ANDREW HAIGH SET TO HELM MOVIE ADAPTATION OF WALTER ISAACSON'S BOOK ON LEONARDO DA VINCI

 ANDREW HAIGH TO HELM 

NEW LEONARDO DA VINCI MOVIE

After two recent series we are getting a movie on famous LEONARDO DA VINCI as well to be directed by British director Andrew Haigh.  It will be based on

Universal Pictures is producing the film

Walter Isaacson's book which uses thousands of pages from Da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, in order to connect his art to his science, showing how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy. An icon of the Italian Renaissance, Da Vinci was not only a prolific painter but also a polymath excelling in various fields including science, engineering, and anatomy. His masterpieces, the “Mona Lisa,” and “The Last Supper” are among the most recognizable and influential works of art in history.

THE SUSPECT THRILLER TRAILER WITH AIDAN TURNER FOR SERIES STARTING THIS MONTH! PLUS HIS LEONARDO EPIC TV SERIES STARTS NEXT WEEK ON CW

  THE SUSPECT TV SERIES 

TRAILER WITH AIDAN TURNER

With the aim to air the series sometime this month, ITV has released the trailer for their new five part thriller series THE SUSPECT! It introduces Doctor

The Suspect will start this month on ITV

Joe O’Loughlin (Aidan Turner), who appears to have the perfect life – a devoted wife, a loving daughter, successful practice as a clinical psychologist, media profile and a publishing deal. He’s even a hero online after rescuing a young patient who was ready to jump from the tenth floor of the hospital where Joe works. When a young woman is found in a shallow grave in a West London cemetery, veteran police officer DI Vincent Ruiz and his young partner DS Riya Devi are assigned to the investigation. But has the young woman been murdered or is this a case of suicide? As a successful author, Doctor Joe’s opinion is much sought after and when he meets DS Devi he’s only too willing to offer help with profiling and his expertise. Now known for his risk-taking and rule-breaking does Joe have more to hide? His recent diagnosis with a debilitating illness could explain his behaviour. But as the investigation into Catherine’s death gathers pace, we start to ask, do we know the real Joe, or does he have a secret life? And has his work as a clinical psychologist allowed him to develop a criminal mindset? Or worse? In USA it will air on AMC Plus and Sundance Now November 3rd.

 

 

  LEONARDO TV SERIES 

FINALLY ARRIVES TO AMERICA

Leonardo starts next Tuesday

Speaking of Aidan Turner don't forget that his historical series LEONARDO finally arrives to USA August 16th at CW after airing in Europe almost two years ago. The series recounts Leonardo da Vinci's extraordinary life through the works that made him famous, through the stories hidden within those works, revealing little by little the inner torment of a man obsessed with attaining perfection. Although watchable, that series was completely massacred by the hideously atrocious acting of Freddie Highmore in it, so watch it only if you can stomach his lack of any talent and his horridly wimpy voice. James D'Arcy also star as famous count Ludovico Sforza of Milan.

LEONARDO PRODUCERS WORKING ON TWO NEW EPIC SERIES ON CARAVAGGIO AND MICHELANGELO BESIDE SANDOKAN! OTTO BATHURST PREPARING EPIC NEW FRANKENSTEIN TV SERIES

 CARAVAGGIO & MICHELANGELO

GETTING THEIR OWN SERIES

While we are waiting for Lux Vide to bring us new Sandokan series with Can Yaman, the news comes that after Leonardo series in which Aidan Turner played famous Da Vinci, they are planning to also make two epic series about his fellow painters CARAVAGGIO and MICHELANGELO! Minamata and The White Crow director Andrew Levitas is already

These two new series will continue trilogy started with Leonardo

developing these new projects. Michelangelo and Caravaggio represent the completion of a trilogy on the great Renaissance artists that began with Leonardo. The stories of larger-than-life artists and characters will be told with a modern cut and language! Michelangelo actually appeared in Leonardo series as they were rivals, while Caravaggio worked in the 16th century Rome.

