ALL THE EPIC TV SHOWS
WE CAN STILL EXPECT IN 2020
I've already told you that after Last Kingdom season 4 which is currently streaming on Netflix we shouldn't expect many epic TV shows on the telly this year due to corona virus. Production on all series has stopped, some
networks (Sky namely) have halted their productions entirely till 2021, and some are seeking ways to continue with work, BBC is for example looking to shoot by quarantining crews and actors together at overseas filmings. Here are the shows that are already shot and will probably be aired this year.
I've already told you that after Last Kingdom season 4 which is currently streaming on Netflix we shouldn't expect many epic TV shows on the telly this year due to corona virus. Production on all series has stopped, some
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| Rege Jean Page leads Bridgerton cast |
Bridgerton
Netflix has not only finished shooting their new historical series BRIDGERTON in March, but I hear rumours of a 2nd season already ordered. The adaptation of Julia Quinn's historical romance novels will use the method of black washing to put actors of colour into the roles of dukes, lord and ladies. It will star Polly Walker, Regé Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Julie Andrews, Ben Miller, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, with the story set during England’s early 1800s Regency period following love lives of eight very rich Bridgerton family heirs! Given that it comes from Shonda Rhymes who gave us the criminally bad Still Star Crossed, you can expect cheap cheesiness in this one too.
Netflix has not only finished shooting their new historical series BRIDGERTON in March, but I hear rumours of a 2nd season already ordered. The adaptation of Julia Quinn's historical romance novels will use the method of black washing to put actors of colour into the roles of dukes, lord and ladies. It will star Polly Walker, Regé Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Julie Andrews, Ben Miller, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, with the story set during England’s early 1800s Regency period following love lives of eight very rich Bridgerton family heirs! Given that it comes from Shonda Rhymes who gave us the criminally bad Still Star Crossed, you can expect cheap cheesiness in this one too.
Cursed
Netflix has already finished shooting Arthurian legends epic mini series CURSED last year, so it is ready to air sometime this year with Katherine Langford as Nimue, a young rebellious heroine whose destiny lies in helping
Arthur, a young mercenary to ascend to the throne of Camelot. In another case of blackwashing Devon Turell is playing Arthur, Gustaf Skarsgard is
Merlin, Matt Stokoe is Sir Gawain, Bella Dayne is Viking captain Red Spear, with Petter Mulan and Daniel Sharman also in the cast.
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| Cursed will premiere sometime this summer on Netflix |
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| Matt Stokoe as Sir Gawain in the new epic TV series |
Black Narcissus
As far as I've heard the shooting of BBC's period set series BLACK NARCISSUS begun in October and was over before the lockdown, so we will probably be able to see Gemma Arterton (playing a nun struggling to
contain her repressed emotions in the remote Himalayan mountains up in the palace of Mopu) sometime this year! The three part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel will also star Alessandro Nivola, Diana Rigg, Gina Mckee and Jim Broadbent!
contain her repressed emotions in the remote Himalayan mountains up in the palace of Mopu) sometime this year! The three part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel will also star Alessandro Nivola, Diana Rigg, Gina Mckee and Jim Broadbent!The Luminaries
BBC also finished their adaption of Eleanor Catton's Man Booker Prize-winning novel LUMINARIES in early 2019 and it was supposed to air this April but they might be keeping it for summer of autumn. The six part 19th 
century adventure series, starring Eva Green and Marton Csokas, tells an epic story of love, murder and revenge, as men and women travelled across the world to New Zealand to make their fortunes.
century adventure series, starring Eva Green and Marton Csokas, tells an epic story of love, murder and revenge, as men and women travelled across the world to New Zealand to make their fortunes.The North Water
British broadcaster also has another historical adventure already finished: four part mini series THE NORTH WATER, based on Ian McGuire's novel in which Colin Farrell as Henry Drax, a harpooner and
brutish killer whose amorality has been shaped to fit the harshness of his world, sets sail on a whaling expedition to the Arctic with Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as the ship’s doctor.
brutish killer whose amorality has been shaped to fit the harshness of his world, sets sail on a whaling expedition to the Arctic with Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as the ship’s doctor.Romulus
Although they halted their international production till next year, Sky Atlantic has a few series already done, for example ROMULUS epic series shot in archaic Latin in ten episodes, following the story of Romulus (Andrea 
Arcangeli) and his twin brother Remus (Francesco Di Napoli), in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence.
