennefer paves the way for peace this season. “She has one focus, which is to get Vilgefortz off this Continent,” says Netflix. In an official trailer for the upcoming season, Yennefer conjures spells and rallies the troops, warning, “Vilgefortz is gathering an army,” with Ciri and the power she has the potential to wield at the center of his battlefield.
This season, showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (“The West Wing”) told Tudum, “is the beginning of a two-season journey for our family to finally reunite and be together — hopefully forever.” Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri are both wandering their way back to each other, new-found families in tow.
Joining the cast this season is Academy Award-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne (“The Amateur,” 2025). Fishburne portrays Regis, who is, per Netflix, a “worldly barber-surgeon whose mysterious past makes him one of Season 4’s most anticipated arrivals.”
Also new this season are Sharlto Copley (“Russian Doll”) as bounty hunter Leo Bonhart; James Purefoy (“Outrageous”) as spy and court adviser Skellen; and Danny Woodburn (“Bookie”) as Zoltan the dwarf.
Returning are Jeremy Crawford (“Most Dangerous Game”) as Yarpen Zigrin; Mimi M. Khayisa (“Catherine Called Birdy,” 2022) as Fringilla Vigo; Cassie Clare (“Brave New World”) as shapeshifter Philippa Eilhart; Anna Shaffer (“Hollyoaks”) as healer Triss Merigold; Therica WilsonRead (“Young Wallander”) as Sabrina Glevissig; Royce Pierreson (“Line of Duty”) as mage Istredd; Mecia Simson (“Britain’s Next Top Model”) as elven leader Francesca Findabair; Bart Edwards (“UnREAL”) as Emhyr var Emreis; Eamon Farren (“Twin Peaks: The Return”) as Cahir; Hugh Skinner (“Fleabag”) as Prince Radovid; and Graham McTavish (“Outlander”) as Sigismund Dijkstra.
Screen Scramble
Unscramble the letters for each word to reveal five movies and TV shows. Then, rearrange the circled letters to discover the actor who has appeared in all five.
Solution on page 2
By Caroline Collacutt TV Media
Making its debut as part of Hallmark Channel’s annual holiday celebration Countdown to Christmas — which promises the premiere of “28 brand-new merry movie premieres and six sparkling series” (per Hallmark) — the all-new competition series “Baked With Love: Holiday” airs its first episode on Hallmark Monday, Oct. 27.
Hosted by the holiday-loving Tamera Mowry-Housley (“Scouting for Christmas,” 2024), this delicious and delightful program sees pairs of household bakers competing for some life-changing rewards, as each team works hard to impress renowned Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh (“MasterChef:
The Professionals”) and New York Times’ culinary expert Vaughn Vreeland. As Hallmark describes: “Ten talented pairs of home bakers face off in a warm-hearted, family recipe bake-off. They will infuse their heritage, personal stories and cherished family recipes into classic bakes with a holiday twist and serve their dishes to a panel of expert judges. In the end, one pair will be crowned the Christmas Baking Champions and win the ultimate prize of $50,000 and a chance to have one of their bakes featured in a Countdown to Christmas movie.”
Head of unscripted content for Hallmark Media, David Stefanou, says “[‘Baked With Love: Holiday’] is the perfect recipe for joy, combining the magic of baking for the holidays with the warmth, charm
and heartfelt connections that embody the Hallmark spirit. We’re thrilled to bring audiences a series that mixes delectable treats with the comforting, feel-good storytelling our viewers love and expect. It’s about more than just competition. It’s about living your best Hallmark life.”
Tamera Mowry-Housley hosts “Baked with Love: Holiday”
Crossword
Across
1. V, in physics
5. Blond highlight
8. Potsie, to the Fonz
12. L x W
13. “___ seen better”
