Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 will premiere on Disney+ on 20 November 2026, with the release date announced during the series’ return to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.

Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Tamara Smart, Levi Chrisopulos and Olive Abercrombie joined executive producers Dan Shotz and Craig Silverstein for the panel, where fans were also shown the opening act of the new season’s premiere episode. Leah Sava Jeffries introduced the footage through a video message as she is currently filming The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen overseas.

Season 3 will adapt Rick Riordan’s third novel, The Titan’s Curse, marking the first time the story has been brought to the screen. The new chapter follows Percy after Annabeth suddenly disappears, while the campers of Camp Half-Blood are drawn into a quest involving the missing goddess Artemis, played by Dafne Keen, and the Titan Atlas, played by Holt McCallany.

The Great Prophecy will also take on greater importance, warning that a child of one of the “Big Three” gods is destined to either save Olympus or bring about its destruction. A new teaser offers an early glimpse at the darker stakes ahead, with Percy questioning whether sacrificing himself to protect his friends could ever really be considered a choice.

Scobell told fans during the panel that Season 3 will “stay true” to the book. Returning cast members also include Daniel Diemer as Tyson and Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue, alongside Bushnell as Luke Castellan, Smart as Thalia Grace and Chrisopulos as Nico Di Angelo.

For CultureCues, this already looks like the most ambitious season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians yet. The Titan’s Curse is a major favourite among readers, the returning cast continues to be one of the show’s biggest strengths and the darker footage suggests Percy’s next quest will bring higher emotional stakes. November cannot come quickly enough.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 premieres on Disney+ on 20 November 2026. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now.

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Julie Andrews is getting a new feature-length documentary, coming to Disney+ in 2027. It will trace her journey from her early years in British vaudeville to global stardom, while also exploring the personal challenges, reinvention and determination that shaped her life beyond the spotlight.

The documentary is currently untitled, with its official name still to be announced. It will feature rare, never-before-seen archive footage alongside new interviews, offering a closer look at the woman behind Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries. Disney says the film will move beyond Andrews’ best-known roles to explore the courage and resilience that helped shape her legacy.

R.J. Cutler, whose previous documentaries include Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Martha, directs and produces the film. He described Andrews as a “cultural touchstone” and said the documentary will explore the extraordinary challenges she has faced throughout her life.

The project is produced by This Machine, part of Sony Pictures Television. Cutler produces alongside Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein, Jane Cha Cutler and Jonathan Ruane, with Mark Blatty serving as executive producer.

For CultureCues, this already sounds like a lovely and long-overdue celebration of Julie Andrews. The promise of unseen footage and new reflections from Andrews herself makes this especially exciting, and we are ready to learn more about the life behind so many beloved performances.

The untitled Julie Andrews documentary will arrive globally on Disney+ in 2027.

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Kenneth Branagh is heading to the Scottish Highlands for Laird, a new Paramount+ drama about family, power and the fight to protect ancestral land. Branagh will star as the Laird of Castle Drummoch, a proud Scot who refuses to stand aside when a secretive American billionaire sets his sights on buying up the surrounding glens. As the battle over the estate grows, the series will also follow family feuds, buried secrets and complicated romances within the world of Castle Drummoch.

The series was created by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Georgia Lee. Jez and John-Henry previously worked together on The Agency, while Jez is also the showrunner behind Paramount+ drama MobLand. Branagh will executive produce alongside the creative team and producers from 101 Studios.

Joe Wright, whose films include Pride & Prejudice, Atonement and Darkest Hour, is attached to direct the pilot. Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios will produce the series, which is set to premiere globally and exclusively on Paramount+.

Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+, said the drama is about “one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power”, adding that there is something universally relatable about watching someone fight to protect what matters most. Paramount Television Studios president Matt Thunell said the series will explore how far one family will go to defend its land and legacy, while 101 Studios CEO David Glasser described it as another “epic journey” with Jez and John-Henry Butterworth.

For CultureCues, we always love hearing about a new Scottish drama, especially one set right in the Highlands. Laird sounds completely up our street, with family feuds, a fight over the glens and Kenneth Branagh at the centre of it all. Safe to say, we’ll be tuning in.

A release date for Laird has not yet been announced.

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ITV’s Scottish crime thriller The Dark is heading into its final two episodes, with DI Monica Kennedy’s investigation becoming increasingly tangled with the secrets she has spent years trying to keep buried. Four episodes have now aired on ITV1 and STV, leaving viewers with a growing list of suspects, several unanswered questions and another unsettling cliffhanger ahead of the final week.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Episodes 1 to 4 of The Dark, along with limited details from the official synopses for Episodes 5 and 6. It does not reveal the identity of the killer.

When Is The Dark Episode 5 on ITV?

The Dark Episode 5 airs at 9pm on Sunday, 26 July on ITV1 and STV, picking up directly from the latest cliffhanger as Monica’s attempts to draw the killer out bring the case even closer to her personal life. The sixth and final episode then follows at 9pm on Monday, 27 July, bringing the investigation to a close.

The entire six-part series is already available to stream as a boxset on ITVX and STV Player, so viewers can either watch the conclusion early or follow the remaining episodes as they air.

What Is The Dark About?

Adapted from G.R. Halliday’s novel From the Shadows, The Dark follows DI Monica Kennedy, played by Laura Donnelly, after the body of a young man is discovered posed in a remote Scottish glen. Monica quickly fears that the murder is the beginning of a wider campaign targeting young men in the surrounding community.

As more bodies are discovered, the investigation develops into a tense game between Monica and a killer who appears to anticipate her next move. The case also forces Monica to revisit an earlier disappearance and confront parts of her own history, placing pressure on her relationships with her daughter Lucy, her mother Angela and a mysterious woman named Philly.

Monica is joined on the investigation by DC Connor Crawford, played by Mark Rowley. Crawford is new to murder cases and initially struggles to connect with his guarded partner, but the pair gradually build a strong working relationship as the case intensifies.

What Has Happened in The Dark So Far?

The opening episode began when Monica’s family day out was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Philly, a woman connected to a part of Monica’s past that she clearly did not want brought back into her life. Before Monica could properly deal with that reappearance, she was called to a remote glen where the naked body of a young man had been carefully positioned in the landscape.

The victim was Jason Morgan, whose older brother Nichol had disappeared several years earlier. Monica had been involved in that original investigation, immediately creating tension when she returned to the Morgan family home. Jason’s mother Bethany and stepfather Barclay had never received answers about Nichol, and both carried resentment towards Monica over the way the case had been handled.

