SERIESMANIA 2026 PERIOD SET SERIES: SUMMER OF '36, UNCHAINED AND ALICE FROM THE 19TH CENTURY SLAVERY AND HOTEL RIVIERA TO CINEMA PIONEERS

  SERIESMANIA 2026 OFFER  

SUMMER OF '36 FROM FRANCE

There is a number of new period set shows that will premiere or be offered to the buyers at this year's Seriesmania at the end of this month and your spy is presenting them to you today, starting with French and Belgian six episode drama SUMMER OF '36 a historical thriller set in Nice, summer of 1936. The elite are stunned as the first working-class vacationers arrive on the French Riviera, thanks to newly granted paid leave. In this clash of worlds, four women from different backgrounds find themselves entangled in a murder at the chic Hotel Riviera. A crime that will shatter their families, their romances, and their lives forever. The series is done for national broadcasters of the two countries, but I hear it will also stream on Netflix.

 

UNCHAINED FROM FRANCE

I already presented you with this one before, but French historical series UNCHAINED will also compete at Seriemania this year. This six episode drama has the story set in Bourbon Island, 1806. A devastating cyclone leaves Charles Bellevue’s plantation in ruins. Bankrupt, he is forced to sell his lands, leaving his slaves in terror of being separated. Among them, Isaac refuses to accept his fate. He has just discovered that Charles Bellevue is not only his master: he is his father. The brand new historical series was done for their national broadcaster France Television. 

 

ALICE FROM FRANCE AND CANADA

A co production between France, Belgium and Canada is six part series ALICE with Berenice Bejo. From France to the U.S., the incredible journey of Alice Guy, a pioneer and the first female fiction filmmaker in cinema history. The series explores the extraordinary life of Alice Guy, a woman who was an artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother. It delves into her struggles, her thwarted loves, and her quest for freedom and recognition.

SEE BATTLE ON ELEPHANTS IN DESERT WARRIOR EPIC MOVIE TRAILER WITH ANTHONY MACKIE AND BEN KINGSLEY

  DESERT WARRIOR TRAILER  

WITH ANTHONY MACKIE AND BEN KINGSLEY

First trailer has been released for Rupert Wyatt’s $150 million epic movie DESERT WARRIOR which will hit cinemas April 24th after a very long wait..Anthony Mackie stars as a seventh century legendary bandit who comes to the rescue of Princess Hind (Aiysha Hart) after she refuses to become a concubine to the ruthless Emperor Kisra (Sir Ben Kingsley) and flees into the desert with her father, where she is hunted by a merciless army. There, rising from fugitive to fearless warrior, the princess unites warring tribes for a final stand in the Battle of Dhi Qar, a clash that will change history forever. Sharlto Copley also stars.

 

SEE FUN NEW TEASER AND POSTER FOR DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 WITH MERYL STREEP, EMILY BLUNT, STANLEY TUCCI, ANNE HATHAWAY, KENNETH BRANAGH

  DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 

THE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

With the launch date of May 1st coming closer and closer a fun new teaser and first poster have been released for the hotly anticipated sequel

The Runway crew is back this May

 DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 in which Anne Hathaway returns as Andy who is back at Runway as Miranda (Meryl Streep) navigates a new media landscape and Runway's position within it. They reconnect with another former assistant, Emily (Emily Blunt), who is now the head of a luxury brand that possesses funding which could ensure Runway's survival. Stanley Tucci is back as Nigel, Kenneth Branagh plays Miranda's estranged husband while Justin Theroux plays Emily's husband. Lucy Liu, Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga will cameo as well. 

