DANIELLE L. JENSEN'S ROMANTIC EPIC FANTASY NOVEL THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SELLS MOVIE ADAPTATION RIGHTS

    THE BRIDGE KINGDOM   

TO GET AN EPIC MOVIE ADAPTATION

Newly formed production house from Amazon MGM Studioes former boss James Farrell has optioned movie rights on THE BRIDGE KINGDOM epic fantasy saga by Danielle L. Jensen. It follows

The epic book has six parts planned

 a warrior princess trained in isolation, Lara, who is driven by two certainties. The first is that King Aren of the Bridge Kingdom is her enemy. And the second is that she’ll be the one to bring him to his knees. The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom of Ithicana enriches itself and deprives its rivals, including Lara’s homeland. So when she’s sent there as a bride under the guise of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture its impenetrable defenses—and the defenses of its king. Yet as she infiltrates her new home and gains a deeper understanding of the war to possess the bridge, Lara begins to question whether she’s the hero or the villain. As her feelings for her husband transform from frosty hostility to fierce passion, Lara must choose which kingdom she’ll save . . . and which she’ll destroy.

ARIEL LAWHON'S HISTORICAL MYSTERY BESTSELLER THE FROZEN RIVER TO BE TURNED INTO A MOVIE

   THE FROZEN RIVER  

 TO BE TURNED INTO A HISTORICAL MOVIE

Film rights have been sold for Frozen River

As Deadline reports, Ariel Lawhon’s historical mystery novel THE FROZEN RIVER might be turned into a movie. Set in Maine in 1789, it opens when a man is found frozen in the Kennebec River. Martha Ballard, a respected midwife and healer, is summoned to examine the body and determine the cause of death. Her private diary, a meticulous record of births, deaths and crimes, soon places her at the center of a murder investigation intertwined with an alleged rape she documented months earlier. As a brutal winter closes in and a trial approaches, Martha’s quiet authority and refusal to bend to the power structures put her family, reputation and safety at risk. It has been sold in over two million copies so far.

FIRST LOOK AT HARRIS DICKINSON, JOSEPH QUINN, PAUL MESCAL AS THE BEATLES IN THE FOUR MOVIE CINEMA EXPERIENCE WITH JAMES NORTON, HARRY LLOYD, DAVID MORRISSEY

    THE BEATLES   

FIRST IMAGES FROM FOUR MOVIE EXPERIENCE

It will be one of the most star studded movie projects ever and we have the first images to prove it: THE BEATLES A Four Film Cinema Experience will see Paul Mescal starring as Paul McCartney. Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. It will be a long wait, though, because the four films directed by Sam Mendes, each from the perspective of a different Beatle, are set to be released on the same day - 7th April 2028. The stellar cast also includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin and David Morrissey as Jim McCartney. Leanne Best will play Mimi Smith, Bobby Schofield will play Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill will play Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill will play Derek Taylor and Adam Pally will play Allen Klein. Each of the four movies will tell the story of one of the famous music group members and will be, strangely enough, released at the same time. Who do you think will be most popular?

ITV SETS AIDAN GILLEN AS LEAD IN LEGAL THRILLER MINI TV SERIES SAVIOUR

   SAVIOUR ITV SERIES  

CASTS AIDAN GILLEN IN THE LEGAL THRILLER

ITV has announced work on six part legal thriller TV series SAVIOUR which follows Ben (Archie Fisher), who, after borrowing his dad’s police uniform for a costume party, gets into an altercation that results in a man’s death. He is represented by the recently promoted criminal defence attorney

You must admit that Aidan Gillen and Archie Fisher quite look alike

 Indy Sangar (Anjli Mohindra) who is also up against a formidable adversary in Detective Inspector Jon Creasy (Shaun Parkes), who is determined to get to the truth, despite efforts by his colleague Eddie (Aidan Gillen), who is ruthlessly intent on clearing his son’s name. Tobias Jowett and Campbell Wallace will also star. 

ERIN DOHERTY AND JAMES MCAVOY TO LEAD NEW SUPERNATURAL DRAMA FILM FAITH

  SUPERNATURAL FILM FAITH  

ADS ERIN DOHERTY AND JAMES MCAVOY

Fresh Golden Globe and Emmy winner Erin Doherty has been set as lead of supernatural movie FAITH with James McAvoy. She will play follows Gina, a hard-working and devoted single mother who meets a quietly enigmatic stranger, Michael. The presence of someone who appears to care for her brings a new and exciting dynamic to her life, despite the fact she knows nothing about him or what his intentions towards her really are. Is he a friend, a potential lover or something more sinister? When Gina’s life is abruptly turned upside down and Michael’s extraordinary true identity is revealed, she learns that she might just be able to embrace the beauty of living life fully again.

