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The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kate Phillips named permanent BBC chief content officer after interim role
Kate Phillips has been announced as the permanent chief content officer of the BBC, after she had been performing the role on an interim basis after predecessor Charlotte Moore announced she was leaving. It comes after Moore, who has been in the role since September 2020, announced in February she would be leaving the broadcaster later this year to join Left Bank Pictures as chief executive, and Sony Pictures Television as EVP, creative director of international production. Phillips said of the new role: 'Over the past few months, I have thoroughly enjoyed being more involved in the huge breadth of brilliant content that we produce across the UK and, of course, it's been great getting to know so many new people. 'This is one of the best roles in the business at an incredible organisation and I can't wait to get started.' Phillips, who has been in the role on an interim basis since February, has been with the BBC for 12 years, and was previously controller of BBC One, after leading its entertainment team and BBC Worldwide's formats team. Prior to joining the corporation she was a co-owner and director of formats company Mast Media. Announcing the news to staff, BBC director general Tim Davie said: 'Kate's passion for delivering world class content to our all audiences shines through in everything she does. 'Her experience with the BBC spans over 12 years and in that time she has brought innovation, outstanding creativity and an absolute focus on our audiences. 'She has a fantastic record of delivering creative hits which embody the best of the BBC.' The change comes at the end of a turbulent time for the BBC, and criticism of a documentary about Gaza that featured the son of a former Hamas deputy minister of agriculture, however the PA news agency understands Moore's departure is not connected to matters regarding the documentary. As director of unscripted, Phillips has been responsible for the overall commissioning strategy of entertainment, documentary, factual, arts and daytime shows among others. During her time as entertainment controller, Phillips commissioned shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice, Top Gear and Dragons' Den. She takes over from Moore, who has been with the BBC since 2006, starting as a commissioning executive for documentaries before she went on to become director of BBC content, responsible for the BBC's channels, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sports, from July 2016 to 2020. Between 2013 and 2016, she was controller of BBC One when the channel delivered hit shows The Night Manager, Doctor Foster, Three Girls, Peter Kay's Car Share, Blue Planet and Planet Earth. After her departure was announced, Moore said in a statement: 'It's been an honour to lead the BBC creatively as chief content officer at a time of unprecedented change, championing the very best British storytelling across radio and TV. 'I'm very proud of what we've achieved during my time at the helm, transforming our offer and supporting iPlayer to become the fastest growing streamer in the UK. 'I want to thank my colleagues, my brilliant team and all the incredible producers, directors, writers and on screen and on air talent who've made it such a thrilling ride.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
That shocking ‘The Last of Us' death, final seasons for ‘The Boys' and ‘Cobra Kai,' and more from Sony TV actors and showrunners
Few TV deaths have been as shocking as the one suffered by Pedro Pascal on The Last of Us. Anyone who has played the PlayStation video game from which the show is adapted knew that Pascal's character, Joel Miller, was doomed from the start, yet his demise midway through Season 2 still came as a surprise. And as game creator and series cocreator Neil Druckmann revealed during a recent FYC event for Sony Television some higher-ups were desperate to keep it from happening for as long as possible. As Druckmann recalled, he had a conversation with Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO, who said, "I just got off the call with this agent, and he yelled at me: 'Why didn't you offer those guys millions of dollars to not kill Pedro?'" Bloys, to his credit, said, "A deal's a deal. We have to adapt the material." This was the first time that Craig Mazin, who adapted the game for television with Druckmann, heard anything about this, and he immediately asked, "Wait, that was on the table? I totally would've done it for millions of dollars." More from GoldDerby 'There's an epic nature to this