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Apple TV is adding American Sign Language to some films — and you don't need a browser extension

lance.ulanoff@futurenet.com (Lance Ulanoff) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Apple is adding ASL support to the Apple TV app
It's only for a handful of titles for now
Unlike other streamers, the ASL option is integrated on the original title

The millions of deaf and hard-of-hearing people around the world usually have just one option when it comes to watching movies and films: closed captions. American Sign Language (or ASL, and its British counterpart, BSL) can help bring less reading and more visual interpretation to the viewing, but it takes people, time, and technology to integrate it into your favorite streaming services.

Some streamers, like Netflix, employ third-party plug-ins from Google or others to enable ASL overlays. Others, like Disney, Amazon, and HBO, create distinct versions of their content with built-in ASL overlays.

Apple, however, is launching something a little different. A handful of original-content titles will now tap into a new settings toggle (supported in iOS 27.2) that turns on ASL or BSL for films like F1: The Movie, Greyhound, and Way of the Warrior Kid.

The feature is also launching with a new Apple TV film: Being Heumann, which, not coincidentally, is about real-life activist Judy Heumann's efforts in the 1970s to get more rights and accommodations for disabled people.

The controls are found under Settings, and once enabled, the option will appear on these titles as a sign-language icon.

Each ASL interpreter appears as an overlay on top of the Apple TV content, meaning they're not in picture-in-picture boxes.

It's worth noting that the sign-language interpreters are all real people, directed by what's known as Directors of Sign Language or 'Dazzles,' who help them interpret the content. Apple is not, for now at least, using animations or AI to ramp up ASL coverage. No word on whether this might be under consideration.

(Image credit: Apple)

“Bringing sign language interpretation to Apple TV is an exciting step forward in making the viewing experience more accessible and inclusive for Deaf audiences,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives in a press release. “Accessibility is a core value at Apple, and we’re proud to continue creating experiences that allow more people to enjoy the content they love.”

For now, the launch consists of very few titles and, oddly, doesn't even include Apple's Academy Award-winning Best Picture, CODA, which is about a young aspiring singer whose parents are deaf — though it's probably a safe assumption that the film will soon be added to the ASL-supported list.

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7 new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend (October 30)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate the spookiest time of the year. And, whether or not you'll be trick and treating this weekend, the world's best streaming services have released some must-see new movies, shows, and documentaries that you can enjoy with our without candy.

There's something for everyone, too. From the latest Minions-starring movie to a Netflix documentary about the late Matthew Perry, I'm confident one of the below recommendations will appeal to you. Enjoy — and don't eat all of your Halloween sweets in one sitting! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The One About Matthew Perry (Netflix)

It's rare for a documentary to headline one of our streaming round-ups. Given the subject matter, though, I suspect few would argue with The One About Matthew Perry doing so.

A docufilm about the much-loved actor best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, it explores the man behind the Hollywood icon. With intimate testimonies from Perry's family and closest friends, The One About... offers a raw, unedited look at a star whose light shone brightly —despite his well-documented battles with drugs and alcohol — before his sudden death in late 2023.

Hopefully, The One About Matthew Perry will be a celebration of his life and legacy, and an inspirational testimony to his candidness and tireless advocacy against substance abuse. — TP

Watch The One About Matthew Perry on Netflix

Minions and Monsters (Peacock)

Everyone's favorite, babbling yellow bean-like creatures are back. That's right, the Minions have returned for another standalone feature, this time in Minions & Monsters, which is out now on Peacock.

Set in 1927, it follows James, Ed, Henry, and company as they attempt to make a monster movie of their own amid the Golden Age of Hollywood. Unsurprisingly, things go awry pretty quickly, forcing the titular beings to save the day once more.

Praised by critics for its love letter-style approach to Old Hollywood, Minions & Monsters didn't perform as well as its predecessors did at the global box office. Is that down to Minions burnout? Who's to say, but you can see if it lives up to the hype by tuning in at home. — TP

Watch Minions and Monsters on Peacock

The Gilded Age season 4 (HBO Max)

The Gilded Age season 4, which premieres on HBO Max this Sunday, skips ahead six months from last season's finale and sees Bertha Russell's relentless social climbing come under scrutiny.

Previously, Bertha forced her daughter Gladys into a marriage with the Duke of Buckingham to secure her social standing, causing her husband George to leave her, as he was furious with the decision. By season 4, George has completely moved out and now everyone's gossiping about their failed marriage.

Outside of Bertha's dramatic life, season 4 features real historical moments like the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886, so there's a lot for period drama lovers to enjoy. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch The Gilded Age season 4 on HBO Max

Apocalypse Z: New World (Prime Video)

Zombie movies are a Halloween staple and Prime Video's got you covered with a new Spanish-language release.

Apocalypse Z: New World is the follow up to Amazon's Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. You could even have a double bill, if you like.

This time, we follow a new protagonist as he sets out from the refuge of the zombie-free Canary Islands to the mainland (anyone else getting 28 Years Later vibes?) in search of essential supplies. It's a risky decision, and there's danger at every turn. There'll no doubt be thrills in abundance here, and I can't wait to watch it all unfold. — LB

Watch Apocalypse Z: New World on Prime Video

Dexter: Resurrection season 2 (Paramount+)

Dexter Morgan's going through a midlife crisis in Dexter: Resurrection season 2. It's been four years since the show revival's debut outing, and there's a lot for us to catch up on even beyond what Dexter is going through on a personal level.

Indeed, the titular character is caught between two major serial killers, while his son Harrison launches a career as an NYPD homicide rookie. On top of this, expect to see some ghosts from Dexter's past, too.

Will he ever catch a break? It certainly doesn't seem that way, but it's entertaining for all of us Paramount+ viewers, at least. — LB

Watch Dexter: Resurrection season 2 on Paramount+

Nocturne (Apple TV)

Apple has become many people's go-to streamer for top-tier television — and Nocturne is the latest offering to try to add its name to the tech giant's growing list of unmissable shows.

Billed as a gripping crime drama, the Apple TV Original stars Liev Schreiber as Jonah, a soldier-turned-homicide detective who relocates to a small Pennsylvania town alongside his family, including surrogate daughter and FBI agent Saga (Zazie Beetz). However, when they suddenly garner the attention of an imprisoned yet cunning serial killer Jurek (Stephen Graham), a twisty-turny game of cat and mouse ensues.

Episodes 1 and 2 are out now, with the final four releasing weekly up to November 27. — TP

Watch Nocturne on Apple TV

Last One Laughing: Halloween (Prime Video)

Last One Laughing is back with a Halloween special, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy.

Returning contestants Daisy May Cooper and Lou Sanders are joined by Jack Dee, Phil Wang, Reece Shearsmith, Harriet Dyer, and Tom Allen. They're all hoping to be — you guessed it — the last one laughing and win the series. But, it's not easy, and there'll be guest stars and surprises intended to make them lose their composure.

Thankfully, we're allowed to laugh as much as we want. And host Jimmy Carr is likely to be right there with us, given his reactions from the past two seasons. — LB

Watch Last One Laughing: Halloween on Prime Video

Meet the TechRadar Product of the Year 2026 winners

TechRadar — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:05:44 +0000

Though 2026 has been a tumultuous time for technology when it comes to price hikes and shortages, the tech that's reached us has been excellent — in fact, it's been a banner year in most areas, just with some downsides for your wallet.

We've already crowned the best tech of the year as chosen by you in our TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 — but this is where we let our experts have their say.

Our writers and editors chose their favorite products in nearly 100 categories, ranging across all the kinds of products we review. In some cases, we agree with the readers; in lots of cases, we don't. So read on to see which gadgets we rate as being the most impressive of the last 12 months.

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Apple iPhone 18 Pro

Wherever you look, the iPhone 18 Pro excels. It might not have the biggest camera sensor or the longest-lasting battery of any phone on the market, but it does offer a near-unrivaled combination of premium flagship features. From its variable aperture feature and pro-level video capabilities to its phenomenal performance and gorgeous display, the 18 Pro is the Swiss Army knife of 2026 smartphones.

Read our full iPhone 18 Pro review

Phone Brand of the Year

Honor

The Chinese company has brought something competitive to the table at every turn in 2026. The Honor Magic 8 Pro is an extremely capable flagship. The Magic V6 is easily one of the best foldables you can buy. The Honor 600 series offers some serious value for money in the mid-range sector. The MagicPad 4 is an iPad-beating tablet in several ways. And the Robot Phone is, well, the Robot Phone. Honor’s products aren’t globally available in the same way as, say, Apple's or Samsung’s, but those who have tried the brand’s phones and tablets will know about their level of hardware quality.

Phones Innovation of the Year

Honor Robot Phone

Sticking with Honor, it’s hard to see past the Robot Phone as the most exciting Phones Innovation of the Year in 2026. There's been some competition from foldables in this area this year, but Honor deserves credit for bringing something wildly different to the market (in China, at least). Will we ever see the Robot Phone and its fully motorized mechanical gimbal arm in Western markets? I doubt it — but that doesn’t make it any less exciting.

Read our Honor Robot Phone hands-on

Best Value Phone

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is in another world for pure value compared to most phones — for example, compared to the iPhone 17e, it costs almost exactly half the price and offers an extra camera, a much larger battery, faster charging, and a higher display refresh rate. The Edge 70 Fusion is not a flashy phone, but it certainly punches above its budget price tag.

Best Mid-Range Phone

Apple iPhone 17

The Apple iPhone 17 is over 12 months old now (it just slips into this year’s eligibility window), and it wasn’t replaced with a successor in September — but it didn’t need to be. With its 120Hz refresh rate, two great rear cameras, powerful A19 chipset, and still-industry-leading Center Stage selfie camera, the iPhone 17 is still the iPhone we recommend to most people.

Best Folding Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the only globally available passport-shaped foldable we’ve tested fully (and that's eligible for this year's awards), and it's earned our pick as the Best Folding Phone of the year. We were skeptical about the practicality of the Z Fold 8’s stumpy form factor, but after living with the phone for a month, we came around to its charming oddness.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z fold 8 review

Best Flip Phone

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 (or Motorola Razr 70 Ultra, as it’s called in certain regions) is, for us, the best phone you can buy in this category. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 has better software, a newer chipset, and is slightly more affordable — but the latest Razr Ultra has a larger battery, faster charging, and better cameras. It’s a close-run thing, but this is the flip phone we'd choose.

Best Camera Phone

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is an absolute beast of a camera phone. It boasts a 200MP main lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 200MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 10x telephoto (f/3.5) lens, which is a combination that helped it beat the Galaxy S26 Ultra and hold its own against even the Lumix TZ300 and Nikon Z8 in our head-to-head comparisons. It’s heavy, thick, and eye-wateringly expensive, but the Find X9 Ultra is the closest we’ve come to a truly camera-rivaling smartphone.

Read our full Oppo Find X9 Ultra review

Best Gaming Phone

RedMagic 11 Pro

If you’re looking for an unashamedly gamer-y smartphone, it doesn’t get much better than the RedMagic 11 Pro. With its exposed water-cooling system, capacitive shoulder buttons, powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and gorgeous 6.85-inch OLED display, it’s more handheld console than phone.

Read our full RedMagic 11 Pro review

Best AI Phone

Google Pixel 11 Pro

Even though Google’s latest Pixel series doesn’t bring much newness to the table, it’s hard to argue against the Pixel 11 Pro’s status as the Best AI Phone money can buy. There’s Camera Coach, Magic Cue, Magic Editor, Magic Capture, Rambler, and, of course, system-wide Gemini integration to take advantage of with Google’s latest flagship. If AI is your jam, the Pixel 11 Pro should be your phone.

Read our full Google Pixel 11 Pro review

Best Phone Accessory

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P

Phone gimbals aren’t the flashiest products around, but the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P deserves credit for being one of the best phone accessories money can buy. As we noted in our review, the 8P adds a remote control and even better tracking capabilities to the already impressive Osmo Mobile 8 formula, and as such, it’s an easy recommendation for content creators.

Read our full DJI Osmo Mobile 8P review

Best Tablet

Honor MagicPad 4

The Android tablet market is a real mix of good, bad, and terrible right now, but the Honor MagicPad 4 surprised us by being a genuinely iPad-rivaling slate in testing this year. For a lower price than the latest iPad Air, the MagicPad 4 offers a thin and lightweight design, a stunning OLED screen, an excellent eight-speaker stereo setup, and near-unbeatable update support. Here’s hoping Honor continues its hot streak into 2027.

Read our full Honor MagicPad 4 review

Best eReader

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)

The last 12 months have seen plenty of great ereaders and digital note-takers come to market, but the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) has become our go-to recommendation for those after an ereader/notebook hybrid. It's pricey, yes, but the Scribe’s 11-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display is a joy to behold.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Sony A7R VI

Perfect ratings are rare, but the A7R VI earned five stars with its 66.8MP stacked full-frame sensor, image stabilization, new processor and improved subject-detection autofocus, which combine for class-leading quality and performance. Whether you shoot landscape photography or action, the A7R VI can handle it all, and its excellent handling and new and improved battery was the cherry on the cake. Our verdict? "Sony can stop making cameras now."

Read our full Sony A7R VI review

Brand of the Year

Sony

Following a relatively quiet year, Sony has stood out in 2026 with three top cameras and a raft of new lenses. We gave a perfect five-star rating to the Sony A7R VI, which received high praise from our veteran Cameras Editor who said it had "no weaknesses". The A7 V took top spot in our best mirrorless cameras guide, while the RX10 V revived bridge cameras and extended Sony’s lead at the top in this category. Add Sony’s stellar macro lens to the mix and this award was inevitable.

Camera Innovation of the Year

Antigravity A1

The Antigravity A1 was a first-of-its-kind drone, one that can shoot true 360 degree video thanks to its dual camera array. The Insta360-backed company effectively gave us an airborne Insta360 X5, with immersive 8K video recording that sees in every direction. At the launch event, we donned the company’s goggles and followed racing cars around a track, and the whole experience was intuitive — but most of all immersive. You don’t need to worry about framing the shot, because that happens later using Insta360’s clever software, which can frame and compile videos after the fact.

Read our full Antigravity A1 review

Best Beginner Camera

OM System PEN

It was a tight call between the OM System PEN and the Lumix L10, but ultimately we felt that the PEN is the better starting point for beginner photographers, at a much lower price point. Not only is the PEN easy on the eye, but it features image stabilization, a rangefinder-style EVF, a weatherproof body, and a host of clever computational photography modes that smartphone upgrades will feel at home with, and that encourage creativity. A huge choice of lenses and a new weatherproof kit lens complete the package.

Read our OM System PEN review

Best Mid-range camera

Sony A7 V

The mid-range full-frame category is fiercely contested by Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic, but Sony stole back its crown with the new A7 V, in a year that Canon also released the stellar EOS R6 Mark III. Between those two 5-star cameras, we felt the A7 V had the (slight) edge overall; there's nothing to choose in terms of resolution, but the A7 V has a partially stacked sensor for what should be quicker readout speeds, plus snappier subject detection autofocus, wider dynamic range, versatile flip-and-tilt screen, and class-leading battery life.

Read our Sony A7 V review

Best Professional Camera

Sony A7R VI

It’s actually been a quiet year in the professional camera category, but that's probably good for the other companies, because the A7R VI would’ve been hard for anyone to compete with. It ups the bar with a class-leading 66.8MP full-frame stacked sensor that's backed up with the power, speed and pro-grade body that make the camera a formidable tool in any pro photography scenario. We shot landscape, portrait and wildlife photography, and the pro camera thrived in all situations.

Read our full Sony A7R VI review

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Ricoh GR IV

Being intimately familiar with the GR III, we were super excited about the GR IV launch and the upgrades it would bring. A new 26MP APS-C sensor with five-axis stabilization and improved battery life topped the improvements, but we’ll have to keep fingers crossed for next time for the improved build quality, a tilt screen and built-in-flash we wished for. Even still, the GR IV can shoot the best quality photos from a truly pocketable camera, with a dedicated Monochrome edition that came alter to boot. The price hike stung, but no other brand is making a compact like Ricoh is.

Read our Ricoh GR IV review

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P

It’s been a busy year in this category, with Insta360 and DJI in particular trading blows. First came DJI's Pocket 4, which was a modest upgrade of the Pocket 3, but DJI had something extra special up its sleeve; a twin-lens gimbal camera Pocket 4P, which would change the game for vlogging. Insta360 then tried to steal DJI’s thunder with its innovative Luna Ultra's twin lenses and removable remote module — but DJI's Pocket 4P feels like the more polished of the two, and the one we have found ourselves turning to more often for shooting stabilized 4K content.

Read our DJI Osmo Pocket 4P review

Best Camera Lens

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art

Lenses is a competitive category year after year, and 2025-2026 was no different, with a top Sony macro optic, Nikon's slimmed down 70-200mm f/2.8 and a number of superb-value Viltrox optics. However, we must recognize innovation and give credit where it's due, which is why Sigma’s first 135mm telephoto lens with a f/1.4 aperture blew us away. Bulky, yes, but we gave it five stars in our review, calling the 135mm F1.4 DG / Art the 'bokeh master' — if you want the dreamiest portraits, look no further.

Read our Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art review

Best Camera Accessory

Insta360 Mic Pro

DJI and Insta360 have been trading blows all year, but it was Insta360’s Mic Pro that was the final piece of the jigsaw for the 360 camera maker’s ecosystem. Insta360 fans using the likes of the class leading X6 360-degree camera, Ace Pro 2 action cam and Luna Ultra vlogging cameras can enjoy all the benefits of direct compatibility with one of the best wireless mics we’ve ever tested — mixing and matching their camera with a third party mic is no longer necessary. And what a mic it was — the Mic Pro has DJI-beating noise cancellation and an eye-catching, customizable e ink display.

Read our Insta360 Mic Pro review

Best Drone

DJI Avata 360

First came the Antigravity A1 drone, and then came the DJI Avata 360, which felt like the more polished and versatile 360-degree drone of the two. Where the A1 has two fixed lenses to capture 360-degree footage, the Avata 360’s twin lenses are mounted to a gimbal which can rotate 90 degrees to switch between regular (front-facing) single-lens and top/bottom facing 360-degree use. The product also joins DJI's existing Avata ecosystem, which already includes superb FPV goggles and motion controller accessories. Bottom line — the A1 came first, but the Avata 360 upped the bar, and it costs much less.

Read our DJI Avata 360 review

Computing

Laptop of the Year

Apple MacBook Neo

If there's one laptop that has made the biggest impact in 2026, then it's the MacBook Neo. When Apple announced its brand-new MacBook earlier this year, along with the impressively-affordable starting price of $599 / £599 / AU$1,049, it sent shockwaves through the industry. That might sound like hyperbole, but by releasing a budget laptop that still features a premium-feeling (and looking) design and without too many compromises when it comes to features and performance, the MacBook Neo shook rival PC makers out of their complacency and got them to up their budget laptop game. We had numerous laptop makers freely admit that they were releasing $600 laptops to challenge the MacBook Neo. For the sheer impact alone, the MacBook Neo has to be our pick as laptop of the year.

Read our full MacBook Neo review

Computing Brand of the Year

Nvidia

Once again, Nvidia has dominated the computing industry this year — all without releasing a new consumer graphics card. While the AI bubble, and Nvidia's role in it, continues to have a huge impact on the computing industry, the company has continued to innovate. DLSS 4.5 brought improved image quality to Nvidia's upscaling tech, while also introducing 6x Multi Frame Generation that can help improve gaming performance, especially on lower-end cards. Nvidia also released RTX Spark, its Arm-based System-on-Chip (SoC) aimed at taking on Apple's M-series chips, especially in regards to creative and local AI tasks. Even its controversial DLSS 5 feature has won over some critics since its announcement.

Best Computing Innovation

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

This year's release of the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip — yes, another SoC, this time one that's been specifically designed for mobile gaming devices by concentrating on graphics performance and power efficiency. So, it's not surprising that it is the beating heart of many of the most powerful and exciting PC gaming handhelds that have come out this year, including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Acer Predator Atlas 8, and OneXPlayer 3. They're all expensive, sadly, but they offer truly brilliant gaming performance in even the most graphically-intensive titles, and the Intel chip is why.

Best Value Laptop

Dell XPS 13 (2026)

While we were very tempted to give the MacBook Neo our award for the best value laptop of 2026, we've actually gone for one of the laptops it influenced: this year's XPS 13. In the past, Dell's XPS 13 laptop was a premium thin and light laptop, but Dell relaunched it as an affordable alternative to Apple's laptop, initially targeting the same $600 starting price. This isn't a conspiracy — Dell explicitly compared the XPS 13 to the MacBook Neo when showing off the laptop to us. The reason we're giving the XPS 13 the edge is that it feels like Dell made fewer compromises with its affordable laptop, especially when it comes to backlit keyboard and faster USB-C ports.

Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

Best AI Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra

Pretty much any laptop these days ships with some form of AI feature included, even baked into the operating system — but of all the laptops that have come out this year, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is, in our view, the best AI laptop because it doesn't just settle for adding AI features from other companies. Instead, Samsung has included its own Galaxy AI features, which offer additional tools, and work across its laptops, smartphones, and tablets. While not every Galaxy AI feature is a killer app, it shows a level of ambition and investment that many of its competitors lack.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra review

Best Gaming Laptop

Razer Blade 18

Razer has been putting out excellent gaming laptops for years, marrying cutting-edge technology with thin and light designs that banish any memory of big and bulky gaming laptops of yore. This year's Razer Blade 18 is no exception, offering almost desktop-levels of performance thanks to some of the most powerful components on the market today, with up to an RTX 5090 GPU and 128GB of DDR5 RAM. You can throw any game at this thing and it'll handle it like a champ, and its large 18-inch display offers UHD+ resolution at 240Hz, and FHD+ at an incredibly fast 440Hz, for unbelievably slick performance in games.

Read our full Razer Blade 18 (2026) review

Best PC Gaming Handheld

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

While all the Intel Arc G3 Extreme-powered PC gaming handhelds that we saw at Computex were impressive, one stood out: the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Not only was it one of the first handheld to come with Intel's latest hardware, but MSI completely redesigned the device itself to make it feel more comfortable and responsive when playing. This bore out in our full review, which highlighted the incredible performance (for a handheld) and the bright and vibrant screen that really made the games look spectacular.

Read our full MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review

Best Gaming Keyboard

Corsair Makr Pro 75

Reliability, performance, and build quality are all incredibly important considerations in a keyboard, and the Corsair Makr Pro 75 ticks every box. Its Corsair MGX Hyperdrive magnetic hot-swappable hall effect switches are an absolute joy to type on, and the overall build quality is exceptional (if a little heavy). It's expensive, and the software isn't great, but when crowning 2026's top gaming keyboard, there was only one choice here.

Read our full Corsair Makr Pro 75 review

Best Gaming Mouse

Razer Naga V3 Pro

The Razer Naga V3 Pro is an incredibly versatile gaming mouse that, thanks to its swappable side plates that offer gamers two, six, or 12 additional buttons, will appeal to almost any one, no matter what time of games you play. We use this mouse with the six-button side plate (which is easily attached via magnets) for quick access to macros and shortcuts while playing current obsession Planet Coaster 2. The mouse feels very comfortable to use, the 50K optical sensor offers fantastic control and with an 8,000Hz polling rate, even when used wirelessly, this is a mouse that can give you a serious competitive advantage.

Read our full Razer Naga V3 Pro review

Best Gaming Monitor

Alienware AW3426DW QD-OLED

The Alienware AW3426DW is an ultra-wide gaming monitor with a stunning five-layer tandem OLED panel that offers incredible, vision-spanning image quality. It supports Dolby Vision HDR, and a very fast 280Hz refresh rate that makes it a great choice for fast and frantic competitive games. The 3440x1440 (offering a 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio) offers plenty of detail without putting too much strain on your GPU, and that wider field of vision, along with the fast refresh rate, could make a huge difference when playing.

Read our full Alienware AW3426DW QD-OLED review

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

The Arctis Nova Elite is the best gaming headset we've ever tested. It's simply that good. It's not just a headset that has you covered by collecting features you'll find elsewhere altogether either; this is a genuinely individual beast. The design and build are of premium materials: SteelSeries has made a custom Carbon Fiber driver with a brass surround ring for spectacular hi-res audio. Connectivity is all you could ever want in terms of need and convenience, and the whole experience is absolutely fantastic. A world-beater of a gaming headset and device that is peerless.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review

Gaming Brand of the Year

Asus

With an enormous number and diversity of products being launched by the gaming brand, from first attempts at desktop soundbars to quality PC gaming handheld follow-ups, and more excellent gaming monitors with the latest panels in that you can shake a stick at, Asus has been the hardware brand to beat this past year.

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Nvidia DLSS 4.5

With PC gaming becoming increasingly demanding, DLSS has never been more important, and DLSS 4.5 is one of the biggest leaps forward for upscaling tech yet. It delivers such high image quality and clarity that you can barely tell the difference between Quality and Performance modes, helping supported games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Arc Raiders look better and run better than ever before.

Best Console Accessory

Corsair Novablade Pro

A pleasant surprise in the past year or so's gaming hardware releases, the Novablade Pro leverless fightstick is a fantastic game controller that oozes quality and prioritizes customization to make life easier and better for fighting game players.

Read our full Corsair Novablade Pro review

Best Gaming Service

Amazon Luna

With hardware prices spiraling out of control, cloud gaming has never been a more attractive proposition — and Amazon continues to offer one of the best services in the space. This year saw Amazon Luna games integrated directly into the Prime Video app on Fire TV devices, making it easier than ever to access great games wherever you are.

Read our full Amazon Luna review from 2024

Best Gaming Controller

8BitDo Pro 3

The 8BitDo Pro 3 looks like a small upgrade compared to the Pro 2, but in real-world use, the improvements are simply astronomical. 8BitDo has crammed drift-eliminating TMR thumbsticks, magnetic hot-swappable face buttons, trigger locks, and an extra pair of optional remappable buttons into a versatile, budget-friendly package that is miles ahead of the competition.

Read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review

Best Gaming Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

The best gaming headset we've ever tested. The Nova Elite raises the bar for premium, do-it-all, high-end gaming headsets, and this ticks every box from feature set to battery life, and from connectivity to audio quality, design, and build.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review

Best Gaming Chair

Secretlab Atlas

Secretlab's latest chair is a hit. This practical task chair offers the brand's supreme materials and build quality in a less gaming-oriented format, making it perfect for your work-from-home setup. It's attractive, comfortable, and feature-packed — what more could you ask from your seat?

