MAGICAL FIRST TRAILER WITH TOM PAYNE IN THE PHYSICIAN II EPIC 11TH CENTURY MOVIE SEQUEL WITH AIDAN GILLEN, OWEN TEALE, LIAM CUNNINGHAM

    THE PHYSICIAN II   

TRAILER WITH TOM PAYNE IN THE SEQUEL

Der Medicus II ist im kino ab Dezember 25.

Exactly thirteen years ago I introduced you to the original film and now we have first trailer  from THE PHYSICIAN II with Tom Payne, Aidan Gillen, Owen Teale and Liam Cunningham in the cast. Beta Film is ready for December 25th release of this epic film set in the 11th century: After fleeing Isfahan, the physician Rob Cole and his companions find themselves stranded in his old home of London, aiming to spread their advanced medical knowledge. However, Rob is soon drawn into the intrigues of the royal court and must fight once more — for the lives of his patients, for the recognition of his work, and against a new and profound challenge: the suffering of the human soul.

 

SEE NEW WILLIAM TELL EPIC MOVIE TRAILER WITH CLAES BANG, CONNOR SWINDELLS, BEN KINGSLEY, JONAH HAUER KING, RAFE SPALL, ELLIE BAMBER, JONATHAN PRYCE, EMILY BEECHAM

  WILLIAM TELL TRAILER 

FOR NEW HISTORICAL EPIC MOVIE

It had its world premiere over at Toronto International Film Festival months ago, but since it is due to hit cinemas January 17th, a new trailer

William Tell is out in UK January 17th

has been released for   WILLIAM TELL historical adventure movie based on the famous Swiss folk legend. Ben Kingsley, Claes Bang, Jonathan Pryce, Solly McLeod, Jonah Hauer King, Emily Beecham, Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber Eanna Hardwicke and Rafe Spall lead the star studded cast in the monumental tale about the legendary 14th century warrior marksman who liberated Switzerland, becoming a folk hero for the ages. The film will start opening in the rest of Europe from February and March written and directed by Nick Hamm.

 THE STORY STARTS IN YEAR 1307

Nick Hamm wrote and directed the film

a cruel Austrian Hapsburg king (Ben Kingsley) occupies the bordering Swiss cantons. His tax collectors oppress and violate the citizens, driving one farmer to thoughts of murderous revenge. Fleeing across a vast landscape, this farmer finds only one man who will come to his aid: William Tell (Claes Bang). Tell has returned home weary after fighting with the Knights Templar in the Holy Land. Now seeking only a quiet life with the wife he met there (Golshifteh Farahani), he’s nevertheless bound by his principles. When pushed beyond his limits by the villainy of the Hapsburg court, Tell picks up his weapons and rides into battle.

 

FIRST WILLIAM TELL EPIC MOVIE TRAILER WITH CLAES BANG, CONNOR SWINDELLS, BEN KINGSLEY, JONAH HAUER KING, RAFE SPALL, ELLIE BAMBER, JONATHAN PRYCE, EMILY BEECHAM

  WILLIAM TELL TRAILER 

FOR NEW HISTORICAL EPIC MOVIE

 It had its world premiere over at Toronto International Film Festival last month, but since it is due to hit cinemas around the world in January, a trailer has finally been released for   WILLIAM TELL historical adventure movie based on the famous Swiss folk legend. Ben Kingsley, Claes Bang, Jonathan Pryce, Solly McLeod, Jonah Hauer King, Emily Beecham, Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber Eanna Hardwicke and Rafe Spall lead the star studded cast in the monumental tale about the legendary 14th century warrior marksman who liberated Switzerland, becoming a folk hero for the ages.

  THE STORY STARTS IN 1307

a cruel Austrian Hapsburg king (Ben Kingsley) occupies the bordering Swiss cantons. His tax collectors oppress and violate the citizens, driving one farmer to thoughts of murderous revenge. Fleeing across a vast landscape, this farmer finds only one man who will come to his aid: William Tell (Claes Bang). Tell has returned home weary after fighting with the Knights Templar in the Holy Land. Now seeking only a quiet life with the wife he met there (Golshifteh Farahani), he’s nevertheless bound by his principles. When pushed beyond his limits by the villainy of the Hapsburg court, Tell picks up his weapons and rides into battle.