story': 'Dune: Prophecy' star Emily Watson teases travels to Arrakis for Season 2 Kaitlyn Dever on playing 'horrible' characters in 'Last of Us', 'Apple Cider Vinegar': 'I just don't see any other option but to give 100 percent' How the longtime 'Severance' cinematographer wound up directing Season 2's standout episode Druckmann and Mazin were among the many participants in a wide-ranging Q&A on behalf of Sony Pictures Television, which took place on the Sony lot in Culver City, Calif. The event showcased multiple shows produced by Sony this year, including The Boys, Cobra Kai, Dark Matter, Doc, Long Bright River, The Night Agent, and Outlander. Actors and showrunners from each of the series offered insights into the relationship between the written word and the performers who bring it to life. Among those present were Isabela Merced, who joined The Last of Us as Dina, Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) girlfriend. No matter what the character, Merced reveals she imbues them with traces of "the people I love in my life, the people that I see parts of myself in and see parts of me in them. We're just projections of people we love anyways, so I just make sure to channel that." In the case of Dina, she drew from her mother, because the character is "very calculated, but she's also very caring of the people that she loves. She's very maternal, and not just because she's pregnant. She's very in touch with her emotions, and my mom is that way. She inspires me in many ways." Photo byfor Sony Pictures Television Representing The Boys, which is entering its final season, were creator Eric Kripke and actor Antony Starr. "We start the very final episode tomorrow," Kripke told the audience, who groaned knowing that one of their favorite shows would soon be off the air. It's been a long journey for Starr, who has portrayed the villainous superhero Homelander for four seasons. "We said right from the very beginning we didn't want any mustache-twirling," he recalled of his initial conversations with Kripke. "We wanted to create something from the ground up, inside out, that just happened to be a psychopathic version of Superman. I've always thought that his humanity was his kryptonite." As The Boys prepares to shoot its final episode, Cobra Kai has aired its last season, and creator Josh Heald and star William Zabka were both present to bid farewell. It was especially bittersweet for Zabka, who first played Johnny Lawrence in the original Karate Kid all the way back in 1984. "There was a moment in Season 1 when I realized Johnny wasn't mine anymore," Zabka stated. The creators "wanted to give Johnny the Better Call Saul treatment, kind of beat him down and make him an antihero." After filming one scene that he was particularly resistant to, he realized, "Johnny Lawrence doesn't belong to me anymore. This is their vision, I'm going to go with it." That led to "jumping point after jumping point of pushing the limits and stretching me, and making me uncomfortable, which plays into the character. It wasn't until season one came out that I realized they nailed it."for Sony Pictures Television) Representing Dark Matter were stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, as well as creator Blake Crouch, who adapted the series from his own novel. "You just have to go to any awards ceremony to know that actors do need a script," Edgerton joked, summing up the theme of the evening. "We can't do it on our own; it's a collaboration." As a performer, "I need guardrails, and the guardrails are Blake's understanding of character, and what he lays out story-wise. We can contribute, and we can offer up thoughts of what we know, but essentially it feels like you're building a car and we get to drive it." The evening also featured discussions with Doc star Scott Wolf, showrunner Barbie Kligman, and executive producer Hank Steinberg; Long Bright River showrunner Nikki Toscano and author Liz Moore; The Night Agent creator Shawn Ryan; Outlander executive producer Maril Davis; and Cobra Kai co-creator Hayden Schlossberg. The evening also featured a panel with stunt coordinators for The Boys (John Koyama) and Cobra Kai (Ken Barefield) and the fight coordinator for The Night Agent (Josh Fried). Best of GoldDerby Chloë Sevigny on Kitty Menendez and 'Monsters' fascination: 'People are endlessly curious about those who have privilege and abuse it' Jason Isaacs relives filming 'The White Lotus' piña colada scene: 'It was one of the reasons I was worried about taking the job' Kaitlyn Dever on playing 'horrible' characters in 'Last of Us', 'Apple Cider Vinegar': 'I just don't see any other option but to give 100 percent' Click here to read the full article.