Read our full Secretlab Atlas review

TV & home theater

TV of the Year

LG C6

In terms of all-around performance, features and versatility balanced with price, the C6 is the best TV around. When we tested it next to its predecessor, the LG C5, it was a noticeable upgrade: one that's rare to come across, and that was helped by LG adding its highest-end image processing. If you want a TV that can do it all, the C6 is that TV. Few TVs have impressed me as much this year as the C6, and that's why it takes the top spot.

Read our full LG C6 review

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Sony

Sony released two RGB LED TVs this year after years of teasing, and both of them were best-in-class, and are the TVs that most have me believing that OLED really should watch its back based on where this technology could do. Outside of this, the brand has also produced some excellent soundbars and speakers across the board, including the ground-breaking Bravia Theater Trio wireless LCR system, which is something we've been hoping to see a company make for years.

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Sony True RGB

RGB TVs have been the big buzz of the TV world in 2026, and while it's been a mostly mixed bag, Sony's version called 'True RGB' stands above the rest. While it delivers spellbinding colors and superb brightness, it's the OLED-level black tones that impressed me most. I've tested Sony's two True RGB TVs and it's the best that dark and high-contrast scenes have ever looked on a backlit TV. In terms of innovation, it doesn't get more impressive than this in 2026.

Best Gaming TV

LG C6

For gaming, there's no better option in 2026 than the LG C6. Not only does it have a full list of features — 4K at up to 165Hz, full variable refresh rate support, and Dolby Vision Gaming — and fantastic performance, but it's also available in 42-83-inch sizes to suit all gaming spaces. When I played games on the C6, I had a fantastic time thanks to its buttery-smooth response times and excellent picture quality. There are other great gaming TVs around, but none delivers such a good all-round experience for the same price.

Read our full LG C6 review

Best TV for Sound

Sony Bravia 9 II

While TV sound is often a mixed bag, no other TV delivers better built-in audio in 2026 than the Sony Bravia 9 II. It delivers impeccable detail and clarity with a wide soundstage and pinpoint accuracy. Watching our reference scenes just impressed us across the board — very few other TVs have ever delivered such a level of audio authenticity.

Read our full Sony Bravia 9 II review

Best OLED TV

LG C6

Our TV of the Year is also the best OLED TV of 2026. More premium models may deliver better picture or more features, but none deliver a more complete package that's a significant step above their predecessor for a seriously competitive price. The C6 is a jack-of-all-trades TV that ticks every box a user could need across a wide range of sizes, and no other OLED has impressed me as much as the LG C6 when compared to last year's models.

Read our full LG C6 review

Best Mini-LED TV

Sony Bravia 9 II

RGB mini-LED is the next step in the evolution of mini-LED and no other TV this year does it better than the Sony Bravia 9 II. It delivers fantastic backlight control, OLED-rivaling black tones, vibrant, rich colors and realistic detail. No backlit TV has ever wowed our reviewers more than the Bravia 9 II, and it's an exciting sign for the future of mini-LED.

Read our full Sony Bravia 9 II review

Best Value TV

TCL QM7L/C7L

It really doesn't get better in terms of bang-for-your-buck value than the TCL QM7L (US model) and TCL C7L (UK and Australian version). The new SQD panel delivers great brightness and color, as well as excellent backlight control. Its great for gaming for a near-full suite of features, and it has credible built-in sound. The real highlight however is its price-to-size ratio, where you can get a big screen at a ridiculously affordable price, given how good the picture looks. If you want the best value, the QM7L/C7L is our top pick.

Read our full TCL QM7L review

Best Projector

Hisense XR10

This projector simply creates the most impressive pictures you can expect from a living-room-friendly projector — anything beyond this requires going pro. It's bright enough to work for lit rooms as well as dark-room viewing, and looks fantastic in both cases — and it even has a slick decor-friendly design. Sure, it lacks 120Hz at 4K, but cinephiles won't care — and this is made for cinephiles, make no mistake. Our full review will land shortly.

Best Soundbar

Sonos Beam Ultra

This wasn't the only soundbar this year to earn a rare five-star rating, but it's the one with the most 'wow' factor, because it's hard to believe such an expansive sound is coming from such a small design. The Dolby Atmos effect reaches a scale you'd never expect for a compact bar, and does it with clarity and precision of spatial audio. This feels like a premium bar, but with a mid-range price, and that's why it earns this award.

Read our full Sonos Beam Ultra review

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Sony Bravia Theater Trio

This is product option we've wanted for so long: a wireless LCR system (meaning left, center, right channels) that's as easy to set up as a soundbar, but with the better width and impact that you get from a separates system. And that's what you get here: tons of power, a super-immersive Dolby Atmos experience, and a sense of scale to match a projector screen or giant-screen TV in a way a soundbar can't match. It's the wireless living home theater dream come true, especially with its easy expansion to add rears and subs. Our full review is coming soon.

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

HBO Max

Three years on after winning our coveted Best Streaming Service of the Year crown, HBO Max has done it again — and with good reason. Its long-overdue launch in multiple European nations, including the UK and Ireland, and the introduction of new user-friendly features are two such reasons why it was an early contender for this year’s prize. Throw in its unrivaled catalog of unmissable new shows and returning TV favorites, ongoing movie-exclusive partnership with acclaimed indie studio A24, and ever-expanding live sports coverage, though, and no other platform came close to besting it.

Best for Movies

Prime Video

Movie lovers should flock to Prime Video, as it boasts a library of over 20,000 movies in the US. The streaming service regularly adds new movies from Hollywood blockbusters, independent films, and classic cinema across the years, as well as its own Prime Video Original movies. Recent additions include the romantic comedy Love of Your Life and survival horror The Devil's Mouth.

Best for Documentaries

Netflix

Considering Netflix has everything from true crime to celebrity-fronted food documentaries, it's the place to be if you love all things real life. There's plenty of shocking stories of scandals, murders, mysteries and more, as well as lighter options for those in need of some escapism. Whatever you're after, Netflix probably has it. Recent must-see documentaries include a nail-biting series called Worst Neighbor Ever and the shocking Titan: The OceanGate Disaster.

Best for TV Shows

Apple TV was the most awarded streaming service at the 2026 Emmys, with many of its original series being hailed as the best. We’re inclined to agree, considering the quality of Apple TV shows has been consistently excellent across the board. Whether you want a mind boggling thriller like Severance or a horror comedy like Widow’s Bay, there’s plenty on offer for all tastes.

Best Free Streaming Service

Tubi or not Tubi? That’s the question we ask ourselves who should win our annual Best Free Streaming Service of the Year award. Well, this year, it is Tubi. Supported on over 30 devices — the most of any ad-supporting video on demand (AVOD) service — it’s available to every kind of person working to every kind of budget. Add in its movie and TV show catalogs, which number hundreds of thousands of offerings covering numerous genres, as well as its ongoing featuring of myriad live television channels and networks, and it’s the 2026 people’s AVOD champion.

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Apple AirPods Max 2

As we said in our full review, these cans are "doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet" — and we weren't expecting to love them as much as we did. Aside from the USB-C lossless audio and incredible comfort, they also boast some of the best voice capture on any headphones we've ever experienced. This was a really hot year for headphones, the AirPods Max 2 still lag behind the competition for battery life (and the weird bra case continues to mystify) — but that they won out should tell you just how good they are in every other way.

Read our full AirPods Max 2 review

Audio Brand of the Year

iFi

Hi-res specialist iFi isn't afraid of conquering the whole hi-fi market, serving up launches such as the excellent five-star elite iFi iDSD GR2 and the cheap and cheerful Go Cable this year. We love seeing this hard-working visionary outfit in full flow. Whatever level you're at, it's got something for you — and it's hard to look past a brand that hires out London's Tower Bridge, gets its entire team into black tuxedoes, plasters the walls with the word 'Phantom' so it feels as if 007 himself could drop in at any minute and then unveils the most stunning-sounding flagship DAC we've ever heard. Bravo, iFi. For you, the world is not enough…

Audio Innovation of the Year

Cambridge L/R S speakers

Before I heard these speakers, I thought Cambridge had taken a big risk here. Then, I gave them a thorough listen and I knew they were winners. The L/R S is a genuinely active stereo speaker system, so it does not involve a powered primary speaker and a dumb counterpart to make a pair. OK, only the primary speaker receives power, but there are two channels of amplification for each speaker. Then, there's a full DSP crossover which acts as a PWM signal to each amp — and that's before the bespoke four-conductor cable to connect the primary speaker to the secondary! Might we call them over-engineered? Maybe — or you could simply call Cambridge's work ethic ‘admirable’, as I do.

Read our full Cambridge L/R S review

Best Wireless Headphones

Nothing Headphone (a)

There's something so untethered about Nothing's approach to audio architecture and design that it makes these cans downright joyous in their appeal — we actually have the pair with yellow accents (you can call them over-easy eggs if you like, that actually makes me dig them even more). The company upgraded and finessed the audio compared to the original Headphone (1), while keeping the excellent on-ear controls (the roller for volume is a true highlight) stellar battery life, very good ANC and truly useful app — then somehow shaved a load off the price. A deserved winner.

Read our full Nothing Headphone (a) review

Best Wireless Earbuds

Soundpeats H3

These delightfully different, affordable and sonically superb buds from Soundpeats sound better than some buds at twice their price (and at around $129 / £129, they're really quite humbly priced), thanks to their triple-driver array per bud, a secure fit, plus aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless and LDAC support. Audiophile on a budget? Add this name to your list.

Read our full Soundpeats H3 review

Best Open Earbuds

Shokz OpenFit Pro

Our Audio Editor uses these superb, if pricey, open earbuds multiple times per week, and it's hard to look past the personal recommendation. The fit is sports-worthy (aided by extra optional bands in the box, useful for sports that require a different fit, such as tennis) but they're also office-friendly and professional in terms of design — and the excellent active noise reduction is as unusual as it is class-leading. As far as I'm concerned, Shokz served an ace here.

Read our full Shokz Openfit Pro review

Best Value Headphones

CMF Headphone Pro

We knew we loved these minty fresh cans as soon as we slipped them over our ears. Would you expect hearing tests for a personalized sound profile, LDAC support, an excellent volume 'roller' control on the right ear cup, glorious build quality, zealous wireless sound, exemplary battery life and 3.5mm hi-res wired listening for under $100 / £100? The design flair, energetic audio quality and additional perks won this race.

Read our full CMF Headphone Pro review

Best Value Earbuds

JLab JBuds Mini ANC

Look at them! The JLab JBuds Mini ANC's one perceived failing stems from their biggest selling point: because they're tiny enough to fit on a keyring (they are the smallest ANC earbuds on the planet), you might think they're little more than junk. I'm here to tell you emphatically that they are not — in fact, they're so far from junk that you can't lose them. They're the first earbuds to have support for Apple's Find My network. I don't think any rival came particularly close to the value you get here for $39 / £39 — our full review is coming soon.

Best Value Open Earbuds

Baseus Bowie MC2

We think a Labyrinth-era Bowie (that's 1986, to save you the bother of checking) in full Goblin King Jareth regalia would've put these dark, cuff-style open earbuds on without a second thought — and he'd have looked fantastic in them. These cheap clip-style buds often had us wondering whether you even need to spend more on a flagship set from class-leaders such as Shokz or Bose. If all you need is good sound with surprisingly regimented, impactful bass (and you're prepared to forego expensive extras) these Baseus buds are a winner.

Read our full Baseus Bowie MC2 review

Best Wired Headphones

Meze Audio Strada

We're going for a set of stunning racing green closed-back headphones that sound as airy and spacious as open-back headphones, except nobody hears your playlist. As a closed-back option, they're also relatively easy to drive and they're capable of supremely detailed, organized and thoroughly addictive audio.

Read our full Meze Audio Strada review

Best Wired Earbuds

Sennheiser CX 80U

I said it before (because these were your choice too, dearest reader) and I'll say it again: when people ask me, "What's the cheapest way to get better sound from my phone?" my first response is to suggest these delightfully inexpensive 2026-release USB-C wired earbuds. For around $35 / £30 you really cannot do better. You don't get volume controls on the in-line remote and the mic doesn't deliver crystal-clear calls, as our Sennheiser CX 80U review explains. What you do get is acutely nimble but impactful bass, clear mids and sparkling, appealing highs. Pair that with their surprisingly effective passive noise isolation and you’re looking at an incredibly good pair of wired buds for the money.

Best Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Xtreme 5

Do you want a Bluetooth speaker you'll be able to slip into a purse and take to the park for a podcast, or do you want a party-ready beast with a shoulder strap all of its own? Because JBL's Xtreme 5 is in the latter camp, but if that's what you want, you'll be delighted with it. This is one of the best bigger Bluetooth belters we've ever tested — as our five-star JBL Xtreme 5 review will impress upon you at great length. OK, enough talk: let's dance!

Best Wireless Speaker

Denon Home 400

I got a chance to hear this speaker among its siblings (the Home 200 and 600) at launch, and it is my favorite of Denon's 2026 wireless home trio. It is also the best-looking new wireless speaker on the market, for me (it's about the size of a chopping-board rack or bread bin, fitting neatly on shelves and bookcases while serving up delicious sound). Another great feature is that during setup, you are encouraged to list where the speaker is placed — far from a wall, close to one wall or in a corner — within the HEOS companion app. You can then opt for a 'pure' stereo hi-fi mix, or add 'width' to boost the horizontal spaciousness of the sound field. The spatial and directional stuff is a lot of fun to play with and, as our full Denon Home 400 review explains, provided you don't rely on a voice assistant to do your bidding at home (I do not) it's a hugely talented wireless speaker.

Best Portable Audio Player

Astell & Kern PD5

I absolutely get why the TR readership chose Astell & Kern's newest 'entry level' hi-res audio player, called the A&K PD5 (I put 'entry level' in quotation marks because A&K's definition and ours may well differ). And while I've been lucky enough to listen to the May 2026-release flagship Astell & Kern SP4000T, very briefly — and I have to tell you, it's excellent — it is a huge chunk of cash. This option is far more palatable from a purely financial perspective and is still a fantastically gifted DAP. We gave the PD5's wonky, quirky SR35 older sibling a glowing five-star review, and now this glorious successor is here in a more conventional form factor. Our full review is almost here, but here's a spoiler alert: it's good news. I predicted this category would be won by Activo's parent company, and so it has come to pass — the hi-res DAP specialist is truly bossing the quality portable music machine market.

Best Turntable

Fluance RT87

This is a player for the purist, and so it is pretty light on convenience-focused features — there's no built-in phono preamp, for example — but we don’t think that is a bad thing. The Fluance RT87 is designed for someone who is ready to enter a more serious vinyl listening state and is prepared for manual tone arm adjustment and tweaking to make the turntable as flat as possible using the provided bubble level. This means you won't damage your particularly irreplaceable presses when you spin them — that's the kind of person this turntable is aimed at, and it nails that brief.

See our full Fluance RT87 review

Best DAC

iFi iDSD GR2

When we chose iFi as our Audio Brand of the Year, one of the key deciding factors was this phenomenal digital-analog-converter. It's all stunning design, punchy power, exceptional performance, and a bright TFT display for extra features. I love iFi's dedication to K2HD restorative mastering tech, and its fan-fave XBass and XSpace filters. This DAC even has a lower asking price than its xDSD Gryphon predecessor at launch. It would be churlish to ask for much more than that in 2026.

Read our full iFi iDSD GR2 review

Best Stereo Speakers

Dali Sonik 1

While these may be small and budget-friendly, sonically they’re huge and luxurious. Think clear-headed, stunning vocals with more room to breathe than should be possible at this level, plus tangible transients through to a deep, thrumming low-end. They are far from the first of this type of speaker, and they certainly won’t be the last — but they’re emphatically among the best currently on the market, especially at such a wallet-friendly price.

Read our full Dali Sonik 1 review

Health & Fitness tech

Health & Fitness Device of the year

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

Expensive the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro may be, but the ultimate adventure smartwatch is one of the best devices Garmin has ever produced, building on years of technical advancements. It's a money-no-object powerhouse with amazing build quality: the all-titanium case houses a powerful battery, behind the super-tough sapphire crystal lies a vibrant AMOLED screen, and during my test runs against a heart rate monitor it's consistently accurate. I've been wearing the 43mm version non-stop since getting my testing unit — a clear indicator that it's first in line for valuable wrist real estate this year.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Garmin

Garmin has had a strong 2026. It's revamped its cycling range, brought out a few new features such as AI-powered nutrition tracking to justify the cost of its Garmin Connect+ service, and has developed a few extremely well-reviewed gadgets — notably, the screenless Garmin Cirqa fitness tracker and the top-flight Garmin Fenix 9 series, both of which feature in this list to no-one's surprise. It remains the brand to beat in the endurance world, but the Cirqa shows that it's making inroads with the gym crowd too.

Health & Fitness Innovation of the Year

Huawei Watch D3

This watch advances the smartwatch-as-medical-device category further into refinement, boasting more than its signature medical-grade blood pressure cuff technology. With emergency fall detection, blood pressure trends, sleep tracking and six days of battery life compared to the Apple Watch's 24 hours, it's the watch I recommend to people looking for a health-orientated smartwatch for seniors. It's all packed into a sleek Apple-inspired design.

Read our full Huawei Watch D3 review

Best Smartwatch

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains its crown for another year as this year's top smartwatch. Like every other Apple Watch Ultra model before it, this is an iterative update to an already-excellent watch, rather than a top-down redesign, but did we expect anything else from Apple? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. What has changed is the back of the watch: a redesigned LED Health Sensing System ensures better-than-ever accuracy and more frequent heart rate readings, enabling improved sleep tracking (along with a boost in battery life, as you're less likely to take it off to charge it) and the new Readiness Score.

Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 4 review

Best Running Watch

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro is back. The redesigned Maps feature places you right into the middle of things, mimicking your perspective to reduce the glance-to-interpretation delay when you're trying to find your way on long runs, which even the Apple Watch doesn't do. It's a triathlon athlete or ultra marathon's dream watch thanks to its trail features, while its battery life is more impressive than the Ultra 4. Recommended workouts based on your Training Readiness score and Garmin Coach training plans are the icing on the cake.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review

Best Fitness Tracker

Garmin Cirqa

The Garmin Cirqa narrowly beats up the Fitbit Air: even though it's more expensive up-front, the lack of reliance on a subscription service and its tactile button (just click it to start tracking, no messing around with the app) means it's the screenless fitness tracker of choice this year, and the best new fitness tracker overall.

Read our full Garmin Cirqa review

Best Smart Ring

Oura Ring 5

The competition was super-hot this year, but Oura came back swinging with the Oura Ring 5. It's thinner than ever, which is so important in a smart ring, earning top marks for design in our review. Its slickly-orientated app and smorgasbord of metrics justify the ongoing, mandatory subscription, making this a great premium smart ring option.

Read our full Oura Ring 5 review

Best Electric Toothbrush

Suri Core 1.0

The Suri Core 1.0 takes the original Suri brush's elegant, simplified aesthetics and environmental credentials, and manages to cut a few corners to shave some money off the price. A bio-plastic handle rather than aluminium, and a slightly less powerful motor and battery, helps keep the Core affordable. You can still recycle the brush heads for free, and the unit still looks nice and stylish, especially with its slick magnetic mount. Its battery life will last over a month between charges.

Read our full Suri Core 1.0 review

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Withings BodyScan 2

Withings is a brand that's quietly been making excellent health products for years, from discreet hybrid smartwatches to under-mattress sleep analyzers and, well, smart scales. The Withings BodyScan 2, with its handle creating a circular current and offering a comprehensive list of 40 different metrics, is not just its best yet, but our best smart scale at the premium tier. It tracks blood oxygen levels, hypertension risk and estimates your vascular age. And you thought scales were just for BMI!

Read our full Withings BodyScan 2 review

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

DJI Romo P

The Romo P is DJI's first robot vacuum, but you wouldn't know from its performance. It offers the best obstacle avoidance of any robovac we've tested, as well as superb wet cleaning on hard floors, and very good vacuuming on carpet. It gets our seal of approval as this year's best robot vacuum, if your wallet can take the hit.

Read our full DJI Romo P review

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Philips Hue

Philips Hue is the biggest name in smart lighting for a reason, and this year it's become more accessible than ever with the launch of Hue Essential — a range of budget-friendly bulbs and LED strips that are an affordable entry to the smart lighting ecosystem. Meanwhile, power users can enjoy AI-powered lighting tools thanks to the new Hue Bridge Pro, which supports over 150 lights in a single network.

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool

The smartest fan we’ve tested this year, the Dyson Find+Follow uses AI to track you as you move around the room, ensuring you’re kept cool and comfortable at all times. It blew us away with its 350 degrees of oscillation, super quiet operation, and smooth air flow — and its voice and app controls make operating it a breeze.

Read our full Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool review

Best Home Light Tech

Philips Hue Omniglow Strip Light

The Omniglow uses tiny micro LEDs to produce a seamless gradient unlike any LED lightstrip we’ve seen before — and it looks amazing. Not only are the individual LEDs invisible, it’s also incredibly bright, and looks particularly stunning when flowing from one color to the next in a Dynamic Scene. One of the most exciting smart lights I’ve seen in recent years.

Read our Philips Hue Omniglow review

Best Home Security Device

Aqara Camera Hub G350

It might look like a children’s toy, but the Aqara Camera Hub G350 is a serious home security camera, and one you can trust to guard a whole room thanks to its 360-degree panning. Despite its cute looks, the G350 is packing a 4K wide-angle camera, plus a 2.5k telephoto lens for getting up close. It’s compatible with all the main smart home ecosystems, and you can store footage on an SD card so there’s no subscription necessary. And, for some reason, it has detachable bunny ears. What more could you want?

Read our full Aqara Camera Hub G350 review

Best Robot Vacuum

DJI Romo P

DJI's first robot vacuum is a triumph — the company has put its expertise in obstacle-detection to good use, and the DJI Romo P is the best robovac we've ever tested when it comes to avoiding common hazards. Its cleaning is top-notch as well, with its mopping function proving particularly effective at removing tough spills from hard flooring.

Read our full DJI Romo P review

Best Vacuum

Roborock F25 Ultra

The F25 Ultra packs a lot more cleaning power than your typical wet/dry vacuum, with steam-cleaning, hot-water degreasing, and powerful suction to tackle huge amounts of dirt and water. Its power-assisted wheels make it feel surprisingly nimble too. Perfect for households with pets, children, or both — your floors won't know what hit them.

Read our full Roborock F25 Ultra review

Best Air Fryer

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer Convection Oven Toaster

This is much more than just an air fryer — it’s a full countertop oven, with an extra-large cooking area that can accommodate an entire pizza or chicken. It cooks astonishingly fast, with 10 dedicated modes, and produced perfect fries, vegetables, quesadillas, and even bagels during our tests. It looks great as well, and you can open the French doors one-handed for easy access.

Read our full Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer Convection Oven Toaster review

Best Coffee Machine

Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2

The classiest coffee maker we've tested in the last 12 months, and the one I'd be proudest to have in my own kitchen, the Meraki Gen 2 is a pleasure to use, automating certain parts of the brewing process without taking over, and helping you hone your own barista skills. The results? Sensational coffee, provided your wallet can stand the hit.

Read our full Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review

Best Value Coffee Machine

Philips Baristina

If you're looking for an affordable coffee maker, you can't go wrong with the Philips Baristina — an innovative little appliance that combines the best features of manual and automatic espresso machines. It handles the whole brewing process for you, but without the awkward maintenance of your typical bean-to-cup machine. Look for the version bundled with a milk frother and you'll never bother buying takeout coffee again.

Read our full Philips Baristina review

Best Fan

Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool

Dyson's smartest fan to date, the Find+Follow tracks your movement as you walk around the room, and makes sure its airflow is always angled in your direction. The airflow is smooth and quiet, which makes the Find+Follow an ideal choice for night time as well, and the filtration system effectively removes dirt and allergens while it's keeping you comfortable.

Read our full Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool review

Amazon confirms highly unusual Prime Video release date for Ali G: Who I Iz?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Ali G: Who I Iz? is about to set to a major — and likely unwanted — new record on Prime Video.

The comedy flick, which sees Sacha Baron Cohen reprise his role as the infamous character, will make its debut on Amazon's streaming platform on Wednesday, October 28.

Why is that such a big deal? Because Who I Iz? was only released in cinemas on Friday, October 23. As such, it'll be the first film in history to make its streaming debut less than a week after its initial theatrical launch when it drops on one of the world's best streaming services.

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Amazon hasn't explained why Who I Iz? will make its premium video on demand (PVOD) so soon after landing in theaters. In fact, the only individual who's commented on the imminent Prime Video arrival of one of 2026's many new movies is Cohen himself, with the comedian taking to Ali G's various social channels to announce the news.

Responding to my request for comment on Who I Iz's sudden release on Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios said this was always the plan, with Who I Iz? enjoying a single weekend on the big screen ahead of its worldwide rollout on its streaming platform.

Ali G: Who I Iz? marks the first time in almost 20 years that Cohen has portrayed the titular character, with Cohen having retired his most famous creation in 2007.

Defending the decision to bring back the controversial character in a Time magazine essay, Cohen wrote: "Why does my new movie bring back that phony and unfunny guy, which some have criticized as 'microwaving a relic from a generation ago'?

"The fact that Ali G is outdated and problematic is the very reason I resurrected him. The world he’s returned to is, in many ways, worse than the one he left 20 years ago. All the prejudices my characters are designed to expose haven’t just lingered — they’ve metastasized... Twenty years ago, Ali G would sit next to world experts spouting absurdities. Today — fed a steady diet of disinformation and conspiracy theories by social media influencers and TikTok news — we have created an entire world where ignorance reigns and truth is inverted.

"I made this latest film for the same reason I’ve always done this work," he added. "Not only to make people laugh, but also to bring them face-to-face with the danger of fanaticism and conspiracy theories."

What do you make of this release strategy? And will you check out Ali G: Who I Iz? on Prime Video? Let me know in the comments.

7 new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend (October 23)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Halloween 2026 is a matter of days away, but the world's best streaming services aren't getting into the spooky season spirit.

Indeed, despite a plethora of new movies and TV shows hitting various platforms this week, none are remotely horrifying. Well, unless you count this year's live-action remake of Moana, which bombed at the box office, as some sort of nightmare fuel-ish flick...

