I finished watching My Brilliant Career on Netflix almost a week ago, and I still can't stop thinking about it.

Based on the 1901 novel of the same name by Miles Franklin, we're introduced to the voracious, outspoken, and self-assured eldest daughter, Sybylla (Philippa Northeast) from Possum Gully (what an incredible name), as she's forced to move into her Grandma's (Anna Chancellor) house to be conditioned for her entry into high society.

Convinced that she doesn't want a husband but instead wants to live life to the fullest — and become a published writer in the process — Sybylla is a woman before her time. For us in 2026 who yearn for her confidence and creative freedom, that also means she's timeless.

Now that I'm on the other side of its impeccable six episodes, I feel at loose ends. To continue the theme, the obvious choice would be to re-watch Bridgerton for more scandalous period drama vibes... but I think this is too easy an option.

If you've also got a Prime Video subscription, however, I have the perfect recommendation for you that you likely haven't seen — and one My Brilliant Career actress is also in it.

My Lady Jane on Prime Video is the beautifully bonkers double bill you need after My Brilliant Career

We all forgot about My Lady Jane on Prime Video far too quickly... so now is the perfect time to resurrect it, now that My Brilliant Career is out in the world.

Alongside both being period dramas, the two are linked by their bashful, zany retellings of a point in history — Franklin's own experiences in My Brilliant Career, and the fate of Lady Jane Grey in, well, you can guess.

The latter follows a 16-year-old Jane in an alternate version of Tudor England, where she manages to avoid her real-life nine-day reign and execution by dealing with the region's magical shape-shifters. She's also forced into marriage... but that's less tragic and more comical.

My Lady Jane was cancelled after one season (baffling considering how well it was received), but that still makes it a perfect follow-on from My Brilliant Career. Pithy, bright, witty, and full of hilarious subversion, these two shows are like long-lost sisters being reunited for the first time in decades.

If that's not enough, actress Anna Chancellor can be seen in both, playing Grandmother Bossier in My Brilliant Career and Lady Frances in My Lady Jane. I could wax lyrical for hours on end about how much of an exceptional talent Chancellor is, and her irreverent, punchy, and slightly bohemian method of storytelling is ideal for both narratives here.

I literally don't know what you're waiting for when it comes to either show... in fact, stop reading and start streaming.

Does anybody think August is going way too fast? It feels like I've blinked and somehow it's already the middle of the month.

Well, at least it's the weekend again, which means it's time to enjoy one or more of the new movies and shows that have debuted on the world's best streaming services over the last few days — or, in the case of one show, will debut very shortly.

As always, we couldn't include every new release, but I'm confident you'll find something to enjoy from the seven we've highlighted below. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Lanterns (HBO Max)

With Supergirl giving DC Studios its first major flop in late June, all eyes are on Lanterns — i.e., the DC Universe's (DCU) next TV show — to see if that was a mere blip or the beginning of something more foreboding.

So, which is it? You'll have to read my Lanterns review for a definitive answer. I'll give you a clue, though: co-leads Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre are absolutely fantastic in this DCU Chapter One project, which sees their characters — aka iconic Green Lantern pair Hal Jordan and John Stewart — investigate a small-town murder in rural America.

Saying much more will spoil your viewing experience, so I advise you to a) find out what we know so far about Lanterns, and b) check out this sci-fi crime drama on HBO Max as soon as you can. Depending on where you live, Lanterns episode 1 debuts on August 16/17, with new episodes airing weekly until October 4. — TP

• Watch Lanterns on HBO Max

Reacher season 4 (Prime Video)

He's big! He punches! You'll love him regardless! Alan Ritchson's version of Jack Reacher is back on Prime Video — and in season 4, things are getting political.

Adapting the Lee Child novel Gone Tomorrow, the Amazon TV original's latest chapter sees Reacher become embroiled in a CIA conspiracy after suspecting a woman on a New York City subway train is actually a suicide bomber. It's drama that makes you think, for the first time ever in this franchise.

For easy comfort viewing, season 4 is ticking every box you'd expect after its last three seasons, and that makes for some satisfying weekly viewing. That said, it isn't as strong as previous entries, and you'll have to read my review of Reacher season 4 to find out why. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Reacher season 4 on Prime Video

Don't Say Good Luck (Netflix)

Any theater kid will know that saying "good luck" before a performance is forbidden. You don't want to tempt fate, after all. But, in Netflix's new movie, events going on in a young actress' life are far more dramatic than anything under the spotlight.

In Don't Say Good Luck, Sunny Sandler plays Sophie, who is preparing for her high school musical of Waitress. However, she ends up with more emotional turmoil than expected when she learns that her mother's (Melanie Lynskey) cancer has returned.

The movie explores how a teenager processes family illness while trying to channel her feelings through art, so you might need tissues for this one. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Don't Say Good Luck on Netflix

Michael (Starz)

Your Spotify Wrapped is about to change thanks to all of the Michael Jackson songs you're bound to replay after watching his highly acclaimed biopic, Michael, which is now available on Starz.

Starring his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, we follow the singer's career from his days in The Jackson 5 up until the 1987 release of the album Bad. In between, there's a lot of focus on how Thriller — which is still the best-selling album of all time — was created, which is satisfying regardless of whether you're a fan.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this is that Michael 2 is supposedly in the works, given we know what happened in the singer's life in the 1990s onwards. For now, the vibes are very much 'hee hee!'. — JV

• Watch Michael on Starz

The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn (Hulu/Disney+)

20 years after The X-Files: I Want to Believe was released, we're finally getting Chris Carter's director's cut.

If you haven't seen the original film, it follows Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Doctor Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they're pulled back into a case years after leaving the FBI when a federal agent vanishes without a trace. As ever, the truth is out there.

Carter's cut intensifies the horror elements that were removed from the theatrically released edition in order to give it a PG-13 rating. So if, like me, you loved the darker side of The X-Files series, this is well worth watching on Hulu or Disney+ this weekend. — LB

• Watch The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Camp Rock 3 (Disney+)

Fellow Millennials, did you ever think that you'd see the day that Camp Rock was resurrected? Perhaps you're tuning in because you've seen that song doing the rounds on social media, or because you've heard about a certain Disney legend cameo... but you're in for a wild ride regardless.

Thankfully, the Jonas Brothers are back as Connect 3. They return to Camp Rock after losing their opening act for a major reunion tour, and host a high-stakes musical competition and discover fresh new talent.

In Camp Rock 3, expect more traveling choreography as performers move through the woods, more original music, and youthful romantic drama in abundance. It's truly as if I'm a teenager again. — JV

• Watch Camp Rock 3 on Disney+

Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes (Netflix)

Netflix's final installment of the Conversations With a Killer series centers around Charles Manson, one of the world's most notorious cult leaders.

Manson has provided inspiration for countless stories over the years, be it Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story: Cult. Indeed, Conversations With a Killer's director Joe Berlinger says Manson “ushered in the modern era of America’s fascination with true crime", making him the ideal subject to focus on as this series comes to a close.

Expect archival audio footage and tapes, and featuring exclusive interviews with key figures involved, journalists, and investigators in this shocking three-part finale. — LB

• Watch Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes on Netflix

In the mid 2000s, I was fascinated with the reality TV show Aussie Ladette to Lady. It branded a "new breed" of Australian woman as loud, vulgar, and unfit for any self-respecting society, thrusting them into weeks-long sophistication training that, of course, never lasted. In a nutshell, this is also the premise for the new Netflix series My Brilliant Career.

In hindsight, the former TV show was nothing but an excuse to vilify a new kind of 'modern woman' for the sake of viewing figures, purposefully engineering mistakes to be captured on camera through the magic of reality TV production. If these producers were around in the early 1900s, Sybylla (Philippa Northeast) would be ripe for the picking.

My Brilliant Career introduces us to the voracious, outspoken, and self-assured eldest daughter from Possum Gully (what an incredible name) as she's forced to move into her Grandma's (Anna Chancellor) house to be conditioned for her entry to high society. Convinced that she doesn't want a husband but instead wants to live life to the fullest — and become a published writer in the process — Sybylla is a woman before her time. For us in 2026, that also means she's timeless.

How? Her refusal to back down, concede to a patriarchal society that is built for her to fail, and an impeccable ability to see the godforsaken truth from a mile away. Sybylla is the type of woman most of us aspire to be now, let alone over 100 years ago.

So framing her plight in early 20th-century Australia only makes her triumphs all the more delicious. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the six-episode binge doesn't even feel like a typical period drama.

As a renowned hater of the genre, watching My Brilliant Career is the most unexpected pleasure I've had so far this year — and I'll happily vouch for it being the strongest and most authentic show that Netflix has released across 2026 to date. And what if I said that I even prefer it to Bridgerton?

My Brilliant Career is the joyous binge I need in my life right now

If you know a thing or two about Australian New Wave Cinema, you might recognize this story already. Based on the novel of the same name by Miles Franklin (who, if you haven't guessed, is a woman using her middle name as a pseudonym), My Brilliant Career was first adapted for film in 1979.

But as incredible as Judy Davis and Sam Neill were, Netflix's typically frustrating and overused style actually works to unlock something even more playful in Franklin's story. Every decision, from production design to soundtrack, is one that doesn't take itself seriously, and allows Sybylla to simultaneously run wild and challenge authority in one fell swoop.

If you are a woman who grew up believing that by being a "good girl," you were able to get ahead in life, My Brilliant Career is the metaphoric kick in the nuts you've always wanted to give the world.

Throughout its six episodes, there are so many instances where I feel as though Sybylla is living my dream. Telling people what she truly thinks regardless of consequence? Bliss. Having the time and space to think and create freely? I could only imagine. Being so self-assured at such a young age? Hell, I'm not even sure if I'm at her level as a 31-year-old.

All of this makes My Brilliant Career one of those beautiful moments where you are so immersed in what you are watching that time, as you know it, is suspended. Throughout those six episodes, the only truth that exists in your life is the one that's playing out on screen. And that, my friends, is the sign of a job done well.

Anna Chancellor as a grandma? That can't be right

My Brilliant Career is scandalous for its time, but don't think that equates to the bonkbusting boundaries of Bridgerton. Personally, I think that this element is a little oversold, especially as it doesn't need outright sex scenes to feel like a rampant, virginal teen. Less certainly is more... as is the use of words, not actions.

But these effects are only possible thanks to the phenomenal casting. Northeast's Sybylla at once embodies every decade of life that she'll ever live, and her wisdom and wit are frankly spellbinding. The same can be said for Kate Mulvany's intoxicating Aunt Augusta, whose moral quandary between a man's world and a woman's needs is more thoughtful than most think pieces on the subject I've ever read.

A particular shoutout must go to the woman I've parasocially loved since her appearance in the 2002 adaptation of Tipping the Velvet: Anna Chancellor. Though I still cannot get my head around the idea of her playing someone's grandmother, she's exactly the calibre of actor you want when a period drama takes a more bohemian turn. She manages to make absolutely everything feel like the first time you've ever seen it, and her delicious delivery never fails to delight me.

Netflix, I have to give it to you. Just when I think I've experienced everything you have to offer, a treat for the eye and mind like My Brilliant Career comes along and blows me away. Maybe you never lost your touch after all.

My Brilliant Career is on Netflix from August 13.

• The Witcher season 5 might not arrive until 2027, according to reports
• What's on Netflix noted that "the release has shifted to next year", after being "quietly scrubbed from Netflix’s public-facing promotional websites"
• However, Netflix has not publicly confirmed this news at the time of writing

Fans of The Witcher have been waiting for news of season 5 of the high-fantasy series since The Witcher season 4 concluded last year — and now it looks like we may be waiting a little longer than expected to be reunited with Geralt and co.

Season 5 of the Netflix show had been pencilled in for release some time this year — but according to a report from What's on Netflix, it appears that it's been pushed back to 2027.

The website said that "a few eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that the upcoming season has recently been quietly scrubbed from Netflix’s public-facing promotional websites and media center for 2026".

It added: "We’ve done a little digging and can confirm that the release has indeed shifted to next year, though Netflix has neither confirmed this publicly nor is thought to have locked in a specific 2027 release window just yet."

Season 5 is set to be the final installment of The Witcher's adaptation, focusing on Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri's fight to survive a continent-wide war. But I'm worried it's going to fall flat, especially since there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency around its release on the part of one of the best streaming services.

We've been burned before — specifically by a disappointing fourth season, with my colleague Jasmine Valentine noting that the events of season three were recapped terribly in her The Witcher season 4 review.

On top of this, season 4 has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score across the show's run, with a 59% critic score and a truly awful 19% audience one, with fans divided over the casting of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt following Henry Cavill's departure, and frustrated by confusing lore at times.

It's disappointing, then, to learn that we may be waiting longer than expected to see if season 5 can put the show back on track, and deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Sometimes good things come to those who wait; however, The Witcher season 5 arguably has its work cut out for it if the show is going to go out on a high.

I'm hoping the delay means the director and showrunners will use the extra time to make sure they get it right. But if we end up waiting two years or more for what turns out to be a disappointing finale, it's going to leave a bad taste in our mouths.

We're still waiting on official word from Netflix, but as it stands, it's looking unlikely that we'll see The Witcher season 5 this year.

This week, we reviewed Samsung’s latest foldables (including the best-in-class Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra), and we found out when Google Assistant will shut down for good.

To catch up on all this and more, scroll down for our roundup of the week’s seven biggest tech news stories.

And when you’re all caught up, be sure to test your knowledge in our weekly quiz.

7. Kojima Productions collabed on a CD player

As Sony plans to wind down the production of PlayStation game discs, auteur game developer Hideo Kojima is celebrating physical media with a new collaboration. His studio, Kojima Productions, has teamed up with the boutique Japanese audio brand km5 to produce a limited edition version of the Cp1 CD player inspired by the world of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

This special model comes in a luminous translucent orange inspired by the BB Pod from the game — that's the glowing jar that contains the adorable baby used to detect invisible enemies in its post-apocalyptic world.

It has all the same features that make the regular Cp1 a capable pocket-size CD player. This includes Bluetooth 5.3 support and a 3.5mm headphone jack for all your connectivity needs, a rechargeable battery with roughly eight hours of juice to take it on the go, and even a little LED display to display the track number.

• Read the full story: Hideo Kojima is celebrating his love of physical discs with a new limited edition version of my favorite mini CD player

6. The Google Assistant got an official shutdown date

It’s now over a decade old, which makes it a veteran by Google standards — but this week we finally learned when the Google Assistant will be retired on Android and Wear OS.

According to emails sent out to many Assistant users, the shutdown will begin on September 4. This means you won’t be able to use Google’s original Assistant on Android phones, tablets, paired wearables, and Android Auto after that date.

Instead, Google Gemini will inevitably take its place. You can download Gemini now from the Play Store, and if you want to see your old Assistant interactions, they’ll be available on the Web & App Activity page in your Google account. Goodbye, Assistant — it was nice knowing you.

• Read the full story: Google Assistant will shut down for good on Android and Wear OS in September — here’s what you need to do next

5. We experienced a two-screen e-reader

Samsung’s new foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, are the talk of the town right now, but this week also saw the announcement of a unique foldable ereader for avid notetakers.

The InkLeaf is a notebook-like, dual-screen ereader that’s “built for the way you actually work,” according to its manufacturer — and the USP here actually makes sense. Kindles are great for reading, but not note-taking. iPads are great for note-taking, but not reading. And while a reMarkable tablet lets you do both, you can’t read and write simultaneously. By opening up to reveal two distinct 10.3-inch E Ink Carta displays, the Inkleaf aims to let you do just that.

These screens are separated by an aluminum frame — so this isn’t a foldable device in the modern sense — but they can also display the same type of content, so you can annotate documents or even treat the Inkleaf like a hardback novel. Who says reading is dead?!

• Read the full story: The InkLeaf is a dual-screen e-paper tablet that lets you read on one display and take notes on the other

4. We learned ogres are like Bose headphones

Initially, we were perhaps a bit harsh on that limited edition ‘Eucalyptus’ finish at TechRadar HQ. The DreamWorks Animation hero they put us in mind of is a household name, but ogres aren’t known for their winsome looks.

The thing is, team members are now saying words such as ‘wasabi’ and ‘matcha’ to describe them, and you know what? The more we look at those Shrek-green cans, the more we kinda like ’em.

What you’re looking at is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Gen 2). It's been three long years since the Bose QuietComfort Headphones landed (which weren’t an inaugural set exactly; they simply updated the iconic Bose QuietComfort 35 II from way back in 2017, without all the odd letters and numbers).

What you need to know is that the brand has finally updated this model, which now slots into Bose’s headphone lineup as a more affordable option to the flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

The Bose QC Headphones (gen 2) also bring a range of upgrades over the original pair alongside a price that’s the same as, or even a little lower than, the 2017 set, depending on where you live.

• Read the full story: Bose's mid-range headphones just got their first upgrade in years

3. Grand Theft Auto’s next teaser will debut on Netflix

Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is finally getting into gear. With the game set to arrive on November 19, excitement is high, and Rockstar Games is kicking things off with a… Netflix documentary?

This week the developer announced that Netflix subscribers will be able to watch a special ‘Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look’ video at 3PM ET / 12PM PT / 8PM BST on August 27. It’s not exactly clear what this means, but it sounds like it could be some kind of behind-the-scenes video talking about the highly anticipated game’s development.

It’s expected to contain at least some new gameplay footage, though, making it a must-watch for eager fans. If you’re not a Netflix subscriber, then you don’t have to worry about missing out. The developer said that the video will come to YouTube a few hours after it premieres.

• Read the full story: We could finally be getting the next GTA 6 trailer as Rockstar announces a special 'extended look'

2. Our Garmin Cirqa review dropped, and it's a Whoop-beater

We've been wearing the Garmin Cirqa for 10 days now, and it's finally time to give it a score. It beats Whoop in terms of value, and Fitbit Air in terms of features, to land the coveted title of 'best screenless fitness tracker to buy in 2026'. It's generally very accurate when measured against an electrical heart rate monitor, and provides a certainty in tracking that other screenless wearables don't have thanks to the addition of a tactile start-stop button to sit alongside its automatic activity detection. It's also comfy enough for constant wear. We've got a video review embedded in the article too, so you can see it in action for yourselves.

• Read our full Garmin Cirqa review

1. We reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

At a glance, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is unchanged since its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but far more than just the name changed. In my review, I found the flagship foldable has a more powerful CPU, lots of AI, better cameras, and overall improved photography.

And this only scratches the surface. Perhaps the most surprising and delightful bit about the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is that it unfolds flat and the crease is almost gone (mostly thanks to a pair of titanium panels). Overall, it's a great folding phone and is — despite the existence of the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 (it’s wide!) — my current favorite folding phone.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review

Now that you’re all caught up on the news, are you ready to take on our news quiz?

August 2026 has arrived, and we're starting the new month off strong with a whole heap of new movies and TV shows to enjoy on the world's best streaming services.

So, which seven projects have we highlighted for this weekend? For one, fans of cosy comfort TV will be delighted that Ted Lasso is back on Apple TV. Don't worry if you don't care for the sports comedy-drama series, because there's plenty more genre fare to peruse below. So, happy scrolling and streaming! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Ted Lasso season 4 (Apple TV)

It's time to believe in the popular Apple TV Original once more. That's right, Ted Lasso has returned for its fourth season — and, this time, the titular soccer coach is being tasked with managing AFC Richmond's newly-founded women's team. Fans will not only be reunited with established characters in Ted Lasso season 4, then, but also introduced to a whole new line-up of fresh faces.

Want to know how it compares to the hit show's first three seasons? Read my Ted Lasso season 4 review before you make use of that free Apple TV trial you've been holding onto. Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 is out now, by the way — and, with new episodes dropping weekly for the foreseeable future, there's lots more to look forward to in the weeks ahead. — TP

• Watch Ted Lasso season 4 on Apple TV

The Last House (Netflix)

Louis Leterrier's creepy new sci-fi thriller follows an ordinary family who become trapped in their home after torrential rain mysteriously seals every window, door, and exit point.

Their optimism begins to dwindle when days turn into months and then, frighteningly, years. I do wish the above trailer hadn't spoiled that reveal, but hey ho.

With limited supplies and an unknown threat looming outside, Riley, Jason, and their two children must fight to stay alive. They soon learn that they aren't the only ones affected, but can the other victims be trusted? You'll have to watch The Last House on Netflix to find out. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch The Last House on Netflix

Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi (Disney+)

What if I said that The Ninth Jedi looks like Star Wars meets Studio Ghibli?

More anime than animation, this Visions spin-off follows Kara and her ragtag Jedi crew as they seek out to find worthy Jedi to fight against an increasingly powerful warlord. She's literally Spirited Away's Chihiro armed with a lightsabre, and I'm all for the flavors of nostalgia we're getting on Disney+.

It's been tipped as a new and exciting "animated triumph," and I'm inclined to agree. If nothing else, The Ninth Jedi proves that Stars Wars is literally unstoppable, and can be easily reinvented until the end of time. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi on Disney+

Sterling Point (Prime Video)

Prime Video is back on its young adult drama game, baby. This time it's with Sterling Point, coming straight to us from the minds behind Gossip Girl (and that's how you immediately know that it's going to be worthwhile).

17-year-old Annie Jacobson (was raised in New York City with her twin brother and loving adoptive father, until her life takes a turn when she inherits her mysterious grandfather's island in Canada.