A second body soon confirmed that Monica was dealing with a serial killer. The investigation uncovered a connection between the victims’ families through the local sawmill, leading Monica and Crawford towards owner’s son Owen MacLennan. Owen’s past made him an immediate suspect, but The Dark has repeatedly used apparent breakthroughs to open up another set of questions rather than provide an easy answer.

By Episode 3, Monica believed she had identified the killer’s next intended victim. She managed to reach the young man before another murder could take place, only to realise that the killer had anticipated her actions. What appeared to be a rescue was another part of the game, with Monica being deliberately guided towards particular clues and locations.

The case has also continued to expose tensions within the Morgan family. Nichol’s return sent shockwaves through the household, particularly because his disappearance had shaped Bethany and Barclay’s lives for years. Bethany has also developed a close connection with her colleague Stephen Wright, while her controlling relationship with Barclay has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Episode 4 pushed the investigation towards another suspect when Monica looked into the employer of one of the targeted men, who was linked to several cold cases. The confrontation ended in tragedy, while Monica’s attempt to lure the killer to a remote location brought another shock when somebody familiar appeared instead.

What Will Happen in Episode 5?

The official Episode 5 synopsis confirms that Monica’s investigation will cross directly into her personal life. After being distracted by an attempt to save Philly, Monica is left facing the consequences as the killer escapes.

With the case slipping away from her, Monica decides to use a press conference to provoke the person responsible. The episode will also place further pressure on the Morgan family as Nichol discovers Bethany’s relationship with Stephen and tells Barclay, prompting a violent confrontation.

New information appears to point Monica towards another suspect, but any easy answer is probably worth questioning. The killer has spent four episodes staying one step ahead, planting clues and using Monica’s determination against her. The episode is expected to end with the case becoming painfully personal for Monica, setting up the final confrontation in Monday night’s finale.

What Do We Know About The Dark Finale?

The sixth episode begins with Monica dealing with a murder close to home. She is removed from the investigation, but the killer’s final actions pull her back into the centre of the case and give her an opportunity to save another intended victim.

Monica will also be forced to choose between protecting her family and continuing the pursuit she believes only she can finish. That conflict has followed her throughout the series, with her confidence at work standing in contrast to the uncertainty and shame she carries into the rest of her life.

Laura Donnelly said she hopes viewers find the series “really addictive” and are left desperate to discover what happens next. She also revealed that she knew the killer’s identity from her earliest meeting about the drama, while much of the cast remained unaware during filming.

Helen Baxendale, who plays Bethany, said she spent much of the shoot convinced that one particular character was responsible, only to discover she had been wrong when she eventually received the final script. Emun Elliott similarly admitted that it took several readings for him to begin piecing together the clues.

Who Is DI Monica Kennedy?

Monica is an experienced detective who feels at her most capable when she is working. Her determination and ability to remain controlled around violent crimes have made her an effective investigator, but those qualities also create distance between her and the people closest to her.

Donnelly described Monica as somebody who is always presenting a particular version of herself while refusing to examine what is happening underneath. Work is Monica’s safe place because it gives her order and control, while motherhood and personal relationships are much harder for her to navigate.

Her relationship with Lucy has gradually revealed another side of Monica. She clearly loves her, but work repeatedly pulls her away, and she continues to keep secrets about Lucy’s father. Philly’s arrival has also raised questions about Monica’s past and why that time still carries so much shame.

Donnelly said she was particularly interested in the fact that viewers may not immediately know whether they like or sympathise with Monica. The series has allowed that connection to develop slowly, revealing her wounds as the investigation strips away the control she depends on.

Monica and Crawford’s Partnership

Crawford initially appears to be Monica’s opposite. He is sociable, easy-going and determined to build a connection with his new partner, while Monica has little interest in making conversation or encouraging his attempts at humour. Rowley described Crawford as a detective who is eager to learn but has never worked on a murder investigation of this scale. Although he is disturbed by what he sees, he gradually becomes more confident and begins making decisions without relying entirely on Monica.

Their partnership has become one of the most grounded parts of the series. Crawford respects Monica’s experience, while Monica slowly realises that he may be one of the few people she can trust. Donnelly explained that their relationship develops through mutual respect rather than unnecessary conflict, allowing the pair to understand one another as the case progresses.

Rowley described The Dark as “Fargo set in the Highlands”, pointing to its combination of murder mystery, realism and the Scottish landscape. His research included speaking with former Inverness police officers and detectives to build a character who felt recognisable rather than drawn from familiar television clichés.

Why Does The Dark Feel Different From Other ITV Crime Dramas?

Although The Dark has a serial killer investigation at its centre, it deliberately avoids many of the usual settings associated with police dramas. There are no scenes inside a police station, no regular visits to a mortuary and very little focus on officers standing around boards explaining evidence.

Director Gilles Bannier approached the drama as a character-led thriller with elements of folk horror. The remote landscapes, isolated homes and long distances between locations allow the investigation to unfold away from the familiar structure of an urban police procedural.

Executive producer Ben Stephenson said the team removed several standard procedural elements because they wanted the series to feel recognisable as a crime drama without becoming too familiar. The story instead spends more time with the victims’ families and the wider community, showing how fear and suspicion begin to affect everyone around the case.

The decision to make the victims young men was also carefully considered. Donnelly said the creative team had been thoughtful about how violence was depicted, avoiding repeated or gratuitous images while still showing the horror of what Monica encounters. Bannier chose to use one strong image rather than repeatedly returning to bodies through mortuary or forensic scenes.

The Scottish setting remains central without making the drama solely about Scotland. Elliott described it as a universal story that happens to be set there, while also noting that the country’s sense of isolation and mystery makes it a strong setting for a thriller.

Who Is in The Dark Cast?

The Nevers and Outlander star Laura Donnelly leads the cast as DI Monica Kennedy, with The Last Kingdom’s Mark Rowley playing her new partner, DC Connor Crawford.

Helen Baxendale stars as Bethany Morgan, the mother of Jason and Nichol, while Emun Elliott plays her intimidating husband Barclay Adams. Tunji Kasim appears as social worker Michael Bach, who previously asked Monica for help with Nichol’s disappearance and now distrusts the police response.

Stella Gonet plays Monica’s mother Angela, who helps care for Lucy and has an enthusiastic interest in true-crime documentaries. Tamsin Jordan plays Lucy, Monica’s young daughter, whose increasingly unsettling stories and questions about her family add another layer to Monica’s already complicated home life.

Is The Dark Based on a Book?

