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The Franchise was canceled after only 1 season at HBO, and now we’re learning more about the decision to axe the comedy series.

The series actually had favorable reviews and received a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes after its debut. It starred Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag, Darren Goldstein as Pat, and Isaac Powell as Bryson.

The show followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shined a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.

So…why did HBO cancel the series?

Keep reading to find out more…

Deadline reports it “did not attract large enough audience, leading to the cancellation.

Last October, The Franchise was launched on HBO, but the superhero satire series did not live up to expectations. In January, it was announced that the show had been canceled after one season with no second season in the works.

Per Deadline, HBO's head of comedy, Amy Gravitt, was at the premiere for The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 when she opened up on the decision to cancel The Franchise. She explained how she didn't understand why the series didn't connect with the masses in the way that HBO execs had been hoping for, touting it as "genuinely hilarious." Seeing the potential in the series from the start, Gravitt stressed how there was good reason HBO had given it "a shot," even if the response wasn't what was expected.

“I’m not sure. I’m really proud of that show, and I think Jon is such a strong comedic voice as a writer,...

HBO in January canceled showbiz comedy series The Franchise after one season. The superhero movie satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown had Oscar winner Sam Mendes and Emmy-winning frequent HBO collaborator Armando Iannucci as executive producers.

Despite its great pedigree, The Franchise did not attract large enough audience, leading to the cancellation. Was it because of its inside-Hollywood setup that the show didn’t really connect?

“I’m not sure. I’m really proud of that show, and I think Jon is such a strong comedic voice as a writer,” HBO’s head of comedy Amy Gravitt told Deadline during an interview about the network’s upcoming slate at The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 premiere. “Obviously, we had Armando involved and Sam involved, and we took a shot with it, and it didn’t necessarily connect in the way I thought it would and it did for me personally. But I look at the writing,...

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Upload is a satirical sci-fi comedy-drama series created by Greg Daniels. The Prime Video series follows an app programmer named Nathan Brown, who dies under mysterious circumstances, and after his death, his consciousness is uploaded to a virtual reality world specially created for dead people. Upload delves deeply into the topic of death, but it never loses its touch of humor. Upload stars Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, Kevin Bigley, Andrea Rosen, Owen Daniels, and Josh Banday. So, if you loved the interesting concept, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Upload, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Good Place Credit – NBC

The Good Place is a fantasy comedy series created by Michael Schur. The NBC series follows Eleanor, a recently deceased saleswoman who finds herself in a heaven-like afterlife, even...

According to an insider, a movie adaptation of hit BBC sitcom Ghosts could be going before the cameras this year.

One of the BBC’s most successful children’s shows of recent years is Horrible Histories, which presented sketches about historical events in a superbly silly fashion. The writers and performers soon took the show to the big screen in the wonderful Bill, which tells the fictionalised story of Shakespeare – it’s one of the most delightful family films of the last decade and a bit, and is available to watch via Amazon Prime.

The crew then went on to create Yonderland, a surreal sitcom about a magical kingdom hidden in a woman’s kitchen cupboard.

However, Ghosts is the show that has arguably made the most impact. Starring Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as a couple who inherit a huge mansion, Ritchie soon discovers that she, and only she,...

Ah, the world of TV shows: where dreams are made, and sometimes, just as quickly, they’re shattered. The excitement, the build-up, the anticipation—only to see it all come crumbling down in the blink of an eye. In the case of HBO’s The Franchise, that eye blinked a little too soon. Less than three days into 2025, HBO made the bold (and perhaps disappointing) move to pull the plug on the much-anticipated satirical comedy after just one season.

Billy Magnussen in The Franchise | Credits: HBO

It’s a bit like setting up a comedy show, getting the crowd riled up, and then—boom—the power goes out before the punchline. While fans were ready for more behind-the-scenes chaos of the superhero movie world, HBO felt it was time to call it quits. But what happened? Why did The Franchise find itself in the crosshairs so soon? Let’s break it down.

We’re only a few short days into the new year and 2025 has officially claimed its first fallen show. That’s right, the new year has only just kicked off and, unfortunately, we already have our first cancellation of the year with HBO deciding to pull the plug on The Franchise after just one season.