We've got some brilliant escapist TV across its eight episodes, feeling a lot more authentic in its delivery than the mundane repetition we've been seeing in other teen dramas of late (naming no names, of course). If you're going to commit to a book-to-Amazon TV adaptation, make it this one. — JV

• Watch Sterling Point on Prime Video

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Paramount+)

Have I still got FOMO over not being invited to interview Billie Eilish and James Cameron during the bonkers London premiere for Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour earlier this year? Yes, I have, but that doesn't mean I won't vouch for the epic concert experience that's out now on Paramount+.

Initially captured in 3D, we follow Eilish's sold-out 2025 arena tour through a blend of stripped-down live performances from Manchester with backstage access. Whatever we're watching, Eilish's connection with her fans remains the central focus.

If you didn't get tickets or had some towards the back of the stadium, now's your chance to be front row. Personally, I'm just glad she left the Charli XCX Guess remix in the setlist. — JV

• Watch Billie Eilish: Hit Me Soft and Hard: The Tour on Paramount+

Alley Cats (Netflix)

Ricky Gervais returns to Netflix with six-part adult animated series, Alley Cats, which follows a group of strays who take in a lost kitten, helping her to navigate the brutal human world and find her way back home.

Gervais voices Gus, and he's joined by some great British talent like Diane Morgan, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, and Tony Way. If you're expecting anything like his previous Netflix series After Life, you may be disappointed as Alley Cats has already received several poor reviews. But, if you like crude adult animation and Gervais' controversial brand of humor, then this could be right up your, ahem, alley. — LB

• Watch Alley Cats on Netflix

The Shards (Hulu/Disney+)

Ryan Murphy's back on top form with The Shards, where he collaborates with thriller novelist Bret Easton Ellis to bring the latter's semi-autobiographical story to life on Hulu and Disney+.

The Shards follows a group of privileged teenagers in their final year at an elite prep school, with a fictionalized version of Ellis among them. Their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of Robert Mallory, whose unsettling yet charming presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.

The first two episodes are now, but you'll want to read my review of The Shards first to see if it's worth watching. — LB

• Watch The Shards on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Who else has been left reeling after that shocking cliffhanger in the My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 ending? Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) feel more off the cards than ever, with the drag racing accident putting a fatal spanner in the works.

On top of that, Alex (Ashby Gentry) has finally admitted that he has feelings for Kiley (Mya Lowe), but her boyfriend Dylan (Kolton Stewart) has driven a manipulative wedge between them. Still, at least George (Marc Blucas) is very much alive and healthy.

Netflix has some huge questions to answer in My Life With the Walter Boys season 4 — but what do we actually know about what's coming?

Luckily, the core cast and release window have already been teased (and I've got good theories about the rest).

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 release window

Netflix has already confirmed that My Life with the Walter Boys is slated for a 2027 release.

While we don't have an exact date confirmed, the last two seasons have aired in August... and I've got a feeling that the streamer will stick with its tried-and-tested formula.

Filming has been taking place in Calgary since May 2026, which is another key indicator that progress is on track for an August 2027 release.

“I know I speak for the writers, the cast, and the crew when I say that it is beyond exciting to be returning to the world of Silver Falls for a fourth season,” showrunner and executive producer Melanie Halsall said in a press statement. “We are all incredibly grateful and are thrilled to dive in."

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 trailer: is there one?

Don't be silly. It took us until the middle of July 2026 to get one for season 3, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around four weeks before the fourth season does.

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 cast

We're expecting the following main cast members to return for My Life with the Walter Boys season 4:

• Nikki Rodriguez as Jackie
• Noah LaLonde as Cole
• Ashby Gentry as Alex
• Sarah Rafferty as Katherine
• Marc Blucas as George
• Connor Stanhope as Danny
• Jaylan Evans as Skylar
• Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan
• Johnny Link as Will
• Isaac Arellanes as Isaac
• Myles Perez as Lee
• Alisha Newton as Erin
• Mya Lowe as Kiley
• Ellie O’Brien as Grace
• Kolton Stewart as Dylan
• Natalie Sharp as Blake
• Alex Quijano as Richard
• Ashley Tavares as Tara
• Dean Petriw as Jordan
• Alix West Lefler as Parker
• Lennix James as Benny
• Gabrielle Jacinto as Olivia
• Chad Rook as Mac
• Naveen Paddock as Eliot
• Erin Karpluk as Hannah

There are question marks around Fogelmanis and Link's return, as both Will and Nathan were set to leave the family home at the end of season 3.

We can also expect new faces to join the cast, so watch this space.

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 plot predictions

Spoilers for My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 ahead.

“Our story’s about love and romance and love triangles and all those teenage trials and tribulations around those things, and we’re not going to divert from those — so much, much more of that to come in Season 4," Halsall told Netflix.

But what does this actually mean?

Obviously, the first thing we need to find out in season 4 is whether Cole is hurt. His car is flipped enough times for there to be some serious damage, but it's difficult to tell what that is in the season 3 cliffhanger.

Then, of course, there's the question of whether Jackie actually follows through with her kiss with Eliot. I've got a sneaking suspicion that she'll pull away at the last second... but perhaps that's wishful thinking. It's certainly a moment that her future relationship with Cole could hinge on, if he pulls through.

Kiley will hopefully break up with Dylan and finally see that she should have been with Alex all along, but this isn't something that Dylan is likely to take quietly. Expect more overt tension between him and Alex, put it that way.

What is more difficult to tell is whether we'll see how Will and Nathan get on after they fly the nest, but the remaining Walter kids prepping for university is likely to feature heavily.

Spoilers for My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 ahead.

If you watched My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 with the hope that Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) would be more loved up than ever before, you were sadly never going to get your wish.

Just before the season finale, Netflix pried the two apart once again, with Cole listening to Jackie's uncle Richard's (Alex Quijano) 'advice,' and believing that he was holding Jackie back from fulfilling her full potential.

Not only did this leave Jackie rightly heartbroken, but it's thrust her into the arms of newcomer Eliot (Naveen Paddock), who is all too happy to back Richard's beliefs up. While Jackie and Eliot move in for their first kiss at the community space launch party, Cole leaves his drag race final to try and win her back.

But before he can, disaster strikes. A mysterious car pulls up while Cole is driving to the party, and we see that it's the drag racing contestant who Cole left behind in the final.

He's clearly annoyed that the race has been cancelled, and is looking to take his revenge. Finally, the two cars clip, sending Cole's car into a nearby field, where it continues to roll.

Heading into the already-renewed My Life with the Walter Boys season 4, Cole has been left for dead. Or has he? I'm convinced that the first details Netflix has revealed about the next season have also confirmed that Cole is still alive.

Noah LaLonde will be returning for My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 — and that's good news

According to Netflix, actor Noah LaLonde will be returning for season 4, with filming having started in Calgary in May 2026. He's seen in a new image of him, Rodriguez, and Ashby Gentry (Alex) on set, with the streamer confirming that the trio is "embarking on the next chapter."

Given that the endgame of the Netflix series is surely to romantically unite Jackie and Cole for good — they just have to go through the worst in order to get there. Frankly, it would be ridiculous for showrunners to kill Cole off completely, especially considering that Alex has finally admitted his feelings for Kiley (Mya Lowe).

Hopefully, Cole's accident is the catalyst for bringing him back to Jackie, and will allow Jackie to fully forgive Cole for so coldly dumping her during season 3. Then, of course, there's the question of whether Jackie actually follows through with her kiss with Eliot at the same time that Cole crashes.

I've got a sneaking suspicion that she'll pull away at the last second... but perhaps that's wishful thinking. It's certainly a moment that her future relationship with Cole could hinge on, if he pulls through.

There is a worst-case scenario, however. LaLonde could simply be returning to film flashback scenes, or to communicate with Jackie through visions from beyond the grave. It's not something we can totally rule out, but it certainly would take My Life with the Walter Boys down a much darker route.

But how likely is this? At the moment, it's far too early to make a call. However, my educated guess is that Cole and Jackie will be just fine in the long run... sometimes, it takes the worst kind of tragedy to realize what you really want.

Spoilers for My Life With the Walter Boys season 3 ahead.

Based on the way that season 2 was left, I knew that My Life With the Walter Boys season 3 was going to be a wild ride — but I still didn't see that ending coming.

The Netflix drama picks up as George (Marc Blucas) survives his season 2 health emergency and recovers at home, with Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) seemingly on the road to a proper romantic relationship.

But just before season 3 draws to a close, their happy ever after once again comes dramatically crashing down. Cole suddenly breaks up with Jackie after telling her that he loves her, and moves in with friend Dylan (Kolton Stewart).

With Jackie left reeling, she throws all her efforts into getting the local community space up and running. But when that runs into trouble, can she really scrub Cole from her mind?

I know the answer to that as well as you do. Here's the full My Life With the Walter Boys season 3 ending explained, and what it will likely mean for the already confirmed season 4.

Dylan kicks Cole out for street racing — and takes back the car

As season 3 episode 10 kicks off, Cole is in his full moody boy era. Drag racer Mac (Chad Rook) finds Cole street racing after being tipped off by Dylan, scolding him for taking to the streets rather than being out of the track after Mac hired him.

Mac tells Cole about an upcoming race that has a big cash prize that he'd "easily win," but Cole rejects the offer. As Mac leaves, Dylan admits that he was the one who told him where to find Cole.

In fact, Dylan is so furious with Cole's street racing antics that he takes back "Myrtle," the car Cole has been racing in. As Dylan is technically the owner, Cole has no sway — and Dylan's conditions are that he can only use it for legitimate drag racing.

On top of that, Dylan kicks him out of the house, forcing his move back home. "You can't keep hiding from Jackie forever," he tells Cole.

Jackie's community space launch party is hit by disaster

If Cole moving back home wasn't enough for Jackie to deal with, she soon runs into a huge problem with her community space launch party. While renovations take place, one of the builders is unable to prevent a pipe leak from one of the radiators, causing the first floor to flood so much that it caves in.

At this point, it seems as if the launch party, which is now only a week away, will have to be called off. The builder estimates that it will take between 4-6 weeks to have the leak and its damage fixed, with manpower on the ground incredibly limited.

Jackie is bereft, with the news of Grace's (Ellie O'Brien) parents divorcing only making her feel more guilty. Cole tries to offer to help, but is immediately shut down by Jackie: she's going to make sure the launch party goes ahead, and she'll achieve it by herself.

Cole secretly saves the day — but Eliot's already made his move

What Jackie doesn't know is that Cole goes to see her uncle Richard (Alex Quijano) to ask for help. Cole tells Richard that he listened to what he said and broke up with Jackie in order for her to have a better future without him "dragging her down."

Cole explains that he's here to ask for Richard's help fixing the community center, but doesn't take the credit for it when Jackie finds out. Grace leads her into the room full of helpers clearing up, which includes the rest of the Walter family.

Alex (Ashby Gentry) encourages Cole to tell Jackie that he's here, but Cole refuses. He knows that Jackie is getting closer to Eliot (Naveen Paddock), who begins to make his romantic feelings for Jackie much clearer.

At first, Jackie shuts Eliot down, but the more she realizes the lengths he's willing to go to for her — which includes getting a flight from London to join her on her trip to Greece — the more she opens up to him.

Will and Nathan prepare to leave home while Danny gets the college news he's been waiting for

We already knew that Will (Johnny Link) was going to be flying the nest, but season 3 confirms that Nathan (Corey Fogelmanis) will be too. He's auditioned to play with a band across Europe and has got the spot, with George and Katherine (Sarah Rafferty) encouraging him to go.

However, he's got reservations. He doesn't want to be yet another Walter kid leaving everyone else behind, especially after how ill George has been. Alex says that it's a no-brainer decision to take the opportunity... everyone wants him to. Skylar (Jaylan Evans) is devastated, but promises to stay in contact.

We also find out that Danny (Connor Stanhope) has been accepted into Carnegie Mellon University, after being rejected from Juilliard. Girlfriend Erin (Alisha Newton) doesn't seem phased by the fact that the pair will need to be long-distance, but it's clearly bothering Danny.

Alex admits his feelings for Kiley, but gets shut down

Alex finally has a chance to talk to Kiley (Mya Lowe) at school after the pair kissed. Kiley has been ignoring all of Alex's calls and messages, despite having a school project that they need to complete together.

She finally agrees to talk in private while at school, and the pair agree to put the kiss behind them and move on as if nothing has happened. However, it's clear that both of them have feelings for each other, which is something Cole picks up on when Alex admits to him what happened.

Cole also shares what Richard and Eliot have told him about being with Jackie, revealing that Eliot agrees that Jackie is too good to be with somebody like Cole. Alex tells him to ignore them both and pursue the feelings that are clearly still there.

At the community space launch party (which is 1920s themed), Alex tells Jackie that Cole was behind the drive to get the space fixed after the leak. Jackie tells him that she doesn't want to hear the reason why, but spirals about Cole's intentions as the party continues.

Meanwhile, Kiley spots Alex across the room and chooses to leave, whispering something to Dylan before she goes. She's clearly uncomfortable, but Dylan takes it upon himself to speak to Alex on her behalf. He tells Alex to give Kiley some space for a while, even though the two of them clearly have a lot in common.

Alex ignores this and leaves the party instead to check on how Kiley is. However, Dylan is also with her, shutting the door in his face while Kiley looks sheepishly on.

Cole's road crash leaves his life hanging in the balance

Cole enters the drag race that Mac recommends and wins a place in the final. While waiting, he tells Katherine and George that he doesn't feel good enough to be Jackie's partner, and doesn't want to show his face at the party because of that.

The pair convinces him that he's more than worth it, and that he should tell Jackie the truth and leave it up to her to make her own decisions. Instead of racing in the final, Cole leaves the track and heads for the party.

We see him driving the empty roads to get back to town, with another car suddenly approaching behind him. The car attempts to bump the back of Cole's car, with Cole swerving in order to avoid the other car's manoeuvres.

When the mysterious car pulls up to the side of Cole's, we see that the driver is the drag racing contestant that Cole left behind in the final. He's clearly annoyed that the race has been cancelled, and is looking to take his revenge. Finally, the two cars clip, flipping Cole's car into a nearby field, where it continues to roll.

At the same time, Jackie and Eliot are on the dance floor at the party, about to lean in for their first kiss... and then the episode comes to an end.

Season 4 predictions

Obviously, the first thing we need to find out in season 4 is whether Cole is hurt. His car is flipped enough times for there to be some serious damage, but it's difficult to tell what that is in the season 3 cliffhanger.

Then, of course, there's the question of whether Jackie actually follows through with her kiss with Eliot. I've got a sneaking suspicion that she'll pull away at the last second... but perhaps that's wishful thinking. It's certainly a moment that her future relationship with Cole could hinge on, if he pulls through.

Kiley will hopefully break up with Dylan and finally see that she should have been with Alex all along, but this isn't something that Dylan is likely to take quietly. Expect more overt tension between him and Alex, put it that way.

What is more difficult to tell is whether we'll see how Will and Nathan get on after they fly the nest, but the remaining Walter kids prepping for university is likely to feature heavily.

Netflix is on a generational roll with its cozy dramas in 2026. In the last few weeks alone, we've had Heartstopper Forever, Sweet Magnolias season 5, and Ransom Canyon season 2.

Now, it's My Life with the Walter Boys season 3's time to shine. If you can't remember what happened at the end of season 2, don't panic. We can expect the action to pick up after George's medical emergency, following the open love confession between Jackie and Cole, and Alex finding out.

At this point, we don't actually know if George will survive or not. Regardless, when does My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 arrive on the streamer?

What time can I watch My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 on Netflix?

My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 drops on Thursday, August 6.

As for exact 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 for season 3:

• 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 My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 come out?

All 10 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 My Life with the Walter Boys season 3.

As for the series' future, there's currently no public word on whether a fourth season has been greenlit. Hopefully, we won't be made to wait much longer.

"It is easier, but it's not easy," Story Kitchen co-founder Dmitri Johnson interjects.

I'm midway through an in-depth conversation with Johnson and business partner Mike Goldberg about their pioneering entertainment company when the former clarifies something he alluded to earlier.

The topic in question? Pitching movies and TV shows based on video game properties to other studio figureheads is still challenging. That's in spite of myriad recent examples of popular game franchises being turned into other screen-based art forms that have achieved critical and commercial success.

"We're working every day to continue changing the stigma that games are only for kids and lazy people who still live in their mom's basement," Johnson adds with a wry smile. "These are artists and storytellers in their own right — and their work deserves to be seen by more people."

Press start

You probably haven't heard of Story Kitchen, but you definitely know the video game adaptations they've helped to shape.

From Paramount Pictures' money-spinning Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise and Netflix's animated Tomb Raider show, to Prime Video's forthcoming TV re-imaginings of the aforementioned Lara Croft-fronted game series and Dontnod's beloved first Life is Strange title, Story Kitchen is at the forefront of what's unsurprisingly being labeled the 'golden age' of video game adaptations.

It's a cinematic epoch some believed would never happen — and with good reason. The 1990s and early 2000s are littered with examples of maligned video game movies, including — but by no means limited to — 1993's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, 2005's Doom, and 2003's House of the Dead, the latter of which is one the worst-rated films on popular review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.

With so many entertainment giants failing to understand the source material, the 'videogame adaptation curse' — a phrase Goldberg says "sounds really good when stories are written about it" — became a catch-all term for these and similarly crucified productions. Combine that with the notion that, as Goldberg notes, "Hollywood didn't respect the gaming community, developers, or publishers", and it seemed that video games would forever be viewed as the runt of the visual media landscape.

That was until dj2 Entertainment, the precursor to Story Kitchen co-founded by Johnson and Dan Jevons in 2011, took a leap into the unknown.

The company's primary goal was simple: make Hollywood believe that video game stories were worth telling and investing in. Predictably, Hollywood just didn't see the appeal of turning games into movies or TV shows, and countless rejections followed.

Then came the first Sonic the Hedgehog film. After slowly and methodically earning the trust and respect of SEGA, Johnson convinced the Japanese videogame titan and, later, Paramount Pictures that people wanted to see the Blue Blur star in his own movie.

A few notable setbacks, including the titular character's speedy redesign after fans attacked his initial look following the release of Sonic's first trailer, followed. Fast-forward to early 2020, though, and, despite the pandemic bringing Sonic the Hedgehog's theatrical run to a premature end, the action-adventure comedy grossed $320 million worldwide. On a reported budget of $90 million, it more than recouped its production and marketing costs.

"Dmitri always believed that, with education and respect, a different result [video game adaptations being successful] would occur," Goldberg says. "And, he was right."

'It's a new era — but not every game should be adapted'

A lot has happened in the short time since Sonic's big-screen debut, one that Goldberg describes as "an absolute game changer in the Hollywood ecosystem".

He's not wrong. Film adaptations of other iconic and/or hugely popular game series, including Mario and Minecraft, have earned billions at the global box office. Meanwhile, TV retellings of hit franchises like The Last of Us on HBO Max, and small-screen projects that expand on existing game universes, including Fallout on Prime Video and Netflix's League of Legends animated program Arcane, have drawn universal acclaim, won multiple awards, and introduced millions more people to stories, characters, and worlds they would never have connected with otherwise.

Suffice it to say, the explosion of video game adaptations is indicative of an industry-wide paradigm shift that also allowed dj2 Entertainment to level up its own game. Indeed, by investing the metaphorical skill points into the company's evolution from dj2 Entertainment to Story Kitchen, onboarding industry talents like Elena Sandoval, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Dallas Dickinson, and signing first-look deals with Amazon in February 2022 and DreamWorks Animation in May 2024, Johnson, Goldberg, and company are well-placed to help create the next wave of gaming transmedia hits.

At the time of publication, around 30 projects, some of which have already found homes and others that'll be shopped around Hollywood, are in the works at Story Kitchen HQ. That might sound a lot, but it's a mere raindrop in the ever-expanding gaming ocean. So, why doesn't Story Kitchen just take a long list of game titles to film studios, TV networks, and the world's best streaming services, and reel them off until one piques their interest?

"It's a new era, but not every game should be adapted," Golberg replies, "And not every game should be adapted right now. We want to be a friend and advocate for the space, though, because we don't see this as a fleeting moment [for video game adaptations]. We think it's got long-term potential, so we're working to ensure that we see that through."

That's not to say Story Kitchen is only focused on adapting the biggest game franchises. AA and indie titles are as much a part of the pitching process, if not more so, than their flashier, big-budget counterparts.

"We don't go into things like 'how many copies did this game sell?'," Johnson says. "We actually despise that question and refuse to answer it at this point. We respond with 'here's why these characters and stories are incredible' and 'here's why it's something we've never seen before'.

"What it really boils down to is passion," he continues. "What are the things that we can't stop thinking about and have to pursue? Once that process starts, we're convinced something has to be made, and that translates into our meetings with other companies. Initially, it might not necessarily make sense to them, but they all want to hear the pitch because it's coming from a place of passion, so most networks and studios are excited when we take something out to them. This isn't a cash-grab — these conversations are happening because we actually care."

Prime-d for more success?

And care, Johnson and Goldberg certainly do. The multi-billion-dollar-spinning Sonic franchise, which currently comprises three movies and a Knuckles TV spin-off on Paramount+, has improved with each new entry.

As of July 2026, a fourth flick is deep in post-production ahead of its March 19, 2027 release date. An untitled Shadow-fronted off-shoot project is also reportedly in the works, though Johnson and Goldberg declined to speak about it because, as Goldberg rightfully points out, "there are levels of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) we must respect."

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 isn't the only thing that'll roll off the Story Kitchen production line next year. Indeed, two TV projects are expected to make their Prime Video debuts in 2027, the first of which should be a Tomb Raider TV adaptation that Johnson admits has been "years in the making".