The Dark is based on From the Shadows, the first of three novels in G.R. Halliday’s Monica Kennedy series. It is followed by Dark Waters, published in 2020, and Under the Marsh, published in 2022. With two more books in the series, there is already material for another season, although ITV has not confirmed a renewal. Donnelly said she has read the second novel and would be interested in continuing Monica’s story, particularly because each book keeps the central detectives while placing them in a different type of investigation.

For now, the immediate question is whether Monica can identify the killer before another victim is claimed, and whether solving the case will finally force her to confront the secrets she has spent years avoiding.

The Dark continues with Episode 5 on Sunday, 26 July at 9pm on ITV1 and STV, followed by the series finale on Monday, 27 July at 9pm. All six episodes are available to stream now on ITVX and STV Player.

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Disney+ has announced a new six-part true crime docuseries revisiting some of Britain’s most high-profile criminal investigations, including the disappearance of Ben Needham, the murder of Joanna Yeates and the crimes of serial killer Peter Tobin. 20/20 Britain’s Most Notorious Crime Investigations will begin streaming on Thursday, 30 July, with each 40-minute episode exploring a different case through interviews, archive material and fresh revelations.

The series brings the long-running American 20/20 brand to a UK audience, with each episode looking beyond the original headlines to examine the people at the centre of the investigation.

Episode One: “Ben Needham: Lost in Paradise”
The opening episode revisits the disappearance of British toddler Ben Needham, who vanished on the Greek island of Kos in 1991. The programme follows his family’s search for answers, including reported links to child trafficking, suspected burial sites and a prison confession.

Episode Two: “Joanna Yeates: The Killer Next Door”
The second episode returns to the 2010 murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates in Bristol. Her final movements were captured on CCTV before her body was discovered, leading to an investigation that placed intense scrutiny on the people living around her.

Episode Three: “Ben Field: Thou Shalt Not Kill”
Episode Three examines the crimes of churchwarden Ben Field. Investigators uncovered how he used romance and religion to manipulate older men into changing their wills, raising questions around the suspicious deaths connected to him.

Episode Four: “Peter Tobin: A Monster in Their Midst”
The fourth episode follows the investigation that exposed Peter Tobin as a serial killer after the murder of a young woman led police to a church handyman who had remained hidden in plain sight for decades.

Episode Five: “Jane Andrews: The Duchess & the Killer”
Episode Five looks at the case of former royal aide Jane Andrews, who went on the run after the murder of her boyfriend. The investigation also examined her claims of abuse and the secrets within their relationship.

Episode Six: “Mahek Bukhari: The TikTok Murders”
The final episode revisits the deadly high-speed car chase that killed two men in 2022. A chilling 999 call and CCTV evidence eventually led police to influencer Mahek Bukhari and her mother, exposing a planned ambush and a case shaped by family secrets and social-media image.

20/20 Britain’s Most Notorious Crime Investigations is produced by Candle True Stories and ABC News Studios. James Goldston and Alicia Kerr serve as executive producers, with Ralph Perring as co-executive producer. David Sloan is senior executive producer, while Eamon McNiff executive produces for ABC News Studios. The series was commissioned by Sean Doyle, Vice President of Unscripted at Disney+ EMEA.

For CultureCues, this looks like a substantial addition to Disney+’s true crime catalogue. These cases have all received extensive coverage before, but the promise of exclusive interviews and fresh revelations may offer a clearer look at the investigations and the families still living with their consequences. With six very different cases included, the series has the potential to move beyond a simple recap.

20/20 Britain’s Most Notorious Crime Investigations streams from Thursday, 30 July, on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland, and on Disney+ and Hulu in the US.

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Netflix has shared the first look at its upcoming A Different World sequel series, which will return viewers to Hillman College on 24 September 2026. The 10-episode series centres on Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon, the youngest daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. As she begins her freshman year, Deborah sets out to build a legacy of her own, although escaping the shadow of her well-known parents may prove difficult.

The newly released images introduce the next generation of Hillman students, with Alijah Kai playing Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir and Kennedi Reece as Hazel. The series will explore their lives and relationships as they find their place on campus, with Cliff “Method Man” Smith also joining the cast as Coach Coles. Norman Nixon Jr will play Professor Baptiste, while Tichina Arnold and Raven Goodwin also appear.

Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy will return as Dwayne and Whitley, alongside several familiar faces from the original series. Darryl M. Bell is back as Ron Johnson, with Cree Summer returning as Freddie Brooks and Charnele Brown as Dr Kimberly Reese Boyer. Jenifer Lewis, Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman are also among the returning cast, giving longtime fans plenty of familiar faces alongside the new students.

Felicia Pride serves as showrunner and executive producer, describing it as an honour to help bring back a series that had such an impact on her own life. “I am so proud of the work we’re doing to reimagine A Different World for beloved fans and new generations alike,” she said. Original series director and producer Debbie Allen will also return as an executive producer and direct the opening episode, while original writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood are back as executive producers.

The original A Different World ran for six seasons on NBC between 1987 and 1993, following students at the fictional Hillman College. The new series will continue that legacy through Deborah and her classmates, while bringing back some of the characters who helped make the original such an important part of television history.

For CultureCues, returning to Hillman with both a new generation and so many familiar faces feels like exactly the right way to continue A Different World. There is plenty of nostalgia here, but Deborah’s story also gives the sequel room to build its own identity. Seeing Dwayne and Whitley back together is already enough to make September feel a little closer. The bell is ringing, and we cannot wait to get back to Hillman.

A Different World premieres on 24 September 2026 on Netflix.

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Disney+ has officially ordered Afterlife With Archie, a new live-action horror series bringing zombies to Riverdale. The streamer is aiming to launch the show around Halloween 2027, although an exact release date has not yet been confirmed.

Based on the Archie Comics series written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and illustrated by Francesco Francavilla, the drama will transform the familiar all-American town into a zombie-filled apocalypse. When a supernatural spell from a certain teenage witch goes wrong, an army of the possessed dead descends on Riverdale, leaving Archie and his friends fighting to survive. The series will explore what happens to the friendships and romances at the centre of the Archie universe when the group is placed under a different kind of pressure.

Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis said the story has always been about more than zombies, with the humanity of the characters giving Riverdale something worth fighting for. No casting has been announced yet, meaning there is currently no word on who will play Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead or the rest of the gang.

Aguirre-Sacasa will write and executive produce through Muckle Man Productions. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman will executive produce through Berlanti Productions, alongside Jon Goldwater for Archie Comics Studios and Jimmy Gibbons. Warner Bros. Television is producing the series, marking its first show for Disney+.

