PERIOD SET GENRE NEWS: JOEL FRY JOINS SARAH SNOOK IN JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION ADAPTATION! SAMARA WEAVING TO LEAD LIZ PATTERSON BONAPARTE BIOPIC ON NAPOLEON'S SISTER IN LAW

  JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION 

MAKES JOEL FRY A CAPTAIN

Last year your spy informed you that Jane Austen's 1818 popular novel PERSUASION is being made into a movie adapted by Jessica Swale and that Sarah Snook will be playing the lead role, and now Joel Fry has been

Joel Fry will take the male lead in Persuasion

cast as the male lead according to Hollywood Reporter.

  PERSUASION

 a romance of second chances, tells the story of Anne Elliot (Sarah Snook) who, many years after refusing the proposal of young naval officer Frederick Wentworth (Joel Fry), finds herself navigating the waters of English society when Wentworth returns from war a wealthy and decorated captain. As Anne ponders missed opportunities, she must consider her own regrets and unwavering, possibly unrequited love. Beside appearing in Game of Thrones, Joel is also starring in Emma Stone's Cruella which is going straight to  Disney + streamer.

 SAMARA WEAVING TO LEAD 

LIZ PATTERSON BONAPARTE FILM

Speaking of period set movies, Variety reported this week that Samara Weaving (she's Hugo's niece) will lead LIZ a biopic about one of America’s forgotten founding mothers Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. To be

Samara starred in Picnic at Hanging Rock

directed by Adam Leon, the movie tells the story of the country’s first modern socialite. Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, a daughter of  an 18th century Baltimore merchant, gained prominence as the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother, Jerome, and revolutionized America’s social scene in the time of Jefferson’s presidency. Elizabeth, who has been called one of America’s first international celebrities, was known for her fashion, wit and independence. After marrying Jerome when she was 17, Liz quickly became known for her risqué taste in fashion, starting with her wedding dress (from a see-through muslin). Jerome did not fulfill Napoleon's order to leave his wife and return to France. When they finally went to his coronation, Liz was not allowed to set foot in

Both Liz and Jerome were underaged when they got married

France by Napoleon's order. Although she gave him a son, Jerome later on annulled their marriage and married a German princess, and Liz returned to America where she kept flaunting her royal connection. After the Battle of Waterloo, she returned to Europe, where she reportedly was well received in the most exclusive circles and much admired for her beauty and wit.

WHAT ARE OUR FAVOURITE PERIOD SET GENRE STARS DOING NEXT: BART EDWARDS, MATTHEW MCNULTY, LEX SHRAPNEL, MARK ROWLEY, MAX BENNETT?

 PERIOD SET GENRE STARS

WITCHER'S BART EDWARDS

Today we're doing a little spotlight on some of the dashing faces you've been noticing in period set shows in recent years and will probably keep up seeing them in the future as well. Since we have a talent for discovering future stars,

Bart Edwards is returning soon in Domina

here are some of them. You've probably first noticed irresistibly charming Bart Edwards two years ago in THE WITCHER but you haven't seen his face there as he was a hedgehog prince Urcheon. But you definitely did enjoy his gorgeous charms and manly charisma in SINGAPORE GRIP in which he flawlessly wore the uniform as captain Ehrendorf. When it comes to future projects, he will, believe it or not, star in both of our two most anticipated epic projects: GLOW AND DARKNESS epic TV series which will follow some of the most famous medieval heroes such as Barbarossa, Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Eleanor of Aquitaine! Bart will be legendary knight Raynald of Chatillon! In Ancient Rome set DOMINA at Sky he will also appear as Iullus.

MILL'S MATTHEW MCNULTY

Matthew will be an emperor in Domina

We've first noticed this charming Brit in BBC's legendary series THE MILL in which he gave a deeply touching performance of a 19th century cotton mill engineer, and before that as one of the stars of JAMAICA INN 19th century mini series. After that he played Lucien Grimaud in BBC's THE MUSKETEERS series and will then return to the French court in VERSAILLES epic series as well! He also played a lieutenant in  the 19th century Arctic set THE TERROR. In the future he will join Bart Edwards in DOMINA epic saga which will follow the rise of empress Livia Drusilla. In it he will be the future emperor of Rome Gaius! Which means we will enjoy McNulty in a Roman toga! 