 

SEE RICHARD GADD, JAMIE BELL, STUART CAMPBELL IN NEW IMAGES FROM BBC AND HBO TV SERIES HALF MAN

     NEW HALF MAN   

IMAGES FROM THE BBC ONE TV SERIES

BBC One has released new images ahead of the April launch of their new mini TV series HALF MAN with Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell. The six episode drama will also air on HBO in USA later in May also starring Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson who play their characters in younger years. Niall and Ruben are brothers. Not related in blood but the closest you can get. One, fierce and loyal. The other, meek and mild-mannered. Inseparable youth. Brought into each other’s lives through death and circumstance, all they have is each other… But when Ruben turns up at Niall’s wedding three decades later, everything seems different. He is on edge. Shifty. Not acting like himself. And soon, an explosion of violence takes place which catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Capturing 30 years in the lives of these broken men, HALF MAN explores brotherhood, violence, and the intense fragility of male relationships. After all, when things fall apart… it is sometimes the closest relationships which break the hardest. It will stream on Stan in Australia.

WATCH NICK JONAS AND PAUL RUDD WAR OVER A SONG IN POWER BALLAD MUSICAL COMEDY TRAILER

  POWER BALLAD TRAILER  

WITH PAUL RUDD AND NICK JONAS 

A trailer has been released with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas as leads in POWER BALLAD musical comedy from John Carney. Shot over in Dublin it follows the story of a wedding singer (Rudd), a rock star (Jonas), and the song that comes between them. When Rick meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about. Jack Reynor also stars in the movie out June 5th in cinemas.

 

SEE GAEL GARCIA BERNAL AS A MOUNTAINEER LOST IN THE LAND OF THE BLIND IN NETFLIX MOVIE IN THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS

 IN THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS 

FIRST IMAGES FROM NETFLIX MOVIE

We have first images from Netflix movie based on H.G. Wells' story The Country of the Blind. IN THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS stars Gael Garcia Bernal as Álvar Toledano, a mountaineer, who falls into an isolated valley inhabited by a community that has been blind for generations. Toledano is convinced of his superiority, but soon discovers that his ability to see is considered a disturbance rather than an advantage among the people of the valley. As he tries to adapt, Álvar falls in love with Medina (Natalia Reyes), the woman caring for him. Álvar must decide whether to renounce who he is in order to belong, or whether the price of seeing is to flee the valley of shadows. As Deadline reports, the movie was shot in Colombia. 

THERE IS A GENERATIONAL DIVIDE IN SCHOOL IN THE TRAILER FOR THIRD SEASON OF CHANNEL 5 SERIES THE TEACHER

  THE TEACHER  

SEASON 3 TRAILER IS HERE!

Channel 5 has released a trailer for the third season of their   THE TEACHER anthology series which is coming soon. This time it will star 

Third season will air soon on Channel 5

Victoria Hamilton in the lead role as Helen; a respected 50-something drama teacher, struggling to keep up with modern social expectations in a reputable private school. Caught repeatedly stumbling over student Dee’s correct pronouns, Helen is then challenged by outspoken pupil Cressida over her decision to use Shakespeare as opposed to more modern dramatic works. A difference of opinion rapidly turns into a sinister grudge match and after a tragic event on school grounds, the situation intensifies when a video emerges suggesting Helen is to blame and she finds herself being blackmailed.

 

SEE HENRY CAVILL, JAKE GYLLENHAAL, EMMETT J. SCANLAN, FISHER STEVENS, ROSAMUND PIKE IN TRAILER FOR IN THE GREY ACTION MOVIE

  IN THE GREY TRAILER  

WITH HENRY CAVILL AND JAKE GYLLENHAAL 

A trailer has been released with a rather explosive duo of Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal in new action movie IN THE GREY out May 15th! It follows a covert team of elite operatives sent to take on a ruthless despot and steal back a billion-dollar fortune he swiped for himself. What begins as an impossible heist gets much worse, spiraling into an all-out war of strategy, deception and survival. Henry and Jake play two extraction specialists who have to designate a route of escape for a senior female negotiator. Kristofer Hivju, Emmett J. Scanlan, Jason Wong, Michael Vu, Elza Gonzales, Fisher Stevens, Rosamund Pike and Carlos Bardem will all be seen in the film as well. 

 

SEE AARON ECKHART AND BEN KINGSLEY CRASH RIGHT INTO SHARK INFESTED WATERS IN DEEP WATER ACTION MOVIE TRAILER

 DEEP WATER TRAILER 

BE AFRAID... BE VERY AFRAID!