The project reunites several of the creatives behind Riverdale, which offered its own darker interpretation of the Archie characters across seven seasons. Aguirre-Sacasa and Berlanti Productions were also involved in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, another Archie Comics adaptation built around supernatural horror.

A television version of Afterlife With Archie was first reported to be in development at Disney+ in October 2025. The new announcement confirms that the project has now moved forward with a series order rather than remaining at the script stage. Aguirre-Sacasa described the adaptation as a “full-circle moment”, noting that the comic came before both Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He also issued a warning for Archie, Betty and Veronica: the zombies are coming.

For CultureCues, Archie plus zombies already sounds like the perfect Halloween watch. We are very curious to see how Disney+ handles the darker side of the series, particularly with the team behind Riverdale returning to the characters. There may not be any casting news yet, but the thought of Jughead trying to protect his burgers during a zombie apocalypse has already won us over.

Afterlife With Archie is expected to premiere on Disney+ around Halloween 2027.

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Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal are coming together for a new BBC series exploring how their rivalry helped transform British fine dining. The Rise of the Rockstar Chef is a three-part documentary series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, produced by Studio Ramsay Global. Set against the backdrop of the Cool Britannia era, it will chart the rise of three chefs whose ambition and pursuit of perfection changed Britain’s restaurant industry and helped place modern British cuisine on the global stage.

What Is The Rise of the Rockstar Chef About?

The series will revisit the period when Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal became some of the most recognisable names in British food. Their restaurants, public personas and intense working methods helped redefine what it meant to be a fine-dining chef, while their rivalries regularly attracted almost as much attention as the food itself.

Alongside testimony from the trio, the series will feature food critics, maîtres d’ and former commis chefs who witnessed the fights, fall-outs and feuds first-hand. The story will build towards an on-screen reunion bringing White, Ramsay and Blumenthal together for the first time in decades to look back at the defining moments of their careers and the legacy they left behind… It sounds like the BBC is serving up drama!

Why Were Marco, Gordon and Heston So Influential?

Each chef brought something different to British dining. White became the youngest chef at the time to earn three Michelin stars and built a reputation for intensity in the kitchen. Ramsay followed him into the world of high-pressure fine dining before becoming one of the biggest television chefs in the world, while Blumenthal became known for experimental cooking and his scientific approach at The Fat Duck.

Together, they helped change the image of British restaurants during the 1990s and early 2000s. Their success arrived during a wider period of cultural change, with the series placing their rise alongside the fashion, music and politics that defined the Cool Britannia era.

What Has the BBC Said?

BBC Head of Commissioning for Factual Entertainment and Events Catherine Catton said the three chefs “ripped up the rule-book of British fine dining” and changed the restaurant world. “I’m delighted they’re reuniting to bring BBC audiences the truly extraordinary story behind their fierce rivalry, uncompromising ambition and, at times, truly outrageous antics,” she added.

Studio Ramsay Global executive producer Lisa Edwards described the series as the story of another rock-and-roll revolution happening alongside the cultural changes of the 1990s and 2000s. “It was the decade that really put British food on the map led by the original Rock Star Chefs, Marco Gordon & Heston. Its the story of rivalry and thepursuit of perfection where the real heat was not just in the kitchen!”

Who Is Making the Series?

The Rise of the Rockstar Chef is produced by Studio Ramsay Global for BBC One and iPlayer. Zoë Dobson directs and produces, with Lisa Edwards and Amanda Westwood executive producing. Ricky Cooper is BBC commissioning editor, while Fox Entertainment Global handles international distribution.

When Will The Rise of the Rockstar Chef Air?

An exact release date has not yet been announced, but the three-part series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2026.

For CultureCues, bringing Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal back together is a sure way to stir things up. Their careers helped turn chefs into major public figures, and hearing them revisit the rivalries and fall-outs behind that era should make for fascinating television. The food may have changed British dining, but we suspect this reunion will serve up plenty of its own drama.

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Netflix has released the official trailer for My Brilliant Career, its new Australian period drama starring Philippa Northeast as aspiring writer Sybylla. The six-part series arrives globally on 13 August 2026. Based on Miles Franklin’s classic 1901 novel, the series follows Sybylla, a fiercely independent young woman living in 1900 Australia with one clear ambition: to become a writer. While her family is determined to find her a suitable husband, Sybylla is far more interested in building a creative life of her own.

The trailer introduces a restless and sharp-witted heroine who refuses to accept the future planned for her. Sybylla breaks with convention as she searches for a story that could give her the independence she wants, although that choice becomes more complicated when she falls in love.

Philippa Northeast, known for Territory and The Newsreader, leads the cast alongside Christopher Chung (Slow Horses) as Harry. Anna Chancellor plays Mrs Bossier, with Genevieve O’Reilly as Helen, Kate Mulvany as Augusta and Jake Dunn as Frank. Alexander England, Sherry-Lee Watson and Miah Madden also star.

The series was developed and written by Liz Doran, whose previous credits include Please Like Me and Barons. Doran also executive produces alongside Chloe Rickard and Alyssa McClelland, with McClelland directing the opening three episodes. Anne Renton directs Episodes 4 to 6.

Filmed across South Australia, the adaptation brings Franklin’s story back to the screen more than four decades after Gillian Armstrong’s acclaimed 1979 film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill. The novel has remained one of Australia’s best-known literary works, with Sybylla’s struggle between marriage and creative freedom continuing to resonate well beyond its original period.

For CultureCues, My Brilliant Career already has the potential to become one of our new favourite Netflix period dramas. Sybylla has the wit and determination to make her easy to root for, while the conflict between romance and the life she wants gives the story plenty to work with. We are always here for a heroine refusing to behave as expected, particularly when beautiful costumes and complicated feelings are involved.

My Brilliant Career launches globally on Netflix on 13 August 2026.

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Greg Davies is returning as Paul “Wicky” Wickstead for a brand-new one-off festive special of The Cleaner, with filming now underway in Italy. Currently titled The Cleaner in Italy, the hour-long episode will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over the festive period. Robert Webb, Peter Serafinowicz, Kevin Eldon and Tori Allen-Martin are among the guest cast joining Davies for Wicky’s first overseas adventure.

What Is The Cleaner in Italy About?