Days into the new year, HBO has decided to pull the plug on its superhero industry satire comedy after just one season. The decision, which was first confirmed by Deadline, comes weeks after the show’s now series finale aired on Nov. 24 and will bring the show’s run to an end after just eight episodes.

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement confirming the show's cancellation.

Despite its title, The Franchise is going to be wrapped up after a single season. The HBO show's future has been revealed after the freshman season was wrapped up on HBO in November.

Per Deadline, HBO has officially canceled The Franchise with no plans to make Season 2. As noted in a statement released by an HBO spokesperson, “We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors. While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”

Related HBO Creator Charles Dolan Dies at 98

Television pioneer Charles Dolan has passed away.

The first season of The Franchise consisted of eight episodes, with the finale airing on Nov. 24. While the future of the series had since been unclear,...

HBO’s The Franchise seemed to be doing everything right when it aired its first episode back in October, but after failing to engage a sizable audience, the superhero cinematic universe satire has become a one-and-done series. Although many fans and critics had been holding out hope for a second season of the ensemble comedy, HBO has decided not to proceed with Season 2.

Superhero movies are everywhere right now, and with cinematic universes popping up like wayward toadstools, it was not surprising that someone took a shot at going behind the scenes on a fictional superhero movie in the name of comedy. It is somewhat ironic that a series that focused on the struggles of a superhero franchise that no one is watching ended up being canceled after becoming a show about a superhero franchise that no one watched.

The Franchise was created by Jon Brown, with filmmaker Sam Mendes...

Last Updated on January 6, 2025

Deadline reports that The Franchise has been cancelled by HBO after one season. “We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” said an HBO spokesperson. “While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.“

Created by Jon Brown and executive produced by Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes (who directed the first episode), the comedy series follows the crew of an unloved superhero franchise movie as they fight for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. Although The Franchise received decent reviews from critics, the audience just wasn’t there to justify another season. So the news of this cancellation isn’t too surprising. The series starred Himesh Patel...

HBO has announced that the freshman series The Franchise has been canceled after just one season.

Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell led the cast of the eight-episode first season.

The Franchise followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shined a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ck-up has an origin story.

HBO has commented on the decision to cancel the show.

Keep reading to find out more…

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” a HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline.

That’s a wrap on “The Franchise” at HBO.

The comedy series about the making of a big-budget superhero movie, created by John Brown and executive produced by Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes, has been canceled after one season at HBO. The series followed the production of a film that is part of a larger franchise, centered around first assistant director Daniel (Himesh Patel).

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind ‘The Franchise,’ especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a satement to TheWrap. “While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”

The eight-episode comedy did not resonate with audiences, failing to crack the Nielsen streaming top 10 lists throughout its run. It aired its Season 1 finale on Nov.

“The Franchise” has been canceled after one season at HBO.

The satirical comedy series about the making of a superhero movie was created by Jon Brown and executive produced by Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci (“Veep”).

The series starred Himesh Patel as a frazzled first assistant director on a big-budget movie that is a minor installment in a larger superhero franchise. Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell rounded out the ensemble, and Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl were recurring cast members.

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind ‘The Franchise,’ especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.

Exclusive: HBO has opted not to proceed with a second season of The Franchise, its superhero movie satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown and executive producers Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci.

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”

The move, which comes a little over a month after the Nov. 24 Season 1 finale of The Franchise, is not entirely surprising. Showbiz comedies are big swings that not always land with audiences. That was the case with the well reviewed The Franchise (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), which has not cracked Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings.

Iannucci...

Gold Derby’s top news stories for Jan. 3, 2025. ‘The Franchise’ is canceled at HBO after just a single season

HBO has decided against a second season greenlight for The Franchise, its original superhero movie satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown and executive producers Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci. It was originally reported by Gold Derby’s sister site Deadline. “We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”

Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell starred in The Franchise, with Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl among the recurring cast.

The majority of classic Christmas movies are American, but Britain has also produced a few holiday heartwarmers over the years. The most obvious example is Love Actually, which often features in conversations about the very best Christmas movies, but there are many more British Christmas movies, even if they don't all have big international audiences. Many of these Christmas movies feature famous faces from Hollywood blockbusters.