14. Bridge expert Sharif
15. ___ and greet
16. Christina Applegate series
18. Sketch show set in Oregon
20. X man?
21. California’s ___ Buena Island
24. Emulated Harpo
26. Restaurant review site
28. “Entourage” agent Gold
29. Way on Waze: Abbr.
30. Costa ___
32. Metro station, in Boston
34. Variety show segments
37. Offensive to some, for short
38. Jim Mickle fantasy series
42. Keri Russell series, with “The”
11. Beats by ___ (headphones)
17. Bomb, as a comedian
19. Israeli airport
22. “Tattletales” and “Super Password” host
23. Sax variety
24. Slightly damage
25. Aperture : camera :: ___ : eye
27. Energy at rallies
31. Target divisions
32. Explosion maker
45. It bends in respect
46. Get sore laughing
47. Act of seeing red
48. Until the end of time
49. Cots and cribs
50. 35mm camera, initially
51. Org. with opening and closing bells
Down
1. Jazzy rift
2. Chocolate-and-cream cookie
3. “The Blue Knight” (1973) Golden Globe winner
4. Tell tales
5. Quinn of “Benny & Joon” (1993)
6. Nykvist of cinematography
7. Mind-blowing
8. One with a lot of paperwork
9. Spotify category
10. Gridder with horns on his helmet
33. Aloud
35. Rarely seen bill
36. Rounds after round robins
37. Flat-out
39. ___ Stanley Gardner
40. Country club buys
41. Wherever you are
42. Small amount, as of mustard
43. Keep the swelling down on
44. Academic bestowal Solution on page 6
Great Provider is... Well Within Reach
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TBS 29 139 247 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangAll Elite Wrestling: Dynamite (L) (N) Imp. Jokers Imp. Jokers Mod Fam Mod Fam Mod Fam Mod Fam
TCM 501 132 256 <+++ The Prowler <+++ Patterns (‘56) Van Heflin. MGMParade <+++ Shampoo (‘75) Julie Christie, Warren Beatty. <+++ Voyage of the Damned (‘76)Faye Dunaway. Movie
TLC 42 183 280 Hoarding "Full of Rats" My 600-Lb. Life (N) Dangerously Obese (N) Dangerously Obese (N) About Face (N) Dr. Pimple PopperDangerously Obese
TLN 71 - - Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Newswatch The 700 Club Baptist Jeffres sTurning Robert RobisonElevation ExaltedSingsation The Three Paid Prog.
52 138 245 <++ I, Robot (‘04) Bridget Moynahan, Will Smith. Pregame (L) (N) Women's Friendlies USA vs. New Zealand (L) (N) Postgame <+++ The Goonies (‘85) Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Sean Astin.
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Zero Dark Thirty (‘12) Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain <+++ Heat (1995, Crime Story) Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer,Al Pacino. < Ride (‘24) Annabeth Gish, C. Thomas Howell.
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<++ The Addams Family (‘19) Oscar Isaac. <+++ Despicable Me 2 (‘13) Steve Carell. <++ Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang
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<++ The Mist (‘07) Marcia Gay Harden, Thomas Jane. <++ Step Brothers (‘08) Will Ferrell. <+ Grown Ups (‘10) Adam Sandler. <+ Grown Ups 2 (‘13) Kevin James, Adam Sandler.
Navy Seals vs. Zombies (‘15) Ed Quinn. <++ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (‘21) Carrie Coon. <+ Imaginary (‘24) DeWanda Wise. <+++ Hellboy II: The Golden Army (‘08) Ron Perlman
(‘15) Reid Warner. (P) <+ The Devil Inside <++ The Contractor (‘22) Chris Pine. <+++ Hell or High Water (‘16) Jeff Bridges. <++ The Killer Inside Me
By Kimberly Tremblay TV Media
WHAT’S NEW ON HBO MAX
“It: Welcome to Derry”
Before the Losers’ Club ever stood against him, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard, “It,” 2017) had already turned Derry into his playground of terror. A chilling prequel to Stephen King’s bestselling novel, “It: Welcome to Derry” premieres Sunday, Oct. 26, on HBO Max. Set in the 1960s, the series delves into the history of a small town in Maine, years before the horrors of “It” (2017) and “It: Chapter Two” (2019). As the townspeople go about their seemingly ordinary lives, a sinister presence begins to stir underground, feeding on their darkest fears and twisting it into an inescapable nightmare. When friends and families try to make sense of a string of strange and horrifying events, they discover an underworld where Pennywise has been lying in wait, preying on the town’s children. Starring Taylour Paige (“Zola,” 2020), Jovan Adepo (“To Catch a Killer,” 2023), Chris Chalk (“Perry Mason”), James Remar (“Oppenheimer,” 2023), Stephen Rider (“Daredevil”), Madeleine Stowe (“Short Cuts,” 1993) and Rudy Mancuso (“The Flash,” 2023), “It: Welcome to Derry” is written by Andy Muschietti (“It,” 2017), Barbara Muschietti (“The Flash,” 2023) and Jason Fuchs (“Wonder Woman,” 2017), with David Coatsworth (“Westworld”) producing the series.