But, I digress. Below, we've rounded up the seven biggest and/or most interesting streaming releases of the week, so read on to see if any of them pique your interest. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Moana (Disney+)

The "who asked for this?" crowd celebrated another win when Disney's live-action adaptation of a beloved 10-year-old animated film flopped in theaters earlier this year.

Yep, just one decade one from the original Moana's big screen debut, the House of Mouse saw fit to remake the hugely popular flick. And, amid plenty of competition from other major releases in the middle part of 2026, plus the fact that this year's Moana is a scene-by-scene recreation of its animated counterpart, it wasn't a huge surprise to see that audiences had very little interest in seeing it.

With the remake out now on Disney+, though, you can see if the audience indifference was justified or not. — TP

Watch Moana on Disney+

The Terminal List season 2 (Prime Video)

James Reece is back. That's right, season 2 of The Terminal List, which stars Chris Pratt as the titular US Navy SEAL, has landed on Prime Video, so fans of Pratt and/or the action-thriller genre have got something to enjoy after Reacher season 4 and Neagley season 1 both came to an end.

Based on the second novel — that being 'True Believer' — in Jack Carr's book series of the same name, this season sees Reece looking for a sense of purpose after he finished his list in the Amazon TV Original's debut season. And, when the US government come calling with the promise of giving him a presidential pardon if he completes a tough assignment for them, Reece embarks on a globetrotting mission that may have ties to his own family history. — TP

Watch The Terminal List season 2 on Prime Video

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 (Netflix)

It seems nigh-on impossible to avoid anything cyberpunk-based these days. And, if Netflix continues to pump out acclaimed follow-ups to one of the best anime of recent times — that being Cyberpunk: Edgerunners — it'll be even harder to ignore as the months and years go by.

So, what is the aforementioned series' sophomore outing, which is a standalone sequel to season 1 and CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk 2077 videogame, about? For one, it isn't a continuation of David Martinez's story, Instead, it follows two new protagonists Weak and D, who get entangled in a four plotline-strong narrative in Night City.

Saying anything else will spoil your viewing experience, so my advice is to stick it on ASAP and immerse yourself in yet another absorbing tale from Netflix, CDPR, and animation studio partner Studio Trigger. — TP

Watch Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 on Netflix

The Invite (HBO Max)

The third film directed by Olivia Wilde, The Invite has dropped on HBO Max. It follows Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Wilde), whose marriage is on thin ice. When their upstairs neighbors Pina and Hawk (Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton) visit for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places.

When Pina and Hawk reveal they regularly host sex parties, they proposition Joe and Angela to swap partners for the night. After some hesitation, they go through with it, and what follows is an interesting (and awkwardly hilarious) case study about human relationships.

Critics have praised the script and the ensemble cast, so why not give it a whirl (the film, that is, not its subject matter...)? — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch The Invite on HBO Max

Nobody Wants This season 3 (Netflix)

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody return for a third helping of Nobody Wants This, which is ironic given the title of Netflix's romantic comedy series.

This season sees Joanne (Bell) and Noah (Brody) move in together, which is a huge step for the pair. Unsurprisingly, it's not smooth sailing, either, because Joanne was evicted from her last place and Noah is wary because she still hasn't decided whether or not she'll convert to Judaism for him.

Considering Noah chose Joanne over the head rabbi position at Temple Chai, a big career change, tensions are high. Will it all work out? You'll have to watch and see. — LB

Watch Nobody Wants This season 3 on Netflix

A Course Called Ireland (Paramount+)

Author Tom Coyne teams up with actor Bill Murray for this six-part Paramount+ docuseries, which is inspired by Coyne's book of the same name.

The pair takes a road trip around the Emerald Isle as Murray attempts to connect with his Irish roots whilst playing on some of the country's famous golf courses. They're not alone, either, with celebrity guests including Chris O'Dowd and Jason Kelce joining them.

If you're a golf enthusiast or a fan of Murray (or perhaps both!), this is a light-hearted watch that's perfect for a lazy Sunday in front of the TV. Sounds like a great bit of escapism to me. — LB

Watch A Course Called Ireland on Paramount+

Phony (Hulu)

In Hulu's new comedy-mystery show, high school student Sonny Cooke (Sam Nivola) gets into a car accident and ends up in a week-long coma. That would be traumatic enough but, when he wakes up, he's convinced his mother Ellen has been replaced by an imposter.

I'm very intrigued by this concept. Is Ellen (Connie Britton) really masquerading as his mom, or is Sonny losing his mind? Across the series, he recruits his friends to try and get to the bottom of this mystery.

Despite the pretty bleak synopsis, there are comedy elements, too. Hopefully, we'll be as laughing as much as we're asking questions. — LB

Watch Phony on Hulu

People are using AI vibe coding to remove ads and trackers from smart TVs

alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Developers are stripping ads and tracking from smart TVs
They’re using AI vibe coding to quickly spin up solutions
Customers are growing increasingly frustrated with TV streaming bloat

If you’re sick of your smart TV being plastered with sponsored ads, slowed down with bloat, and infested with trackers, you’re not alone. But instead of putting up with the countless intrusions, some people are stripping the unwanted cruft from their TVs altogether — thanks to a little AI vibe coding.

As reported by TechCrunch, a number of developers have offered solutions in recent weeks. That includes one called dumbtv, which sets out its mission statement on its GitHub page: “Your TV should do what you paid for: your apps, your HDMI inputs, and nothing else. No ads from the TV itself, no watch tracking, no update you did not ask for.” To that end, dumbtv removes “Ads, telemetry, experiments and Alexa,” as well as any apps the user selects, from all manner of smart TVs.

Another option, this time called cleanyourtv, says it will “Strip the bloatware from any Android TV or Google TV over Wi-Fi, and replace the ad-filled home screen with a clean launcher that looks like an Apple TV. No root, no cable, nothing uninstalled, and a one-line restore if you change your mind.” Both projects claim to be fully reversible and say they do not touch the TV’s root directory.

You might not even need to download a GitHub project to debloat your smart TV. Posting on X, Ryan Doyle said they simply found a listing for their TV and asked Claude Code, “can you hack this?” The AI agent then walked Doyle through the steps to remove “ads, bloatware, spyware” and speed up the “laggy UI,” resulting in a far better user experience.

AI meets user frustration

(Image credit: Getty Images)

At the other end of the spectrum from the simple solutions mentioned above is the ad-free Android TV setup created by a developer known as Cretezy. Instead of merely blocking advertising and tracking features in Android TV, it aims to replace many aspects of the operating system altogether. It includes an ad-free launch screen, a YouTube substitute, a media manager, and a remote control button remapper. Although it might sound complicated, Cretezy says that an AI agent can set the whole thing up for you and tailor it to your TV, demonstrating how AI can make removing bloat as simple as possible.

People have been getting their hands dirty with TVs for almost as long as they’ve existed. But what’s different this time is the power that AI has given people to quickly spin up a targeted solution in hours rather than days or weeks. That reduction in overhead has led to a proliferation of hacks and workarounds that remove annoying features many people would rather not have.

The timing plays a role in other ways. Right now, many consumers are growing frustrated with streaming TV providers, whose prices have risen and whose ads have become increasingly intrusive. Throw in rising awareness of the ways that Big Tech firms are tracking and monetizing their own customers, and you’ve got a recipe for answers like dumbtv and cleanyourtv.

So, if you’re sick of how slow and bloated your smart TV has become, all it takes to fix it is a simple AI prompt and a little tinkering. The days of ensh*ttified TVs could be numbered.

Hurry, Disney+ subscriptions are set to go back to full price tomorrow — save 30% on annual plans across Australia and New Zealand

nico.arboleda@futurenet.com (Nico Arboleda) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 04:26:07 +0000

Disney+ may not have been the only streaming service to increase its prices over the past year, but it certainly stood out for increasing its prices in two consecutive years — first in February 2025 when service added ESPN, and once again in April 2026.

So it was refreshing to see Disney+ introduce a generous 30% discount on its Standard and Premium annual subscription tiers earlier this month — representing a 42% discount compared to 12 months of the full monthly prices.

But be quick if you're looking to take on this offer, as Disney+ will be reverting back to the usual annual subscription prices tomorrow.

If you're fine with 1080p resolution, you can still get ad-free streaming on Disney+ with this deal. While the price here reflects the Australian discount, subscribers in New Zealand can also take advantage of the same offer and get the Standard tier for NZ$132.99. This brings the price down to about the same as that for the Disney+ ad-supported tier that costs AU$9.99 / NZ$9.99 per month. You'll get two simultaneous streams with this subscription, with downloads available on up to 10 devices.
See all discounts below in Australia and New Zealand:
Disney+ Standard (AU): ~~AU$179.99~~ now AU$125.99
Disney+ Premium (AU): ~~AU$249.99~~ now AU$174.99
Disney+ Standard (NZ): ~~NZ$189.99~~ now NZ$132.99
Disney+ Premium (NZ): ~~NZ$259.99~~ now NZ$181.99 View Deal

Disney+ boasts a rich library of popular TV shows and movies via its own properties like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, 20th Century and classic animation, as well as a more diverse library via its Hulu content hub.

The platform's recent addition of ESPN in Australia and New Zealand also makes it perfect for US sports fans with its extensive coverage of the NBA, NFL, MLB and more.

Some of the movies you can currently stream on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand include Toy Story 5, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Deadpool & Wolverine and many more.

As for shows, you can also stream the new Marvel series VisionQuest, homegrown miniseries The Clearing and The Artful Dodger. I also recommend Andor, Shogun, The Bear, The Americans, the Scrubs revival and many more.

And of course, a lot of the popular comfort watches like Schitt’s Creek, New Girl, The Office (US), Parks and Recreation and more should make a full 12-month subscription definitely worth your while.

MobLand season 2 episode 6 release date and time on Paramount+

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Conrad's (Pierce Brosnan) health might be in a quiet state of decline, but after watching over half of MobLand season 2, I'm not too far behind him.

In a weird way, relief from the torrent of explosive drama within the Harrigan family comes in other ways. Maeve's (Helen Mirren) outfits continue to be a source of joy for me, while Harry's (Tom Hardy) manners never fail to go unnoticed. It's the new addition, Frankie (Johnny Flynn), who is the cherry on top of a dysfunctional cake, though.

But what lies in wait for us this week? And when does MobLand season 2 episode 6 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch MobLand season 2 episode 6 on Paramount+?

MobLand season 2 episode 6 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Friday, October 23 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations globally:

US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
UK – 8am BST
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 5pm AEST
New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of MobLand season 2 come out?

(Image credit: Paramount+)

MobLand season 2 will have a total of 10 episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

Episode 1: out now
Episode 2: out now
Episode 3: out now
Episode 4: out now
Episode 5: out now
Episode 6: October 23
Episode 7: October 30
Episode 8: November 6
Episode 9: November 13
Episode 10: November 20

Crystal Lake review: Peacock's Friday the 13th prequel series is a must-watch this Halloween

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Friday the 13th's prequel series Crystal Lake has arrived on Peacock, with all eight episodes available to watch. International viewers need to wait a little longer, though; check out our Crystal Lake release date schedule for more on that.

Across eight episodes, Crystal Lake explores the origins of Pamela Voorhees, Jason's mother and the original killer in the popular slasher franchise. I've been excited about this for months, as we haven't really had a deep dive into who Pamela is across the original movie series.

Linda Cardellini stars in the leading role, bringing many layers to Pamela. The catalyst for her behavior comes when her young son, Jason (Callum Vinson), drowns at Camp Crystal Lake, where she works as a cook. Grief-stricken, Pamela struggles to cope, leading to increasing paranoia and an eventual spiral into the serial killer we know her as.

Pamela is shown through a very empathetic lens, as a lonely single mother who has lost her only child. She has everything ripped away from her and even so, tries her best to keep it together. But her descent into insanity is inevitable, and even in the first episode, the kills are brutal and shocking.

There's some mystery surrounding Pamela's past that's well worth sticking around for. In Crystal Lake, Pamela feels really well-rounded, and as a huge fan of the original movies, I loved how much care the creators put into fleshing her out.

Crystal Lake was penned by Brad Caleb Kane, who recently worked on HBO Max's excellent IT series Welcome to Derry. I've really been enjoying his adaptations of classic horror media recently, and I hope it continues.

(Image credit: Peacock)

There's also a welcome expansion on another character. Jason's father, Elias, gets a new storyline that ties in well with Pamela's mysterious backstory. Elias is played by Hamish Linklater, who delivers a great performance as a man whose decisions severely influence how Jason turns out and, crucially, how he actually survives his drowning, as we've seen in the original Friday the 13th movie.

Crystal Lake adds a lot of new lore to the franchise, but it does feel like it's stretched out in places. These pacing issues didn't affect my enjoyment of the series too much, but even a six-episode run would've felt tighter, in my opinion.

I hope many Friday the 13th fans share my opinions about Crystal Lake, particularly when it comes to the characters, and how they've been given genuinely interesting backstories and expansions beyond the original movies. This is the kind of prequel that feels like it was made by someone who really cares about the source material.

There are a lot of nods to the movies, such as seeing the killer's point of view, that chilling score, and a title sequence that will make anyone feel nostalgic for the era of 80s slasher films. It's a well-crafted series with great editing, something that fits right in with the abundance of Friday the 13th stories.

In my opinion, this is the perfect series to watch over Halloween, or indeed sooner if you're feeling impatient. It's gripping and binge-worthy, giving horror fans both familiarity and some new material for them to get excited about.

7 new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend (October 16)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

October 2026 is going a bit too fast for my liking. Indeed, it only feels like yesterday that I was writing this month's first streaming round-up, let alone its third and latest edition.

But, hey, the weekend is here now, and that means you can settle in front of your TV and watch myriad new movies and shows on the world's best streaming services. Personally, I'll be tuning into the final Marvel TV show of the year on Disney+, but there are plenty of other things to enjoy if you've fallen off the superhero band wagon. So, scroll on to see what's worth catching before Monday comes calling again. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

VisionQuest (Disney+)

VisionQuest is the third and final chapter of the Wanda/Vision TV trilogy — and, as I noted in my VisionQuest review, it might just cement this small-screen saga as one of the MCU's very best three-part stories.

Picking up some time after WandaVision ended, the latest Marvel Phase 6 TV series reunites us with Vision who, after regaining his memories in the aforementioned show's finale, has gone into hiding and is suffering an identity crisis. However, he's soon forced to go on the run with Thomas Shepard, a young thief claiming to be one of his twin sons, when nefarious forces come calling to secure Vision's highly advanced tech for themselves.

Episodes 1 and 2 are out now. Want to know when the others will air? Check out my VisionQuest full release schedule piece. — TP

Watch VisionQuest on Disney+

Sacrifice (Netflix)

It's not often that a star-studded Netflix movie receives a very limited release on the streaming giant. But, that's the case with this dark comedy action flick, which only dropped in the US and France on launch day, aka October 16.

In it, Marvel icon Chris Evans plays Mike, a movie star experiencing an existential crisis when he's suddenly kidnapped by a group of radicals led by Joan (Anya Taylor-Joy) at a charity gala. Along with two other abductees, Mike soon learns Joan's followers plan to, well, sacrifice the trio in order to prevent the world from ending.

Sacrifice was panned by critics prior to release, so temper your expectations for this one accordingly. If it's as bad as it sounds, though, it might be one of those "so bad, it's good" must-see films. — TP

Watch Sacrifice on Netflix

Love of Your Life (Prime Video)

Margaret Qualley leads the cast of this new Prime Video romance movie, where she plays a nurse named Maya who is estranged from her mother.

Maya's life changes when she meets Charlie (played by The Night Agent's Gabriel Basso), and begins to fall in love with him. But the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to ruin everything as Maya becomes overworked, and the virus is quickly spreading.

This raw, emotional movie is a character-driven one as we follow Maya and Charlie as they navigate their lives and romance amid a life-threatening pandemic, something that many of us can sadly relate to. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch Love of Your Life on Prime Video

The Diplomat season 4 (Netflix)

All eight episodes of The Diplomat season 4 are available on Netflix this weekend, making it the perfect binge watch for fans of political thrillers.

In season 4, the plot centers around a dangerous conspiracy and crumbling relationships among those in power. Things have never been more tense as US President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) and newly appointed Vice President Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) enter a secret alliance to steal a Russian nuclear weapon off the coast of England.

US Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is back, of course, and she's got plenty of work to do. — LB

Watch The Diplomat season 4 on Netflix

Tenzing (Apple TV)

After last week's terrible movie offering in Matchbox: The Movie, Apple seems to have re-found its footing with its next original film in Tenzing.

Featuring a cast of heavy-hitters including Willem Dafoe and Tom Hiddleston, it tells the tale of Tenzing Norgay (played by Genden Phuntsok). A gifted Himalayan climber, Tenzing led the expedition that resulted in the first successful summiting of Mount Everest, for which Edmund Hillary (played by Hiddleston) went down in the history books for.

Hopefully, Apple TV's dramatization of this historic moment will make us reassess the story behind this perilous yet triumphant achievement, and the forgotten man who helped to make it possible. — TP

Watch Tenzing on Apple TV

The Death of Robin Hood (HBO Max)

A24's dark adaptation of the ballad Robin Hood's Death is coming to HBO Max, with Hugh Jackman in the titular role.

The plot of the new movie follows an aged Robin, who is tormented by his past killings as an outlaw whilst living in a self-imposed exile. After he's wounded, he takes refuge in a priory where he befriends an orphaned girl Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer).

Reviews of The Death of Robin Hood were mixed, and it has been described as slow-paced and grim, rather than the action packed Robin Hood tale we've come to expect. But it might just surprise you this weekend. — LB

Watch The Death of Robin Hood on HBO Max

Crystal Lake (Peacock)

Friday the 13th prequel series Crystal Lake arrives on Peacock this weekend. With all eight episodes dropping at once, horror fans will want to clear their schedules.

The series follows Pamela Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), and is set eight years before the original movie. After her son Jason drowns at Camp Crystal Lake, we follow the depths of her grief and her growing paranoia, as she becomes the serial killer fans of the franchise are very familiar with.

Welcome to Derry writer Brad Caleb Kane serves as showrunner, too, so this horror prequel looks like it's in very good hands. — LB

Watch Crystal Lake on Peacock

VisionQuest creator reveals why his Tony Stark cameo dream fell at the first hurdle

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:00:00 +0000

VisionQuest's creator briefly floated the idea of a Tony Stark cameo in the Marvel TV show
The series has numerous ties to Robert Downey Jr's iconic MCU character
Terry Matalas knew it was a non-starter, so it never moved forward

VisionQuest's showrunner has admitted he'd have liked to have included a Tony Stark cameo — but was well aware that he was "not going to get" Robert Downey Jr to appear in the Marvel TV show.

Chatting to me at the Disney+ series' UK junket, Terry Matalas name-dropped Stark as a character he would have included if time and money were no object. But, as Matalas also noted, though it would've been "wonderful" to surprise audiences with a shock appearance from Downey Jr, the chances of him actually agreeing to pop up in the Wanda/Vision TV trilogy capper were effectively zero.

Asked whether Marvel placed any limitations on the story he wanted to tell and/or established characters he wanted to utilize, Matalas replied: "No. I mean, it usually comes down to budget. If we had more time and money, you could include anything, maybe even a flashback to Tony Stark dealing with the source code [that he uses to make his artificial intelligence (AI) programs]."

Surprisingly, Tony Stark and Vision only share a few scenes in the MCU (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

It's not an outlandish suggestion for Matalas to make. After all, Stark helped to create Vision and Ultron, aka the deuteragonists of VisionQuest, way back in 2014's Avengers: Age of Ultron. Furthermore, he made myriad AIs to help him with various tasks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) before — spoiler — his heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame.

With Vision, Ultron, and the other artificial beings built by Stark appearing in VisionQuest, it's not unreasonable to assume that a Downey Jr cameo was bandied about in the writers room. Add in the story that the Marvel Phase 6 project tells (don't worry, I won't spoil anything here), and a Stark appearance makes even more sense from a narrative standpoint.

Nonetheless, Matalas knew it would be nigh-on impossible to involve Downey Jr in any capacity, so that idea was consigned to the scrap heap as quickly as it took form.

Responding to my follow-up about whether he broached the subject of a Downey Jr cameo with Marvel executives, Matalas said: "We're not going to get Downey Jr into a Marvel show.

"It would've been wonderful," he added. "But, we're just a TV series, so you can't really have all of the... I mean, there are limitations, right? You have grand ideas but, throughout the development process, you have to say 'well, we can't do that, so how do we distill down that idea into something that could work?'. Hopefully, we got there, but we'll see [how viewers react to our story]."

For more ahead of its launch, read my VisionQuest review to see what I made of all eight episodes (again, no major spoilers housed within!). Then, find out when each chapter will air by checking out my VisionQuest release schedule guide.

VisionQuest will show you an 'older and more mature' but still dangerous Ultron, star says

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000

James Spader has teased what fans can expect from Ultron in VisionQuest
It'll reunite us with the genocidal android 12 years after his last MCU appearance
The Marvel TV show allows Spader to further explore the fan-favorite villain

VisionQuest actor James Spader has opened up on the "older and more mature" Ultron we'll see in the new Marvel TV show — and the "inherent danger" he still poses.

Speaking exclusively to TechRadar at the series' UK junket, Spader teased how Ultron has evolved since his sole appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which came in 2014's Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Back then, fans believed they'd seen the last of the genocidal android because — spoilers for a 12-year-old movie incoming — Ultron was destroyed. However, over a decade on from his apparent demise at Vision's hands, Ultron has returned, with a back-up copy of his source code retained by Vision in his mind — or, rather, his quantum processor.

Fans will see Ultron in human avatar form throughout VisionQuest (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

In the years that have followed, Ultron has been able to observe humanity and events in the MCU through Vision's eyes.

And, with Vision turning inward as he seeks answers to questions like "who am I?" and "what is my purpose?" in his self-titled Disney+ show, Ultron will be one of the many Tony Stark-created AIs that Vision will look to for guidance. So, what kind of Ultron should we expect to encounter in the final installment of Marvel's Wanda/Vision TV trilogy?

"When you play any character, you fill out that individual, even if there isn't the real estate to be able to express aspects of them that you want to," Spader told me. "But, they're still in your head, so to suddenly be able to revisit Ultron, who I played in fits and starts, and fill in those blanks in the longer-form medium of television, was even more interesting than when I first took on the role 12 years ago.

"The character has become more of itself, and Ultron has certainly evolved. He's more acute, more developed, and he's older and more mature. He can still be quite childish, but he's not quite as sophomoric as he was in Age of Ultron. His humor is more witty, and he's certainly smarter than before.

"But, I also think the inherent danger and threat that was so blatantly there in Age of Ultron is still present," Spader added of Ultron's presence in the Marvel Phase 6 project. "All of that knowledge he consumed like junk food as a bratty teenager in Age of Ultron, a lot of that has been absorbed and processed. And, in that attic inside Vision's head, he's been given an odd amount of autonomy and freedom for someone who one must be careful with. So, you'll see all of that plays out in these eight episodes."

Ready to watch VisionQuest? Before it arrives, check out my VisionQuest review of all eight episodes (don't worry, it doesn't contain any major spoilers). Afterwards, find out when every chapter will drop on Disney+ using my VisionQuest release schedule guide.

VisionQuest creator reveals where it sits on the Marvel timeline — and it's not 2024

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

VisionQuest's creator Terry Matalas has revealed its MCU timeline position
Paul Bettany had suggested the Marvel TV show took place in 2024
The series' lead actor previously said it was set around a year after WandaVision

VisionQuest showrunner Terry Matalas has revealed where it sits on the Marvel timeline — and his answer will surprise you.

In an exclusive chat prior to the show's October 13/14 debut, Matalas told me that the Paul Bettany-starring program takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) present day.

Furthermore, Matalas stated that the Disney+ show occurs around the same time as Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The latest Marvel movie to hit theaters is also set in the modern day, which some fans believe to be the year 2028.

However, Matalas appeared to throw a spanner in the works of our MCU timeline understanding. Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, there's a moment in VisionQuest that practically states it's set in 2027 — and Matalas essentially reconfirmed that's when the Marvel project takes place.

"It's somewhere around the last Spider-Man movie," Matalas said when I asked him to clarify when VisionQuest is set. When I followed up with "Okay, so around 2027?", Matalas replied: "Yeah, the present day of the MCU."

The MCU timeline has become an increasingly tricky beast to follow ever since Avengers: Endgame premiered in theaters. Originally set in 2018, the most recent Avengers film skipped ahead five years to 2023 once its opening sequence was done and dusted. From that moment on, we've been playing catch up with Marvel's cinematic juggernaut, which has been operating a few years ahead of us. It's only now, then, that we've almost caught up to it.

Even so, ahead of VisionQuest's release, there was further confusion about when it would be set. Indeed, chatting to Rotten Tomatoes last October, Bettany said that the Marvel Phase 6 show picks up Vision's story "around a year or so" after WandaVision's finale.

The latter took place in 2023 and, given Bettany's involvement in both productions, it seemed that he'd confirmed VisionQuest would begin in 2024. However, Matalas also told me "it feels like it's been longer than a year [between WandaVision and VisionQuest]", so it appears Bettany misspoke, or was talking about potential flashbacks that are shown as part of the latter's story.

For more before it's released, read my VisionQuest review to see what I made of all eight episodes (don't worry, it doesn't contain any major spoilers). Once you're done, find out when each chapter will air via my VisionQuest release schedule guide.

VisionQuest review: Paul Bettany and James Spader delight in Wanda/Vision TV trilogy capper

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Light spoilers follow for VisionQuest.

No Marvel movie trilogy is perfect. That might sound like a loaded statement, but ask any Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fan and they'll concede that even the franchise's gold standards — the original Captain America films, or Guardians of the Galaxy movie series, to name just two — have flaws.

So, it falls to Marvel's TV show department to show its big-screen counterpart how to deliver a truly complete arc. And, with two acclaimed entries — WandaVision and Agatha All Along — under its belt, the Wanda/Vision TV trilogy only needed to stick the landing with a strong, final act to stake its claim as the MCU's best three-part story.

Thankfully, VisionQuest does exactly that, delivering a scintillating slice of superhero science fiction, and a surprisingly deep and emotionally resonant conclusion to the Wanda/Vision Saga.

