Do you remember when Stranger Things fans convinced themselves that a secret ninth episode was on the way earlier this year? Well, although we never did get to go back to Hawkins, another beloved franchise has taken its fanbase by surprise and delivered a secret instalment, allowing fans to return back to Derry almost one year after IT: Welcome to Derry season 1 came to an end.

Without any warning, HBO randomly released the 30-minute-long bonus episode, titled 'A Story of Derry,' on Halloween. Set hundreds of years before Pennywise came to be, the new episode follows three youngsters from a Native American tribe who venture into the Western Wood where they encounter a terrifying ancient spirit. HBO Max shared a short trailer for the special on Twitter, which you can watch below.

The new episode gives us more insight into what the evil entity we know as IT actually is and why it targets Derry. However, we got a little taste of this in IT: Welcome to Derry season 1. In episode 4, after Dick Hallorann enters Taniel's mind, he learns that the Native Americans stumbled upon the entity, which they call 'Tha Gallo,' many years ago when they settled on the land. Tha Gallo murdered tribe members and would grow stronger with every kill, so the natives imprisoned it beneath a large area that would later become the town of Derry.

The special brings Dick's vision to life and reveals just how the natives caged the beast. We already know that the spirit was kept at bay by a number of pillars placed around the forest, which is why it can never leave Derry and break out into the wider world. However, the caveat is that IT wakes every 27 years and causes a catastrophic event in Derry before it sleeps again. IT: Welcome to Derry season 1 takes place in the '60s, 27 years before the first IT movie, which in turn takes place 27 years before IT: Chapter 2.

IT: Welcome to Derry season 2 is set to take us right back to the 1930s. Just as season 1 saw the monster feed on the horrific Black Spot disaster, season 2 is set around another tragic event: the Bradley Gang Massacre. Mentioned in Stephen King's 1986 novel, the event sees a band of criminals target stores and banks in Derry, which leads to a deadly shootout in the middle of town. Season 2 is currently in the pre-production stage, with Crystal Lake creator Brad Caleb Kane serving as solo showrunner this time.

It: Welcome to Derry season 2 does not yet have a release date. For more, check out our list of the best shows on HBO Max, and keep up with upcoming Stephen King movies and shows on the way.

Just in time for Halloween, Clayface is gearing up to scare audiences silly in theaters across the world as the DCU's first horror movie reintroduces fans to the gloopiest Batman villain. But just because this is the monster's first solo movie docent mean you have to go in blind.

Starring Tom Rhys Harries, the new movie follows budding Hollywood actor Matt Hagen as he reaches his prime, only to have his stardom tragically cut short when a local gang leaves him horribly disfigured. Abandoned and desperate, Hagen seeks out the help of Naomi Ackie's scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr. But the experimental treatment takes a turn for the worst, sending him on a path of revenge and destruction.

So, with Clayface making his big-screen debut, you may be wondering whether you need to do any DCU Chapter One homework before sitting down to watch the new movie. Well, kind of. Below, we break down which movies and TV shows you need to have seen before heading to the cinema to purchase one of those quite disturbing Clayface popcorn buckets.

The DC movies and shows to watch before Clayface

The DCU essentials

Luckily for new fans, Clayface technically takes place first on the DCU timeline, if we're not counting the Lanterns 2016 timeline. The DCU has been pretty good so far at releasing projects in chronological order, starting with Superman, Peacemaker season 2, Supergirl, and Lanterns' main timeline. However, earlier this year, DC Studios boss James Gunn took to Threads to confirm that Clayface does indeed take place before Superman, adding, "It's the first DCU film out of chronological order."

So, with that in mind, you technically don't have to watch anything before Clayface, but it might be helpful to catch up with the live-action projects mentioned above to get a better idea of the wider universe the villain exists in. As for the character himself, this won't be the first time we have met Clayface in the DCU. The baddie shows up in the 2025 animated show Creature Commandos as his fully transformed gloopy self.

DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran has confirmed that the Clayface we first met in Creature Commandos season 1 is the same one we're about to meet in the live-action horror movie. Now, that is a little confusing, especially considering that Alan Tudyk voices the cartoon Clayface in the show, rather than the movie's star Tom Rhys Harries. But what would be more confusing is having two of the same character in the same universe. Alas, you may want to check out the show to get a taste of what's to come.

Optional viewing

Batman: The Animated Series

Now, even though Batman: The Animated Series isn't connected to the upcoming movie, the show is the only other DC project besides the new movie to focus on Matt Hagen. Season 1 episode 20, titled 'Feat of Clay, ' depicts Hagen's villain origin story, following the actor who is left disfigured after an accident and turns to a chemical formula from Roland Daggett's labs. Even though this differs slightly from the upcoming film, which sees Hagen attacked by criminals and seek out a new AI-led medical trial, the show gives us a taste of the actor turning to the dark side.

The '90s show showcases the most beloved and memorable portrayal of Clayface, but it isn't the only DC project to have included the Batman villain. Clayface shows up in the 2004 animated show The Batman as the Ethan Bennet incarnation, and the 2019 series Harley Quinn features his criminal variant, Basil Carlo. As for live action, Clayface appears in the early '00s series Birds of Prey as Cassius Payne, as Basil Carlo again in 2016's Gotham, and as female CIA officer Virginia Devereaux in Pennyworth in 2022.

James Gunn's horror recommendations

If you have a little more time on your hands this week and want to take your watching homework one step further, you can dive into James Gunn's horror recommendations. Ahead of Clayface, Gunn was asked which body horror movie he thinks DC fans should watch before Clayface hits screens, and the DC boss has listed some classics.

• Shivers, Directed by David Cronenberg (1975)
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Directed by Phillip Kaufman (1978)
• The Brood, Directed by David Cronenberg (1979)
• Altered States, Directed by Ken Russell (1980)
• The Thing, Directed by John Carpenter (1982)
• Basket Case, Directed by Frank Henenlotter (1982)
• Videodrome, Directed by David Cronenberg (1983)
• Re-Animator, Directed by Stuart Gordon (1985)
• The Fly, Directed by David Cronenberg (1986)
• The Blob, Directed by Chuck Russell (1988)
• Cronos, Directed by Guillermo del Toro (1993)
• Slither, Directed by James Gunn (2006)

It is easy to see why Gunn has included the titles above. Many of them focus on humans experiencing severe bodily changes, scientists creating fearsome monsters, and seriously gory mutations. Hey, if you don't have time to dive into Gunn's list ahead of Clayface, any of the films above would make perfect Halloween movies.

Clayface hits theaters on October 23. For more, check out how to watch the DC movies in order, and keep up with new DC movies and TV shows on the way.

Way before Lanterns hit screens, there was another Green Lantern show in the works at HBO Max titled Emerald Knights. Now, the creator of the scrapped series has shared concept art, including a new look at the show's Guy Gardner.

Co-creator of the 2012 DC show Arrow, Marc Guggenheim, shared multiple concept pieces on his Substack. The first shows a team of Green Lanterns, including Guy Gardner, Kilowog, Sinestro, and more, fighting against an alien species in space. Guggenheim added that this was the concept for the first episode's opening sequence. The second image shows the design for a new female Lantern, whose appearance is based on actor and singer Janelle Monáe.

The third image gives us a closer look at Guy Gardner in his Green Lantern suit, who was set to be played by American Horror Story star Finn Wittrock. "We were going to alter it slightly to reflect his Justice League International look," added Guggenheim.

The show was set to follow a number of Green Lanterns across different timelines in 1941 and 1984. The '40s timeline would have followed Alan Scott, aka the Golden Age Green Lantern, operating as an FBI agent whilst keeping his sexuality a secret. Jeremy Irvine was cast as Scott. The '80s was focused on Guy and half-alien, half-human Lantern Bree Jarta. While Wittrock was cast as Guy, the team never found Bree's actor.

Emerald Knight was picked up for 10 episodes by HBO in 2020 before being trimmed to 8, and tapped Seth Grahame-Smith as showrunner, with Guggenheim on board as the writer. However, Grahame-Smith left the project in late 2022, and the show saw a rehaul. Then, James Gunn and Peter Safran were hired as DC Studios' co-CEOs, and in 2024, HBO moved forward with the new Green Lantern series, Lanterns.

Though Emerald Knights would have been much more space-set and cosmic than the newly released True Detective-style show, the two do share similarities. Not only was Emerald Knights supposed to take place over two timelines, like Lanterns, and include Sinestro, but Guggenheim reveals that Manhunters were also the "primary villains." It looks like Lanterns will follow the scrapped show's footsteps in the future too, as showrunner Chris Mundy has teased Kilowog's involvement in a potential Lanterns season 2.

Lanterns season 1 is streaming in full on HBO Max. For more, check out our Lanterns review and our Lanterns ending explained, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

Lanterns co-creator and co-writer Tom King has revealed why the team chose to seemingly unpunish Hal Jordan's murderer, explaining that the reality is so much worse than going to jail.

Warning, the following contains major spoilers for Lanterns season 1 episode 8, so make sure you're all caught up before reading on.

In the Lanterns finale, we finally learn who shot and killed Hal Jordan. It turns out to be his girlfriend, Sheriff Kerry Kane. Yep, the same person who found Hal's body frozen on the bleachers and alerted John Stewart back in episode 1. But when John finds out the truth, instead of punishing Kerry or taking her to intergalactic jail, he lets her be.

"We had a big debate. It was like, 'Does Kerry Kane get punished?'" said King on The Ringer-Verse's House of R podcast. "Nothing could punish her more than the fact that she did that thing and she has to live with it. There's no, like, jail isn't worse than that."

John leaves Kerry to live with the fact that she has killed the person she loved. After finding out that Kerry's son Noah is a Manhunter, Hal asks Kerry to meet him at the football field, where he reveals what he knows. He asks Kerry to run away with him. But instead, she panics and shoots him in the head, seemingly out of fear that Hal would kill her son – which is what he would have done if he were following Corp guidelines.

John also lets Noah get away scot-free. As explained earlier in the season, Manhunters are incredibly dangerous extraterrestrials and have wiped out whole species. But even though he saw the destruction one Manhunter caused on a different planet, John chooses not to kill Noah, despite Noah asking him to do it. Instead, John wants Noah to make his own choices aside from what he is programmed to do. In a way, John sees a lot of himself in Noah. You can read more about that in our Lanterns ending explained.

It is not clear if we will ever see Hal again, in the flesh or as a hologram. However, the writers' room for Lanterns season 2 is already open despite HBO not yet renewing the DCU series for a second season. Next up for James Gunn's DCU Chapter One is Clayface followed by Man of Tomorrow, which welcomes back Aaron Pierre's Stewart.

Lanterns season 1 is streaming in full on HBO Max. For more, check out our Lanterns review, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

Following that fiery Lanterns season finale, HBO has yet to renew the record-breaking DCU show for a second season, but that isn't stopping showrunner and writer Chirs Mundy from teasing where Lanterns season 2 could take us.

"We won't be back in Rushville unless something crazy happens in Rushville every 10 years. But it's going to be an Earth-based story that we continue most likely," said Mundy on The Ringer-Verse's The Midnight Boys (around the 1 hour 45 minute mark).

However, with Hal Jordan now seemingly gone for good, fans are wondering who else could join Aaron Pierre's John Stewart on his next adventure. When asked which other Green Lanterns could appear, Mundy said, "Vanessa [Baden Kelly]'s been talking a big Kilowog game for a long time. We've tossed out a lot of different things." Baden Kelly serves as a producer and writer on the show and penned the fan-favorite Lanterns episode 3, 'Outkast'.

First introduced in DC Comics in 1986, Kilowog is the Green Lantern overseeing Sector 674, from the planet Bolovax Vik. The bulky, pink-skinned alien is part of the Lantern Corps, mostly in charge of recruiting and training new members, and is good friends with Stewart in the comics. Mundy didn't confirm Kilowog's involvement in season 2, but it wouldn't be the first time that the show has introduced Lanterns from other planets, as we have already met Sinestro.

But no matter how many Lanterns we meet, Mundy says the story will remain "Earth-based." The writer added, "We've shown that you can leave the planet, so that's good, right? But because of that, we want to make whoever's here as sort of grounded and real as possible. Our idea was just to ground everything and then layer on the other layers. It's like, 'Okay, are you with us? Great. We're going to layer a little bit more in.'"

Though HBO has yet to officially announce Lanterns season 2, Mundy and his team of writers have already started working on new stories. Next up for James Gunn's DCU Chapter One is the DCU's first horror movie Clayface followed by Man of Tomorrow, which will see John Stewart team up with Superman and co.

Lanterns season 1 is streaming in full on HBO Max. For more, check out our Lanterns ending explained, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

Lanterns co-creators were aware that changing the Green Lantern oath is "heresy" so they approached John Stewart's version "like a remix."

In the Lanterns season 1 ending, John – now an 'independent contractor' instead of a member of the Lantern Corps – puts his own twist on the iconic words: "In brightest day, in darkest night, I embrace my fear, I’ll do what’s right. I choose this ring, I choose this fight – in service to this lantern’s light."

But why the change? With apparently "all" of the writers' room contributing to the tweaks, there was a real awareness of not playing with established lore too much.

"This is one of those moments where you're holding your hand close to the flame of canon," co-creator Damon Lindelof said on Lanterns: The Official Podcast. "It is heresy to fuck with the oath… [But] once we put John on the journey that he's on, the only way he can authentically take the ring is to do it on his own terms. Part of that is saying that there are parts of the original oath that feel good to him, but there are other parts he has to claim for himself."

"We approached it like a remix," showrunner Chris Mundy added. "We're not changing it, we're just remixing the original. It has the same feel."