WHAT’S NEW ON PARAMOUNT+
“Mayor of Kingstown” - Season 4 Loss, betrayal and a city in turmoil sets the stage for Season 4 of “Mayor of Kingstown,” streaming Sunday, Oct. 26, on Paramount+. Season 3 of this crime drama ended on a tragic note, with Capt. Kareem (Michael Beach, “Tulsa King”) walking into the prison yard, seemingly accepting his fate and dying as a result of an ambush, while Iris (Emma Laird, “The Crowded Room”) tragically died by suicide on a bus despite surviving the deaths of both Milo (Aidan Gillen, “Game of Thrones”) and Konstantin (Yorick van Wageningen, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” 2011), cutting short her chance at a new life. In Season 4, Mike (Jeremy Renner, “The Avengers,” 2012) sees his control over Kingstown challenged as
new players vie to fill the power vacuum left by the Russians, forcing him to confront a gang war and stop them from destroying the town. With those he cares about in more danger than ever before, Mike must also contend with a headstrong new warden (Edie Falco, “The Sopranos”) while grappling with demons from his past. This season also stars Hugh Dillon (“Yellowstone”), Tobi Bamtefa (“Tin Star”), Taylor Handley (“Outbreak,” 2024), Derek Webster (“Godzilla,” 1998) and Hamish Allan-Headley (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), among others. Created by Dillon alongside Taylor Sheridan (“Yellowstone”), the series sees Michael Friedman (“Landman”) as executive producer.
WHAT’S NEW ON HALLMARK+
“Finding Mr. Christmas” - Season 2
The search for Hallmark’s next leading man continues in Season 2 of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” premiering Tuesday, Oct. 28, on Hallmark+. Hosted by Jonathan Bennett (“Mean Girls,” 2004), this festive reality competition follows 10 aspiring actors — including models, an acting coach, a former NFL player and even a long-haired rocker — as they compete in a series of acting challenges designed to test their talent, charm and Christmas spirit.
With the guidance of lead judge Melissa Peterman (“Haul Out the Holly,” 2022) and guest judges Alison Sweeney (“Open By Christmas,” 2021), Ashley Williams (“Love, Classified,” 2022) and Janel Parrish (“Pretty Little Liars”), only one will win a starring
role in a 2025 Hallmark Christmas film. Adam Cohen (“Ciao House”) serves as executive producer.
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX
“Ballad as a Small Player” (2025) Colin Farrell (“S.W.A.T.,” 2003) gambles with his fate in “Ballad as a Small Player,” premiering Wednesday, Oct. 29, on Netflix. As Lord Doyle (Farrell) drifts through Macau’s casinos, he drowns his past in liquor and chance as his debts spiral out of control. When he’s offered an unexpected lifeline by Dao Ming (Fala Chen, “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire,” 2024), a mysterious casino employee with her own hidden agenda, Doyle sees one last shot at redemption. However, his quick escape is short-lived when Cynthia Blithe (Tilda
Swinton, “The Boys”), a private investigator, arrives to confront him with the life he’s tried to outrun. As Doyle wagers everything on one final bet, the confines of reality start to close in. Directed by Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front,” 2022) with a screenplay by Rowan Joffe (“Before I Go to Sleep,” 2014), “Ballad as a Small Player” also stars Jason Tobin (“Warrior”), Alex Jennings (“The Queen,” 2006) and Deanie Ip (“A Simple Life,” 2011).
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+
“Star Wars: Visions” - Season 3
The galaxy far, far away comes alive through Japanese animation in Season 3 of “Star Wars: Visions.” Coming Wednesday, Oct. 29, to Disney+, this third installment features nine new animated shorts from acclaimed Japanese studios — including David Production, Kamikaze Douga, ANIMA, Kinema Citrus, Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, Studio TRIGGER and WIT Studio — with each story offering a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe, from Ronin’s (Brian Tee, “Reacher”) epic battle with the vengeful Grand Master (Matthew Mercer, “Thundercats”) in “The Duel: Payback” to a princess-turned-rebel protecting a child in “The Song of Four Wings,” a smuggler taking a job to rescue a fugitive from the Empire in “The Smuggler,” and a haunted trooper confronting life, death and darkness in “BLACK.” The anthology series comes from producers Flannery Huntley (“Jurassic World,” 2015) and Kanako Shirasaki (“Eden”).