MEDICI'S LEX SHRAPNEL

You've seen another of our absolute fave period set genre series stars Lex Shrapnel (who is, did you know, the grandson of legendary Hollywood diva

We still fondly remember Lex from Harlots

Deborah Kerr) in SONS OF LIBERTY where he played William Dawes, and then as Biblical Jonathan in A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES mini series. But he definitely stole our hearts as wonderfully scheming and ultimately magnetic villain Rinaldo Albizzi in Italy's best ever historical saga MEDICI: MASTERS OF FLORENCE. After that he gave us the wonderfully good Lord James Croft, who had a soft heart (and hard something else) for male whores in Hulu's epic series HARLOTS. Believe it or not, our Lexy dearest will also appear in DOMINA in which he will be Crassus. Where are our smelling salts?

LAST KINGDOM'S MARK ROWLEY

Mark Rowley is everyone favourite Finan!

And how could we forget our favourite medieval jester and warrior Mark Rowley from THE LAST KINGDOM in which he plays Uhtred's right hand and best friend, brave and charming Finan? Before that you actually saw him in many other period set shows: in ITV's WW2 set HOME FIRES, then in MACBETH as the titular character, and then last year as Alexander from the house of Stuart in THE SPANISH PRINCESS series over at Starz where he visited the Tudor court of Henry VIII. This year we should see him next to Collin Farrell in BBC's period set series THE NORTH WATER about a 19th century whaling expedition to the Arctic.

POLDARK'S MAX BENNETT

Max will be evil Cesare Borgia in Leonardo

Although you probably remember this magnetic Londoner mostly from POLDARK in which he played the villainous Monk Adderley, Max Bennett also starred in THE DUTCHESS movie as Lord Walter, in ANNA KARENINA as Petritsky, in HOLLOW CROWN historical saga as John Talbot, then in WILL 16th century series on young Shakespeare in which he was Robert  Southwell. If you are currently missing him on the small screens, do not despair as he is returning in LEONARDO medieval drama. In  the series in which Aidan Turner plays Leonardo da Vinci, Max will be no one else but Cesare Borgia the most dangerous of all the evil Borgias!

2021 UPCOMING ANIMATED MOVIES: GILGAMESH, ALPINE CAMPAIGN, AMULET OF LIFE EPIC ADVENTURES, NUTCRACKER AND THE MAGIC FLUTE FAIRY TALE, FESTIVE WHERE'S SANTA?

 UPCOMING ANIMATED MOVIES

GILGAMESH EPIC ADVENTURE

Epic Games has chosen to make their first animated movie and it will be GILGAMESH based on the legendary hero from ancient Mesopotamia. To be directed by Tomas Lipgot, the film, which will have English and Spanish versions, will explore demigod Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality and his rivalry then friendship with wild man Enkidu. The movie is being produced over in Argentina and could be postponed to 2022. Check out the concept trailer below: 

 

THE ALPINE CAMPAIGN

Coming from Russian SMF and director Boris Chertkov, it will follow young Grisha, a simple guy who serves in a merchant’s house and is secretly in love with his daughter. Due to circumstances, he is forced to replace count’s son in military service and comes under the command of genius General Suvorov during his campaign in the Alps. There, he becomes a witness to key events and a participant in dangerous intrigues. To survive upcoming battles and return to his beloved one, Grisha needs to overcome self-doubts and accomplish one but very heroic act.

THE AMULET OF LIFE

Also coming from Russia is English language animated adventure from Signal Media. It’s a magical story about the incredible adventures of the young warrior called Koshi. There is only one goal in his life – to defeat the White Shadow, a monster who made him an outcast. But everything changes when Koshi meets a young dryad and circus actress May. By chance, the destiny of all fairy creatures ends up in their hands, and now they have to make a tough choice between their own lives and saving the world from Ancient Evil. Check out the concept trailer below for the film that follows Russian mythological hero Koschey. 

 

NUTCRACKER AND  MAGIC FLUTE

Coming from Luminescence! A year has passed since 17-year-old Marie's father died. It's New Year's Eve, and she is hoping for a miracle; life has to take a turn for the better. Unfortunately, she is in for a very unpleasant surprise. Marie finds out that in order for them to keep the house, her mother is forced to marry against her will to the revolting moneylender Mr. Ratter. As a token of proposition, he gives Marie a doll named Nutcracker. Distraught and desperate, Marie makes a wish. She would give anything just to be little and carefree again. A miracle occurs: she becomes the same size as her childhood toys, who all come to life. The unattractive Nutcracker turns out to be a prince, named George, who has been put under a spell. Marie, George and their toy friends travel to the magical Land of Flowers with a mission to save the world from falling under the control of the rat people.