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' to be available for next-day streaming: Find out where
Get ready to binge your favorite classic game shows. 5:52 Calling all game show fans! In-season syndicated episodes of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" will soon be available for next-day streaming on multiple platforms including Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Peacock, Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday. "We are thrilled to bring America's favorite game shows to an even wider audience on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and Peacock," Sony Pictures Television Chairman Keith Le Goy said in a statement. "'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' are two of the most successful game shows in television history and we look forward to giving fans the best possible streaming access to our shows this fall." Lara Spencer reacts to being 'Jeopardy Masters' clue Viewers will be able to watch both new and old episodes of the popular TV game shows starting in September. Sony Pictures Television said it hopes that by bringing the games shows to streaming services, they can cultivate a new generation of fans. Both "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" have long been TV mainstays, with "Jeopardy!" first airing in March 1964 and "Wheel of Fortune" following suit nearly a decade later in January 1975. Former contestant Ken Jennings now hosts "Jeopardy!" succeeding the late Alex Trebek. The quiz show will kick off its 43rd season in the fall. Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest co-host "Wheel of Fortune," with Seacrest taking over for Pat Sajak last fall. "Wheel" is wrapping the end of its 42nd season and will pick back up with season 43 this fall.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shemar Moore Lands ‘S.W.A.T.' Spinoff After Season 8 Finale: Everything to Know About ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles'
Shemar Moore is breathing new life into the S.W.A.T. franchise. Just when viewers thought the show was done following the May 2025 series finale on CBS, it was announced that Sony Pictures Television was developing a spinoff of the series. Closer shares everything to know about the upcoming spinoff called S.W.A.T. Exiles. S.W.A.T. was canceled by CBS after eight seasons. The series finale aired on the network on May 16, 2025. The official logline for S.W.A.T. Exiles says, 'After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Hondo is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.' A press release from Sony Pictures promised that the show will "deliver the same high stakes drama and intense action sequences that fans have come to know and love.' The spinoff was greenlit for 10 episodes despite the fact that the show 'has not yet been sold to any outlets, either domestically or internationally,' per Variety. Sony is expecting 'the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate S.W.A.T. fanbase and attract new viewers.' So far, it has been confirmed that Shemar will be returning to reprise his role as Hondo, as well as serving as an executive producer on the project. 'My eight seasons on S.W.A.T. have been epic and memorable,' the actor said in a statement. 'We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice, and continued to woo fans and families worldwide. I am excited for this next generation and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony.' "I will keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON'T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!" he said. Jason Ning will serve as showrunner and executive producer of S.W.A.T. Exiles. 'It's an incredible honor to carry forward the legacy of a show that fans around the world have come to love,' he said. 'Working with Shemar Moore, who defines what it means to be a leading man, and introducing a new generation of characters into this world is a dream.' So far, Shemar's return is the only casting news that has been confirmed so far. 'We couldn't be more excited to bring the next chapter of S.W.A.T. to life — both for our incredibly dedicated fans of the original franchise and for a new generation of viewers,' Katherine Pope, SPT Studios President, said. 'We're grateful to our incredible partners Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning and Shemar Moore for embarking on this journey with us. This team's commitment to the global fanbase, to our beloved crew and to our city runs deep!' According to Deadline, 'the 200-person production crew that helped to make S.W.A.T. a success for CBS will get to keep their jobs when production resumes this summer in Los Angeles.'