The worst Christmas movies are often accused of cheap sentimentality, but this is something that British movies tend to avoid, simply because there isn't the same abundance of Christmas content each year. The few that have any kind of lasting relevance tend to offer something different to American Christmas movies, either because they focus on British holiday traditions or because they have quirky British humor.

That Christmas (2024) Netflix's Christmas Hit Could Have Staying Power

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The Sex Lives of College Girls is a teen comedy-drama series created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble. The Max series follows four young women as they begin their freshmen years as roommates at the Essex College in Vermont. It revolves around their day-to-day lives, from their love lives to their struggles with adulthood. The Sex Lives of College Girls stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Gavin Leatherwood, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, and Renika Williams. So, if you loved the friendships, coming-of-age elements, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in The Sex Lives of College Girls, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Sex Education (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Sex Education is a British teen comedy-drama series created by Laurie Nunn. The Netflix series follows Otis Milburn, a student at Moordale Secondary...

Richard Curtis has written many holiday films, from Blackadder's Christmas Carol to the 2023 Peacock film Genie. His most famous holiday film is the 2003 romantic-comedy Love Actually, which he wrote and directed. However, just because the film is famous does not mean it's beloved by all.

Richard Curtis helped with Netflix's new animated holiday film That Christmas. Knowing that he was involved with the project, the animators teased Curtis with a joke about Love Actually without Curtis knowing. The reference proposes that Love Actually is not be remembered so fondly as Richard Curtis might think.

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4/5 That Christmas AnimationComedyFantasy

Release Date  December 4, 2024Cast  Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Jack Wisniewski, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith,...

It was couples night out at the 2024 British Film Independent Awards held at The Roundhouse on Sunday (December 8) in London.

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, and fairly newlyweds Jack Lowden and Saoirse Ronan were among the celebs who were in attendance at the annual awards show, celebrating British independent films.

The big winner of the night was Michael‘s musical comedy Kneecap, which picked up several awards.

Keep reading to find out more…

Also stepping out were winners Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley and Sophie Okonedo, as well as Aisling Bea, Sean Baker, Maria Bakalova, Douglas Booth, Ellie Bamber, Samantha Quan, Mikey Madison, Alex Coco, Katy O’Brian, Ben Hardy, Adam Pearson, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Joseph Quinn, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Martin Freeman and Rachel Benaissa, Indira Varma, James Norton, Connor Swindells and Lauren Lyle.

Not only did Marianne win Best Lead Performance for Hard Truths at the BIFAs, but she also won...

It was a Kneecap sweep at the 2024 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) in London on Sunday night as Sean Baker’s Anora was named best international indie film.

The cheeky Belfast-based rap trio have become the talk of the town with their “print the legend” biopic, picking up four craft awards at the BIFAs. The team nabbed three more on Sunday: Chiwetel Ejiofor presented the award for best British independent film to director Rich Peppiatt, who also earned best debut screenwriter. Best joint lead went to trio Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, who played themselves.

The film won seven BIFAs in total, including the craft wins, announced in November: best casting sponsored for Carla Stronge, best editing for Julian Ulrichs and Chris Gill, best original music for Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante and best music supervision for Gary Welch and Jeanette Rehnstrom.

“It’s a real honor to be here,...

On Friday 6 December 2024, BBC One broadcasts The Graham Norton Show!

Season 32 Episode 10 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Graham Norton Show” promises to be an exciting one, featuring a lineup of impressive guests. Hollywood star Nicholas Hoult will join Graham on the famous red sofa, bringing his charm and wit to the conversation. Known for his diverse roles in film and television, Hoult is sure to share some interesting stories from his career.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will also be a guest on the show. With his passion for food and cooking, Oliver is expected to engage in lively discussions about his latest projects and perhaps share some cooking tips. His friendly demeanor and enthusiasm for culinary arts always make for entertaining viewing.

Actor Lolly Adefope, known for her comedic talent, will add her unique perspective to the mix. Her ability to make people laugh will likely create a...