Overseen by Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it'll star Sophie Turner as gaming icon Lara Croft. Amazon revealed a perfect first-look shot at Turner in Croft's classic tank top and shorts combo as principal photography got underway in January and, while filming was halted in March due to a "minor injury" sustained by Turner, there's nothing to suggest it'll delay the live-action series' launch.

Thanks to a partnership Story Kitchen established with Tomb Raider custodians and videogame developer Crystal Dynamics during development on Netflix's Tomb Raider animated show, Johnson says "we had a very clear blueprint of how to move together as partners". So, when Amazon, which already had an agreement with Crystal Dynamics to publish future Tomb Raider games, proposed making a live-action TV show, it seemed like a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for all involved.

"Every decision [on the show] is made with Crystal Dynamics' sign-off," Johnson reveals. "So, season one has their blessing and they're very hands-on, but they also respect Phoebe, who's a super-fan, and her perspective of what a live-action Tomb Raider project should be.

"We've actually just started seeing rough cuts, and we were grinning like 10 year olds the entire time. It's going to be good. By the way, we're not the type of people who hype up their own s**t. It's going to be something that your mom can come across and not know that it's based on a 30-year-old videogame franchise. We don't want it to be a niche adaptation just for core fans, who we absolutely honor and will make feel seen. But, if we do our job right, which we're tirelessly trying to do, newcomers will fall love this show just as much as we have."

Life is Strange is a whole other beast. The 2015 episodic adventure game, which tells the story of a high schooler named Max who discovers she can rewind time, is famous for its branching dialog option-based narrative. Ultimately, though, the choices players make during any given playthrough lead to just one of two endings.

In collaboration with its production partners Amazon, Life is Strange franchise publisher Square Enix, and Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment, then, how is Story Kitchen tackling an evolving tale built on player choice? Furthermore, how did they decide which ending to not only use, but one that, regardless of what happens in Life is Strange: Reunion, aka Deck Nine's 2024 sequel to the first Max-led game, some viewers might interpret as being its true canonical ending?

"We went into Life is Strange knowing that almost all of the major decisions were almost a 50-50 split," Johnson muses. "So, at the start of development, you have to accept that you're not going to make everyone happy. That said, the way we're approaching some of those critical decisions from the games, I think everyone is are going to feel seen, and they're going to be happy and probably emotional [with how things play out]."

It's full steam ahead for Amazon MGM Studios film adaptations of two award-winning and popular Hazelight games in It Takes Two and Split Fiction, too.

Where the latter is concerned, things are still in the early stages of development. However, prolific actor Sydney Sweeney, Wicked duology director Jon M. Chi, and Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are, as confirmed by Goldberg, all involved.

"You play these games with your significant other, friend, or a family member, and everyone has their own experience," Goldberg says. It's been such a fun challenge of interpreting that and turning it into a singular shared experience [for viewers].

"Reese and Wernick even insisted on playing the game, and that's how we want our village to be built. You're not required to be a game, but we loved that they wanted to play and experience it together before they committed to this adaptation, and that's going to influence their own script."

As for It Takes Two's film reimagining, it's been over four years since Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks production team boarded the Amazon-led project. Speaking to Eurogamer last March, Hazelight creative director Josef Fares, who's known for not mincing his words, took aim at how long it was taking for the film to move forward.

"Hollywood, there's so much b******t," Fares responded when asked for an update. "I think 90 percent of the meetings are actually b******t, and 10 percent are what actually happens. There's a lot of talk, but not a lot of walk. I don't know what's going on. Hopefully something. It would be cool to get something out of it, but my hopes are not so high."

"They are," Johnson says when I ask him if Fares, Hazelight, and Johnson's company are still involved, before he adds: "We're so close to the Hazelight boys at this point that there's a shorthand with them, and the relationship with them and partners on our side... it's all very fluid."

Days of future past

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the 30+ film and TV projects that Story Kitchen plans on delivering.

Johnson and Goldberg want to cover as many genre bases and demographics as possible, too. Film adaptations of three Roblox games — Grow a Garden, Steal a Brainrot, and Jailbreak — are in the works, as are Just Cause, Shinobi, and Ruiner productions with Universal.

Elsewhere, Netflix has signed on to bring Sifu and Kingmakers adaptations to its user base, Lionsgate is hard at work on a Streets of Rage movie, and film reimaginings of hit indie games Disco Elysium and Dredge have also been announced. Additionally, a House of the Dead movie led by The Last of Us and Superman star Isabela Merced — "she's our homie," Johnson beams —is just another of Story Kitchen's other planned projects.

It isn't just video games that are being turned into movies, either. Toys 'R Us, a popular toy retailer in the '80s and '90s that's recently enjoyed a resurgence in the US, is getting the live-action film treatment. Meanwhile, Teddy Ruxpin, an animatronic storytelling bear that was a US bestseller in the '80s, will star in a feature that's been described as 'Sonic the Hedgehog meets Elf'.

"I think it's going to go the same way as Barbie," self-confessed Teddy Ruxpin fan Johnson says in reference to the 2023 megahit starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. "I went into that thinking 'ugh, cash grab' and then had a little tear in the eye by the third act.

"It [the Teddy Ruxpin movie] is funnier than it has any right to be," Johnson continues. "We have ridiculous musical numbers when we shouldn't, and it's so brilliantly bananas that it works. I think it's going to catch people off-guard, and kids are gonna walk out of it wanting a Teddy Ruxpin."

But, back to the games — and, perhaps most importantly, Story Kitchen's mission to create films and TV shows not only based on beloved titles from the past and those that are currently popular, but also those yet to be released.

"We're about to pitch a show based on a game that hasn't even been announced," Goldberg teases as an example of the latter. "And, should nothing change, it'll finally be announced at the 2026 Game Awards. But we're already going to take a fully fleshed, packaged, and scripted drama TV pitch on it to studios next month, so we can move as swiftly as possible once the game is officially revealed."

Whatever that soon-to-be-announced game is, its developer will surely hope it performs as well as 2025 surprise hit Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did.

The first-ever title from French studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur unexpectedly dominated the gaming sphere last year. With over eight million copies sold (as of April 2026) and numerous award wins under its belt, it's little wonder that this critically and commercially successful title is being turned into a live-action film. As Johnson is keen to point out, though, the Clair Obscur bandwagon isn't one that Story Kitchen jumped on post-launch.

"As a company, we pride ourselves on not chasing heat," he explains. "We're less likely to pursue a game once it's become an established hit, because we don't ever want to be seen as those people.

"We were actually working with Sandfall as early as 2023," he continues. "We read almost 600 pages of scripts, had raw music files [to listen to], [and] art to look at, so we fell in love with it before we saw any real gameplay. Obviously, you don't know how a game is going to perform, so we went into this knowing that it could be a tough sell. Without the massive success it had, it would've been an uphill battle [to pitch our movie adaptation to studios]. But, as I said earlier, once the passion kicks in, we don't take 'no' for an answer. We were convinced three years ago that this was something to be excited about, and... that's all we can say about it right now."

If there's one thing I took from my chat with Johnson and Goldberg, it's this: they genuinely care about what they're doing. Like, a lot. They don't phone in their work, nor did they lazily trot out stock responses to my questions. They are completely committed to telling the world that games are not only great, but that their stories are also worth translating and telling in other mediums.

There's so much more that Story Kitchen wants to accomplish, though. Even with the abundance of productions already on their plate, Johnson and Goldberg have ambitions on adapting even more franchises for the big and small screen. Their dream projects? Mega Man and — surprisingly — Bad Dudes for Johnson, and Nintendo's iconic sci-fi franchise Metroid for Goldberg.

But such wish fulfillment must wait for another day. As we approach the tail-end of what was supposed to be an hour-long interview, Goldberg reveals that he and Johnson are being summoned by Amazon for a meeting — the contents of which he can't disclose.

It's a sign of just how busy the pair have become, but they wouldn't have it any other way. After all, Story Kitchen is no ordinary passion project — it's reshaping the multimedia landscape as we know it.

"We were recently looking back on our list of games to consider for last year's BAFTA Game Awards," Johnson says, "And there's one from a tiny Australian team called The Drifter that, after I came across it in 2025, I couldn't stop gushing about. Anyway, we ended up tracking them down and, in the very first meeting we had with another studio, we were able to find a home for this indie game in the form of a big theatrical movie.

"That wouldn't have been possible five, six years ago, and that's why we're enjoying this moment now. Step one was getting rid of this silly notion that games are cursed. Now, step two, and we say this with a straight face, you'll see Oscars, Emmys, and BAFTAs being won by movies and TV shows that are based on games. That's our next mission: proving that videogames are art. The stories being told, the characters they contain... they're no different to a New York Times best-selling book — and we're ready to show the world why."

It's time to bid farewell to July 2026 — and, if you won't be heading out to catch Spider-Man: Brand New Day this weekend, you're going to need something to watch at home instead.

Thankfully, the world's best streaming services have plenty of great-looking new movies and shows for you to check out before Monday arrives once more. Don't delay, then — scroll on to see what you'll be adding to your watchlist ahead of the new working week. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Hulu/Disney+)

Gird your loins, people: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is finally available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. As an 11-year old girl who grew up wanting to be Andy Sachs, I can safely say that nothing has changed 20 years later.

This time around, Andy is brought back into the Runway Magazine fold when Miranda comes under fire for printing false information in an article. As the new Features Editor, it's Andy's job to navigate a PR crisis fit for the 2020s, which includes getting a little help from Emily.

With all of the nostalgia and dreamy fashion montages you could hope for, and an new original song by Doechii and Lady Gaga that slaps, I'll be watching this over and again. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Peacock)

Yahoo! Almost fourh months after it initially landed in theaters, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has finally made its official streaming debut on Peacock.

Mario's latest animated adventure is way more polarizing than its predecessor, yet it still managed to pull in $1 billion at the worldwide box office. For that reason alone, it's probably worth giving it a whirl — but, seeing as you'll need something to entertain the kids for 90 minutes or so, it's definitely worth putting on.

But, I digress. For those who might not know: this time around, Mario and his allies traverse the cosmos as they attempt to stop Bowser and Bowser Jr from enacting a new masterplan that would see them kidnap Princess Rosalina and drain her cosmic powers to build a super weapon. Expect plenty of Nintendo Easter eggs and references in this multiverse-esque sequel that certainly acts as a jumping off point for a shared Nintendo cinematic universe. — TP

• Watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Peacock

The Drama (HBO Max)

The first of three films that Zendaya and Robert Pattinson appear in this year, A24's dark rom-com drama called, well, The Drama has made its debut on HBO Max.

Starring the aforementioned A-listers, it tells the tale of soon-to-be-newlyweds Emma and Charlie, whose forthcoming wedding is derailed when a particularly dark secret comes to light. The twist in question? Honestly, it's best if you go into the movie knowing as little as humanly possible, because it's such a blind-siding narrative device that it's too good to spoil here. Get it watched ASAP, because I imagine it's all you and your work colleagues will be talking about come Monday. — TP

• Watch The Drama on HBO Max

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (Netflix)

There are some national tragedies that are so horrifically terrible, history is forever changed. In Scotland and the US, this was the Bombing of Pan Am 103, which is now a Netflix docuseries of the same name.

In a nutshell: on 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over Lockerbie, killing all 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans, on board, and spawning an international investigation involving local law enforcement and the FBI.

The community of Lockerbie has definitely never been the same since, with the attack leading to the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990. Be prepared for a difficult yet emotionally poignant watch. — JV

• Watch The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on Netflix

Batman: Caped Crusader season 2 (Prime Video)

Batman is back — well, in Amazon's animated TV show, that is. That's right, season 2 of Batman: Caped Crusader has made its Prime Video debut, so fans of the Dark Knight have some new content to consume while the wait for The Batman Part II goes on.

This season, the eponymous vigilante and friends are forced to navigate an increasingly combustible turf war and the arrival of new iterations of the Caped Crusader's packed rogues gallery. Eager to see the Big Bad Bat go up against Joker, Scarecrow, Riddler, and more for the umpteenth time? Caped Crusader season 2 should be your first streaming port of call this weekend. — TP

• Watch Batman: Caped Crusader season 2 on Prime Video

Furious (Hulu/Disney+)

Female police chasing female serial killers? It's almost as if the glory days of Killing Eve are back. This time, the dynamic comes courtesy of Furious, which has already been described by critics as one of the best shows of 2026, which is seriously high praise.

I've got a hunch that this is mostly down to its leads in Shameless' Emmy Rossum, and Lola Petticrew, who was absolutely astonishing in Trespasses and Say Nothing. What's even better is that it's set in the 1980s and allegedly has a vert satisfying payoff. Ticks all of the great crime drama boxes, if you ask me. — JV

• Watch Furious on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Lioness season 3 (Paramount+)

We've been without a new Taylor Sheridan show for the first time in 2026 this month, but never fear... Lioness season 3 is here. And, by here, I mean on Paramount+.

Joe continues to walk the line between duty and home as "unseen forces" circle her world. Frankly, I think this means that we should do a fan sweepstake on just how many minutes of each episode she's going to be shouting for. My guess is 42 out of 48 minutes.

What's even more impressive is how Lioness season 3 has managed to retain Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman in their supporting roles. That's the brilliance of a Taylor Sheridan series, I guess. — JV

• Watch Lioness season 3 on Paramount+

• Prime Video and Netflix are planning new AI-generated homepages
• Netflix revealed its 'GenPage' tests ahead of a new Prime Video report
• Viewers aren't convinced that homepages are moving in the right direction

You're about to see a lot more generative AI in your streaming apps: Netflix has posted details of testing that it's doing with generative AI on its homepage, while Reuters reports that Amazon Prime Video is set for an AI-driven overhaul as well.

Starting with Netflix, the company has revealed it's working on a way of using generative AI to do a lot of the heavy lifting on the app homepage. That includes figuring out which recommendations each user should see, adapting to feedback and user behavior over time, and combining movies, shows, games, podcasts, and live events in the best way.

It starts with a prompt — "Given everything we know about this user and this request, what homepage should we generate to maximize user satisfaction?" — and Netflix seems pleased with the results. There are still some issues to work on though, like the AI model not knowing much about a movie or show that's only just launched.

User engagement increased in Netflix's internal testing, with the new 'GenPage' AI model applied, and recommendations became more relevant more quickly. What's more, the time needed to render the homepage went down. This is still in its early stages, and Netflix hasn't said when this will come to users or in what form, but it's now in the pipeline.

AI 'front and center' on Prime Video

On to Amazon, and a new Reuters report says Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has personally decided that Prime Video will act as a showcase for AI in the near future, and that an upcoming homepage redesign will put AI "front and center".

That's according to people "with direct knowledge of the matter", so don't take this as confirmed just yet. The homepage overhaul project is apparently known as 'Lighthouse', and is said to be envisioned as a way of claiming some of the AI spotlight from rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

We don't get too many details on what this is going to look like, but film and TV recommendations are going to have more AI injected into them, Reuters says. The AI will also be better at learning the personal preferences of viewers over time, and responding to voice commands.

You might see tiles on the homepage such as 'action movies from the 1980s', for example. The report doesn't give any indication of when this overhaul might start rolling out, but it's apparently already being tested with a select number of users in a variety of forms.

Our AI-driven interface future

With two of the big streaming giants apparently now committed to homepages controlled by AI, the next question is what users might make of it. There's so much to watch on each platform that some kind of filter or algorithm is needed, but is this AI-focused approach the right way to go about it?

Past homepage overhauls perhaps give us some clues: A major Netflix redesign rolled out last year was met with many online complaints, but the company's internal data showed that it was working, so it stayed in place. At the time there was speculation that more AI was on the way, and it seems that's now the case.

"I don't know if I'm alone," writes one Redditor, "but I hate the concept of 'personalizing' my content. No offense to anyone but AI so far has not been good at predicting anything about me... I personally do not want software to think for me."

The reactions to Prime Video's upcoming AI overhaul seem similarly downbeat. "This seems completely unnecessary," comments one user, while several suggest the move might even be enough to tip them into canceling their Prime Video subscription.

Huzzah, another weekend is upon us — and, amid the lack of new movies landing in theaters today (July 24), you might be inclined to stay at home and check one of the following seven must-see films and TV shows instead.

There are a couple of new releases we couldn't squeeze into this week's streaming round-up — sorry, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 and The Dink. Nevertheless, I'm sure you'll find something to your liking from those we've listed below. So, take a look, load up one of the best streaming services, and sit back and enjoy one or more of them. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max)

And what if I said that The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was better than the original series? Nobody was expecting awkward comic book store owner Stuart's story to continue from the main show, but in hindsight, it's a glorious move.

Our titular heroic lead, on-off girlfriend Denise, and friends Kripke and Bert are brought back together when Stuart triggers a multiverse armageddon by accidentally breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard.

Has 'King of Sitcoms' Chuck Lorre done it again? You'll need to read my Stuart Fails to Save the Universe review to find out if it's th TV triumph that I never expected. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe on HBO Max

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (Paramount+)

It's been 13 years since the gang defeated Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation, and attentions have turned to a new airbender called Tagah. Together, Aang and Tagah embark on a global quest to find the relic before a group called The Denied.

Aang is all grown up in Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, but that doesn't mean the original magic has gone anywhere. The movie's understanding of perspective, movement, and detail is absolutely astonishing, moving through the Four Nations with such awe-inspired wonder that you'll want to live in each frame.

Time may have changed how they look, but their goofy and fun-loving personalities definitely haven't... and the animation captures exactly what has been missing from Netflix's live-action adaptation. — JV

• Watch Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender on Paramount+

72 Hours (Netflix)

In this new Netflix movie, Kevin Hart stars as a 40-year-old who ends up at a three-day bachelor party with strangers, resulting in yet another silly Hart-led venture that's perfect if you need of a laugh this weekend.

How did he end up there, you might ask? Well, he was mistakenly added to a group chat and went along for the ride, traveling from New York to Miami to join in the celebrations. Any excuse to party by the beach, I suppose.

It's not so idyllic though, as the trailer teases trouble with the law and other mishaps, including getting horribly stung by a jellyfish. Rather him than me. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch 72 Hours on Netflix

Mortal Kombat II (HBO Max)

Flawless victory! Mortal Kombat II is now available to stream on HBO Max, so you can relive the action-packed video game adaptation whenever you'd like.

As far as weekend watches go, you really can't beat an over-the-top, violent thrill ride like this one. If you're a fan of The Boys, Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage has been widely praised, with some noting it's worth watching just for him. — LB

• Watch Mortal Kombat II on HBO Max

Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston (Hulu/Disney+)

Think you know the complete story of Pompeii? Hold that thought, because Marvel star Tom Hiddleston sheds new light on this cataclysmic event in one of the more poignant docudramas I've seen in a while.

A three-part National Geographic series, Pompeii: Out of Time follows Hiddleston as he retraces the steps of a trio of individuals caught up in the natural disaster. Armed with fresh archaeological evidence and backed up by a team of experts, Hiddleston explores how these people not only navigated one of the worst humanitarian crises of the ancient world, but who might also have even survived the deadly events of 79 A.D.

Part educational, part moving drama, Pompeii: Out of Time is out now in full on Disney+ and Hulu. — TP

• Watch Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston on National Geographic via Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Ransom Canyon season 2 (Netflix)

I don't need all of my television to be profound, life-changing, or even that meaningful. Sometimes, I just want to switch my brain off and pretend I live in a picturesque, rural town like Ransom Canyon on the other side of the world where everyone has unrelenting drama except me.

In season 2, the land feud between the Double K and Fuller ranches has become more ferocious, local bar owner Quinn has left for New York despite her on-off relationship with rancher Staten, and mysterious newcomer Yancy has revealed to new love interest Ellie that he has a secret wife.

Season 1 was already a strong outing, but now that the show knows itself a little more, season 2 is easily on par with the strongest seasons of Virgin River, the streamer's most iconic "cozy drama" IP. — JV

• Watch Ransom Canyon season 2 on Netflix

Masters of the Universe (Prime Video)

One of numerous mid-2026 film releases that have bombed at the box office, Amazon has hoisted the proverbial white flag on its live-action Masters of the Universe movie's theatrical run. In short: that means you can now watch it on Prime Video.

Based on the Mattel-owned media franchise of the same name, the action fantasy flick tells the tale of Adam, the crown prince of Eternia and owner of an mystical weapon called the Power Sword that, when wielded, turns him into the superhuman known as He-Man. Together with his allies, the previously exiled Adam must realize his potential and overthrow the nefarious Skeletor, who seized control of Adam's home city of Eternos — and its throne — 15 years earlier.

Not sure if you'll like this flick? Read my Masters of the Universe review to see what I thought before you stream it. — TP

• Watch Masters of the Universe on Prime Video

Spoilers for Ransom Canyon season 2 ahead.

I shouldn't love Ransom Canyon as much as I do, but the Virgin River meets Yellowstone Western drama always has a way of hooking me back in.

In season 2, we've explored a lot of overarching storylines that were first established back in season 1.

The land feud between the Double K and Fuller ranches has become more ferocious, local bar owner Quinn (Minka Kelly) has left for New York despite her on-off relationship with rancher Staten (Josh Duhamel), and mysterious newcomer Yancy (Jack Schumacher) has revealed to new love interest Ellie (Marianly Tejada) that he has a secret wife.

But by the time we get to the end of this new batch of eight episodes, everything has changed again... and not always for the better.

So, where on Earth is everyone at now? Here's a full breakdown of the Ransom Canyon season 2 ending, and what it could mean for season 3 if Netflix decides to renew the series.