We will next hear John Stewart recite the oath in Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel set for release as part of DCU Chapter One next July.

On making the step into the blockbuster space with his Lanterns character, John Stewart actor Aaron Pierre told GamesRadar+, "For me, what was an enormous gift was having those eight hours of HBO [television] to live with before going onto Man of Tomorrow."

Pierre added, "I was on the phone to Chris Mundy. He was like, 'Congratulations, man. You filmed for 106 days out of 112.' Just on that note, to have 106 days with a character before going on in the DC cinematic universe is a gift. That is not a given. I am very grateful I had that.

"That's just the way it worked out. I don't know how intentional it was or wasn't, but I'm forever grateful for that. It allowed me to step onto the Man of Tomorrow set with a deep understanding of who my man John is."

For more on how Lanterns signed off, read our breakdown of the Lanterns season 1 ending. Then discover what's been said about Lanterns season 2.

The Lanterns finale trailer is here – and it appears to be paving the way for John Stewart to be the DCU's Green Lantern.

The trailer, which you can see below, sets up next Sunday's episode in decidedly cryptic fashion, but focuses first and foremost on John Stewart coming face to face with disgraced former Lantern Sinestro on an alien planet.

"The Lantern Corps thinks that fear makes you weak," Sinestro begins. "They couldn't be more wrong."

Those with even a passing knowledge of Lantern lore will know that Sinestro became a Yellow Lantern after wielding a Power Ring that tapped into the power of fear. Worse still, that energy – an entity known as Parallax – would later take over Hal Jordan's body, causing untold destruction and death across the galaxy.

Are we looking at the first steps towards DCU Chapter One's Big Bad right here? Sinestro's next line certainly suggests so: "Fear can be the most powerful force in the universe."

Then there's the small matter of uncovering who killed Hal Jordan. Mercifully, the Lanterns finale trailer has gone light on the spoilers, only sprinkling in a few shots from the upcoming episode. But it does seem like the mystery will be solved come Sunday night – but what it means for the Green Lanterns after that is anyone's guess.

Whatever comes next, Lanterns season 2 appears to be happening.

"The question is whether [season 2] is a story people are interested in," showrunner Chris Mundy told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that he's several weeks into mapping out the next season.

"If that's the case, then we’ll get to do another one. We'll tell it in a slightly different way, so that it feels fresh, with characters you know and care about."

Aaron Pierre's John Stewart will also appear in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. On shifting from television to film for the first time in the role, Pierre told GamesRadar+, "For me, what was an enormous gift was having those eight hours of HBO [television] to live with before going onto Man of Tomorrow."

"I was on the phone to [showrunner] Chris Mundy the other day. He was like, 'Congratulations, man. You filmed for 106 days out of 112.' Just on that note, to have 106 days with a character before going on in the DC cinematic universe is a gift. That is not a given. I am very grateful I had that. That's just the way it worked out. I don't know how intentional it was or wasn't, but I'm forever grateful for that. It allowed me to step onto the Man of Tomorrow set with a deep understanding of who my man John is."

Lanterns is currently airing weekly on HBO Max.

For more, check out the upcoming DC movies currently in the works, as well as all the latest on Clayface.

Comic backstories are usually in a state of flux, with pieces of history picked up and deployed at a writer's whim to suit whatever story they're trying to tell.

But there are (usually) hard and fast rules: Superman landed in Kansas, Bruce Wayne watched his parents die in Crime Alley, and Hal Jordan watched his father die in a test flight.

While Lanterns keeps the latter intact, it offers up a key tweak that not only reframes the character – but the entirety of Kyle Chandler's excellent performance so far.

Spoilers for Lanterns episode 7 follow.

In the penultimate episode of Lanterns' first season, we – and Aaron Pierre's John Stewart – discover the 'Jordan Boys' Legacy'.

Far from being a DC MacGuffin or interstellar trinket, it is, in fact, evidence of generational trauma passed down from one Jordan male to another. Hal's father actually wanted to die on that test flight, while Hal has been struggling with his own mental health issues ever since.

In one moment, the Halogram – Hal's AI backup – neatly summarizes it: "I'm not fearless because I'm brave; I'm fearless because I'm broken."

When discussing the change with The Wrap, showrunner Chris Mundy and co-creator Damon Lindelof were acutely aware of not wanting to mess with established comic history too much.

"When you're playing around with the canon, you have to treat it like you're handling plutonium," Lindelof said. "But at the same time, there's kind of no fun and creativity and originality in that, so you simultaneously sort of have to start to kind of iterate."

Of the reasoning behind the change, Munday stated, "It's more to build into the character. It's more history. It's more darkness. It's more pathology of the character."

Of course, that puts the mystery of who killed Hal Jordan into even sharper focus. The finale will hopefully provide some answers, even if the spectre of the Jordan Boys' Legacy looms large.

Lanterns is airing on HBO and HBO Max in the US and NOW TV and HBO Max in the UK.

For more, check out the Lanterns release schedule and our guide to DCU Chapter One and upcoming DC movies.

Lanterns showrunner Chris Mundy says it was fairly easy to include that nod to the DCU's Batman in episode 6.

"There were shockingly fewer conversations than you would think," Mundy tells GamesRadar+. "It was in [the episode] right before it. John talks about some giant squid in Metropolis. And Kerry is from Gotham, which gets name-checked in episode 2. We wanted to make sure that we were name-checking the world, just because there is a greater world out there, that we wanted to say it was a real thing for our characters, and we didn't wanna make a big deal about it, in a strange way."

In Lanterns episode 6, John and Hal meet up in 2026. At the diner, Hal complains about Guy Gardner, the present-day Green Lantern, and tells John that Guy "ripped off that Bat-guy from Gotham. Put a beacon right in the middle of the fucking town here, so people can summon him."

This isn't the first mention of the DCU's Batman, as he has a brief, non-speaking animated cameo in Creature Commandos (which is canon to the DCU), but it is the first live-action mention. As of right now, a Batman hasn't been cast (though some fans are hoping it's Reacher star Alan Ritchson). Robert Pattinson's Batman exists as part of the Elseworlds universe, meaning it's a DC property but isn't part of the actual DCU.

Lanterns is airing weekly on HBO and HBO Max. For more, check out our breakdown of how to watch DC movies in order, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

Following his long-awaited Lanterns episode, Guy Gardner actor Nathan Fillion has admitted that he was initially concerned about appearing in the new HBO show due to how different it is from Gardner's introduction to the DCU.

"My concern was consistency," said Fillion to Variety. "I knew there was going to be a shift in tone. What I didn’t want was for there to be a shift in the character himself." Fillion added that he was surprised he was even asked to make a cameo.

Fillion made his DCU: Chapter One debut as Guy in the much lighter 2025 movie Superman. However, the star found a way for Guy to fit into the gritty True Detective-style series. "I just likened it much to, if you were to spend a weekend in Metropolis, or spend a weekend in Gotham — you’d be the same person, but you’d have very different weekends," added Fillion.

After being absent for the first five episodes, Guy finally touches down in Rushville in episode 6. But before we saw the hero in the flesh, Fillion was able to hold onto the more comedic side of his bowl-cut-having character, as the first look came from a commercial cardboard cut-out in a grocery store. "That’s part of his schtick. He wants to not just be Green Lantern, but a famous Green Lantern," said Fillion.

Guy finally shows up after spotting the distress signal from Rushville. There, he visits Aaron Pierre's jailed John Stewart and frees him. Thanks to Superman being set around 9 years after Lantern's main 2016 timeline, we already knew that Gardner would eventually become the Green Lantern. However, it is confirmed that Guy took on the mantle after Stewart turned his back on the ring for good.

However, Guy Gardner's worlds will collide even further when he has to share the big screen with another Lantern in 2027 movie Man of Tomorrow. Pierre's John Stewart is set to appear in the Superman sequel alongside David Corenswet's Superman, Milly Alcock's Supergirl, and of course, Fillion's Guy Gardner. Adria Arjona will also join in on the fun in a mystery role, but we are almost certain she is playing Wonder Woman.

Lanterns continues to release weekly on HBO and HBO Max. For more, check out our breakdown of how to watch DC movies in order, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

Lanterns fans might've spotted something in the subtitles of last week's episode that gives away a massive bit of info regarding Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his status after the attack on Rushville. In episode 5 – 'Lights Out' –John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) returns to an injured Hal buried under rubble, where the replacement finally takes the ring from his mentor. However, what was already an emotional chat between the two might've held some interesting secrets, given that the Spanish subtitles refer to Hal as “Clone de Hal," which literally means "Hal Clone."

From there, theories have emerged that the Hal John is speaking to isn't the real Green Lantern, but a Halogram created from the ring. The last time we saw one was when Hal chipped off a bit of the ring, seemingly activating the projection of his younger self, and sending him off to do recon. We don't see him again after that.

Keeping this in mind, is there a chance that somehow Hal had created a more recent projection of himself (he's definitely aged and wearing the same clothes) in order to somehow get away, leaving one behind to have the chat with John. If that's the case, though, what plans might Hal have in place, and could they include faking his death, which we know isn't too far away?

With three episodes left (as teased by the mid-season trailer yesterday), we might find out whether this theory has any weight, or if it was just a subtitle error from whoever was writing them that day. For every other upcoming DC movies and shows in development, check out our guide.

A new mid-season trailer for Lanterns has arrived online, hyping up the final three episodes of the critically acclaimed series that we’re pretty positive isn’t going to end on a bright note. For one, the closer we get to the end, the closer we are to Hal Jordan's demise, which is a real pity given how exceptional a job Kyle Chandler has done with the character.

Following the events of episode 5 – “Lights Out” – the show jumps forward ten years, when John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) returns to Rushville after leaving it in ruins and to his former mentor, who is clearly still sore about being replaced. Sometime after this incredibly tense reunion, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) will finally make an appearance, and we might hopefully learn just how Earth’s newest Green Lantern and former “Athletic Director” ended up with the ring after John turned it down.

It’s also worth noting that even though Hal might be dead, someone who has an incredibly similar build looks to be accompanying John on his journey across what looks like a dead wasteland. Could the Hal-ogram be back in action, and once again give us a rarely seen chipper Hal from his younger years? Honestly, at this point, whatever gives us more of Chandler playing the greatest Green Lantern to ever live, the better.

From there, we get glimpses of John seemingly going off-world and crossing paths with the teacher who taught his teacher, Thaal Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), plus one shot that will no doubt get GLC fans in a tizzy. For the briefest of moments, we see what looks like an abandoned machine with a very yellow tint. Could this all have been leading to Sinestro getting to work on a yellow ring, or indeed his own corps, just like in the comics? Or could something even worse be on the horizon, and John, who has spent years being fearless, be about to use fear as a weapon? Like Sinestro says, “fear can be the most powerful force in the universe.”

The next episode of Lanterns arrives on HBO Max and NOW TV on Sunday, but be sure to stay updated on every other upcoming DC movie and show, courtesy of our nifty guide.

A new trailer for HBO's Harry Potter TV show has landed, and it's seriously reminding us of the movies.

In the footage, which you can watch above, Harry, Ron, and Hermione take the Hogwarts Express to their first year at Hogwarts. Harry faces the Sorting Hat, whispering "not Slytherin, not Slytherin," and we get teases of Quidditch, feasts in the Great Hall, the ogre fight in the bathroom, and the Philosopher's Stone itself.

In short, it all looks very familiar if you've seen the original movies, right down to the set and costume design.

The first season of the show arrives this Christmas, and it will tell the story of the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US).

Season 2 is already filming; however, don't expect to see it any time soon. "For some of the bigger shows like Harry Potter or House of the Dragon, or The Last of Us, huge world-building shows, it would be nice to have those on an annual basis," HBO boss Casey Bloys has said previously. "But from a production point of view, it’s just not possible."

The second season will adapt the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, with a further season per book planned to take us through 10 years (even though there are only seven books).

The Harry Potter TV show arrives on December 25. While you wait, check out our guide to all the most exciting upcoming TV shows for everything else the year has in store.

Searching for something to stream this weekend? There's nothing worse than mindlessly scrolling through the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video and seeing your free time melt away as you decide what to watch. There's so much choice, and so few hours in the day.

That's where we come in. At GamesRadar+, we curate a new selection of fresh streaming delights every single week, just for you. Forget your tired old watchlist: these are the latest and greatest movies and shows coming to streaming this weekend, with everything from Robert De Niro-led thrillers to sci-fi and superhero series all accounted for.

So, read on down below for the new shows and movies streaming at the end of August on Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more. If you're eager for more, we also have guides on the best Apple TV shows and best Apple TV movies to ensure you're making the most of your subscription.

The Whisper Man

Available: US/UK

Where to watch: Netflix

Whisper it quietly, but Adam Scott has put together a string of great performances in unnerving projects as of late: Severance and Hokum are terror-inducing for very different reasons, and The Whisper Man could add to it.

Scott plays a widowed crime writer who enlists the help of retired detective Pete Willis (Robert De Niro) after his son is abducted. What could be an open-and-shut case soon spirals out into a larger connection linked to a serial killer known as The Whisper Man.

With the producing might of the Russos behind it, and a stacked cast that features the likes of Michelle Monaghan, Michael Keaton (!), and Hamish Linklater, this will likely shoot right to the top of your watchlist this weekend. It looks suitably unsettling and, as summer turns to fall, the perfect starting point for those who like to get into the Halloween mood a little earlier than most.

For more, check out the best Netflix movies to watch right now.

Dark Matter season 2

Available: Apple TV

Where to watch: US/UK

Apple TV's library is filled with sleeper hits – and Dark Matter is no exception. The mind-bending sci-fi series, starring Joel Edgerton, sees a physicist named Jason kidnapped and sent to an alternate world, one where he invented multiverse travel.