WHERE IS SANTA

SC Films International is preparing this English language animated family adventure movie. It's Christmas eve and not only has Santa Claus gone missing but Sherlock Holmes is nowhere to be found. Only young Sherlock protege Samuel can save Christmas in this all action animated feature.

JAMIE DORNAN, HUGO WEAVING TO STAR IN BBC, STAN'S AND HBO'S AUSTRALIA SET THRILLER SERIESTHE TOURIST!

  JAMIE DORNAN TO LEAD  

THE TOURIST TV SERIES

In a coproduction between BBC One, Australian streamer Stan, German ZDF and American HBO Max, titled THE TOURIST , Jamie Dornan will return to

Jamie Dornan will lead the new TV series

the small screens for a six part thriller series. He will play a British man who finds himself in the glowing red heart of the Australian outback, being pursued by a vast tank truck trying to drive him off the road. An epic cat and mouse chase unfolds and the man later wakes in hospital, hurt, but somehow alive. Except he has no idea who he is. With merciless figures from his past pursuing him, The Man’s search for answers propels him through the vast and unforgiving outback. Danielle Macdonald will play Helen Chambers, a fledgling probationary constable,  Shalom Brune Franklin will play Luci, a waitress who’s swept into The Man’s journey for answers, while Hugo Weaving is agent Lachlan Rogers, one of the most highly regarded detective inspectors in Australia, leading Major Crime for the state police.

DAVID OAKES, LEO SUTER, SAM CORLETT GET ROYAL ROLES IN VIKINGS: VALHALLA EPIC TV SERIES! TEN NEW ACTORS ADDED TO THE CAST!

  VIKINGS: VALHALLA SERIES 

DAVID OAKES, LEO SUTER AND SAM CORLETT TO LEAD THE CAST

Well, your spy did announce it in our spotlight on 2021 epic shows and now it has been confirmed that David Oakes will star in VIKINGS spin off  VALHALLA for Netflix. The story begins in the early 11th century and

Leo Suter will be Harald the Viking

chronicles the legendary adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived – Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdotter, Harald Hardrada and the Norman King William the Conqueror, men and women who will blaze a path as they fight for survival in the ever-changing and evolving world! Sam Corlett will play Leif Eriksson himself (a Greenlander, raised on the outer fringes of the known world, Leif comes from a tightly knit family steeped in the old pagan beliefs. An intrepid sailor and physically tough), Frida Gustavsson will be Freydis Eriksdotter (fiercely pagan, fiery and headstrong, Freydis is a staunch believer in the “old gods.” Leif is her brother) while our dearest Victoria, Sanditon and Beecham House star Leo Suter will

David Oakes will be a royal advisor

portray Harald Sigurdsson (born into Viking nobility, Harald is one of the last Viking berserkers. Charismatic, ambitious and handsome, he is able to unite both followers of Odin and Christians). David Oakes will be Earl Godwin, chief counsellor to the King of England (the ultimate survivor. Born on the political fringes, his cunning ways get him far), Caroline Henderson is Freydis’ mentor Jarl Haakon (a great warrior and tolerant leader, Haakon rules Kattegat with a steady hand. Though Pagan, she has managed to keep Kattegat a city open to all faiths in a challenging time. She will become a powerful mentor to Freydis, who is drawn to her wisdom). Jóhannes Jóhannesson will appear as Harald’s older brother Olaf (he is physically huge and ambitious; he is a stern and unforgiving

Frida Gustavsson, Sam Corlett and Bradley Freegard will be regulars

Viking). Bradley Freegard is Denmark’s King Canute (a wise, savvy and ruthless Viking leader. Keeps his friends close and enemies closer. His ambitions will mold the course of history in the 11th century and make him a defining figure of the Viking age) with Laura Berlin as the ambitious and

Asbjorn Krogh Nissen, Pollyanna McIntosh, Johannes Johannesson

wealthy Emma of Normandy (she is from the Norman court and of Viking blood. Politically astute, and one of the wealthiest women in Europe). Pollyanna McIntosh will guest star as Queen Ælfgifu, calculating and ambitious, Queen of Denmark! Asbjorn Krogh Nissen will reoccur as Jarl Kare who presents a threat to the old pagan ways.