FIRST IMAGES WITH SOLLY MCLEOD AND RICHARD ROXBURGH IN CHANNEL 4 AND STAN NEW THRILLER SERIES CARELESS

  CARELESS TV SERIES  

FIRST IMAGES FROM CHANNEL 4 AND STAN

British Channel 4 and Australian Stan are teaming up on new four part series CARELESS which follows Scottish backpacker Robbie (Solly McLeod) who finds himself in Sydney determined to become a live-in carer for a notorious rock’n’roll legend, Mike (Richard Roxburgh), who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. To his delight, he nails the interview and gets the gig. But, as he grows closer to Mike, he also grows closer to Mike’s wife Angela (Robyn Malcolm), and becomes a confidante to both Mike and Angela. As Robbie integrates himself further in their relationship, it becomes clear there’s something in Robbie’s past which may put Mike and Angela in serious danger. Katie Leung will also star.

TOBIAS SANTELMANN, JOEL KINNAMAN IN NETFLIX TV SERIES ADAPTATION OF JO NESBO'S DETECTIVE HOLE TRAILER

   TOBIAS SANTELMANN IN   

DETECTIVE HOLE NETFLIX SERIES TRAILER

Netflix has unveiled Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman in the trailer for their TV series adaptation of Jo Nesbo's DETECTIVE HOLE a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry

The series arrives March 26th

 Hole (Santelmann). Under the surface, it is a character drama about two police officers, and supposed colleagues, operating on opposite sides of the law.Throughout the first season, Harry goes head-to-head with his long time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler (Kinnaman). Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late. The series will stream from March 26th. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think, will you be tuning in, have you read the books?

 

SEE BOYS STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND IN PERIOD SET SERIES ADAPTATION OF LORD OF THE FLIES FROM BBC AND STAN

    LORD OF THE FLIES  

BBC SERIES FIRST TRAILER AND IMAGES 

BBC One has released first trailer and also images from their long awaited small screen adaptation of LORD OF THE FLIES. The eight episode series will start airing on Sunday nights as of February 8th and will also stream on Stan down in Australia. An ensemble cast of over 30 boys, many making their professional acting debuts, is led by Winston Sawyers as Ralph, Lox Pratt as Jack, David McKenna as Piggy and Ike Talbut as Simon. They are joined by fellow castaways including Thomas Connor as Roger, Noah and Cassius Flemyng as twins Sam and Eric, Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice and Tom Page-Turner as Bill. Hans Zimmer did the music.

 

LORD OF THE FLIES IS THE STORY

 of schoolboys stranded on a tropical island with no adults, following a deadly plane crash. In an attempt to remain civil they organise themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But when Jack becomes more interested in hunting and vying for leadership, he soon begins to draw other boys away from the group and, ultimately, from hope to tragedy. Set in the early 1950s on an unnamed Pacific island – Jack Thorne’s adaptation delves further into the book’s emotive themes; human nature, the loss of innocence and boyhood masculinity. Each of the four episodes is titled after a character at the core of the story offering a subtly different perspective on the boys’ collective plight and manner in which they cope with their predicament. 

 

FIRST LOOK AT HENRY CAVILL AS IMMORTAL WARRIOR IN THE MOVIE REBOOT OF HIGHLANDER ACTION ADVENTURE

    HIGHLANDER   

FIRST LOOK AT HENRY CAVILL REBOOT

We have the first images of our dearest Henry Cavill in the movie reboot of famous HIGHLANDER from director Chad Stahelski. As you remember the production was delayed last year when Cavill was injured during the shooting. Russell Crowe will join him as the mentor of Connor MacLeod a Scottish warrior who is good with the sword and, although he was born in the 16th century, has to fight other immortal enemies in our present times so that they could not steal the power of all eternal beings of their kind. Karen Gillan and Djimon Hounsou are also in the cast.