 

FIRST LOOK AT TOM PAYNE IN THE PHYSICIAN II EPIC 11TH CENTURY MOVIE SEQUEL WITH AIDAN GILLEN, OWEN TEALE, LIAM CUNNINGHAM

    THE PHYSICIAN II   

FIRST LOOK AT TOM PAYNE IN THE SEQUEL

Exactly twelve years ago I introduced you to the original film and now we have first image from THE PHYSICIAN II with Tom Payne, Aidan Gillen, Owen Teale and Liam Cunningham in the cast. Beta Film just finished the shoot of this epic film set in the 11th century: After fleeing Isfahan, the physician Rob Cole and his companions find themselves stranded in his old home of London, aiming to spread their advanced medical knowledge. However, Rob is soon drawn into the intrigues of the royal court and must fight once more—for the lives of his patients, for the recognition of his work, and against a new and profound challenge: the suffering of the human soul.

1ST CLAES BANG IMAGE FROM WILLIAM TELL EPIC MOVIE WITH CONNOR SWINDELLS, BEN KINGSLEY, JONAH HAUER KING, RAFE SPALL, ELLIE BAMBER, JONATHAN PRYCE, EMILY BEECHAM

 FIRST CLAES BANG IMAGE  

FROM WILLIAM TELL EPIC MOVIE

Beta has released first look at Claes Bang as the famous Swiss historical hero WILLIAM TELL in the new epic movie which also stars Connor Swindells, Ben Kingsley, Jonah Hauer King, Rafe Spall, Ellie Bamber, Emily Beecham, Solly McLeod and Jonathan Pryce. Quite a cast for a 14th century story set in the final days of the Holy Roman Empire where Europe’s nations vie for supremacy and the ambitious Austrians, desiring more land, set their sights on Switzerland, a serene and pastoral nation. William Tell, a formerly peaceful hunter, finds himself forced to take action as his family and homeland come under threat from the oppressive Austrian King and his ruthless warlords.

SEE 1ST IMAGE OF SULTANA MARA IN RISE OF THE RAVEN 15TH CENTURY EPIC TV SERIES

 RISE OF THE RAVEN 

1ST LOOK AT SULTANA MARA

Probably the biggest of the upcoming historical European series RISE OF THE RAVEN, done together by national broadcasters in Central Europe and Beta Film, has offered the first look at Franciska Torocsik as Serbian

Erzsebet, Janos and Sultana Mara at the sets

princess Mara. Before she became sultana of the Ottoman empire, she was, at least in the series, the first love of the protagonist Hungarian hero Janos Hunyadi played by Gellért L. Kádár. Beside the two of them, the set photo also shows Vivien Rujder as his wife Erzsébet Szilágyi. The series will air next year. Mara, who had to marry Murad II to secure safety for Serbia, was the only sultana who was allowed to remain Christian and was deeply respected throughout Europe as a figure of enlightenment and wisdom.

 

  THE SERIES ITSELF FOLLOWS
the adventurous life of the heroic warrior in the 15th century, a time of struggle and adventure. In the centre of the story is famous battle of Belgrade where he stopped the Ottoman invasion into Europe. Serbian actor Rade Sherbedgia also stars next to two Barbarians' stars Laurence Rupp as Albrecht Habsburg and Murathan Muslu as Mara's husband Turkish sultan Murad II, the father of Mehmed the Conqueror who will later on steal Constantinople and announce more than 500 years of dark Ottoman rule over the Balkans.

STARZ ORDERS SPARTACUS EPIC TV SERIES SEQUEL! TRAILER AND AIR DATE FOR MEGA EXPENSIVE HIGH END PANEUROPEAN SF SERIES THE SWARM!

  SPARTACUS SEQUEL  

IN WORKS OVER AT STARZ

After two flops last year with Becoming Elizabeth and Dangerous Liaisons, it seems Starz is returning to their old, already proven hits by ordering a sequel series to their legendary SPARTACUS from Steven S. DeKnight! The next chapter will explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series’ iconic characters. In the aftermath of the defeat of Spartacus and his rebel army in the series finale, the new drama will depict a new tale of treachery, deceit, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome.  

   THE SWARM TRAILER  

FOR NEW GERMAN SERIES

The Swarm arrives this March in Europe

Last summer I showed you the first trailer for German ZDF high end ambitious sf series THE SWARM which our dear Beta Film is distributing around the world, and now we have a new trailer and March 6th air date. Nordic, Italian, Austrian, Swiss and French broadcasters will also take part in this European coproduction which will also stream on Hulu for American audience and will first premiere at Berlinale. The eight part series is an adaption of Frank Schätzing’s novel that has been translated into 25 languages and has Game of Thrones' Frank Doelger as the

It will premiere at Berlinale later this month

executive producer. 