Ellie gives birth after her explosive fight with Sidney

As the Ransom Canyon season 2 finale begins, we meet Ellie as she regains consciousness in hospital. She's been brought in via ambulance after Yancy's "wife" (as their marriage was never annulled) Sidney (Heidi Grace Engerman) pushed her off a house porch, endangering Ellie and Yancy's unborn baby.

When Yancy gets there, things are touch and go, but the doctors soon confirm that mother and baby are both okay — though the fall has forced Ellie into labour, meaning baby Isabella has arrived much sooner than expected.

However, Ellie is really shaken up by what happened, as is left convinced that Sidney will return to attack her and Isabella. Yancy tries to reassure her as best as he can, telling Ellie that he will protect the pair of them.

Quinn comes to visit to take her mind off things, explaining how well the music festival they held at Gracie's has done, pushing the bar so far in the black that they made more profit that expected.

Quinn also spots Staten on his way to visit Yancy, explaining in the elevator that she only pushed him away because she was "scared." Staten claims that she hasn't been listening to what's actually happening between them, alongside how much he has changed.

Lucas tells Lauren about Ashley — but Kit's got bigger problems

Meanwhile, things are getting really messy for Lucas (Garrett Wareing). After a suspected drugs charge, he has to be bailed out by older brother Kit (Casey W. Johnson), and it's clear how much the brothers have swapped personalities since the beginning of season 1.

On his way into the station, Kit is stopped by Sherriff Dan (Philip Winchester), who threatens him for messing up daughter Lauren's (Lizzy Greene) life. But hang on... weren't Lucas and Lauren together instead? They were at the beginning of season 2, but Lauren soon found that her feelings were actually towards Kit.

Dan offers Kit a "start over" opportunity, claiming that he knows of a ranching job in Wyoming that would get Kit back into the work he loves so much — and away from Lucas and Lauren. "Everything you touch turns to sh*t" Dan tells him, with Kit intent on fixing the mess he has made.

Lucas emerges from the jail, and the brothers fight in the street when Kit tells him how urgently Lucas needs to get his life back on track. Lucas then tells Kit that he slept with local girl Ashley (Jennifer Ens), before driving to meet Lauren outside the hospital and tell her the truth too. As you can imagine, it doesn't go down well.

Quinn makes her next financial investment in Ransom Canyon

Things are going incredibly well at Gracie's, with Quinn's business investor Mary Lou even offering Lauren the chance to design an album cover for a new music artist because of the poster she created for the festival.

In fact, the festival has gone so well that Mary Lou is already thinking about next year's event, with acts already enquiring about being in the lineup. The only problem is accommodation — if Quinn wants to make the festival bigger and better, Ransom Canyon currently doesn't have the capacity to host more visitors.

But Quinn has an idea. She wants to use the extra profits made to invest back into Ransom, which starts with buying abandoned restaurant, The Lone Star, and converting it into a music venue and hotel. She pitches it to Mary Lou as a local version of The Ryman in Nashville, and the pair shake on it.

Claire pushes Quinn and Staten back together for good

Quinn's mother Claire (Patricia Crawford) arrived in town in season 2 episode 1, and now she's about to fly back home again. Before she does, she's got two stops to make.

The first is swinging by Quinn's house, with her daughter revealing the Lone Star investment plans. On top of that, Quinn has also sold her own farm to give Claire the money to buy a new house, giving her mother a chance to start afresh and chase her own dreams, for once.

Claire then swings by Staten's house, and convinces him to pursue Quinn one last time. She believes the pair are each other's true loves, despite Quinn telling Claire earlier that the pair are "done forever." Before she leaves Staten's house, he asks Claire to take something with her.

Claire says goodbye to her daughters at Gracie's and hands Quinn a box from Double K ranch, with a letter from Staten inside. He writes that everything he has said is "wrong," and asks her to meet at the cabin. While we wait to see if Quinn turns up, we see a flashback timeline of their relationship, from meeting each other as young teens to the present day.

Sure enough, Quinn opens the cabin doors to find Staten lighting a fire, as the pair kiss. Finally! The next morning, Staten tells Quinn how many times he's dreamed of having her there, with Quinn replying that she knows that Staten is "her person."

Freddie convinces Yancy that the oil grift is real — which brings Ellie to breaking point

Yancy's having a rough ride once again... but it's all his own fault. After his grift with old prison mate Freddie (Kenneth Miller) to trick Senator Kirkland (Brett Cullen) into believing there is oil on Double K land to stall his plans gets busted, the two reconvene.

Freddie claims he's no longer interested in the $80,000 Yancy allegedly owes him, instead revealing that he's run the survey past a new set of eyes, and their oil ruse could actually be real for Fuller ranch. If so, Yancy and Freddie could come into millions of dollars.

Yancy arrives at the hospital to tell Ellie the good news, but she's discharged herself. He finds her at her house, with officer Kai (Justin Johnson Cortez) keeping a 24-hour watch on the premises.

Between Freddie, the potential oil and being constantly convinced that Sidney will snatch Isabella from her, Ellie is at breaking point. She tells Yancy that she needs to protect their daughter from the "darkness that follows him," asking him to leave the house.

This effectively means that they've broken up, with Yancy starting a physical fight with Kai while leaving the house. We see him drive away in the snow, furious and upset with what has just happened.

Kit leaves for Wyoming as Lucas and Lauren make an uneasy truth

After finding out about her album art offer, Lauren waits for Kit on the stoop. She tells him that she's excited about their future together, but Kit no longer wants to continue seeing her. he claims that he's finally realised what Lucas sees in Lauren, and how big her success could be — he doesn't want either brother getting in the way of that.

The next day, Lucas finds Kit on the front porch at home, with a bag all packed. Kit tells him that in order to fix things between them, he's going to Wyoming to take the ranching job. The two share a tearful goodbye before Kit leaves.

Later that night, Lauren arrives looking for Kit. Lucas is there instead, and the two both admit how much they messed their relationship up. Lucas says that he hopes the pair will be okay again someday, and the two form an uneasy truce.

Before she leaves, Lucas tells Lauren that Kit is at the bus stop. She arrives just in time before he boards, telling him not to go. Kit says that he has to, with Lauren doubling down by replying that she's never letting him go. The pair kiss, but does he actually end up going?

Staten asks Quinn to move in as Double K board meeting looms near

On the night of the board meeting, there's a lot to play for. Senator Kirkland has finally relented, claiming that he'll back Staten as the head of Double K ranch in front of the board, forfeiting his own position. Lucas also says that he'll have Staten's back.

Before he enters, Quinn meets him outside, saying that she wouldn't have missed such an important evening. Staten puts a key to Double K ranch in her hand, as a prompt to move in with him. "You need to live somewhere now you've sold the farm," he adds, as the two kiss one last time.

Season 3 predictions

Unusually, there aren't a lot of plot lines left unresolved, but we still have two key stories to follow if Ransom Canyon season 3 gets picked up.

The first is what actually happens at the board meeting. The feud between Double K and Fuller ranches is far from over, even if it doesn't feel like a priority at the end of season 2. Yancy and Freddie are clearly still scheming, so it might not be as straightforward as Staten claiming victory at the meeting.

The second is what happens between Ellie and Yancy. Ellie has pushed Yancy away for her own safety, but he's not going to take be separated from daughter Isabella lying down. Will he made bad decisions in order to see her, and is this really the last we've seen of Sidney?

Of course, there's also a question mark over whether Kit goes to Wyoming, though it's heavily implied that he changes his mind.

In life, you often have to meet something at what it is, not what you want it to be. This is the logic that I need you to apply to Ransom Canyon season 2 when you watch it, as all eight episodes drop on Netflix on July 23.

This Western drama soap opera hybrid serves to entertain, but it doesn't ever aim to cross a boundary. It's not striving to be the best TV show of 2026, or do anything remotely challenging or ambitious. Ransom Canyon is a show that stays in its subtly cringe and often stereotypical lane... and for that, I'm thankful.

I don't need all of my television to be profound, life-changing or even that meaningful. Sometimes, I just want to switch my brain off and pretend I live in a picturesque, rural town on the other side of the world where everyone has unrelenting drama except for me. Enter Double K ranch owner Staten (Josh Duhamel), local bar owner Quinn (Minka Kelly) and an eclectic ensemble of characters.

When Netflix commits to the soap opera bit, it ticks the genre boxes incredibly well. Season 1 of Ransom Canyon was already a strong outing, but now that the show knows itself a little more, season 2 is easily on par with the strongest seasons of Virgin River, the streamer's most iconic "cozy drama" IP.

The catch? Season 2 is releasing just weeks after the epic Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch released on Paramount+, which was widely praised by fans and critics (including me) alike. With both shows in such close proximity of each other, it's easy to see how weak the cowboy drama in Ransom Canyon actually is.

Ransom Canyon season 2 is a love story with cowboying on the side — that's an important distinction

Here's where the two shows differ dramatically: Dutton Ranch is a Western drama that sprinkles complex love stories in between. Ransom Canyon is a love story that sprinkles Western drama in between.

Once we've understood this, we know that we can't directly compare them... as much as we want to. The two have completely different functions and goals, and it's highly likely that the fanbases won't fully cross over. That being said, I think following straight after the return of Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) in the Yellowstone spinoff will undoubtedly hurt Staten and Quinn's second outing.

On the surface, season 2 puts a lot of emphasis on the ongoing land feud between the Double K ranch owned by Staten and the Fuller ranch next door, now owned by dubious newcomer Yancy (Jack Schumacher). But by the time we've reached the season 2 finale, it feels completely inconsequential.

This is because we're really being driven by the romantic drama that intertwines the Ransom Canyon residents rather than the mechanics of the town itself. Nobody really cares who owns what or who works where, as long as the right people settle into the relationships that are clearly destined for them.

If Netflix hadn't have hyped the feud up in its marketing, I don't think I'd have noticed that the cowboying actually lets Ransom Canyon down so easily. Taylor Sheridan ain't in these parts, and I think it will always show.

But it's a sensational soap opera — as is cast newcomer Patricia Clarkson

As a flat-out soap opera, Ransom Canyon season 2 is delicious. The indecisively infuriating will-they-won't-they dynamics run wild, the dramatic breakups are deployed at the perfect time, but when it comes down to it, things draw to a close in exactly the way you think they will.

It's almost a comfort to know what you're going to get at an end result, to have something that's often more stable than your actual life (well, if you remove all of the fictional chaos ). Even though tensions between Staten and Quinn remain front and centre, not a single supporting character feels underused.

With each connection feeling like a fulfilling one, we're really getting a lot of bang for our buck when it comes to narrative sustenance. An extra shoutout must go to newcomer Patricia Clarkson, who joins the series as Quinn's firecracker mother, Claire. I've honestly got no clue how the show scored such a uniquely legendary talent, but they've certainly not been complacent about it.

Is Ransom Canyon season 2 more of the same? Essentially, yes. Is that a bad thing? No, that's exactly what we want. If you overlook the cowboying, you'll probably fall in love with each and every character as much as I did... and soap opera historically aren't my thing. If you can't trust the opinion of a reformer hater, who can you?

I know, I know... I'm being greedy when it comes to Little House on the Prairie. Netflix only dropped the first season on July 9, with its second season being renewed months before we even saw it.

Frankly, it's all good news for anybody who loves the Ingalls family. Logic tells us that season 2 will be based on the next book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's original series, On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Having left their little house on the Kansas prairie (which is exactly what we saw at the end of season 1), the Ingalls family travels by wagon to Minnesota, settling on the banks of Plum Creek.

The book covers five years of Wilder's childhood, so we could see the Ingalls stay there for a while should the Netflix series continue to be renewed.

If I were a betting woman, I'd say that Little House on the Prairie season 2 could be exceeded by at least 3 more seasons, if the streamer invests in the IP in the same way as it does with Virgin River. At the time of writing, no further seasons have been commissioned.

Talking to star Alice Halsey, who plays Laura, this situation would be a "dream come true," — and there's good reason to be optimistic.

Little House on the Prairie season 3 would likely be based on By the Shores of Silver Lake

"I love playing Laura, and I would love to do it for a whole lot longer," Halsey tells me. "I would just adore the prospect of being able to be Laura for years to come, to be able to be that kind of person that Melissa Gilbert was to so many people. I think that's really empowering.

"I just hope that people will love season 2 as much as they seem to like season 1. Season 2 is going to be even better. If we have a season 3 or season 4, that would just be a dream come true."

As I've said, I think Halsey is right, and Little House on the Prairie will likely be renewed for both... but let's dig into why. For starters, there's a wealth of source material to work with courtesy of the real-life Ingalls.

Here's the full Little House series list:

• Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
• Farmer Boy (1933)
• Little House on the Prairie (1935)
• On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)
• By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)
• The Long Winter (1940)
• Little Town on the Prairie (1941)
• These Happy Golden Years (1943)
• The First Four Years (1971)

We skipped past the first two books by the time season 1 even began, with season 2 confirmed to adapt On the Banks of Plum Creek. That leaves another five novels that are ripe for adaptation, meaning a minimum of five further future seasons in the pipeline.

Why "minimum?" Well, this largely depends on how Netflix chooses to adapt future books. The Ingalls didn't live in the Kansas prairie for too long, but we know that they lived by Plum Creek for a good few years. This could either be crammed into one season, or spread out over a few.

Of course, Netflix doesn't have to use all of Wilder's remaining books, either. As it's already skipped past the first two (understandably to start at the most well-known point), the streamer can pick and choose what it wants to adapt.

In its best-case scenario, we could be looking at an original IP that rivals Virgin River, which is currently the longest-running original series in Netflix's roster. Little House on the Prairie must be similarly cost-effective for Netflix to film, with both shows passing off Canada as various US locations.

As it stands, it's all to play for... but don't be surprised if more announcements come out sooner rather than later.

What do you mean Heartstopper Forever hasn't actually ended? Alongside the fact that the new movie is now streaming on Netflix, the streaming service has slyly announced a "companion piece" — Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi.

Obviously, we learned exactly what would happen to the gang once the cameras stopped rolling, and were left happy in the belief that Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) definitely weren't breaking up, despite how much their terrible communication threatened to do just that.

So... what is actually coming out way? And when does Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi arrive on Netflix?

What time can I watch Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi on Netflix?

Heartstopper Forever drops on Netflix on July 24, 2026.

As for the exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that we saw for the movie.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• 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

What exactly is Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi?

Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi is an official 35-minute behind-the-scenes documentary special.

Netflix describes it as a "love letter to the franchise, featuring unseen archival footage, cast interviews, and fan reactions following the final Heartstopper: Forever film."

Don't take the title as a sign of something more to come, though... it's a reference to the very first time Nick and Charlie met in season 1.

• Netflix announced it bought AI firm InterPositive for $587 million
• It acquired the company back in March
• Though the partnership claims to support human creativity, it's still ringing alarm bells for subscribers

Netflix is taking another huge step into its investment in AI — now the streaming platform has completed its $587 million acquisition of startup company InterPositive, the Ben Affleck-owned enterprise that offers AI-powered filmmaking services.

The streaming giant first announced its acquisition of InterPositive back in March, when Bloomberg predicted that Netflix could pay up to $600 million. The company’s recent Form 10-Q report confirms this, and it also reveals that Netflix paid the sum in cash.

Affleck launched InterPositive back in 2022, providing filmmakers with tools to create their own AI model using production dailies to fine-tune post-production work including visual effects, mixing, and relighting shots.

Despite its AI-focus, Affleck has been vocal about his aims to protect human artistry, saying he wanted to “preserve what makes human storytelling human, which is judgement” and to “protect the power of human creativity” at the time of the company’s inception. That said, the acquisition is certainly a bold move from Netflix given how much criticism its investments in AI has garnered.

Prior to its 10-Q report, Netflix released a shareholder newsletter which admitted to using AI ‘on '300 movies and shows' in 2026, such as the docuseries The American Experiment. Co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, went into further detail on this, stating that these AI tools helped produce accompanying visual elements “twice as fast and at half the cost of previous options,” according to Variety.

As you can imagine, this hasn’t settled well with loyal Netflix subscribers who are tired of the platform canceling shows and instead prioritizing AI tools. Since the acquisition sum was revealed, Reddit has been flooded with concerns over what this could mean for future Netflix productions and the creative teams behind them.

One user on Reddit noted that despite the rapid improvements of AI tools, post-production and visual effects departments remain major employers in the entertainment industry. The same user states that business transactions like this are “literally just a mass layoff”, adding, “We do not want this. Humans are artists”.

Netflix’s half-a-billion-dollar acquisition of InterPositive is the icing on the cake of what could spell a decaying trust from its subscribers, and it makes me even more concerned about the artistic value and production ethics of the company’s future movies and shows.

Right now, Netflix is not in my good books, and I’ve been quite vocal about its rash decisions to chase AI and social media-like content. The company recently announced plans to expand its range of content, bringing videos from popular online outlets to the platform — when we already have YouTube for that.

Additionally, Netflix’s prioritization of tacky reality shows over quality drama titles is another topic that’s being discussed, mainly surrounding its upcoming Wonka-themed show. This project also has a huge AI element, as the company has used technology to recreate the voice of Gene Wilder from the original 1971 movie, another distasteful move in my eyes.

It appears that Netflix isn’t doing a good job of keeping subscribers hooked with its growing involvement in AI and ignorance of the survival of its original titles. Is the best streaming service digging its own grave?

If you loved Netflix's take on Little House on the Prairie and want more, don't worry — it was renewed for season 2 long before we even saw a single episode.

With production now in full swing, we still don't know exactly when new episodes will be released (though I'd bet good money on that being in mid-2027). However, we do know that season 2 will adapt the next book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's original novel series, On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Having left their little house on the Kansas prairie, which is exactly what we saw at the end of season 1, the Ingalls family travels by wagon to Minnesota, settling on the banks of Plum Creek (who'd have guessed?).

But will Netflix stay faithful to the text or add in some unexpected surprises along the way? According to star Alice Halsey, who plays Laura Ingalls, it's best to keep an open mind heading into Little House on the Prairie season 2.

'I want to be able to figure out how Laura changes in season 2'

"Season 2 is definitely gonna be really exciting," Halsey tells me. "They're going to build a house by a creek, they're going to plant lots of wheat. They might make some friends, but they will make one particular enemy."

Here, Halsey is referring to Laura's rival Nellie, who is set to be introduced at some point in season 2. Played by Willa Dunn, Nellie is described in the book as a spoiled, affluent classmate who represents the clash between town merchants and rural farming families.

"I think that there's gonna be a lot of exciting things happening on the prairie, and some things that you might not expect."

The book covers a five-year span of Wilder's childhood, so we could see the Ingalls stay there for a while should the Netflix series continue to be renewed.

But how is Laura herself set to change? "I think that being able to watch season 1 has been a big reminder to me that Laura is like a big character," Halsey continues. "She has a lot of growth over the course of the series, and in the books. I want to be able to figure out how Laura changes in season 2, how all that was gonna plan out.

"For season 1, I was really prepped. I wanted to figure out how I was going to portray her. read the books, scripts, listened to podcasts to really figure her out. I think that Laura is also going to be changing a lot. In season 2, and I think her arc might be revolving around figuring out the kind of person that she wants to be.

"Not just her career and stuff, but also if she want to be honest, or have a lot of friends. Does she want to be tutor herself? Little things like that."

It's really a marvel that Halsey is only 11 years old, but I think that her wise-beyond-her-years personality makes her Laura Ingalls exceptional... and will continue to.

When the Western genre takes over the TV, it does so en masse. In 2026 alone, we've had Landman, The Madison, Marshals and Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch. Now, we're returning to Ransom Canyon for the Netflix's show second season.

Just over a year ago, we found out who killed Staten's (Josh Duhamel) son Randall, Staten once again breaking off his fledgling romance with Quinn (Minka Kelly), and seeing the land battle between Double K Ranch and the Fuller Ranch continues.

With season 2, we'll be diving even deeper into these messy and complicated issues. But, when does Ransom Canyon season 2 ride into view?

What time can I watch Ransom Canyon season 2 on Netflix?

Ransom Canyon season 2 drops on Thursday, July 23.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT / 3am ET release that many other Netflix TV Originals premiere at. For fans who don't live in North America, here's when you'll need to tune into Netflix for season 2:

• 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 Ransom Canyon season 2 come out?

All eight 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 Ransom Canyon 2.

As for the series' future, there's currently no public word on whether a third season has been greenlit. Hopefully, we won't be made to wait much longer.

Spoilers for Heartstopper Forever ahead.

July 17 was a fantastic day for anyone who loves the movies. Not only did we have the release of Christopher Nolan's epic The Odyssey, but Netflix has wrapped up one of its most beloved IPs with a full-length feature in Heartstopper Forever.

Clearly, these are two very separate events. The Odyssey is set to be a theatrical phenomenon, currently screening in IMAX 70mm around the world, and is set to take at least $200 million at the international box office across its opening weekend.

Meanwhile, Heartstopper fans will be streaming Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie's (Joe Locke) final farewell from the comfort of their own homes. The series has swapped format after its original three TV seasons, but the movie runtime is still equivalent to around 4.5 episodes.

If you're anything like me, you'll be doing both in a double bill that not even Barbenheimer could touch the sides of. But what if I told you there's a direct nod to The Odyssey in Heartstopper Forever if you know where to look?

Charlie's Odyssey poster in Heartstopper Forever is the perfect nod to the Christopher Nolan movie

When Nick and Charlie briefly break up, Charlie spends a great deal of time in bed to try and keep his problems at bay. When friends Elle (Yasmin Finney), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), and Tao (William Gao) arrive to stage an intervention, we see a poster of The Odyssey hanging above Charlie's head.

This isn't a detail we've seen in the previous three seasons, so I'd like to think that it is a direct Easter egg nod to the Nolan movie's release — despite this not being confirmed.

"Wonder if there'll also be a Heartstopper poster in The Odyssey movie," one fan joked on X/Twitter, who also spotted the background detail.

As with everything Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman has put her name to, the detail in Heartstopper Forever is nothing short of beautiful. The Odyssey reference isn't the only Easter egg you'll spot in the movie, but not more spoilers here... make sure you read our ending explainer to catch up on what you might have missed.

Are this week's movie releases going to join forces to become a legitimate double bill? I highly doubt it. But the fact that two such separate creations can briefly come together to share a wonderful moment is a testament to the power of cinema and creating meaningful art.

You could hardly say Netflix is a business in trouble, but it does have a problem: for a lot of its shows, viewing figures are declining sharply after the first season. According to Bloomberg, Beef lost more than 70% of its viewers going into its second season, while The Night Agent lost 50% of its audience in season two.

This seems to be a pattern repeated over many Netflix shows, including some that rack up impressive viewing figures in their first season. The streaming platform relies on subscribers sticking around, and these stats are apparently "a major source of concern" for the executives at Netflix.

So what's going on? While I'm not privy to the internal discussions at Netflix or the statistics that its executives are available to them, I am a Netflix subscriber of many years standing — and I have a few ideas about what's going on.

Viewing fatigue

There's a lot to get through these days, isn't there? Tens of millions of songs on music streaming platforms, more movies than you'll ever have time to watch in ten lifetimes, and of course the entire history of TV — with new shows appearing weekly. It's perhaps no surprise that we're all finding it hard to stick with successive series when there's so much more out there to watch and listen to.

The way that Netflix's stats work, is that a drop-off in viewing numbers for a second season also includes those who abandoned the show somewhere along the way during the first run of episodes. And if you're not getting grabbed episode after episode by the plot and the characters, it's all too tempting to click away.

That's a shame for slow burn shows and those that need time to get going, and perhaps we all need to learn to be a bit more patient. However, it goes some way to explaining why Netflix shows can shed a lot of viewers after the initial pull of the first few episodes — there's an awful lot competing for our attention.

The binge model

For the most part, Netflix continues to drop its shows all at once, so as soon as they're live you can binge watch an entire season. Sometimes it's great to be able to burn through a bunch of episodes, but it also means you can be done with an entire season very quickly.

This exacerbates the problem of gaps between series (of which more in a moment), but it also means shows can be quickly forgotten in the rush of everything else that's going on. Some of my favorite TV shows are those that come out week by week: I watch the episode, then I catch up on the recap podcasts.

It means shows last longer — not in terms of the actual running time, but in terms of how many days and weeks it takes to get through a season. I actually quite like being able to binge shows sometimes, but it does mean they can be quickly forgotten.

Season-to-season gaps

This isn't something that only affects Netflix, but we're still seeing huge gaps between seasons of shows — and unless the viewing experience is very special, that's likely to lead to waning enthusiasm from audiences as the months and years drag on.

Silo isn't a Netflix show, but the point is the same: as I was settling down to watch the third season a few days ago, even the initial recap montage had me confused (there was a mere 18 months between the end of season two and the start of season three). There were parts I didn't remember, and I had to head over to Wikipedia to get caught up.

Stranger Things is a Netflix show, and while I did manage to drag myself through it in its entirety, it was a struggle towards the end. The show lasted for just shy of a decade, and there are huge swathes of it that are no longer in my memory banks. It's not easy to produce television shows quickly, but the slow rollouts aren't helping their chances.

A trust issue

I've seen Netflix's regular cancellation of shows floated as a reason for second-series-syndrome, and I think this is an issue for program makers as well as audiences. If you don't know whether or not you're getting a second or third season, then you have to throw everything into the first one, and think more about wrapping it up neatly than extending it.

The Night Agent is one of the Netflix shows I've found it hard to stay with: the original rookie-on-the-run premise worked well and the first season was propulsive entertainment, but as it's continued, it's become more of a by-the-numbers action thriller. It's almost like they're making it up as they go.

Compare that with something like Bridgerton, which is a Netflix show I have managed to keep up with. It is of course based on a series of books (as is Apple TV's Slow Horses by the way), and that helps to ensure variety from season-to-season, with the focus switching between different characters and plotlines.

I'm not sure exactly how Netflix can fix the problem of viewing numbers declining in season two — I'm not a highly paid TV executive after all — but those are a few thoughts about why it's happening.

• Streaming giant Netflix has revealed that 300 movies and shows used generative AI in 2026
• The news was shared in a shareholder letter, obtained by the website Kotaku
• Generative AI was used to “enhance crowds, historical battle sequences, and worldbuilding establishing shots.”

Netflix has recently admitted to using AI tools in a huge number of its movies and shows, with the shocking announcement delivered in its shareholder letter on July 16.

According to Kotaku, which obtained the shareholder letter, Netflix says that AI is now fully integrated into many different projects and is used from the concept stage through pre-visualization, filming, and post-production.

They also revealed that generative AI was mostly used in post-production across the 300 shows and movies using it in 2026.

“We are increasingly leveraging these tools to deliver higher quality output more quickly and at a lower cost than traditional methods,” Netflix said in the shareholder letter. “In some cases, productions would have had to leave out key shots and sequences in the absence of GenAI technology.”

Using The American Experiment as an example, Netflix added that using generative AI tools “enhanced crowds, historical battle sequences, and worldbuilding establishing shots.”

It's not just the best streaming service's shows that are affected either, as AI is also working its way into the app itself, with Netflix explaining that it will use LLMs and AI to “improve title discovery” and “better understand member preferences.”

First they cancel all my favorite shows, now they're using AI

Netflix has made a lot of poor decisions in recent months. Recently, my colleague Rowan Davies criticized the streamer for chasing YouTube content, saying he was worried they don't actually care about the future of their shows and movies.

I'm inclined to agree, too, as the streaming service has a track record of cancelling its shows. Just recently, The Boroughs was canceled after one season, and it's not the first time they've abandoned shows early on.

They have also used an AI-generated voice of the late actor Gene Wilder in a new reality show, which our editor at large, Lance Ulanoff, said was "too far".

This, teamed with the most recent AI announcement, has filled me with despair, and I'm worried a lot of my favorite Netflix shows aren't getting the love they deserve.

This decision will no doubt divide fans, but this is the kind of thing that's going to make me turn away from Netflix and prioritize other streaming services instead. It feels like Netflix is falling out of love with its shows, and I'm starting to do the same.

It's officially summer holiday season in the northern hemisphere (sorry, readers in Australia and New Zealand), and that means it's time to put the TV on for the kids before you go on family vacation.

You won't want to stick any of the following new movies or TV shows on for them, though. None of them are family friendly, so I'd advise you to load up something else on one of the world's best streaming services instead.

However, once they're tucked up in bed, I implore you to throw on one or more of these seven great-looking films and TV series. That said, maybe don't start this week's number one choice before you head off for a good night's rest yourself, because it is terrifying in the best way possible. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Obsession (Peacock)

I'm not joking when I say Obsession, the breakout movie hit of 2026 so far that's finally landed on Peacock, is frighteningly fun. I spent weeks thinking about this supernatural horror after seeing it, and I'll readily admit that I felt uncomfortable for the first few nights post-watch, too.

For those who don't know: Obsession follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a lovesick loser who has a crushe on one of his besties Nikki (Inde Navarrette). When Bear stumbles upon an item called the One Wish Willow, he buys one and uses it to make Nikki fall in love with him. It's a spur-of-the-moment action that ends up having horrifying and deadly consequences, and will have you constantly repeating Nikki's "No, no, no, no, don't do thaaaaat!" line in your head as the plot progresses.

Before you stream it, check out our review of Obsession to see why everyone's, well, become obsessed with a film that, on a reported budget of just $750,000, has made $400m globally, broken horror film box office records, and turned Navarrette into a serial awards contender. And hey, if Peacock isn't available in your region yet, see where you can rent or but the Curry Barker-directed phenomenon instead. — TP

• Watch Obsession on Peacock

Heartstopper Forever (Netflix)

Guys... the end we've been dreading is here. Nick and Charlie's wholesome relationship has been an IP central to Netflix original content, but now it all ends with Heartstopper Forever.

If you're bummed out because we're not getting a full fourth season, don't be. As Nick, Charlie, and the gang all brace before going their separate ways to university, a feature film actually reflects their growing maturity and crises of confidence much more fittingly.

Heartstopper Forever really is forever... at least, it is in my house, where I'll be replaying it so much that Netflix might issue a warning. Its spirit and generation-defining impact will live on, and that might be the most special achievement the streamer has ever been responsible for. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Heartstopper Forever on Netflix

Ride or Die (Prime Video)

Whoever thought to cast Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham together in an Amazon action comedy show needs a raise immediately. Ride or Die gives us the entertainment duo that we didn't know that we needed and plenty of laughs along the way.

The pair play best friends Debbie Claybourne and Judith Burton, who thought they knew everything about each other. But, when Judith (Waddingham) turns out to be an international assassin when a mysterious figure emerges, their worlds are turned upside down.

Tackling everything from menopause to, well, the complexities of life, this Prime Video Original is an incredible amount of fun. And, surely that's the most important thing in life, right? — JV

• Watch Ride or Die on Prime Video

Lucky (Apple TV)

Is there anything Anya Taylor-Joy can't do? Ever since she made her debut in Robert Eggers' The Witch, I've been impressed by just how varied each of her roles are.

In Apple TV's Lucky, she plays a con artist forced to go on the run after a heist goes wrong. Across seven episodes, we follow Luciana 'Lucky' Armstrong as she tries to evade the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, hoping that she'll live up to her nickname and make it out alive. It seems that breaking the law runs in her family, too, as Timothy Olyphant stars as her father who's in prison when the story begins.

The first two episodes are out now, and something tells me this will be another Apple Original for me to get hooked on. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Lucky on Apple TV

The Hawk (Netflix)

If you ask me, Will Ferrell and golf feels like a natural TV marriage. The Hawk on Netflix is proving me right, with Ferrell playing Lonnie Hawkins, a top golfer in 2004. Two decades on and he's trying to recapture his magic late in his career. However, he refuses to believe he's anything other than one stroke away from golf's greatest comeback.

If you've ever watched Happy Gilmore or The Phantom of the Open, this is for you... even if you're pretending that you actually know the first thing about the sport, which is easily done. — JV

• Watch The Hawk on Netflix

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (Disney+)

The Descendants franchise continues over on Disney+ with Wicked Wonderland, which marks the fifth installment in the series (even I didn't think that there had been so many).

Picking up shortly after Descendants: The Rise of Red, Red and Chloe return from their time-travelling adventures to find that the Queen of Hearts is trapped. The once notorious villain now has a nice streak, but that gives way to a new evil: Maddox Hatter.

Personally, I still can't believe that a UK 2010s popstar is playing one of the most iconic fictional queens of all time. If you're British, it has to be seen for that reason alone. — JV

• Watch Descendants: Wicked Wonderland on Disney+

Murder 101 (Prime Video)

Prime Video's new three-part docuseries is a fascinating one. Murder 101 is about a high school sociology class based in rural Tennessee who help revive a decades-old case into a shocking present-day hunt for a killer.

It's the sort of thing you'd expect to find in a work of fiction, Netflix's How to Get Away with Murder springs to mind, but this is 100% real. You can also check out the podcast of the same name if you'd like to dive in deeper.

Ultimately, this program showcases the power of a local community as we follow a group of students turned amateur sleuths. I'm already locked in. — LB

• Watch Murder 101 on Prime Video

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for Netflix subscribers, that includes the blossoming romance between Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke). The Heartstopper franchise is drawing to a close with Heartstopper Forever, a feature film in lieu of a full fourth season.

Like most fans when they first heard the news, I felt cheated. Much like the original graphic novel books by Alice Oseman, Nick and Charlie's story is one best told over time. Two teens grappling with their feelings and identities need time to breathe together, let alone without their smorgasbord of friends who also all have their own delicious narrative arcs.

Now I've seen all 114 minutes of Heartstopper Forever — which is the equivalent of about 4.5 standard episodes — I stand corrected. As Nick, Charlie, and the gang all brace before going their separate ways to university, a feature film actually reflects their growing maturity and crises of confidence much more fittingly.

Newsflash, people: Nick and Charlie aren't kids anymore. In fact, the new Netflix movie wastes little time reminding fans of that, with a significant increase in drinking, partying and all-out sex scenes. Tender and wholesome romance can have an incredibly passionate side, too.

As a Heartstopper fan who has been in the trenches since the release of Oseman's first novel installment, Heartstopper Forever feels like the most satisfying ending that's able to be delivered. Nobody really wants to be in this position, but all of my questions are answered, and every single character is set up for their future away from our prying eyes.

Heartstopper Forever delivers everything a hardcore fan will want

You're going to have to trust my (excellent) judgement on the above statement, because there's no way I'm divulging anything even faintly resembling a spoiler in this review. As we know, Nick is getting ready to leave for university, and Charlie is taking on new responsibilities at school.

Elle (Yasmin Finney) has her mind set on big artistic goals, which means her relationship with Tao (William Gao) also hits its snags. More than any other characters' storylines, both relationships hit on the central theme of worth: does teenage romance even mean that much anyway?

As the push-pull effect of university and a daunting, vague future takes hold, Nick falls apart at the seams. Unlike Charlie, who has always been able to effectively communicate how he's feeling, Nick doesn't know how to describe what's going on in his head. It has the pair doubting the validity of their love and connection, even though nothing is overly wrong from an objective point of view.

It should be frustrating to watch two teenage boys self-sabotage, but the reality is overwhelmingly poignant. Even though the movie is called Heartstopper Forever, nothing in life is guaranteed — and I, for one, am fed up with pretending that doesn't keep everyone up at night.

As Tao points out, everyone has assumed up until this point that Nick and Charlie are a "perfect couple," and it's fascinating to watch how they deal with actual grown-up problems. Oseman has always had a unique knack for conveying the best of what love has to offer, and she's just as adept at holding a mirror up to the worst.

On top of this, watching the boys get physically intimate, drunk, and accosted by topless men wearing leather chaps at the local gay club feels like emotional whiplash in itself. Socially, we seem to have a difficult time understanding that young people grow up to do adult things, and Oseman handles these changes with touching sensitivity. There are some fans out there who have been waiting on tenterhooks for these moments... and the reality is spot-on.

Anna Maxwell Martin, I love you... but Olivia Colman was the better Sarah Nelson

So we can tick off the fact that none of our favorite characters are left hanging, and we know exactly what's happening with them and where they're going. Fantastic. However, there are a few minor misdemeanors that need addressing.

The main thorn in Heartstopper Forever's side the recast role of Sarah, Nick's mum. I feel like an absolute heathen even bringing this up, seeing new Sarah, Anna Maxwell Martin, is one of my favorite actors in the country. But when you remember that you once had Olivia Colman in the same role — and that she delivered one of the best scenes in Heartstopper's history thanks to Nick coming out — well, there's a somewhat sour taste.

Heartstopper Forever is the most narratively and tonally different installment of Nick and Charlie's story to date, but it is still essentially more of the same at its core. Don't get me wrong, this isn't necessarily a negative... but if you've come to the movie looking for something new, you're not going to obviously find it.

Still, Oseman should give herself the biggest paycheck possible for what she's been able to achieve. It's not easy to deliver a finale that already looks nothing like what everyone expects it to, let alone make the final result compelling, endearing, and ultimately remarkably satisfying.

Heartstopper Forever really is forever... at least, it is in my house, where I'll be replaying it so much that Netflix might issue a warning. Its spirit and generation-defining impact will live on, and that might be the most special achievement the streamer has ever been responsible for.

Spoilers for Heartstopper Forever ahead.

It's a mammoth task to bring a beloved IP like Heartstopper to a close, but creator Alice Oseman has done an incredible job with the new Netflix movie, Heartstopper Forever.

If you're bummed out because we're not getting a full fourth season, don't be. As Nick (Kit Connor), Charlie (Joe Locke), and the gang all brace before going their separate ways to university, a feature film actually reflects their growing maturity and crises of confidence much more fittingly.

As our favorite friends brace themselves before heading their separate ways to start university (and more, but more on that later), emotions are running high.

But do our beloved relationships survive the final farewell, and what is everyone planning to do next? Here's the full Heartstopper Forever ending breakdown that you're looking for.

Do Nick and Charlie stay together?

Yes... but that isn't without its challenges. We start Heartstopper Forever with Nick and Charlie as besotted and in love as they always have been, with the others gently roasting them as being the "perfect couple" while their own relationships experience problems.

But while Charlie embraces his newfound self-confidence through becoming Head Boy at Truham Grammar School, Nick is having a tougher time with his emotions. He's decided that he wants to put Leeds University as his first choice on his application, and the thought of drifting apart from Charlie is weighing on his mind.

Nick starts to close himself off from Charlie, not fully explaining why he's not feeling 100%. Charlie is left at a loss, only wanting to support Nick in the same way he's always felt supported in return. This all comes to a head at a house party, where the boys get into an argument.

As Charlie tells Tori (Jenny Walser), Nick is trying to prevent a future problem that hasn't presented itself yet... Charlie just doesn't know exactly what that problem is. At the party, Nick complains that Charlie has been avoiding him the whole night, with Charlie responding that he thought Nick might want some space to talk through uni and future plans with his friends.

Nick, slightly drunk, lashes out by saying that the pair could probably use some space. "So you want to break up then?" Charlie asks, with Nick replying, "Well, it sounds like you want to break up." With communication between them coming to a halt, that's exactly what happens.

Cue endless moping while keeping to themselves. Charlie stops eating and refuses to get out of bed, with Elle (Yasmin Finney), Isaac (Tobie Donovan) and Tao (William Gao) all staging an intervention by taking Charlie to Truham Pride. All goes well until Charlie spots Nick talking to a girl on the dance floor at a local gay club.

From Nick's perspective, he's just looking for friends. Just like Charlie, he's been unable to shake off the breakup, telling mum Sarah (Anna Maxwell Martin) that everything that has happened is his own fault, believing that it's too late to be fixed.

The day of Truham Pride, Imogen (Rhea Norwood) introduces him to a friend, who offers to hook him up with someone if he wants a rebound. He refuses and moves away, which is when Charlie spots him.

Days later, Charlie leaves a pack of printed disposable photos at Nick's door, asking him to meet at the beach. Charlie tells him that he thought that the pair could always talk to each other, but somewhere along the line, their communication has broken down.

Nick says that he envies the way that Charlie can express himself, as he often doesn't understand how he's feeling half of the time. The two make amends, promising to always look after each other. From there, it's back to being as loved-up as ever, just in time for the Truham prom.

What about Elle and Tao?

Elle and Tao are the relationship that doesn't survive Heartstopper Forever, as the pair get into an argument about their future plans. Elle wants to move to Berlin to become an artist, having a go at Tao for not frequently planning to visit.

Tao says that he can't afford it, with their argument made worse by a drunk Nick claiming that everything with Charlie is perfect (hint: we know that's not true).

The pair agree to a truce to help Charlie out of his funk post-breakup, and appear friendly at Truham prom. They have "one last dance" before things change for good, and are noticeably emotional at the thought of being apart.

However, there's a silver lining on the horizon. In the very last scene of the pair, we see Elle at an art exhibition in Berlin, with Tao arriving to surprise her.

What's next for the gang after they finish school?

Let's start with Nick and Charlie. While Charlie stays local, Nick gets into Leeds. The final scene shows Charlie going to stay with Nick for the weekend, being introduced to all of his new friends, clubbing, and getting pancakes for breakfast.

They're ready to write a new chapter in their relationship, and as they say, they feel as if they're "different" from typical teen romance... they're in it for the long haul.

Elle and Tao are accounted for, but it's Tao's video project at prom that lets us in on what's to come next for the rest of the gang. Tara (Corrina Brown) has asked girlfriend Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) to go interrailing across Europe with her, deferring their places at uni for at least a year.

Tori has a more skeptical answer, telling Tao that she will "do nothing, then die." However, things are going well with boyfriend Michael (Darragh Hand), having figured out the rhythm of their relationship.

Sahar (Leila Khan) tells Tao that the band, Queer Intentions, has broken up, but she's going to try a solo music career and see what happens.

Don't miss this epic Heartstopper Easter egg

Just as Nick gets on the train to Leeds, he walks through the carriage and passes a young woman reading at a nearby table.

If you're a Heartstopper fan, you'll know that this is Alice Oseman, creator of the original graphic novel series. She's also acted as the showrunner of seasons 1-3. She's also written the script for Heartstopper Forever.

I almost can't write too much of an intro because I'll cry, but Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie's (Joe Locke) beautiful love story is about to come to a close in Heartstopper Forever.

Since 2022, Heartstopper has captivated the hearts of Netflix subscribers, faithfully adapting the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman of the same name. In fact, if this is all too much for you, you can literally relive the ending again — Oseman has just published its sixth installment.

Frankly, I think Heartstopper will really live up to its "forever" subtitle. But when does Heartstopper Forever arrive on Netflix?

What time can I watch Heartstopper Forever on Netflix?

Heartstopper Forever drops on Netflix on July 17, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that we saw across seasons 1-3.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• 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 Heartstopper Forever come out?