FIRST IMAGES WITH JASON SUDEIKIS AND HANNAH WADDINGHAM IN THE BRAND NEW FOURTH SEASON OF TED LASSO COMEDY SERIES

   TED LASSO SERIES  

FIRST IMAGES FROM SEASON FOUR

Although we all thought it finished for good after the rather lukewarm third season which gave an impression of the writers being quite lost in their efforts, Apple TV has decided to bring their most popular comedy series back and we can expect TED LASSO to return with the fourth season later this year. The main catch: this time: Jason Sudeikis, who is back as Ted, is back to help the Richmond soccer club owner Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) training an all female football team! Brett Goldstein as Roy and the rest of the old crew should be all back when the new season, which is currently still in production, returns, supposedly this summer three years after the series ended. Jack Burditt (Modern Family, 30 Rock) has been added to the creative team as a new producer. In the new season, our beloved coach leaves behind the players he'd won over to his side, and turns his attention to Richmond's women's team. The change represents his biggest challenge yet as he again hopes to turn around their fortunes, lifting them out of the second division and propelling them towards glory. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would. His son, Henry (Grant Feely) is also back, now much older, and so are Jeremy Swift (as Leslie Higgins) and Juno Temple (as Keeley Jones).

SEE THE LATEST NEW ACTORS ADDED TO THE CAST OF PRIME VIDEO'S NEW VIKING EPIC TV SERIES BLOODAXE

    BLOODAXE TV SERIES   

ADS NEW VIKING WARRIORS TO THE CAST

Prime Video continues casting actors for Michael Hirst's new epic Viking series BLOODAXE  which will follow Erik Bloodaxe (Xavier Molyneux), one of history’s most famous Norse raiders, and his formidable wife, Gunnhild (Jessica Madsen), as they fight for the throne of Norway.

Mads Reuther, Xavier Molyneux and Saku Taittonen will star

 Mads Reuther has just been added as Sigurd, the Jarl of Hladir, a scheming Norwegian chieftan and ally of Haakon (Levi Miller), the younger half-brother of Erik Bloodaxe. Saku Taittonen will be Knut, one of the brothers of Gunnhild, a warrior struggling with conflicting loyalties to his sister and their father, King Gorm of Denmark (Rune Temte).

SEE TEASER FOR FOX BIBLICAL THREE PART TV MOVIE SERIES THE FAITHFUL ARRIVING THIS EASTER WITH JAMES PUREFOY, TOM MISON, TOM PAYNE, JEFFREY DONOVAN

 THE FAITHFUL TV SERIES 

GETS FIRST TEASER AHEAD OF EASTER

Gracing the small screens in three consecutive Sundays ahead of Easter, starting from March 22nd is Fox Biblical TV movie series THE FAITHFUL and we have the first teaser. The series will focus on The Bible’s most legendary women: Sarah, the wife of Abraham; Hagar, Sarah’s servant and the mother of Ishmael; Rebekah, Sarah’s great-niece and the wife of Isaac; Leah, Jacob’s wife and the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel; and Rachel, Jacob’s favored wife. James Purefoy, Alexa Davalos, Millie Brady, Tom Mison, Tom Payne, Jeffrey Donovan are just some of the names that will lead these three two hour holiday films.

Five women. One Faith. A story carried through generations.#TheFaithfulonFOX premieres March 22 on #FOXTV and #FOXOne, next day on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/eRqMwNztFM

— Drama Club FOX (@DramaClubFOX) January 26, 2026

NEW SPANISH PERIOD SET TV SERIES TO EXPECT ON NETFLIX IN 2026: 50S SET THE FINAL PROBLEM AND 19TH CENTURY SET LOBO

 SPANISH 2026 NETFLIX SERIES 

1950'S MALLORCA SET THE FINAL PROBLEM

Netflix has unveiled their Spanish originals slate for this year and among it are two period set series including THE FINAL PROBLEM (El problema final) which, as you remember, I announced last year. Set in 1959 it sees Jose Coronado portray a retired actor famous for playing Sherlock Holmes who finds himself investigating a real crime when a guest is found dead at a hotel on a small islet near Mallorca. The cast also features Maribel Verdú and Martiño Rivas and Jose Condessa.

 

19TH CENTURY SET LOBO SERIES

If you are in the mood for something darker, there is a historical crime series LOBO which brings us  the dark legend of Manuel Blanco Romasanta, a traveling tailor in 19th century rural Galicia who became Spain’s first documented serial killer. During his trial, he famously claimed to be a werewolf, sparking a legend that persists to this day. Luis Tosar and Tristán Ulloa lead the cast. I will continue with our posts on 2026 international period set series later this week with Nordics, so stay tuned.

SEE MIRANDA RICHARDSON, RUPERT GRAVES, JASON WATKINS, CONNOR FINCH, MARK GATTIS AND POLLY WALKER IN BOOKISH PERIOD SET SERIES 2ND SEASON IMAGES

  BOOKISH SEASON 2  

FIRST IMAGES HAVE BEEN REVEALED

After a successful run over at U&Alibi channel cosy crime period set series BOOKISH is getting a second season which will see Mark Gatiss return to the role of 1946. London book keeper turned investigator with Polly Walker as his wife and gorgeous Connor Finch as his right hand and today we have the first images from the second season which is scheduled to arrive later this year. Joining them in the new season are Miranda Richardson, Jason Watkins, Rupert Graves to name just some of the more famous names. Returning cast also includes Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür as Nora. The series also sees the return of Rosie Cavaliero as Ada Dredge, Gerard Horan as Mr Baseheart, Nadia Albina as Dr Calder and Jonas Nay as Felix.