 

  THE GLOBAL 

 environmental thriller is set in the present day, where anomalies and unnatural behavior in marine animals are causing upheaval all over the world. Mysterious events from the depths of the oceans are piling up all over the world: whales are destroying boats, deep-sea crabs are attacking beaches, and mussels are paralyzing container ships.  A previously unknown ice worm is destabilizing continental slopes in the oceans and triggering tsunamis, and a deadly pathogen is spreading in drinking water from the coasts. More and more people in the world are in mortal danger. THE SWARM follows a global group of scientists who come together to tackle one of the biggest challenges mankind has ever faced and go on a life-threatening mission on their own. The traces lead them with their research ship into the eternal ice. They make the chilling discovery that deep at the bottom of the sea resides a collective intelligence which has suffered the ravages of civilization on its habitat - and decided to fight back.

 WHO IS IN THE TEAM?

Leonie Benesch plays the marine biology student Charlie Wagner, who collects ocean current data for her professor Katherina Lehmann (Barbara Sukowa) on the Shetland Islands. Alexander Karim plays Sigur Johanson, who is asked by a Norwegian oil company for a biological report and discovers the dangerous ice worm alongside Tina Lund (Krista Kosonen). While French molecular biologist Cecile Roche (Cecile de France) struggles with a deadly bacterium in drinking water, Canadian whale researcher Leon Anawak (Joshua Odjick) tries to explain the whales' unusually dangerous behavior. The international research team also has data analyst Alicia Delaware (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), space researcher Samantha Crowe (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) as well as the student Amir (Eidin Jalali) and the Japanese philanthropist Mifune (Takuya Kimura). Alban (Oliver Masucci), captain of the technically sophisticated research ship Thorvaldson, and the diving robotics expert Roscovitz (Klaas Heufer-Umlauf) embark on a daring mission into the eternal ice with the scientists. Our boy Jack Greenlees also stars. In USA the series will air on CW probably in late 2023.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE SECOND SEASON OF SISI HISTORICAL TV SERIES RETURNING BACK THIS DECEMBER?

  SISI EPIC TV SERIES  

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SEASON 2

With Beta announcing that they are bringing the second season of their ultra successful historical saga SISI this month to MipCom in Cannes, I thought I could update you with some new set photos before we get the first trailer and official photos. The series which aired on German RTL, Epic Drama

Sisi will have a Hungarian coronation in season two

Channels, many national broadcasters around the world and on Disney in USA, should return probably this Christmas taking us back to the imperial court in Vienna with Dominique Devenport as Empress Elisabeth and Jannik Schumann as emperor Franz Joseph. 

 

  THE BIRTH OF THE SON

of Sisi and Franz should perfect the marital bliss, but instead the young heir to the throne is a cause for serious power struggles in Europe. This also begins a phase of private challenges for Sisi and Franz. Otto von Bismarck threatens war, Sisi uses her diplomatic instincts, but she cannot find happiness in their

Sisi will also have some carefree moments out in the nature

relationship. She feels like a bird in a golden cage. Then she has to travel to Hungary for political reasons and there she encounters Count Gyula Andrássy (Giovanni Funiati), who fascinates her immensely. Standing between the rebel leader and her husband Franz, she has to make a decision.

THE SECOND SEASON CAST

will also include Murathan Muslu as the Hungarian rebel leader Ödön Körtek, Romy Schroeder as Marie, the daughter of Sisi's maid Fanny, who was hanged for treason in Season one, Amanda Da Gloria as Countess

Franz Joseph will have a change of image?

Emanuelle Andrássy, Count Andrássy's sister, and Bernd Hölscher as Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor from 1871! As you can see in one of the group set photos, Sisi will also have a lavish coronation in Hungary and Franz will now

Sisi with her faithful lady in waiting and assistant

maybe sport a longer hairdo to the delight of ladies. Rival series The Empress, which arrived to Netflix just last week, had close to 50 million viewing hours in first seven days, so we can probably expect a second season of that one as well sometime next year.