The special follows Wicky as he reluctantly joins his girlfriend Ruth (Zita Sattar) and her friends Andrew (Robert Webb) and Andrea (Tori Allen-Martin) on a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites. It is not exactly his ideal break, and after an accident leaves him unable to continue, he is forced to spend the rest of the trip at a remote mountain hotel while Ruth heads off to enjoy the outdoors.

Left behind with an eccentric hotel manager, played by Peter Serafinowicz, an unusual group of guests and increasingly suspicious staff, Wicky’s boredom soon turns into paranoia. Considering his holidays usually involve the pub rather than mountain trails, this was probably never going to end well.

Who Is Joining the Cast?

Alongside Webb and Serafinowicz, the special will feature Kevin Eldon, Tori Allen-Martin, Veronica Ferres, Milanka Brooks and Dylan Blore. Zita Sattar will reprise her role as Ruth, while further character details are being kept under wraps for now.

Davies said Wicky has reached a point where he only likes three things: his job, the pub and beer. Sending him to Italy on a hiking holiday therefore gives the comedy plenty of room to test his limits. “I can’t wait to show everyone how horribly wrong a holiday can go,” he said.

Why Is This Special Different?

This will be the first hour-long episode of The Cleaner, giving Wicky more time to unravel as the holiday becomes increasingly strange. The Italian setting also takes the comedy away from the crime scenes and familiar British surroundings that have shaped the first three series. The BBC has described the special as an inventive new setting for one of Davies’ most memorable characters, with commissioning editor Ben Caudell praising the guest cast and the opportunity to place Wicky in another extraordinary situation.

When Will The Cleaner Festive Special Air?

An exact air date has not yet been announced, but The Cleaner in Italy will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2026 festive period. The comedy first launched in 2021 and has remained one of the BBC’s most-watched scripted comedies across all three series.

For CultureCues, sending Wicky on a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites should be especially fun after three series set in the UK. Greg Davies is at his best when Wicky is irritated and suspicious, so placing him in a remote hotel with Peter Serafinowicz and Robert Webb sounds like festive chaos waiting to happen. He may not make it very far up the mountain, but we are more than happy to follow him there.

All three series of The Cleaner are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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My Life with the Walter Boys is heading back to Silver Falls for Season 3, with Jackie, Cole and Alex facing the fallout from that dramatic finale. Netflix renewed the teen drama before Season 2 had even premiered, and the third season has already finished filming. New episodes arrive globally on 6 August 2026, with the story picking up immediately after Jackie and Cole admitted their feelings for each other while Alex listened nearby. As though that was not enough drama for one evening, the confession came just as George Walter suffered a frightening health emergency. Season 3 will deal with both cliffhangers as the Walter family tries to put itself back together. Here is everything we know so far!

When Is My Life with the Walter Boys Season 3 Released?

My Life with the Walter Boys Season 3 premieres globally on Netflix on 6 August 2026. Production began before Season 2 was released and wrapped in late November 2025, giving the new season a relatively quick turnaround. Netflix has also released the official trailer and several new images, offering an early look at Jackie, Cole, Alex and the wider Walter family as they regroup.

What Will Happen in Season 3?

Season 3 begins exactly where the previous finale ended. Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole Walter (Noah LaLonde) finally admitted they loved each other, unaware at first that Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry) had overheard them. Their confrontation was then interrupted by the arrival of an ambulance after George (Marc Blucas) collapsed in the upper fields. The trailer confirms George survives, although his recovery will continue to affect the whole family. Katherine (Sarah Rafferty) warns that it will take time, while George encourages everyone to stop blaming themselves and return to their lives.

Showrunner Melanie Halsall has described the opening episode as emotional, with much of the season focused on growing up, maturing and taking responsibility.

What Happens Next in the Jackie, Cole and Alex Love Triangle?

The love triangle remains one of the central storylines, but Season 3 appears ready to push all three characters towards a decision. Jackie tells Cole that she meant what she said at the end of Season 2, although he insists they still cannot be together. Both feel guilty about hurting Alex, particularly while the Walter family is dealing with George’s recovery. Cole is also ashamed that Alex heard the confession, especially with the brothers already carrying years of resentment involving Paige and Jackie. Alex enters the season dealing with anger, grief and heartbreak, while Halsall has acknowledged that Jackie cannot continue moving between the brothers indefinitely. Season 3 should force her to become more honest about what she wants.

Jackie Begins Putting Herself First

Jackie has spent much of the series trying to be perfect for everyone around her, often ignoring her own feelings in the process. Season 3 will see her begin to change that pattern, with Rodriguez revealing that Jackie starts putting herself first. Her guilt over the final moments of Season 2 still weighs heavily on her, particularly because she worries that the emotional upheaval contributed to what happened with George. In response, she throws herself into helping the family and developing a new community space for Silver Falls. The season should explore whether Jackie can support the people she loves without once again losing sight of herself.

Cole Takes Up Drag Racing

Cole is heading in a completely new direction after losing the football career that once defined him. Following his work as an assistant coach in Season 2, he becomes involved in drag racing after meeting Mac, played by Chad Rook. Mac hires Cole to work on the engine of one of his cars before recognising his natural ability behind the wheel. Halsall has explained that racing gives Cole the thrill he previously found through football and offers him something of his own after spending much of the series struggling to understand who he is without the sport. He takes some serious risks in the trailer, and we can already tell this probably will not end well… Please do not crash, Cole.

Alex Joins a Rodeo Team

Alex continues pursuing bronc riding after returning from rodeo camp in Season 2. He becomes the youngest member of an older professional riding team, bringing new attention and expectations. His growing profile also attracts interest from girls, although the fallout from Jackie and Cole remains unresolved. Halsall has said Alex matures considerably between Seasons 2 and 3, and while his rodeo career may give him greater independence, it also places him in a demanding environment where he has plenty to prove.

Who Is Eliot?

Naveen Paddock joins Season 3 as Eliot, a charming New Yorker working as an intern for Jackie’s uncle Richard. Eliot knew Jackie before she moved to Silver Falls, bringing part of her old life back into the present and reminding her that she does not necessarily have to abandon who she was in Manhattan to belong with the Walters. His arrival also introduces another potential romantic complication. Cole mockingly refers to him as “Mr Harvard,” while Eliot appears to offer Jackie a connection to the life she thought she had lost. Netflix describes him as sophisticated and charming, with his presence leaving Jackie caught between her former world and the new home she has built in Colorado.

Who Is Mac?

Chad Rook joins the cast as Mac, a cool and experienced drag racer. Mac initially hires Cole to rebuild one of his racing engines, but soon discovers that Cole also has real skill behind the wheel. Their connection draws Cole into the racing world and gives him a possible new future. Rook will appear in a recurring role, with Mac expected to play a significant part in Cole’s storyline throughout the season.