Arcangeli) and his twin brother Remus (Francesco Di Napoli), in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence. Little Birds
The production of another of Sky's period set mini series has also finished in Andalusia and UK. LITTLE BIRDS inspired by Anais Nin's erotic stories, will be set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous ‘international zone’ - one of the
last outposts of colonial decadence, and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple). Hugh Skinner and Jean Marc Barr also star.
last outposts of colonial decadence, and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple). Hugh Skinner and Jean Marc Barr also star.A Discovery Of Witches
Although the first season wasn't period set, the second season of Sky's A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES will be as flimsy witch Diana Bishop (played atrociously by scandalously bad Teresa Palmer) and vampire Matthew 
Claremont (always charismatic Matthew Goode) have been transported by means of magic to Elizabethan England. We might expect the airing later this year, although nothing has been confirmed.
Warrior Season 2
The Singapore Grip
The Spanish Princess Season 2
BarkSkins
The Great
All Creatures Big And Small
Atlantic Crossing
Empire Oktoberfest
Claremont (always charismatic Matthew Goode) have been transported by means of magic to Elizabethan England. We might expect the airing later this year, although nothing has been confirmed.Warrior Season 2
Although
at some point there was a possibility of it having to find a new home
as Cinemax was to abandon all scripted programmes, I have info that the 2nd season of their magnificently dynamic series WARRIOR might air in
October! Andrew Koji, Kiearan Bew and Tom Weston Jones are to return to
19th century San Francisco China Town. This one was shot at the end of
2019. Chen Tang, Celine Buckens and Miranda Raison have joined the
series regular cast together with Maria Elena Laas.
October! Andrew Koji, Kiearan Bew and Tom Weston Jones are to return to
19th century San Francisco China Town. This one was shot at the end of
2019. Chen Tang, Celine Buckens and Miranda Raison have joined the
series regular cast together with Maria Elena Laas.The Singapore Grip
ITV
has finished an ambitious and exotic family saga set in colonial
Singapore during World War Two. THE SINGAPORE GRIP follows the schemes,
both commercial and amorous, of a wealthy British family as they
struggle to preserve their prosperous business amid cataclysmic world
events. 
A compelling portrait of a society in decline and a family
clinging to a world that is crumbling around them! David Morrissey, Luke
Treadaway, Colm Meaney and Charles Dance star in the six part
adaptation of J.G. Farrell’s classic novel. It will air either this
summer or autumn.
A compelling portrait of a society in decline and a family
clinging to a world that is crumbling around them! David Morrissey, Luke
Treadaway, Colm Meaney and Charles Dance star in the six part
adaptation of J.G. Farrell’s classic novel. It will air either this
summer or autumn.The Spanish Princess Season 2
Although
the 1st season was one of the most poorly acted and most amateurishly
written and directed shows we've ever had the misfortune to watch,
Starz has already finished shooting the 2nd season of
THE SPANISH
PRINCESS which stars almost offensively talentless Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon.
The cast will now also include Ray Stevenson as King James IV of
Scotland and Andrew Buchan as social climber Sir Thomas More!
THE SPANISH
PRINCESS which stars almost offensively talentless Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon.
The cast will now also include Ray Stevenson as King James IV of
Scotland and Andrew Buchan as social climber Sir Thomas More!BarkSkins
As
I've recently announced, NatGeo will air their new epic TV series
BARKSKINS from May 25th with a Hulu release the very next day. Starring
David Thewlis, Christian Cooke, Aneurin Barnard and Marcia Gay 
Harden,
the series, based on the novel by Pulitzer-winner
Annie Proulx, follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate
brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the
crossroads of civilization in late 1600s New France.