1ST PHOTOS AND INTERNATIONAL CAST UNVEILED FOR HUNGARY'S MOST EXPENSIVE EPIC TV SERIES EVER ENGLISH LANGUAGE RISE OF THE RAVEN ABOUT THE 15TH CENTURY WARRIOR JANOS HUNYADI

  RISE OF THE RAVEN  

1ST PICS FROM EPIC TV SERIES

Oh, what a treat I have for you today: first photos and casting from Hungary's most expensive series ever RISE OF THE RAVEN which is currently in production near Budapest under Robert Lantos and Beta Film. As I told you before, based on Bán Mór’s bestselling novels, the ten part series follows Hungarian warrior Janos Hunyadi, who defeated the Ottoman army in 1456 at the Battle of Belgrade, halting its march across Europe. The show which cost well over $30 million already has broadcasters in Hungary and Slovenia and ORF in Austria. Set among the scandals, political power plays and court intrigues of medieval Europe, the series is nevertheless a human story at heart, with Gellért L. Kádár playing Hunyadi, and Vivien Rujder as his life partner, Elizabeth Szilagyi. They’re joined by an international cast that includes Austria’s Laurence Rupp from ''Barbarians”, Cornelius Obonya, Turkey's Murathan Muslu, Italy’s Francesco Acquaroli, Czech actor Karel Roden and Serbian star Rade Serbedzija alongside Italian actors Thomas Trabacchi and Elena Rusconi. The series should also feature Serbian princess Mara Brankovic who was Hunyadi's big love before she was forced to become the empress and wife of his greatest enemy the Turkish sultan Murad. Shooting all the way till June next year, the show will arrive sometime at the end of 2024!

BREAKING NEWS: DESTINY IS CRUEL, DESTINY IS ALL! NETFLIX RELEASES TRAILER AND AIRING DATE FOR THE FINAL SEASON OF THE LAST KINGDOM EPIC TV SERIES! BETA FILM PREPARING MINI SERIES ON 19TH CENTURY COUNTESS OF CASTIGLIONE

   THE LAST KINGDOM  

FINAL SEASON TRAILER

Destiny awaits March 9th which is when the fifth and final season of medieval series THE LAST KINGDOM arrives to Netflix and it seems it will be tragic for Uhtred at least judging by the trailer. After the final season you can also look forward to Seven Kings Must Die epic movie conclusion to the whole saga which started shooting last month.

 WHAT HAPPENS IN THE END

 Years have passed since the events of the last season, and 9th century King Edward (Timothy Innes) is still forging ahead with his ambitions to unite the Saxon Kingdoms to fulfill his late father’s dream. Although a long-

Alexander Dreymon returns as brave Uhtred

standing peace between Danes and Saxons now exists, that harmony is under threat. Not only by a new Danish invasion but a Saxon rebellion. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) has been entrusted with protecting Edward’s

Finan is always there next to his master and friend Uhtred

illegitimate son, the future King of England, Aethelstan. But the treacherous Lord Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) has ambitions for his grandson Aelfweard, Edward’s other son, to rule. We follow Uhtred as he faces his greatest enemies, and suffers immeasurable loss, on his quest towards

Millie Brady's character might die in the final season

fulfilling his destiny. Meanwhile, Edward treads a fine line between peace-keeper and authoritarian as he battles to bring together the fractured Kingdoms of the land. In a surprising twist of fate, Uhtred discovers that the

Brida is now the leader of the Saxon armies crazy with revenge

quest to unite England may well be linked to his own personal destiny. Eliza Butterworth returns as the queen mother, Arnas Fedaravicius and Mark Rowley as Uhtred's knights Sihtric and Finan, Ewan Mitchell as Osfert, with Emily Cox as evil Brida who is now the leader of the enemy armies.

 

 HISTORICAL MINI SERIES 

ON 19TH CENTURY WOMEN WHO CHANGED COURSE OF HISTORY

As Cineuropa reports, Italian Mompracem and Picomedia, French firm Thalie Images and Germany’s Beta Film will develop a TV miniseries looking back at women in the 19th century who played a leading role in

Countess of Castiglione will be the first heroine of the series

changing the course of history in Italy and Europe. The project will open a story about Virginia Oldoini, the ambitious and fierce COUNTESS OF CASTIGLIONE, an Italian patriot and fascinating spy sent to the court of Napoleon III in Paris, a ruthless and beautiful woman who shattered the court of Napoleon III with her charm and strength.