Who Is Hannah?

Erin Karpluk joins as Hannah, George’s sister and the mother of Isaac and Lee. Hannah previously left her sons in the care of the Walter family before disappearing for around 1,000 days, so her unexpected return to Silver Falls means she has several damaged relationships to repair. Netflix describes her as either free-spirited or irresponsible, depending on who is asked. Her arrival should give Isaac and Lee a larger emotional storyline while also revealing more about the wider Walter family.

Who Is Returning for Season 3?

Nikki Rodriguez returns as Jackie Howard, alongside Noah LaLonde as Cole and Ashby Gentry as Alex. Sarah Rafferty and Marc Blucas are back as Katherine and George Walter, with Connor Stanhope returning as Danny, Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan and Johnny Link as Will. The wider returning cast includes Isaac Arellanes as Isaac, Myles Perez as Lee, Alisha Newton as Erin, Mya Lowe as Kiley, Ellie O’Brien as Grace, Jaylan Evans as Skylar, Kolton Stewart as Dylan, Natalie Sharp as Coach Blake, Alex Quijano as Richard, Ashley Tavares as Tara, Dean Petriw as Jordan, Alix West Lefler as Parker, Lennix James as Benny and Gabrielle Jacinto as Olivia. Zoë Soul is also expected to return as Haley.

Is There a Season 3 Trailer?

Yes. Netflix released the official trailer on 15 July 2026, confirming George’s survival, Jackie’s continued struggle between Cole and Alex, Eliot’s arrival in Silver Falls and the brothers’ new pursuits in racing and rodeo. You can watch the trailer below!

What Happened at the End of Season 2?

Season 2 saw Jackie return to Silver Falls after Katherine travelled to New York and convinced her to give life with the Walters another chance. Alex came back from rodeo camp with new confidence, while Cole spent the summer in school before finding purpose as an assistant football coach. Jackie became more involved in the local community, helping save the school’s Fall Formal and organising a college fair. The finale ended with two major cliffhangers as Jackie and Cole admitted they loved each other, only for Alex to overhear them. Moments later, Will discovered George collapsed in the fields, with an ambulance arriving as the family gathered around.

Has My Life with the Walter Boys Been Renewed for Season 4?

Yes. Good news for fans: Netflix has already renewed the series for a fourth season, which is expected to premiere in 2027. No plot or production details have been announced yet, but the early renewal confirms the story will continue beyond the upcoming episodes.

What Is My Life with the Walter Boys About?

Based on Ali Novak’s novel, the series follows Jackie after the death of her family forces her to leave Manhattan and move to rural Colorado. She goes to live with Katherine, George and the Walter family, gradually finding a new home while becoming caught between brothers Cole and Alex. The drama combines romance with stories about grief and belonging, making it one of Netflix’s most popular young adult shows.

For CultureCues, Season 3 looks ready to push all three leads into a new phase, with Jackie finally starting to make choices for herself while Cole and Alex find lives beyond football and school. The family drama is still front and centre, but there is also a sense that everyone is growing up, whether they are ready for it or not. We are especially interested to see whether Jackie can stop trying to keep the peace and actually decide what she wants. Either way, Silver Falls is about to get busy again. Consider us fully back in the saddle.

My Life with the Walter Boys Season 3 premieres globally on Netflix on 6 August 2026.

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Holly Willoughby is launching a new multi-platform lifestyle series, with Stanley Tucci, Katherine Ryan, Joanne McNally, Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton among the first guests confirmed. Holly Willoughby Together launches on Tuesday 28 July and will feature real stories, honest conversations, practical advice and celebrity guests across fashion, beauty, health, food and lifestyle.

The series has been described as a natural extension of the Holly audiences already know, moving her away from a traditional television studio and onto the platforms where viewers are increasingly watching content.

Willoughby said: “I’m so proud of the work all the team who make Together have put into this exciting new project. We’ve had a lot of fun developing it and look forward to seeing what you think.”

The programme will be divided into five recurring strands: Talk Together, Cook Together, Look Good Together, Better Together and Hang Out Together. Filmed in a purpose-built studio with a working kitchen, dining space and seating areas, the format will see Willoughby cook, chat, learn and problem-solve alongside celebrity guests, experts and members of the Together community.

The series will also feature tech safety campaigner Ellen Roome, chefs Lauren Leyva, King the Chef and Original Flava, make-up artist Victoria Penrose and florist Sally Parkes.

Produced by Hungry Bear Media, the company run by Willoughby’s husband Dan Baldwin, the project marks her biggest move into original YouTube programming. Her representatives say she currently reaches a digital audience of around 16 million people.

The series will launch with health technology provider Voy as its founding brand partner. Voy founder and CEO George Pallis said the project supports the company’s aim of making health feel more open and easier to discuss. He added that Voy was proud to back a platform centred on real people and honest conversations, while helping viewers access advice and improve their health.

Willoughby spent 14 years presenting ITV’s This Morning before leaving the programme in 2023. She has since returned to presenting with ITV’s You Bet! and Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt. Her move to YouTube follows a growing number of established British presenters creating programmes directly for digital audiences. The platform gives presenters greater control over format, release schedules and the subjects they cover without being tied to a traditional television slot.

For CultureCues, we have always enjoyed Holly Willoughby’s presenting style, so Together immediately has our interest. The guest list gives the series a strong start, particularly with Stanley Tucci, Katherine Ryan and Joanne McNally involved. The five different strands should also allow it to move naturally between proper conversations and lighter lifestyle content. We are looking forward to seeing how Holly’s style translates to YouTube when the first episodes arrive.

Holly Willoughby Together launches on Tuesday 28 July, with two episodes released each week across YouTube, digital streaming platforms and social media.

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Not sure what to watch this weekend? New films and TV shows are now streaming in the UK across Netflix, Prime Video, Sky/NOW, ITVX and Disney+. There are full boxsets for a proper weekend binge, plus a couple of films if you would rather be finished before midnight, so the only real challenge is choosing which platform to open first. Here are seven new and recent releases worth adding to the watchlist.

Heartstopper Forever — Netflix

Heartstopper returns for one final goodbye, this time as a feature-length film. Written by creator Alice Oseman, Heartstopper Forever picks up after season three as Nick (Kit Connor) prepares to leave for university and Charlie (Joe Locke) begins finding more independence at school. The prospect of long distance brings doubts that neither can neatly ignore.