Netflix's charming new Christmas movie, That Christmas, is now streaming and features a star-studded cast. One of several new Christmas movies in 2024, That Christmas tells the story of the fictional town, Wellington-on-Sea, which faces an unprecedented snowstorm just before Christmas Day. Not only does this pose significant difficulties for Santa Claus as he attempts to deliver the presents, but it also means that many of the children in town end up separated from their parents on Christmas Eve.

That Christmas was co-written by Richard Curtis, who also wrote and directed the Christmas classic Love Actually, one of the best Christmas movies for rom-com fans. That Christmas marks Curtis' very first animated feature film, and the movie's cast reflects a level of star power reminiscent of the cast of Love Actually. Here's every major character in That Christmas and who plays them.

Name

Character

Brian Cox

Santa Claus

Fiona Shaw

Ms.

Richard Curtis has carved out a space for himself as one of the greatest British screenwriters. His skills include layering multiple storylines, quirky ensembles, heartwarming romances, and sentimental events such as weddings and Christmas. His resume includes the likes of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones. So, when I heard the screenwriter was delving into animation, I was instantly excited.

That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, weaves a series of interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loneliness, and family. The narrative unfolds with Santa Claus making a significant error, amidst a backdrop of numerous turkeys, capturing the essence of holiday spirit and relationships.

Director Simon OttoRelease Date December 4, 2024Writers Peter Souter, Richard CurtisCast Ava Talbot, Freddie Spry, Bronte Smith, Kuhu Agarwal, Jack Wisniewski, Sienna Sayer, Zazie Hayhurst, India Brown, Sindhu Vee, Rosie Cavaliero, Alex Macqueen, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope, Guz Khan, Katherine Parkinson, Paul Kaye, Jodie Whittaker,...

Netflix’s fifth and final original Christmas movie for 2024 is now streaming, and this one is animated. But you’re still going to recognize a whole lot of the cast.

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, who brought fans “Love, Actually,” the film centers on a group of people in a small town in the UK, getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Like “Love, Actually,” the story is told via vignettes, jumping around between different groups and pairings.

And as you meet those groups and pairings, you’re definitely going to recognize some of those voices. Here’s who we have.

Netflix/Getty Images Santa (Brian Cox)

The big man himself is voiced by Brian Cox, who you likely know from his time on “Succession,” or films including “X2: X-Men United,” “Troy,” “Red,” “Zodiac” and “Trick ‘r Treat,” among many others.

Netflix/Getty Images Lighthouse Bill (Bill Nighy)

Bill uses his lighthouse to help both Santa,...

On its face, HBO’s new series “The Franchise” may look like a blunt send-up of some of the well-known pitfalls of making a superhero film — and it is. But it’s also a love letter to the under-recognized crews full of people who actually care very deeply about their jobs.

That’s especially true of Himesh Patel’s character, Daniel. In the series, he’s the First Ad on a fictional superhero film called “Tecto: Eye of the Storm.” And though he’s definitely jaded about what’s happening on set and within the franchise as a whole, he still actively tries to pitch ideas to make it better. As Patel explained it, Daniel has worked his way up through the studio system and is really quite proud to be a part of it.

“He’s leading with actually wanting it to be good,” Patel told TheWrap. “And that...

This week on “The Graham Norton Show,” viewers can expect an exciting lineup for Season 32, Episode 10. The episode features Hollywood star Nicholas Hoult, known for his roles in various films and series. His charm and wit are sure to entertain as he shares stories from his latest projects.

Joining Hoult is celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who brings his culinary expertise and lively personality to the stage. Fans can look forward to some fun cooking anecdotes and perhaps a few tips from the chef himself. The chemistry between Graham and Jamie is always a highlight, making for a lively conversation.

Actor Lolly Adefope also makes an appearance, bringing her unique humor and perspective to the show. Her comedic talent promises to add a fresh layer of entertainment to the mix.

Lastly, the supergroup Coldplay will grace the stage, performing their current single “All My Life.” With their captivating music and energy,...

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Netflix is ready with an entertainment-packed December this year. The upcoming month will see the premiere of many of Netflix’s original films including the highly anticipated Angelina Jolie film Maria and the action thriller film Carry-On starring Taron Egerton. Just like every month, Netflix is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 7 best new movies coming to Netflix in December 2024.