Jack Molloy Legault and Mikkal Karim-Fidler in “IT: Welcome to Derry”
Tobi Bamtefa and Jeremy Renner in “Mayor of Kingstown”
Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson in “Down Cemetery Road”
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PARMT 49 241 241 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men <++ The Addams Family (‘91) Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston. <++ Addams Family Values (‘93)Anjelica Huston. Movie
SYFY 160 122 244 <+++ M3GAN <+++ Zombieland (‘09) Woody Ha rrelson. <++ Halloween Ends (‘22) Andi Matichak, Jamie Lee Curtis. <++ Halloween Ends (‘22) Andi Ma tichak, Jamie Lee Curtis.
TBS 29 139 247 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang <++ Ghostbusters (‘16, Comedy) Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy. <++ Bruce Almighty (‘03) Jim Carrey. TCM 501 132 256 <++++ Frankenstein Colin Clive. <++++ Bride of Frankenstein <+++ In Cold Blood (‘67) Scott Wilson, Robert Blake. <++ Who Killed Teddy Bear? (‘65) Sal Mineo. Movie
TLC 42 183 280 Seeking Sister Wife 90 Day Fiancé 90 Day Fiancé 90 Day "More to Love: Oh, My God, It's a Girl!" (N) 90 Day (N) Seeking Sister Wife 90 Day 90 Day Fiancé
TLN 71 - - Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Paid Prog. NewsWatch The 700 Club Jerusalem JeffressTurning Robert Robison Elevation Prayer Link Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Paid Prog. TNT 52 138 245 <++ Godzilla vs. Kong <++ Meg 2:
Burgers Burgers Burgers Rick Morty Rick Morty Rick Morty Smiling
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51 105 242 Horse Racing Breeders' Cup World Championships -Future Stars Friday (N) WWE Friday Night SmackDow n (L) (N) Everything Everything 9-1-1 "Triggers " 9-1-1 "Rage"
61 162 335 Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince <+++ The Breakfast Club (‘85) Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez. <++ Sixteen Candles (‘84) Molly Ringwald.
Movie <++ Coming 2 America (‘21) Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy. The Braxtons (N) The Braxtons The Braxtons The Braxtons The Braxtons STZEN 517 340 535 <+ The Crow (‘24) Bill Skarsgård. < Bagman (‘24) Sam Claflin. <++ Pitch Black
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(‘00) Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell. <+++ War of the Worlds (‘05)Tom Cruise. <++++ Titanic
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Double Jeopardy (‘99) Tommy Lee Jones. <++ Indecent Proposal (‘93) Robert Redford. Movie
<+++ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (‘01) Daniel Radcliffe. <+++ Harry Potter and the Chamber
Eliza Dushku, Kirsten Dunst. <+ Bring It On Again (‘04) Anne Judson-Yager. <++ Bring It On (‘00) Eliza Dushku, Kirsten Dunst.
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PARMT 49 241 241 <+++ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom <+++ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (‘89) Harrison Ford. <++++ Raiders of the Lost Ar k (‘81) Harrison Ford. Movie
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TBS 29 139 247 <++ The Flash (2023, Action) Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ezra Miller. <++ Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (‘23) Jason Momoa. <++ Aquaman (‘18) Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Jason Momoa.
TCM 501 132 256 <+++ Where Eagles Dare (‘69) Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, Richard Burton. <+++ Bringing Up Baby (‘38) Katharine Hepburn. <+++ Stage Door (‘37) Katharine Hepburn. < Great Jewel Robber
TLC 42 183 280 Baylen Out Loud Baylen Out "The Ticcer" Baylen Out Loud 7 Little Johnstons (N) 7 Little Johnstons (N) 7 Little Johnstons (N) Baylen Out Loud 7 Little Johnstons
TLN 71 - - Pathway to Big Deal Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Liberty/Convoc ationExalted Pacific Garden Mission In GraceMarriageTV4dads Hablemos Gran GozoRealidades Pure Passi
TNT 52 138 245 <+++ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (‘17) Zoë Saldana,Chris Pratt. All Elite Wrestling: Collision <+++ My Cousin Vinny (‘92) Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci. Movie TOON 32 176 296 King/Hill King/Hill Burgers Burgers Burgers Burgers Burgers Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Rick Morty Rick MortyTo Be Announced
Momma's House
Big Momma's House 2 (P)
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(‘17) Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel.