FRANKENSTEIN EPIC TV SERIES

UNDER OTTO BATHURST'S HELM

Otto Bathurst is producing and helming

Speaking of epic series, Otto Bathurst from Peaky Blinders, Robin Hood and Halo will direct FRANKENSTEIN TV series adaptation for Black Box and Stone Village. Penned by Bradley McManus, it will have the story set in pre Victorian Europe, and focusing on the behaviors and obsessions of a scientist exploring the fine thread between life and death, all set against the context of a year in which dependence on scientific breakthroughs has been paramount. The series is envisioned as a returning one, not an event mini series.

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON LEONARDO DA VINCI EPIC TV SERIES WITH AIDAN TURNER, JAMES D'ARCY, FREDDIE HIGHMORE WHICH STARTS THIS SPRING ON RAI AND AMAZON PRIME

   LEONARDO TV SERIES   
ARRIVES THIS SPRING
The word around the web is that this one has already been renewed for the second season which is, allegedly, already in production, which means we

Leonardo starts this Tuesday over on Italian RAI

will be enjoying it next year as well (together with the seconds seasons of El Cid and Shadow and Bone and the third of Discovery of Witches). LEONARDO will be the first epic TV series of spring 2021 hitting the small screens in Italy next week, March 23rd with two episodes airing each Tuesday next four weeks on RAI. Italians, for some reason, like to air it like that. This eight part saga will also arrive to Amazon Prime on April 16th! Viewers will learn how the 15th and 16th century master painter grew into an unparalleled genius whose work overturned the established order. His restless curiosity

The eight part series will also air on Amazon Prime in April

flitted between arts, science and technology, driven by a profound quest for knowledge and determined to unfold the mysteries of the world around him. The series attempts to unlock the enigma of this extraordinary man, through

Aidan Turner takes the lead role of Leonardo da Vinci

an untold story of mystery and passion. I cannot say I'm overly excited about this one, Aidan Turner is both physically and as an actor always the same playing always himself (and he already played a famous painter in Desperate

The series was produced by Medici's Frank Spotnitz

Romantics) and the sets and the costumes look like they were taken from Medici series whose producer Frank Spotnitz is also doing this one, but I will certainly give it a go. 

THIS EIGHT PART TV SERIES

will tell the incredible true story of the definitive ‘Renaissance man’. Born the illegitimate son of a notary in the rural town of Vinci, Leonardo’s lonely childhood leaves him with a relentless, near superhuman drive to understand

500 people crew worked at more than 50 locations during the shoot

everything. Under questioning by a Milanese investigator (Freddie Highmore) who holds Leonardo’s life in his hands, we come to see the terrible personal sacrifice that led him to create masterpieces that changed the

More than 2500 costumes were used during the production

way we see the world forever. The series will portray him as a gay outsider who used his work as a way of hiding his true self. Each episode will examine one of da Vinci’s artworks for hidden clues about a tortured artist struggling for

The show will stay true to reality depicting Leonardo as gay

perfection. Freddie Highmore, who is also producing, will play Stefano Giraldi, a fictional police detective who frames the narrative, investigating da Vinci as the suspect in a murder case and digging into his past.

 

IN THE LEONARDO CAST
together with Aidan Turner who plays Leonardo Da Vinci, Giancarlo Giannini is Andrea del Verrocchio, Leonardo’s teacher; Matilda De Angelis is Caterina da Cremona, the mysterious muse and closest friend; Freddie Highmore is Stefano Giraldi, a young investigator of the Podestà

Matilda de Angelis takes the lead female role in the series

charged with solving the mystery at the center of the story. After watching the show, the spy can tell you that Freddie is almost atrociously bad in his role which he obviously gave to himself as a producer, the utter lack of talent,

The second season is allegedly already in the works

shockingly ridiculous voice and shameful efforts in achieving some kind of accent make him completely lost in his job and his appalling performance actually ruins the whole show ; Carlos Cuevas is Salaì, Leonardo’s

Insanely gorgeous Flavio Pereti is Ambassador Bembo

apprentice and trusted friend and James D’Arcy plays the role of Ludovico Sforza known as il Moro! Max Bennett will be evil Cesare Borgia, 

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!

HOLLYWOOD SPY'S MEGA MASSIVE SPOTLIGHT ON ALL THE PERIOD SET AND EPIC TV SHOWS ARRIVING TO THE SMALL SCREENS IN 2021!

    2021 EPIC TV SHOWS   

EPIC FANTASY, IMPERIAL RUSSIA, ROMANS AND VIKINGS

Another year has just started and the spy is here with the list of all the period set and epic shows we might get the chance to watch in 2021. With BBC and ITV in production hiatus, the genre will look rather bleak. Some shows I haven't included in the list (Lord of the Rings, Cowboy Bebop) as I don't believe we will get to see them this year, and even the new seasons of Witcher and Last Kingdom could be delayed. We will probably get second season of All Creatures Great and Small and third season of Lost in Space.

VALHALLA AT NETFLIX

Netflix' sequel to Vikings, might get delayed till 2022, but if we get it this year it will be late winter, methinks. Created by Tudors' and Vikings' Michael Hirst, it will be set over 100 years after the events of Vikings: the end of the Viking age draws ever closer as the Kingdom of England stands tall against its

Valhalla might not arrive this year!

Scandinavian raiders. Historical figures such as Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdottir, Harald Hardrada, and William the Conqueror, will all appear. Netflix hasn't revealed the cast, but the hottest gossip of the year is that David Oakes will star, and so will Kenneth Christensen, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Bill Murphy, Alan Devine, Gavin O’Connor, Jack Mullarkey, Ethan Dillon and Frida Gustavsson!

THE NORTH WATER AT BBC

Is the last of all the series ordered three years ago to finally arrive to the small screens. It tells the story of Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as ship's doctor on a whaling expedition to the Arctic. On board he meets Henry Drax (Colin Farrell), the harpooner, a brutish killer whose amorality has been shaped to fit the harshness of his world. In search of redemption, his story becomes a harsh struggle for survival in the Arctic wasteland.

THE CATHEDRAL FROM RUSSIA

One of the series that is coming from Russia this year is The Cathedral set in the time when Peter the Great was building up and reforming the Russian empire. Set in the 1700s, the epic saga will follow Sergey Marin as young serf Ivan Starshov who wants to build a cathedral in Sankt Peterburg to impress his love Maria, the daughter of his master. Maksim Averin plays the tzar himself.

THE NEVERS AT HBO

Although scandalous Joss Whedon has been kicked out of the producer's seat this winter, this one is coming to us this summer starring Tom Riley, Ben Chaplin, James Norton, Olivia Williams, Eleanor Tomlinson, Laura Donnelly, Nick Frost in an epic tale following a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

A new, wokeish take on the famous adventure will air this year on BBC, HBO, RAI and ZDF starring David Tennant as  gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg who sets out on a quest to travel around the world and back home in a period of 80 days. Based on Jules Verne's popular book, it will have eight episodes.

BECOMING ELIZABETH AT STARZ

After their atrocious take on Catherine of Aragon in Spanish Princess, Starz is doing a series on her daughter's rival Elizabeth I but in her young age. Alicia von Rittberg has been cast as Elizabeth Tudor, an orphaned teenager who becomes embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court on her journey to secure the crown. It is possible this one will arrive in spring next year not in 2021.

STEPHEN KING'S CHAPEL WAITE AT EPIX

I'm not sure what is the status of this one, based on Stephen King's fan popular Jerusalem's Lot. In this Gothic horror costume drama which should air sometime this year on Epix in USA, Adrien Brody plays Captain Charles Boone who relocates his family of three children to his ancestral home in the small, seemingly sleepy town of Preacher's Corners, Maine after his wife dies at sea. The cast also includes Emily Hampshire who stars as the nanny of the family.