Harden,
the series, based on the novel by Pulitzer-winner
Annie Proulx, follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate
brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the
crossroads of civilization in late 1600s New France.The Great
Hulu
has already set May 15th airing date for their new four part historical
comedy series THE GREAT! Elle Fanning leads this fictionalized, 
irreverent and anachronistic story of an idealistic, romantic young girl
who arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the mercurial Emperor
Peter played by Nicholas Hoult.
irreverent and anachronistic story of an idealistic, romantic young girl
who arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the mercurial Emperor
Peter played by Nicholas Hoult.All Creatures Big And Small
British
Channel 5 hasn't set an airing date yet for their remake of popular
series ALL CREATURES BIG AND SMALL but I heard they shot 
a Christmas
episode as well so it might be sometime next winter. Nicholas Ralph
leads the cast of the series which chronicles the heartwarming and
humorous adventures of a young country vet.
a Christmas
episode as well so it might be sometime next winter. Nicholas Ralph
leads the cast of the series which chronicles the heartwarming and
humorous adventures of a young country vet.Atlantic Crossing
Our
favourite German production house Beta Film has finished filming period
set series ATLANTIC CROSSING starring Sofia Helin, Tobias Santelmann,
Kyle MacLachlan and Daniel Betts. The eight episode 
series brings the
story of Crown Princess Märtha who fought for her country and her
marriage during the tragic events of World War II.
series brings the
story of Crown Princess Märtha who fought for her country and her
marriage during the tragic events of World War II.Empire Oktoberfest
Beta
Film has another epic saga in their sleeve for this year, Munich set
EMPIRE OKTOBERFEST in which the story revolves around a young girl who
falls in love with a poor brewer's son. Their relationship is opposed by
the 
girl's father, a rich mobster who has come to town to try to bully
his way into the inner circle of Munich's brewery dynasties.
We can probably expect at least one Spanish and Russian epic TV series too this year, but it is difficult for me to explore their markets in advance, so stay tuned or email us if you have any info on new epic projects!
girl's father, a rich mobster who has come to town to try to bully
his way into the inner circle of Munich's brewery dynasties.We can probably expect at least one Spanish and Russian epic TV series too this year, but it is difficult for me to explore their markets in advance, so stay tuned or email us if you have any info on new epic projects!
I think for the most part, the entertainment industry (and others) shouldn't suffer much longer. Well, here's to hoping, at least!
ReplyDeleteDepends on the country, I think it will and that it already has, many cinemas and production houses will close and bankrupt, with the shutdown of productions it will be the worse for the film crew workers not the richer actors and filmmakers. Those who earn small wages working on sets now don't have money to feed their families. The rich stars will survive, of course. Even when the productions continue they will use all kinds of new rules to protect the crew and that will make the shooting very difficult. I work in publishing, and my industry has been dead for two months now, sadly. With so many people left without jobs and economy ruined, people won't have enough money for food, let alone for films, books etc.
DeleteIt's nice to know that there are at least a few new things on the horizon. Our theaters are back up and running, but are only allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Same with shopping centers and things of that nature. My mom was angry that she got called back to work this Monday because she was making more staying home. The other person in her department isn't coming back until June. They picked my mom over him because she's more flexible to move to different work stations whereas the man is not. So, he gets rewarded with more pay to stay home for being a mean, lazy bastard. Doesn't seem very fair, but at least she still has a job.
ReplyDeleteI don't really get the cinema thing, if somebody sneezes it will still get you even if you are a few seats away.
DeleteIt is horrible, but as you say at least she still got the job, so many don't these days. We are also slowly getting back next week, with buses in the city and between cities going again but only for those who have a work permit, not for others, which means that people who live in suburbs haven't been to the city in two months if they don't own a car. It is beyond chaotic but government does not seem to care. People have started with protests against our dictator here by making noise with pans and pots every evening at 8,05pm.
Theresa, You're starting to open back up?? We are still locked indoors over here. I'm so jealous. Can we come visit? LOL
DeleteAnd you will stay indoors judging by the death toll today which is up again :((( You live in the craziest country indeed.
DeleteJax- Yes, we're opening everything back up in stages. Right now, restaurants and shopping centers are open but it is limited to 50% of normal capacity. Hair salons will open after the 11th. We do have to wear face coverings when we are indoors. Our governor wants everything back up and running 100% by August. We haven't been hit hard here like MI, NY and IL, though I still think it's way too early to start opening the economy back up. I'll remain socially distanced, and my best friend has already said she will not come see me until there is a vaccine because she's terrified for my health.