For viewers who have followed them from that first corridor “hi”, this is the obvious place to start. A film gives the ending room to breathe without turning the farewell into another full series, and Connor and Locke now serve as executive producers as well as leads.

Heartstopper Forever is now streaming on Netflix.

The Hawk — Netflix

Will Ferrell plays Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a once-great professional golfer who is convinced one final comeback can secure the major that has eluded him for 20 years. Created by Ferrell, Harper Steele and Chris Henchy, the ten-part comedy also stars Molly Shannon as his estranged wife Stacy.

The premise gives Ferrell plenty of room to make one man’s sporting ambition everybody else’s problem. The reunion with Shannon is the best reason to press play, especially if your ideal weekend comedy requires very little knowledge of actual golf.

The Hawk is now streaming on Netflix.

Ride or Die — Prime Video

Debbie (Octavia Spencer) thinks she knows everything about her lifelong best friend Judith (Hannah Waddingham). She does not know Judith is an international assassin, which becomes a fairly important gap in the friendship when a hit goes wrong and the pair are forced to flee across Europe.

Ride or Die puts two excellent comic performers in the middle of an action series built around the person you would call in a crisis turning out to be the reason for it. Spencer and Waddingham are enough of a pairing to make this worth trying, even before the chase gets moving.

Ride or Die is now streaming on Prime Video.

Jesy Nelson: Life Changing — Prime Video

Jesy Nelson’s one-off documentary follows the former Little Mix singer after her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, are diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. It covers the daily reality of caring for the girls and her adjustment to single motherhood. The film also follows her campaign for SMA to be added to newborn screening in the UK.

This is the most difficult watch on the list, but it is also the most immediately relevant. Nelson allows the camera into an intensely personal part of her family’s life while keeping the focus on a change that could help other babies receive treatment earlier.

Jesy Nelson: Life Changing is now streaming on Prime Video.

The Five-Star Weekend — Sky and NOW

Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, The Five-Star Weekend stars Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a food influencer mourning the sudden death of her husband. She invites four women from different stages of her life to spend a weekend at her Nantucket home, only for old tensions and private truths to arrive with them.

The eight-part drama has a strong ensemble in Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan and D’Arcy Carden. It is an easy summer binge for anyone who likes friendship dramas with an expensive house and awkward dinners. There is enough history between the guests to keep the weekend from going entirely to plan.

The Five-Star Weekend is now streaming on Sky and NOW.

The Dark — ITVX and STV Player

The Dark is a Scottish crime thriller adapted by Matt Hartley from GR Halliday’s novel From the Shadows. The six-part series stars Laura Donnelly as DI Monica Kennedy, called in after a young man’s body is found staged in the Scottish wilderness. Mark Rowley co-stars as her new partner, DC Connor Crawford.

Donnelly is a compelling lead, and the Scottish landscape becomes part of the tension from the opening discovery. The full series is available now too, so there is no need to wait a week between cliffhangers.

The Dark is now streaming on ITVX and STV Player.

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland — Disney+

For anyone sharing the remote with younger viewers, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland is the new family option. Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker) discover that changing the past has created a fresh threat in Wonderland, where Maddox Hatter has captured the Queen of Hearts. Their rescue team brings together the children of several familiar Disney characters.

Rita Ora and Brandy return as the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, while Awkwafina joins as Chessy the Cat. Directed by Kimmy Gatewood, the film brings the franchise back with new songs and dance sequences, which should settle the family movie-night decision without another half-hour of scrolling.

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland is now streaming on Disney+.

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ITV has commissioned a new drama exploring the impact of social media on children and the difficulties families face when seeking answers from major technology companies. The series will be inspired by the story of Ellen Roome MBE, whose 14-year-old son Julian “Jools” Sweeney died in April 2022. Ellen believes his death may have been linked to harmful social media content and has spent the past four years campaigning for greater online safety and more transparency from technology companies.

Ellen and her family have been unable to access Jools’ social media accounts, leaving them without information that could help explain what happened. Her campaign has since become part of a wider effort involving bereaved families around the world who are calling for stronger protections for children online.

The drama will be produced by Jeff Pope’s Etta Pictures, part of ITV Studios, in association with Featuristic Films. Ellen will act as a consultant throughout the writing process and work closely with Pope and the production team. Pope became involved after meeting Lauren Cowell, who has been working with Ellen and first brought the project to ITV. Cowell will executive produce the series alongside Pope.

Speaking about the commission, Ellen said ITV and Pope’s commitment to the drama had given her “a huge sense of hope and reassurance”. “I truly feel they will not only tell my story, but most importantly Jools’ story, with the care, sensitivity and integrity it deserves,” she said. “What happened to Jools changed my life forever, but if telling his story can help protect other children and make people truly understand the reality of what families are facing, then I know there is purpose in doing this.”

Pope described Ellen’s story as both tragic and inspiring, adding that parents are increasingly questioning the impact social media may have on children. “It’s appalling that parents aren’t given the information they need in the quest for answers about what has happened to their children,” he said.

ITV Director of Drama Polly Hill called it an “incredibly important story” about a mother fighting social media companies for answers following the death of her son. “It’s an urgent campaigning story and the most challenging issue we all face is how to keep our children safe on social media,” she said.

Cowell added that the project will centre on the experiences of Ellen and other bereaved families, while examining questions around accountability and the protection of children online. “This is not simply a drama about social media,” she said. “At its heart, it is a story about love, loss, truth, accountability and the desperate urgency to protect children.”

Pope recently wrote and executive produced Believe Me, which is now streaming on ITVX and follows three survivors of John Worboys. His previous credits include Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, Little Boy Blue, The Walk-In, A Confession, Mrs Biggs and Cilla. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing Philomena and received a BAFTA Special Award for his work in television drama.

For CultureCues, this is a difficult but incredibly important subject for ITV to tackle. Ellen Roome’s campaign has already brought urgent questions around online safety and transparency into public discussion, and having her closely involved should help ensure Jools’ story is handled with care. Jeff Pope has a strong record of turning real-life cases into thoughtful drama, and this has the potential to start conversations that extend well beyond the screen.

Further casting, filming and transmission details will be announced in due course.

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Whey aye, chick, this is absolutely belter news: Smoggie Queens is officially coming back for a third series, with the BBC confirming that the award-winning sitcom will return to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer following its acclaimed second run and digital spin-off The Dickie Show.

Written by and starring Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, the series follows a fiercely loyal group of friends who are proud of their town and their place within its LGBTQ+ community. Series 3 will bring Dickie (Dunning), Mam (Mark Benton), Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell), Sal (Patsy Lowe) and Stewart (Elijah Young) back to the Boro for another round of heart, mischief and unmistakable Smoggie charm.

Further returning and new cast members will be announced at a later date. Previous series have welcomed guest appearances from RuPaul’s Drag Race legend and icon herself Michelle Visage, alongside Steph McGovern, Charlotte Riley and Monica Dolan, so we are very curious to see who might turn up next.

Dunning shared his excitement at the recommission, saying: “So buzzing to be recommissioned for series 3! Thank you BBC! Going to have a cheeky Bloody Mam to celebrate.” Save us one, we’ll join you!

BBC Commissioning Editor Gregor Sharp praised Dunning and the wider creative team, saying the show had carved out a unique place in British comedy through its characters, humour and celebration of Teesside.

The third series will once again consist of six 30-minute episodes and is produced by Hat Trick Productions, the company behind Derry Girls, Outnumbered and Have I Got News for You. Chris Jones is also back as series producer, so we know it is in good hands.

For CultureCues, this is absolutely brilliant news, hon. Smoggie Queens is one of our favourite British comedies, full of heart, drama and exactly the right amount of cheekiness. Series 2 had us laughing so much we nearly bloody fell over! The roasts are legendary and we love just how cut-throat they can all be (we are especially looking at you, Dickie, when it comes to Stewart). At the heart of it, though, Dickie, Mam, Lucinda, Sal and Stewart are a chosen family, and that is what makes the show so special. Knowing they are heading back to the Boro has made our day. Chick, we absolutely cannot wait.

A release date for Smoggie Queens Series 3 has not yet been announced. Series 1 and 2, alongside The Dickie Show, are streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

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Channel 4 has commissioned Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, a new four-part series following hospitality expert Fred Sirieix as he checks into some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels before stepping behind the scenes to work alongside their staff. The series will take Sirieix to The Royal Mansour in Marrakesh, the Royal Madikwe safari lodge in South Africa, Raffles Hotel in Singapore and Les Barmes de l’Ours in the French Alps. At each location, he will first experience the hotel as a guest before swapping luxury for a staff uniform and joining the teams responsible for delivering its service. He is certainly putting in a shift, then.

Sirieix will assess each hotel using his own Five Fs: First Impressions, Facilities, Flawless Service, Fine Details and Feeling. Every episode will also end with him presenting a Hospitality Hero Award to one member of staff whose work has stood out during his stay.

Speaking about the new series, Sirieix said the real secret behind a memorable hotel is always its people, from the welcome guests receive to the care and attention shown by the wider team. “For me it’s always about the people,” he said. “The welcome, the attention to detail and the passion of the staff are what turn a wonderful hotel into an unforgettable experience.”

Channel 4 Senior Commissioning Editor Clemency Green described the series as a mix of escapism and discovery, adding that it should appeal to both armchair travellers and viewers dreaming of their next stay.

Fred’s Ultimate Hotels is produced by Belfast-based Waddell Media, with Paula Campion as series producer, Luke Campbell directing and Jannine Waddell executive producing. The series is sponsored by Tripadvisor.

At CultureCues, we always enjoy a good travel show, and the locations in Fred’s Ultimate Hotels look incredible. However, it is the decision to focus on the staff behind each stay that gives the series something beyond the usual luxury travel format. We are ready to check in and check it out.

A release date for Fred’s Ultimate Hotels has not yet been announced.

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Apple TV has confirmed that Stillwater will return for a fifth season, with five new episodes premiering globally on 21 August 2026. The Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning animated series will continue following siblings Karl, Addy and Michael alongside their wise panda neighbour, Stillwater.

Based on Jon J Muth’s bestselling Scholastic Zen book series, Stillwater centres on Karl (Judah Mackey), Addy (Eva Ariel Binder) and Michael (Tucker Chandler) as they face everyday challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming. With the help of Stillwater (James Sie), the children learn how to better understand their feelings through stories, gentle humour and simple mindfulness practices.

The series was developed through Apple TV’s Changemakers initiative in collaboration with awareness and intention expert Mallika Chopra. Across its first four seasons, Stillwater has used breathing exercises and reflective moments to introduce younger viewers to mindfulness in an accessible way.

Stillwater is produced by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment. Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, Jun Falkenstein and Rob Hoegee executive produce.

For CultureCues, Stillwater sounds like a lovely series for families looking for something calm and thoughtful to watch together. Its gentle approach to everyday challenges gives younger viewers something genuinely useful, while still keeping the stories entertaining. Take a deep breath, Season 5 is on the way.

Stillwater Season 5 premieres on Apple TV on 21 August 2026. The first four seasons are streaming now.

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Paramount+ has released the official trailer for Lioness Season 3, bringing Zoe Saldaña back as Joe ahead of the espionage thriller’s return on 2 August. The trailer shows Joe at the centre of her most dangerous mission yet, with national security compromised and the threat beginning to reach every part of her life.

“I’m a soldier. And a soldier’s job is to fight,” Joe tells her children before heading back into the field. The trailer then moves through battlefields and tense briefings as Secretary of State Edwin Mullins (Morgan Freeman) and CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly) reveal the scale of the situation.

Nicole Kidman returns as Kaitlyn Meade, who warns Joe to assume that the enemy has access to her phone and everything connected to her. With hidden networks, foreign operatives and personal betrayals all closing in, Joe is forced to balance her duty to the Lioness programme with the danger now surrounding her family.

The new season follows the events of Season 2, which brought the CIA’s fight against terror closer to home and pushed Joe to confront the personal cost of leading the programme. Season 3 appears ready to take that pressure even further, with patterns emerging where they should not, names disappearing and enemies operating from the shadows.

Saldaña is joined by Kidman, Freeman and Kelly, alongside Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz. Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Genesis Rodriguez, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Thad Luckinbill, Hannah Love Lanier and Ian Bohen also return.

Created by Taylor Sheridan, whose recent television work includes Yellowstone and Landman, Lioness is executive produced by Sheridan, Saldaña and Kidman, alongside David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Jill Wagner, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski and Keith Cox.

For CultureCues, the Season 3 trailer has us gripped! The drama and tension already have us wishing it was August. With an incredible cast led by Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman and the legendary Morgan Freeman, the new season looks set to go bigger while bringing the danger closer to Joe’s family, which should raise the emotional stakes considerably. We are ready to head back into the field.

Lioness Season 3 premieres on 2 August 2026, exclusively on Paramount+.

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