Deep Water is out this May Day

A rather scary and thrilling trailer has been released for action movie DEEP WATER which should crash into cinemas May 1st starring Ben Kingsley and Aaron Eckhart  Surviving the crash is just the beginning, says the main tagline of this action movie. The story of the film directed by Renny Harlin follows an eclectic group of international passengers en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai who are forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage. Check out the trailer below and tell us how scared are you? Would you watch this super frightening action packed film?

 

TAKE A TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND WITH BRETT TUCKER IN NEW COSY CRIME TV SERIES BLUE MURDER MOTEL

   BLUE MURDER MOTEL  

NEW BRETT TUCKER SERIES IS AIRING

Blue Murder Motel airs from March 7th

Airing as of yesterday, Saturday March 7th on Australian broadcaster ABC is new mini TV series BLUE MURDER MOTEL starring Brett Tucker and Michala Banas. They star as 40 somethings Vanessa and Peter Coleman – known to friends and colleagues as Vinny and Cole – who have been married ever since they met as junior constables in Sydney. Both of them followed the police path until the very recent final years of their careers as senior homicide detectives. Working together, living and loving together, it’s fair to say that police investigations and murder were a 24/7 thing for Vinny and Cole. But now – for reasons the Colemans are keeping to themselves – it is time to leave all that behind. Blue Motel, in the summery beach town of Mōwai Bay in New Zealand, offered the perfect escape, the ultimate retirement dream. But only six weeks into their new life, that dream has taken an unexpected, annoying turn when a body is discovered in Unit 3. The series already aired on TVNZ in New Zealand back in January.

BLUE MURDER HOTEL. I directed episodes three and six. It starts in New Zealand Sunday on TVNZ+ & TVNZ1 at 8:45pm. It was my huge pleasure to have been part of those episodes. I think you’ll really enjoy this series.@TVNZ pic.twitter.com/MRDyc5xMK8

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) January 13, 2026

CAST AND FIRST IMAGES REVEALED FOR THE LATEST BIG SCREEN ADAPTATION OF LEGENDARY WAR AND PEACE

     TOLSTOY'S WAR AND PEACE    

New movie adaptation is out February 2027

NEW BIG SCREEN VERSION AND CAST ANNOUNCED

Over from Russia today we have the announcement of the cast for the latest big screen adaptation of legendary WAR AND PEACE world's most famous novel ever written by Leo Tolstoy and you can also check out the first images depicting the lead characters of the timeless story. Director Sarik Andreasyan, who directed Eugene Onegin two years ago, is preparing the lavish historical movie which should arrive into cinemas in February 2027.

Stanislav Bondarenko as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

 Famous hero of WAR AND PEACE prince Andrei Bolkonsky will be portrayed by young Stanislav Bondarenko, while the role of antagonist

Polina Guchman as Natasha Rostova

 Anatol Kuragin was given to Matvey Lykov. Their colleague Aleksandar Metelkin will play Nikolai Rostov, while Natasha Rostov will be portrayed by

Matvey Lykov as Anatol Kuragin

 Polina Guchman which is, to be honest, most unusual and rather strange choice for a role of a female character of incredible beauty and charm. As you

Aleksandar Metelkin as Nikolai Rostov

 all know in the classic novel, against the backdrop of the war of 1812 and the conflicts preceding it, the fate of the Russian aristocracy unfolds.

SEE TRAILER, POSTER AND AIR DATE FOR NEW PERIOD SET TV SERIES HOPE VALLEY 1874

   HOPE VALLEY 1874  

PERIOD SET SERIES FROM HALLMARK

If you are looking for a new period set series to watch this month Hallmark has their HOPE VALLEY 1874 spin off series launching March 21st and we have first poster and trailer for you today. Bethany Joy Lenz portrays Rebecca