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON MARIA THERESIA: THE PINNACLE OF POWER, FINAL PART OF THE HISTORICAL SAGA FOLLOWING THE LAST 20 YEARS OF 18TH CENTURY EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA'S RULE

 MARIA THERESIA SEASON 3 

THE PINNACLE OF POWER

Legendary Sisi was not the only of the Austrian empresses to find her way into the holiday programmes this year as the final installment on the historical series on MARIA THERESIA aired on national televisions in

Maria Theresa aired during Christmas holidays in Central Europe

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary around Christmas and will air tonight on Austrian broadcaster ORF and should air also on French Arte. After the first two short seasons (you can view the whole series as five TV films), Oscar

The final season is a two hour film or a two part mini series

nominated director Robert Dornhelm stages the last 20 years of the legendary Empress at the zenith of her power. Let us hope the last, two hour series is better than the first two which did not really know whether they want

Ursula Strauss takes the role of old Maria Theresa

to be a period set costume drama or comedy, but I have a feeling the hilariously bad wigs and rather atrocious acting and casting were not actually intentional. MARIA THERESIA: THE PINNACLE OF POWER stars

The series was shot last year in Czech Republic

Ursula Strauss, Vojtěch Kotek, Aaron Friesz, Tatiana Pauhofová, David Švehlík and comes from Beta Film, Austrian ORF, Slovakian, Czech,

The series airs tonight in Austria

Hungarian broadcasters and Arte in France. The shooting of this lavishly produced historical melodrama took place in April and May 2021 in the Czech Republic.

 

 THE FINAL CHAPTER

Around the year 1760, Francis Stephen (Vojtech Kotek) is Roman-German Emperor and co-ruler to Maria Theresa (Ursula Strauss). But she runs the affairs of state largely alone, and with a strong hand. Political marriages are meant to secure the Habsburg Empire. Love plays no role in this: Her many children have to submit to her will. Disappointed, Francis Stephen increasingly retreats to Hof Palace. While

Hundreds of costumes were prepared for the series

he turns to profitable business, Maria Theresa has her heir to the throne, Archduke Joseph (Aaron Friesz), educated to the highest level. He grows up

The series will also air on Arte over in France

to be his mother’s liberal rival and a bitter opponent of his often-absent father. His marriage to Isabella of Parma (Jana Kvantikova) will be both, his great

This is the finale of the series that started in 2017

happiness and his deepest misfortune. When Francis Stephen unexpectedly dies, Joseph becomes co-regent to his mother. But Maria Theresa has no intentions of sharing power with him!

NETFLIX UNVEILS FIRST PHOTOS OF DEVRIM LINGNAU AND PHILIP FROISSANT FROM EPIC TV SERIES THE EMPRESS! NEW PHOTOS FROM TVNOW'S SISI HISTORICAL DRAMA ON AUSTRIAN 19TH CENTURY EMPRESS

 NETFLIX' THE EMPRESS SERIES

UNVEILS FIRST SET PHOTOS

The Empress should stream next spring

Beside TVNOW's Sisi series and Corsage movie with Vicky Krieps, I told you that we will also be getting a third project on famous Austrian empress Sisi as Netflix is shooting six part series THE EMPRESS as one of their new German originals and today I have first photos for you from the production that started earlier this month. The series will depict Sisi’s life from her teenage years onwards, when she first met Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria Hungary, and Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant will play the imperial couple. When the rebellious Elisabeth meets Franz, the Emperor of Austria, in 1853 the young couple's intoxicating love completely upsets the power structure at the Viennese court. After the wedding, the young empress must assert herself not only against her mother

Philip Froissant and Devrim Lingnau are Franz und Sisi

in law, the sovereign, power hungry Sophie, but also against Franz's brother Maxi, who himself longs for the throne (and for Sisi). As enemy troops form up on the borders of the Habsburg Empire, people in Vienna rise up in protest against the emperor. Elisabeth must find out who she can trust and how high

Both The Empress and Sisi will air in six hourlong episodes

the price is to be a true empress and a figure of hope for the people. While her contemporaries considered her kitschy and vain, Sisi got a whole cult of fans after she was stabbed to death in Geneva in 1898. Kinda like today's rock stars. You can read our main spotlight on the series with tons of photos HERE.

 TVNOW'S SISI SERIES  

NEW PHOTOS FROM THE SETS

Meanwhile, check out two new photos from the rival series to the Netflix' one, which will also have six episodes but will air first as The Empress above is scheduled for next spring and SISI for the end of the year. The lead

Desiree Nosbusch is glamorous ArchDuchess Sophie

cast includes Dominique Devenport as Sisi, and Jannik Schümann as emperor Franz.The series, which will air on ORF in Austria, RTL's streamer TVNOW in Germany and TF1 in France and is produced by Beta Film, will also

Six part Sisi should arrive sometime at the end of the year

star Désirée Nosbusch as Archduchess Sophie, Franz's mother,  Tanja Schleiff as Countess Esterhazy, Paula Kober as Fanny, Julia Stemberger as Sisi's mother, Duchess Ludovika, and Giovanni Funiati as Count Andrassy.