Paranoid android

VisionQuest reconnects us with Paul Bettany's synthezoid four years after WandaVision's finale (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

Set a few years (2027, to be exact) after WandaVision's finale, VisionQuest reunites us with White Vision (Paul Bettany), the reanimated, blank-slate synthezoid rebuilt by S.W.O.R.D after Thanos destroyed the original. Now laying low in Edinburgh as a bartender named Sherwood, he's grappling with a severe identity crisis, caught between his vacuous programming and the restored memories of his past life.

Searching for purpose, Vision has turned inward and now consults the AI programs embedded in his programming, including Ultron (James Spader), whose leftover code lingers in Vision's system.

Bettany thrives on the material he has to work with

Unfortunately, his peaceful existence is about to be interrupted.

Hunted by Paladin (Todd Stashwick), a mercenary hired by a mysterious client who wants his highly-advanced tech, Vision's quiet life is further upended when he meets Thomas Shepard (Ruaridh Mollica), a thief claiming to be one of Vision and Wanda's twin sons. Forced to go on the run, Vision must evade capture, uncover the truth about Thomas, and resist Ultron's insidious influence.

There are clear parallels between the imaginary worlds that Vision and Wanda create in their self-titled shows (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

After 12 years portraying Vision, Bettany has more than earned his shot at leading a solo project that not only lets him shine, but add profound substance to the synthezoid.

Armed with his obvious talent, and clever scripts from showrunner Terry Matalas and his writing team, Bettany thrives on the earnest, amusing, mind-bending, and occasionally sinister material he has to work with.

There's a strange delight in seeing this side of Vision fully unleashed

Crucially, as this Marvel Phase 6 show reminds us, this isn't quite the Vision we knew, but a repurposed and weaponized Re-Vision (if you will) of the original — and Bettany plays the uncanny shift brilliantly.

Indeed, he delivers a striking performance as a morally gray Vision, whose emotional turmoil gives rise to a colder, darker version of the character that strays dangerously into Ultron 2.0 territory more than once. Yet there's a strange delight in seeing this side of Vision fully unleashed on his foes, delivering some unexpectedly bloody, brutal beatdowns along the way.

Only highlighting his ruthless streak would be a disservice to the depth Bettany brings, though.

Given the performances of VisionQuest's terrific supporting ensemble, of which the spellbinding Spader is the clear highlight (more on him shortly), I initially worried that Bettany would be upstaged in his own show. Those fears were completely shattered by his mesmeric, commanding display in the penultimate episode — a chapter that, major spoilers notwithstanding, makes Bettany's infamous dual-acting scene in WandaVision's finale feel like small fry.

Father and son

Spader and Bettany are a delightful duo who light up the screen at every opportunity (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

While VisionQuest is naturally positioned as a Vision-first story, it wouldn't have worked as well without the scene-stealing Spader.

Spader is an utter delight from the outset

Reprising his role 12 years on from his only MCU appearance, in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Spader is an utter delight from the outset. Ultron's abrupt death was a sore point for fans wanting more of Spader's sassy, loquacious, and menacing android in the MCU, and VisionQuest gives him the chance to chew the scenery again, with a multifaceted performance that keeps you guessing about his true motives at every turn.

You'll get to see enough of Ultron in android form throughout VisionQuest (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

As the proverbial family misfit of Vision's surrogate AI clan, and the button-pushing devil on Vision's shoulder, Ultron's modus operandi remains grounded in manipulation. Yet, despite his destructive father-figure tendencies, there's far more to this version of Ultron than meets the eye — a depth that truly reveals itself whenever Spader and Bettany share the screen.

VisionQuest gives Bettany and Spader room to fully unpack the complexities of Vision and Ultron's paternal bond

Their brief, piercingly philosophical exchange in Age of Ultron already teased their sharp dynamic, but an eight-part series gives Bettany and Spader room to fully unpack the complexities of Vision and Ultron's paternal bond.

Indeed, there's a genuine earnestness to their paradoxically human conversations, which carry the weight of a two-hander Shakespearean tragedy. And, while their odd-couple partnership offers plenty of welcome levity, it's the soulful, quiet segments that ultimately left the biggest impression on me.

The evolution of Vision and Tommy's complex relationship is a real highlight (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

The bond between Bettany's Vision and Mollica's charismatic yet anguished Shepard receives a similarly compelling, if slightly less expansive, exploration.

Driven by striking parallels in their search for identity, their dynamic is equal parts melodrama, humor, charm, and raw sentiment. Bettany and Mollica capture the ill-equipped dad and parentally unanchored son with real nuance, fitting seamlessly into VisionQuest's overarching study of intergenerational paternal trauma. Watching them navigate this fledgling family connection, and the trust that slowly takes root, is easily another of the Disney+ show's biggest strengths.

This modern glitch

F.R.I.D.A.Y, J.A.R.V.I.S, U, and D.U.M-E have roles of varying importance in VisionQuest (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

VisionQuest's long-form storytelling format affords it the time and space to explore Vision's AI family, even if it's fairly selective in terms of who actually gets the spotlight.

VisionQuest is fairly selective in terms of which AI characters actually gets the spotlight

The bubbly E.D.I.T.H (Emily Hampshire) is an easy standout among Vision's digital siblings, though lacks the complete character arc given to the overly cautious F.R.I.D.A.Y (Orla Brady). The rest of of the AI ensemble serves as comic relief — a role capably filled by Henry Lewis' D.U.M-E and Jonathan Sayer's U occupy — while James D'Arcy's J.A.R.V.I.S, is criminally underused, for reasons I can't reveal here in order to avoid spoilers.

VisionQuest has its share of action sequences, including this duel between Vision and Jocasta (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

Fortunately, Jocasta (T'Nia Miller) doesn't suffer the same fate. Teased as one of four villains in VisionQuest's official trailer, this morally complex android plays a far more important role than I had initially anticipated.

I had concerns that separating Bettany and Spader's electrifying dynamic at VisionQuest's midpoint might impact its narrative impetus. However, Spader and Miller's captivating chemistry as misfits with a united goal quickly allayed those fears. Drawn together by a shared emotional void, their tragic, dysfunctional romance provides a bittersweet alternative to Bettany and Spader's dynamic that admirably fills the void.

Narratively, VisionQuest doesn't always hit the sweet spot

Narratively, VisionQuest doesn't always hit the sweet spot.

Todd Stashwick's cold and calculating Paladin makes for an intriguing threat early on, but he's disappointingly sidelined as the plot advances, which frustratingly leaves his backstory somewhat unexplored. Elsewhere, the show's first major plot twist lacks the heart-shattering impact it strives for, while a few tense midseason beats are undermined by jarring editing choices.

Lisa Molinari, played by Lauren Morais, has a semblance of a character arc in VisionQuest (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

By contrast, VisionQuest's tonal shifts rarely drag its story down. A multi-genre narrative in every sense, it effortlessly flits between light-hearted, clever, and innuendo-based humor, and dark, visceral moments (believe me, it's more violent that you'd expect) without letting its sci-fi elements overwhelm the human core.

And then there's the perpetual elephant in the room: the long shadow cast by Tony Stark. Marvel's habit of tethering stories to Robert Downey Jr's iconic character can often feel like a tired trope, yet here it works. VisionQuest isn't shy or subtle about its overarching exploration of the 'sins of the father', retracing the AI family tree through Stark, and — again I'm avoiding major spoilers here — even further back into the MCU’s past. Given how deeply that lineage intersects with Vision, Ultron, and the rest of this eclectic cast, Stark's looming presence feels entirely organic to the story being told.

My verdict

VisionQuest is a terrifically assembled, genre-bending conclusion to the Wanda/Vision TV trilogy. Equally enjoyable as a standalone tale as it is as part of a larger saga, it delivers an emotionally rich examination about what it means to be human — all wrapped up in a mind-melting, expectation-subverting package that's full of gusto, poise, and visual flair.

As its end credits rolled for the final time, I couldn't help but be reminded of Vision's famous quote from Age of Ultron: "A thing isn't beautiful because it lasts." As an eight-part miniseries, there's an obvious finality to VisionQuest, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate it for the triumph it is, both now and for years to come — and that's the exact kind of beauty I can get behind.

VisionQuest makes its worldwide debut on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, October 14.

VisionQuest full release schedule: when do new episodes come out on Disney+?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:00:00 +0000

It's Vision's time to shine. After playing a supporting role in myriad Marvel movies and TV shows, the superpowered synthezoid is finally set to star in his own project in VisionQuest.

Set around a year — in-universe, that is — after WandaVision, the Disney+ TV Original will reunite us with Vision (Paul Bettany), who's suffering from an identity crisis following the events of WandaVision's finale. Searching for meaning, he consults the A.I. programs in his programming for guidance and advice, including Ultron (James Spader), aka the villainous android last seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Soon, though, Vision is forced to go on the run with Tommy Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica), a mysterious individual who claims to be one of Vision's reincarnated twin sons, when nefarious forces come gunning for the highly-advanced tech that Vision possesses.

With that somewhat lengthy story synopsis out of the way, we can move onto the real reason for you clicking on this article. That being: when will every episode of VisionQuest be released on one of the world's best streaming services?

What are the release dates for every episode of VisionQuest?

Paul Bettany is joined by MCU newcomer Ruaridh Mollica in the final Marvel TV show of 2026 (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

The penultimate Marvel Phase 6 TV series will arrive with a two-episode premiere on Tuesday, October 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET in the US and Canada.

Originally, VisionQuest was supposed to make its worldwide debut on Wednesday, October 14. However, Marvel has since announced that it'll be released early in North and South America. The rest of the world will have to wait until October 14 to see them.

As for when the other six chapters should be released, Marvel has also revealed that episodes 3 and 4, and chapters 5 and 6, will launch together in the two weeks that follow. After that, episodes 7 and 8 will arrive independent of each other.

Confused? Don't be. Check out the list below for each episode's confirmed launch date:

VisionQuest episode 1 — October 13 / 14
VisionQuest episode 2 — October 13 / 14
VisionQuest episode 3 — October 20 / 21
VisionQuest episode 4 — October 20 / 21
VisionQuest episode 5 — October 27 / 28
VisionQuest episode 6 — October 27 / 28
VisionQuest episode 7 — November 3 / 4
VisionQuest episode 8 — November 10 / 11

What time can I watch VisionQuest?

We'll see human versions of AI programs F.R.I.D.A.Y, J.A.R.V.I.S, U, AND D.U.M-E in VisionQuest (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

As I mentioned above, every episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) show will come out at 6pm PT / 9pm ET in North America.

Live elsewhere? Here's when new installments of VisionQuest are expected to premiere in your time zone:

US — 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — 2am BST
India — 6:30am IST
Singapore — 9am SGT
Australia — 11am AEST
New Zealand — 1pm NZST

It's worth noting that the above times will change in the weeks ahead.

Take on our Vision-based Marvel quiz!

Think you're a Marvel super-fan? See if you can get 100% on our tough VisionQuest quiz before the Paul Bettany TV show is released on Disney+!

Indeed, with the clocks going back in the northern hemisphere, as well as forward below the equator, some episodes will be released earlier or later than the aforementioned times. As and when they come into effect, I'll update this section.

For now, check out my VisionQuest review, which covers all eight episode (don't worry, it doesn't contain major spoilers). After that, read up on everything we know so far about VisionQuest and find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order if you're planning a Vision-specific re-watch before VisionQuest's arrival.

MobLand season 2 episode 5 release date and time on Paramount+

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Conrad's (Pierce Brosnan) quietly disarming when he wants to be, isn't he? As MobLand season 2 hits the halfway mark, his power play on Eddie (Anson Boone) confirms that his priorities are in completely the wrong place.

Not only is he burying his head in the sand when it comes to the impact of his civil war feud with Kevin (Paddy Considine), but he's also neglecting his health in a way that could have serious consequences.

But what on Earth will happen this week? And when does MobLand season 2 episode 5 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch MobLand season 2 episode 5 on Paramount+?

MobLand season 2 episode 5 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Friday, October 16 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations globally:

US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
UK – 8am BST
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 5pm AEST
New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of MobLand season 2 come out?

(Image credit: Paramount+)

MobLand season 2 will have a total of 10 episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

Episode 1: out now
Episode 2: out now
Episode 3: out now
Episode 4: out now
Episode 5: October 16
Episode 6: October 23
Episode 7: October 30
Episode 8: November 6
Episode 9: November 13
Episode 10: November 20

Carrie review: an emotional, modern retelling with changes that will certainly divide fans

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Prime Video's Carrie has quickly shot to the number one spot on the streaming service, as it leads this week's streaming recommendations. The anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's novel is finally here, and there's a lot to unpack.

Series creator Mike Flanagan has impressed horror fans over the years, especially with his Netflix shows including The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. His new version of Carrie marks his sixth adaptation of King's works, following movies including Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep.

With that in mind, we've all been interested to see how Flanagan handled Carrie, King's first story. I can confidently say I enjoyed the series, but there are some differences from it here that will cause division.

The eight-episode season follows Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) after her father dies in a tragic accident, prompting authorities to send her to a public school for the first time whilst her mother Margaret (Samantha Sloyan), re-enters the workforce.

Attending a new school is daunting for anyone, but Carrie knows very little of the outside world, after being raised by overbearing religious parents and schooled at home. Her struggle to adjust among other teens is the catalyst for her story, after she is baffled by everyday things such as a school shooting drill and getting her first period, both of which scare her to the point she fears as though she is about to die.

Carrie, in my opinion, is one of Stephen King's most likable protagonists. Howell portrays her brilliantly, focusing on her compassion for others and her desperate need to fit in, trying to relate to her fellow students even though she has never used a computer, nor does she have a cellphone. In the eyes of the school she is "weird", and the perfect target for bullying.

Flanagan's decision to set the story in a modern world resonated with me, and I liked this change. With technology being both wonderful and anxiety-inducing, he uses things like social media, camera phones and the internet at large to torment Carrie even more than she was in the book.

Chris Hargensen and Sue Snell contribute to Carrie's downfall (Image credit: Prime Video)

The school bullies are an important part of Carrie, and the casting works well here too. Alison Thornton's performance as Chris Hargensen, the ringleader of the bullies, is great and she makes some horrifying decisions throughout the series. But instead of turning her into a cartoonish villain, Flanagan also focuses on Chris' own issues, and the collapse of her family life at home.

Additionally, Siena Agudong's Sue Snell is shown as a complex character here, who does begin to feel remorse for Carrie's ongoing torment, whereas the group around her doesn't. I really liked Sue in this and she's one of my favorite characters as a result.

Characters in the Carrie series felt well-rounded to me, and for the most part, I was happy with the changes and the nuance. But there's one character who I was disappointed in, and that was Margaret White, who is portrayed a lot more sympathetically in the series.

In my opinion, I think Margaret should have been crueler. We do see her intense and suffocating religious beliefs, but she is more empathetic towards Carrie, and I wasn't a fan of the way her character was softened here. Margaret's resentment of Carrie in the book and the Brian De Palma film contributed to Carrie's eventual breakdown and use of her power for destruction, something I think is important.

In the original story, Carrie never found any comfort at home, but some decisions in the series felt out of character for Margaret. By supporting her daughter, I felt like it took away from the crippling isolation she is supposed to experience, resulting in the iconic, violent prom scene.

The ending is also different, which I have noted some fans may not be impressed with. I didn't mind the ending as much, but I still would have preferred if Margaret's characterization had been more faithful to the source material.

That's my only major gripe with the series, though, and I do think Mike Flanagan's Carrie is a good retelling of the story for the modern era, particularly when it comes to her fellow students and a school faculty that ultimately fails her.

So if you're keen to see a different take on Carrie, you might enjoy the Prime Video series. We've known for a while that it wasn't trying to copy the book directly, and it's certainly the most unique adaptation we've had.

Man jailed for using 1,000 bots to fraudulently make $8m from his AI music

alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A man fraudulently boosted his music streams using an army of bots
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his actions
He made over $8 million from the scheme across various platforms

A man has received an 18-month prison sentence after he used a horde of bots to help him rake in $8 million in royalties for his AI-generated music. He’ll have to forfeit all the money he made during his endeavor, which lasted from 2017 to 2024, but he managed to avoid a harsher punishment.

Michael Smith of Cornelius, North Carolina, uploaded hundreds of thousands of songs to streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, then used over 1,000 bots to artificially inflate the listening statistics for his tracks to billions of plays. This netted him millions of dollars based on the platforms’ per-stream payment plans.

According to TechSpot, Smith admitted to using 52 cloud service accounts that each had access to 20 bots, putting 1,040 AI agents at his disposal. Connected to VPNs, these bots could stream roughly 636 songs per day, meaning around 661,440 daily plays for Smith.

The US Justice Department (DoJ) put the estimate even higher, saying that Smith deployed up to 10,000 bots at a time. It added that in April 2023, Taylor Swift’s music received 9.3 million plays on YouTube Music. Smith’s music, in contrast, was played 80.9 million times on YouTube Music in the same period.

Smith was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy in September 2024. He pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to commit wire fraud in March 2026. He faced a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, but in the end was sent down for 18 months and was ordered to forfeit $8,091,843.64. He will also face two years of supervised release at the end of his sentence.

The news comes as Google has announced that it has watermarked 240,000 years’ worth of AI-generated audio and 180 billion AI images and videos using its SynthID Detector tool. Initially available to pro users, SynthID Detector can now be used by anyone and will work with content made by Google, OpenAI, Nvidia and Kakao, with Apple soon following.

Large-scale engagement fraud

(Image credit: Phonlamai Photo via Shutterstock)

It’s important to note that Smith was not prosecuted for making AI-generated music — while many will wish they could banish all AI music from their Spotify feeds, creating tunes this way will not yet get the cops on your case.

Instead, Smith found himself on the wrong side of the law for the way in which he monetized his AI music. By flooding platforms with bot-led artificial engagement, Smith misrepresented the popularity of his tracks and reaped the financial rewards of doing so. As the DoJ put it, “streaming fraud diverts funds from musicians and songwriters whose songs were legitimately streamed by real consumers to those who use automation to falsely create the appearance of legitimate streaming.”

Smith is certainly not the only person artificially boosting their listener counts on music platforms. But when you’re making $8 million from doing so, it’s likely that the authorities will start to pay attention.

Unfortunately, AI has made it absolutely trivial for people to whip up a complete track in seconds, load it onto streaming platforms, then watch the earnings roll in. On the flip side, actually making cash from this kind of endeavor is far from straightforward.

As Vice President of Apple Music Oliver Schusser explained, more than a third of the tracks on the platform are “100% AI,” yet they get “below 0.5% of usage,” meaning barely anyone is listening to AI tunes. But perhaps that reflects a wider problem with streaming platforms: while they might have enormous libraries of music, the vast majority of artists — AI or otherwise — will not see any kind of significant engagement or return.

That’s a broader problem than the one highlighted by Smith’s actions. But with AI making it faster and easier than ever to gain a presence in the world of music streaming, I’m sure we’ll be hearing about more cases like his in the not-so-distant future.

7 new movies and TV shows to watch on Netflix and more this weekend (October 9)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Spooky season is officially here, so it's about time that the world's best streaming services gave us some unsettling new movies and shows to enjoy, isn't it?

Thankfully, they've answered the call. Indeed, from Prime Video and horror auteur Mike Flanagan teaming up to retell Stephen King's iconic short story Carrie, to Netflix releasing a new suspense-driven creature feature, fans of a certain persuasion have got some potentially scary new content to consume this weekend.

Of course, if you're not a horror and/or thrills-a-minute aficionado, there are less freaky films and TV series to stream instead. So, read on to see what else is worth watching over the next few days. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Carrie (Prime Video)

We've seen Carrie told several times throughout the years, but this is the first time it's been turned into a TV series.

In it, Summer H. Howell steps into the role of Carrie White, a teenager who is relentlessly bullied by her classmates and soon discovers she has destructive telekinetic powers. Amazon's adaptation is a modern twist on the tale, focusing on things like social media and how cyberbullying eventually pushes Carrie to breaking point at her school prom.

All eight episodes are out now, so horror fans are in for a treat this weekend. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch Carrie on Prime Video

Disclosure Day (Peacock)

I'm going to level with you, dear reader: I was bitterly disappointed with Disclosure Day, aka Steven Spielberg's latest sci-fi venture.

For a movie maestro like Spielberg, alien-based flicks are his bread and butter, so this should've been another box office win for the acclaimed filmmaker.

Unfortunately, the Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connell-led vehicle is anything but. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's not boring, but also has nothing interesting or original to say. It's out now on Peacock, so you can decide for yourself if it's worthy of the criticism that's been leveled at it. Frankly, though, I'd suggest you re-watch E.T. or Close Encounters of the Third Kind for the umpteenth time instead. — TP

Watch Disclosure Day on Peacock

Animals (Netflix)

Ben Affleck's new movie Animals is the seventh time he's stepped into the director's chair.

Affleck stars in it, too, playing the role of Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate, whose political career takes a horrifying turn when his son is kidnapped, giving him and his wife (Kerry Washington) only a few hours to come up with the ransom payment. Desperate to save his son, he's forced to make "brutal, instinctual choices" that could tear their marriage apart, according to the gripping Tudum synopsis.

Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun round out the star-studded cast of this thriller, which should keep you on the edge of your seat if early reviews are anything to go by. — LB

Watch Animals on Netflix

Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount+)

Over two months on from Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender's debut on Paramount+, fans of the beloved anime franchise have got another story to gorge on in the form of Avatar: Seven Havens.

Created by Avatar veterans Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konieztko, Seven Havens is a sequel to the original animated show and its first follow-up The Legend of Korra. In it, we follow Pavi, who learns she's the reincarnation of the Avatar Korra. Alongside her long-lost twin sister Nisha, Pavi must uncover their strange origins and find a way to save the titular pillar of civilization. Here's hoping it lives up to the animated offerings that have come before it. — TP

Watch Avatar: Seven Havens on Paramount+

Below (Netflix)

Our second horror pick this week is Netflix's Below. Set in a remote Newfoundland town, it follows the aforementioned locale's residents as they deal with a terrifying mysterious sea creature. Those with thalassophobia may want to skip this one, then!

But, what's lurking under the water? And how do the townsfolk deal with it? That's up to a fisherman named Calvin (Josh Hartnett) to figure out, as he steps up to try and save his community. Well, someone's got to do it. There's a lot of mystery surrounding Below and I certainly hope it makes a splash. — LB

Watch Below on Netflix

Matchbox: The Movie (Apple TV)

Three years have passed since the first Mattel Film — the Margot Robbie-starring Barbie — defied expectations to become a billion dollar-spinning live-action movie. Now, Apple TV is aiming to recapture some of that feel-good factor with a new star-studded flick based on Mattel's Matchbox toy brand with Matchbox: The Movie.

In it, ex-soldier and spy Sean Walker (John Cena) reunites with his childhood friends, only for the group to be drugged and kidnapped by a group looking for a nuclear warhead. The CIA believe Walker and company are responsible for stealing said weapon, so the latter attempt to clear their names by... re-stealing the bomb.

Apple might think they have a great popcorn movie on their hands with this, but I get the impression this straight-to-streaming offering will struggle to get out of first gear. — TP

Watch Matchbox: The Movie on Apple TV

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (Disney+)

If you were one of the many Oasis fans who missed out on tickets for the band's 2025 reunion tour, don't worry, because you can watch Disney+'s documentary this weekend instead.

Sure, it's not quite the same, but Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger features rehearsals, backstage and onstage footage of the band, and the first joint interview of Liam and Noel Gallagher after more than 15 years of estrangement. In short: there's lots to look forward to.

It's a must-watch for any fan and, interestingly, it's been helmed by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. So, you can be sure the documentary is in good hands. — LB

Watch Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger on Disney+

Crunchyroll just rolled out a major free manga upgrade for subscribers

dash.wood@futurenet.com (Dashiell Wood) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:16:04 +0000

Crunchyroll Manga has rolled out to subscribers in the UK and Australia
It's available as part of the Crunchyroll Ultimate plan, or as a separate add-on
The service includes access to hundreds of titles, including some big hits

Crunchyroll Ultimate subscribers in the UK and Australia just got a major free upgrade as the popular anime streaming service rolls out its manga (Japanese comic book) offering to more English-speaking regions worldwide.

Crunchyroll Manga, which launched in the US in October last year, offers Ultimate members ad-free access to more than 250 localized manga titles from major publishers like J-Novel Club, Square Enix, and Yen Press.

This includes everything from big hits like The Apothecary Diaries, My Dress-Up Darling, Bocchi the Rock!, and Bungo Stray Dogs all the way to more niche picks such as the hilariously wordily titled Rejected by the Hero's Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside or My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me!.

Crunchyroll Ultimate costs $17.99 / £9.99 a month (we're waiting for confirmation on which Australia tier it'll be included in). Crunchryoll Manga is also available as a separate add-on for those subscribed to the cheaper Fan or Mega Fan tiers.

An exciting lineup

There's plenty of good stuff in the lineup to justify that cost, and I'm particularly excited about reading through the two volumes of Re:Zero — Starting Life in Another World available on the service, having greatly enjoyed the most recent seasons of the anime adaptation.

There are some noticeable omissions — for example, it's a bit odd not to see Black Butler on offer, given that Crunchyroll has the global license for the anime adaptation. But the service promises that more titles are on the way soon.

It's accessible as a standalone mobile app via the Google Play Store on Android and the App Store on iOS, or in your web browser with a dedicated tab on the Crunchyroll website. Key features include the ability to read offline and browse both personalized reading lists and curated manga recommendations.

What is the release date for Crystal Lake on Peacock?

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:32:14 +0000

Crystal Lake is one of the biggest horror releases in October 2026, and we don't have long until we can binge watch this Friday the 13th spin-off series.

I've been feeling really excited about this series, which sees Linda Cardellini stepping into the shoes of iconic villain Pamela Voorhees. Despite her being such an important character in the original Friday the 13th movie, we haven't really seen a lot of her.

Crystal Lake focuses on Pamela before the events of Friday the 13th. The story takes place a year after a young, sickly Jason Voorhees tragically drowns. As a result, his single mother, Pamela Voorhees, is consumed by grief and clings to a desperate, delusional hope that her son is somehow still alive.

Interested? Read on to see when you can watch Crystal Lake.

What time can I watch Crystal Lake on Peacock?

Crystal Lake arrives just in time for your Halloween celebrations, alongside this month's new horror movies. Outside of Peacock, it will be able to stream internationally via places like Sky/NOW TV in the UK, but release dates do vary depending on which territory you're in.

Usually new releases hit the platform at midnight Pacific Time, so based on that, here's when and where Crystal Lake is expected to release around the world.

US (Peacock) – Thursday, October 15 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

Canada (Crave) – Thursday, October 15 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

New Zealand (Neon) – Thursday, October 15 at 8pm NZDT

Australia (Stan) – Friday October 16 at 5pm AEDT

UK (Sky/NOW TV) – Monday, October 19 at 8am BST

When do new episodes of Crystal Lake come out?

(Image credit: Peacock)

All eight episodes of Crystal Lake will drop on streaming services at the same time, but right now, we don't have episode titles for all of them. Below I've listed the information we do have at the time of writing.

Here's what to expect from the upcoming Crystal Lake episodes.

Episode 1: The Great Pretender

Episode 2: Are You Experienced?

Episode 3: TBA

Episode 4: TBA

Episode 5: The Acid Queen

Episode 6: Helter Skelter

Episode 7: Blue Skies

Episode 8: TBA

Disney+ subscriptions just dropped to their lowest Aussie prices since November 2025

nico.arboleda@futurenet.com (Nico Arboleda) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:15:18 +0000

We’ve reached a point where subscribing to all the various video streaming services has become outrageously expensive — so it’s a very welcome move to see Disney+ handing out a generous discount on its annual subscription tiers.

The move is unexpected to say the least and I, for one, am jumping on this opportunity so I can catch up (and rewatch) my favourite shows. In fact, this discount is similar to what we saw during November last year, when Disney+ offered a Black Friday discount, but the subscription tiers were also cheaper at the time (the prices have since gone up).

This offer won't last till Black Friday 2026 though — it's available to new and returning customers only until October 21. So don't miss out.

I’ve previously subscribed to Disney+, but had to cancel because costs began to spiral. Nevertheless, some of the shows I managed to watch earlier this year have made it to my all-time favourites list, and its recent addition of ESPN in Australia and New Zealand (for my fix of NBA and NFL games) means it has also become one of my must-have services. Throw in a still-lengthy watchlist of shows and movies, and the timing of this Disney+ deal couldn’t be more perfect.

If you haven’t subscribed to Disney+ before, the service in Australia and New Zealand isn’t exclusive to the family-friendly content the studio is famous for. Apart from ESPN, the platform has a more diverse library via its Hulu content hub for more grown-up shows and movies, including the historical epic Shogun and the recent revival of Scrubs.

Of course, there’s also Disney properties like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, 20th Century and classic animation if you’re a fan of those too.

Joining Shogun and Scrubs in my top three favourite Disney+ shows is Andor, a spy thriller set in the Star Wars universe that precedes the events of the original films. Here’s why I recommend watching these shows once you subscribe to Disney+ to make it worth shelling out for a full year.

Shogun (2024-ongoing)

(Image credit: FX)

Set in feudal Japan in 1600, Shogun is based on a novel (and later a miniseries in 1980) that’s loosely based on how European interests and internal conflicts brought about the reestablishment of the Shogun as Japan’s main head of state.

It’s a fantastic show for history buffs, but it also has riveting storytelling, brilliant acting performances and, well, a lot (and I mean a lot) of blood and gore. That said, it’s not suitable for younger viewers, but if you’re of appropriate age and interested in the time period, setting and characters inspired by real-life historical figures, you’re in for a treat. We’ve also named it one of the best shows of 2024.

This Disney+ deal comes at a great time, as you’d be able to catch season two, which is likely to premiere sometime in early to mid-2027, and still have plenty of time to watch season one beforehand.

Scrubs (2001-2010, 2026-ongoing)

(Image credit: ABC/YouTube)

Hospital dramas have had a recent resurgence in the cultural zeitgeist with the popularity of HBO Max’s The Pitt, and it has also been one of my favourite shows of the past year. On the flipside, the hospital-based sitcom Scrubs has also seen a revival earlier this year, featuring most of the core cast of characters.

First premiering in 2001, Scrubs was one of my favourite shows growing up and I’ve always loved its surreal comedy, slapstick gags and heartfelt moments throughout its original run. The characters are lovable and the jokes still mostly hold up well, making the show a fantastic watch to this day.

What makes the show relevant now is its revival that premiered in February 2026, bringing the characters to the present day. Scrubs has kept the same balance of zaniness and seriousness from the original run, as well as some new characters that are also just as lovable.

All of the original seasons and season one of the revival are readily available on Disney+, while season 2 is already underway with two episodes live and the third premiering on Wednesday, October 8.

Andor (2022-2025)

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)

Andor has made such a big impression on me when I first watched the Star Wars-based show earlier this year — so much so that it has become my most rewatched TV show.

Set in the five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story from 2016 — which itself is a prequel to the classic Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

This show stands apart from the rest of the Star Wars universe as, in my opinion, the best one so far, and I like it so much more than even the original trilogy. The dialogue and writing are the absolute standouts of this show, and the acting, cinematography and soundtrack have made Andor my all-time favourite TV show, beating the likes of other prestige TV dramas like Better Call Saul, Succession and Mad Men on my personal list.

Andor only has two seasons, but I’ve found it to be very rewatchable and this deal on the annual subscription means I can conveniently put the show on whenever I feel like doing another rewatch until I finally get tired of it.

It’s a lot more family-friendly than Shogun above, but the political themes and slow-burn narrative structure mean this show may not be interesting enough for kids despite Star Wars’ reputation as a family-friendly property. I would instead recommend Star Wars Rebels, which is set around the same time frame as Andor.

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, and if you enjoy watching spy thrillers, political dramas and sci-fi with excellent writing and dialogue, Andor is worth your consideration.

And don’t just take my word for it — my colleague Tom Power gave seasons one and two 4.5 out of 5 stars each in his reviews and even named it one of the best shows of 2025, and it has even landed the 32nd spot in the New York Times best TV shows of the 21st century list and even higher at 22 on the readers’ edition of the list.

Also consider

Other TV shows worth considering include some that are in my watch list, including Atlanta (2016-2022), The Americans (2013-2018), Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020) and more. For the ones I’ve already seen, I can also recommend WandaVision (2021), New Girl (2011-2018), The Office US (2005-2013), Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), to name a few.

Lanterns season 2: what we know so far about the Green Lantern TV show's possible return

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Lanterns season 2: key information

- Yet to be officially announced
- Writers room has been assembled
- Release date and trailer reveals are a long way off
- No firm details about its cast and plot
- Might introduce alien members of the Lanterns Corps.
- Could be another Earth-bound story

Lanterns season 2 is in very early development at DC Studios. Admittedly, it hasn't received the green light to officially move forward yet, but there are positive signs that it'll see the light of day.

Indeed, Lanterns' impressive season 1 viewership and the assembly of a season 2 writers room have given fans hope that it's a matter of when, not if, the hit HBO TV Original will get another installment.

While we wait for news regarding an official renewal, there's plenty we can speculate on about the sci-fi crime drama's return. Below, I've rounded up everything I can find on season 2 of Lanterns, including what's been teased by its cast and crew. Here, then, is what we know so far about the series' potential return.

Lanterns season 2 release date: what we know so far

Looking to the sky for that all-important renewal announcement like... (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Predictably, Lanterns season 2 doesn't have a confirmed launch date. The HBO Max program hasn't even officially announced, so we'll be waiting a long time for its actual release.

Even with its writers room already bandying around ideas for next season, it's going to be a while before its scripts are completed and the cameras start rolling on the DC Universe (DCU) TV show's next chapter, too.

Like you, I want to see Lanterns back on our screens as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't see it coming out before late 2028 — and that's being optimistic.

It took over three and half years for season 1 to arrive following its official announcement as part of DC Studios co-head James Gunn's initial DCU Chapter One lineup reveal. And, while I don't expect we'll have to wait until 2030 for a second season, there are many things — cast and crew schedules, filming start dates, post-production, release calendars, and more besides — that can impact a film or show's production.

In short: don't expect to see Lanterns season 2 for a couple of years.

Lanterns season 2 trailer: is there one?

"Listen here: what do you mean there isn't a trailer for season 2 yet!?" (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

Obviously not. Lanterns season 2 hasn't even been announced yet, let alone started filming, so it'll be a long time before we see any official footage. Once a teaser is unveiled, I'll add it to this section.

Lanterns season 2 cast: has anyone been announced yet?

Aaron Pierre's John Stewart (left) seems nailed on to return (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns season 1.

Nobody has been announced as part of next season's cast yet, but there's a strong case to be made for Aaron Pierre's return as John Stewart. After all, Pierre was not only the protagonist of last season's tale, but is now the face of the show following the death of Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan.

That's not to say that Chandler couldn't return. As co-creator Damon Lindelof pointed out during an interview with Collider, Jordan has been killed off — and then brought back to life — multiple times in DC comic book history. And, with Ulrich Thomsen's Sinestro — who's also a potential candidate to return in Lanterns season 2 — suggesting he knows how to permanently revive Jordan in last season's finale, Chandler's return isn't out of the question.

There are ways that Chandler's Jordan could return, but I wouldn't expect him to (Image credit: HBO Max)

Elsewhere, Laura Linney could reprise her role as the Guardian of the Universe called Lianna. Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, aka Earth's one and only official Green Lantern, seems like another solid bet on the returning cast member front.

He might not be the only Guardians-approved member of the Lantern Corps. who could show up, either.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly (EW), Lanterns showrunner and co-creator Chris Mundy revealed that the writing team discussed showing other Green Lanterns in season 1 episode 5, but decided against it. More recently, Mundy told the Ringer-Verse podcast that writer Vanessa Baden Kelly is championing the inclusion of fan-favorite Lantern Kilowog in season 2. A team-up between Stewart and the aforementioned Bolavaxian next time around? Sign me up.

Lanterns season 2 story speculation

What kind of mystery will John Stewart have to solve if season 2 is officially greenlit? (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns' debut season.

Once again, there are very few details about Lanterns season 2's plot. Nonetheless, last season's finale set up some interesting story threads that could be ripe for exploration. You can read more about those via my Lanterns season 1 ending explained piece.

There's also the small matter of Pierre's Stewart making his big-screen debut in Man of Tomorrow, aka the sequel to 2025's Superman movie.

Stewart's arc in the forthcoming flick will surely have a bearing on the direction of his DCU journey, so expect Man of Tomorrow's plot to not only continue setting up the DCU's wider narrative, but have a potentially direct impact on Lanterns 2.

I wouldn't be shocked if we see Sinestro again in season 2 (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

That said, next season wouldn't see Stewart traverse the cosmos as, in his own words, an "independent contractor". As Stewart told Gardner in the season 1 finale, he plans on staying planetside and protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats.

As part of his chat with the Ringer-Verse podcast, Mundy therefore indicated that a second season would, like its predecessor, be an Earth-based story, albeit one set in a new location.

"We won't be back in Rushville... unless something crazy happens in Rushville, you know, every 10 years," he teased. "But... it's going to be an Earth-based story that we continue, most likely."

Don't expect to see Kelly Macdonald's Kerry Kane in Lanterns' sophomore season (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

There's plenty of inspiration that the DCU Chapter One TV show's next chapter can draw upon from its source material, too.

Some of the most notable storytelling elements that could be adapted were tentatively teased in last season's finale, such as Sinestro's founding of the Yellow Lanterns and Hal's resurrection as, or being possessed by, the fear-embodying entity known as Parallax. But, with so many different comic-book runs to pull from, countless other Lanterns — Green or otherwise — that could be introduced, and a seemingly infinite amount of lore to further educate audiences about, there are myriad directions that Lanterns season 2's story could go in.

While we wait for more on this series' return, find out everything we know so far about Man of Tomorrow. Then, get the full lowdown on The People v Gorilla Grodd, aka the only DCU TV show that's in active development and expected to premiere once Man of Tomorrow has flown into theaters next July.

Lanterns season 1 ending explained: what happens to John Stewart and Hal Jordan?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:08:08 +0000

Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns' season 1 finale.

Lanterns episode 8 is out now on HBO Max. And, after weeks of engrossing storytelling and a surprising amount of meme-able content, it's brought the increasingly popular show's debut season to an end.

As the dust settles on Lanterns' season 1 finale, I suspect you want answers to your most burning questions. It's a good job, then, that I'm here to provide them. Just make sure you've watched this week's chapter, titled 'Dirt and Stars', before you proceed, for the purposes of spoiler avoidance!

Who murdered Hal Jordan in Lanterns?

Hal-lelujah, we finally know who murdered the former Green Lantern (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

It's only been eight weeks since Lanterns episode 1 dropped the bombshell that someone had killed Hal Jordan in its 2026 storyline, but the wait to find out the identity of his murderer has felt longer.

Well, we finally have an answer — and, after correctly guessing the individual in question in my Lanterns pre-season 1 finale predictions piece, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself right now.

But, enough posturing: the person responsible for Hal's demise is none other than Sheriff Kerry Kane.

It was Sheriff Kane, with the sidearm! (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Truth be hold, Hal's death was more akin to manslaughter than pre-meditated murder. After all, the only reason Kerry shot the former Green Lantern — and man she was in a romantic relationship with, no less — was to protect her son Noah after Hal learns a game-changing secret about him. I'll get into the weeds of that later in this article.

So, yes, after weeks of speculation, it turns out the most unlikely candidate of all was behind Hal's death.

Does John Stewart become a Green Lantern?

John Stewart becomes a Lantern... but of which color? (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

Strictly speaking, yes. Prior to the release of 'Dirt and Stars', some viewers were convinced that John would become the DCU's first Yellow Lantern, but the sci-fi crime drama's latest entry dispelled that fan theory.

That said, John isn't a legitimate member of the Green Lantern Corps., aka the space cop organization set up by the Guardians of the Universe whose agents patrol the wider cosmos.

Guy Gardner, who watches over Sector-2814, is Earth's one and only official Green Lantern because our world falls under his jurisidiction. However, after John charges Hal's old ring with the Lantern Battery made by Sinestro (more on this in a moment) and comes up with his own Lantern Corps. oath, he's technically a Green Lantern, albeit an independently contracted one.

"In brightest day, in darkest night..." (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Ironically, the only way that the DC Universe's (DCU) John Stewart becomes a Lantern is because of Hal's villainous former mentor Sinestro. Want more information on him? Read my Sinestro in Lanterns explained article.

But, I digress. As we learn in 'Dirt and Stars', Sinestro was broken out of his space prison cell by none other than Noah (I'm getting to him, don't worry), marooned on the dead world of a major alien genocide, and tasked with making a Lantern Battery for Noah. Long story short: Sinestro successfully crafts said Lantern, which is charged with Fear and Will energy owing to the toxic fear gas and planet's remaining water supply.

Sinestro tries to individually manipulate and tempt John and the Hal-O-Gram (the latter being a digital back-up of Hal's consciousness) with respective promises to help them become a Lantern and be brought back to life. However, the pair reject his offers and head back to Earth, leaving a chained-up and furious Sinestro to presumably live out his days on this barren world.

"They'll send an army, to hunt you down" (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

Fast-forward to the end of the HBO Max show's eighth episode, and John uses Hal's ring, the Lantern Battery, and reciting of his self-made oath to become a Green Lantern.

Unsurprisingly, Guy, who's summoned by John before the latter does that, isn't exactly pleased to hear John's plan — one which John says will allow Guy to continue patrolling Sector-2814 while John only watches over and protects planet Earth. Guy is also convinced the Guardians will be angry at this rebellious development, so it'll be interesting to see if a second season of Lanterns picks up and runs with this story beat.

Anyway, John's plan means the Hal-O-Gram will be permanently erased from Hal's ring once he recites his oath. Incredibly sad though I am to see Kyle Chandler's portrayal of Hal for what could be the final time, at least there's an incredibly touching goodbye between he and Aaron Pierre's John.

Unfortunately, while we get to finally see John fly, we don't get to see him in his full Lantern super-suit. I guess we'll have to wait for his next DCU appearance for that...

Is Noah Macon a Manhunter?

That fan theory about Noah was correct! (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

Yes. Another fan theory to emerge in recent weeks, Lanterns episode 8's arrival on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, revealed that Noah is a Manhunter.

As Kerry tells Hal prior to the latter's death, she mysteriously fell pregnant after Zoe, who appeared to be the sole remaining Manhunter, used her advanced medical technology to grow Kerry a new pinky finger. Remember, in episode 5's flashback to 2007, we learn that, at Zoe's suggestion, Kerry removed that digit on her right hand to give to the criminals chasing her to 'prove' to their mob boss that they'd caught and killed her.

Clearly, during the process of growing Kerry's new pinky finger, Zoe used her alien android tech and Manhunter blood to also make Kerry pregnant. That way, in the even that Zoe died, the Manhunters wouldn't become extinct. And, prior to Zoe's death at John's hands in episode 5 during the 2016 storyline, she tells Noah not to forget everything she's previously told him, which must mean she informed him of his true nature.

Will Noah ever decide between his humanity and Manhunter conditioning? (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

Fast-forward to the present, and Noah ambushes John when the latter returns from the dead world that Sinestro is marooned on.

Taking Hal's old ring and the Lantern Battery, Noah says he can use them alongside his Manhunter abilities to enact revenge on the Guardians for what they did to his race.

However, as evidenced by him saving Hal from that near-fatal house fire, Noah's humanity is constantly at odds with his Manhunter conditioning. And, after finding out that John mercy-killed Zoe because she was tired of her immortality and never-ending guilt over what she did to Antaan's people, Noah asks John to do the same for him.

Long story short, John decides not to mercy-kill Noah. However, the possibility of Noah's Manhunter conditioning winning out some day and threatening humanity as a whole is what pushes John to fulfil his destiny and become a Green Lantern in the DCU Chapter One TV series.

Does Lanterns have an end credits scene?

Thaal Sinestro doesn't form the Yellow Lantern Corps. in a post-credits stinger (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

No. So, if you were hoping that Lanterns had a mid-credits or post-credits scene to stick around for, you'll be severely disappointed.

Has Lanterns season 2 been announced?

"I love you, too, Junior" (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO)

Not yet, but it's only a matter of time before Lanterns season 2 is officially given the *ahem* green light.

Indeed, Lanterns' glowing viewing figures and the assembly of a writers room have given fans hope that it'll be renewed for another season. Add in comments made by DC Studios co-head James Gunn that 'Dirt and Stars' was only the season 1 finale, not the full series finale, and things look even *double ahem* brighter for one of the most popular DCU projects so far.

How does Lanterns episode 8 set up James Gunn's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow?

David Corenswet will return as Superman... in Man of Tomorrow (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

It doesn't. Okay, while we already knew that Aaron Pierre will return as John Stewart in Man of Tomorrow, there's a point to be made about the fact that he'll be a Green Lantern in the follow-up to 2025's Superman movie.

Even so, Lanterns' season 1 finale doesn't tell us anything about Stewart's role in Man of Tomorrow, nor that film's wider plot. We'll just have to wait until the Gunn-directed comic book flick's first trailer to get a sense of how Stewart fits into its narrative, and/or how Lanterns sets up its story.

For now, find out everything we know so far about Man of Tomorrow, including its current release date and confirmed cast.

Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 release date and launch time on Apple TV: when will it air?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Ted Lasso season 4 has entered injury time at the end of its second half. Indeed, there's just one episode left of the soccer comedy-drama's latest season — and there's no telling how it'll end.

How will AFC Richmond Women react to Mae's death following their promotion to the English Women's Super League? And will they be further impacted if (or, rather, when) Zelda Stanton's hostile takeover of the club takes place? I can't answer either of those questions, but I can tell you when its season 4 finale will be released, so read on to learn more.

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10?

What awaits Gemma and Alice in this season's final chapter? (Image credit: Apple TV)

Titled 'The Departing Lass', Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 is expected to premiere in the US and Canada at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, October 6.

If you're a regular around these parts, you'll know I've often said that Apple is supposed to release the next episode of its new and returning shows every Wednesday at 12am PT in North America.

That's the company's public line, anyway. In reality, new chapters of Apple TV Originals like Ted Lasso have aired on Tuesday evenings at the previously mentioned times. With all nine episodes of Ted Lasso 4 doing just that, there's no reason to suspect that its 10th and final entry won't do likewise.

As for the rest of the world, this week's installment will still make its debut on one of the best streaming services on Wednesday, October 7. Check out the list below to see what time it'll come out near you:

US — Tuesday, October 6 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — Tuesday, October 6 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — Wednesday, October 7 at 2am BST
India — Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30am IST
Singapore — Wednesday, October 7 at 9am SGT
Australia — Wednesday, October 7 at 11am AEST
New Zealand — Wednesday, October 7 at 1pm NZST

Has Ted Lasso season 5 been announced yet?

Will we see AFC Richmond Women again in a fifth season of Ted Lasso? (Image credit: Apple TV)

No. However, there have been murmurings that a fifth season of Ted Lasso is in early development. Filming could also begin in January 2027 (per 9to5Mac and Apple Insider).

Speaking to ScreenRant earlier this year, Apple TV senior vice president Eddy Cue said he hoped that more seasons would get made and that Ted Lasso is "certainly good enough" to warrant at least one more run-out.

It seems there's an appetite for more from viewers, too, after Variety reported that Ted Lasso season 4 had the biggest premiere in Apple TV history when it launched in mid-August.

Of course, its audience share could've tailed off significantly since then. Right now, though, it seems there's still a market for more Richmond-based adventures, so don't be surprised if Ted Lasso season 5 is officially given the greenlight in the days or weeks ahead.

MobLand season 2 episode 4 release date and time on Paramount+

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000

While Frankie (Johnny Flynn) has kidnapped Bella (Lara Pulvey), rode up to the hostage meet-point on a scooter and ruined Kevin's (Paddy Considine) workplace for good, he's not even what surprised me most on last week's episode of MobLand season 2.

Eddie's (Anson Boon) relationship with grandmother Maeve (Helen Mirren) has always been unusual, but it's now progressed to uncomfortable levels. Eddie's now staying in a London flat occasionally used by Conrad (Pierce Brosnan), and wanting Gina (Teddie Allen) gone, Maeve's is making more than one kind of move on him.

Maybe that'll calm down this week... right? And when does MobLand season 2 episode 4 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch MobLand season 2 episode 4 on Paramount+?

MobLand season 2 episode 4 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Friday, October 9 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations globally:

US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
UK – 8am BST
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 5pm AEST
New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of MobLand season 2 come out?

(Image credit: Paramount+)

MobLand season 2 will have a total of 10 episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

Episode 1: out now
Episode 2: out now
Episode 3: out now
Episode 4: October 9
Episode 5: October 16
Episode 6: October 23
Episode 7: October 30
Episode 8: November 6
Episode 9: November 13
Episode 10: November 20

What is the release date for Mike Flanagan's Carrie on Prime Video?

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The wait is almost over, horror fans, because Mike Flanagan's anticipated Carrie adaptation arrives on Prime Video this month. I've been excitedly counting down the days, as a long time fan of Flanagan's work.

His take on Carrie is set in the modern era, meaning social media plays an important part in the bullying that our protagonist faces, eventually leading up to the iconic and deadly prom scene we all know and love.

Summer H Howell is stepping into the shoes of Stephen King's Carrie White for this adaptation, which arrives on our screens in early October. She's joined by a great cast including Scream's Matthew Lillard and Samantha Sloyan, who starred in Flanagan's Netflix series Midnight Mass.

Here's everything you need to know about when and where you can watch Carrie.

What time can I watch Carrie on Prime Video?

Carrie arrives on Prime Video on Wednesday, October 7, just in time for your Halloween celebrations, alongside this month's new horror movies.

Usually new releases hit the platform at midnight Pacific Time, so based on that, here's when Carrie is expected to release around the world.

US – Wednesday, October 7 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

Canada – Wednesday, October 7 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

UK – Wednesday, October 7 at 8am BST

India – Wednesday, October 7 at 12:30pm IST

Singapore – Wednesday, October 7 at 3pm SGT

Australia – Wednesday, October 7 at 5pm AEDT

New Zealand – Wednesday, October 7at 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Carrie come out?

(Image credit: Prime Video)

I have good news for binge watchers, because all eight episodes of Carrie will drop at the same time on October 7. You can also check out the episode titles for the upcoming series below.

Here's what to expect from Prime Video's Carrie.

Episode 1: First Period – October 7, 2026

Episode 2: Foreign Language – October 7, 2026

Episode 3: Social Studies – October 7, 2026

Episode 4: Dramatic Arts – October 7, 2026

Episode 5: Physical Education – October 7, 2026

Episode 6: Home Economics – October 7, 2026

Episode 7: Romantic Literature – October 7, 2026

Episode 8: AP Physics – October 7, 2026

Lanterns episode 8 release date and launch time on HBO Max: when does it come out?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Lanterns have almost reached the finish line. Only one episode remains of the HBO TV original's debut season, so it's nearly time to say goodbye to Aaron Pierre's John Stewart and Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan.

Take on our Lanterns pre-season 1 finale quiz!

Think you're the ultimate Lanterns fan? Prove it by showing us you're not afraid to take on the challenge of achieving 100% in our tricky, 36 question-strong Lanterns quiz!

Before we do, the Green Lantern TV show's season 1 finale has got a lot of storylines to wrap up, so how successful will it be in concluding them all? I don't know, but what I can tell you is when and where Lanterns episode 8 will premiere. So, depending on where you live, here's the release date and launch time you need to know about for the hit sci-fi crime drama's eighth chapter.

When does episode 8 of Lanterns come out?

Titled 'Dirt and Stars', the comic book-inspired TV series' eighth installment will air in the US and Canada on Sunday, October 4 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Just like the previous seven episodes, it'll make its bow a day later in other countries, so the vast majority of you will have to wait until Monday, October 5 for it. Here's a quick rundown of the dates and times for the DCU Chapter One show's season 1 finale:

US — Sunday, October 4 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — Sunday, October 4 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — Monday, October 5 at 2am BST
India — Monday, October 5 at 6:30am IST
Singapore — Monday, October 5 at 9am SGT
Australia — Monday, October 5 at 11am AEST
New Zealand — Monday, October 5 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 8?

What are you planning, Sinestro? (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO max)

So far, every episode of Lanterns has dropped on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services. Its eighth and final entry will do the same in nations that the platform has launched in.

Unfortunately, HBO Max isn't available worldwide, so some of you will have to find another TV network or streamer to watch the final episode of DC Studios' latest small-screen venture. Luckily for you, I've rounded up every place you can stream it, so read on for more details:

US — HBO and HBO Max
Canada — Crave
UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
India — JioHotstar
Singapore — HBO Max
Australia — HBO Max
New Zealand — HBO Max

Has Lanterns season 2 been announced?

Don't be afraid... to renew Lanterns for a second season, HBO (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO)

Not yet. However, fan hopes are growing over Lanterns season 2 due to the show's impressive viewership and a report that four new individuals to come up with ideas for Lanterns season 2.

That said, there's no guarantee that Lanterns will get a second season. Indeed, earlier in September, HBO boss Casey Bloys made me fear the worst for Lanterns season 2 when he indicated that only one DCU TV show — Superman spin-off The People v Gorilla Grodd — was the only one in active development.

Read my Lanterns coverage

- Lanterns episode 1 ending explained
- Sinestro in Lanterns explained
- Lanterns' Manhunters explained
- Lanterns' Guardians of the Universe explained
- Lanterns episode 4 ending explained
- Lanterns episode 5 ending explained
- Lanterns episode 6 introduces a major character from Hal Jordan's past
- Lanterns episode 8 trailer spawns major new fan theory about John Stewart
- 6 predictions for Lanterns' season 1 finale

Hope springs eternal in the form of comments made by showrunner Chris Mundy and DC Studios co-head James Gunn, though.

Indeed, speaking to Vanity Fair in February 2025, Mundy said he hoped that he hoped "more seasons" would be made. Meanwhile, Gunn recently confirmed (via Threads) that 'Dirt and Stars' is this season's finale, rather than the show's final-ever episode. With Lanterns also amassing an average 19 million viewers per episode during its season 1 run (per Variety), it's a case of when, not if, the DCU program is renewed for another outing.

For now, we know that John Stewart will make his next DCU appearance in Man of Tomorrow, aka Gunn's Superman sequel. While you're here, find out more on what we know so far about Man of Tomorrow and then get the full lowdown on The People v Gorilla Grodd.

7 new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend (October 2)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

We've officially entered the final three months of 2026. And, while it feels like we've collectively blinked and missed half of the year, we can console ourselves by watching one or more of the new movies and TV series that have debuted on the world's best streaming services.

Just like our September 18 streaming round-up, this week's recommendations list is predominantly populated by new shows. Top of my watch-list are a new period drama starring Florence Pugh, and a joint HBO-Sky drama with Sienna Miller and Dominic West that seems like it'll be the talk of the town for the next few weeks.

Want to know what our other top five picks are? You'll need to read on to learn more, so hop to it! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

East of Eden (Netflix)

I'll watch anything that Florence Pugh is in — and, if that means I have to sit through Netflix's new period drama (they're not usually my kind of thing) to see her latest powerhouse performance, I'll do just that.

To be fair, East of Eden might actually be worth streaming. For one, it's based on John Steinbeck's best-selling 1952 novel of the same name — and, while there's no guarantee that this TV adaptation will do justice to this utterly absorbing story, its star-studded cast and experienced crew suggest it'll be, at the very least, a very good watch.

All seven episodes are out now on Netflix, so Pugh fans like myself have got their weekend binge watch sorted. — TP

Watch East of Eden on Netflix

War (HBO Max)

I did a double take when I saw how many times War's trailer had been viewed on YouTube. Sure, it looks like another must-see HBO TV Original that's brimming with star power. As I said about East of Eden, though, that doesn't mean this HBO Max program will be any good.

And yet, based on the 117 million (!) views its official trailer has accrued just two weeks before War premiered, it's clear that many of us will be seated for this explosive legal drama. Story-wise, it'll pit two prestigious law firms against each other as part of a messy divorce case involving a wealthy tech entrepreneur (Dominic West) and his film star wife (Sienna Miller).

Also available to watch on Sky/Now TV in the UK, new episodes of War will come out every week until November 19. If it's half as good as other prestige TV shows on HBO, such as Succession, we're in for a whale of a time. — TP

Watch War on HBO Max

Scrubs season 2 (Hulu/Disney+)

Need some prescribed laughs after the long work week? I'd advise you to check back into Sacred Heart and catch up with its lovable and goofy crew for the Scrubs revival's second season.

Out now on Hulu and Disney+, this season's two-episode premiere picks up numerous threads from last season's finale, including — spoiler warning — J.D. continuing to treat Doctor Cox's recently discovered autoimmune disease.

If I've learned anything from watching this medical comedy-drama since it first aired in September 2001, it's that we can expect plenty of tears to go alongside the laughs. In short: have a box of tissues handy because you never know when Scrubs will emotionally sucker punch you. — TP

Watch Scrubs season 2 on Hulu and Disney+

Evil Dead Burn (HBO Max)

One of many new horror movies to arrive in time for spooky season, Evil Dead Burn is all you'll need to watch if you're in the mood for lots of blood and gore.

Evil Dead Burn follows a grieving widow who fights for survival when her late husband's family turns into Deadites, aka the franchise's iconic demonic creatures, which seriously disrupts her plans to grieve in a peaceful setting.

It's a relentless, blood-soaked entry but, in my Evil Dead Burn review, I noted that it seems to prioritize jump scares over a good story. The grizzly set-pieces are highly entertaining, though, if you can look past its basic narrative. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Watch Evil Dead Burn on HBO Max

Kill Jackie (Prime Video)

Catherine Zeta-Jones stars as wealthy art dealer Jackie Price in Prime Video's new TV Original, which is adapted from the Nick Harkaway novel The Price You Pay.

In it, Jackie's seemingly normal life is turned upside down when she realizes she's the target of a lethal squad of hitmen. Across eight episodes, this Amazon project follows the titular character as she refuses to run, instead relying on her dark web connections and her own ingenuity to hunt down the killers one by one in a revenge plot where she hopes to make it out alive.

Now that Reacher season 4 is over, this could be your next action-packed binge watch. — LB

Watch Kill Jackie on Prime Video

The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part (Netflix)

Netflix's latest true crime docufilm focuses on Thomas Randolph, a Las Vegas man whose wives kept dying under mysterious circumstances. Although one death might not be suspicious, four is certainly cause for concern.

Of Randolph's six wives, only two of them survived, resulting in him eventually being convicted of murder. But, the journey to that point was complicated, prompting Dateline's Dan Slepian to make a documentary exploring this shocking case, as he works alongside filmmaker Chris Smith and local detectives to create The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part. True crime lovers won't want to miss this. — LB

Watch The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part on Netflix

Africa: Earth's Wild Home (National Geographic/Disney+)

Africa: Earth's Wild Home follows conservationists, scientists, and local communities as they fight to save the future of the animals living in the continent.

Shocking stats show that over the last 50 years, Africa’s wildlife population has dwindled by nearly 80%, which has been a call to action for those passionate about saving the natural world.

Animals such as the armored pangolin, frequently hunted for its scales, appear in this documentary where scientists have found ways to help save the species. It's a glimmer of hope amid a world where many animals are endangered, and you'll learn a lot about ongoing conservation efforts, too. — LB

Watch Africa: Earth's Wild Home on National Geographic and Disney+

Lanterns season 2 renewal hopes grow amid impressive viewership and writers' room update

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Lanterns' weekly viewing figures have been revealed
On average, 19 million people have tuned in to each episode on HBO and HBO Max worldwide
A rumored writers' room update also suggests a season 2 renewal could be imminent

Lanterns is truly shining on the world stage.

According to audience measurement experts Nielsen (via Variety), HBO's Green Lantern TV show has been a huge hit with viewers across the globe. Indeed, per Nielsen's internal data, each episode of the sci-fi crime drama's first season has been watched by an average of 19 million people across HBO and its streaming sibling HBO Max. Of that figure, 12 million are in the US alone.

Impressive numbers though they are, Lanterns' global viewership is arguably even bigger than what Nielsen has reported. Indeed, because HBO and HBO Max aren't available in some world regions, Lanterns is also available on other streaming platforms. The chances are, then, that its audience share is even greater than we realize.

To put an even bigger spotlight on its stunning performance, Lanterns' debut season has, on average, drawn in more viewers per episode than The Pitt season 2. Considering how popular the aforementioned multi-award-winning medical drama is, it's to Lanterns' credit that it's outperforming The Pitt's most recent outing.

Given its success, it's more likely than ever that Lanterns will get a second season on HBO and some of the world's best streaming services, right? As a huge fan of the Aaron Pierre- and Kyle Chandler-fronted program, I certainly hope so.

Read my Lanterns coverage

I'll readily admit I feared the worst for Lanterns season 2 after comments made by HBO boss Casey Bloys in mid-September. However, with Lanterns posting nearly 20 million average views per chapter, and DC Studios co-head James Gunn confirming (via Threads) that its eighth episode is only its debut season's finale, rather than a series finale, I'm starting to convince myself that it's a matter of when, not if, the DC Universe (DCU) TV show will get another run.

That growing confidence is helped by recent speculation that a full writers' room has been assembled to thrash out a potential plot for the DCU Chapter One show's sophomore season.

As reported by Nexus Point News, five writers have joined showrunner and co-creator Chris Mundy to come up with a compelling storyline for another season.

Vanessa Baden Kelly, who penned two of this season's eight entries, has returned, while new faces in Chris Cantwell, Nakkiah Lui, Zack Whedon, and Selwyn Seyfu Hinds have also come on board.

I should point out that the assembly of a writers' room doesn't guarantee that Lanterns season 2 has been greenlit internally. It's still possible, then, that Gunn, Mundy, and company won't move ahead with what I'd expect to be another eight-part installment.

Still, there's clearly an appetite from Lanterns' cast and crew, as well as its growing audience, for another season. Let's collectively hope that this season's finale, which airs Sunday (October 4) in the Americas and Monday (October 5) everywhere else, ends with confirmation that season 2 is officially in development.

In the meantime, check out my six big predictions for Lanterns' season 1 finale. Once you're done, see if you're brave enough to tackle my tricky Lanterns season 1 quiz.

New VisionQuest trailer highlights the four villains we'll see in the Marvel TV show

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A new trailer for VisionQuest has been released by Marvel
It confirms Paul Bettany's Vision could face four villains in the Disney+ show
The sci-fi TV series will debut with a two-episode premiere in mid-October

Marvel has unveiled the official trailer for VisionQuest — and it appears to tease that Paul Bettany's Vision will face off against four different villains.

Released yesterday (October 1), the new teaser arrives just two weeks shy of the sci-fi comic book show's arrival on Disney+. For those who don't know: VisionQuest will make its worldwide debut with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, October 14.

Anyway, as I mentioned, it seems that Vision will have something of a mini rogues gallery when his partly self-titled drops on one of the world's best streaming services. And, while it was patently obvious from the outset that one of that quartet would be Ultron, who'll once again be played by James Spader, the other three foes won't be known to anyone except the biggest Marvel comic book fans.

Jocasta, Paladin, and Coat of Arms in VisionQuest explained

Full spoilers follow for WandaVision and Avengers: Infinity War.

Paladin is a mercenary hired by a mysterious benefactor to hunt down Vision (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

So, who are the seemingly nefarious individuals that, alongside Ultron, will be gunning for Bettany's synthezoid in this Marvel Phase 6 project?

The first villain we see is Paladin. Reportedly played by Todd Stashwick in this show, Paladin made his Marvel Comics debut in Daredevil #150 in January 1978.

A semi-superpowered mercenary in the source material, it seems Paladin will be sent to kill or simply incapacitate Vision, so whomever Paladin's power broker is can re-utilize his incredibly advanced technology for malicious purposes. If it's the latter, could we see the return of S.W.O.R.D and/or its disgraced head of operations Tyler Hayward, who was responsible for reanimating Vision's lifeless body in WandaVision following his death at Thanos' hands in Avengers: Infinity War?

In the comics, Coat-of-Arms is primarily a magic-based superhuman (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

After a few clips of Ultron threatening to continue where he left off before his apparent demise in Avengers: Age of Ultron — hey, genocidal androids are gonna genocide — the next antagonist we see is Coat of Arms.

Real name Lisa Molinari, she first appeared in Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1 in May 2009. Formerly a street artist, Molinari turns to a life of crime when she comes into contact with a mystical garment called Tiboro's Coat, which grants her an additional four arms, and allows her to use myriad magical weapons hidden within the enchanted jacket.

Of all of VisionQuest's antagonists, I'm most intrigued to see how Coat of Arms — who's expected to be played by Lauren Morais — will factor into its plot. After all, it seems she's been repurposed as a technologically advanced robot of some kind, so I'm curious to see if any of her magical abilities have also been retained for her live-action form.

Jocasta (right) was created by Ultron in Marvel Comics (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney+)

Lastly, we come to Jocasta, who's said to be portrayed by T'Nia Miller.

Debuting in The Avengers #162 in August 1977, Jocasta is an android originally created to be Ultron's bride from the brainwaves of Janet van Dyne. However, she ultimately rebels against Ultron and now operates as a superhero, both individually and sometimes collectively alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Based on what VisionQuest's trailers have teased, I wouldn't be shocked if, once Ultron breaks out of Vision's mind prison, he builds Jocasta to help him conquer the world. However, I think she'll inevitably turn on him, and either side with Vision or become something of an anti-hero before the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV show ends.

"Vision, rebooted and having escaped from those who sought to weaponise him, has been in hiding," the program's plot brief reads. "Searching for new meaning, he consults the AI personas embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the infamous Ultron.

"His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepherd, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate. As Vision evades capture, he must confront his nature, resist Ultron's influence, and unravel the enigma that is his young companion if he’s to survive."

For more on the Bettany-led live-action series. find out everything we know so far about VisionQuest. Once you're done, see if you can achieve 100% in my tricky VisionQuest quiz.

Streaming guide: new horror movies arriving in October 2026

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:49:18 +0000

The best streaming services are full of horror movies in October to celebrate the spookiest time of year, so you're certainly spoiled for choice this month.

With a mix of new arrivals and horror classics headed to the streaming giants, I guarantee you won't be bored this month. Most of the new titles arrive early in the month too, so you don't have to wait very long for your frights.

Here are seven horror titles that caught my eye in October 2026.

Barbarian

Where: Hulu (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
When: October 1

With Zach Cregger's Resident Evil in theaters, now is the perfect time to check out his first horror hit, Barbarian. Even though I've attached the trailer, I personally recommend going in knowing as little as possible, because it shocks you in the best possible way.

The movie follows a woman who arrives at a rental house, only to find its been double-booked and a man is already occupying it. With few options due to the late hour, she reluctantly agrees to stay the night. Barbarian was a huge surprise, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Hereditary

Where: Hulu (US); rent or buy (UK); Stan (AU)
When: October 1

Ari Aster's Hereditary features one of Toni Collette's finest performances, and it really is a shame she didn't win any awards for it. This is undoubtedly a movie that will stay with you for a while, and it's perfect for those who like their horrors with a side order of pure dread.

Hereditary follows a woman as she is tormented by supernatural occurrences following the death of her mother. She begins to uncover disturbing secrets about her, and her husband and children soon end up in danger too.

Hush

Where: Netflix (US); Shudder (UK, AU)
When: October 1

It's just not Halloween without Mike Flanagan. There are so many of his titles I could've chosen, but when I saw that Hush was on Netflix, I knew I had to shout about this one.

This home invasion horror follows an author who is deaf and mute, who must try and survive when a serial killer enters her home. It's nail-bitingly tense and uses silence in a very clever way, resulting in some of the best editing I've seen in a movie. If you enjoy this, Flanagan's series Midnight Mass (also on Netflix) adapts the book we see in Hush, and it's equally good.

Lake Placid

Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK); 10 (AU)
When: October 1

A silly creature feature is a staple for horror fans, and Lake Placid ticks all the right boxes. The movie is about a giant, 30-foot crocodile that terrorizes a quiet lake in Maine, which has an unfortunate name as it turns the lake is not placid at all.

Indeed, this horror comedy is a must-watch in October despite its poor reviews. It's become a 90s cult classic with a devoted following of horror fans, myself included. It's the perfect blend of scares and laughs and great to watch with friends now it's on Netflix.

Evil Dead Burn

Where: HBO Max (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
When: October 5

The most recent entry into the Evil Dead franchise is coming to HBO Max in the US, but sadly those in other territories will have to wait. If you're in the mood for gore, carnage and plenty of scares, then Evil Dead Burn should be right up your alley.

The new movie received mixed reviews from fans, making it one of the most divisive of the series. It follows a grieving widow who seeks comfort with her late husband's family at a secluded home, only for them to transform into demonic Deadites. So she doesn't quite get the comfort she was looking for...

V/H/S/Mixtape

Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: October 9

Found footage sensation V/H/S/ is back with a new entry, which will be streaming exclusively on Shudder this month. This time around, we're focusing on sound, rhythm, and audio, so make sure you watch V/H/S/ Mixtape with a good sound system for best results.

The anthology includes stories about a mysterious puppet show, urban exploration gone wrong, and a sound engineer who goes off on a quest following instructions from their father. So we can expect a lot of different tones here, no pun intended.

Hunting Matthew Nichols

Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: October 31

Finally, on Halloween Shudder is dropping a new movie called Hunting Matthew Nichols. Filmed partially in a found footage documentary style, the movie centers around a woman who is documenting the disappearance of her brother.

During the filming, she uncovers some unsettling things, and fans of supernatural tales like The Blair Witch Project should enjoy this one. It's the directorial debut for Markian Tarasiuk, and I'm keen to see what he does next.

6 major predictions I have for the season 1 finale of Lanterns on HBO Max

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Full spoilers follow for Lanterns episodes 1 through 7.

Lanterns is about to wrap its first season on numerous TV platforms — and what a ride it's been.

From premiere shocks and weekly fan discussions, to comic book call-backs and memes aplenty, HBO's Green Lantern TV show has delivered in more ways than one. And, with this season's eighth and final episode, titled 'Dirt and Stars', set to air shortly, viewers are hoping it sticks the landing.

Ahead of the sci-fi crime drama's season 1 finale airing worldwide, I've got thoughts on what'll happen, too. Here, then, are my 6 predictions for 'Dirt and Stars', and how it'll conclude Lanterns' debut run on some of the world's best streaming services.

1. Sinestro will create the first Yellow Lantern ring...

Sinestro should have a big role to play in Lanterns' season 1 finale (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO max)

Given what we learned in Lanterns episode 7, and what this season's finale trailer teased, this seems inevitable — and there's plenty of evidence to back it up.

The factory/manufacturing plant that Sinestro is holed up in, his comments about fear being the most powerful force in the universe, the terror-inducing gas that was inflicted on this alien world's populace that forced them to kill each other... it all points towards the creation of the inaugural Yellow Lantern ring.

For the uninitiated: in the comics, the Yellow Lanterns — also known as the Sinestro Corps. — are powered by the emotion fear, which is represented by the color yellow on the DC Comics' emotional color spectrum.

If further proof was needed that Sinestro — potentially with the help of John Stewart and Hal Jordan's digital back-up — will use this forge, Hal's decommissioned ring, and the lingering fear gas to create a new ring, then, Lanterns' source material provides it in spades.

2... And John Stewart will use it to become a Green Lantern

What kind of Lantern could John Stewart become in the season 1 finale? (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)

Following the release of Lanterns' seventh chapter, a new fan theory concerning the fate of John Stewart spread across the internet. And no, it's got nothing to do with him dying, because we already know that Aaron Pierre will return as John Stewart in Man of Tomorrow, aka the follow-up to James Gunn's Superman sequel.

Instead, a section of the DC Universe (DCU) fanbase hypothesized that Sinestro will gift his newly-manufactured ring to Stewart. Furthermore, they think Sinestro will also convince Stewart to become the first-ever Yellow Lantern.

I'll admit I was initially convinced by this possible story beat. However, the more I've sat with it, the more I believe Stewart will take the Yellow Lantern ring, and actually use it to fulfil his destiny and become a Green Lantern.

Okay, there's previous form for Stewart being a Yellow Lantern in the comics as part of the Green Lantern: Earth One series. So, while it would be a massive narrative swing if he did likewise in this live-action show, it wouldn't a complete shock.

Does this promo image imply John Stewart will become a Yellow Lantern? Not in my view (Image credit: DC Studios)

That said, there's also the possibility that this won't happen.

For starters, in Lanterns' 'weeks ahead' teaser, we see Sinestro furiously shouting at — or after — the Hal-O-Gram, aka Hal's digital consciousness. This scene is definitely taken from Lanterns' season 1 finale so, if Stewart and the Hal-O-Gram had shockingly decided to join forces with Sinestro, why would the latter be angrily calling out to Hal's digital back-up?

Then there's the episode 8 teaser showing Stewart wearing Hal's old ring and the Hal-O-Gram telling him "you're taking a very big risk". What if that "big risk" is Stewart deciding to not only become a Green Lantern without the Guardians of the Universe's consent, but also doing so with Hal's decommissioned ring that could now be fueled by fear?

Will Stewart be able to override its new function with the sheer force of his will alone — and, by proxy, confirm another fan theory that he's a living Lantern Battery? The latter would explain how he kept that bird construct alive in episode 2 without a ring, and why he can summon the Hal-O-Gram at any time.

The first part of this question would also tie into Guy Gardner's warning that a mysterious "he" is set to "send an army to hunt" down Stewart and/or the Hal-O-Gram. Could that "he" be Sinestro? If he's been wronged by Stewart and Jordan's digital back-up, yes. As far as we know, though, Sinestro has no allies yet, so this individual could be anyone.

Regardless, expect Stewart to finally assume the superhero mantle he's been training for since he was five years old before Lanterns season 1 ends.

3. It'll confirm that Hal Jordan is officially dead in the DCU...

Some fans will be furious if Hal isn't brought back from the dead (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

A lot has been written about Hal Jordan's death since it was revealed during the 10-year time jump in Lanterns episode 1.

Indeed, from fans believing he's actually gone and those hoping he'll be brought back to life via some Manhunter cloning technology, to speculation about who actually murdered him (more on this shortly), and more, Hal's demise has been one of Lanterns' biggest talking points.

Like the Stewart Yellow Lantern fan theory, I originally believed that Hal would be brought back to life. Now, I don't think he will.

Indeed, my reading of the 'Dirt' part of episode 8's title refers to the fact that Hal Jordan will be re-buried, after Stewart exhumed his resting place in episode 6's final scene. Sure, dirt can have many connotations but, given the circumstances, this feels like the best fit to me.

Take on our Lanterns pre-season 1 finale quiz!

Think you're the ultimate Lanterns fan? Prove it by showing us you're not afraid to take on the challenge of achieving 100% in our tricky, 36 question-strong Lanterns quiz!

Additionally, I think it's far more likely that Hal will have already cheated death prior to shuffling off his mortal coil.

Again, the episode 8 trailer shows Jordan's Rushville home being set ablaze by an unknown assailant. Then, we see him lying on the floor with the same mark on his arm that Stewart had after he was fully healed by Zoe's Manhunter technology in episode 5.

Is Jordan severely injured in the aforementioned arson attack before his life is saved by a mysterious individual who happens to know their way around the Manhunter tech? I believe so. As such, I can't see Jordan surviving two assassination attempts, so the HBO Max show's eighth episode might mark Kyle Chandler's final appearance as Earth's first Green Lantern.

4. ...and Sheriff Kerry Kane was the one who killed him

Recently, speculation has grown that Sheriff Kane is behind Hal Jordan's murder (Image credit: HBO/DC Studios)

It would be a soul-crushing reveal if the person charged with protecting Rushville's population, and the only person Jordan was romantically involved with, was responsible for his murder. Right now, though, all signs point towards Kelly Macdonald's Kerry Kane being the one who pulled the trigger.

Yes, there are other candidates. Jordan could have committed suicide like his dad and grandfather, but I'd like to think his demise isn't that simple. Kerry's son Noah (more on him shortly) is another option, but he seems to be the person standing over Jordan after the latter's encounter with the Manhunter healing tech, so I think we can rule him out.

Then there's Maggie, aka the diner employee who's blackmailing Stewart. Outside of this subplot, her role in the 2026 storyline feels a bit superfluous, so she could have sought revenge on Jordan for the death of her father a decade earlier. If that was the case, though, surely Maggie would also want to kill, rather than extort, Stewart.

As we've seen throughout season 1, Kane is a complicated character who has no issues keeping secrets. The fact that she's apparently one of only three people who knows Jordan is dead, and indicated that nobody witnessed the crime, are other red flags. I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see who else to point the finger at.

5. Noah Macon will be revealed as a Manhunter

Are you human, or are you denser, Noah? (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)

A fan theory that's run for weeks now, it feels inevitable that Lanterns will reveal that Noah is actually a Manhunter.

Think about it. In episode 5, Kane told Jordan that Zoe gave her a "miracle" — the implication being that Kane and her ex-husband Billy couldn't have kids, so Zoe made one. Alternatively, Zoe could be Noah's real mom, but Kerry and Billy secretly raised him as their own.

In the same episode, Zoe also tells Noah not to forget everything she's taught him. At the time, it seemed like an innocuous throwaway line; but what if she'd informed him of his true heritage and, in the event that Zoe dies, how to use the alien android's advanced tech? That would explain how Jordan's life is saved if he's severely injured in the previously mentioned house fire, because who else would know how to not only operate the Manhunter medical equipment, but use their synthetic blood — like Zoe did with Stewart — to heal Jordan's wounds?

Furthermore, in the 2026 storyline, Noah has displayed traits characteristic of Zoe and other Manhunters. His natural charisma is not only disarming, but draws people to him (look at how many were excited to learn which college he'd chosen to attend). Throw in his mom calling him a "natural born leader", plus his apparent aspirations to become a US Senator and, potentially, President, and Noah is displaying all the ambitious hallmarks of how Manhunters infiltrate communities and eventually install themselves as a populace's power broker.

6. Lanterns episode 8 will set up something significant for Man of Tomorrow

The follow-up to 2025's Superman movie could pick up some story threads from Lanterns season 1 (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

Stewart's role in Man of Tomorrow notwithstanding, we have no idea how Lanterns will impact the sequel to last year's Superman movie.

Nevertheless, speaking about the DCU's initial lineup reveal in January 2023, DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, who's also directed Man of Tomorrow and its predecessor, hinted that Lanterns' story would be a "terrifying mystery that ties into our larger story of the DCU".

Unless those wider narrative plans for DCU Chapter One, also known as Gods and Monsters, have changed over the last three-and-a-half years, then, Lanterns' season 1 finale could have big implications for Man of Tomorrow and this cinematic franchise as a whole. 'Dirt and Stars' has got a lot of ground to cover, but let's pray it gives us some idea of what Gunn and studio co-head Peter Safran's overall plan is. In the meantime, find out everything we know so far about Man of Tomorrow.

ESPN will now stream tons of sport in 4K HDR, coming first to iOS and Apple TV 4K

Carrie Marshall — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:15:28 +0000

4K HDR available now in the ESPN app for iOS and tvOS
Coming to more platforms before the Super Bowl
Will also roll out to pay-TV providers

ESPN and ESPN2 are getting 4K HDR streaming support in the US for events including Monday Night Football, NBA and NHL, plus selected live college football games, US Open tennis and big events such as the Super Bowl, the streamer has announced (via FlatpanelsHD).

"This update will deliver clearer edges, sharper colors and smoother movement — all critically important for delivering a richer and more immersive viewing experience for sports fans," ESPN says. The update is available now in the ESPN app for Apple's iOS and tvOS products, including the Apple TV 4K.

The rollout is coming to other platforms later this year, as ESPN explains: "The ESPN App on iOS and tvOS will be the first to support the new experiences, with additional connected TV platforms to follow, as well as on Disney+ in the U.S. to ESPN Unlimited subscribers."

Why isn't ESPN rolling out 4K HDR to every platform today?

The rollout is taking time because it's not just a change of video codec: as ESPN puts it, the introduction of 4K HDR "marks an important milestone to modernize ESPN’s content distribution pipeline from the ground up. Delivering 4K HDR full-time on ESPN and ESPN2 required coordinated investment across every stage of the signal chain" from capturing live events with sufficient resolution and dynamic range to decoding the data in the app to show on your screen.

ESPN says it'll also be able to deliver 4K HDR through pay-TV providers, including both traditional and digital ones, and that it will have rolled out higher quality streaming to more platforms before Super Bowl LXI. As yet, there are no details of which platforms are next on the to-do list, though we'd assume Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, LG and Samsung will all be fighting for prominence.

The rollout will continue this Fall, and you'll begin to see 4K HDR badging on your streaming devices and in the mobile app. However, Disney hasn't announced any plans to extend the rollout beyond the US.

That suggests it's going to focus on US consumers first before rolling out the upgrades in other parts of the world. "This new foundation sets the stage for us to deliver best-in-class experiences across both linear and streaming distribution — serving our sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere," ESPN says.

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Take our DC Universe expert's tough Lanterns quiz ahead of its season 1 finale

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000

It's almost time to wave goodbye to Lanterns. Over seven weeks after its premiere, the hit show's season 1 finale is ready to wrap up the stories of John Stewart and Hal Jordan.

Before the final episode of HBO's Green Lantern TV series, titled 'Dirt and Stars', lands on some of the world's best streaming services, I want to know who among you is the ultimate Lanterns fan.

Think it's you? If that's the case, you'll want to test your knowledge of the sci-fi crime drama's debut season by taking on my challenging quiz about the DC Universe's (DCU) latest TV series.

Below, you'll find 36 questions about the show's first seven episodes that'll put your memory to the test.

Read my Lanterns coverage

So, if you think you know your John Stewart from your Hal Jordan, your Guardians of the Universe from your Sinestro, and more besides, I dare you to see if you can achieve 100% by tackling my definitive Lanterns exam.

Lanterns season 1's eighth and final chapter will be released on HBO Max this Sunday (October 4) in North and South America, and next Monday (October 5) everywhere else.

In short, then, you don't have long to see if you've been paying enough attention to be crowned the DCU Chapter One TV series' number one fan. So, hop to it!

Once you're done, post your final score in the comments. That way, I can see who deserves to be crowned the biggest Lanterns fan.

Be sure to check back in with me once this season's final chapter has aired, too, because I'll have plenty more Lanterns coverage to bring you as the dust settles on what's likely to be a shock-filled finale.

I asked Maxine Peake what fans should stream after gripping Apple TV thriller Last Seen

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:31:00 +0000

If you're British, you're automatically a Maxine Peake superfan — regardless of your age or generation. From Silk to the hugely overlooked The Bisexual on Channel 4, she's starred in banger after banger.

Now, she stars as delusional wife Jenna in gripping Australian Apple TV thriller Last Seen, which follows emergency dispatcher Ian (Patrick Brammall) trying to find his missing daughter after a mysterious phone call suggests she's alive years after going missing.

It's a gripping watch from start to finish, but I can't help wishing that Peake had more screen time. Did that stop me blurting out "I love you" during a Zoom call about the series? Absolutely not.

What Stars Watch

Everyone gets stuck on what to watch next — so let’s make that choice easier with the help of your favorite actors. What Stars Watch pairs the latest TV shows and movies with cinematic classics or underrated gems, based on A-List tastes. Read the full series here.

More than anything, I wanted to know what Peake recommended that fans should watch next, whether that was continuing the same vibe or finding something completely different to decompress.

She went with the latter not only by choosing my favorite British comedy series of 2026, but by picking something that isn't going to cost you a dime to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Maxine Peake is a huge fan of Ann Droid on BBC iPlayer — and I don't blame her

"I would go to the BBC and I would watch Ann Droid with Diane Morgan," Peake tells me. "It's another side of some Boltonian joy."

I'd completely forgotten that this is where both Peake and Morgan come from, but even without the geographical link, it's an excellent shout. if you've not yet seen the hit comedy series, Morgan plays Linda, a secondhand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot gifted to widow Sue (Sue Johnston) by her son Michael (Kevin Ready).

Basically, it's like Channel 4's Humans meets a Royale Family and Motherland reunion that we weren't expecting, and it's nothing short of glorious. Clearly, everybody else who's watched thinks the same thing, as season 2 was renewed shortly after all six episodes of season 1 were released.

Morgan is truly the most talented, authentic and unique voice in Western comedy at the moment, but even those, this is huge praise from Peake. Why? her first job out of drama school was snarky Twinkle in Dinnerladies, the classic Victoria Wood sitcom.

Despite only running for two seasons, it's a cornerstone of British sitcom culture, a baton that Morgan has picked up and run with. It's unexpected, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure a that a better TV pairing is possible.

War made Celia Imrie look so powerful that HBO Max show's opening episode was refilmed

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:05:00 +0000

If you're under the age of 30 and think of the name Celia Imrie, you likely think of the woman who farted in a log cabin during an episode of The Celebrity Traitors season 1.

Obviously you'd be factually correct, but this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of just how iconic Imrie actually is. From Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies to Calendar Girls and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, if there's been a worthwhile British drama, she's been there to improve it.

Now, the same can be said for War on HBO Max (international) and Sky TV (UK). Following two legal firms as they represent a spouse in a high-profile divorce trial, Imrie plays Budgie, a freelance barrister working for the newly established Taylor & Byrne.

From watching the trailer below, you might have assumed, like me, that Imrie was to play the High Court Judge overseeing the trial. According to Taylor and Byrne themselves, James McArdle and Phoebe Fox, Imrie had those onset so fooled by her power, that their opening scene in episode 1 had to be entirely reshot.

'She has such inherent power'

"She is such an incredibly charismatic woman and has such an inherent power," Fox tells me. "Originally, she just turns up and is in the office with us having a scene — but they actually had to reshoot her entering the office because everyone who watched it thought that she ran the company.

"We're the bosses, but that wasn't clear, apparently. She's a dream woman to work with."

And water is wet. This news doesn't surprise me in the slightest... but what I didn't realise is that Celebrity Traitors was airing at the same time as War was being filmed, which must have been like striking gold for any other cast members with a penchant for reality TV.

"While we were filming, Traitors was on," McArdle adds. "It was really hard for the director to get me to concentrate because I just kept trying to get spoilers out of Celia and Nick (Mohammed). Celia and I knew each other from way before, so I thought she would tell me... but she never did."

Oh, didn't I mention that there's also a Celebrity Traitors reunion within the cast too? More on that later this week. For now, set your clocks ready to watch War this Friday (October 2).

Lanterns episode 8 trailer spawns major new fan theory about John Stewart's fate

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

The teaser for Lanterns' eighth and final episode has been posted online
It's sparked a major new fan theory about John Stewart and Sinestro
It appears to have ties to the show's name and title card

Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns episode 7. Potentially huge spoilers are also discussed for Lanterns episode 8.

The trailer for Lanterns' season 1 finale has sparked a major new theory among fans — and it's got nothing to do with the central mystery surrounding Hal Jordan.

HBO's Green Lantern TV show has been a hot topic of conversation since it premiered in mid-August. Indeed, ever since Lanterns episode 1 dropped the bombshell that Hal Jordan had been murdered in its 2026 storyline, fans have, among other things, been trying to solve events surrounding this shocking moment.

With just one chapter, titled 'Dirt and Stars' remaining, many are hoping that Lanterns will explain all before its end credits roll for the final time. However, viewers are also now wondering about John Stewart's fate in the HBO Max show following the release of the forthcoming finale's teaser — and I'm starting to believe that what they're predicting might come to pass.

Is John Stewart going to become the DC Universe's first Yellow Lantern?

Some fans are convinced that John Stewart will become the DCU's first Yellow Lantern (Image credit: HBO/DC Studios)

I'll preface what follows by saying I haven't seen 'Dirt and Stars'. I watched the first seven episodes for my spoiler-free Lanterns review, but HBO and DC Studios don't want anything from this week's chapter to leak online ahead of time. As such, members of the press won't see it prior to its debut on October 4/5, which means I have no insider information on how the season 1 story will be wrapped up.

But, I digress. With Stewart and the Hal-O-Gram — the latter being a digital back-up of Jordan's consciousness, which lives inside Jordan's Green Lantern ring — traveling off-world and crossing paths with Sinestro in episode 7, the stage is set for a dramatic season finale.

The debuting of Lanterns episode 8 teaser has only further raised our collective excitement levels. More than that, though, it's sparked a new fan theory that, as this article's sub-header acknowledges, Stewart might be getting set up to be the DC Universe's (DCU) first Yellow Lantern.

I covered the creation of the Yellow Lanterns, otherwise known as the Sinestro Corps., in my Sinestro in Lanterns explained article. Essentially, though, this antagonistic faction wield Lantern rings fueled by fear, rather than willpower, which powers Green Lantern rings.

With Yellow Lanterns being required to understand and control fear, it's not a leap to suggest that the DCU's Stewart is a prime candidate for this role.

After all, he's been trained to be fearless since the age of five, so he'd make for a perfect Yellow Lantern if the manipulative Sinestro can persuade Stewart to join his cause — something Sinestro is clearly trying to do by telling Stewart: "The Guardians [of the Universe] think fear makes you weak. They couldn't be more wrong. Fear can be the most powerful force in the universe."

Some fans are convinced that, while Stewart might not fully help to form the Sinestro Corps. in the DCU Chapter One project, he's set to become a Yellow Lantern instead of a Green one, too.

Comment
from r/LanternsTVSeries

"Is it just me, or are they setting up John as a Yellow Lantern?" Reddit user MrMojoRising422 mused. "John's gonna be a Lantern.. but Green? not 100% sure," FlashyClaim also pondered, before fmalk wrote: "Maybe he's only meant to be a Lantern in [James Gunn's Superman sequel] Man of Tomorrow? After this episode 7, I wouldn't bet 100% on him been Green."

"Yeah, the finale is gonna be about Sinestro tempting John with becoming a Yellow Lantern," Maleficent-Choice254 suggested, while ArcadianBlueRogue asked: "Are....are they gonna have the balls to have John have to pick between the Green and Yellow rings?"

Comment
from r/Greenlantern

There's evidence to suggest this fan theory might not be so wild, either.

For one, Lanterns' title card seems to have been foreshadowing this since the show began, with its green hues subtly being replaced by a brighter yellow as the weeks have gone on. If that's not a big clue that Stewart's allegiance might switch from the Greens to the Yellows, I don't know what it is.

Additionally, Lanterns' tagline of "only one can wear the ring" implies that there can only be one Green Lantern on planet Earth. Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner is the current holder of that title so, unless Stewart finds a loophole that allows Earth to have two Green Lanterns, becoming a Yellow Lantern might be the only option available to him.

Then there's Redditors Elegant_Positive5768 and M00reC, plus X/Twitter user OlinOnBull, who've reminded us that DC Studios co-head James Gunn shared a very specific image of John Stewart when Lanterns was announced as part of the original DCU Chapter One line-up in January 2023. The picture in question? Stewart wielding a Yellow Lantern ring.

Hang on, did James Gunn tease John Stewart would become a Yellow Lantern over three years ago?! (Image credit: DC Studios)

Another sign that gives legs to this hypothesis is the Hal-O-Gram telling Stewart "you're taking a very big risk" in the episode 8 teaser.

Is he warning Stewart that he's taking a major gamble by trusting Sinestro and/or becoming a Yellow Lantern, which would infuriate the Guardians? If so, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Guardians send Guy Gardner, aka Earth's current Green Lantern, to forewarn Stewart about the potential pitfalls of doing this.

The season finale's teaser confirms Gardner will show up. Furthermore, at the 1:31 mark of Lanterns' official trailer, we see Gardner telling someone that an army is going to be sent to "put you down". That trailer was edited in a way to make it seem like he was talking to Jordan, but what if it's actually Stewart who he's speaking to?

The Lanterns finale has a lot to carry (Kerry?), but based on what’s been established on the show and some of the swings it’s been taking, I don’t see John Stewart becoming Green Lantern by the end. It’ll be controversial as hell, but…I think he gets a yellow ring. #LanternsSeptember 28, 2026

As the above X/Twitter user points out, we already know Aaron Pierre will return as John Stewart in Man of Tomorrow, but there's no word on whether he'll be a Green Lantern in one of next year's most exciting new movies.

I'll readily admit it'll be a massive — and likely controversial — swing from Lanterns' creators and wider writing team if it ends with Stewart being a Yellow Lantern rather than a Green Lantern. But hey, I'm all for narrative surprises if it's not to the detriment of a character's overarching journey. So, if all roads have been leading Stewart to become a Yellow Lantern (even if it's temporary), I'm all for it.

But, what do you think: will Stewart end season 1 as a Green or Yellow Lantern? Let me know in the comments.

The Celebrity Traitors season 2 episodes 1-2 release date and time on BBC iPlayer

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:57:46 +0000

I've been waiting impatiently to watch The Celebrity Traitors season 2 on BBC iPlayer... and finally, the wait is almost over.

Our new cast heading to the Scottish Highlands is as follows:

Amol Rajan, Journalist and Broadcaster
Bella Ramsey, Actor
James Acaster, Comedian and Podcaster
James Blunt, Singer/Songwriter
Jerry Hall, Model and Actress
Joanne McNally, Comedian
Joe Lycett, Comedian
Julie Hesmondhalgh, Actor
King Kenny, Content Creator
Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Singer/Songwriter
Maya Jama, Broadcaster and Entrepreneur
Michael Sheen, Actor and Presenter
Miranda Hart, Actor and Author
Myha’la, Actor
Professor Hannah Fry, Broadcaster and Mathematician
Richard E. Grant, Actor and Author
Rob Beckett, Comedian
Romesh Ranganathan, Comedian
Ross Kemp, Actor and Presenter
Sebastian Croft, Musician and Actor
Sharon Rooney, Actor

As ever, we've got to expected the unexpected, and the below trailer teases that host Claudia Winkleman definitely has some new tricks up her sleeve.

But when will The Celebrity Traitors season 2 episodes 1 and 2 be arriving on BBC iPlayer?

What time can I watch The Celebrity Traitors season 2 episodes 1-2 on BBC iPlayer?

There are no batch uploads to BBC iPlayer this year! The Celebrity Traitors seasons 2 will have two episodes dropping this week as follows for UK fans:

Episode 1: October 1, 8pm BST
Episode 2: October 2, 8pm BST

Fans in the US, Australia and other international territories will have to wait for another designated streaming service to pick up episodes at a later date (e.g. Peacock in the US, or Paramount+ in Australia).

If you're a BBC licence-fee payer, you can use one of the best VPNs to stream iPlayer from anywhere in the world — check out our How to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad guide for more information.

When do new episodes of The Celebrity Traitors come out?

(Image credit: BBC)

New episodes release on Thursdays and Fridays each week until the season 2 finale, giving us the below series schedule:

Episode 1: October 1
Episode 2: October 2
Episode 3: October 8
Episode 4: October 9
Episode 5: October 15
Episode 6: October 16
Episode 7: October 22
Episode 8: October 23
Episode 9: October 29
Episode 10: October 30

East of Eden release date and time on Netflix

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:26:00 +0000

The most anticipated Netflix series — and perhaps the most awaited TV series of the entire year — is finally here, with East of Eden arriving later this week.

The new adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel stars Florence Pugh, Mike Faist and Christopher Abbott in its main roles, with events taking place between the 1860s and the build-up to World War I.

It's a cross-generational story that essentially retells the biblical story of Cain and Abel through the intertwined lives of two families in California's Salinas Valley; and it's epic in every sense of the world.

East of Eden is set to be a binge-watch for the ages, but exactly when does it arrive on Netflix?

What time can I watch East of Eden on Netflix?

East of Eden drops on Thursday, October 1.

As for the time, it should be the standard 12am PT / 3am ET release time that practically every other Netflix TV Original has.

For fans who don't live in North America, here's when you'll need to tune in:

US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
UK – 8am BST
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 6pm AEST
New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of East of Eden come out?

(Image credit: Netflix)

All seven episodes of this season will be released at the same time. Unlike weekly drops on the likes of Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+, then, you won't need to wait around for new installment of East of Eden.

As this is a standalone book adaptation, there won't be a second series.

Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 release date and launch time on Apple TV: when will it air?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

There aren't many episodes left of Ted Lasso season 4. In fact, only two more, including this week's chapter, remain, so there's not much time left for it to find a match-winning goal.

AFC Richmond Women will have to do so without their star striker Gemma following the potentially serious knee injury she suffered in last week's entry. Who, if anyone, will step up and try to get the team promoted? We'll have to wait for this week's installment to arrive, so read on to find out when it will.

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9?

What's got Keeley and Rebecca looking like this? (Image credit: Apple TV)

Ted Lasso season 4's penultimate episode should come out in the US and Canada at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, September 29.

Publicly, Apple has always stressed that new episodes of its first-party shows premiere every Wednesday at 12am PT in North America. However, every episode of the hit soccer comedy-drama's latest season has arrived on Tuesday evenings at the times listed above. Barring an unexpected launch date and time change, I'm confident season 4 episode 9 will do likewise.

As for the rest of the world, this week's entry will air on Apple TV, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on Wednesday, September 30. Read on to see what time it'll be released near you:

US — Tuesday, September 29 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — Tuesday, September 29 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — Wednesday, September 30 at 2am BST
India — Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30am IST
Singapore — Wednesday, September 30 at 9am SGT
Australia — Wednesday, September 30 at 11am AEST
New Zealand — Wednesday, September 30 at 1pm NZST

When is the final episode of Ted Lasso season 4 set to come out?

Is Alice cooking up a new, Gemma-less tactic for Richmond Women? (Image credit: Apple TV)

The 10th and final episode of the Apple TV show's fourth season will kick off on Tuesday, October 6, in North and South America. Meanwhile, viewers on other continents will have to wait until Wednesday, October 7 to catch the series' latest finale.

What'll happen in it? Its story will be dictated by what goes down in its predecessor — i.e. season 4 episode 9. So, be sure to tune in to Ted Lasso's next chapter to see what it'll set up ahead of this season's last hurrah.

Take on our Marvel expert's tricky VisionQuest quiz ahead of its October debut

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

It's almost time to enjoy the final Marvel TV show of 2026.

VisionQuest, starring Paul Bettany as the titular android, will make its Disney+ debut in mid-October — and to celebrate its impending release, I've put together a tricky quiz that covers the superhero's story so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Set some time after WandaVision's finale, the third and final project of the Wanda- and Vision-fronted TV trilogy will reunite us with the rebooted synthezoid who, "having escaped from those who sought to weaponize him, has been in hiding," according to an official press release.

"Searching for new meaning, he consults the AI personas embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the infamous Ultron," the Marvel Phase 6 TV show's synopsis continues. "His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate. As Vision evades capture, he must confront his nature, resist Ultron's influence, and unravel the enigma that is his young companion if he’s to survive."

Think you have what it takes to be crowned the ultimate Vision fanatic? I challenge you to put your MCU knowledge to the test by taking on my 20-question quiz below. Once you've completed it, post your score in the comments section to see how you did against your peers.

VisionQuest will drop on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on October 13/14, depending on where you live.

Before it comes out, be sure to learn everything we know so far about VisionQuest, and then read up on how to watch the Marvel movies in order if you plan on rewatching every MCU film and TV show Vision's in.

MobLand season 2 episode 3 release date and time on Paramount+

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

It's probably wrong to fall in love with villains, but Harry's (Tom Hardy) new arch-rival Frankie (Johnny Flynn) is exactly what MobLand season 2 needed.

Somewhere between the third Gallagher brother and a so-called "prick on a scooter," Frankie's unnervingly mundane tone is only just beginning to do some serious damage... not that it would be too hard to impact the fractured Harrigan family.

With Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and Kevin's (Paddy Considine) feud reaching new levels and Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) trying to strike out on her own, absolutely everybody is playing into Kat's (Janet McTeer) hands.

But, can things be salvaged in time? And, more importantly when does MobLand season 2 episode 3 arrive on Paramount+?

What time can I watch MobLand season 2 episode 3 on Paramount+?

MobLand season 2 episode 3 will drop on one of the world's best streaming services in the US and Canada on Friday, October 2 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Here's when it will be released in other nations globally:

US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
UK – 8am BST
India – 12:30pm IST
Singapore – 3pm SGT
Australia – 5pm AEST
New Zealand – 7pm NZST

When do new episodes of MobLand season 2 come out?

(Image credit: Paramount+)

MobLand season 2 will have a total of 10 episodes, with new entries airing weekly. That gives us the following schedule:

Episode 1: out now
Episode 2: out now
Episode 3: October 2
Episode 4: October 9
Episode 5: October 16
Episode 6: October 23
Episode 7: October 30
Episode 8: November 6
Episode 9: November 13
Episode 10: November 20

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2: everything we know about the HBO Max show's return

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2: key information

- Season 2 was renewed halfway through season 1 airing
- Core cast expected to return
- Storyline remains unknown, creators confirm there's still 'no big picture' for the show

There's meta, and then there's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

We've been following awkward comic book owner Stuart (Kevin Sussman), who accidentally triggered a multiverse Armageddon after breaking a device supposedly built by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki).

Did we see the latter two appear in any of season 1's 10 episodes? No. Does the fact that many of The Big Bang Theory cameos and a season 2 renewal mean we should hold out hope for the future? Absolutely.

However, absolutely nothing is guaranteed in this HBO Max show. Given that the core concept shifts between universes, creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady could come up with literally anything they wanted, and it makes canonical sense.

This leaves us with the biggest TV guessing game of all, so let's try and work out what Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2 will look like together.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2 release window predictions

(Image credit: HBO Max)

We've currently got no idea when season 2 could start production or be released, but we do know that episodes are pretty quick to film. If you think of production in sitcom format, episodes could be turned around as soon as six months' time.

However, my best guess would be that we'll likely see new episodes in summer 2027. Chuck Lorre is a busy man with a lot of plates spinning, after all.

“We’re delighted with how this hilarious, genre-bending show from Chuck, Zak, and Bill has connected with the audience, both devotees of The Big Bang Theory and new fans alike,” Amy Gravitt, Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, said when the renewal was announced in August.

“Along with everyone else, we can’t wait to see the worlds they conjure for these beloved characters next season.”

Writing has begun for new episodes, though, so stay tuned.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2 trailer: is there one?

Don't be silly. It took us until the end of June 2026 to get one for season 1, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around two weeks before the second season does.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2 cast

Michelle Pfeiffer leads our new cast. (Image credit: HBO Max)

We can expect the below awesome foursome to return for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2:

Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom
Lauren Lapkus as Denise
Brian Posehn as Bert Kibbler
John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke

Obviously, season 1 had a lot of surprise cameos, meaning any of the below could also be eligible to return in an unspecified alternate form:

Kunal Nayyar as Alternate Raj
Wil Wheaton as Alternate Wil Wheaton
Mayim Bialik as Alternate Amy Farrah Fowler
Kaley Cuoco as Alternate Penny
Melissa Rauch as Alternate Bernadette
Christine Baranski as Herself
Riki Lindhome as Ramona Nowitzki

We can also expect new cast members to be announced, though we likely won't find out who until closer to the show's release... and given how many surprises there were in season 1, possibly not even until episodes air.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 2 plot predictions

(Image credit: HBO Max)

For once in my life, I've got no idea what to put here. Obviously, the core concept of Stuart, Denise, Kripke, and Bert landing in a different universe in each episode will stay firm, but what that will look like is anybody's guess at this stage.

While writing for new episodes is underway, there's still no big master plan for the future. "It would be great if I had the big picture," Lorre told TechRadar shortly before season 1 was released. "Wouldn't that be swell? I don't. There's no big picture. This is just chasing what seems to be fun to do... the big picture would require a bigger person."

Penn added, "We purposefully wrote ourselves into corners. We like doing that and then saying, 'How are we going to get out of this?' That was definitely part of the design of how the team writes and how they wanted to approach it. It makes it more fun not really knowing where we were going to be and how we were going to get there.

"Eventually, we figured some stuff out and came up with an ending. But [the show] was never designed to be 'Oh, we know where all of this is going.'"

For now, I'm continuing on with the perhaps-delusional belief that I could find myself in the season 2 writers' room within a matter of months. So, I pitched the team two ideas for future storylines.

The first is addressing the really big picture: use Stuart Fails to Save the Universe to address the existing problem of George Cooper being dead, and bring him back to life through an alternate universe. That way, Young Sheldon fans get the ending they really wanted.

"We'll definitely keep your ideas in mind," Penn says. "There are an infinite number of universes within this universe, so the universe that you're looking for is going to exist by definition. Whether it makes it to TV is another question."

So far, so good. But I hammer this home with another idea: explore the episode 2 universe that reveals film and TV's Christine Baranski is an AI overlord.