TRAILER AND AIRING DATE REVEALED FOR CHANNEL 5'S NEW THRILLER SERIES THE DROWNING WITH JILL HALFPENNY, RUPERT PENRY JONES, JONAS ARMSTRONG

  THE DROWNING SERIES 

AIR DATE AND TRAILER REVEALED

After Deceived and Penance, British Channel 5 is bringing us another exciting thriller mini series THE DROWNING which will start Monday, February 1st, starring Jill Halfpenny, Rupert Penry Jones and Jonas

The Drowning will start February 1st in UK

Armstrong. In the four episode drama shot in Ireland, Halfpenny plays Jodie who, since losing her son eight years ago, has been rebuilding her life but when she catches sight of Daniel, she is convinced she has found her missing son.

The Drowning tells the story of Jodie, who, upon catching sight of Daniel, a teenage boy, is convinced she has found her missing son. Whether she is right or not, in that moment her spark of hope is ignited and she commits to a dangerous and transgressive path that will take her to the edge of reason. How far will she go? How far would any of us go to find a missing child?

WHO IS IN THE CAST?

 Jonas Armstrong plays Jason, Jodie’s only sibling, the only real support she has had in her life. Always in control, he is a practising lawyer, on

The series comes from Noel Clark and Jason Maza

the cusp of a huge promotion. Deborah Findlay plays Lynn, Jodie's mother, with whom she has a fractious relationship. Cody Molko plays Daniel the boy

The series, shot in Dublin, will air in four hourlong episodes

Jodie becomes fixated with and Rupert Penry Jones plays his father Mark, an architect that keeps a tight rein on his emotions and on his son's life.

Brand new #TheDrowning coming Monday 1st February.
Starring @halfpennyjill and produced by @JasonMaza and @NoelClarke pic.twitter.com/iJO1LgnaMj

— Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) January 25, 2021

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON LAVISH RUSSIAN EPIC TV SAGA ON THE 16TH CENTURY TZAR IVAN THE TERRIBLE

  IVAN THE TERRIBLE  

NEW RUSSIAN EPIC TV SERIES

The series  started airing in November

Beside all the new period set series coming from sweet mother Russia throughout this year that your trusted spy has announced in world's most extensive spotlight on 2021 epic and period set television series, there are some that have already aired this winter. IVAN THE TERRIBLE (Grozny) is among them, it aired this November and December on Russia's national broadcaster in eight hourlong episodes, as a sort of a follow up to the previous successful series from director Alexei Andrianov, Sofia and Godunov, this time with the story of a ruler who experienced great victories and great defeats. The main role is played by

Sergey Makovetsky plays the grown up tzar Ivan the Terrible

two actors: Alexander Yatsenko as young Ivan, and Sergei Makovetsky as the older tzar. The series also stars Tatyana Lyalina (as princess Anastasiya Ivan's first wife), Artur Ivanov, Anton Feoktistov, controversial

Serbian actress Milena Radulovich (whose involvement in the cast gives the whole project an international vibe), Lyudmila Polyakova, Artyom Tkachenko (as Ivan's brother Prince Vladimir), Maria Paley (as Vladimir's

The series aired in eight episodes this winter

wife Princess Evdokiya) and others. Thousands of costumes, hundreds of actors and half a thousand sets have been used in the production of this lavish historical saga.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE follows the legendary tzar, born to rule, who grew up an orphan, enduring oppression and humiliation from his fellow boyars. The Tsar, striving to establish a single and indestructible power in Russia, was repeatedly betrayed by his closest associates, and having gained great love, he lost it in the darkness of conspiracies and intrigues. This is the story of a ruler who experienced great victories and great defeats.

THE STORY OF THE SERIES

1571. Moscow is devastated after the brutal raid of the Crimean Khan Devlet Girey. Sovereign Ivan the Terrible, deciding that his kingdom has come

Milena Radulovich is Ivan's second wife tzarina Mariya

to an end, begins to write a chronicle of his life. He recalls his early orphanhood, humiliation suffered from his guardians, friends who became

Konstantin Krukov is prince Andrey Kurbsky

enemies, and enemies to whom he was merciless. He cannot escape the memories of his wife Anastasia, the marriage to whom was the happiest period

The series was shot in more than 400 different sets

of his life, love that illuminated the first years of his reign ... Young Ivan IV is surrounded by loyal people and wise advisers. He conquered Kazan, created a

The production started in February 2020 before covid pandemics

new army, established  new laws, and an heir was born to him. But soon the bright reign comes to an end: the heir dies, followed by his beloved wife, and

Nikita Panfilov is prince Ivan Chelyadnin

the former loyal advisers, one after another, turn into traitors. Ivan IV is gradually being reborn into the infamous Ivan the Terrible - a cruel tyrant.