That Christmas (December 4) Credit – Netflix

That Christmas is an animated Christmas fantasy comedy film directed by Simon Otto from a screenplay co-written by Richard Curtis and Peter Souter. Based on Curtis’ That Christmas and Other Stories, the 2024 film follows a series of entwined tales of family, friends, love, loneliness, and Santa’s big mistake. That Christmas’ voice cast includes Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Bill Nighy, Lolly Adefope,...

Premiere

“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham attended the premiere of upcoming BBC animation “Tiddler” at the Sea Life London Aquarium on Sunday. Waddingham, who voices the narrator in the half-hour film, posed with some of Tiddler’s fishy friends ahead of the screening.

The animation, from production company Magic Light, also features the voices of Lolly Adefope, Jayde Adams and Rob Brydon with child actors Reuben Kirby and Theo Fraser in the lead roles. Based on the children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, it is directed by Andy Martin and Alex Bain. It is set to premiere in the U.K. on the BBC and iPlayer on Christmas Day.

Eurovision

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is set to go ahead in Basel, Switzerland after the city’s residents voted to use $40 million of taxpayer money for producing the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. After Swiss entry Nemo won this year’s contest,...

Renowned British filmmaker Richard Curtis is best-known for writing some of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Love Actually, which he also directed. And even though he recently received an honorary Oscar (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) at the 15th Governors Awards, Curtis hasn't directed a film since 2013's About Time. While he still writes, and his wonderful new film That Christmas is coming to Netflix on Dec. 6, Richard Curtis doesnt have any plans to get behind the camera again. Curtis said in an interview with Collider:

It's just not gonna happen. Although, I have actually directed the pop video for the Ed Sheeran song in the middle of the movie [That Christmas], and I rather enjoyed that. But the big secret was that we shot it entirely in my house, so maybe the only thing...

Netflix is no stranger to offering its subscribers plenty of entertaining and worthwhile movies. Their upcoming December films prove to be no different. While many of their holiday movies have already arrived on the platform, there are still a couple that are slated for release in the forthcoming weeks. However, for audiences who prefer something other than holiday films, the streaming service has plenty for them as well.

From action movies to true stories, there will certainly be a variety of films for viewers of all ages next month. No matter what a person might be in the mood for, the streaming platform likely has something anyone would deem worth watching. Whether viewers want to be inspired, thrilled, or embrace all the holiday feels, Netflix has something for everyone.

That Christmas Stream on December 4

That Christmas is an animated, family-friendly film that follows a myriad of intertwined stories in the community of Wellington-on-Sea.

The AMC Networks December 2024 schedule has been announced and includes the annual programming event, “Best Christmas Ever.” The company’s suite of targeted streaming services will deliver a festive lineup of holiday programming.

Subscribers can look forward to the new film Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point; Shudder’s exclusive streaming debut of holiday horror film A Creature Was Stirring; an all-new original Shudder special, Joe Bob’s Christmas Carnage; and Acorn TV’s The Chelsea Detective Christmas Special; plus AMC+ will debut two new Yule logs for The Walking Dead and Anne Rice fans.

The month also features a trio of exclusive new series from Sundance Now, including mystery thriller White Lies starring Natalie Dormer, period drama The Newsreader starring Sam Reid (Interview with the Vampire) and Anna Torv (Fringe), and stranger-than-fiction documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas, among other new series, films and specials.

“Seize Them” is a new ‘ultra-violent’, UK-produced live-action ‘historical’ comedy feature, directed by Curtis Vowell, starring Nicola Coughlan, Aimee Lou Wood, Jessica Hynes, Nick Frost, Lolly Adefope, James Acaster and Ben Ashenden, now playing internationally in theaters:

“…set in Britain during the ‘Dark Ages’, arrogant queen ‘Dagan’ finds her castle besieged by rebels…

“…led by ‘Humble Joan’, using an alchemical powder that destroys everything when near fire.

“When some of her guards abandoned her, Dagan is forced to fend for herself against Joan, but when outmatched she flees.

“However, she is soon saved by a servant named ‘Shulmay…

“…as the pair safely escape from the carnage in the castle…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Richard Curtis returns to festive filmmaking with That Christmas, which streams on Netflix next month. Here’s the trailer.