Multiverse shenanigans, inevitably, followed – including multiple versions of the same character, and some killer twists along the way. The second season picks up where the first left off, as Jason and his family settle into a new reality.

Of course, it doesn't stay settled for long. Now it's gone past the source material, creator Blake Crouch said it offered up the potential for more narrative freedom.

At SDCC, he told us, "Once we jumped over that initial hurdle, it was totally freeing because we weren't locked into things that the book demanded us to do. So we got to follow our fancy a little bit more and write a few episodes that would never have existed in season 1."

We also have an interview with Dark Matter season 2 producer Matt Tolmach on how the Apple show is handling the multiverse differently from Marvel.

Adults season 2

Available: US/UK

Where to watch: Hulu/Disney Plus

Growing up now is a lot different to growing up in the sitcom heyday of the '90s. While Friends and Seinfeld are undoubtedly timeless comedies, they never quite scratch the itch of just how suffocating it can be simply existing as a twentysomething in today's world.

So, thank goodness for Adults returning for a second season. With last season's marriage mayhem, there are plenty of new horizons for our gang to tiptoe towards – and sticky situations for them to wriggle their way out of. Charlie Cox is also reprising his role as Mr. Teacher, in case you needed another reason to tune in.

Need some viewing inspiration? Here are the best Disney Plus movies.

The Last Sunrise

Available: US/UK

Where to watch: Prime Video

Need a good cry this weekend? The Last Sunrise has got you covered.

The romantic drama follows Ry (Maia Reficco), a student with a chronic illness who finds an escape in a Spanish trip. She soon falls for one of the locals, but her health and – according to the synopsis – long-hidden family secrets could put an end to her sun-kissed dreams.

Here are the best Prime Video shows to watch right now.

Lanterns episode 3

Available: US/UK

Where to watch: HBO Max

Lanterns is piling mysteries on top of mysteries. Already, Hal Jordan has bitten the bullet and lost his Power Ring in the 2026 timeline. Back in Rushville circa 2016, a Manhunter is on the loose – but no one can be quite sure who it is, thanks to their shape-shifting abilities.

The trailer for the third episode has already hinted that this is going to be a John Stewart-centric affair, potentially diving into his origins and how he found himself playing a reluctant second fiddle to Hal. But with the likes of Damon Lindelof as part of the creative team, don't expect a straightforward journey.

We also have a round-up of the best HBO Max shows, should you require it.

Need more? Check out our list of the best movies on Paramount Plus.

One of the standouts of the brilliant Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was Daniel Ings' Ser Lyonel Baratheon. Known in George R.R. Martin's novellas as the Laughing Storm, his flamboyant portrayal won over viewers, leading to him to become a fan-favorite of the HBO Max series.

Unfortunately, it seems like he won't be a part of the upcoming second season of the show, as his character does not return again. Speaking to the Radio Times, Ings was asked if he'd be up for coming back.

"Oh, man, I'd love to," he told the publication. "Unfortunately, he's not in any more of the stories that George R.R. Martin has written so far, and our showrunner, Ira Parker, is sticking closely to those. There is a famous duel in the future [according to Game of Thrones lore]. Maybe I'll be 60 by that time! Whatever happens, I'd love to put in Lyonel’s little dangly earring again because he's such a fun character."

At least Lyonel's line lives on as the great-grandfather to Robert, Stannis, and Renly Baratheon in the main Game of Thrones show, even if they don't quite share the same wit…

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 will see the return of Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Prince Aegon 'Egg' Targaryen. Consisting of six episodes once again, the second season will adapt Martin's second Dunk & Egg novella, 'The Sworn Sword.'

Filming has reportedly already wrapped on the show, which is expected to release in 2027. For more on all things Westeros, check out our guide to upcoming Game of Thrones TV shows and movies.

With the introduction of Manhunters and the mysterious circumstances of Hal Jordan's death in Lanterns so far, plenty of wild theories have been circulating about the DC Studios show. The latest fan speculation to emerge surrounds the mysterious Zoe Macon and how she might be linked to Sinestro.

Posting on Twitter, one fan suggested that Zoe could be Soranik Natu, the daughter of Sinestro. The character is the leader of the Sinestro Corps in the comics, as well as being a former member of the Lantern Corps.

The theory of why Zoe could be her in hiding seems to stem from Sinestro's knowledge of John Stewart. At the very end of Lanterns episode 2, Hal Jordan visits his former mentor, who quizzes him on what he knows about John. But as fans pointed out, if he's imprisoned, then how does he even know about John?

One answer could be that his daughter is communicating with him somehow. We know that Zoe and John are well acquainted in the HBO Max show after their liaison in episode 1. Could she be the missing link?

"Today's episode had a lot of yellow imagery and lighting around this scene in particular with John and Zoe," Twitter user sz0 added. "And again, it’s definitely possible she’s the manhunter. Or, she was told by Sinestro to keep a close eye on Hal, and that's how he knows about John." Intriguing…

As the user suggests, Zoe is also one of the prime Manhunter suspects. As we learnt in episode 2, the mysterious and highly dangerous alien has infiltrated Rushville and is hiding in human form. Zoe's husband William Macon, son Billy Macon, and Sheriff Kerry Kane are all also suspects. Only time will tell who the real villain is.

For more on the show, check out our guide to when Lanterns takes place on the DC timeline as well as our breakdown of the Lanterns release schedule.

TV veteran Damon Lindelof – known for Lost, The Leftovers, Watchmen, and now Lanterns – has delivered what we hope is the final say on adaptations changing aspects of their source material.

“We all just have to acknowledge that there’s a level of hubris involved in taking on any of this preexisting IP. But it is called adaptation. Source material is supposed to change and evolve [by definition],” Lindelof said in a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter.

Lindelof added, "As a consumer and as someone who’s making this stuff, there’s almost a responsibility to take risks. I don’t think anybody wants to see you be completely and totally vigilant to the source material because then it isn’t an adaptation at all. Shouldn’t we be beyond this conversation by now?

"Nobody who does what we do goes to bed at night, saying, 'All that I care about is whether or not I pissed off the fans.'" Lindelof continued. "They go to bed at night, going, 'Did I do anything worthwhile creatively? Did I put anything authentically emotional into this story that people can relate to?'"

Those who have religiously followed Lindelof's work over the years will know the writer and creative thrives on change – and even going beyond the boundaries of source material.

The second and third seasons of existential drama The Leftovers went past the story penned in Tom Perrotta's novel of the same name.

Famously, Lindelof also created a 'sequel' to Watchmen as an HBO miniseries, which followed the characters created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons over three decades after the events of the 1980s seminal graphic novel. Lanterns is also a changed, grounded take on DC's Green Lantern comics, although some cosmic elements remain.

It's something I've encountered over the past few years, too, in the video game adaptation space. Nothing wrong with sticking closely to a popular brand or franchise, of course, but I've definitely been an outlier in liking shows such as Paramount's Halo and Amazon's Yakuza more than most – because they at least tried to do something fresh. If I wanted the same old thing again, I'd play the games.

Lanterns is now airing on HBO and HBO Max. Keep up to date with its streaming plans with our Lanterns release schedule.

We're also doing some detective work in Rushville. Join us as we break down the suspects for the Manhunter and who killed Hal Jordan.

DC Studios' Gorilla Grodd TV show is coming to HBO Max as an eight-episode series now officially titled The People v. Gorilla Grodd.

James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios, took to social media to announce the news. Gunn is executive producing the series and calls it DC Studios' "first foray into the true crime genre." Really, it's a mockumentary-style exploration of the cult-favorite arch-enemy Gorilla Grodd, one of the wildest creations in DC history, and whether he's guilty of murdering his father.

First conceived way back in 1959 during the early days of the Silver Age DC Universe in The Flash #106 by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino, Grodd is a super-intelligent ape with psychic powers with world-conquering ideations. In the DC Studios TV show, he's convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City, while Jimmy Olsen, played by Skyler Gisondo, reopens the case to find out whether Grodd is truly guilty or innocent.

Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the directing duo known for creating the 2017 Netflix mockumentary series American Vandal, are serving as writers and showrunners on The People v. Gorilla Grodd. The cast includes Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White.

"We're excited by the challenge of creating a series that feels less like an entry into the DCU and more like an artifact from it," Yacenda and Perrault say in a statement to Variety. "A Daily Planet original documentary made for the people of Metropolis. We hope it'll appeal to fans of the comics, comedy and true crime. And while we can't speak for audiences here yet, we already know it's a huge hit in Metropolis. They love this series."

Meanwhile, Gunn repeats that the Grodd TV show is one of two shows alongside Lanterns that he pitched to Warner Bros. before he even joined the company. "With Tony and Dan at the helm, it's something truly special," he says.

While we await more details, here are all of the upcoming DC movies and shows on our radar.

After stumbling slightly with Supergirl, it looks like James Gunn's DCU is back on form as new series Lanterns sets a major record for DC Studios.

As per Variety, Lanterns season 1 episode 1 pulled in a whopping 9.3 million viewers in its first three days on HBO and HBO Max worldwide, marking the biggest series premiere for a DC Studios show ever. Plus, 6.6 million of those views came from the US.

This is quite the feat, as Lanterns has beaten Creatures and Commandos, Peacemaker, and even beloved Batman spin-off The Penguin, which took eleven whole days to amass the amount of views Lanterns hit in just three days. Lanterns now sits in the top five series premieres on HBO behind Game of Thrones spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which opened to 6.7 million viewers in the US earlier this year.

The massive viewership is not too much of a surprise, as the show hit HBO to rave reviews on Sunday, August 16. Lanterns currently stands at an impressive 94%. In our Lanterns review, we awarded the new DCU project 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it a "captivating murder mystery that prides itself on relentless pacing and masterful character work from Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre's John Stewart."

Although it's only early days, there have been some rumblings around a possible Lanterns season 2, with scribe Chris Mundy already back in the writers' room working on new stories. Lanterns' success also follows a bit of a shake-up for Gunn's DCU Chapter One as Peacemaker spin-off Waller and Wonder Woman show Paradise Lost have been scrapped.

The show follows Chandler's Green Lantern and Intergalactic Cop Hal Jordan as he trains Pierre's new recruit John Stewart to take over the mantle. However, the unlikely duo are quickly pulled into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder that seems to have extraterrestrial ties. Lanterns also stars Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, and Nathan Fillion.

Lanterns continues to air weekly on HBO Max. See our Lanterns release schedule for exact timings. For more, keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows on the way.

The first episode of Lanterns ended with a huge twist: Hal Jordan is dead. Discovered by John Stewart and Sheriff Kane in Rushville, we see Hal's frozen body sitting upright with a bullet in his head at the end of the episode.

This sets up a major mystery about who's behind the big death (you can read our list of suspects here). However, one viewer has noticed something in the show's trailer, which might have blown the case wide open.

Sharing a few screenshots from the new Lanterns trailer on Reddit, they saw a body with a similar wound as well as a similar skull. Check this out below.

"The body Hal drags out from the morgue has a wound on its forehead, exactly where "Hal's" wound is at the end of episode 1," they wrote. "And the skull John picks up also has what looks to be a healed wound in a similar area. Lends me to suspect Hal's still alive, and these are all aliens being murdered."

Another viewer agreed, pointing out that elsewhere in the same trailer, Hal can be seen dragging the body from the morgue into the same football field that his body was found in.

Redditors have been running with the theory. "That's an actually insane discovery. If true, this would be exceptional foreshadowing," one wrote, while another added: "Don't forget they made a HUGE point to tell the audience that there are species of aliens who can shapeshift so well that they can even fool medical scans without an issue."

We've got to admit, we're hoping there's something to this theory. While we'll likely see more of Hal in the series, we're holding out hope that he might somehow be still alive.

For more on Lanterns, check out our Lanterns review as well as our breakdown of the Lanterns release schedule.

Lanterns showrunner Chris Mundy says season 2 is being mapped out right now and will be told in a "slightly different way"

"The question is whether [season two] is a story people are interested in," Mundy told The Hollywood Reporter. "If that's the case, then we’ll get to do another one. We'll tell it in a slightly different way, so that it feels fresh, with characters you know and care about."

Of the ongoing pre-production plans, Mundy added, "We're about six weeks into laying out a season, and then we'll talk to folks about it really soon."

Given the title of Lanterns, there had been some expectation – including from myself, admittedly – that each season would go full True Detective and follow a different Lantern and new crime each season.

But given the talk of "characters you know and care about", there could be some familiar faces back and rocking the ring instead. So, likely no Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, or more obscure Lanterns like Saarek.

Is that a good thing? Well, I'll just say this: I didn't know how much I wanted a Guy Gardner and John Stewart buddy cop duo until now. Make it happen, James Gunn.

Speaking of Gunn, Mundy reaffirmed that the DC Studios boss never meddled in the narrative ahead of John Stewart's appearance in 2027 Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.

"We knew we were putting John on his feet, but there wasn’t an actual story point that we had to land him on," Mundy said. "In one way, it makes it scarier because it could be anything, but at the same time, we weren’t shoehorned into anything at all."

Lanterns is currently airing new episodes every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.

For more, check out the Lanterns release schedule. We also have a list of prime suspects behind episode 1's shocking whodunnit.

The name's Lantern. Green Lantern.

Whether he intended to or not, Henry Winkler's recent social media activity added another name to the long, long list of actors who are on audience's wishlists to play the new James Bond.

"Aaron Pierre should be the next BOND," Winkler tweeted on Sunday night after watching the British actor step onto the scene as rookie Lantern-in-training John Stewart on HBO's Lanterns.

