“Without the Rowling of it all, a new version of Harry Potter would be a fairly boring and needless proposition…with the political context of Rowling’s transphobia, it becomes morally as well as creatively bankrupt. You might even say cursed.” www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/harr...

Not to sound too Voldemort, but it's time for Harry Potter to die

As hype builds around the new HBO adaption, we ask how much longer can the Harry Potter legacy – now inherently tinged with transphobia – survive?

glamourmagazine.co.uk

In Reunion, deafness is more than a diversity tick - there's no TV drama like it inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

In Reunion, deafness is more than a diversity tick - there's no TV drama like it

In the BBC's new bilingual revenge drama, being deaf is integral to the plot

inews.co.uk

🌍 Athletics claimed in 2009 that Semenya had an unfair advantage agains other F athletes. 16y later & there has not been a single study of the performance of women like Semenya in comparison with XX women to assess the possibility of an unfair advantage. That was until now. 1-

I always think it's interesting that a far higher proportion of female chefs on shows like Masterchef: The Professionals and Great British Menu are private chefs/one-person-operations rather than working in restaurants. Presumably it's far preferable to work for yourself than in a toxic kitchen.

The Week@theweek.com · last yr.

"For every female-led Michelin-starred establishment, there are 16 run by men," said professional organisation Worldchefs.

"Hollywood's strangest couple" is a bold claim. So many contenders

The Times and Sunday Times@thetimes.com · last yr.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin invite the world into their chaotic lives — and the aftermath of the actor’s trial for manslaughter — in a bizarre new reality show

I make it my business to neither care nor know anything about James Bond so the Amazon news is especially challenging to me personally because now I’m suddenly invested in the franchise’s creative freedom.

I'm so relieved the SNL 50 coverage has died down because I was bored out of my mind* *with the exception of Emma Stone's dress which treated the whole thing exactly as seriously as was warranted

Always a pleasure to host at BAFTA but it was a real privilege to meet the brave women at the heart of what’s widely known as the Spycops scandal. Documentary out on ITV in March.

I enjoyed this list (always taking such things with a pinch of salt). But it naturally skews v.American so I've been thinking about the best non-US performances of the 21st Century. Off the top of my head:

Variety@variety.com · last yr.

The 100 Greatest TV Performances of the 21st Century variety.com/lists/greate...

TOO SOON

Ryan Schwartz@ryanschwartz.tv · last yr.

On this day, 25 years ago, at Chicago's County General #ER...

The new series of Unforgotten started last night and ICYMI, I spoke to the completely lovely Sinead Keenan for @inews.co.uk. (although must confess, it's How to Get to Heaven From Belfast that I'm really excited about). inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

Sinead Keenan: 'There are roles for older women - but they go to Sarah Lancashire'

The star of ‘Unforgotten’ talks about stepping into Nicola Walker’s shoes, and how things are looking up for actresses over 30

inews.co.uk

#SaveThePCC Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease. For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below; you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...

Save The Prince Charles Cinema

The iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End future is under serious threat! We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital...

you.38degrees.org.uk

SKY HAVE PICKED UP HACKS OUR NIGHTMARE IS OVER www.geektown.co.uk/2025/01/22/s...

Sky Picks Up UK Rights To Season 1-3 Of Utterly Brilliant Comedy ‘Hacks’

Sky has picked up the UK broadcast rights to Seasons 1-3 the utterly brilliant comedy series ‘Hacks’, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. Whilst Season 1 & 2 have aired previo…

geektown.co.uk

If you had even a passing interest in the Olympics boxing "controversy" last summer, I highly recommend listening to the podcast Tested which is empathetic and meticulously researched (i.e. where so much reporting on this issue catastrophically fails). www.tested-podcast.com

I realise it is not exactly at the top of her list of achievements but Joan Plowright as Mrs Wilson in Dennis (1993) was a formative part of my childhood and I loved her in it very much. Anyway, go watch Nothing Like A Dame.

Should I/are people archiving or preserving their tweets before deleting their accounts? I can't imagine a circumstance where I'd need to know what I thought about scarves in 2018 but I don't want to be the only one who can't check.

ICYMI, I wrote about TV cancellations for The Guardian this week. After so many shows this year have been canned (RIP My Lady Jane, KAOS, The Acolyte), I wanted to know what it’s like for show creators when the plug is pulled. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

‘She took it as a personal affront that people didn’t like her!’ What it’s like when your TV show gets canned

From feelings of grim acceptance to those who felt they’d totally lost their compass, writers open up on what it’s like to have your television series cancelled

theguardian.com

A delight to speak to the wonderful Rosalind Eleazar about Slow Horses and starring in the new Harlan Coben adaptation.

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2y ago

‘Are you kidding me?’ How Slow Horses’ Rosalind Eleazar took on a sensational thriller

Finishing off the year with one of my favourite pieces - speaking to TV creators about what it’s like when your show is cancelled for The Guardian. Very cathartic! www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

‘She took it as a personal affront that people didn’t like her!’ What it’s like when your TV show gets canned

From feelings of grim acceptance to those who felt they’d totally lost their compass, writers open up on what it’s like to have your television series cancelled

theguardian.com

Thrilled that my final interview of the year is with Abi Morgan ahead of The Split’s return. She’s just bloody great. inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

The Split's Abi Morgan: 'Even with my husband I fear being naked'

The screenwriter talks about women's body hang-ups, facing serious illness with her husband - and why her hit series about divorce was ripe for a reprise

inews.co.uk

Don’t watch Senna (2024). Do watch Senna (2010). inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

Netflix's Senna is a boring biopic that only F1 nerds will enjoy

If you want to learn about F1 legend Ayrton Senna, watch Asif Kapadia's seminal documentary - not this dross

inews.co.uk

Always good to be on deadline and waste some time looking up when Walkers Max crisps launched because "it was a very formative time for me". Namely, our school got a vending machine. (It was a 1999 launch but it's the 2001 relaunch that I was thinking of)

UK freelance writers for magazines and journals in the last three years: remember to submit your eligible articles at ALCS by 30 November to qualify for a royalty reimbursement in March! www.alcs.co.uk/how-it-works...

Absolute gem of a TV show alert: After the Party is extraordinary. Brave and provocative storytelling and an absolute masterclass from Robyn Malcolm in the lead. Thrilled it's finally made its way over to us from New Zealand. inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

After the Party is the best Kiwi drama since Top of the Lake

When Penny finds her husband in a suspicious position, the assumptions she makes tears her whole life falls apart. But is she right?

inews.co.uk

Started a list of arts and culture journalists/writers/critics in the UK - let me know who I’ve missed go.bsky.app/6ZgG2DK

Have recently come across children’s author Richard Scarry again and it’s all very nostalgic but I did not remember it being quite this mad.

Went for a run and a rat crossed my path. Happy Friday!

Ah this episode is stunning.

Shannon O'Connor@shannonoconnor.bsky.social · 2y ago

If you loved Cristin Milioti in The Penguin but haven’t seen her episode of Mythic Quest, “A Dark Quiet Death,” you should do that . . . . ASAP.

Very pleased to hear there is Mythic Quest incoming in January

a woman wearing glasses is dancing in front of a colorful wall

ALT: a woman wearing glasses is dancing in front of a colorful wall

media.tenor.com

For Glamour, I wrote about why I'm not psyched for season three of Euphoria (and why not many other people are either). Really think they should just let this one be. www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/euph...

Does anyone actually want Euphoria season 3?

For a show that made its name by depicting beautiful messiness, there is an irony that it’s the behind-the-scenes messiness that may be its undoing.

glamourmagazine.co.uk