DeleteDezzy, I have no idea what they were thinking about the theaters being open. Now that they can stream the brand new movies at home, there is no need for the theater to already be opened. My other best friend just watched the new Trolls movie at home, so theaters can wait.
We've had our cafes open today but with masks and gloves, I've seen just one fat bastard enjoying coffee in the garden of one of our downtown cafes today, most people are too smart to frolic in the open so soon. I'm not planning on taking the vaccine if there is a choice, I don't trust them. Only if they force it upon me.
DeleteTrolls and Extinction were quite a big hits online, maybe it will be the future of moviewatching. I think they want us locked in our houses, listening to only what they tell us through TV, it is a new way of population control. I'm an introvert so I don't care about social distancing, but I will remain rebellious forever.
Dez, it may be the best time to enjoy a cafe, when no one else is there! lol Seriously though, it has to be too soon. As much as it kills me (and trust me, it's killing me to say), we need to hunker down a bit longer. I was so angry this past weekend seeing everyone gathered in mobs and playing outside. It's way too soon, and if I have to be miserable stuck in my house, they should have to also! It's only fair. :)
DeleteGiven that my city has just 49 infected (almost all of them soldiers who worked on admitting people from abroad on the border) out of 170,000 citizens, most believe the corona story has been inflated and that not all cities should be under strict lockdown. It is different in your city, of course, where they are burying people in parks :(
DeleteMaybe they are just very cautious. So many people have passed that I do agree it's better to be safe than sorry. My husband came home last Thursday with pictures of tents the size of parking lots filled to the brim with bodies.
DeleteAbsolute horror and yet Central Park is filled with people frolicking in the sun today.
DeleteShonda is really killing her reputation with those black washing historical dramas. It is as if she didnt get the message the first time around. The public want history dramas to be correct. So yes Cleapatra and Jesus roles should not be cast to white caucasian actors and dukes and Romeo should not be cast by african america actors. Geez this Bridgerton saga will bomb as well. I give it one season.
ReplyDeleteStill Star Crossed was one of the worst cast series we've ever seen, and not just because of the black washing but because the lead actress was just plain and simple horridly talentless, no acting chops, no charisma, no looks, no nothing. Cleopatra, admittedly, can be played by a white actress as she wasn't of dark skin, she was Greek. Casting directors just need to explore history - Ramses for example can be played by a Caucasian actor because he was both with blonde hair and light eyes, but putting black actress to play Guinevere or a black actor to be King Arthur or Zeus or Achiles (all done by BBC already) is ridiculous and culturally and historically offensive. I understand that actors of colour feel robbed for certain roles, but so does Danny De Vitto, would he ever get Romeo role? No. Would you ever give a fat, white actress the role of Juliette? No. You just follow the character physical description when you cast roles.
DeleteThere are some that look good and others that I'll skip. That's dedication! Quarantine the actors all together for our viewing pleasure. That's going to be the next reality show for us to watch while in lock down. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a job, if doctors can quarantine themselves, why not actors too?
DeleteThey totally can! I just want to watch it like a reality show. I want to know what the Hemsworth brothers do in quarantine. Please. Can you tell them we're bored? :)
DeleteUh, didn't you see that Chris is giving away free fitness videos. I'll be sitting on the couch with my ice cream watching him work out LOL
DeleteYou have a sort of a Hunksworth reality daily show over at Daily Mail as they have paparazzi beach photos of the two of them almost every day, sometimes even together surfing, shirtless.
DeleteI knew he had fitness videos but didn't know they were free now. I'm heading over to watch and drink my coffee.. I'm also going to have to look up the Daily Mail.
DeleteCheck their showbizz section, scroll the photolist with all the articles on the right side when you open any post, I do it on a daily basis to see who is naked and naughty that day :)
DeleteI'm excited for the entertainment industry to start working again, although I think safety should come first. Hope everything goes back to normal soon!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! Some say it will, some say we might stay like this for many years, sadly. I'm already sick of masks.
DeleteHad a feeling Katherine Langford won't be a one hit wonder. I mean, she was already in a few movies after 13 Reasons Why.
ReplyDeleteSaw her in Love, Simon and Knives Out. Plus, she has like, 20M followers on Instagram only.
She was very nice in Love Simon, even though I did not like the end of that one. The series version over at Hulu looks very cheap.
Delete