In the 2026 scenes, it's hard to disagree. Pierre takes over the show in style (literally, too, thanks to that trendy winter attire), showcasing the blend of charm and command that could easily see him working for His Majesty's Secret Service on the big screen.

Lanterns co-star Kelly Macdonald, who plays Sheriff Kane in the series, wants Pierre to keep on trucking with his role as John Stewart, however.

"I just feel sorry for anybody that gets [linked] – it sort of gets spoken about too much," Macdonald tells GamesRadar+. "Saying yes to a Bond film is a big, big, deal. Lots of people get thrown in the mix. It feels like every week there's a new person."

Macdonald adds, "He certainly could be [Bond], but I hope to see him as a Green Lantern for many years to come."

When we mention Winkler's tweet to Pierre himself, the John Stewart actor – who is set to reprise the role in 2027's Man of Tomorrow – remained humble over the links.

"I think that is an enormous compliment, and I appreciate it greatly. That's very kind. It's a very kind thing for someone to say."

The hunt for the next 007 continues, with producer Amy Pascal recently saying the next Bond actor will be "different" and announced by the end of the year (via Deadline).

Whether he likes his martinis shaken or stirred, it appears Pierre is blocking out the noise – from the spy world or otherwise. Still, Lanterns could yet be an audition for him to earn the number.

Lanterns is now streaming on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland.

For more, here's all the latest on DCU Chapter One.

Lanterns isn't Aaron Pierre's first DC rodeo.

Almost a decade ago, a baby-faced Pierre formed part of the cast of Krypton, a SyFy series that charted the domestic court of Krypton and the lives of Superman's ancestors, including his grandfather, Seg-El.

There, Pierre played Dev-Em, a part worlds away from a far more iconic DC role – as John Stewart in Lanterns. But that doesn't mean it wasn't able to influence his step-up in comic book roles when the time came.

"I think they're two unique and individual experiences," Pierre tells GamesRadar+ during a Lanterns press event in London.

"One thing that I did take from my experience on Krypton to the set of Lanterns is – I'm still young now, but I was even younger on Krypton – I took the experience of being on a set of that enormity and that magnitude. And how do you honor your character, service the character, and do the same thing for the story in such a grand environment and in such a grand set?"

Pierre concludes, "That's that's the sort of education that I brought with me to this, and I had a blast doing it."

Pierre went from Krypton, via Pride Rock in Mufasa, to Rushville, Nebraska as part of the Lanterns cast. Next, he's going to reprise his role as John Stewart in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, while also blasting off to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Starfighter.

Lanterns is now streaming on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland.

For more, check out the Lanterns release schedule and our guide to DCU Chapter One.

John Stewart actor Aaron Pierre says filming Lanterns for over 100 days prepared him for taking the next step in the DCU in 2027's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow .

"For me, what was an enormous gift was having those eight hours of HBO [television] to live with before going onto Man of Tomorrow," Pierre tells GamesRadar+ of his DCU bow as rookie Lantern-in-training John Stewart.

It wasn't just the canvas of eight hours of television on which Pierre could paint. He embodied John Stewart across almost all of production, an opportunity he cherished – and offered a chance to build out the character.

"I was on the phone to [showrunner] Chris Mundy the other day. He was like, 'Congratulations, man. You filmed for 106 days out of 112.' Just on that note, to have 106 days with a character before going on in the DC cinematic universe is a gift. That is not a given. I am very grateful I had that," Pierre said.

On how his time on Lanterns shaped his Man of Tomorrow performance, Pierre added, "That's just the way it worked out. I don't know how intentional it was or wasn't, but I'm forever grateful for that. It allowed me to step onto the Man of Tomorrow set with a deep understanding of who my man John is."

Pierre is joining a Man of Tomorrow cast which is a mega-DCU crossover in all but name. The Superman follow-up stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult from the core cast; Mr. Terrific actor Edi Gathegi, Guy Gardner's Nathan Fillion, Hawkgirl's Isabela Merced, as well as Supergirl's Milly Alcock, Lars Eidinger's Brainiac, and Blue Beetle actor Xolo Maridueña.

Despite John Stewart bridging the gap between Lanterns and Man of Tomorrow, showrunner Chris Mundy told SFX that he wasn't given a mandate on where to leave off with the character by the show's season finale.

"We weren't tasked with having any specific landing point, which was great for us because it gave us freedom to land the story where we wanted to land the story," Mundy said. "But John will be part of the greater DC Universe. That was good for us to know. And where we land him is somewhere that they're happy with us landing him and somewhere they can take him, if they want."

Lanterns is available exclusively on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland.

For more, check out the Lanterns release schedule and everything else coming your way as part of DCU Chapter One.

With the DCU being in its infancy, it's absolutely true that there isn't a lot to watch before Lanterns. This isn't the MCU, with its hours of streaming 'homework' and other essential movies to catch up on before diving headlong into its newest release.

But if you're new to the DCU or to Green Lantern as a character, there are still multiple movies and shows we'd regard as either essential or recommend viewing. Not only will it ground you on who exactly Hal Jordan and John Stewart are before they make their in-universe bows, but our lists will also offer some much-needed context on the weirder and more cosmic side of the cinematic universe.

So, join us as we run through everything to watch before Lanterns. Then, take a look ahead to everything James Gunn and Peter Safran are cooking up as part of DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

The DCU essentials

Let's start with the DCU. While none of the current projects directly set up Lanterns, we would absolutely suggest starting with Superman if you haven't done so already.

Not only does it introduce another Green Lantern in Guy Gardner (so you can get to grips with his ego and skillset), but it also operates as an introduction to the DCU-at-large – and all the heroes that inhabit the world.

Even better, Superman's 2027 sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is confirmed to include Aaron Pierre's John Stewart. So becoming familiar with that side of the DCU is imperative before jumping onboard with Lanterns and, then, the next step in Stewart's story.

Elsewhere, Creature Commandos and Supergirl are perfect primers for fans who aren't aware of DC's zanier, more cosmic side. This isn't all Batman battering goons, you know. Creature Commandos has an eclectic cast of characters that fall right in line with the wider roster of Green Lanterns, including a living planet and a squirrel (yes, really).

While Lanterns appears to be a grounded detective drama, it may yet shoot for the stars. This year's Supergirl was another adventure among the cosmos, so is well worth seeking out too.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

The DCU isn't the only time Hal Jordan has been on the screen. 2010s show Green Lantern: The Animated Series follows Jordan in a starbound adventure, which should give you a taste of exactly who Hal is and how he works both solo and as part of the Green Lantern Corps.

Justice League Unlimited

John Stewart has been around in the comics for decades, but Justice League and its follow-up DCAU (DC Animated Universe) series Justice League Unlimited put Stewart on the map in a big way.

The nature of the series (and the superhero group) means it's more of an ensemble piece, but there are plenty of Green Lantern-adjacent and John Stewart-centric episodes to watch. We would recommend season 1 episode 'Hunter's Moon' and season 3's 'Far From Home'.

HBO Max in the US also has other animated projects, including Green Lantern: Beware My Power and Emerald Knights.

For more, check out how to watch the DC movies in order.

Upcoming DC show Lanterns may revolve around a pair of Green Lanterns, but from what we've seen so far, it's going to remain a far more grounded murder mystery than expected.

For showrunner Chris Mundy, that decision to step away from the more cosmic reaches of Green Lantern lore in favor of a more True Detective-style investigation in dusty Nebraska was made from the jump.

"We just committed pretty early,” Mundy told SFX. “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, should we do it this way?’ [We said] ‘We’re going to do it this way.’ So we just started building it. In that way we were all in from the beginning."

Mundy continued, "We wanted to make sure that we were firmly walking the Earth first, and then hopefully you can build those relationships, and that trust inside the show, and you can keep doing more and more."

That 'more and more' has already been hinted at in the second Lanterns trailer released during SDCC weekend. That fresh glimpse won over jaded fans with its imaginative use of the Lantern ring, tease of Sinestro, and what appeared to be a sprinkling of interstellar-set scenes. For Mundy, the sky isn't the limit. It goes far beyond that.

"We’d be stupid not to use everything that you can do inside the Green Lantern universe," Mundy said. "They have these abilities. They have the ring. Their world is just bigger, and the way we use our storytelling can be bigger too. We sometimes had to remind ourselves that there’s as much or as little sci-fi in it as we want there to be.”

Lanterns revolves around Lantern-in-training John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) being mentored by Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) as they uncover clues in a series of killings. The DCU series hits HBO on August 16.

For more, check out what we know about DCU Chapter One.

Although DC Studios is choosing not to promote its stack of upcoming movies at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, the Lanterns panel has given us another look at what's to come from DCU Chapter One on the small screen with a brand new trailer.

The new clip opens with Hal Jordan rudely waking his trainee, Jon Stewart, giving us a taste of the duo's Training Day-style relationship. As the pair uncover a string of crimes, Hal becomes convinced that aliens are to blame. Well, ol' Hal is correct, as later in the trailer we find out that extraterrestrial antagonists known as Manhunters, which "can take the shape of any species," are at large on Earth.

Elsewhere in the trailer, it seems as though there is quite a bit of friction between Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart, as Jon seemingly wants rid of his mentor. "The Ring has always been mind. Jordan is just keeping it warm," he says. We also get a glimpse at Nathan Fillion's Superman character Guy Gardner, and what looks to be Green Lantern's nemesis Sinestro, who you can see below.

Starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as intergalactic cops and members of the Lantern Corps, Hal Jordan and new recruit Jon Stewart, Lanterns follows the duo as they investigate a murder in the American heartland, but in the process are drawn into a dark mystery.

Unlike the most recent DCU project to hit the screen, Supergirl, Lanterns is set on Earth. The show is set across two timelines, both in 2016 and in 2026, sometime after the events of Superman. But just like Supergirl, it looks like Lanterns will feed into Superman sequel Superman: Man of Tomorrow, as it has cast Jon Stewart actor Aaron Pierre.

Lanterns, which has been described as a buddy cop show meets True Detective, is the third TV show to come from Gunn's DCU, following on from Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season 2, and is the fifth project overall. However, the HBO show has a bit of pressure on it not only for being the only DC series released this year, but after Supergirl flopped at the box office, DC Studios needs Lanterns to be a hit.

Lanterns is co-created and co-written by Lost's Damon Lindelof, Criminal Minds' Chris Mundy, and comic book writer Tom King. DC heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are on board as producers. The show also stars Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter, and Ulrich Thomsen.

Lanterns arrives this August 16. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming DC movies and TV shows for everything else the DCU has in store.

If you're looking for the best new shows and movies to stream this weekend, then you've come to the right place. We've got recommendations from across the spectrum of streaming services, meaning whatever you subscribe to, we've got you covered.

Highlights this week include the return of animated series X-Men '97 on Disney Plus, the third film in the Enola Holmes franchise on Netflix, and horror-comedy sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (though we're still mad it wasn't called Ready or Not: Here I Come).

It's a corking July 4 weekend for the best streaming services around, with more than enough to fill a long weekend's viewing, between trips to the BBQ. So read on for our streaming picks of the week, and where to find them.

X-Men '97 season 2

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Disney Plus

Marvel's nostalgic animated revival continues with X-Men '97 season 2. The first three episodes dropped this week, perfect for immersing yourself back in a world of mutant mayhem, with further episodes set to release weekly on Wednesdays. Be sure to bookmark our X-Men '97 season 2 release schedule, so you never miss an episode.

Picking up moments after that jaw-dropping season 1 cliffhanger, season 2 sees the X-Men spread across time in the battle against original mutant Apocalypse. It's been two years since season 1, so if you're feeling a little lost, be sure to check out our X-Men '97 season 1 recap, or check out our spoiler-free X-Men '97 season 2 review for our verdict on the first four episodes (spoiler: we liked it a lot).

For more on what to watch, here's our guide to the best shows on Disney Plus.

Silo season 3

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Apple TV

Apple's post-apocalyptic mystery show is back for its third, and penultimate, season. After venturing outside the silo in season 2 and discovering that they were not alone, Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) now faces a different struggle – ol' memory loss.

OK, so a bit of a cliched start for Silo season 3, but after two seasons of questions, the show is finally set to provide answers, with a dual timeline flashing back to the creation of the silos themselves. The best news is that a fourth and final season has already been shot, so there's no risk of being left hanging.

For what else to watch, here's our pick of the best Apple TV shows.

Enola Holmes 3

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Netflix

Enola Holmes is back! Sherlock's younger sister, played by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, is about to wed Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) in Malta when her crime-solving big brother – once again played by Henry Cavill – disappears. So it's up to Enola to solve the case of the missing Holmes, and expose the shadowy conspirators pulling the strings.

Enola Holmes has proven one of Netflix's more successful ongoing film franchises. This latest entry is once again written by prolific screenwriter Jack Thorne, who has enlisted his acclaimed Adolescence collaborator Phlip Barantini as director, so impressive credentials behind the camera. Here's to many more cases!

Fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best Netflix movies

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Hulu/Disney Plus

The sequel to 2019 horror-comedy Ready or Not is another fun, frantic spin on the most dangerous game, as returning survivor Grace (Samara Weaving) again finds herself being hunted for ritualistic sport by the council of elite families. The twist this time: Grace's estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton) is also part of the chase.

Arriving seven years after the first entry (directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett helmed Screams 5 and 6, and vampire flick Abigail in the intervening years), Ready or Not 2 has been a long time coming, but is another blood-soaked blast. For an even more outrageous spin on a similar premise, check out They Will Kill You, which hit HBO Max last month.