New series starts March 21st on Hallmark

 Clarke, who travels from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11 year old daughter. But when her wagon breaks down, she has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Benjamin Ayres). Despite Rebecca’s best intentions to remain unattached, the future she dreams of for her and her daughter along with the people she meets in this fledgling town – including the guarded Tom and tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Jill Hennessy) – ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start. Also starring in the series are Roan Curtis as Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, and Lachlan Quarmby as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The trailer for Hope Valley: 1874 starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres is finally out! It premieres exclusively on Hallmark+ Sunday March 21st and will have a new episode premiere every Thursday after that. It is an 8 episode series #HopeValley

🎥 Hallmark Media pic.twitter.com/IJTL2GcIay

— Hallmark Enthusiast💐🌷 (@PinkSunsetxo) February 1, 2026

NETFLIX ORDERS EPIC SERIES ON THE YOUTH OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND ARISTOTLE FROM HEATED RIVALRY CREATOR

  ALEXANDER EPIC SERIES  

ON THE GREAT'S TEEN YEARS

Creator of Heated Rivalry Jacob Tierney has just got an order from Netflix for ALEXANDER epic series on the teen years of the

Netflix has issued a straight to series order

 Macedonian warlord. The adaptation of Annabel Lyon's book The Golden Mean, has the following plot: as the Athenian empire crumbles, the world’s greatest mind, Aristotle, arrives in Macedonia to tutor a volatile young prince Alexander. Amid palace intrigue, forbidden love, brutal war and ruthless ambitions, their unlikely friendship shapes an empire and alters the course of history. This brand new historical television series will reimagine the classic power struggle between mentor and protégé with a raw, modern energy that feels both epic and incredibly intimate. Hope they cast actors better than the bland ones in Heated Rivalry. Jason Bateman is the executive producer.

SEE HOW FAR WILL JOSH DUHAMEL AND MICHAEL SOCHA GO TO GET THEIR KIDS IN PRESCHOOL IN NEW COMEDY MOVIE TRAILER

   PRESCHOOL TRAILER  

PLAYTIME IS DEFINITELY OVER

The battle begins this March

How far would you go to secure your kid the only available spot in a fancy PRESCHOOL? This is what we will see in the new comedy movie out March 19th which was directed by Josh Duhamel who also stars in it together with Michael Socha. The two of them play two extremely determined fathers whom we watch engage in a comical battle to enroll their kids in an elite preschool, escalating into an absurd competition with unexpected results. Check out the hilarious trailer for this entertaining new comedy below and tell us what you think, would you watch the film, do you like the two actors?

 

AIR DATE AND TRAILER FOR BBC AND BRITBOX SERIES THE OTHER BENNET SISTER WITH LAURIE DAVIDSON, RICHARD E. GRANT, RICHARD COYLE, INDIRA VARMA, DONAL FINN

 THE OTHER BENNET SISTER 

TV SERIES RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED

BBC has released the first trailer for new ten part period drama THE OTHER BENNET SISTER based on Janice Hadlow’s novel. In the UK the series will air two episodes a week each Sunday from 15th of March while BritBox will premiere the series exclusively in the US and Canada on 6th of May. 

THIS NEW COSTUME TV SERIES

reimagines the world of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Mary Bennet - the oft-overlooked middle sister - bringing a fresh perspective to Jane Austen’s iconic story as Mary steps out of the shadows and into her own life. Starring Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, the series begins at Longbourn, where the Bennet family’s five unmarried daughters navigate the rigid expectations of Regency society. Her journey sees her leave her family home for the soirées of Regency London and the peaks and vales of the Lake District, all in search of independence, self-love, and reinvention. We follow Mary as she steps out of her sisters’ shadows in search of her own identity and purpose, finding herself in the middle of an epic love story along the way. Iconic settings from Pride and Prejudice include the Meryton Assembly Ball and the Netherfield Ball, where fortunes and futures are decided under glittering chandeliers. Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones play her parents, with Indira Varma and Richard Coyle set as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary’s worldly aunt and uncle. The Gardiners take Mary under their  wing as governess to their three children, Marianne (Roisin Bhalla), George (Reggie Absolom), and Rebecca (Jasmine Sharp), introducing her to a  new social world that includes Mr Hayward (Donal Finn), Mr Ryder (Laurie Davidson), and Ann Baxter (Varada Sethu). See the new trailer below: