LUKE EVANS JOINS NICOLE KIDMAN, MELISSA MCCARTHY IN NINE PERFECT STRANGERS TV SERIES. TRAILER FOR 1950S MOROCCO SET PROVOCATIVE SERIES LITTLE BIRDS WITH JUNO TEMPLE, HUGH SKINNER

   LUKE EVANS JOINS

Luke Evans has joined the cast

NINE PERFECT STRAN- GERS 
TV news for you today, starting with the latest info from Hulu: after Manny Jacinto the latest one to join the mini series NINE PERFECT STRANGERS with Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy is Luke Evans. The series, based on Liane Moriarty's book, takes place at a boutique health and wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this ten-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Nicole Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. Luke Evans, whom you can watch next month in Angel of Darkness mini series, will play Lars, one of the nine “perfect” strangers in the drama set for next year.

'LITTLE BIRDS' TRAILER

FOR A PROVOCATIVE NEW SERIES

The series hits Sky this August

Sky has finally released the first, rather provocative and erotic, trailer for their immersive and unusual new period set series LITTLE BIRDS which will have all its episodes out August 4th with the cast led by Juno Temple and Hugh Skinner. The Morocco set new mini series will air on Sky on Demand and Now TV where you will be able to watch it.

  Little Birds Springboards
from the erotic vignettes of Anais Nin into the Tangier International Zone of the 1950s. We arrive there with New York heiress Lucy Savage (Juno

Juno Temple leads the cast of the new Morocco set series

Temple) fresh off the transatlantic steamer and ready for love and marriage in exotic climes. But when her husband Hugo (Hugh Skinner) does not greet

Hugh Skinner will play the  husband of Juno Temple's character

her in the way she expected, she spins off into the surprising, diverse and degenerate world of Tangier in 1955. What Lucy discovers is a world in flux, a

There will be a lot of exotic vistas in the new series airing in August on Sky

country quivering on the cusp of independence, populated by a myriad of characters including a scandalous dominatrix, Cherifa Lamor (Yumna Marwan) who particularly captures Lucy’s imagination.

HOLLYWOOD SPY'S MASSIVELY EXTENSIVE LIST OF ALL THE EPIC, HISTORICAL AND PERIOD SET SHOWS WE MIGHT STILL GET TO WATCH IN 2020 AMIDST CORONA PRODUCTION LOCKDOWNS!

ALL THE EPIC TV SHOWS

WE CAN STILL EXPECT IN 2020
I've already told you that after Last Kingdom season 4 which is currently streaming on Netflix we shouldn't expect many epic TV shows on the telly this year due to corona virus. Production on all series has stopped, some

Rege Jean Page leads Bridgerton cast

networks (Sky namely) have halted their productions entirely till 2021, and some are seeking ways to continue with work, BBC is for example looking to shoot by quarantining crews and actors together at overseas filmings. Here are the shows that are already shot and will probably be aired this year.

Bridgerton
Netflix has not only finished shooting their new historical series BRIDGERTON in March, but I hear rumours of a 2nd season already ordered. The adaptation of Julia Quinn's historical romance novels will use the method of black washing to put actors of colour into the roles of dukes, lord and ladies. It will star Polly Walker, Regé Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Julie Andrews, Ben Miller, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, with the story set during England’s early 1800s Regency period following love lives of eight very rich Bridgerton family heirs! Given that it comes from Shonda Rhymes who gave us the criminally bad Still Star Crossed, you can expect cheap cheesiness in this one too.

Cursed

Netflix has already finished shooting Arthurian legends epic mini series CURSED last year, so it is ready to air sometime this year with Katherine Langford as Nimue, a young rebellious heroine whose destiny lies in helping

Cursed will premiere sometime this summer on Netflix

Arthur, a young mercenary to ascend to the throne of Camelot. In another case of blackwashing Devon Turell is playing Arthur, Gustaf Skarsgard is

Matt Stokoe as Sir Gawain in the new epic TV series

Merlin, Matt Stokoe is Sir Gawain, Bella Dayne is Viking captain Red Spear, with Petter Mulan and Daniel Sharman also in the cast.

Black Narcissus

As far as I've heard the shooting of BBC's period set series BLACK NARCISSUS begun in October and was over before the lockdown,  so we will probably be able to see Gemma Arterton (playing a nun struggling to contain her repressed emotions in the remote Himalayan mountains up in the palace of Mopu) sometime this year! The three part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel will also star Alessandro Nivola, Diana Rigg, Gina Mckee and Jim Broadbent!

The Luminaries

BBC also finished their adaption of Eleanor Catton's Man Booker Prize-winning novel LUMINARIES in early 2019 and it was supposed to air this April but they might be keeping it for summer of autumn. The six part 19th century adventure series, starring Eva Green and Marton Csokas, tells an epic story of love, murder and revenge, as men and women travelled across the world to New Zealand to make their fortunes.

The North Water

British broadcaster also has another historical adventure already finished: four part mini series THE NORTH WATER, based on Ian McGuire's novel in which Colin Farrell as Henry Drax, a harpooner and brutish killer whose amorality has been shaped to fit the harshness of his world, sets sail on a whaling expedition to the Arctic with Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as the ship’s doctor.

Romulus

Although they halted their international production till next year, Sky Atlantic has a few series already done, for example ROMULUS epic series shot in archaic Latin in ten episodes,  following the story of Romulus (Andrea Arcangeli) and his twin brother Remus (Francesco Di Napoli), in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence.

Little Birds

The production of another of Sky's period set mini series has also finished in Andalusia and UK. LITTLE BIRDS inspired by Anais Nin's erotic stories, will be set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous ‘international zone’ - one of the last outposts of colonial decadence, and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple). Hugh Skinner and Jean Marc Barr also star.

A Discovery Of Witches

Although the first season wasn't period set, the second season of Sky's A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES will be as flimsy witch Diana Bishop (played atrociously by scandalously bad Teresa Palmer) and vampire Matthew Claremont (always charismatic Matthew Goode) have been transported by means of magic to Elizabethan England. We might expect the airing later this year, although nothing has been confirmed.

Warrior Season 2

Although at some point there was a possibility of it having to find a new home as Cinemax was to abandon all scripted programmes, I have info that the 2nd season of their magnificently dynamic series WARRIOR might air in October! Andrew Koji, Kiearan Bew and Tom Weston Jones are to return to 19th century San Francisco China Town. This one was shot at the end of 2019. Chen Tang, Celine Buckens and Miranda Raison have joined the series regular cast together with Maria Elena Laas.

The Singapore Grip

ITV has finished an ambitious and exotic family saga set in colonial Singapore during World War Two. THE SINGAPORE GRIP follows the schemes, both commercial and amorous, of a wealthy British family as they struggle to preserve their prosperous business amid cataclysmic world events. A compelling portrait of a society in decline and a family clinging to a world that is crumbling around them! David Morrissey, Luke Treadaway, Colm Meaney and Charles Dance star in the six part adaptation of J.G. Farrell’s classic novel. It will air either this summer or autumn.

The Spanish Princess Season 2

Although the 1st season was one of the most poorly acted and most amateurishly written and directed shows we've ever had the misfortune to watch, Starz has already finished shooting the 2nd season of THE SPANISH PRINCESS which stars almost offensively talentless Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon. The cast will now also include Ray Stevenson as King James IV of Scotland and Andrew Buchan as social climber Sir Thomas More!

BarkSkins

As I've recently announced, NatGeo will air their new epic TV series BARKSKINS from May 25th with a Hulu release the very next day. Starring David Thewlis, Christian Cooke, Aneurin Barnard and Marcia Gay Harden, the series, based on the novel by Pulitzer-winner Annie Proulx, follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the crossroads of civilization in late 1600s New France.

The Great

Hulu has already set May 15th airing date for their new four part historical comedy series THE GREAT! Elle Fanning leads this fictionalized, irreverent and anachronistic story of an idealistic, romantic young girl who arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the mercurial Emperor Peter played by Nicholas Hoult.

All Creatures Big And Small

British Channel 5 hasn't set an airing date yet for their remake of popular series ALL CREATURES BIG AND SMALL but I heard they shot a Christmas episode as well so it might be sometime next winter. Nicholas Ralph leads the cast of the series which  chronicles the heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet.

Atlantic Crossing

Our favourite German production house Beta Film has finished filming period set series ATLANTIC CROSSING starring Sofia Helin, Tobias Santelmann, Kyle MacLachlan and Daniel  Betts. The eight episode series brings the story of Crown Princess Märtha who fought for her country and her marriage during the tragic events of World War II.

Empire Oktoberfest

Beta Film has another epic saga in their sleeve for this year, Munich set EMPIRE OKTOBERFEST in which the story revolves around a young girl who falls in love with a poor brewer's son. Their relationship is opposed by the girl's father, a rich mobster who has come to town to try to bully his way into the inner circle of Munich's brewery dynasties.

We can probably expect at least one Spanish and Russian epic TV  series too this year, but it is difficult for me to explore their markets in advance, so stay tuned or email us if you have any info on new epic projects!

SPY'S GUIDE THROUGH PERIOD SET SERIES TO AIR AT SERIES MANIA 2020: LUMINARIES, LITTLE BIRDS, OPERATION BUFFALO, GIRL FROM THE SHORE, SNOWPIERCER

SERIES MANIA 2020

SPY'S PERIOD SET SERIES PICK

It's that time of the year when Series Mania, MipCom, Canneseries and similar events promoting new series are near, and today the spy gives you the pick of period set shows that will be presented at Series Mania in March.

The Luminaries

Anna Wetherell has travelled to 1865 New Zealand to forge a new life. On the last day of her voyage, a romantic first encounter with the radiant Emery

Six part BBC series stars Marton Csokas, Eva Green, Eve Hewson

Staines fills her with great expectations for what lies ahead. However, the scheming fortune-teller Lydia Wells has other ideas for Anna and lays a trap to ensure that the planned rendezvous between the young lovers never takes place.

 Little Birds

Tangier, 1955. New York heiress Lucy Savage (Juno Temple) is fresh off the transatlantic steamer and ready for love and marriage in exotic climes. But

Sky's six part series also stars Jean Marc Barr, Hugh Skinner, Matt Lauria

when her husband Hugo does not receive her in the way she expected, she spins off into an unfamiliar world and goes on a witty, moving and provocative journey towards freedom and independence.

Operation Buffalo

South Australia, 1956. The Menzies government has just welcomed British atomic bomb testing at Maralinga. Charged with keeping the nuclear base running smoothly is Major Leo Carmichael, an Australian Army engineer and

ABC Australia series stars Ewen Leslie, James  Cromwell, Jessica de Gouv

WWII hero. But testing the most dangerous weapon in the world is not an easy task with a Commanding Officer who is not fit for the job; a new meteorologist asking too much questions; and the government and press watching their every move. And as it turns out, the land of Maralinga may not be as uninhabited as it seems.

Snowpiercer

Set more than seven years after the world became a frozen wasteland, it centres on the remnants of humanity who inhabit a perpetually moving train,

TNT ten episode series staring Jennifer Connelly airs May 31st

with 1,001 cars, that circles the globe. Class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival play out in this riveting television adaptation based on the graphic novel series and film!

Wonderland. Girl From The Shore

This is a story about a mysterious woman (Olga Kurylenko), pretty as a picture. A woman in danger. A woman who refuses to love and to be loved. Of

It is a six episode French language series

a man who travels, from Paris to Biarritz, and finds himself lost during the summer of 1960. Pierre Deladonchamps, Pierre Perrier, Barbara Schulz, Simon Abkarian also star.

HUGH SKINNER, MATT LAURIA, JEAN MARC BARR JOIN JUNO TEMPLE IN 1950'S MOROCCO SET EROTIC SERIES LITTLE BIRDS FOR SKY ATLANTIC!

'LITTLE BIRDS' TV SERIES SENDS

JUNO TEMPLE, HUGH SKINNER, MATT LAURIA TO 1950'S TANGIER

More cast has been announced for Sky Atlantic's new period set six part drama LITTLE BIRDS the adaptation of Anais Nin’s book of erotic stories,

Our dearest Hugh Skinner is returning to period set TV

set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous international zone, one of the last outposts of colonial decadence!  

Juno Temple plays American debutante Lucy Savage faced with a culture shock. David Costabile will play Lucy’s larger than life father, Grant Savage, an arms manufacturer who wants to control his daughter, wiith Amy Landecker as his loquacious wife Vanessa. Having set Lucy up with an English Lord, Hugo Cavendish Smythe (played by Harlots, Poldark and Star Wars star Hugh Skinner) Grant thinks he has a malleable, potentially useful son-in-law but

Matt Lauria leads the American part of the cast

unbeknownst to the Savages, Hugo has already lost his heart to someone else. Matt Lauria will be Bill, a bartender and bohemian artist who works in neighbourhood nightclub El Sirocco and soon becomes a confidante of both Lucy and Hugo. Although he is not what he seems and his flirtation and the hand of friendship offered to Lucy and Hugo is very much a cover for some more nefarious motivations. As Lucy fights to carve out her independence and identity, her life becomes intertwined with Cherifa Lamour (Yumna Marwan), a Moroccan dominatrix who services the diplomats and foreigners of this colourful, bohemian world and Egyptian Aristocrat Adham Abaza (Raphael Acloque), and they all become entangled with some very dangerous characters. Nina Sosanya, Rossy De Palma, Jean Marc-Barr and Raphael Acloque also star.

SKY ORDERS JUNO TEMPLE STARRING MOROCCO PERIOD SET DRAMA LITTLE BIRDS AND LESBIAN 23RD CENTURY SET SF SERIES INTERGALACTIC

  'LITTLE BIRDS'

JUNO TEMPLE TO LEAD MOROCCO SET 1950'S MINI TV SERIES

Juno Temple will star in the six episode series

British Sky has just cast Juno Temple as the lead star of their new period set series LITTLE BIRDS an adaptation of Anais Nin’s infamous collection of erotic short stories. Set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous international zone, one of the last outposts of colonial decadence, it follows troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Temple) as she faces a culture shock.Thrilled to escape her controlling parents, Savage arrives full of anticipation for her marriage to her English fiancée, Lord Hugo Cavendish Smythe, little knowing that Hugo has already lost his heart to someone else. As Lucy fights to carve out her independence and identity, her life becomes intertwined with Cherifa Lamour (Yumna Marwan), a Moroccan dominatrix who services the diplomats and foreigners of this colourful, bohemian world and Egyptian Aristocrat Adham Abaza (Raphael Acloque) and they all become entangled with some very

Raphael Acloque will lead the male part of the cast

dangerous characters!

LESBIANS IN SPACE 
Sky has also ordered sf series INTERGALACTIC a 23rd century set action packed ten part drama which will follow a crew of fierce female convicts who break free and go on the run. The series follows Ash, a young flight cadet falsely imprisoned before becoming embroiled in an audacious prison break-out with a disparate gang of dynamic women, who fall in love and betray each other.