For more, dive into our list of best movies on Disney Plus

Lee Cronin's The Mummy

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: HBO Max

Warner Bros' full-on Mummy reboot faced a mixed response when it released earlier this year, with critics knocking the fact that it's more of an exorcist movie than a Mummy movie, and pointing to its somewhat indulgent 135-minute runtime (and that meaningless title) as signs that it was a movie in need of a few more studio notes. But everyone can agree, it's pretty gnarly.

The story of a modern-day family whose daughter is kidnapped, only to mysteriously return 8 years later, having been found in a sarcophagus, wrapped in bandages (never a good sign), it's a movie that brings the Mummy myth into the home. Midsommar's Jack Reynor and Moon Knight's May Calamawy star.

For more, here are the best movies on HBO Max

Human Vapor

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Netflix

This South Korean sci-fi thriller show is actually a reimagining of a 1960 Toho movie, hence the charmingly retro premise: a man gains the ability to transform into a gaseous state and uses his powers for bank robberies. Only here, of course, instead of robbing banks, murder is involved.

We're not going to lie: there was clearly a limited VFX budget, so some of the gas effects are a little ropey, but Human Vapor has been admirably updated for the prestige TV era; this gripping 8-episode limited series will keep you hooked till the very end.

For more from the biggest streaming service around, check out our list of the best shows on Netflix.

If nothing on our list seems right for you, have a read of our guides to the best Prime Video shows, and the best Apple TV movies you can watch right now.

The weekend is here, and as always, there is so much to watch. And while you might be feeling overwhelmed, we've rounded up the best picks of the week to help narrow down your choices so you can kick back, relax, and eat some popcorn.

Below, we've gathered the six best movies and TV shows from across all the best streaming services, and thrown them together with a handy description that includes where you can watch. If you're in the mood for some action-fantasy, lighthearted family-friendly comedy, or are absolutely dying to see Larry David in a powdered wig... we've got you covered.

Plus, there are some movies whose theatrical release you may have missed that have finally hit streaming. Whether you feel like taking a three-hour jaunt through a water-filled fictional CGI world, or watching a bunch of anthropomorphic sheep solve a murder, it's all down below for you.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Netflix

Not to be confused with the new animated series or forthcoming animated movie, Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender is back for a second season. This time around, Aang (Gordon Cormier) and co. journey deeper into the Earth Kingdom to battle their enemy, Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).

Early reviews for the new season have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans agreeing that Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is a vast improvement on season 1. A third season is also on the way, which will conclude the series. After you finish season 2, I recommend firing up the original Nickelodeon cartoon, not just for comparison, but for an optimal double feature experience.

For even more, check out our list of the best Netflix shows.

The Bear season 5

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Hulu

The fifth and final season of The Bear has arrived, and with a 100% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score in tow. The Bear season 5 picks up the morning after the season 4 finale, in which Sydney (Ayo Edebri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Sugar (Abby Elliot) find out that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) has quit the industry and left them the restaurant. Given that this is the end of the line for our favorite restaurateurs... it's their one last chance to get that Michelin star.

It was star Jamie Lee Curtis who officially spilled the beans that the show would end here after four years and countless Emmy and Golden Globe wins. Before you head into season 5, I recommend watching Gary, the Jon Bernthal-penned one-shot that hit Hulu earlier this year and serves as its own standalone companion to the final season.

For what else to watch, here's our pick of the best Hulu shows.

Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: HBO Max

It's just as ridiculous as it sounds, and I mean that in the best way. Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is a sketch show that takes place across several events in American history – and sees Larry David don a variety of powdered wigs.

Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn play Abraham and Mary Lincoln, respectively, with John Hamm and Sean Hayes as the Wright Brothers. The impossibly stacked cast includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Toby Huss, Isla Fisher, and former United States President Barack Obama. Michelle Obama also serves as executive producer.

For more viewing inspiration, check out our guide to the best HBO shows.

Adventure Time: Side Quests

Available: US
Where to watch: Disney Plus

In case you've been missing Finn the Human, Jake the Dog, and co. since the flagship show went off the air in 2018, the boys are back town. Adventure Time: Side Quests is a prequel series that chronicles Finn's childhood and how he came to have that brotherly bond with Jake. John DiMaggio is back to voice Jake, but, because this is the tale of a tiny child version of Finn, Sasha Knight has taken over for Jeremy Shada.

All 10 episodes are currently available in the US only, but will drop internationally on Cartoon Network and HBO Max in October.

For more animated shows, check out our guide to the best shows on Disney Plus.

The Sheep Detectives

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Prime Video

The Sheep Detectives might seem like a silly movie on the surface (and that might be because Patrick Stewart and Bryan Cranston provide the voices of anthropomorphic sheep), but it's actually a profoundly sad (but still funny) movie about grief. When their shepherd (Hugh Jackman) is mysteriously found dead, his flock launches an all-out investigation and goes on a murder-mystery adventure. The absolutely stacked cast includes Nicolas Galitzine, Emma Thompson, Bella Ramsey, Hong Chau, and Larraine Newman.

The film currently sits at a 95% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has a 5/5 star review in my heart.

After this, give our guide on the best Prime Video movies a look.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Available: UK/UK
Where to watch: Disney Plus

Fancy a trip to Pandora? Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron's blockbuster series, is set one year after the events of The Way of Water, and sees Jake and his family grapple with grief after Neteyama's death. Per the official synopsis, they "encounter a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe called the Ash People, led by the fiery tribe leader, Varang, who has allied with Jake's enemy, Quaritch, as the conflict on Pandora escalates to devastating consequences."

Avatar 4 and 5 may or may not be on the way, with the fifth movie slated for a 2031 release... yes, you read that correctly.

For more on what to watch, here's our guide to the best movies on Disney Plus.

If nothing on our list seems right for you, have a read of our guides to the best Netflix movies, the best Prime Video shows, and the best Apple TV movies you can watch right now.

House of the Dragon season 3 introduces several new power players into the world of the Game of Thrones prequel. One of them is Ormund Hightower, played by Happy Valley's James Norton. We don't see too much of him in the opening episode of the new season, but based on what showrunner Ryan Condal has been saying, he looks set to be a very prominent character going forward.

So just who is the new lord – and is he from George R. R. Martin's books? Well we've broken down everything you need to know about Ormund below, as well as what we know about his role in season 3.

Before you read on though, take this as your spoiler warning. Below, we'll be getting into plot details from House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1. You have been warned.

Who is Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon?

After he was mentioned to be marching from Oldtown in House of the Dragon season 2, we meet Ormund Hightower very briefly in the opening episode of the new season. Stationed on the battlefield, he receives a letter from King Aemond who tells him to wait on his orders and he will join him soon.

From this first introduction, he seems unaccustomed to the dirtier side of war, struggling with the scent of a messenger, as well as being quietly thrilled by the news that Aemond is now king.

Canonically, Ormund is Otto Hightower's nephew and Alicent and Gwayne Hightower's cousin. Speaking about the character, Condal told SFX magazine, that they built upon a very briefly mentioned role in George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood', but he will play a significant part in this story.

"He's the Lord of the Hightower, basically the Tywin Lannister [Charles Dance] of this world," he said. "He's the richest guy who's not sitting on a throne somewhere. Ormund has the largest standing army left in Westeros and a dragon, so he is going to introduce a big old wrinkle into this.

"Ormund is really a sketch in the book and we don't have a sense of who he is, so it was really fun diving in and creating a really deep, complex and three-dimensional character out of him that introduces a new kind of complication into the world."

As alluded to by Condal, Ormund doesn't appear much in George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood.' The character is mentioned briefly as a supporter of Aegon II during the Dance of the Dragons. Most of what we know about him from this involves his tricky love life.

Martin described how Ormund was married to the mother of his four children, but she died in childbirth. He then remarried a woman named Samantha Tarly, who was young enough to be his daughter. Their relationship was strained, though, as her family declared for Rhaenyra and she reportedly started having an affair with Ormund's son, Lyonel. Yikes.

House of the Dragon releases on HBO in the US on June 21, and streams on HBO Max and Now from June 22 in the UK. For more, read our House of the Dragon season 3 review and check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and shows.

After much anticipation, House of the Dragon season 3 has begun, kicking off the show's return with a bang. The opening episode finally brings the Battle of Gullet to the screen and it's every bit as bloody and brutal as we'd expected.

However, as has been the case with so much of the Game of Thrones prequel so far, there have been several changes from its source material, George R. R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'. The book is a historical account of the key period of Westerosi history and is told as if collated from a series of varying reports.

As such, many changes seem fair game as the narrative is not the most reliable. However, as fans of Martin's work will realize, there are a few larger changes beyond even this too, which we'll get into below. Before we begin, here's your spoiler warning: make sure you've seen House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1 before reading on.

The Battle of the Gullet's biggest changes from the book

Rhaenyra doesn't get locked in

When Rhaenyra Targaryen vows to fly into battle, Jacaerys Velaryon locks her inside her rooms with a guard stationed outside. There's no mention of this happening in the book, but the Queen is not involved in the battle.

A rocky route

In the show too, Lord Corlys Velaryon and his men make a strategic decision to sail through the rocky part of the ocean. This works initially but doesn't save them for long as Sharako Lohar follows them through without a hitch. There's no description of this in the book, but Martin does not go into great detail about how the battle was waged.

Big deaths

In the show and the books, Vermax is struck in the chest by a grapnel. However, she sinks when the ship holding her sinks, rather than her slow descent from the anchor attached to her in the show.

Despite Vermax's death being slightly different, probably the most faithful moment of the battle is how Jace is killed. As Martin described in 'Fire and Blood', "The prince was stuck once, and then again. More and more Myrmen brought crossbows to bear. Finally one quarrel took him through the neck, and Jace was swallowed by the sea". This is almost exactly how the young prince is felled in the show as well.

Missing sons

Another key difference concerns Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen's younger sons. In the books, Aegon the Younger and Viserys are about nine and seven when the civil war begins. Because of this, they are part of the Battle of the Gullet, travelling on a ship that is intercepted by the Triarchy during the naval siege.

Viserys is kidnapped during this altercation and is taken away for years before returning home while Aegon the Younger escapes on his critically injured dragon, who never recovers.

However, in the show, they are both still toddlers, meaning they're excluded entirely from the sequence. This is probably the biggest departure from the novel and given how important this moment is for both boys going forward in their story, it will be interesting to see how HBO tackles them later on in the adaptation.

Other absences

In the book, the Dragonseeds are also involved in the fight, flying in on their dragons. However, they're not included in this sequence at all in the show. Equally, Nettles is not in the show at all either, despite making an appearance in Martin's novel. In fact it's not likely that she'll ever be brought into the adaptation as Sheepstealer is instead claimed by Rhaena Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon's youngest daughter.

House of the Dragon releases on HBO in the US on June 21, and streams on HBO Max and Now from June 22 in the UK. For more, read our House of the Dragon season 3 review and check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and shows.

As Loverboy once said, everybody's working for the weekend – because there's no better time to get stuck into the biggest and best streaming releases around. Wondering what to watch on your precious days off? We've got you covered.

Below you'll find a rundown of the 6 must-watch releases from across all the best streaming services, meaning there's a recommendation for everyone, whatever you subscribe to. And this weekend is a doozy, with the long-awaited return of a flagship HBO show, two returning prestige shows featuring suave men in suits, a bingeable Harlan Coben mystery, and a new show that could fill the vacuum left behind by Crazy Rich Asians.

If it's a movie you're after, and you don't fancy a trip to a packed theater to see Toy Story 5 (or you're not in the mood for one of the best sci-fi movies on Netflix), then there's the latest entry in a young adult romance franchise that audiences can't get enough of. With so much on offer, the problem is how you can fit everything in and still squeeze a bit of outside time into your weekend as well. So read on for our weekend streaming picks, and exactly where to find them.

House of the Dragon season 3

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: HBO Max (US and UK), NOW/Sky (UK)

The Dance of the Dragons continues in House of the Dragon season 3. You may recall that season 2 ended with the respective forces of Team Black and Team Green marching towards battle (if you don't, our House of the Dragon recap has you covered). Well, season 3 is set to deliver on two years of delayed gratification, as the new season opens with the Battle of the Gullet – one of the bloodiest naval battles in the history of Westeros.

In other words, House of the Dragon season 3 wastes no time getting back to the action. Our 4* House of the Dragon season 3 review even calls it "the most explosive start to a Westeros-set season to date," so be sure to tune in when the first episode drops this weekend. Our House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule will make sure you know exactly when to tune in, wherever you may be.

For more viewing inspiration, check out our guide to the best HBO shows.

Sugar season 2

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Apple TV

If you watched the first season of this Colin Farrell-starring LA detective show, you'll know the marketing materials are concealing a huge and frankly bonkers twist. We won't spoil it here, but let's just say there's more to Sugar than a movie-loving private eye solving missing-person mysteries around Tinseltown.

Sugar's second season features a whole new case involving the missing brother of a boxer on the verge of the big leagues, and sees Marvel/The Last of Us star Tony Dalton join the cast as a corrupt sheriff. Tune in before someone spoils the surprise…

For what else to watch, here's our pick of the best Apple TV shows.

The Agency season 2

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Paramount Plus

A remake of the critically acclaimed French spy thriller The Bureau, The Agency stars Michael Fassbender as a CIA operative navigating the twisty, subterfuge-filled world of international espionage, and offers a more grounded take on the spy genre than the likes of Jack Ryan.

Working from rock-solid source material, the story alone makes this a must-watch. But it's got a heck of a cast as well; alongside Fassbender, Richard Gere, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith and John Magaro feature, many stepping into the spotlight this season after operating on the sidelines in season 1.

For what else to watch, here's our pick of the best shows on Paramount Plus.