Heartstopper Forever isn't actually season 4... it's a feature-length film.

According to the streamer, it's clocking in with a runtime of 114 minutes, so that basically the equivalent of 4.5 episodes.

Sadly, this will be it for the show's run on Netflix.

Ready to relax this weekend in front of your TV (or smartphone, I'm not judging)? Some of you will do well to find something worth enjoying on the world's best streaming services.

Indeed, it's been a surprisingly quiet week for new movies and TV shows. And, while there's just enough to fill this week's streaming round-up, a few of you might not be enthused by how weak the selection is compared to past editions

Still, I'm holding out hope that one of the below will pique your interest. If not... well, there's always the 2026 World Cup quarter finals to watch instead! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Little House on the Prairie season 1 (Netflix)

Netflix has made it 1974 all over again! The Ingalls family return to the small screen in this adaptation of Little House on the Prairie (NB: read my Little House on the Prairie review while you're here), which is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's book series namesake.

Essentially, this story, which sees protagonist Laura navigates her childhood days on the Prairie lands of Kansas, is comfort watching at its peak. And, while its typical "Netflix look" can be grating, if you look past the form, the content is meaningful. Season 2 is already on the way, too, and I'm already looking forward to it. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Little House on the Prairie season 1 on Netflix

The Westies (MGM+ and Prime Video)

Searching for a new gritty crime drama to gorge? The Westies, a J.K. Simmons-fronted MGM+ TV Original that's also available on Prime Video, should appeal to you.

Set in the early 1980s, it follows the notorious New York crime family as they navigate mob wars, familial infighting, and an FBI investigation that might unsettle the increasingly fragile truce that the Hell's Kitchen-based syndicate has with the Italian Mafia.

Episodes 1 and 2 of this Amazon TV Original are out now, while new chapters will air weekly every Sunday for the foreseeable future. — JV

• Watch The Westies on MGM+ and Prime Video

The Long Walk (HBO Max)

Francis Lawrence's excellent The Long Walk has strolled onto HBO Max and, in my view,it's one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all-time.

Set in a dystopian 1970s, a group of boys compete in an annual televised competition where they're forced to walk non-stop while maintaining a pace of 4.8 km per hour. If they don't, they're killed. There can only be one winner, too, so the pressure is on.

There are lots of likeable characters here and one very unlikeable one in the form of Mark Hamill's The Major, which is arguably his creepiest performance yet. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch The Long Walk on HBO Max

Trying season 5 (Apple TV)

Apple TV's long running comedy series Trying has returned for its fifth season.

Esther Smith and Rafe Spall return as central couple Nikki and Jason, who we've watched journey to become parents and, now they have two foster children, they're having to navigate unexpected challenges. This season, Kat (Charlotte Riley), the biological mother of Princess and Tyler, returns and causes the family dynamics to shift.

Trying has been praised for its approach to difficult themes, providing both comedy and emotionally charged moments. It's very good to have this Apple TV Original back on our screens. — LB

• Watch Trying season 5 on Apple TV

Wardriver (Paramount+)

Did you really think that we were going to leave you action fans hanging this week? Introducing Wardriver, a new movie that's just dropped on Paramount+ and has already been described by fans online as "great acting of unsavory characters."

In it, we follow a hacker who gets caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse when he's forced into a multi-mullion dollar cyberheist. There's a real sense of jeopardy here, as every line of code could be his last.

Hopefully, that "last" doesn't come before the end of the movie's pithy 94-minute runtime. But hey, who knows with storytelling these days? — JV

• Watch Wardriver on Paramount+

The Man Will Burn (HBO Max)

No doubt you've heard of The Burning Man, but how much do you know about its roots? You can now experience this iconic arts festival from the comfort of your living room, so you don't even need to to trek out into the desert.

Across four episodes, we go behind the scenes of the eponymous effigy's festival, from its origins all the way up to the present day. There's particular focus on organizing an event of this scale in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, too.

Both seasoned "Burners" and new arrivals feature in the documentary, giving us a complete look at the festival and how it has evolved over time. — LB

• Watch The Man Will Burn on HBO Max

Married at First Sight season 20 (Peacock)

Despite all the controversies surrounding the international versions, we're returning to where it all began with Married at First Sight. Just as Love Island USA comes to an end as well, so perfect timing.

You know the score here: 14 new singles will agree to marry someone they’ve never met, and see if their newfound relationship was actually worth saying "I do" for.

Experts Paul C. Brunson and Doctor Lisa Paz are returning to oversee the drama and, judging by the above trailer, the weddings themselves genuinely look the chicest they've ever been. — JV

• Watch Married at First Sight season 20 on Peacock

If there's a reboot I've been pleasantly surprised by in recent years, its Netflix's take on Little House on the Prairie.

Based on the classic book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder of the same name, we follow the Ingalls family as they relocate to the Prairie lands of Kansas. Seen through the eyes of youngest daughter Laura (Alice Halsey), we're reminded of what's important in life — respect, understanding and a willingness to grow.

All eight episodes of season 1 are now available to stream, but luckily for fans, season 2 was renewed before the new series even premiered.

There's still a lot left to learn about what's to come, but here's everything we know so far.

Little House on the Prairie season 2 release window predictions

As of July 2026, Little House on the Prairie season 2 is currently in production. If all goes well, we can predict that new episodes could come out as early as mid 2027, but we could easily be left waiting for longer.

“I’m incredibly grateful to our wonderful cast and crew, who put their hearts and hard work into making our first season come alive,” showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine told Netflix. “We can’t wait to share this new adaptation of the Little House books with the world, and we’re thrilled that Netflix is giving us the opportunity to continue the story.”

Little House on the Prairie season 2 trailer: is there one?

Don't be silly. It took us until mid June 2026 to get one for season 1, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around four weeks before the second season does.

Little House on the Prairie season 2 cast

We're expecting the following main cast members to return for Little House on the Prairie season 2:

• Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls
• Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls
• Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls
• Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls

Our season 1 supporting cast are less likely to return, given that the season finale saw the Ingalls family leaving Kansas for pastures new after the field fires.

However, we do know that these new faces will be joining the action:

• Willa Dunn as Nellie Oleson, Laura’s ultimate rival
• Charlotte Sullivan as Margaret Oleson, Nellie's mother
• Rachelle Lefevre as Eva Beadle, a schoolteacher

We can expect more new faces to be announced closer to release, so watch this space.

Little House on the Prairie season 2 plot predictions

Logically, Little House on the Prairie will adapt the next book in Wilder's original series, On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Having left their little house on the Kansas prairie (which is exactly what we saw at the end of season 1), the Ingalls family travels by wagon to Minnesota, settling on the banks of Plum Creek.

The book covers a five-year span of Wilder's childhood, so we could see the Ingalls stay there for a while should the Netflix series continue to be renewed.

This also makes sense for introducing Nellie, who we meet in On the Banks of Plum Creek.

The Ingalls are going to have their work cut out for them, with the Locust Plague of 1874 and a blizzard both key parts of Wilder's childhood at this time.

Will there be more seasons?

Interestingly (but unsurprisingly, judging by how the 1974 TV series was adapted) we've already skipped past two books in Wilder's series before season 1 even begins.

Here's the full Little House series list:

• Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
• Farmer Boy (1933)
• Little House on the Prairie (1935)
• On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)
• By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)
• The Long Winter (1940)
• Little Town on the Prairie (1941)
• These Happy Golden Years (1943)
• The First Four Years (1971)

As you can see, there's a plethora of material there for the taking if Netflix chooses to continue on with the series. It could easily be sustained for long enough to rival Virgin River, Netflix's current longest-running original series of all time.

If there is to be any renewal news, we'll likely hear about it a lot closer to season 2's eventual release.

• A new report claims that Netflix is testing always-on, live channels
• These could have scheduled programming and stream around the clock
• The rumors have been met by a largely negative reaction

When Netflix first pivoted from mail-order DVDs to internet streaming, it was a refreshing alternative to cable: stacks of ad-free content, on-demand, for one monthly fee. Since then, Netflix has slowly turned into cable, and that looks likely to continue.

According to "people familiar with the matter" speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Netflix is considering live, always-on channels that would stream around the clock and have scheduled programming much like conventional cable and free-to-air channels.

These channels might show certain programs on a loop, for example, or focus on particular genres, according to the insider sources. Another idea floated within the company has been to bundle other subscription services, such as Peacock, into Netflix for an additional fee (as Prime Video and Apple TV already do).

This is all in response to declining subscriber engagement, as per the report — the idea is to get more people staying for longer inside the Netflix apps. Competition for eyeballs has never been fiercer across streaming platforms, the web, and traditional TV.

The circle is complete

You may remember the slide towards cable that Netflix started in earnest in 2022, when the platform introduced ads. Since then, the ad-supported tier has become well established (and risen in price several times).

The reaction to the rumors on Reddit has been largely negative. "We've come full circle now," correctly observes one poster, while another says "I would expect it to be terrible". There are also worries about future price increases to coincide with the launch of extra channels, and general frustration with the quality of Netflix's catalog.

Several of the online reactions have been more positive though: viewers who have these kinds of channels on other services say they regularly use them just to have something on in the background that doesn't require too much effort.

Other ways Netflix has tried to keep viewers locked in recently have included video podcasts and short-form video clips. We may know more about its future plans next week, when Netflix is set to reveal its latest earnings and engagement reports.

• Netflix confirms release date of September 3 for The Gentlemen season 2, and drops first teaser trailer
• Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Ray Winstone, Joley Richardson and Vinnie Jones are all set to return
• New series will consist of eight episodes, picking up one year after the season 1 finale

Guy Ritchie fans have been well fed today: not only has Paramount+ dropped a release date and trailer for MobLand season 2, but Netflix has done the same for The Gentlemen season 2 mere hours after.

The Gentlemen season 2 will release on September 3, with MobLand season 2 following up from September 18. Both shows are created and produced by Ritchie, despite being on different streaming services.

As the streamer explains, "It’s been one year since Eddie (Theo James) and Susie (Kaya Scodelario) joined forces to work together in Bobby’s (Ray Winstone) criminal empire overseas. As they drive to expand their enterprise, the decisions Bobby is making seem to be increasingly unsound.

"Now Eddie and Susie must decide whether to take action or risk losing it all, but unfettered ambition never ends well."

James, Scodelario and Winstone are reprising their roles, alongside Joley Richardson and Vinnie Jones. New cast members include Hugh Bonneville, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, Michele Morrone, Sergio Castellitto, Amra Mallassi and Tyler Conti.

The Gentlemen season 2 also casts boxer Chris Eubank Jr. in his acting debut

On top of this, there are two more unexpected cast bookings who are not actors at all... and one of them has taken me completely by surprise.

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr. has been cast in his acting debut in season 2, alongside British TV presenter Maya Jama, who is well known for hosting Love Island.

The casting news was initially announced in June 2025, though their roles are as of yet unconfirmed. Frankly, I can't wait to see Eubank Jr.'s role pans out (though I do think his dad might have been better suited to the show's gritty aristocratic blend).

As of writing, this is all the information we've got on season 2, but it's incredibly likely that we'll find out more, including the release of a full trailer, in the coming weeks.

During the release of 2026 action movie Fuze, James told TechRadar that season 2 is "fun, and still funny. But it's also darker, goes a little wild."

"Between this and Mobland, let’s declare September as Guy Ritchie month," one fan commented on YouTube, with a second adding, "Finally this show comes back, everyone has been waiting for 2 years. MobLand and Gentlemen comes out on the same month, can't wait!!!"

• Netflix is reportedly experimenting with free trial periods again
• The 'try before you buy' offer hasn't been available since 2020
• Two of its biggest markets have been overlooked for the promotional tests

Netflix free trials are making a comeback — sort of. More than six years after time was called on its beloved 30-day free trial offer, users could soon be able to try out the world's best streaming service free of charge once more.

According to What's on Netflix, the streaming juggernaut is not only exploring whether to reintroduce its 'try before you buy' offer, but also actively testing its return in some world regions. When asked for comment, a spokesperson simply told the aforementioned website: "We regularly test promotions to help prospective members experience the value of Netflix."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are caveats. For starters, the US and UK aren't among the nations in which this experiment is being conducted. Considering that these countries are two of Netflix's biggest markets, I'm surprised that those in charge aren't trying to entice prospective new users by testing its free trial period on both sides of the Atlantic.

Speaking of new users, Netflix is only said to be offering a free trial to those who haven't previously signed up to the platform. Furthermore, What's on Netflix understands that these free trial periods vary in length depending on where you live. (Update: What's on Netflix has now suggested that people are being offered seven day, 14-day, and 30-day trials).

Opinion: Netflix needs a subscriber boost — and free trials are the one and only solution

Let me clarify the above sub-header before we move on: Netflix isn't short of subscribers. As of January 2026, the entertainment giant's worldwide userbase stood at a staggering 325 million (per Yahoo Finance). That's almost 130 million more active subscribers than the 195.7 million combined total of Disney's two streamers in Disney+ and Hulu, and over 100 million more than Prime Video's estimated install base.

Nonetheless, Netflix has hit something of a road block in the battle to attract new users and keep them hooked on its offerings.

Per a recent Bloomberg report, the amount of time that Netflix fans spent watching its vast suite of content grew by less than 2%. The same article also indicates that Netflix has only had two major TV hits on its hands this year — those being His & Hers and Bridgerton season 4. The streamer has since chalked up another TV Original win in the form of I Will Find You, but the aforementioned Bloomberg piece was published prior to I Will Find You's viewership data becoming publicly available.

Bloomberg's report doesn't dig into the movie side of things, but Netflix has also similarly struggled to deliver unmissable original films. Indeed, barring sci-fi action movie War Machine, family-friendly animated flick Swapped, crime drama The RIP, and survival thriller Apex, Netflix can't point to its movie division as proof that it's still firing on all cylinders.

With returning shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Beef, One Piece, and The Night Agent, as well as new movies including Enola Holmes 3, failing to do big numbers, Netflix's 2026 lineup clearly hasn't done enough (thus far, anyway) to entertain the masses. Throw in sliding share prices after Netflix lost out to Paramount Skydance in the fight to try and buy Warner Bros, and it's little surprise to learn that fearful Netflix investors are putting the pressure on executives to arrest this downturn in fortunes.

What better way is there, then, then by luring in potential new users by giving them a chance to try Netflix for free, especially in countries where user retention might not be as high as it is elsewhere?

Well, Netflix could actually do the unthinkable, and reduce the cost of a monthly membership rather than jacking up the price every year — but Hell is likely to freeze over before that happens. So, revisiting its free trial offer, and re-rolling it out in certain territories might be the one and only option available to the streaming titan if it wants to maintain its position as top dog.

"I just can't watch it... I don't want them to ruin what's already been" is a direct quote from my 60-year-old mother when I told her that Netflix was set to re-adapt the Western family drama classic, Little House on the Prairie.

The tales of Laura Ingalls Wilder's real-life childhood have always held a distinct sense of importance in my household. As a child, my mum raced through the original book series — and encouraged me to do the same when I was old enough — and voraciously watched all nine seasons of the 1974 TV show when she was 12.

As with any classic story that's being readapted for the umpteenth time without much in the way of explanation as to why, there was always going to be a valid sense of trepidation around bringing the Ingalls family back to life. But as an initial skeptic, my mind has been changed after watching all eight episodes.

Sure, it resembles the Hallmark series When Calls the Heart a little too much for my liking (and has a lot of underlying issues surrounding how it looks, but more on that later). But watching Laura Ingalls (Alice Halsey) navigate moving to a new town reminded me how important it is to be brought back to the core things that matter in life.

We so often get lost in overhyped marketing, complicated lore, and visual effects that the core components of storytelling no longer have merit on their own. There's no big dramatic narrative in Little House on the Prairie, just family, feelings, and a strained sense of love.

TV is stripped as far back as the Ingalls' bare wooden house, and I think 2026 viewers will really benefit from the show's no-frills style of storytelling. That being said, there's a lot left to be desired in the bigger picture.

Little House on the Prairie still serves purpose in 2026 — even if nothing really happens

Interestingly, Little House on the Prairie neither feels like gripping, unforgettable television, nor does it feel like placid, put-on-in-the-background streaming. Your mind can go blissfully numb while watching, but subconsciously, you're being recalibrated.

It's not perfect, but empathy, understanding, and a childlike sense of wonder are bursting from the seams here. Seeing life through Laura's eyes automatically realigns us to what's important in life — respect, understanding and a willingness to grow. Halsey is a knockout in the role, and you want to strive to be a better person just by watching her open heart expand even further.

Frankly, our child actors are running rings around the adult cast in general. Together, they carry the weight and heart of the show and have more chemistry between them than any of the parental figures, including dad Charles (Luke Bracey) and mum Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald).

Youngest Osage member Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts) is another standout and a testament to the suitable level of sensitivity when it comes to navigating Native American history. This could have so easily backfired or been grossly overlooked, but instead feels evenly tempered.

You couldn't pay me $1000 to pick Little House on the Prairie episodes out of a Netflix lineup

I'm honestly sick of complaining about this, but the biggest drawback of Little House on the Prairie is undoubtedly its look. This means that episodes look exactly like any other period drama or Western content that Netflix has ever made. But who is surprised?

Once again, this takes me back to my ongoing argument that the streamer uses the same lighting, visual style, and effects to mold its content into one, homogenised, cookie-cutter preset. Why? I still haven't figured that out. But if it's to brand Netflix content into a signature style, the result falls flat.

Netflix likens the new series to pre-existing hits such as Virgin River and Ransom Canyon, and if you took away the bonnets, you'd have a difficult time knowing which show was which. I yearn for a sense of individual creativity when it comes to this aspect of the streamer's creations, and it looks like I won't be stopping anytime soon.

This is also the closest Netflix has come to straying into Hallmark territory in its original content. What I mean by this is that the drama is often so twee that you'd expect someone to randomly burst into song like it's a production of Oklahoma!

It can be grating, but if you look past the form, the content is meaningful. Season 2 has already been renewed, and unexpectedly, I'm looking forward to it.

Little House on the Prairie is available to stream now.

The following guide may contain spoilers for the main Peaky Blinders series and the movie The Immortal Man.

Peaky Blinders will return to Netflix and BBC One for a new sequel series, but so far little is known about the next installment.

That doesn't mean there's nothing to be excited about, though. In June 2026, Tudum confirmed that some huge names were joining the cast, so I'm sure it will be just as impressive as the original Peaky Blinders series and its follow-up movie, The Immortal Man, the latter of which received a 90% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, our entertainment writer Jasmine Valentine noted that The Immortal Man's ending might pose some problems when it comes to the new sequel series. We'll get into that later on.

Here's everything we know about the Peaky Blinders sequel series so far.

Peaky Blinders sequel: release date

We don't have a release date for the Peaky Blinders sequel series just yet, but we do know it will consist of two new six-episode seasons.

The Peaky Blinders sequel will follow the original series and the feature-length film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, that’s streaming now on Netflix. So you can watch these while you wait for the new episodes, if you like.

Speaking of the show's return, creator Steven Knight told Tudum: “Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel, and it will be a hell of a ride.”

Peaky Blinders sequel trailer: is there one?

Currently, there is no trailer available for the Peaky Blinders sequel series as it is still in development. Once one becomes available, I'll add it here.

Peaky Blinders sequel: cast

Much of the excitement around the Peaky Blinders sequel so far has come from the recent casting announcements. Despite not having a release date, trailer, or name, we do know that some major stars are joining the line-up.

Half Man's Jamie Bell and Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton will star as Duke and Charles Shelby, two half-brothers and the sons of the now deceased Tommy Shelby. Charles severed all ties to the Peaky Blinders gang, but something tells me he won't be able to get out completely.

Elsewhere, Conleth Hill joins as Clemmy Keeler, the fierce patriarch of the rival Keeler family. Cal O’Driscoll plays Clemmy’s son, Aidan Keeler, and Daniel Monks plays Detective Inspector Bell.

This great selection of stars joins previously announced cast members Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski.

Peaky Blinders sequel: plot details

Peaky Blinders' sequel series is set a decade after World War II, and follows the race to rebuild Birmingham. Duke Shelby is at the heart of what has been described as "a brutal contest of mythical dimensions."

We can expect new opportunities, jeopardy, and ambitions when Peaky Blinders returns, even though we won't be focusing on the series' icon, Tommy Shelby, anymore. I'm excited already.

The Ingalls are back, 2026 style. Thanks to Netflix, Laura Ingalls Wilder's hit book series Little House on the Prairie is returning to the small screen, 52 years after it was first adapted.

The 1974 Western-drama ran for nine seasons, starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle and Melissa Sue Anderson in the leading roles... but can the 2026 version last as long?

Before new episodes have even hit the streaming service, there's good news: Little House on the Prairie has already been renewed for a second season.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet — when is season 1 available to watch?

What time can I watch Little House on the Prairie on Netflix?

Little House on the Prairie drops on Netflix on Ju1y 9, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that previous hit shows such as Emily in Paris have enjoyed.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• 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 Little House on the Prairie come out?

All eight episodes of Little House on the Prairie will likely be its standard release schedule going forward.

There's currently no word on when season 2 might be released, though it is thought to be in production.

This week we saw the return of Anthropic’s Fable, and PlayStation set the gaming world ablaze by announcing the end of physical discs for its consoles in 2028.

To catch up on these two mega stories and several more scroll down to read our recaps of the biggest tech news stories from the past seven days. You’ll find links to the longer original stories under each entry if you need to know more — and for a longer look back at the last six months, you can also check out our guide to the best tech of 2026 so far.