Love it or loathe it, there is no denying that Richard Curtis’ Love Actually is a modern Christmas favourite for many. With its saccharine stories of love, lust and, in the case of Andrew Lincoln’s character – let’s be honest – stalking, the film has indelibly inked itself into the fabric of the festive season. It’s almost become a tradition to run an article contributing to the Love Actually debate – and who knows, one year we might even get around to it (we won’t – Ed).

Curtis returned to Christmas films last year with Genie, starring Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu, a big budget remake of his terrific 1991 television film Bernard And The Genie, which starred Alan Cumming, Lenny Henry and Rowan Atkinson – both films are available to stream on Sky Cinema.

Brian Cox’s Santa Claus is coming to town in the first trailer for Netflix’s animated holiday comedy That Christmas.

In the film’s first trailer, the Succession actor is sporting Kris Kringle’s standard uniform — a beard, red suit with a white fur trim and boots — as he delivers presents to children on the busiest night of the year, Christmas Eve.

That Christmas is based on a trilogy of children’s books by award-winning writer-director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Yesterday) and marks his first leap into animation. The film features entwined stories about family and friends, love and loneliness and Santa Claus making a big mistake.

In her review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s Lovia Gyarkye praised the “charming animation” while adding that the movie “slyly avoids the usual mawkishness by grounding its whimsical story in the real and prickly emotions of life.

"Everything was about to get a lot more complicated..."...

Brian Cox is coming down the chimney.

In the first trailer for Netflix’s animated holiday comedy “That Christmas,” the “Succession” alum suits up as Santa Claus as he tells the story of one of the most challenging nights in his career.

Based on the charming trilogy of children’s books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis, “That Christmas” follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love, loneliness and Santa Claus making a big mistake — not to mention an enormous number of turkeys.

The ensemble cast includes Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry and Ava Talbot with Bill Nighy and Rhys Darby.

Curtis makes his first foray into animation as the Locksmith Animation comedy’s writer and executive producer.

The trailer for Netflix‘s upcoming Christmas family film has arrived. That Christmas is adapted from the successful series of children’s books by Love Actually writer Richard Curtis and the voice cast is packed to the brim with names like Brian Cox [Santa], Fiona Shaw [Ms Trapper], Jodie Whittaker [Mrs Williams], Lolly Adefope [Mrs McNutt], Alex Macqueen [Mr Forrest], Katherine Parkinson [Mrs Forrest], Sindhu Vee [Mrs Mulji], India Brown [Bernadette], Zazie Hayhurst [Sam], Sienna Sayer [Charlie], Jack Wisniewski [Danny], Rosie Cavaliero [Mrs Beccles], Paul Kaye [Yirrell], Guz Khan [Dasher], Andy Nyman [Mr Beccles], Kuhu Agarwal [Nisha], Bronte Smith [Eve], Freddie Spry [Teddy], Ava Talbot [Scarlett], with Bill Nighy [Bill] and Rhys Darby [Mr McNutt].

The official synopsis reads,

“Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Richard Curtis, Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness,...

Netflix revealed the official That Christmas trailer, which comes from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). Debuting on December 4, the film has been rated PG for thematic elements, some language, and rude humor.

That Christmas is an adaptation of the beloved children’s book series written by acclaimed BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.

That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’s first animation project and the directorial debut of animation veteran Otto.

The film stars Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw (Ms. Trapper), Jodie Whittaker (Mrs. Williams), and Bill Nighy (Bill) as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas.

Netflix has debuted the trailer for the upcoming festive animation from Richard Curtis ‘That Christmas.’

The movie follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!

Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Richard Curtis, Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy).

The voice cast includes Brian Cox [Santa], Fiona Shaw [Ms Trapper], Jodie Whittaker [Mrs Williams], Lolly Adefope [Mrs McNutt], Alex Macqueen [Mr Forrest], Katherine Parkinson [Mrs Forrest], Sindhu Vee [Mrs Mulji], India Brown [Bernadette], Zazie Hayhurst [Sam], Sienna Sayer [Charlie], Jack Wisniewski [Danny], Rosie Cavaliero [Mrs Beccles], Paul Kaye [Yirrell], Guz Khan [Dasher], Andy Nyman [Mr Beccles], Kuhu Agarwal [Nisha], Bronte Smith [Eve], Freddie Spry [Teddy], Ava Talbot [Scarlett], with Bill Nighy [Bill] and Rhys Darby [Mr McNutt].