I Will Find You

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Netflix

Writer-producer Harlan Coben has become an industry unto himself. I Will Find You is the latest of his many beach reads to be adapted for binge viewing, and stars Avatar's Sam Worthington as a father jailed for the murder of his son, only to discover in prison that his missing child could still be alive.

Intriguing premise, right? I Will Find You also features a typically stacked cast for a Coben adaptation: Severance's Britt Lower, Heroes' Milo Ventimiglia and Gotham's Erin Richards also star. Just don't start watching too late at night, because the moreish episodes will keep you up till sunrise.

If this doesn't tickle your fancy, check out our list of the best Netflix shows.

The Season

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Hulu/Disney Plus

If you've ever found yourself wondering why a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians is still stuck in development hell, The Season should tide you over till China Rich Girlfriend finally goes into production. Set in the luxury world of Hong Kong's elite boating scene (we're all familiar, I'm sure), it's the kind of show where scandal, betrayal and, eventually, murder are par for the course.

Shadow and Bone's Jessie Mei Lee leads the cast as something of an interloper who throws a cat among the pigeons or, rather, a shark among the superyachts. Reviewers have called it "Succession meets Crazy Rich Asians," while the Hong Kong locations are as glamorous as they come. Perfect weekend binge-viewing that may give you a few summer holiday ideas.

For more on what to watch, here's our guide to the best shows on Disney Plus.

Your Fault: London

Available: UK/UK
Where to watch: Prime Video

If you haven't gotten on board with this prolific series of romantic dramas yet, now is the perfect time. A follow-up to My Fault: London (so be sure to watch that first), it stars Asha Banks and Matthew Broome as madly in love twentysomethings whose commitment to one another is tested by conflicting desires.

An English-language adaptation of the wildly popular Spanish-language trilogy Culpables, the Fault movies may not be high art, but they are very watchable. And the best news is the third film in the trilogy – Our Fault: London – was shot back-to-back with the second movie, meaning a sequel is already in the can.

After this, give our guide on the best Prime Video movies a look for your next viewing inspiration.

If nothing on our list seems right for you, have a read of our guides to the best Netflix movies, the best Prime Video shows, and the best Apple TV movies you can watch right now.

The iconic Game of Thrones theme will be changed in a "small but noticeable way" for House of the Dragon season 3.

As revealed by Screen Rant, composer Ramin Djawadi has updated one of TV's most iconic pieces of music to better mirror the upcoming House of the Dragon season's darker tone. According to the outlet, that includes drums being added to the beginning of the track.

Showrunner Ryan Condal shared, "We wanted to mark the darker tone this season with something small but noticeable. When Ramin shared this update to his iconic theme, we knew it was the way to go."

Before you complain, remember: the Game of Thrones theme isn't sacrosanct. Earlier this year, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms introduced a playful – and bowel-twisting – take on the iconic music that accompanied the opening credits across all eight Game of Thrones seasons.

It should come as little surprise that House of the Dragon wants to punch things up for its epic third season.

With tensions between Team Black and Team Green boiling over in the Westeros civil war (and that's putting it mildly), the third season will premiere with one of the franchise's biggest battles in its history – the naval Battle of the Gullet.

It's "arguably the craziest episode of television ever made," showrunner Ryan Condal gushed to Entertainment Weekly.

House of the Dragon season 3 hits our screens on June 21 in the US and June 22 in the UK.

For more, check out the new TV shows on the way. Then discover what you need to know about the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere with our guide to the House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule.

House of the Dragon season 3 is about to kick off as we return to the ongoing civil war between the Targaryens, known as The Dance of the Dragons. Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, this was a prolific time in Westeros and set the scene for how the Targaryen dynasty began to crumble. Starting when King Viserys was in power, the ambitious HBO prequel has so far focussed on how his line of succession caused a split in the household.

Long story short, he named his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen as the heir to the Iron Thone but when he died, his second wife Alicent Hightower claimed he changed his mind and named their son, Aegon Targaryen, as the one true heir. This caused the dynasty to split into two sides, nicknamed the Greens and the Blacks.

Death and bloodshed have already reigned terror for both and, as we step into season 3, Rhaenyra has Dragonstone and Aegon has King's Landing – but a new battle is set to change the dynamic for good.

Ahead of the new episodes arriving then, we've compiled a House of the Dragon recap featuring all of the major moments that you need to remember so far.

The Triarchy Alliance and lead-up to Battle of the Gullet

Throughout the second season of House of the Dragon, Team Green were hit with a blockage of supplies spearheaded by Team Black. The Velaryon blockade has slowly been starving King's Landing so in order to create a new line of supply, Tyland Lannister was shipped off to Essos to form an alliance with the Triarchy.

When he arrives, he meets Admiral Sharako Lohar who challenges him to an unusual task in order to win their alliance: a mudwrestling match against her. He succeeds and with a hefty sum of gold, they agree to an alliance, setting sail and setting up the Battle of the Gullet.

Dragons: The Dragonseeds and Rhaena's hunt for a dragon

In order to even out the number of Dragons on each side, Rhaenyra comes up with a plan to gain more riders for the remaining dragons waiting in Dragonstone. This is called the Dragonseeds project and sees her and Jace finding Targaryen bastards from around the kingdom.

After a few failed attempts, she secures three new dragon riders, including blacksmith Hugh Hammer who claims Vermithor and drunkard Ulf White who rides Silverwing. The third rider is Addam, who is the half-Valyrian bastard of Lord Corlys Velaryon, who bends the knee to Rhaenyra when he is claimed by Sea Smoke.

Addam's brother is Alyn of Hull, who does not follow in his brother's footsteps to become a dragon rider, but instead becomes First Mate under Corlys. He'll play a prominent role in the upcoming Battle of the Gullet.

It's not only the Targaryen bastards that are new dragon riders either, with Rhaena also busy trying to claim another wild dragon too in the Vale. We last saw her having mixed success trailing Sheepstealer so we're likely to see that story thread continue in season 3 as well.

Daemon's alliances and Harrenhaal vision

After causing all kinds of trouble for Rhaenyra at Harrenhaal, at the end of House of the Dragon season 2, Daemon was shown a very important vision by Alys Rivers at the weirwood tree. She showed him a future that looked all too familiar for Game of Thrones fans, White Walkers approaching from the North, Daenerys Targaryen and her dragon hatchlings, and the three-eyed raven.

This cemented Daemon's loyalty, finally squashing his own desires to rule. He returned home to Dragonstone and vowed to fight for his queen, bringing with him an army from the Riverlands.

Larys and Aegon team-up

Following Aegon's burning at the hands of Aemond, he was left on the verge of death. Larys Strong was the one who helped him recover, and at the end of season 2, he convinces him they must flee.

He's had a concern for a while now that Aemond would be sacrificed at Alicent's hands so they plan to hide out while the war unfolds before making his triumphant return as the one true king when the dust has settled.

Meanwhile Aemond, who has been in charge after Aegon's incapacitation, is now planning to fly to the Riverlands. After trying to recruit his sister Helaena to fly with him, she warned him that Aegon will be king again and that he will die, settling up doom ahead for Aemond.

Rhaenyra and Alicent meet up

After Rhaenyra previously snuck to King's Landing to make a plea with Alicent for peace, the tides turned. Alicent comes to Dragonstone to give her former best friend a warning about Aemond's plans.

She tells her that this will leave Helaena in charge, and they will open the gates for Rhaenyra to take King's Landing. Rhaenyra warns her that to take the throne, she will need to take Aegon's head – and Alicent agrees to this steep cost.

House of the Dragon releases on HBO in the US on June 21, and streams on HBO and HBO Max and Now from June 22 in the UK. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and shows.

House of the Dragon season 3 has earned an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, putting it on par with some of the best Game of Thrones seasons. The HBO show is currently sitting at an impressive 97% on the review aggregation website, which matches the two highest-rated seasons of Game of Thrones, season 2 and season 4.

If you'll recall, some of the best episodes in the whole run of the fantasy series happened in these two seasons. This includes 'Blackwater', which is arguably one of the best battles on screen in Westeros, and the unforgettable 'The Mountain and the Viper', which saw Pedro Pascal's Oberyn Martell meet a grisly end.

This also marks the highest-rated season of House of the Dragon yet, with season 1 clocking in at 90% and season 2 at 84%. Both very respectable, but much lower than the season 3's score so far. These critic reviews are based on the first four episodes of the new season, which kicks off with an epic sea battle, the Battle of the Gullet.

Our own House of the Dragon season 3 review gave the show four stars, saying it "could be the best season of a Westeros-set show in over a decade". Our reviewer wrote: "Burning bright from the opening episode's Battle of the Gullet, House of the Dragon season 3 repositions the Targaryen civil war's key players, operating as a thrilling fresh start for the fiery Game of Thrones prequel."

The new season adapts the next chapter of the Dance of the Dragons, the extremely bloody Targaryen Civil War. It will take the story closer to its conclusion too, with season 4 planned to be the final outing of the HBO show, meaning the end is in sight for the fight for the Iron Throne.

House of the Dragon releases on HBO in the US on June 21, and streams on HBO Max and Now from June 22 in the UK. For what else to watch, here's our guide to all of the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and shows.

As another weekend approaches, so do new streaming releases. So, if you're wondering what to watch this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you're in for a treat as several new movies and TV shows hit the big streaming platforms.

HBO Max has a returning superhero show as My Adventures with Superman season 3 arrives, as well as a hit horror movie in They Will Kill You, which is available to watch now as well. Prime Video is dialling up the romance with new show Every Year After as Apple TV Plus gets us ready for a hugely-anticipated finale with the penultimate episode of Widow's Bay.

If it's a movie you're after, Disney Plus is releasing a special extended addition of its 2014 hit Muppets Most Wanted. Then over on Netflix you can see a beautifully crafted stop-motion fantasy film called I Am Frankelda. With so many variety on offer, there's plenty to keep you busy this weekend. So read on for why we recommend these picks – and how exactly you can stream them.

My Adventures with Superman season 3

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: HBO Max

Clark Kent is back in My Adventures with Superman season 3, which arrives on HBO this week. The third season returns to Metropolis as our titular hero faces new enemies, including a brutal Cyborg Superman who claims to be better than the Man of Steel in every possible way. In order to defeat this threat, Supes teams up with Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane to bring order back to the city.

Set across 10 episodes, the new outing is just as action-packed and full of heart as previous seasons as it manages to explore a new side to this much-adapted hero. The Boys star Jack Quaid returns as Superman alongside newcomers Max Mittelman as Cyborg Supes and Darren Criss as Superboy. The show is airing weekly on HBO Max following its release on Toonami, and is well worth a watch.

For more viewing inspiration, check out our guide to the best HBO shows.

Widow's Bay episode 9

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus

Our time in the, ahem, charming town of Widow's Bay is almost at an end as the show's penultimate episode arrives this week. The Matthew Rhys-led series has been one of the big surprises of 2026 so far, working as both a hilarious horror satire as well as gripping and tense thriller. There are so many questions remaining in the penultimate episode as we wait for next week's finale so there's never been a better time to make sure you're up to date before the final episode airs.

And if you needed any more convincing to book a ferry trip over, then the reviews speak for themselves. Currently sitting at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Guardian gave the show five out of five stars, saying it's "Mare of Easttown meets Schitt's Creek, but with something else that makes it singular". What more could you want? Widow's Bay episode 9 is streaming now on Apple TV Plus.

For what else to watch, here's our pick of the best Apple TV series.

Every Year After

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Prime Video

Prime Video is well known as the place to be for romantic dramas. Not only did their show The Summer I Turned Pretty become a global hit, but they've also had new romantic series like Off Campus and Maxton Hall win over viewers. Now another new entry is joining the list as Every Year After arrives on the streamer.

Based on the novel 'Every Summer After' by Carley Fortune, the eight-part drama follows Percy Fraser and Sam Florek, two best friends who find themselves constantly drawn back to each other. Think One Day meets Virgin River, the series is all about whether the one that got away is truly gone forever. All episodes are available to stream now.

We've also got a round-up of the best shows on Prime Video.

I Am Frankelda

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Netflix

Get lost in a new dark fantasy world in I Am Frankelda, an absorbing stop-motion story set between the real world and the world of terrors. It follows a young aspiring writer called Francisca Imelda in 19th century Mexico who is approached by a prince to help write more nightmares. As he explains to her, if humans are no longer scared, then his kingdom of terrors will cease to exist.

The Mexican movie was first released in 2025 but will be landing globally on Netflix this weekend. The filmmakers were inspired by Guillermo del Toro and his visual language of fantastical creatures and dark fantasy can be felt throughout. If you love the art that goes into this kind of filmmaking as well as getting lost in a new world, this is definitely one to add to your weekend watchlist. Did we mention it was a musical too?

If this doesn't tickle your fancy, check out our list of the best Netflix fantasy movies available now.

Muppets Most Wanted Extended Edition

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Disney Plus

While it's not something we were necessarily expecting, it's always a treat to have more Muppets to enjoy. This weekend Disney Plus is releasing a special longer edition of the 2014 movie Muppets Most Wanted. Previously only available on the Blu-Ray, this version features 12 minutes of extra footage. Fans who have seen it have called it the definitive version of the beloved movie as it subtly reshapes the story in a very satisfying way.

The additions include added character beats and more jokes, as well as expanded musical numbers. Viewers can enjoy extra verses and gags in this new version, which seems like a perfect watch for muppets fans and those wanting revisit the fun movie more than a decade on from its first release. Muppets Most Wanted Extended Edition arrives on June 14.

For more on what to watch, here's our guide to the best movies on Disney Plus.

They Will Kill You

Available: US/UK
Where to watch: HBO Max

An action horror described by some as John Wick meets Tarantino is arriving on HBO Max this weekend. They Will Kill You stars Joker's Zazie Beetz, Severance's Patricia Arquette, and Harry Potter's Tom Felton in a thriller full of surprises. The story follows an ex-convict who answers a cryptic ad to become a housekeeper at a mysterious New York City highrise. However, when she's there, she soon realizes that this is not an ordinary home.

Several people have vanished from the building over the decades and it seems like a satanic cult may be the reason why. It's only been a few months since it came out in theaters, but you can already enjoy the gory slasher from the comfort of your sofa as it arrives on HBO Max.

After this, give our guide on the best HBO movies a look for your next viewing inspiration.

If nothing on our list seems right for you, have a read of our guides to the best Netflix shows, the best Prime Video movies, and the best Apple TV movies you can watch right now.

House of the Dragon season 3 may only just be arriving on HBO this month, but work on season 4 is already well underway. The fantasy show will be coming to a close with the fourth season and showrunner Ryan Condal says they can't wait to tell this story.

"We're actually starting to show HBO," Condal said about season 4's scripts at a recent press conference attended by GamesRadar+. "This is our early iteration, I don't put the script down and take it away from me in production and we have many months ahead of that. But we're as far ahead at this point in crafting a new season while we're still posting the old one."

The showrunner added of their excitement to be bringing this tale to a close: "The machine is up and running and on its feet, then the fourth season, the end, the final act is a story we've been waiting for so we're all really excited about doing it."

Based on George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, the series so far, has shown the decline of House Targaryen in the bloodthirsty war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons. The final season will conclude this story, and Condal has been open that he's not sure a "happy ending" is in the cards.

Speaking at the same press conference, he added: "Do we really expect happy endings in Westeros? I think this show goes to extremely dark places, places we've been, places we're yet to go. But I will say, one of the big challenges of adapting Fire and Blood is not making this an aimless, bleak death march." I guess there may still be some hope then?

House of the Dragon season 3 kicks off with the much-anticipated Battle of the Gullet as the war for King's Landing heads to the seas. You can watch the new series when it begins on HBO Max on June 21 in the US and June 22 on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW in the UK.

House of the Dragon season 3 will show a different side to Rhaenyra Targaryen, following on from fan complaints of her being constantly side-lined in the action. This will mark another big change for the dragon queen, who we've already seen evolve from a rebellious teenager to a young woman broken by grief.

According to showrunner Ryan Condal, the way her character is constantly changing is "the special sauce to the show." Speaking at a recent press conference attended by GamesRadar+, he said: "I think that's also the thing that Game of Thrones established so well, is your understanding of who a character was. Jaime Lannister, when he throws Bran out the window, is different than the Jaime Lannister you see midway through the show, when he's got one hand and he's running around with Brienne."

"With our big characters that we spent a lot of time with in the show, you go through similar experiences with them. Just because who the character is in this single moment in time does not mean that is who that character is all time, and that would be boring to do," he added. "We tried to put them through experiences, apply outside pressures to them from characters and story, and then see how it results in change, and I think Rhaenyra is the prime example of that."

In season 3, Rhaenyra star Emma D'Arcy has teased that their character will be more "active" in the new episodes. Teasing her arc in the third season, Condal pointed to where we began back in season one. "We've seen her be raised by Viserys, who was a flawed king who chose her over her uncle to succeed him, and then kept her his successor, even though he had a son afterwards, which caused a whole bunch of conflict," he explained.

"Viserys made a lot of mistakes, but he did invest entirely with Rhaenyra, and I think beyond his death, she takes that really and tries to rule as she learned from Viserys in season two. She's trying to rule by consensus."

Now in the third season, "there's a point where she has to make a moral compromise for her family, for herself, for her claim. And then this idea of predestination, and all these big ideas that we play with in epic fantasy. "

House of the Dragon season 3 begins on HBO Max on June 21 in the US and June 22 on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW in the UK. For more, check out our guide to all the new TV shows coming in 2026 and beyond.

House of the Dragon season 2 left viewers on the brink of a huge battle before delaying the action until season 3. Showrunner Ryan Condal has been candid in the past about the challenges leading to this decision, but he's now opened up about why he thinks it will be a great way to start the show's upcoming third season.

The Battle of the Gullet – one of the biggest naval battles in Game of Thrones history – opens the third season. And as you might expect from such a huge moment, it was a challenge to bring it to the screen.

"There were just challenges, logistical challenges like resources, and how are we going to do this, and how are we going to do justice to the challenge of the biggest naval battle ever waged in the history of Westeros, which is not a small challenge to rise to," Condal said at a recent press conference attended by GamesRadar+. "In terms of the rhythm of the seasons, I think it's very fun. People have become accustomed to Game of Thrones seasons having a slow build, and then there's an explosion midway through and certainly near the end."

He added that he thinks switching this up will "put people back on their heels in a good way". Condal continued: "It just comes out so heavy and unexpectedly, but it also sets the tone for where we're going with the story. We're not spending our entire budget, even though it might feel that way. There is lots of escalation to come from here, so I think it certainly changes the tone of the storytelling of House of the Dragon."

The showrunner added an ominous tease too, continuing: "It's like, 'Oh we are really playing for keeps now, you know?' I don't think anyone or anything is safe from here forward."

House of the Dragon season 3 begins on HBO Max on June 21 in the US and June 22 on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW in the UK. For more, check out our guide to all the new TV shows coming in 2026 and beyond.

Marvel star Paul Bettany has denied rumors that he'll be playing Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Bettany said: "I've heard nothing about that through any official channels at all. No, that's just a rumor."

Another actor linked to the role, Cillian Murphy, also recently denied he'd be playing the villain: "I'm categorically not," he said. "Can you make that the headline?"

The Harry Potter TV show is a completely new adaptation of the fantasy novels, with one season per book. It's planned to run for 10 years. Nothing has been revealed about the Voldemort casting just yet, but the cast includes the likes of Paapa Esseidu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, and Janet McTeer as McGonagall.

The show has already been renewed for season 2: season 1 will cover Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released as Sorcerer's Stone in the US) and the second season will cover Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

"The idea is not to turn it into a DC or a Marvel," HBO boss Casey Bloys has previously said. "The idea is to go in and do the books."

But, that doesn't mean the show will be just like the films. "There will be things in the show that were not in the movie… but are not off-canon," he added. "The opportunity is to spend more time with the books."

The Harry Potter TV show arrives this December 25. While you wait, check out our guide to all the most exciting upcoming TV shows.

The DCU has been in full swing for two years now, but it sounds like James Gunn still needs to make some decisions about what exactly is canon from The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle.

The DCU officially began with Creature Commandos in late 2024, though elements of The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle – which are both part of the old DCEU – are still considered canon. Gunn has previously said The Suicide Squad is like an "imperfect memory" and Blue Beetle is the first canon character of the DCU.

"I've been thinking about this a lot in regards to The Suicide Squad & Blue Beetle and I've been meaning to rewatch both with an eye towards that knowing what I know now almost three years into the DCU (with a couple more years of scripts being actively filmed or created)," Gunn said on Threads. "Maybe after MoT Jenn [Jennifer Holland] & Steve [Agee] & I can get together for a special couple podcasts to discuss. What do you guys think is potentially or definitely NOT canon from TSS & BB?"

Gunn also clarified why he kept Peacemaker canon when he took over as DC Studios co-CEO. "Peacemaker Season 2's deals were all in place when I became head of DC. It was either break everyone's contracts and pay out all that money and take away HBO Max's biggest show at the time or find a way to make it work," he wrote. "I chose the latter. Mostly tho because I love the character and the show and thought he/they could be an important part of the DCU."

Next up for DC is Supergirl, which arrives this June 26. "I never felt that there was superhero fatigue. I felt it was mediocre movie fatigue," DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran said recently. "You gotta try something new. You have to change the game a little bit. The essential story on which Supergirl is based is something cool and original and we haven't seen before."

While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming DC movies and shows for everything else that's on the way.

The Harry Potter TV series is coming later this year, and from what we've seen so far, it looks like a pretty magical return to the Wizarding World.

The new TV show retells the story of Harry Potter, aka 'The Boy Who Lived', from the very start. Season 1, which will be released on HBO Max, kicks off the narrative with 'The Philosopher's Stone', the first book in the beloved series of novels. However, don't expect the faces from the movies to return. Instead, we are getting a fresh cast, who will be playing these characters over the next decade or so if HBO's plans for an epic scale adapation pans out.

Now with a brand new trailer out in the wild, news is coming in thick and fast about what to expect with the new show as well. We run through all of that below, including the latest quotes from HBO boss Casey Bloys as well as the typical details about the Harry Potter TV series cast, release date, and story. So pack your bags for Hogwarts and read on below for everything you need to know about the Harry Potter TV show ahead of its release.

Harry Potter TV series release date

Thanks to the recent trailer, we now know that the Harry Potter TV series will be released on Christmas this year, on December 25, 2026.

This new 2026 date is a big shock since originally, HBO was aiming for a 2027 window, which came directly from Casey Bloys (Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content) during a past interview with Deadline. "Well, we've been saying 2027. I would say, to narrow it down to some extent, early 2027," he explained. "And now you’re going to ask, does that mean January, February, March, April, that we're not ready to say. I'll say early 2027."

We won't complain about the quicker date, though. Hopefully, no delays happen, and the 2026 release holds firm!

Harry Potter TV series story

The Harry Potter TV series is taking the same approach as the movies did in the 2000s, adapting the events of the Harry Potter books.

If you haven't watched all the Harry Potter movies yet or read the books, the story follows a young orphan called Harry Potter who learns that he is actually a wizard on his 11th birthday. Harry gets enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he also discovers that his parents were killed by an evil Wizard named Voldemort, who is the reason that Harry has a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

The first season will be adapting The Philosopher's Stone book (or Sorcerer's Stone), which follows Harry during his first year at Hogwarts, and also features his first showdown with Voldemort. I won't get into spoilers here, but I will say the events of this chapter are great world builders, featuring multiple fantastical creatures. Perfect for Wizarding World newbies.

We also know that the show will give us different perspectives from other characters besides Harry. So, differing slightly from the books that focused on the Boy Who Lived. During an interview with People, the new Draco actor Lox Pratt teased that fans will "get to see so much more than the books" in the new TV series.

"You get to see all the teachers in their little rooms. You get to see Draco at home," the star explained. Exciting stuff! Slight story alterations may also happen thanks to Bloys confirming that we won't be getting a season a year.

However, this isn't to say that the universe will be expanding too much. Bloys has been clear that he wants the show to remain a faithful adaptation. "The idea is not to turn it into a DC or a Marvel," he told Radio Times. "The idea is to go in and do the books." He added: "There will be things in the show that were not in the movie… but are not off-canon. The opportunity is to spend more time with the books." Not only that, but Bloys has confirmed that season 2 is already being written as well.

Is there a trailer for the Harry Potter TV series?

The first trailer for the Harry Potter TV series dropped on March 25, 2026. However, we got a longer teaser on September 2, which you can watch for yourself above. In this new clip, we are shown quite a lot of plot points. There is a snippet from the troll in the girls' bathroom, the Sorting Hat ceremony, and Harry touching the Mirror of Erised.

We still haven't seen any Voldemort yet, though, despite the new trailer being over two minutes long. Hopefully, we get to see the baddie soon. But for now, this latest clip is pretty detailed and tells us that season 1 will be covering the whole first movie's plot at least.

Harry Potter TV series cast

The cast for the Harry Potter TV series is absolutely massive, and includes some emerging stars as well as some very recognisable faces. Since we'd be here forever if we listed everyone, below you'll find a round-up of all the main cast members, as well as the recurring cast members who have massive roles in the Harry Potter story going forward.

• Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
• Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
• Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
• Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
• Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
• Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
• Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
• Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
• Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
• Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
• Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
• Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
• Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
• Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
• Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
• Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
• Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
• Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
• Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
• William Nash as Gregory Goyle
• Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout
• Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
• Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
• Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge

Keep in mind that a lot of other students have been announced as well. The above are simply the characters that we'll likely be seeing the most of throughout season 1.

We are also actually waiting for even more cast confirmation for characters that we also know are part of the story, but are MIA from the cast list at the moment. Cillian Murphy was rumored to be playing Voldermort, but has denied his involvement – so that's the biggest secret the show is keeping so far. Stay tuned for updates.

While we wait for the Harry Potter TV series to head our way, check out our list of the best HBO Max shows to watch in the meantime.

Jason Ritter and Patrick Wilson have joined the cast of The Last of Us season 3.

According to Variety, Ritter will play a WLF agent, while Wilson will play none other than Jerry Anderson... who was the only person left on earth who could've made a cure for the virus before Joel made an uh-oh oopsie (in the name of love, mind you).

The hit series, based on the massively popular video games, was renewed for a third season ahead of the season 2 premiere in 2025. The first season follows The Last of Us Part 1, with season 2 and 3 adapting The Last of Us Part 2 – the latter of which shifts the storyline away from Joel (Pedro Pascal) to focus on a now-adult Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and new antagonist Abby (Kaitlyn Dever).

Because the second game is so dense, showrunner Craig Mazin, who is now showrunning alone following creator Neil Druckmann's shock departure, initially posed that they might need a second, third, and fourth season to wrap up the entire story. New reports, however, say that the third season might very well be the last...

Ritter is perhaps best known for starring in Matlock alongside Kathy Bates (or you may have seen him spreading joy on the otherwise bleak internet by posting videos that showcase his dance and, uh, fighting moves), though he'll be playing the husband of a sheriff in DC's upcoming Lanterns series. Wilson is no doubt best known for his tenure as Ed Warren throughout The Conjuring franchise.