The series was directed by Alexei Andrianov

And now rumors about his ruthlessness and violent disposition are becoming true, and these changes in the character of the emperor are changing history.

The series involves tons of battle and war scenes as well

Enemies are approaching Russia - will the country be able to withstand? Check out the darkly atmospheric teaser trailer below and tell us what you think:

FRANCE 3 PREPARING EPIC TV SERIES WITH ISABELLE ADJANI AS 16TH CENTURY ROYAL MISTRESS DIANE DE POITIERS & NICOLAS DUVAUCHELLE AS KING HENRY II OF FRANCE

  DIANE DE POITIERS SERIES 

SENDS ISABELLE ADJANI TO THE 16TH CENTURY FRENCH COURT

As every other year, we usually spend the month of January announcing all the international epic projects to expect in the future, and earlier this week in our spotlight on French period set projects that will air this year, I

Isabelle Adjani will take the titular role

mentioned that France 3 is preparing a two 90 minute episode mini series DIANE DE POITIERS in which Isabelle Adjani will play the titular royal courtesan, who, endowed with insolent beauty and daring manager intermingling with politics, shared with King Henry II (Nicolas Duvauchelle), twenty years her junior, the most burning passion in the history of France. In so doing, she defeated two dangerous rivals: the sovereign whose name was to associate her name with the bloody Saint Bartholomew and a royal favorite educated in the art of poisons. Jean Reno, Jeanne Balibar and Mathieu Amalric will also star in this 16th century historical saga. It is interesting that almost 20 years after playing queen Margot, the daughter in law of Catherine de Medici, Adjani will now play the lover of Catherine's husband.

DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON

Henry met Diane when he was seven and she was his grandmother's lady in waiting, well in her 20s. She will later on become his royal mistress, when he was 15 and she 35, and advisor until his death. She even took part in the

Nicolas Duvauchelle will be King Henry II

choosing of his future wife and supported the choice of Catherine de Medici. As Diane didn't give him a child, she made sure that Henry's visits to the marital bedroom would be frequent, to the point that he had ten legitimate children. Diane even helped nurse Catherine back to health when she fell ill. Although he had affairs with other women as well, Diane remained his lifelong companion and was France's most powerful woman for 25 years. When the pope sent presents to Catherine, he would  send them to Diane as well. Thanks to her loyalty she was Henry's most trusted ally at the court and as such was even in charge of the education of his and Catherine's children and of the crown jewels while Diane's daughter from her previous

Diane was almost two decades older than Henry II

marriage was in charge of Queen's house hold. Diane kept her status while the king was alive but when he got wounded in a tourna- ment, Catherine did not allow Diane near the king's deathbed nor to his funeral. She spent the rest of her life comfortably in a chateau outside Paris where she died at the age of 65. During the French Revolution, her tomb was opened, her corpse desecrated, and her remains thrown into a mass grave. When French experts dug up her remains in 2009, they found high levels of gold in her hair. It is suggested that the "drinkable gold" that she "reportedly" regularly took, believed to preserve youth, may have ultimately killed her.

2021 FEMALECENTRIC MOVIES: EMILY BRONTE WITH EMILY BEECHAM, JOE ALWYN, EMMA MACKEY, WOMEN IN THE CASTLE WITH KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS, DAISY RIDLEY, MIRACLE CLUB WITH MAGGIE SMITH, KATHY BATES, LAURA LINNEY

  2021 FEMALECENTRIC MOVIES  

EMILY ON EMILY BRONTE

This year we'll have a number of movies centred on female characters, among them is EMILY which will see Emma Mackey playing famous writer Emily Bronte in Frances O’Connor's film which will immerse us in Emily Brontë’s hidden world: Emily is a rebel and misfit, a young woman daring to form herself, to embrace her true nature… to hell with the consequences. We share the innermost relationships that inspired Emily. They are revelations of untold truths – her raw, passionate sisterhood for Charlotte (Emily Beecham) and Anne; her first aching, forbidden love for Weightman (Joe Alwyn) and her care for her maverick brother (Fionn Whitehead) whom she idolises. Who was this young woman whose heart burned with such love and life, and who wrote literature’s timeless and searing masterpiece, Wuthering Heights? 