Also in trailers – Trailer drops for part...

Leave it to rom-com staple Richard Curtis to transform Logan Roy into Santa Claus.

Curtis is turning to the world of animation with Netflix film “That Christmas,” which stars “Succession” alum Brian Cox as St. Nick. “Love Actually” and “About Time” writer/director Curtis adapted the script from his own bestselling children’s book series; Curtis and Peter Souter share screenplay credit. Veteran character animator and story artist Simon Otto (“How to Train Your Dragon”) makes his directorial debut with the film.

“That Christmas” follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making one big mistake, according to the official synopsis. Oh, and there is also “an enormous number of turkeys!”

The ensemble cast includes Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Rhys Darby, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan,...

As Apple TV+s Mythic Quest continues Season 4 production, HBOs The Franchise presents an equally irreverent entertainment workplace comedy. Starring Lolly Adefope, Billy Magnussen, Daniel Brhl, Richard E. Grant, Aya Cash, and Himesh Patel as the cast and crew of Tecto, a superhero movie in the heat of production, the series plays on the absurdity of the acting process, the filmmaking chain of command, and talking logistics for imaginary worlds. Racked with adrenaline and better than your average behind-the-scenes feature, The Franchise pulls back the curtains on how the sausage gets made, representing the entertainment developers of the world.

HBO's comedy satire show The Franchise takes aim at the production of big-budget superhero films, like those released by Marvel Studios for the MCU. It imagines the many ways filming such a project could be problematic, depicting the filmmakers doing their best to make the superhero movie come together.

At New York Comic Con, several cast members discussed the series with Cbr's Kevin Polowy. Present for the conversation were Himesh Patel (Daniel Kumar), Aya Cash (Anita), Daniel Bruhl (Eric Bouchard), Darren Goldstein (Pat), Isaac Powell (Bryson), Lolly Adefope (Dag), and Billy Magnussen (Adam). For those who haven't yet tuned in to the series following its debut on HBO earlier in October, the cast members shared some details about each of the characters they play. As hinted by the actors, each character has an important role to play with making the intended blockbuster.

Related The Franchise's Billy Magnussen Addresses Dcu Booster Gold Fancasts

Billy Magnussen,...

Often, workplace-themed comedies and dramas allow audiences to sit back and nod in a relatable and ironic sort of comfort. As the genre took off with shows like The Office and Scrubs, many others have tried to capture the magic of relatable comedy in other workplace environments, but alas, even the best of these shows often burn bright for a moment before being replaced by another. A big problem with the genre is its inability to be flexible with different kinds of workplaces and their unique cultures, and as anyone in the film industry will admit, working on a mega-franchise movie or show is worlds different from any office or hospital could dream to be portrayed on film. Furthermore, why wouldn't filmmakers want to finally share in their equally exhausted frustration with these franchises with audiences that are experiencing exhaustion? Enter HBO's The Franchise.

This recent series follows the daily...

Tales of love, unrequited or otherwise, interwoven over the festive season, laden with pop songs and narrated by one of the biggest celebrities in show business, That Christmas is best viewed as a kid-friendly attempt by rom-com auteur Richard Curtis to atone for his long-standing seasonal hit Love Actually. Beautifully rendered by Simon Otto, head of character animation for the well-respected How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, it might be too busy, storywise, for younger audiences, and even rather scary towards the end, but the writer-director’s genius for dialogue is firmly on display here (an especially timorous character is afraid of infinity because “there’s just so much of it”). Adults will roll their eyes at the fart jokes; but then, kids will cringe at the sound of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.

Gathered up from Curtis’ short-story book of the same name, That Christmas takes place in a diverse...

That Christmas begins with a familiar dilemma: It’s Christmas Eve and Santa must navigate treacherous weather while delivering his highly anticipated gifts.