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By Adam Thomlison TV Media
Q: I’m watching “Alien: Earth” and wondering: who are those guys in the hazmat suits spraying things on the walls of the compound?
A: This is going to sound really mundane for a show about a futuristic world of intelligent androids and space travel, but they’re just guys spraying for mold.
Well, maybe not “just,” because series creator Noah Hawley (“Fargo”) is a detail-oriented guy. He said in an interview with IGN that he gave the show’s setting, a trillionaire’s island laboratory, a chronic muld problem for symbolic purposes. Like the aliens themselves, it’s a symbol of nature’s power to overcome technology.
“You’ve moved up from the sort of grunt, space-trucker engine-room feel of it,” he said, presumably referring to the original 1979 “Alien” film. “Now we’re with the trillionaire, right? But even so, it’s like they’re still fighting the mold. They’re still fighting off the water intrusion.”
He goes on to point out that the original films were all very “wet” — a world where “something’s always dripping.”
Q: I love watching Snoop Dogg on “The Voice.” Has he done any acting roles? Does he have any coming up?
A: Snoop Dogg’s IMDb.com resume actually lists an impressive 358 “acting” roles.
It’s worth noting that many of those are TV shows and films that, although scripted, feature
Snoop playing himself. But that raises another point: you could argue that the Snoop Dogg you’re watching on “The Voice” is, in fact, a character played by the actor Calvin Broadus Jr.
Further evidence for this is the fact that this character has shifted over the years, and indeed for a while he took on a new persona, Snoop Lion, as he dabbled as a reggae musician.
That aside, he has also taken on loads of straightforward acting roles — and he has plenty more to come.
Most notably, he voices a character named Scratch in the upcoming, family-friendly cartoon “Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk,” now in postproduction (no release date has been set yet).
He’s also attached to an unnamed role in “The Last Man,” a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film he’s also producing with director Luc Besson (“The Fifth Element,” 1997). It’s supposedly in preproduction, but nothing’s been heard about it in nearly a year.
In terms of playing characters not named Snoop Dogg, his first tentative step came in 1998 with “Ride,” a big-screen comedy about a group of young people going to Miami to make a music video. It featured Snoop and a lot of other popular rappers of the time in supporting roles.
Bigger roles followed, though, such as supporting roles in “Training Day” and “Baby Boy” (both in 2001). But his real breakout moment as an actor came in 2004, in another pair of films: the big-screen remake of “Starsky & Hutch,” in which he played a criminal-turned-informant named Huggy Bear; and the music-heavy comedy “Soul Plane,” in which he played the captain of the maiden flight of a black-owned airline.
Q: Is Henry Cavill going to do another “Man From U.N.C.L.E.”?
A: That’s a particularly good question at the moment, but unfortunately, the answer seems to be no.
If you’d asked this two years ago, when Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel,” 2013) was busy starring in the popular fantasy series “The Witcher,” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” (2015) was generally viewed as a failure, the answer would have been obvious.
But today, both of those circumstances have changed. “U.N.C.L.E.,” the splashy, big-screen remake of the classic ‘60s spy show, has found a new life on streaming services (it was called a “sleeper hit” earlier this year by Collider.com). And Cavill is a leading man in search of a lead. He left “The Witcher” in 2023, and though he starred in two different films in 2024 (“Argylle” and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”), both were box-office disappointments. It would seem like the perfect time to revisit the idea of an “U.N.C.L.E.” sequel (the original film definitely set one up). But there’s nothing planned so far.
By that I mean that it’s not among the whopping seven different projects Cavill is either working on or attached to.
Some of those may never happen, but a few are already in postproduction and sure to be released soon. These include a big-screen version of the kids’ cartoon “Voltron” and “Enola Holmes 3,” the third in the film series in which he has a supporting role as Sherlock Holmes.
He also recently wrapped “In the Grey,” his latest team-up with “U.N.C.L.E.” director Guy Ritchie (“Snatch,” 2000), who also directed him in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.”
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Noah Hawley, creator of “Alien: Earth”