WOMEN IN THE CASTLE

Post-war Germany: a country compromised – every citizen tarnished by complicity with the Nazi regime, and yet willing the past to disappear as they build a future from its ashes. But for Marianne – widow of a man murdered for defying the Nazi regime – the past must be spoken for. She cannot simply

The film is helmed and written by Jane Anderson

forgive her compatriots for what they’ve done, to her life and to her once-proud nation. She finds refuge from this rapidly transforming world in her family’s crumbling castle where she once played host to Germany’s liberal elite and there fulfills her promise to find and protect the wives and children of her husband’s brave conspirators. Rescuing her dearest friend’s widow, Benita, from the Russian army, and Ania, from a refugee camp, Marianne assembles a makeshift family, certain the women’s shared pain will bind them together. But as Benita begins a clandestine relationship and Ania struggles to conceal her Nazi past, Marianne learns that her clear-cut, highly principled worldview and moral certainty has no place in these new, frighteningly ambiguous and emotionally charged days. All three women (Kristin Scott Thomas, Daisy Ridley and Nina Hoss) must grapple with the realities they now face, and the terrible consequences of decisions they cannot undo.

 

THE MIRACLE CLUB

 Lourdes, a picturesque country town at the base of the magnificent French Pyrenees, and a place of miracles, is a magnet for 6 million visitors each year from across the globe. Ballyfermot, Ireland, 1960: A hilariously hard-knocks community in outer Dublin that marches to its own beat – frenzied, fast and loose – and yet also deeply soulful; rooted in traditions of loyalty, faith and togetherness. It’s a thriving community in a constant uphill battle to live as fully as possible, on very little. And the opportunity to rise above one’s daily struggles is frankly a pipe dream, especially for women.

Jane Anderson wrote and directed the film

There’s just one tantalising dream for the women of Ballyfermot to taste freedom and escape the gauntlet of domestic life: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, and all for free. And with a little benevolent interference from their cheeky and rebellious priest, close friends played by Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney, are the ‘lucky’ few to win this ticket of a lifetime at their riotous local raffle night. Having never even left Dublin the journey provides them the chance to let their hair down, celebrate life and delight in some sweet independence. But it’s not all just a ‘jolly’: the women have a very important role to play when they arrive in Lourdes – to act as ‘pushers’ for the seriously ill and disabled pilgrims, there to bathe in the town’s healing springs. And it’s also a chance to reflect on their own lives, with each of the women in search of their own personal miracles. But when they are joined by a woman recently returned from a decades long exile in the USA, deep wounds from the past are re-opened, and bitter truths exposed. As they confront one another and embrace their past, these women realise that the miracle they have all been looking for is right in front of them: in the strength of their friendships and unshakeable togetherness.

LESLEY MANVILLE TO LEAD BRITBOX MYSTERY TV SERIES MAGPIE MURDERS! NORDIC WW2 DRAMA THE GREATEST CRIME TRAILER WITH JAKOB OFTEBRO!

  LESLEY MANVILLE  

TO LEAD MAGPIE MURDERS

One of the first original series for British streamer BritBox, a small screen adaptation of Anthony Horowitz' novel MAGPIE MURDERS will be

Lesley Manville will lead the new series

toplined by Lesley Manville. The six part series which will also air on PBS in America, will see her portray Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript of author Alan Conway’s latest novel but has little idea it will change her life. It is a crime story about an ingenious novel within a novel, a mystery within a mystery. The best selling novel also won a number of book awards. Lesley Manville is also expected to be seen in MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS movie, a new adaptation of Paul Gallico's much loved novel about a cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls in love with an haute couture dress by Christian Dior and decides to gamble everything for the sake of this folly. Jason Isaacs, Lambert Wilson, Isabelle Hupert also star.

  THE GREATEST CRIME  

WAR EPIC FROM NORWAY

And after news from Denmark yesterday, we are now moving to Norway where Christmas saw the release of their massive war epic THE GREATEST CRIME (Den største forbrytelsen). Our fave Nordic star Jakob Oftebro leads the cast. November 26, 1942. By order of the German occupation forces,

The movie premiered this Christmas in Norway

a large scale police operation is launched throughout the country. In Oslo, more than 300 police officers, the shepherd and NS members have been called in to assist. Over 100 taxis have been requisitioned for the assignment. Jewish women, men, children and the elderly will be arrested and deported on the same day. A month earlier, the police in Oslo had arrested almost all Jewish men over the age of 15 and gathered them at the Berg internment camp outside Tønsberg. Early in the morning on November 26, they are woken up and driven away by train in cattle carts. The destination is the quay in Oslo. Jews from all over Norway have been brought and