 

IN THE SECOND SEASON OF THESERIES

Book investigates the world of spiritualism when he’s asked to help solve the mysterious case involving medium, Harold Sneed (Watkins). Off Savile Row, Bliss asks Book to help in a puzzling murder at a gentleman’s outfitters - the elderly tailor Maxie Kleinmann is keen to confess to the murder, but the evidence doesn’t quite stack up and points to something much more complex and sinister. And Book and Jack are sent to the seemingly charming German village of Würl by the mysterious ‘E’ to thwart a thieving Duchess (Richardson) at Christmas time. However, festivities take a deadly turn when Book and Jack uncover secrets of their own, past and present, in an ominous castle brimming with plausible murder suspects. Book’s close association to the police continues to be not without its personal dangers and his lavender marriage with childhood best friend Trottie, is threatened by debonair Colonel Winters (Graves). Marrying post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life affirming atmosphere of the times, Bookish is a stylish period detective drama with a difference

DISCOVER A LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR IN THE TRAILER FOR PERIOD SET ROMANTIC MOVIE SEEKING PERSEPHONE

  SEEKING PERSEPHONE  

PERIOD SET ROMANTIC MOVIE TRAILER

SparkTV has released a trailer for their romantic movie adaptation of Sarah M. Eden's book SEEKING PERSEPHONE which should air sometime later this year starring Ryann Bailey, Jake Stormoen, 

The movie will air sometime later this year

Toby Alexander Smith and Will Kemp. When Persephone Lancaster refuses the marriage proposal of the feared Duke of Kielder, she believes her future is her own until the truth sets in. The fortune he offers could save her family from financial ruin. With unwavering optimism and quiet courage, Persephone journeys to the remote wilds of Northumberland to marry a man known as much for his temper as for his scars. The Duke’s castle is cold and imposing, mirroring the walls he has built around his heart. As Persephone’s kindness begins to thaw the Duke’s defenses, a powerful bond forms — one he desperately tries to deny. But when danger threatens, the Duke must choose between protecting himself or risking everything to reveal his true feelings. Discover a love worth fighting for in this sweeping romantic drama about sacrifice, healing, and the courage it takes to love.

 

VISIT CUBA AND SPAIN IN NEW PERIOD SET TV SERIES THE MAID'S DAUGHTERS BASED ON THE POPULAR NOVEL

  THE MAID'S DAUGHTERS  

NEW PERIOD SET TV SERIES FROM SPAIN

The series was offered this week to international buyers

Together with your trusted spy today you can continue our series of spotlights on the upcoming international period set series and films which we can expect on the small screens this year, and after England, France, Italy and Poland, this Sunday we are visiting Spain where their eight episode costume drama THE MAID'S DAUGHTERS (Las hijas de la criada) already streamed on Atresplayer earlier this winter and will air also on their Antena 3 network based on Sonsoles Onega's popular and award winning novel. The series was also offered to the international buyers earlier this week at Content Americas event which unveils Spain's premium TV offer each year. Verónica Sánchez, Carlota Baró, Alex Villazan, Roque Ruiz, Alejandro Vergara and Alain Hernández lead the cast in this period set mini TV series.

 THE MAID'S DAUGHTERS 

 follows two girls born at a Galician manor who swap destinies as revenge and battles for inheritance reshape a family empire. THE MAID'S DAUGHTERS is a drama set between Galicia and Cuba in the early 20th century, which offers a portrait of the time; a story full of intrigues, forbidden loves, class struggle, betrayals and envy. Family secrets emerge when twin girls are born in 1900 at Spirit Saint manor. An unexpected revenge disrupts the Valdés family, while matriarch Doña Inés fights to make her true daughter heir to an empire. 

In the peace of the Holy Spirit two girls, Clara and Catalina, come into the world. The first belongs to the maid, Renata, while the second is the daughter of the Valdés, Don Gustavo and Doña Inés. An unexpected revenge will shake the lives of those girls and all of them, and will make Doña Ines have to survive the heartbreak and pain of abandonment. And also the power struggles to turn their true daughter into the heir of an empire, in a time when women were not allowed to be owners of their lives.