Before you catch up with this week’s tech news, why not test yourself on last week’s seven biggest tech stories to see how good your memory is? Take the quiz below, or scroll on for the biggest tech news of the week...

7. Tidal hit back at AI-made music

Tired of music made by text-prompt infiltrating your recommended feeds? You're in fine company; it seems the tide is finally turning on AI-generated audio.

This week, in what must be hugely welcome news for recording artists (and their parents, landlords, loved ones, and just lovers of original musical works with human vocals and instruments) hi-res music streaming giant Tidal has drawn a line in the sand.

The platform published a new comprehensive AI policy with the strapline "Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music". The key bit is that as well as working with what the platform told TechRadar is “an external partner to manage detection”, the site will also be excluding wholly AI-generated music from all royalty payments.

The news follows huge strides in this area made by Deezer, with its free AI-detection tool that works on any streaming platform, Bandcamp's strong and concise anti-AI stance set out in January, Qobuz’s announcement of a proprietary AI-detection system in February, Apple Music’s March-issue 'Transparency Tags' (which unfortunately rely on record labels and distributors to tag AI content), and Spotify's… er, Verified by Spotify badge, which certifies that an artist is human, but doesn't help filter the remaining AI slop from your playlists.

All of this makes Tidal's stance, while not before time, particularly firm.

• Read more: 100% AI-generated tracks won’t earn royalties on Tidal

6. Netflix got another hated account update

A handful of Netflix users have noticed a new in-app pop-up that requires each member in a shared account to add individual email addresses to their individual profiles, instead of using the account owner’s email address as the primary one. One of the most jarring parts about it is that the pop-up doesn’t clear unless the request is fulfilled.

Netflix households accounts have always been built on the traditional 'one email, one password’ foundation, but why Netflix has decided to roll out yet another crackdown is the question that everyone is asking.

Though Netflix says it’s to make room for more convenient log-ins and more personalized recommendations, users believe it will give the streaming giant another way to better distinguish between the activity of individual profiles, or even shift them to individual accounts later down the line.

Netflix said that the rollout began on June 15, we imagine a global rollout is in the way.

• Read more: Netflix subscribers are furious at the platform’s latest update

5. We ran with the Garmin Forerunner 70

We’ve taken this new Garmin running watch for a spin. While it offers some clear upgrades over the Forerunner 55 that came before it, these enhancements come at a cost ($249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399) which makes this gadget less budget or entry level and more mid-range.

The trouble isn’t with this smart watch specifically. In fact, with new training and smartwatch features, a vibrant AMOLED display, and with solid compatibility across Android and iOS the watch is pretty solid. What we’re concerned about with the Forerunner 70 is that at this price (or for only a handful of bucks more) you can snatch up watches from rival brands that boast richer features and newer hardware.

At four stars it’s definitely good, but if you’re after the best, or even simply the best at this price point, the Garmin Forerunner 70 might not be it.

• Read our full Garmin Forerunner 70 review

4. The Steam Machine sold out in Japan

The upcoming Valve gaming PC-console hybrid has launched and the reality is it’s a pretty terrible deal on the face of it — though that hasn’t stopped it from selling out in Japan, and from scalpers asking for ridiculous prices for their reservation spot (allowing people a better chance at snagging the device).

Instead of battling with preorder disappointment, or the high costs of the proper machine, some have looked to alternatives but you’ll need to be careful. For every Stim Machine which presents itself as a sensible alternative (with some admittable downsides) there’s a flurry of cheap alternatives propping online that are frankly too good to be true.

Boasting components that wouldn’t actually fit inside the pictured chassis, a combination of parts that wouldn’t function together, and the plethora of never before seen companies proposing Steam Machine alternatives at impossibly cheap rates hints that a majority of these options are likely some kind of scam.

• Read more: The Steam Machine is overpriced — but be careful about buying a cheap clone

3. Anthropic’s Fable 5 was allowed to release

Anthropic’s Fable 5, the public version of its Mythos model, is returning after the US government lifted export controls that had forced the company to suspend access to it, and Mythos 5, earlier in June. The models were pulled after officials raised national security concerns linked to a possible jailbreak, a method of bypassing an AI model’s safety restrictions.

Anthropic pushed back strongly, saying it believed the issue was “a misunderstanding” and arguing that it had not been shown evidence of a broad or universal jailbreak. The company said governments should be able to block unsafe AI deployments, but only through a process that is transparent, fair, clear, and grounded in technical facts.

The return of Fable 5 matters because it shows how frontier AI launches may increasingly be shaped by governments, not just tech companies. Powerful models can now be launched, restricted, negotiated over, and restored within weeks.

• Read more: Anthropic’s Fable 5 is back after US shutdown it called 'a misunderstanding'

2. WhatsApp debuted usernames

WhatsApp has revolutionized its platform this week by introducing usernames — allowing you to build your contact information without sharing your phone number. They won’t take over completely for a while but folks are already reserving their username so that they’re ready for when the update goes live fully.

While many are fairly positive about the change, many fear this could increase the presence of cybercrime fraud and scams as bad actors reserve and use names that attempt to mimic politicians, celebrities, and businesses. This issue isn’t new to social media, but given the more direct nature of WhatsApp, and that businesses do use the platform to chat with customers, potential scams could have an easier time.

WhatsApp has hit back against this saying “only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names" however it’s unclear if, with enough imagination, people will find ways to reserve names that the Meta-owned platform hasn’t been able to account for.

• Read more: WhatsApp should freeze username rollout as it could ‘increase cybercrimes’, says India

1. PlayStation killed physical games

Just days after Grand Theft A 6 pre-orders opened with purely digital versions and code-in-a-box releases, PlayStation rocked the gaming world this week by announcing it is ending all releases of new PlayStation games on physical discs from January 2028. It also comes just days after Sony deleted select films from users' accounts that were bought digitally, and offered no compensation.

Claiming that the move “will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” Sony looks to be reflecting recent statistics which show the vast majority of game purchases are indeed digital.

The move has not gone down well with fans, gamers, and the wider industry, as it likely paves the way for an all-digital future, and possibly a critical, maybe terminal blow to the second-hand game market, the ability to share games with others, and from a game preservation perspective

It also means that the PS6 will likely be all-digital by default — perhaps with an optional disc drive — and won’t release until 2028 at the earliest. With rumours that Xbox could follow suit with its next-generation console, the future looks increasingly digital, and game collectors such as ourselves are deeply worried and sad about it.

• Read more: In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games — mere days after GTA 6's disc-less pre-orders

We are officially halfway through 2026 — how did that happen??? — but the world's best streaming services aren't letting up on the new movies and TV shows front.

Indeed, this week's selection might be on the smaller side, but every entry we've rounded up below is definitely worthy of your time. Quality over quantity, and all of that jazz. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out what your next must-see film or TV series is. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

X-Men 97 season 2 (Disney+)

Get ready to hum and air-drum along to that iconic theme tune, Marvel fans, because X-Men 97 is back for its sophomore season on Disney+.

Picking up directly after X-Men 97 season 1's finale, the highly-rated animated X-Men TV show finds the world-famous mutants scattered across time as they all attempt to avert the same crisis. That being, the world falling under the totalitarian rule of the immortal superhuman known as Apocalypse.

X-Men 97 season 2's first three episodes are out now, and you'll be able to see one new entry of this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adjacent project every week for the foreseeable future. So, grab a bowl of cereal, throw on your favorite pajamas, and settle in for some more Saturday morning cartoon-style fun... well, in-between all of the weeping that X-Men 97 season 2 will make you do, anyway. — TP

• Watch X-Men 97 season 2 on Disney+

Enola Holmes 3 (Netflix)

Who's ready for another round of Victorian era whimsy and detectiving (yes, that's a word, look it up)? If you raise your hand, you'll be happy to know that Enola Holmes 3 has made its debut on Netflix.

This time around, a spanner is thrown in the works of the titular character's impending wedding to Lord Tewkesbury. The reason? Her more famous cousin Sherlock has been kidnapped. Way to spoil her upcoming nupitals, Mister World's Greatest Detective...

Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helen Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, and Hamish Patel are among the movie's starry returning ensemble. So, don't delay — load up Netflix because the case is afoot! — TP

• Watch Enola Holmes 3 on Netflix

Elle (Prime Video)

Fictional lawyer Elle Woods is a pop culture sensation and now she's got her own Prime Video series.

Before Legally Blonde comes Elle, a prequel set in 1995 where our upbeat, pink-loving protagonist tries to navigate the tumultuous waters of high school. A tagline for the Amazon TV Original teases that it's even harder than law school was, and we'll soon learn why across this eight-part season.

Here, Lexi Minetree steps into the eponymous character's glamorous shoes, following on from Reece Witherspoon in the original movie. Our entertainment reporter Jasmine Valentine gave Elle a glowing review, but what will you think of the prequel? — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Elle on Prime Video

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (HBO Max)

Not to be confused with the Brendan Fraser-led movie of the same name, Lee Cronin's The Mummy is one of a few new horror movies arriving on HBO Max this month.

In it, we follow a family who is reunited with Katie, their long-missing and now mummified daughter. They soon realize something's wrong with her and what follows is a jump scare heavy, incredibly bloody, and divisive supernatural flick.

You may need to suspend your disbelief for this one, but if you're in need of a good scare this weekend, it definitely does the job. — LB

• Watch Lee Cronin's The Mummy on HBO Max

Ready or Not 2 (Hulu/Disney+)

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come was not a sequel I had anticipated and, in my Ready or Not 2 review, I was certainly on the fence about it.

The sequel, which is out now on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (everywhere else), is fortunately saved by its star power, and it's particularly great to see Sarah Michelle Gellar loving every moment of the character she plays. Here, she's part of an aristocratic group of individuals with murder on their minds, who hunt down Grace (Samara Weaving) and her sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) as part of a high-stakes ritual. — LB

• Watch Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Silo season 3 (Apple TV)

It's time to literally unearth more secrets at the heart of this critically-acclaimed Apple TV Original.

Indeed, with Silo back for its third and penultimate episode, the Rebecca Ferguson-led dystopian drama must start giving viewers the answers that they seek. Thankfully, Silo season 3 does just that, with its separate timelines — one of which is set centuries before the Earth's surface became uninhabitable — starting to pull back the curtain on its wider mystery.

This season's first episode has gone live on Apple's streaming platform. New episodes will air weekly, too, so prepare yourself for nine more weeks of twists, turns, betrayals, and other shocks aplenty. — TP

• Watch Silo season 3 on Apple TV

Worst Neighbor Ever (Netflix)

Finally, Netflix has a new spin-off for their Worst Ever documentary series. We've seen worst exes and worst roommates, and now we're taking a look at the neighbors from hell.

There's harassment, paranoia and, even murder across its four episodes, which features insights from local law enforcement and those involved in the neighborly disputes that got way out of hand, often ending in irreparable hurt and damage.

You won't believe some of these stories, but they're 100% true and among the most shocking you'll find in Netflix's true crime library. — LB

• Watch Worst Neighbor Ever on Netflix

When I think of Enola Holmes, one word springs to mind: naff. Average, run-of-the-mill, mundane, as our friends across the world might put it instead.

It's been four years since the sequel and six years since the original movie came to Netflix, and I have no bearing on where it sits culturally. As an avid internet user in my pre "I have a job reviewing film and TV" days, the Millie Bobby Brown-led franchise felt like a complete flop. But look at the trilogy from a critic's perspective, and it's been a solid entry into the streamer's canon.

Watching Enola Holmes 3, I finally get it. As Sherlock's little sister takes on her wildest case — Sherlock (Henry Cavill) himself being kidnapped — I understand the brief writer Jack Thorne is trying to fulfil... a harmless one.

Suitable for all the family thanks to its genuinely fun and compelling (though not exactly unexpected) narrative, Enola Holmes 3 has all the hallmarks of a solid three-star movie. In fact, it's the most three-star movie to ever three-star.

Can you guess the ending? Yes. Do you care? Probably not. Will you look at your phone occasionally while streaming it, or maybe get started on those pesky household chores you keep putting off? I'd put money on it. Will you lose the storyline or interest if you suddenly pop out to make a coffee and keep the TV running? Not in the slightest.

It's safe storytelling at its most entertaining, and I felt a little like I imagine a baby does when a sensory YouTube video presents them with dancing fruit. Gripped, unmoving, but ultimately numb to what's actually going on.

Enola Holmes 3 must have been an actor's dream working holiday — like Mamma Mia! without the singing

If you have an account on X/Twitter or Instagram and are into pop culture, you have probably seen the pictures of the cast wrap party for the 2008 movie version of Mamma Mia! — which involved the likes of Meryl Streep and Colin Firth getting drunk and doing karaoke in Croatia.

In my mind's eye, Enola Holmes 3 had the same effect on its cast. Set and filmed in Malta, the exciting action sequences, picturesque heartfelt scenes walking along the coast, and frequent galivanting around the capital Valette likely amounted to a similar jovial spirit (and imagine a wrap party abroad with a Netflix budget).

The cast is just as stoic as they ever have been, with standout Helena Bonham Carter as a vagrant outsider, a veritable thrill. They're having fun, so we're having fun along with them, with the ingenious use of animated title cards to explain Sherlock lore, a shrewd interactive touch.

It's not particularly taxing or sophisticated as far as storytelling is concerned, but the existence of this IP wouldn't work if it tried to be. Let's stick with tried and tested easy-on-the-eye action, please.

Netflix needs to stop casting actors with 'iPhone face' in its period dramas

Before I come to my main gripe, let me make clear that Millie Bobby Brown is a) beautiful and b) absolutely doesn't deserve to have her appearance critiqued by the internet.

Instead, I wish that the costume and make-up departments had paid closer attention to its continuity, particularly around 'iPhone face' (the theory that someone cast in a period drama has clearly seen an iPhone).

As Brown has matured over the last six years, it's understandable that she'd want make-up that matches where she is in life. The result is that, unlike the previous two movies, she's got a full face of easily identifiable foundation, contour, and lip liner, which definitely wouldn't have been the case in the late 1800s.

Add to this that wider shots show Brown wearing gel acrylic nails — whereas close-ups show her slightly dirtied yet authentic natural nailbeds — and the illusion of a genuine period drama is ruined.

Continuity seems to be a wider issue across Enola Holmes 3, such as shots spliced together in a single scene not properly keeping track of whether someone's eyes have just been opened or closed. Much like the harmless safety of the narrative, it's this lack of attention to detail that keeps the franchise cocooned in its middling category, though armchair detectives might enjoy trying to spot said mishaps.

Still, it all adds to the light-hearted spirit of the piece, doesn't it? How likely is it that Sherlock, the Sherlock Holmes, could really be kidnapped anyway? Just roll with it, as the saying goes.

55 years ago, the legendary Gene Wilder invited us to join him in "a world of pure imagination." Now, a disembodied AI recreation of his sonorous vocals is inviting us to join him in his "my newest wonders beyond imagination."

But there's little-to-nothing imaginative about the use of an AI-generated version of Wilder's voice to help sell Netflix subscribers on a new Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-themed reality show, and, quite honestly, I hate everything about it.

To catch you up, this new show, which is set to air in September on one of the best streaming services, Netflix, borrows sets (recreations), themes, and even one living actor who played an Oompa Loompa from the original 1971 film to create a reality show that it hopes will somehow, if not match, approach the charm and danger of the original film.

Not getting the point

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based on the Roald Dahl bookCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, is a commentary on wealth, poverty, family, risk, and cruelty, all wrapped in a candy-covered fantasy.

The protagonist, Charlie Bucket, is so poor he lives in a ramshackle London cottage with multiple generations of family members, including a grandfather who has not left his bed in years. Meanwhile, Wonka is finally opening up his secretive factory to a select group of the public, chosen at random via golden tickets hidden in some of his candy.

I know, it sounds like a confection, but the first scene in which Wilder appears gives you a hint that this is not your typical children's story. When all the winners, including Charlie, arrive, Wonka (Wilder) unsteadily walks out while using a cane to greet them. As he approaches the gate, Wilder loses his grip on the cane and falls forward, but instead of face-planting, he does an effortless tumble and is suddenly upright and boisterous.

I tell you all this because there is so much complexity and nuance in that one scene and virtually all of it engineered by Wilder's performance. Throughout the film, his face and especially his voice drive the narrative and mood, yo-yoing it between playful host and sinister guide who keeps losing children to one self-imposed calamity after another.

Never before or since have I seen a character in a children's film swing so wildly from gentle and childlike to ominous. It's a wonder the Academy didn't recognize his performance.

Fast forward more than half a century to this streaming show, which uses Wilder's voice with the permission of his family; you can get your first sample of it in the new show trailer (above). Created by increasingly well-known ElevenLabs, the voice is, in my opinion, a poor recreation at best, but I guess I might also call it unmistakably Wilder-like.

It's also depressing. The thing about Wilder's real voice in films like Willy Wonka, The Producers, Stir Crazy, and Young Frankenstein is that it could be wildly emotional. Wilder as a hysteric was often the funniest thing you had ever seen. No one went off the rails like Gene Wilder, but also few other actors could express such warmth and compassion, and sometimes he did it all in a single scene.

At the end of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka discovers Charlie is stealing his everlasting gobstopper to deliver it to Wonka's chief competitor. His anger at Charlie is terrifying, but as soon as Charlie leaves the candy behind, Wonka (Wilder) transforms, and the compassion and joy in his voice is something to behold.

The AI Wilder voice in this trailer is devoid of passion, pathos, or really any recognizable human emotion. It's a soulless Gene Wilder.

Look, there's no doubt the power of AI is transforming life and culture. It lets us do things we never thought possible. It's a co-worker, a companion, a sleuth, a coder, and a creator, but we are now at the point where we must ask ourselves: Just because AI can, should it?

I guess we can ask a similar question about the AI-generated Val Kilmer in the unfortunately titled As Deep as the Grave. While I can understand if Kilmer had completed some filming and they wanted to bridge the gap in scenes filmed after his death, this full-scale recreation, even with the estate's permission, seems wrong. I love these actors, but none are irreplaceable, and using their likenesses and voices simply to generate nostalgia and sell a product feels very wrong, and certainly not the best use of AI (and all the resources behind it).

Surely, we can agree that it's often better to let the dead stay dead and not try to resurrect a simulacrum of their essence through the power of AI. The results are, to be honest, rather like the work of Baron Von Frankenstein: a monstrous creation that probably has no place on earth.

• Netflix users are being asked to add email addresses to their individual profiles
• The platform says this will allow separate sign-ins while offering even more personalized recommendations
• It seems convenient on paper, but users think it could lead to another big crackdown

Sharing Netflix accounts today isn’t as easy as it was in the mid-2010s, but now the best streaming service has another account crackdown on the way that’s already getting under people’s skins.

A handful of users have noticed a new in-app pop-up asking each member in a shared account to add individual email addresses to their individual profiles, instead of using the account owner’s email address as the primary one. One of the most jarring parts about it is that the pop-up doesn’t clear unless the request is fulfilled.

This hasn’t rolled out to all Netflix account holders yet, but the company informed Ars Technica that the new sign-in update began on June 15, so we imagine a wider rollout is inevitable. The outlet also stated that this pop-up doesn’t apply to profiles that are labelled as belonging to children.

Netflix households accounts have always been built on the traditional 'one email, one password’ foundation, allowing you to create up to five profiles to keep watchlists and recommendations separate from other members in your family. That’s all about to change, but why Netflix has decided to roll out yet another crackdown is the question that everyone is asking.

According to the details mentioned in the pop-up, this is purely a convenience reason. Having individual emails assigned to individual profiles under one account means you won’t have to keep relying on using the account holder’s email to sign in each time. It also means that if you ever need a verification code to log into Netflix, you won’t have to chase up the account holder for it in their inbox.

Additionally, the pop-up also says that adding an email address to your profile will make it a lot easier for you to recover the account when needed, and get personalized content recommendations with more features to come. On paper it sounds like Netflix is adding this requirement as a user experience enhancer, but subscribers are convinced it’s just another way for the company to surveil user activity.

When Netflix rolled out its password crackdown back in 2023, it ended an era of serial account sharing and that’s where the service decided one account was strictly for one household, the ‘Netflix Household’ in official terms. With its latest move, we believe that there’s more than meets the eye — and so do a vast majority of users online.

Over the past few weeks Reddit has seen a swarm of reactions following the first appearances of the pop-up, but the main concern expressed by users is the possibility of this morphing into a payment system, charging account holders to fork out extra just to add more profiles. “This is killing Netflix for me”, one user added.

Based on Netflix’s past crackdowns, the new requirement could also give the streaming giant another way to better distinguish between the activity of individual profiles, or even shift them to individual accounts later down the line. But while users have expressed outrage over this, some say they’ve found a workaround.

It appears that creating email aliases has helped some users get past the pop-up without giving Netflix all of their information, however this has only worked for those using Gmail.

One person in particular says that you can amend your Gmail address in order to create an alias, giving the example that if your email is ‘johnsmith@ gmail.com’ you could set up ‘johnsmith+kid1@gmail.com’. They go into further detail in their Reddit post, while others in the replies who use this workaround for other situations confirmed that it works.

As mentioned, this update hasn’t reached every Netflix subscriber yet and is rolling out slowly to start, similar to how the platform kick-started its password crackdown. Given Netflix’s history, we’re definitely keeping one eye open on this one.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has only just landed on Netflix, but we're already thinking about season 3 (you can read our ending explained to learn why).

Luckily for us, it had incredibly early confirmation. We've known all along that Aang (Gordon Cormier) needs to learn all four elemental bending skills in order to stop the Fire Nation, led by Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), from controlling the Four Nations.