Eirik Svensson directed the war epic

transported here. At exit 1, the German cargo ship Danube is ready to receive the human cargo. In brief glimpses, husbands and wives, fathers and children, grandfathers and grandchildren, are brutally torn apart again. Terrified and unaware of their fate, they are forced under deck on the large cargo ship. The Danube leaves Oslo with a total of 529 Norwegian Jews on board. The final destination is the Auschwitz extermination camp. This is a magnificent and dramatic film based on real events that stretch from the 1930s to the days of peace in 1945. The story of the Braude family is at the center of the action in the film. An ordinary Norwegian working class family who until these fateful days had lived their lives in safety on Grünerløkka. There they lived with their dreams for life and ambitions for the future, but had their destiny sealed by the fact that they were Jews.

SHOCKINGLY CHILLING TRAILER FOR SERBIA'S OSCAR CANDIDATE DARA OF JASENOVAC IS HERE REVEALING THE WW2 ATROCITIES IN ONE OF WORLD'S WORST NAZI CAMPS

  DARA OF JASENOVAC  

CHILLING TRAILER RELEASED!

Out of the ashes of hate comes the untold story of the indomitable human spirit. The first trailer for the shocking and deeply moving film DARA OF JASENOVAC, which will represent Serbia in the best foreign movie race at this year's Oscars and Golden Globes, is finally here. The film tells story of little Serbian girl Dara (Biljana Cekic) who comes face to face with the horrors of the Holocaust era after she, her mother and siblings are sent to the concentration camp complex known as Jasenovac. Considered one of the most overlooked parts of history, Jasenovac is run by the Croat fascist Ustase who brutally murdered Jews, Serb and Roma people, which included dozens of thousands of children, close to 100,000 victims in total (although many believe the number could be as high as one million). As unspeakable atrocities start to unfold, Dara must summon tremendous courage to protect her infant brother from a terrible fate while she safeguards her own survival and plots a precarious path towards freedom. Read more about the film here.

A VISIT TO 15TH CENTURY DENMARK IN MARGRETHE QUEEN OF NORTH TEASER ON THE QUEEN WHO UNITED SCANDINAVIAN KINGDOMS INTO ONE REALM! NIKOLAJ COSTER WALDAU, CHARLES DANCE IN PERIOD SET SURVIVAL MOVIE AGAINST THE ICE

  MARGRETHE QUEEN OF NORTH 

FIRST ROYAL TEASER IS HERE

Proving our status of web's most resourceful place for period set projects, we have something very fresh for you: a very atmospheric teaser

The film will arrive sometime this year

released today for Danish epic movie MARGRETHE QUEEN OF NORTH starring Trine Dyrholm (from Erna At War) as their 15th century queen. Søren Malling, Morten Hee Andersen, Jakob Oftebro also star in the film out later this year.

  The year is 1402. Margrethe has achieved what no man has managed before. She has gathered Denmark, Norway and Sweden into a peace oriented union, which she single handedly rules through her young, adopted son, Erik. The union is beset by enemies, however, and Margrethe is therefore planning a marriage between Erik and an English princess. An alliance with England should secure the union's status as an emerging European power but

Margethre crowning Eric as her successor

a breathtaking conspiracy is under way that can tear Margrethe and all she believes in apart.

DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON

The Kalmar union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden kept Scandinavian kingdoms joined for over a century. Margrethe, the founder of that union, was also known as the Semiramis of North and Lady King. She died aboard her royal ship when she was trying to recover Finland for the Union as well. She was succeeded by her great nephew Eric of Pomerania as her son King Olaf II of Denmark (whom she had with her husband King Haakon VI of Norway) died before her.  

 

  AGAINST THE ICE MOVIE  

NIKOLAJ COSTER WALDAU TO LEAD PERIOD SET MOVIE

Nikolaj Coster Waldau leads the cast

Speaking of Denmark, Netflix is producing Baltasar Kormakur's AGAINST THE ICE survival movie set in 1909, when Denmark’s AlabamaExpedition led by Captain Ejnar Mikkelsen (Nikolaj Coster Waldau) was attempting to disprove the United States’ claim to North Eastern Greenland, a claim that was rooted in the idea that Greenland was broken up into two different pieces of land. Leaving their crew behind with the ship, Mikkelsen sleds across the ice with his inexperienced crew member, Iver Iversen (Joe Cole). The two men succeed in finding the proof that Greenland is one island, but returning to the ship takes longer and is much harder than expected. Battling extreme hunger, fatigue and a polar bear attack, they finally arrive to find their ship crushed in the ice and the camp abandoned. Charles Dance and Heida Reed also star in the film.