The Last of Us season 3 is set to premiere sometime in 2027. For more, check out our list of the best HBO Max shows to stream right now, or, check out our list of the best new TV shows coming your way in 2026 and beyond.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is confirmed, and it's even in the works as we speak. So, if you're already missing Dunk and Egg, the good news is they'll be returning to HBO much sooner than you might think.

Season 1 told the story of how hedge knight Dunk met his young squire Egg, with the twist that Egg was actually a Targaryen prince the entire time. What's next for the unlikely duo, then? We've got everything you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 right here, so you can get up to speed at a glance. Plus, everything is spoiler-free from George R.R. Martin's books, too.

So, for the lowdown on the next season, head to the below. For even more, check out the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms timeline for a deeper dive.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 release date speculation

There is currently no release date for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2, but the second season has been filming since December 2025.

Season 1 filmed for three months, wrapped in September 2024, and premiered in January 2026. So, if season 2 follows a similar schedule, we could see it in spring 2027.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 cast

At the moment, no cast members are confirmed for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2, aside from the obvious. So, the line-up looks like this:

• Peter Claffey – Ser Duncan the Tall
• Dexter Sol Ansell – Egg (Prince Aegon Targaryen)

If the season follows the novella closely – which we expect it will – then we'll be seeing an all new cast of characters aside from Dunk and Egg, so we'll keep this page updated with their identities in the months to come. That sadly means we'll be saying goodbye to the characters of season 1, however, unless they make unexpected cameos.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 plot

The second of George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, The Sworn Sword, moves the tale on from the Ashford Tourney and picks up a year and a half later. Dunk and Egg are in the Reach following the Great Spring Sickness – no spoilers here, but this pandemic will be devastating for the kingdom.

The story is set in the midst of a drought, and much of the plot focuses on a stream dried up by a dam, and the feud that erupts as a consequence. Naturally, Dunk and Egg get caught up in a complex situation that proves difficult to navigate, much like season 1.

The novella also features more details on the Blackfyre Rebellion, which was alluded to in season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

When can we expect the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 trailer?

It's currently far too early to expect a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 trailer. However, cameras are rolling on the show, so one might be coming sooner rather than later. The first trailer for season 1 landed in October 2025 ahead of a January 2026 premiere, so we can probably expect a trailer for season 2 in late 2026 to early 2027.

That's a wrap on everything we know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and TV shows for everything else that's on the way.

Harry Potter star David Thewlis has had enough of the franchise. The actor played Remus Lupin in the films, introduced in The Prisoner of Azkaban as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and an old friend of Harry Potter's father.

When asked by Screen Time if he'd like to return in the upcoming HBO reboot TV show, either as Lupin or another character, Thewlis was pretty clear that he's had his fill of the Wizarding World.

"I feel like I'd be far too old to play my original character now. And no, I wouldn't want to go back into it, because I've had quite enough of that, sick of talking about it quite honestly," he said with a laugh.

"It is nice because with Harry Potter it's kids and kids get very kind of impressed and very overawed, and it's very nice to make kids happy," he added. Check out a video of the moment below.

The HBO show is planned to run for 10 years, and it will adapt each novel in the seven-book series. Season 1, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (or Sorcerer's) Stone, is slated for a 2027 release.

John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, with Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione, and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley. There's no word yet on who will play Voldermort, though Cillian Murphy has rebuffed rumours that it will be him.

You can fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best shows on HBO Max or our ranking of the best Harry Potter movies.

The upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, on which J.K. Rowling is an executive producer, has been the subject of criticism and debate due to the author's public stance on gender identity, which continues to challenge the inclusivity at the heart of the Harry Potter community. It was a similar situation with the Hogwarts Legacy launch, and you can read more about the Hogwarts Legacy controversy in our explainer.

The latest episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has become one of the highest rated Game of Thrones episodes ever – and it has surpassed all of House of the Dragon.

The episode, titled "Seven," has a near-perfect rating of 9.7 out of 10 on IMDb. That's not only the highest rated of all of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms so far, but it's better than House of the Dragon's series best rating of 9.4, and it equals the rating of seven episodes of Game of Thrones.

The highest rated episodes of Game of Thrones ever stand at 9.9, and it should come as no surprise that these episodes are "The Rains of Castamere," AKA the Red Wedding, "Battle of the Bastards," when Jon Snow and Ramsey Bolton face off in an epic battle, and "The Winds of Winter," which sees Cersei Lannister blow up the Sept, Daenerys Targaryen sail for Westeros, and the revelation that Jon Snow is actually Aegon Targaryen.

Game of Thrones has one episode rated at 9.8: "Hardhome," which sees Jon Snow and the Free Folk go up against the Night King and his wights.

The episodes rated 9.7 are "Blackwater," the massive sea battle in which Tyrion uses a wildfire bomb, "The Lion and the Rose," which sees Joffrey Baratheon poisoned, "The Mountain and the Viper," in which Oberyn Martell faces the Mountain, "The Children," which sees Tyrion Lannister escape King's Landing and kill Tywin Lannister with a crossbow, "The Laws of Gods and Men," Tyrion Lannister's trial for the murder of Joffrey Baratheon, "The Door," which reveals Hodor's heartbreaking backstory, and "Spoils of War," which sees Daenerys Targaryen ride her dragon into battle against the Lannister army.

So, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is in good company with some of the most iconic episodes of Game of Thrones ever. "Seven" sees Dunk forced to compete in a Trial of Seven, meaning seven knights on each side will battle it out. While Aerion Targaryen's team includes his father Maekar and the Kingsguard, Dunk's includes Lyonel Baratheon and, in a cheer-worthy twist at the end of the episode, Baelor Targaryen.

The spin-off has already become the highest-rated first season of any Game of Thrones show on Rotten Tomatoes, too.

You can keep up on what happens next to the hedge knight and his squire Egg with our A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release schedule. For more, check out our A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review for our spoiler-free verdict on the entire show.

Jorge Lendeborg Jr. and Clea DuVall have joined the cast of The Last of Us season 3.

According to Deadline, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. will replace Danny Ramirez as WLF member Manny in the show's third season, with Clea DuVall set to play a Seraphite.

The hit series, based on the massively popular video games, was renewed for a third season ahead of the season 2 premiere last year. The first season follows The Last of Us Part 1, with season 2 and 3 adapting The Last of Us Part 2 – the latter of which shifts the storyline away from Joel (Pedro Pascal) and focuses more on Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and new antagonist Abby (Kaitlyn Dever).

Ramirez departed the show last year after just one season due to scheduling conflicts, and we get why. The actor and soon-to-be filmmaker just finished filming Avengers: Doomsday, new Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic, Samo Lives, is getting ready to shoot his directorial debut Baton, and is confirmed to be starring alongside Pascal once again in the new Todd Haynes romance De Noche.

The actor isn't the only one who made an exit, as showrunner and video game creator Neil Druckmann announced his shock departure last year. Craig Mazin will now serve as showrunner, with the season set to focus on Abby's perspective (as per the second half of The Last of Us Part 2).

Lendeborg Jr. is best known for his role as popular kid Jason Inello in the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man film series, and just wrapped production on the upcoming B-movie horror, Halloween Store. DuVall is a lauded pop culture icon who starred in the queer coming-of-age comedy, But I'm a Cheerleader, as well as cult classic sci-fi horror The Faculty.

The Last of Us season 3 is set to premiere sometime in 2027. For more, check out our list of the best HBO Max shows to stream right now, or, check out our list of the best new TV shows coming your way in 2026 and beyond.

The legendary showrunner behind hit series like Lost, Watchmen, and The Leftovers has a new show in the works with HBO, and it has us gripped already.

HBO has given a straight-to-series order to Damon Lindelof's eight-episode-long limited drama The Chain, as reported by Variety. The series is part of a two-year overall deal that Lindelof signed back in September 2025. Lindelof will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on the series.

The show is based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Adrian McKinty. Although HBO has yet to share an official synopsis for the series, the book follows a mother whose daughter is abducted, and the only way to get her back is to pay a ransom and find another child to kidnap. The twist is, the person who kidnapped her daughter is a parent themself, trying to save her own child from murder, further adding to a vicious chain.

However, expect the series to shake things up a bit as Variety reports that Lindelof's series will expand on the mythology of the book. In a statement, Lindelof said, "From the moment I heard the wild and original premise of Adrian’s book, I was shocked, surprised and angry I hadn’t thought of it myself… I’ve always wanted to try to adapt a great thriller and this one has all the dark, weird, exhilarating touches that fire up my imagination."

Lindelof is best known for leading the six-season-long survival drama series Lost, as well as DC Studios show Watchmen. However, Lindelof is currently working on HBO and DC's upcoming series Lanterns as co-creator and executive producer. As part of James Gunn's DCU Chapter One, Lanterns is set to hit screens later this year.

The Chain does not yet have a release date. While you wait, check out our guide to the best shows on HBO Max, and keep up with upcoming TV shows heading your way.

Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal, the dark and violent animated series that has thus far followed the Neanderthal Spear and dinosaur Fang across two seasons of adventures, is finally back for a third season on Adult Swim after nearly four years. And while I don't necessarily think it's better than ever, having seen the entire new season for myself, I would argue that it's certainly as good as it's ever been – which is very, very good.

Given Tartakovsky's history, it's not exactly shocking that the show is as good as it is. He's had a storied career and is best known for different things to different people, depending on how old you are. He's the creator of legendary Cartoon Network shows Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, helmed the original Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series, and directed several of the Hotel Transylvania movies. And, of course, Primal.

But it is somewhat surprising to see the show return in the way that it has. The last season of Primal ended with a pretty definitive conclusion for the story of both Spear and Fang back in 2022, and yet the third season once again picks up where – spoiler alert – the last one left off with Spear's death. So, of course, Primal season 3 follows zombie Spear in all his reanimated glory. (This is not a surprise; the trailers and key art have made it pretty clear this was the case in the run-up to the third season.)

Tip of the Spear

Given how season 3 ended, seeing the initial trailers featuring a reanimated Spear was a shock. And to some extent, it seems like Tartakovsky is also surprised a bit too when I speak with him ahead of the animated show's return.

"I think it's kind of my fault," he says when I ask why return to these characters again, given how much it felt like the last season put a bow on that story, "because we spend a lot of time making the shows, like two years. So we spend a lot of time with the characters, right? And then when we release the show, the audience watches it maybe in a week or in a few weeks – the timespan is very off balance."

"And so I felt like, 'OK, people have had enough,' because I've lived with it for, you know, over four years," he continues. "But in actuality, it wasn't, and the response to the end of the season was really good, and everybody still loves the show, so my gut told me,'Uh oh, maybe it's too early.' And then I'm like, 'Well, what am I going to do next?'"

And that's where zombie Spear came in as an idea.

"It was so compelling, and it facilitated such an interesting emotional element that that was it," Tartakovsky says of the concept. "As soon as we came up with it, my gut said, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah; this is so exciting and interesting.' And we can do different stories, because sometimes you don't want to just repeat the 'Monster of the Week' type of a feel, right? And that's why we switched up for the second season and, of course, the third season."

One significant reason that zombie Spear is such a big surprise? Tartakovsky himself had said, following the conclusion of the second season, that he envisioned the show becoming more of an anthology of sorts. While the first two seasons were about Spear and Fang, Primal as a show didn't actually need to be just that in the future. And yet here we are.

But that doesn't mean the idea of an anthology series has been abandoned or anything. Or that the story of Spear is even completely done after this season, for that matter. Tartakovsky is keeping his options open. "When we feel that Spear and Fang and that storyline has finally, like, finished, finished, and it feels right, then I do," he says. "I want Primal to be everlasting for me."

"I hope that it's going to be like a Twilight Zone tag, basically, for something that's raw and emotional and visceral, 2D animated, and the whole thing with visual storytelling, and that's the goal," he adds. "So, if there's something next, I'm not sure yet. I mean, it feels like we have an ending, but I don't want to put myself in the corner like I did last time."

Primal season 3 is now airing on Adult Swim. New episodes air on Sundays and appear on HBO Max the following day. For more animation coverage, be sure to check out the best anime to watch right now.

Bill Skarsgård has shared he originally wasn't completely sold on returning as his horror icon Pennywise in the HBO prequel show It: Welcome to Derry.

Speaking to ScreenRant, the actor admitted that he was "more hesitant about it going into it than going out of it," though he eventually had "a lot of fun" making the show.

According to the actor, when the idea of playing Pennywise again was originally broached, he thought that "we did the two movies, and they were very successful," and he was concerned that "you don't want to milk this one out with a TV show" that might not compare to "the success of the previous films."

However, once he saw the plan for the show, he was convinced. "I feel that, in the end, we explored some parts of Pennywise that we hadn't seen before or hadn't done," he said. "Andy [Muschietti] and I always have fun together, and I think that we did those aspects of it. Even with Pennywise's performance, there was like, 'Okay, here's a juicy scene, and you see something else from Pennywise, or more of him.' I had fun with those scenes, for sure."

Welcome to Derry showed us a whole new side to Pennywise, finally revealing the truth behind his origins as Bob Grey, as well as bringing in the twist that Pennywise can see the future – and might be targeting the parents of the Losers' Club kids that will grow up to kill him.

So far, It: Welcome to Derry season 2 hasn't been officially confirmed. If it does get the green light, though, it will adapt the Bradley Gang Massacre, a huge shootout in Derry. It will also be set 27 years before season 1, which would place it in the 1930s.

All episodes of Welcome to Derry are streaming on HBO Max now. For more, fill out your watchlist with our guide to all the upcoming Stephen King movies and shows, or the best shows on HBO Max.