Leaders
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Emmy-Winning Director R.J. Cutler's Docuseries Esports World Cup: Level Up Premieres on June 6
Prime Video, one of the leading entertainment destinations, will premiere the five-part documentary Esports World Cup: Level Up on June 6, with new episodes released weekly. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler ( Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry , Elton John: Never Too Late and Martha ), the series goes behind-the-scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2024 — a defining moment in global esports, where over $60 million in prize money ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to crown the world's top esports Club. The series is produced by This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television), with R.J. Cutler directing, John Dorsey serving as showrunner, and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein and Mark Blatty executive producing. Level Up will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Esports World Cup: Level Up offers a rare look inside a global competition that's redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. R.J. Cutler and his team of expert storytellers embedded themselves within the eight-week tournament – watched by over 500 million fans globally – to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and stakes driving the action. Shot in verité style, the series combines intimate home visits from around the world and on-the-ground coverage from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It follows a wide cast of characters – from Club CEOs orchestrating million-dollar strategies to rising stars chasing life-changing wins – while capturing the pulse of elite esports competition. 'What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,' said Cutler. ' Level Up isn't just about the incredible competition and prize money; it's about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process.' At the heart of Level Up is the 'EWC Club Championship,' an unprecedented, multi-title tournament format where Clubs compete across more than 20 games, earning points toward a single leaderboard. Every match, every point, reshapes the race for global dominance. With the highest prize pool in esports history on the line, the EWC is not just a tournament – it's a proving ground for the next generation of sports icons. 'A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,' said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. ' Level Up dives into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It's about what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and why it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we're building.' Standout stories from the series include: Soka (Team Falcons) , hailing from the rough streets of Oakland, is the smack-talking extrovert who flips the script on the gamer-loner stereotype. He taunts his rivals, rallies his team and calls his shot, but his bravado masks the struggles overcome from his childhood. , hailing from the rough streets of Oakland, is the smack-talking extrovert who flips the script on the gamer-loner stereotype. He taunts his rivals, rallies his team and calls his shot, but his bravado masks the struggles overcome from his childhood. FAKER (T1) , whose celebrity in South Korea rivals that of the most popular K-pop bands, must compete with his own legend and the isolation that comes from his own mystique. There's greatness and then there are legends. Jordan, Tiger, Messi. In esports, it's FAKER. , whose celebrity in South Korea rivals that of the most popular K-pop bands, must compete with his own legend and the isolation that comes from his own mystique. There's greatness and then there are legends. Jordan, Tiger, Messi. In esports, it's FAKER. Sanford (Team Liquid) , the 19-year-old gaming prodigy from the Philippines, sees his life change after his father suffers a stroke, leaving him as the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite his young age, the stakes couldn't be higher, making his journey in esports about more than just winning titles. , the 19-year-old gaming prodigy from the Philippines, sees his life change after his father suffers a stroke, leaving him as the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite his young age, the stakes couldn't be higher, making his journey in esports about more than just winning titles. Drazah (Atlanta FaZe) , raised by his single mom with his seven brothers and sisters, heads back to his humble origins to explain how a pro gamer emerged from a rickety shed in North Pole, Alaska to the biggest stage in esports. , raised by his single mom with his seven brothers and sisters, heads back to his humble origins to explain how a pro gamer emerged from a rickety shed in North Pole, Alaska to the biggest stage in esports. Chel & Cinny (Team Vitality) , sisters from a remote corner of Indonesia, are leading the most dominant women's team in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang history. They've won every tournament since their team entered the scene in 2021, but their beloved grandfather dies the day they arrive in Riyadh, putting their tournament in jeopardy. , sisters from a remote corner of Indonesia, are leading the most dominant women's team in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang history. They've won every tournament since their team entered the scene in 2021, but their beloved grandfather dies the day they arrive in Riyadh, putting their tournament in jeopardy. Yevhen Zolotarov , the CEO of Ukrainian Club NAVI, is fighting for the friends and family he left behind. On the first day of Russia's invasion, his infant son was awakened by explosions. The next day, electricity was cut off in the area. He and his team are competing to support their war-torn homeland. , the CEO of Ukrainian Club NAVI, is fighting for the friends and family he left behind. On the first day of Russia's invasion, his infant son was awakened by explosions. The next day, electricity was cut off in the area. He and his team are competing to support their war-torn homeland. Mossad Aldossary, the 24-year-old CEO of Team Falcons, was once a kid growing up in Riyadh. Now, he's leading the nation's favorite Club with a chance to make sure the Cup stays at home. With the pride of a nation in the balance – not to mention so much prize money on the line – he feels the pressure to perform. The inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 featured 1,500 elite players and 200 Clubs from 100 countries competing in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. Esports World Cup: Level Up will be available exclusively on Prime Video beginning June 6. About The Esports World Cup The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports Clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2025, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. Short link : Post Views: 43