We meet the benevolent legend, voiced here by Brian Cox, as he rides through a nasty winter storm of strong winds and low visibility. A terrible illness has left him with only one reindeer (Guz Khan) to pull the sleigh. Tensions between the two are so high that Santa, at one point, threatens to get a self-driving vehicle next winter. But while the odds are not in our hero’s favor, the happiness of children around the world — and especially those in the fictional English coastal town in which the narrative is set — depends on him overcoming them.

Premiering at the BFI London Film Festival, That Christmas is a charming animation from Locksmith (Ron’s Gone Wrong) that’s well-poised to become a classic. It can be...

“I couldn’t possibly comment,” laughs Dame Pippa Harris when Deadline asks the British producer if she recognizes any colleagues among the hideous and hilarious characters in her latest series, The Franchise. Armando Iannucci’s HBO satire, going behind the scenes of a stodgy superhero franchise known as Tecto, has something for everyone who feels even slightly disenfranchised working inside the film and TV content machine.

There’s Richard E Grant’s Peter, an anti-woke thesp who is equal parts pompous and tempestuous as he embodies Tecto’s nemesis. Or what about Eric? Daniel Brühl’s deep-thinking director, who says things like, “The day hath come when the suits flutter down from the trees,” when executives visit set. Talking of whom, Pat Shannon (Darren Goldstein) is a sharply observed monster of a studio boss, who has no shame in intimidating toiling underlings at the alter of a washroom urinal.

‘The Franchise...

Network: BBC, CBS (two seasons replayed in the US)

Episodes: 34 (hour)

Seasons: Five

TV show dates: April 15, 2019 -- December 25, 2023 (in the UK)

Series status: Ended

Performers include: Charlotte Ritchie, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Lolly Adefope, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, Katy Wix, Jim Howick, and Yani Xander.

TV show description:

A comedy series, the Ghosts UK TV series was created by Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond. In the UK, it is titled simply Ghosts and it is the inspiration for the American series of the same name. Read More…...

Production on Tecto: Eye of the Storm rolls on, but in the latest episode of The Franchise, we are finding out that making the fictional and so clearly not a Marvel-inspired (wink wink) superhero movie can be a multiverse of madness. Titled “The Invisible Jackhammer,” Episode 2 was set on stunt day during the ongoing shoot. With new producer and old fling Anita (Aya Cash) now on location with film-studio bigwig Pat (Darren Goldstein), Tecto‘s First Assistant Director Daniel (Himesh Patel) endured more “wall-to-wall stress,” says Patel. So far, his character has had to deal with hilariously needy leading man Adam (a wonderfully layered Billy Magnussen), prickly villain Peter (Richard E. Grant), and artfully pretentious director Eric (Daniel Brühl), while also dodging the constant threat of the studio head’s unctuous assistant Bryson (star-in-the-making Isaac Powell) and the indifference of his Second Ad Dag (Lolly Adefope). “At the same time...

Quick Links The Franchise Is a Superhero Satire Unlike Any Other The Franchise vs. James Gunns Dcu? Is Warner Bros Making Fun of Themselves?

Theyve gone and shot themselves in the foot, havent they? Granted, Warner Brothers latest episodic series a behind-the-scenes mockumentary saga about the superhero movie business titled The Franchise doesnt seem to be getting rave reviews at the moment. Maybe that means this new television series will soon be forgotten. But before we go any deeper into exploring this bewildering show, let something be known. In no way, shape, or form is this some sort of disguised dig at the cast or their ability to act. When it comes to comedy (and no matter what shape it comes in), timing is everything, and names like Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Lolly Adefope, Richard E. Grant, and Daniel Brhl (who are all featured in The Franchise) have the funny...

We present our red carpet interviews for HBO’s The Franchise at the Lff Premiere this evening. The series stars Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl. It was created by Jon Brown, and executive produced by Brown, Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes.

The show is airing on HBO right now. Colin Hart and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.

The Franchise Lff Premiere Interviews

Banner image by Colin Hart.

Plot:

The show depicts a “behind the scenes” look at a film that’s part of a larger superhero film franchise. The series follows the 1st Assistant Director, Daniel, as he deals with the day to day problems working on Tecto: Eye of the Storm, which is a minor film in the franchise compared to the higher priority “team-up” film, Centurios 2.

The...