Bill Prady responds, "We'll have to see how the rebellion goes and what happens afterwards. What do they do to her afterwards?"

"She'd be tried," Lorre agrees. "Well, there we go — there's something we can do if we get a second season."

Power on... the streaming service spending scam — and why it's time we said 'enough is enough'

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

About Power On...

Nowadays, everyone has an opinion they want to share with the world — and TechRadar senior entertainment reporter Tom Power is no different. That's why he created Power On..., aka a collection of articles that allow him to give his verdict on the industry's biggest stories, things that grind his gears, and more besides. For more pieces like this, check out the full series here.

It's that time of year again — and the world's best streaming services are up to their usual tricks.

Indeed, with fall (or spring, if you live south of the equator) upon us once more, the entertainment giants of the world are ready to demand more of your hard-earned money by jacking up the prices of their various streaming-platform plans.

So far, four of the world's leading streamers have passed increased costs onto consumers, with three doing so in the US — and they're only getting more brazen with when they announce these price hikes and how much they're now charging.

Just look at Apple TV raising its monthly and annual fees by $2 and $20 respectively in late August. Then there's the 2026 Disney+ and Hulu price rise, which came into effect a whole month earlier (September 23) than in 2025 (October 21), and now asks new and returning users to pay an extra $0.50 to $3 per month for the plan they want to sign up for. And don't get me started on Netflix's recent UK price hike, which saw its cheap, ads-based plan rise by an eye-watering 34%...

Disney+ and its sister streamer Hulu are more expensive than ever before in 2026 (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Admittedly, Disney has frozen the price on three of its streaming bundles, including its cheapest ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle. While that's worth applauding, especially for those on a budget, it's scant consolation for anyone subscribed to one of the House of Mouse's more expensive, ad-free, standalone plans or bundles.

Those higher fees will be an even more bitter pill to swallow amid Disney's claims that they're necessary to improve the user experience on their streaming platforms. Try telling that to Disney+'s worldwide user base, which was left fuming over reports — ones that have since been proved false — that Disney+ would soon show ads on its ad-free plans, and UK and European users after they temporarily lost 4K and HDR support on Disney+ in late July.

Netflix, Disney, and Apple are far from the only culprits, mind you.

Rival streamers including Prime Video and HBO Max have also bumped up the price of their plans in recent years. At the time of this article's publication, there's no word on when they or other subscription video on demand (SVOD) platforms will announce their latest — and inevitable — annual price increases. Mark my words, though: it's coming.

Netflix only raised its US subscription prices in March, but is another increase on the way? (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Predictably, all of this begs an obvious question: how long will we continue to put up with these now-yearly price hikes?

If you listen to some users on myriad social media platforms, the straw has already broken the camel's back. Dive into any Reddit thread, or search for terms like 'Netflix price hike' on X/Twitter or the ResetEra forums, and you'll find numerous examples of people who have already voted with their bank cards and canceled their subscriptions.

Unfortunately, the number of users who have closed their accounts is a mere drop in the ocean for the globe's entertainment titans. With a reported 260 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix simply doesn't care if a handful of paying patrons walk away because it doesn't even dent their bottom line.

That said, the tide may be turning. Per Yahoo Finance, Netflix's stock has recently taken an almighty beating. The reason? A change in viewing habits that's seen people flock to YouTube and TikTok to watch more short-form video content. Add to the mix the constant cancellation of fan-favorite shows, less unmissable content worth streaming, and certain features being locked behind expensive tiers, and why would people pay for Netflix, Disney+, and company when they can get visual content for free elsewhere?

Is that enough to make the world's leading streamers sit up and take notice? Probably not. In my view, the only way Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, or any other SVOD service will listen is if tens of millions of users suddenly and collectively ended their subscriptions — and, frankly, that's almost never going to happen.

However, if people really want a sea change in the industry from a subscription cost standpoint, a major user revolution is required. Until we collectively say "enough is enough" and hit these companies where it hurts (i.e., their income streams), the streaming service spending scam will continue — and the price hike bubble will never, ever burst.

MobLand season 2 episode 2 explosive cliffhanger left one cast member terrified

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 07:09:00 +0000

Spoilers for MobLand season 2 episode 2 ahead

It's official: the season 2 episode 2 ending is my favorite scene in all of MobLand history so far… and that's not just because Firestarter by The Prodigy is used as its epic soundtrack.

As we get officially acquainted with Kat McAllister's (Janet McTeer) new henchmen Frankie (Johnny Flynn), he makes his first movie on the Harrigan family. Kat has deduced that the best way to get to Harry (Tom Hardy) is through his friendship with Bella (Lara Pulvey), leaving her hugely at risk.

Well, risk is an understatement. In the episode's final scene, Frankie arrives at Kevin (Paddy Considine) and Bella's home and attacks her while Kevin is away. Masked men come tearing into the house, scrapping with the Harrigan's own security before finding Bella cowering at the back of the house.

Episode 2 is left with Frankie pulling a gun on her, but only making the sound "bang" rather than shooting. Is she dead, or alive and a hostage? Only next week will tell.

It's all enough to give us a heart attack while watching, but the episode, now streaming on Paramount+, actually left Flynn himself terrified, he tells me… and for good reason.

'It was my first day on the job'

(Image credit: Paramount+)

"That was my first day, so I was terrified," Flynn tells me about the episode 2 scene.

"It's really fun. I always wanted more to do with Lara because we've crossed over in other places and thought it would be fun for these two quite sharp-tongued characters to have more of a showdown. I worked with Lara's husband on a film and it was really nice to get to hang out.

"She was so nice to me on my first day… really put me at ease. I was really terrified, because coming into something like MobLand with these really amazing actors that you admire so much and something with such energy — knowing that you have to provide a lot of energy for that particular character, this kind of agitator. It was intense. Guy's [Ritchie] sets are like machines."

Intense is truly the name of the game when it comes to MobLand, and even two seasons in, the action hasn't let up once. Frankly, Frankie's rough-and-ready introduction is more exciting because of where he could go in the future. If things are already this bad, what on Earth is to come?

He's pretty close to being the third Gallagher brother, that's for sure. "That was that was a thing for me," Flynn adds about Noel and Liam being a reference point.

"There wasn't a lot on the page in terms of what Frankie looked like, so with the with the costume designer [Rebecca Hale], I talked about what he could be in terms of his references being that mid-90s feel. The pageboy cut, the sheepskin jacket… it was a fun thing to lean into because it allowed me to have that swagger."

More "prick on a scooter" vibes in every episode from this point on are needed, if you ask me.

Lanterns episode 7 release date and launch time on HBO Max: when does it come out?

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000

We're only a few days from Lanterns' second-to-last episode. Indeed, with the hit sci-fi crime drama's next chapter due out shortly, we don't have much longer to see John Stewart team up with the Hal-O-Gram — aka the digital back-up of Hal Jordan's consciousness — to continue investigating the real Hal's apparent murder.

So, will John get on better with this version of Hal than the real thing? What lies in store for them in the DC Universe (DCU) show's seventh entry? And, most importantly, when will it premiere?

I'm not at liberty to answer the first two, but I can tell you more about episode 7's release date and launch time. So, read on to learn more.

When does episode 7 of Lanterns come out?

HBO's Green Lantern TV show will return for its next installment, titled 'The Jordan Boys Legacy', in the US and Canada on Sunday, September 27 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Just like every episode before it, this week's chapter will come out a day later outside of North and South America. Viewers in other territories, then, will need to wait until Monday, September 28, to see the DCU Chapter One TV series' penultimate entry. Check out the list below to see what time it'll drop where you live:

US — Sunday, September 27 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
Canada — Sunday, September 27 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
UK — Monday, September 28 at 2am BST
India — Monday, September 28 at 6:30am IST
Singapore — Monday, September 28 at 9am SGT
Australia — Monday, September 28 at 11am AEST
New Zealand — Monday, September 28 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 7?

"Are you afraid, soldier!?" (Image credit: HBO/DC Studios)

All episodes of Lanterns — including this week's entry — air on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, in nations that the platform is available.

For some reason, HBO Max hasn't launched in every world region, so some of you will need to go elsewhere to stream the DC comic book TV series. Alternatively, you could just make things easier for yourself and read the below list:

US — HBO and HBO Max
Canada — Crave
UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
India — JioHotstar
Singapore — HBO Max
Australia — HBO Max
New Zealand — HBO Max

Lanterns full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

My face when I realize there are only two more episodes left (Image credit: HBO/DC Studios)

Unfortunately, only two more episodes of the Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler-led show remain.

Read my Lanterns coverage

As long as HBO doesn't suddenly change the launch date for the final two chapters, they'll continue to air on Sundays in the Americas and Mondays on other continents. There's no reason to suspect that an unexpected release schedule alteration will happen for the forthcoming finale, either, so I'm confident it'll be released at the same time that its forebears were.

Anyway, here's a quick breakdown of when the remaining entries will come out:

Lanterns episode 1 — out now
Lanterns episode 2 — out now
Lanterns episode 3 — out now
Lanterns episode 4 — out now
Lanterns episode 5 — out now
Lanterns episode 6 — out now
Lanterns episode 7 — September 27/28
Lanterns episode 8 — October 4/5

For more on the hit series ahead of its next episode, check out what Lanterns' midseason trailer tells us about its final two chapters. Then, read up on why I'm fearing the worst for Lanterns season 2.

7 new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend (September 25)

tom.power@futurenet.com (Tom Power) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Fall — or spring, if you live in the southern hemisphere — has arrived. And, while that means the nights are about to get longer or shorter for you, some things will stay the same — including the release of new movies and TV shows on the world's best streaming services.

After last week's top-heavy TV series round-up, its follow-up has done a complete 180 and delivered a bonanza of new films to enjoy, including two of the biggest hits of 2026 on Disney+ and HBO Max. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll on to find out more. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Toy Story 5 (Disney+)

I'm going to be frank: Toy Story 5 doesn't have a friend in mine. Indeed, as I said in my Toy Story 5 review, it's not terrible, but it's certainly a "a few Lightyears away from the Disney film series' best entries".

Still, if you're a sucker for a new Toy Story project, or any Pixar film for the matter, you can check out the multi-billion dollar-spinning movie franchise's latest outing on Disney's primary streamer. This time around, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and company have to contend with the prospect of being replaced by high-tech toys and devices, so it's a timely albeit predictable fifth outing for the fan-favorite toys. — TP

Watch Toy Story 5 on Disney+

Backrooms (HBO Max)

Did you know Backrooms filmmaker Kane Parsons was only 20 years old when he made his feature film directorial debut? It's all that most outlets could talk about before his much-anticipated adaptation of the viral internet phenomenon hit theaters.

Well, nobody's talking about his age now, because Backrooms, which has arrived on HBO Max, was a major hit for A24 earlier this year. I enjoyed it up to its final act (I don't think it stuck the landing), but my colleague Lucy Buglass ended her Backrooms review by giving it five out of five stars, so it comes highly recommended from one of us!

I could tell you about its plot, but the less you know about this one, the better, believe me. — TP

Watch Backrooms on HBO Max

Unabomber (Netflix)

What happened to that tiny little boy from Room? Well, he grew up to play domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski for a Netflix movie, that's what.

Jacob Tremblay stars as the self-titled Unabomber, who was behind a series of mail bombs that killed its recipients in 1994. However, instead of following the man as each fatal moment unfolds, Unabomber takes us back to his Harvard days in 1958 and examines what led him to becoming the infamous domestic terrorist.

It's really answering the question that we're endlessly dying to know: what makes someone kill another? In this case, it's a mix of bullying and becoming the subject of severe psychological experiments. Oof. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

Watch Unabomber on Netflix

Brothers (Apple TV)

What would you do if you took a long-standing rumor and decided to run with it? If you're Apple, you fully lean into the fact that Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are related, and create a TV show titled Brothers.

The famously close friends, who some observers believe are half-brothers, play fictionalized versions of themselves in this new Apple TV comedy series that — yep, you guessed it — plays along with the fact that they may be blood relatives.

Obviously, the whole thing is played for laughs, but I suspect Brothers will do little to dispel the gossip that the A-listers might be closer than everyone, including themselves, initially thought. Will we ever find out for sure? If an incredibly reluctant McConaughey ever takes a DNA test, sure, but don't gets your hopes up... — TP

Watch Brothers on Apple TV

The Love Hypothesis (Prime Video)

Prime Video isn't loosening its grip on young adult romantic drama just yet. The Love Hypothesis , which is based on Ali Hazelwood's book namesake, is the latest in line of its banging 2026 genre content.

In a nutshell, Olive (Lili Reinhart) is a third-year biology PhD candidate at Stanford researching early pancreatic cancer detection. In order to convince her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) that she has completely moved on from a crush, Olive impulsively grabs and kisses Adam (Tom Bateman) in the lab hallway.

The two make a mutually beneficial agreement to fake date each other... though that fakeness doesn't last for long. Personally, I think the strongest love story here is between the two besties, but the new movie ticks all of the rom-com boxes that it needs to. — JV

Watch The Love Hypothesis on Prime Video

Jackass: Best and Last (Paramount+)

How many times can you put explosives in your butt, dangle on a wire over a pool of alligators, or get slapped to the ground by a giant mechanical hand? 11, if you count all the movies, which sign off with Jackass: Best and Last.

Expect more of the same idiotic vibes with a touch more sentimentality. Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the rest of the gang return for more outrageous and hilarious stunts, and my jaw is still on the floor after all of these years.

What you really won't expect is how strangely moving the whole thing is. Do I really believe this is the end? No. Surely these guys will be the Cher of final farewell tours, but what do I know? Well, apart from the fact it's out on Paramount+... — JV

Watch Jackass: Best and Last on Paramount+

A Different World (Netflix)

This 10-episode series feels worth watching purely because one of its main characters is called Dwayne Wayne. Hilarious names aside, A Different World is Netflix's revival of the hits 1990s sitcom of the same name, and follows a freshman and her ride-or-die crew juggling school, romantic drama, and family legacy at a historically Black college.

Can the 2026 version live up to the huge shoes it has to fill? Time will tell. But, with multiple original cast members returning to the new show, I'm more than willing to give it a shot. — JV

Watch A Different World on Netflix

War review: HBO Max and Sky TV team up for a masterclass in divorce drama

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

I probably shouldn't have told Dominic West that he plays punchable characters incredibly well when I interviewed him a few weeks ago, but it's painfully true. From The Affair to his Nationwide adverts (sorry, but that guy needs a slap), West has the sub-genre ingeniously sewn up.

As of October 2, we can add War to the list. Streaming on Sky TV (UK) and HBO Max (internationally), we follow the high-profile divorce of British celebrities Morgan (West) and Carla (Sienna Miller) after Carla sets up a honeytrap to expose Morgan's infidelity throughout their marriage.

They're not the only two who have beef, though. Morgan's law firm, Cathcarts, is a stalwart of the legal world, with Carla's firm, Taylor & Byrne, co-founded by an old Cathcarts employee who was refused partnership. Think old money meets nouveau riche, if this was a reality TV show.

What we're left with is the kind of delicious legal drama that only the unique complexities of British culture could pull off this well. The legal system, our consumption of popular celebrity culture and our continued fascination with people's private lives are eviscerated at every turn, and I frankly love being reminded that collectively, we're getting so much wrong.

But nobody is real here, so we can happily get stuck into berating them — and by God, do they give us a lot of ammunition. From Carla and Morgan's sneaky manoeuvres behind closed doors to new legal assistant Johnny (Archie Renaux), who thinks he's outwitting everyone around him when he's really ten steps behind, there's something for every armchair gossip.

War is the ultimate game of celebrity tennis — with no winners

Not only is the above trailer possibly one of the strongest of the year, but it aptly sets the scene for our modern Shakespeare tragedy without giving too much away. Unsurprisingly, Miller and West are our focal points, and as punchable as West makes Morgan, I'm actually floored by how much the pair is able to give these roles.

When you take a step back, the level of public scrutiny both Carla and Morgan receive is incredibly true to life. Both are mercilessly hounded by the press through relentless front-page tabloid articles, uncomfortable questions at events, and even lawyer-up red carpet premieres. It's a situation that I can vividly remember both actors being in before, and I applaud their remarkable level of personal and professional separation.

If it were me, I'd have had a major chip on my shoulder having to fictionally revisit the things that made me the most miserable over the last few decades of my life. But that's the beauty of good actors — being willing to put themselves on the line to allow viewers to engage as critically as possible. Trust me... I think you'll learn a lot from its premise.

The structure, overall, has one fatal flaw. From War's opening seconds, we're booted into the trenches of doomed marriage with such severity that we could collectively get a headache. But fast-forward seven episodes and the stakes are exactly the same. Think of the eight-episode season as a flatlining heart monitor... It's not a good result for a patient on The Pitt, and not entirely successful for us, either.

Celia Imrie and Nina Sosanya, take a bow

(Image credit: HBO Max/Sky TV)

But when things are good, they're golden (with the exception of the very underwhelming theme song). Biting, cutting, and scheming at every turn, War is a British legal drama at its best. None of this is possible without a cracking ensemble cast, of course, and there are two standouts in particular.

The first, which shouldn't be surprising, is Celia Imrie. From the trailer, you'd have guessed that she plays the High Court Judge overseeing the trial, but she's actually "freelance lawyer" Budgie working under Taylor & Byrne. I'm wording that generously, seeing as the minute she enters the room, all decisions pay deference to her presence. That's exactly how it should be, and if anyone was going to represent me in court, I'd want it to be Imrie.

After her epically infamous fart on The Celebrity Traitors season 1, I'm glad that Imrie's back on the international stage, proving that she's always been a world-class esteemed performer, don't you know. Seth Rogen's reference to her at the 2026 TV BAFTAs annoyed me endlessly... Calendar Girls was my favorite film at eight years old for good reason, man.

Then there's Nina Sosanya, a woman I have been parasocially in love with for decades. I can guarantee that you'll recognise her immediately thanks to her quiet commitment to making TV shows and movies infinitely better just by turning up in them. As head Cathcart's lawyer Bea, she's the Miranda Priestly of the British legal world, and her razor-sharp tongue provides lashings of delectable dialogue. Let's get her on Celebrity Traitors season 3, BBC.

With shortcomings so small, you'd be a fool to miss out on War next month. Even better: it's an anthology series, so expect a gripping defamation case to hit our screens in the future.

MobLand season 2 episode 2 recap: a Harrigan is left for dead

jasmine.valentine@futurenet.com (Jasmine Valentine) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Spoilers for MobLand season 2 episode 2 ahead.

Start talking, copper. That's the delicious line we were left on last week, as MobLand season 2 episode 1 gave us our first look at the new villain, Frankie (Johnny Flynn).

He's been picked by Colin (Toby) as a "knight in shining armor" to ride into battle on behalf of Kat McAllister (Janet McTeer), allowing her to take control of London from the Harrigans without ever being directly involved herself.

At the moment, Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) is too busy fighting with Kevin (Paddy Considine) and paying no attention to Harry (Tom Hardy) to be able to fully recognize this. Even Kevin doesn't understand what's coming, with Harry describing Kat as "Her mob has eight trillion in cash and the world's biggest nuclear arsenal."

This week, they're in for a nasty wake-up call. MobLand season 2 episode 2 is now on Paramount+, so let's dig a little deeper into what's actually happened.

Jan has a suspicious car accident while Conrad's health worsens

We start episode 2 following Gina (Teddie Allen) and Eddie (Anson Boon) as they party the early hours away and arrive back at their flat with their bodyguards, with Harry watching them from a car further down the road.

Jan (Joanne Froggatt), meanwhile, is at a spin class, ignoring Harry's "urgent" calls as she begins to drive back home. Before she gets there, her bumper is hit from behind by another car, with the American driver incredibly apologetic. Jan, infuriated, is having none of it, and the pair exchange numbers before she angrily drives away.

At the same time, Colin visits his local library only to get a call from Kat as he's checking a book out (see, even gangsters think it's cool to utilise public services). She gives him the go-ahead to spring Frankie into action, telling Colin to "show her what he's got."

We've really got a lot of plates spinning at once, as Conrad goes to see a doctor. The doctor tells him that Conrad is showing signs of focal atrophy, meaning that his sense of instinct, strategy, and restraint is diminishing to allow any natural sense of anger and aggression to take over, unchecked. Conrad tells him to forget that the appointment ever happened, adding, "I'm f**ing fine."

Outside, Conrad threatens a parking ticket officer with a gun when a fine is left on his car window. Maeve (Helen Mirren) calls from home, suggesting that they should invite Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) out to dinner to "bury the hatchet." Zosia (Jasmine Jobson) is revealed to have been tailing Conrad the entire time at Harry's request.

Kavanagh works out a mole is in the force

(Image credit: Paramount+)

At the police station, DCI Kavanagh (Ophelia Lovibond) assembles the few officers she feels she can trust to run through the events of episode 1. With the waiter witness recanting his statement after being threatened by Harry, Kavanagh is convinced that there's a mole in the force leaking information to him.

Not only is she right, of course, but she's also correct in assuming that Finch (Warren Brown) is among the potential suspects, leaving him out of the meeting. Her plan? Feed the rest of the team false information to make Harry think that the Harrigans are in the clear before they pounce.

The American driver, who we now know is called Jamie, calls Jan and offers to give her £5,000 directly, as his insurance company is saying they'll take months to process the claim. Jan barters for £6,000, to which Jamie agrees. He tries to take her out to dinner to do the handover, but Jan pushes back by suggesting a morning coffee instead.

Harry phones and Jan finally picks up, telling her that he's found Gina. The pair meet in a local park, where Harry tells her about Gina's YouTube shakedown scheme and that she's living with Eddie. Harry remains convinced that he can pull her back from the brink of being involved in organised crime, but Jan thinks the moment has passed. "You see yourself as the antidote, but you're the poison," she tells him.

At the Harrigan's house, Maeve tries to get Conrad's dogs put down, for no appropriate reason, without telling him. Paul (Emmett J. Scanlan) refuses to phone the vets without Conrad's knowledge, so Maeve organises a home visit. The doctor confirms that both dogs are in good health, leaving Maeve to unsubtly find out how to do the job herself (spoiler: with antifreeze).

Frankie is told about the Harrigan's as Seraphina squeals to Kat

(Image credit: Paramount+)

Colin arranges to meet Frankie in a nail salon, where the latter is already getting a pedicure. Colin begins to tell him about the Harrigan's empire, and how the drugs and other criminal enterprises are "there for the taking" because the family itself is spiralling into chaos. The way to get to them, obviously, is through Harry.

In an unnerving power move, Frankie decides to give Colin a pedicure himself. He asks what would happen if he was to say no to "f**king Harry up," with Colin responding that he's got enough evidence on Frankie to "get him locked up for the rest of his life." Frankie responds with a thinly-veiled threat concerning Colin's wife.

We get another history lesson from Colin when Frankie asks about the best way to get to Harry, this time about the French Catholic who assassinated King Henry IV of France in 1610, François Ravaillac. Ravaillac's execution was to be tied to four horses who each pulled his limbs in different directions, implying that the Harrigan's have four horses that would have the same metaphorical impact on Harry.

Conrad invites Seraphina to dinner, who is immediately suspicious of Maeve's intentions. She reluctantly agrees, but immediately phones the number Kat gave her in episode 1 to reveal Conrad's plans. The voice on the other end of the phone is revealed to be Jamie, Jan's car accident stranger.

Gina and Jan meet, with Gina laying on the success of her YouTube shakedowns thick. Jan tells her about the divorce, with Gina trying (badly) to hide how much her family's dysfunction has been affecting her. Eddie arrives to meet Gina, immediately getting feisty with Jan, who mildly threatens him in return.

Colin correctly guesses that Bella will be the best way to get to Harry

(Image credit: Paramount+)

While Colin is at home watching TV with his wife, Frankie rings to ask who Harry's four horses might be. Colin lists off the Harrigan's who are most likely to crack, while also telling him about Jan and Gina. However, he guesses that Kevin's wife Bella (Lara Pulvey) will be the best bet... and he's right.

As luck would have it, Harry makes his way to see Bella to discuss what Gina and Eddie have been up to together. They have a stilted conversation about parenthood, with Harry opening up about Jan asking for a divorce. Bella thinks that Kevin would feel insecure if he were to know that Harry was there with her alone, despite nothing going on between them.

As he leaves, we see Jamie and Jan meet up for coffee. Jamie gives her £7,000 in a white envelope, which is even more than she asked for. Jamie tries to get to know her and ask about her life, but Jan immediately leaves once she's got the money.

We also see Eddie take a call from Maeve to ask if he's got rid of Gina, which was her request in episode 1. Eddie says that he doesn't want to, claiming that the pair work well together as a team.

Frankie leaves Bella for dead — and makes sure Conrad knows it

(Image credit: Paramount+)

Jamie rings Seraphina as she gets ready to meet Maeve and Conrad, and tells her not to go to the restaurant. He doesn't say why, but claims it's important... and she obliges.

Then, a lot of things happen at once. We see Maeve and Conrad arrive at the restaurant, with Maeve remarking that Seraphina is "rude" for being so late. As more time passes, Conrad is inclined to agree, but he's then called away when a waiter says there's a call for him on the main phone. He's confused as to how anyone would know he's there, but we know it's not Seraphina — she's tried calling Conrad's phone, which Maeve declines.

At the same time, Paul and Fergus (Jack Archer) go for a drink outside a nearby pub. As Fergus admits that he's worried about his family's safety now that he's working in organised crime, Paul heads in to get another drink at the bar. While he does, a man in a van arrives as asks Fergus for directions to the nearest A-road. As Fergus approaches, the van door opens and a masked man shoots Fergus point-blank in the head.

Also at the same time, Harry tries to leave Jan a voicemail about moving abroad for a fresh start as Kevin calls Bella to check on her. Harry is sitting outside Gina's flat, shooting a bunch of masked men arriving nearby. He checks that the pair aren't hurt before leaving.

Bella, meanwhile, isn't so lucky. Masked man shoot down the outside security before storming the house, leaving Bella to make a run for the basement while still on the phone to Kevin. Kevin says that he's on his way, but it's too late... Frankie, who appears once the rest of the men have gone in, gets to her first.

As Conrad reaches the restaurant phone, Frankie finds Bella cowering in a downstairs bathroom, pointing a gun with a silencer directly at her. Conrad answers the phone, as Frankie picks up his to say just one word: "Bang."