As our current batch of episodes draws to a close, we're still far from reaching this conclusion. Enter Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3, which is already poised to take over.

From release window predictions to returning cast, here's everything we know about the next installment.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 release window prediction

It's worth pointing out that, as of writing, Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 doesn't have a confirmed release date or window. However, internet rumors suggest we could be seeing new episodes at some point in summer 2027.

Seasons 2 and 3 were shot back-to-back, and filming for new episodes wrapped back in November 2025.

Worst case, we can expect season 3 at some point in 2028, given that there's been a two-year gap between seasons 1 and 2.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 trailer: is there one?

A trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 hasn't made its debut yet. Once one is released, we'll update this section.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 cast

We can expect the following cast to return for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3:

• Gordon Cormier as Aang
• Kiawentiio as Katara
• Ian Ousley as Sokka
• Dallas Liu as Zuko
• Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai
• Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Zuko
• Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula
• Miya Cech as Toph
• Chin Han as Long Feng
• Justin Chien as King Kuei
• Amanda Zhao as Joo Dee
• Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong
• Kelemete Misipeka as The Boulder
• Hoa Xuande as Professor Zei
• Lourdes Faberes as General Sung
• Rekha Sharma as Amita
• Madison Hu as Fei
• Dichen Lachman as Yangchen
• Lily Gao as Ursa
• Terry Chen as Jeong Jeong

Dolly De Leon as Lo and Li, Jon Jon Briones as Piandao, and Tantoo Cardinal as Hama were all originally tipped to appear in the second reason, but do not. Despite this, we can expect them to star in season 3.

More new names will likely be announced as we get closer to the show's release, so keep your eyes peeled.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 plot predictions

Spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ahead.

We're pretty confident that season 3 is going to directly adapt the third Avatar book, following Aang learning to firebend, infiltrating the Fire Nation, and preparing for his climactic showdown with Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Not too much, then.

We also know that Zuko will eventually team up with Aang and the gang to make this happen, so we can expect to see some more emotional upheaval from him.

Obviously, finding out if Aang has actually survived the battle is a top priority for season 3. But the mere fact that season 3 has already been greenlit basically confirms that we'll be seeing Aang again anyway.

Will there be more seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender?

As of writing, nothing has been announced. Narratively, it makes sense for season 3 to be the last, if Books 1, 2, and 3 have all been adapted in each.

However, the fact that there are so many written and comic book continuations means that the possibilities could be endless. Even if we don't get a direct season 4, Netflix could invest in spinoffs galore.

Congratulations, you've made it to the end of another week. Your reward — especially for those of you in the UK who've spent the last few days dealing with that incredibly uncomfortable heatwave — is to sit back, relax, and watch something on one of the world's best streaming services.

If you're not planning on seeing Supergirl at your local cinema, then, what new movies and shows have arrived this week? You'll have to read on to find out. But, with five of this streaming round-up's biggest releases landing on Netflix and Disney+, those platforms will be your first port of call. Happy streaming! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Avatar: Fire and Ash (Disney+)

It doesn't often feel like a lifetime between a theatrical blockbuster breaking box office records to finally hitting a streaming service, but it does in the case of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The third installment in the epic James Cameron fantasy franchise hit the big screen in December 2025, introducing the fire Na'avi, led by Varang. Think The Way of Water, only with more flames.

Expect more jaw-dropping visuals, perilous fighting and an even bigger divided between the Na'avi and humans. Amazingly, Sigourney Weaver once again gets to be both in this film that's out now on Disney+. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Avatar: Fire and Ash on Disney+

In the Hand of Dante (Netflix)

Netflix's In the Hand of Dante simultaneously follows author Nick Tosches in the 21st century as he takes a violent journey on behalf of a mafia don to steal Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, and Dante himself in the 14th century seeking inspiration to write his most important work.

Here, Oscar Isaac tackles dual roles as Alighieri and Tosches, with the screenplay based on the latter's book of the same name. Other big names starring include Martin Scorsese and Gerard Butler.

Despite the ensemble cast, the movie has been widely panned with many considering it to be too confusing. Perhaps you'll feel differently? — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch In the Hand of Dante on Netflix

The Bear season 5 (Hulu/Disney+)

The Bear has served its last course. Indeed, with the award-winning comedy-drama's fifth and final season landing on Hulu in the US, and Disney+ everywhere else, it's time to say goodbye to Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of the gang.

I won't spoil how The Bear season 5, which, like the first season, comprises eight episodes instead of 10, ends. Instead, let's just say the eatery's tight-knit group of employees find themselves metaphorically drowning as they struggle to keep the titular restaurant afloat amid myriad problems that stack up across a single day. Prepare to laugh and cry, feel second-hand stress, and shout "Yes, chef!" for the last time. — TP

• Watch The Bear season 5 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 (Netflix)

Blink and you've missed Aang grow from an exceptionally cute little boy into a fledgling young man... and that only gives Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 more grounding.

The gang's fight to stop the Fire Nation Lord Ozai taking control of the Four Nations persists, with the Earth Kingdom's hidden city of Ba Sing Se now a key target for takeover.

Thankfully, this season has massively improved from its sketchy debut, and we're finally introduced to Toph (Miya Cech), who is an exceptional addition to the team. Bonus points for baby Appa, too. — JV

• Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 on Netflix

The Sheep Detectives (Prime Video)

One of the biggest surprises of the year, The Sheep Detectives follows a flock of sheep who try to solve the murder of their shepherd George (Hugh Jackman). What follows is an admittedly brilliant Prime Video whodunnit for the whole family, and it's hard not to be charmed by the animals who are desperately trying to seek justice for their poor human companion.

Not to mention, the cast is exceptionally good and features voice acting talents from people like Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, and Bella Ramsey. I'm confident you'll quickly fall in love with this Amazon Original. — LB

• Watch The Sheep Detectives on Prime Video

Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (HBO Max)

Sure, it's got an unnecessarily long title, but Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness might actually be the HBO Max sketch comedy series we've been waiting for.

Created by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, and produced by the Obama's production company, it comedically improvise events in American history in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. So, perhaps like Hamilton, just with no singing. Although I'm sure if you asked Lin Manuel Miranda, he'd be more than up for changing that in a potential season 2. — JV

• Watch Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on HBO Max

Little Brother (Netflix)

John Cena plays famous real estate agent Rudd in Little Brother, and his life is going great until his 'little brother' Marcus (Eric André) shows up and disrupts all that.

Rudd gets a phone call alerting him that Marcus was badly injured in a car crash, which causes him to reconnect with a man he was buddied up with during a high school charity event. Rudd is frustrated that he's back in his life and depending on him, despite them not actually being related.

As you can see in the trailer, Marcus is complete chaos, resulting in a laugh out loud comedy movie that's perfect for your weekend. — LB

• Watch Little Brother on Netflix

• The second season of Netflix crime drama Dept Q begins production in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Core cast set to return alongside nine new faces
• No word yet on release date or the number of episodes

Netflix has confirmed that the second season of the hit crime drama Dept Q. is now in production, filming in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Our core cast is set to return, including:

• Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck
• Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
• Jamie Sives as DS James Hardy
• Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson
• Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns,
• Kate Dickie as Moira Jacobson
• Aaron McVeigh as Jasper
• Sanjeev Kohli as Martin Flemming

Nine new cast members will also be seen in new episodes. While we don't know exactly what their roles will be, we do have names:

• Aisling Franciosi as Kimmie
• Greg Wise as Derek Powell
• Nicholas Rowe as Thomas Fulton
• Tony Curran as Winnie Calderwood
• Hamish Clark as Christopher Herron
• Alex Ferns as Phil Allenbeck
• Ross Anderson as Ricky Daddario
• Rebecca Root as June Lovesay
• Isla Johnston as Agnes

Currently, there's no word on exactly when Dept Q. season 2 will be released, nor how many episodes will make up the series.

However, we do have a brief idea of what the plot will involve thanks to the synopsis below.

Dept Q. season 2 set to explore a brand-new case

As per Netflix, Dept Q. season 2 follows "DCI Carl Morck heading up the maverick Dept. Q from the basement of an Edinburgh police station, charged with cases previously deemed unsolvable.

"This darkly humorous, propulsive show delivers all the pleasures of a procedural but takes us into the complex mysteries not just of the cases but of the detectives themselves."

Unsurprisingly, this is all very vague at this point in development. However, Rob Bullock, Executive Producer, Left Bank Pictures, added in a statement, “This season, Carl and his band of misfits tackle a terrible crime hidden in the highest echelons of Scottish society. It is a story for our times: rich and powerful people who believe they are above the law."

Executive Manda Levin agreed, "The story of season 2 is as darkly delicious as you’d expect, and Carl and his glorious gang will have their work cut out pinning down the perpetrators as we launch back in for more!”

What we know for sure is that we will continue to see an adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s original novels — but how faithful the show will be remains to be seen.

Two years ago, Netflix dramatically let me down. As a massive anime fan, I tuned into the first season of their live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake and was horrifically disappointed within minutes. In fact, the most positive critique you could give it is that it was better than the live-action movies, which are widely considered to be garbage.

Why? The action was all there, but the heart of Aang's story wasn't. Spectacular VFX tried to cover up the hollow, mundane narrative underneath. In fact, to quote a fantastic jaw-dropping writer called Jasmine Valentine: "There’s little room to learn, with life-changing realizations made in a ridiculously short amount of time. If a tale can’t be paid its due diligence in a certain remit, should we even bother at all?"

In 2026, my excitement for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is non-existent. I've approached its seven-episode run with complete trepidation, honestly wondering if there is anything better that I could be covering this week. However — while a long way from being a masterpiece — the hit Netflix show has clearly been listening.

Now that all of the exhausting worldbuilding is out of the way (for the most part), fans can finally focus on the character relationships that they want to invest in. There's a lot of tenderness and vulnerability on display, which is the most fulfilling part of our cast having grown up so much between seasons.

But there's still something obvious that's really bothering me... and it comes back to Netflix's "cookie-cutter" mold that none of its programs can escape.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has finally learned its lesson about the importance of heart

Read it and weep (for joy), kids — Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 actually has heart. If we're being honest, nobody had to put any effort into achieving this, with the mere fact that the lore of the Four Nations is fully established meaning there's now room for bigger, better things.

A mature Aang (Gordon Cormier) now straddles his inner struggles of legacy and constant imposter syndrome even more effectively, with the likes of Katara (Kiawentiio), Sokka (Ian Ousley), and Suki (Maria Zhang) now all settled into their selves, wants and needs.

If anything, Zuko (Dallas Liu) is going through it the most. After deserting his family and retreating into hiding at the end of season 1, we've got a lot more sympathy with him this time around as he grapples with his supposed destiny of capturing Aang for the Fire Nation's glory. Unlike Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), he's no longer a villain, but a victim.

The standout character of season 2 is easily Toph (Miya Cech), who has finally been introduced after not appearing in season 2. Coming from a complicated family background that routinely dismisses her Earthbending, she comes into her own sassy self after teaming up with Aang to teach him the next element.

Collectively, the team is now firing on all cylinders, and it's nothing short of a joy to watch. Now we understand who they are and what the bigger picture looks like; intimacy, fun, and genuinely satisfying friendships are now flourishing. The jokes land, the serious moments stab you in the heart, and whimsy is flying around like Appa the sky bison.

Netflix makes season 2 look exactly like The Witcher — just with different lore

Everything else in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 feels like more of the same — and that's a huge problem when it comes to the visuals. Broadly speaking, the Four Nations are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the detail that the creative team has packed into the landscapes is nothing short of impressive.

The immediate VFX, such as the bending that our characters use, leave a lot to be desired. It's obviously not a usual thing for people to have fire and water shooting out of their hands, so we're suspending a great deal of belief anyway... but being in the moment doesn't help when seeing it happen looks so fake.

This lumps season 2 into the same visually poor category as The Witcher, which is another comparison I made during season 1's debut. Cover the faces of the actors, stick them in the woods for a combat scene, and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the shows apart. Netflix is determined to make all of its genre programs look exactly like one another, and I'm baffled as to why.

Then there's the ultimate ending, which we already know without including spoilers. Much like other long-running anime series like One Piece (with its Netflix adaptation also guilty of this), we've known about the final endgame from its first five minutes. Here, it's for Aang to learn his bending skills, become all-powerful, and defeat Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation.

With a third series already confirmed, this is being drawn out for as long as humanly possible. It was obvious that none of the above was going to be achieved by the time season 2 wrapped up, so we've made little substantial progress from when Aang's goal was first introduced.

For me, the constant theme of "Oh no! Danger is on the horizon, and the Fire Nation must be stopped" is going to wear thin quickly. I'd really like to see season 3 mix things up, but I'm guessing that it won't.

Did I enjoy seeing Aang and the gang in 2026 more than in 2024? Absolutely. Has it renewed my interest in seeing them again at the end of 2027 (season 3's assumed release window)? Far from it.

Spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ahead.

Even before Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 dropped on Netflix, we knew exactly where it was heading: the Fire Nation taking over all of the Four Nations.

In the latest batch of seven episodes, the target is the hidden city of Ba Sing Se — and as of season 2 episode 6, it's been captured.

With Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) the only person who can save the day, the pressure is on to stop Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) from doing any more damage.

Unluckily, Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu) is taking her dad's wishes into her own hands. But can our favorite gang cope with her fiendish plans?

Here's everything you need to know about the Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ending... and what it might mean for the already confirmed season 3.

Appa, Sokka, Zuko and Katara are all captured by the Dai Li — which is now controlled by Azula

We kick off Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 episode 8 with a flashback of baby Aang meeting Appa the sky bison for the first time. Aang feeds Appa an apple (trying to say that three times fast), and they embrace.

Cut to the present day, where Appa has been kidnapped by the Dai Li — Ba Sing Se's secret police force — which is now being controlled by Princess Azula. Trust me, you will cry seeing him in chains.

In a meeting with the city's Grand Secretariat, Long Feng (Chin Han), Azula kills all of Ba Sing Se's highest-ranking men in the force when they question why the Fire Nation wants to control the city. Long Feng, however, begrudgingly but fearfully complies with Azula's plan: to raise Ba Sing Se's drawbridge and let the Fire Nation troops roll in, taking out anything they want in the process.

Remember, this is all coming from Lord Ozai's orders, despite Azula being a more than willing vehicle for them. But Appa isn't the only Aang ally the Dai Li has captured on her orders, with Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio) also in separate cells.

Sokka reunites with inventor Sai (Danny Pudi) in his cell, with the inventor already being captured before his arrival. Together, they try to figure out how to use the prison's underground structure to break free.

Katara has been put in a cell with Zuko (Dallas Liu), who was caught by the Dai Li after "doing a good act." This marks the biggest pinnacle in Zuko's personal struggle between good and evil so far, and Azula has no idea that he's jailed.

Meanwhile, Toph (Miya Cech) returns home to her mother, complaining that Aang and co. "don't understand her" after their huge falling out in episode 6. While initially seeming on board with how great Toph's earthbending powers are, her mother poisons Toph's tea in order to try and control her urge to leave home forever.

Aang and Iroh plan an escape mission

So where is Aang in this? Right behind his pals, having already figured out where Appa is underground just by sensing him. When the Azula-controlled Dai Li parade through the center of Ba Sing Se, he's hidden by allies made in season 2, episode 1.

When he attempts to approach the Dai Li's underground jail, he's spotted by Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and is immediately suspicious. Iroh reveals that he's also on a mission to break Zuko out of jail, thinking that the pair should team up for maximum effect.

Iroh tells Aang about a secret door that Avatar Kyoshi once installed to lead into the underground caves, but it needs all four elements bent at once to be able to open it. Aang is missing his firebending powers at this stage, so he needs Iroh just as much as Iroh needs Aang.

Together, the pair locate and open the door, and set off on their rescue mission.

Zuko tries to bond with Katara

While Sokka and Sai try to be proactive, Katara learns who Zuko really is. Immediately, she goes on the defensive, telling him how all of her family — and the entire Waterbending tribe — were wiped out thanks to the hostile Fire Nation invasion.

Zuko definitely feels empathy for Katara, but still has a chip on his shoulder. He tells her that the Fire Nation also stripped him of his family, with his mother dying at the hands of Lord Ozai.

The more the two talk, the more they realize that they have a lot in common. It's the closest we've even seen Zuko come to his "good" side, and it seems as though he's finally going to stay that way for good.

Looking at the burn mark around his left eye, Katara offers to try and heal Zuko using the waterbending potion in the locket around her neck. Just as she's about to apply it, Aang and Iroh storm in, having found and released Sokka and Sai first.

Aang goes to fight Zuko, but Iroh stops him, claiming that he's seen huge changes for the better in his nephew. Not quite believing that Zuko has defected from the Fire Nation, the gang sets off in search of the exit.

Aang's escape plan is thwarted

With the Dai Li everywhere, the gang splits up. Aang goes to find Appa after Long Feng brings him up to speed with Azula's plans, earthbending a hole through the ceiling so that Appa can fly to safety.

But as he tries to rejoin the others, he passes another prisoner who was originally being psychologically tortured by a Dai Li officer earlier on. Aang offers to bring her with them, but instead of accepting his offer, she shouts that "the Avatar is here," alerting the guards.

From there, it's fighting on all fronts. In pairs, the group makes light work of the Dai Li roaming the hallways, especially when Toph joins suits, revealing that she has invented "metalbending."

In fact, metalbending is how she ended up there in the first place. When she wakes up after her poisoning, Toph awakes in a metal box riding inside her mother's horse and carriage. Coming to the conclusion that Aang really does understand her, where her family doesn't, she bends the box and flies out of the carriage, making her way to safety.

An all-out battle with Azula changes Zuko's allegiance

With the fight raging on, Azula soon joins the mix, learning that her brother is among the escapees. Honing her focus on him, she tries to convince him, once again, to rejoin her side.

At first, Zuko remains hesitant, more confident in his newfound ability to do good things. But when Azula brings up the death of their mother, he changes his mind.

Where Zuko has always held a grudge against Azula for how she acted when their mother died, Azula reveals that she was only acting on her mother's orders. Their mom wanted the siblings to stay together through the trauma, breaking an emotional trigger point inside Zuko when he hears this.

By the time the rest of the gang reach a large clearing in the underground caves, Azula and Zuko emerge to fight them all as a team. This shocks Katara, who had genuinely believed that Zuko was coming around to being on their side.

After a lot of intense bending and fighting, it looks as though Azula has Aang right where she wants him — after all, the entire point of kidnapping his friends was to lure Aang to Ba Sing Se.

But in his hour of need, Aang taps into what can best be described as an "Avatar portal," seeing physical forms of all the Avatars that came before him in his mind's eye. More clearly, it's what causes Aang's eyes and head arrow to turn a shining blue, as he's essentially channelling their collective power through his body.

Aang is left unconscious

At this point, we see Aang's best bending to date, turning the tables on Azula and leaving her (and the Dai Li guards who join her) powerless.

But just as he's about to deliver the final blow, Aang loses his inner vision, effectively shutting his power off. He collapses to the floor, but Katara, Sokka and Toph are able to get him to safety thanks to Appa having waited outside.

With Ba Sing Se still under Azula's control, our final scene shows the gang flying away on Appa's back. Kata uses the potion she initially offered to Zuko on Aang, aiming to heal him and bring him back to full health.

However, nothing happens after she gives it to him, with the final shot showing Aang completely unconscious and unresponsive.

Season 3 predictions

Obviously, finding out if Aang has actually survived the battle is a top priority for season 3. But the mere fact that season 3 has already been greenlit basically confirms that we'll be seeing Aang again anyway.

In a nutshell, we can expect to see Aang learning to firebend, infiltrating the Fire Nation, and preparing for his climactic showdown with Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Not too much, then.

We also know that Zuko will eventually team up with Aang and the gang to make this happen, so we can expect to see some more emotional upheaval from him.

We're hoping to see season 3 episodes next summer.

• Netflix has confirmed that its new horror game Unhinged will launch on June 30
• It will be available to Netflix subscribers on all plans
• Unhinged is controlled via your phone and focuses on a woman trying to escape a home invasion

Netflix has announced they are launching a new horror game, Unhinged, on June 30 and that it will be available to all subscriber tiers.

Unhinged was made by Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, and is a first-person horror game centering on two young women who are neighbors, as one attempts to escape from a home invasion.

Night School game director Sam Warner told Rolling Stone: "I grew up with those, and I think that focus on novel innovative play was something that we really started this game with. If you've got Netflix and you have a phone, then this is for you."

A tense social media trailer was shared for Unhinged, where Netflix confirmed it would launch worldwide on June 30.

There's plenty to get excited about when it comes to Unhinged. First of all there's an amazing cast attached including Stranger Things' Sadie Sink, The Batman's Zoë Kravitz, and The Last of Us' voice actor Troy Baker.

Honestly, you couldn't get a better cast. I'm excited to see these stars in action, especially when it comes to the confined settings of a first-person horror like this. It has the potential to be great.

Gameplay wise, you'll need your phone for this one. Rather than being an interactive movie you control with your remote, Unhinged uses your phone to receive calls and text messages or to look around its world with a virtual flashlight.

There's multiple paths you can go down and, of course, you can die. So the stakes are high here and you'll have to pay attention if you want to make it out of the house safely. The game is said to be less than an hour in length, similar to an episode of a Netflix series, but you do have the opportunity to go back and explore new paths.

I've had mixed opinions of Netflix games so far but this one sounds promising. I can't wait to check it out on June 30.