MEET WORLD'S FIRST SQUIRREL SUPERHERO IN DISNEY + FAMILY ADVENTURE FLORA AND ULYSSES

   FLORA & ULYSSES TRAILER  

BRINGS A SQUIRREL SUPERHERO!

The film will stream February 19th

Your Monday dose of sugar comes today in the form of a squirrel superhero in the trailer for FLORA & ULYSSES movie which will stream on Disney + February19th based on the Newbery Award winning book by Cate DiCamillo about 10 year old Flora (Matilda Lawler), an avid comic book fan and a self avowed cynic, whose parents (Alyson Hannigan and Ben Schwartz)  have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers, which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora's life and her outlook forever. 

FRENCH PERIOD SET SERIES AND MOVIES TO EXPECT IN 2021: GERMINAL, DIANE DE POITIERS, ADVENTURES OF YOUNG VOLTAIRE TV SERIES, EIFFEL AND DELICIEUX MOVIES

  2021 FRENCH EPIC PROJECTS 

GERMINAL TV SERIES

French TV is preparing Germinal series

In our insanely popular Mega Massive spotlight on all the period set and epic TV series and films to expect in 2021, I mentioned that the only period set series scheduled to launch this year in France is GERMINAL but we will have two more. This mall screen adaptation of Emile Zola's famous novel will see Louis Peres leading the series as our late 19th century hero Etienne Lantier, a miner in love with a young woman courted by a brutal worker, who will push his comrades to strike when the mining company lowers wages. Alix Poisson, Guillaume de Tonquédec, Sami Bouajila and Thierry Godard also star in the six episode series that will also air on Italian RAI.

DIANE DE POITIERS SERIES

France 3 is, meanwhile, bringing us a two episode mini series on Diane de Poitiers (Isabelle Adjani), who, endowed with insolent beauty and daring manager intermingling with politics,  shares with Henri II (Nicolas

Isabelle Adjani will return to costume drama after Queen Margo

Duvauchelle), twenty years her junior, the most burning passion in the history of France. In so doing, she defeated two dangerous rivals: the sovereign whose name was to associate her name with the bloody Saint Bartholomew and a royal favorite educated in the art of poisons. Jean Reno and Mathie Amalric also star in this 16th century historical saga. 

ADVENTURES OF YOUNG VOLTAIRE

France 3 will also grace is with this four episode saga on famous 18th century philosopher and writer Voltaire in his youth. How do you become Voltaire? The giant of thought, the master of blasphemy, whose battles will

Adventures of Young Voltaire will have four episodes

give birth to the French Revolution? If we know the venerable philosopher, we know less about the young Voltaire. Thomas Solivérès will lead the cast as

Thomas Soliveres leads the cast in the lead role of young Voltaire

the young Voltaire himself, committed philosopher and pamphleteer who left his mark on the Age of Enlightenment, always gorgeous Victor Meutelet will

Christa Teret takes the lead female role in the costume drama

portray Duke de Richelieu, Christa Théret will portray actress Adrienne Lecouvreur, while Bernard Le Coq plays the older version of the writer. The Château de Chantilly was used as a filming location for the reconstruction of the Château de Versailles.

DELICIEUX PERIOD SET MOVIE

When it comes to period set movies coming from France this year, we have DELICIEUX which has already been sold to most European countries, Canada and Australia. Set to be released this March, it stars Grégory

The film was directed by Eric Besnard

Gadebois as a talented chef who sets up France’s very first restaurant in the 18th century after he is dismissed by an aristocratic employer on the eve of the French Revolution. Isabelle Carré also features in the cast of Eric Besnard's movie.

Eiffel should hit French cinemas in March

EIFFEL MOVIE

Currently scheduled for March 10th cinematic release, it follows Romain Duris as Gustave Eiffel who, having just finished his collaboration on the Statue of Liberty, is at the peak of his career. The French government wants him to create something spectacular for the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris, but Eiffel is only interested in the metropolitan project. Everything changes when he crosses paths with his youthful love (Emma Mackey). Their forbidden relationship inspires him to change the Paris skyline forever. Our favourite French boo Pierre Deladonchamps also stars.