WHEEL OF TIME AT AMAZON

I'm also not sure if the small screen adaptation of  Robert Jordan's famous epic saga will arrive this year as it has been announced. It is set in a rich fantasy world where magic exists, but only certain women are allowed to access it. Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) is a member of an incredibly powerful all-female organization, and the story follows her as she embarks on a dangerous, world spanning journey. She is joined by five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn (Josha Stradowski), who will either save or destroy humanity.

FOUNDATION AT APPLE TV

Apple TV is bringing is this epic fantasy adaptation of award winning novel by Isaac Asimov. It will be a complex ten episode saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire ruled by Lee Pace as the emperor. Jared Harris also stars in the story which follows a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization after the fall of the Galactic Empire. 

GERMINAL FROM FRANCE

France 2 is, meanwhile, bringing us an epic small screen adaptation of Zola's famous novel. Louis Peres stars 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.

MAYA AND THE THREE

Now this one will be an animated mini series, but it is epic in genre. Netflix is preparing this nine episode adventure about a demigod warrior princess who embarks on a quest to recruit three legendary fighters to help save the world of men and gods. Creator Jorge Gutierrez calls the English language series a Mexican, funny Lord of the Rings! 

DOMINA AT SKY

Your Spy's personal favourite this year, eight episode historical saga on Ancient Roman empress Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak), who after many hardships becomes the most powerful woman in the world, will have tons of our dearest period set series stars starring in it from Matthew McNulty and Ben Batt to Liam Cunningham, Bart Edwards, Tom Forbes and Lex Shrapnel next to Isabella Rossellini and Claire Forlani! 

VOSKRESENSKIY FROM RUSSIA

I've already introduced you to this one a few weeks ago. Coming to Russia 1 in eight episodes with actor Yuri Kolokolnikov transforming into a talented pre WW1 detective doctor to help the police solve intricate murder cases. Episode by episode, he will prove that real murderers are behind the crimes, and not otherworldly forces and mysticism, as it might seem at first glance. 

SHADOW AND BONE AT NETFLIX

Will be another small screen adaptation of a popular epic saga, this time from Leigh Bardugo. Eight episodes of this epic series will be set in a Russia inspired magical land following a young woman with newfound powers who tries to save her land from a powerful, evil force. Ben Barnes is the most famous name starring in this fantasy series scheduled to hit the streamer later this April!

GLOW AND DARKNESS

I'm not sure if we will get to see this one as it still hasn't opened international sales, but this lavish saga is envisioned as a three season series which tells the intertwined stories of characters such as Saladin, Emperor Barbarossa, Richard the Lionheart, Philip Augustus, Francis of Assisi and Eleanor of Aquitaine, among others. It is the time of the burghs, the fairs, the

Provencal literature and the crusades. Jane Seymour, Geraldine Chaplin, Joan Collins, Mira Sorvino, Denise Richards, Steve Buyers, Bart Edwards and Dominic Andersen, in the lead role of Assisi, are just some of the stellar cast members.

LAND OF LEGENDS

Will be another saga coming from Russia. The 15th century. Sent to remote Parma by the Grand Prince of Moscow, prince Yermolay tells his son Mikhail about his dream: to create a grand princedom that would unite the peoples inhabiting these lands. Soon Yermolay is killed in the battle against the rebellious local tribes, the Voguls. His heir Mikhail finds himself in the middle of two worlds – the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the ancient lands of Perm populated by pagans.

LEONARDO FROM ITALY

Will depict famous painter Leonardo da Vinci (Aidan Turner) and his extraordinary life through the works that made him famous, through the stories hidden within those works, revealing little by little the inner torment of a man obsessed with attaining perfection. A detective series in plot, it will depict Leo as gay that he delightfully was.

NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN

Is coming to us this year from Australian streamer SBS. Four part epic series starring Mulan and Luminaries’ Yoson An alongside Vikings’ Alyssa Sutherland, Christopher James Baker and Dan Spielman, tells the untold story of the Australian gold rush from the perspective of Chinese miners who risked everything for a chance at unlikely fortune in a new land.

THE IRREGULARS AT NETFLIX

The eight episode drama offers a twist on the classic tale of Sherlock Holmes, by focusing on a group of children whose crime-solving work is taken credit by Holmes. Henry Lloyd Hughes will play the evil Holmes, with Harrison Osterfield (in the photo in his costume) as the leader of the youngsters.

THE GILDED AGE

Coming to HBO from Julian Fellowes it will be set in 19th century New York following a wide eyed young scion of a conservative family who embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighboring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell (Morgan Spector), his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha (Carrie Coon). The insanely big cast also includes Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon and Poldark's sweetheart Harry Richardson alongside Da Vinci's Demons villain Blake Ritson and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

THE SLAVS FROM SLOVAKIA

Will be their most expensive series and will finally air on national channels in Slovakia and Ukraine. This 12 episode fantasy adventure series is set in the 7th Century and follows the lives of the occupants of the Carpathian basin, at the time before the union of Slav tribes! The plot takes place at the neighboring forts Big table and Furnau, which need each other for trade but the power interests and the pressure from the incoming Avar marauders will put them into conflict.

THE PRISONER

Also coming from Russia is this Turkey set saga in which Ilya Malakov (whom we fell in love with in Kolovrat) plays a Cossack who gets imprisoned in the palace of the Ottoman sultan and if forced to become his janissary. The series will have 12 episode and will feature Serbian actors too.

DIANA DE POITIERS

Isabella Adjani will play the title role in this two episode historical mini series on the famous 16th century lover of the French king Henry II who will be played by much younger Nicolas Duvauchell. The series will also star Jean Reno and Mathieu Almaric.

YOUNG VOLTAIRE

Will be a French four episode historical saga following the adventures of the young Voltaire. Thomas Soliveres will play the famous philosopher, writer and thinker in his youth. He left a deep mark on many European rulers and writers. France 3 is producing the series.

FIRST LEONARDO DA VINCI EPIC TV SERIES TRAILER WITH AIDAN TURNER AS THE FAMOUS PAINTER

 

     'LEONARDO' TV SERIES

TRAILER WITH AIDAN TURNER

The first trailer has been released for upcoming new historical series LEONARDO  in which Aidan Turner is playing Leonardo da Vinci. Frank Spotnitz, who also brought us Medici, is directing the series which will air soon on 

Leonardo will air sometime next year

Rai in Italy and also in France, Spain and Germany. The series also stars James D'Arcy as Ludovico Sforza and Max Bennet as Cesare Borgia with Giancarlo Gianninni as famous Verrocchio!

Eight Part Mini Series 
will tell the incredible true story of the definitive ‘Renaissance man’. Born the illegitimate son of a notary in the rural town of Vinci, Leonardo’s lonely childhood leaves him with a relentless, near superhuman drive to understand everything. Under questioning by a Milanese investigator (Freddie Highmore) who holds Leonardo’s life in his hands, we come to see the terrible personal sacrifice that led him to create masterpieces

Aidan Turner takes the lead role in the series

that changed the  way we see the world forever. The series will portray him as a gay outsider who used his work as a way of hiding his true self. Each episode will examine one of da Vinci’s artworks for hidden clues about a tortured artist

New historical saga will air in eight hourlong episodes

struggling for perfection. Freddie Highmore, who is also producing, will play Stefano Giraldi, a fictional police detective who frames the narrative, investigating da Vinci as the suspect in a murder case and digging into his past. Stay tuned for the English language trailer sometime this winter.