Ewan McGregor is superb as Ibsen meets Succession
His embittered wife (Kate Fleetwood) invites Mathilde (Elizabeth Debicki, the later of two Princess Dianas in The Crown) to a party and it emerges she has a sinister ulterior motive: her invitee is an ex of her husband intent on revenge.
McGregor's missus, meanwhile, has her eyes on a rival architect – played by David Ajala – whose Speedos have also won the admiration of her assistant (Mirren Mack).
It's a twisted climbing frame of human misery that Raicek has constructed and the actors make the most of it: McGregor is on great form – world-weary and despairing – and the women, all with their own agendas, are all magnificently brought to life.
A play about architects cries out for startlingly good sets and Richard Kent rises magnificently to the occasion, evoking sunny days at the Hamptons every bit as impressively as its central character's vast glass towers. Michael Grandage as director gives all the talents involved the chance to shine and it makes for a uniquely satisfying night of theatre. After directing the film My Policeman and now My Master Builder, it can surely only be a matter of time before he revives My Beautiful Launderette.
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Metro
16 hours ago
- Metro
Harry Potter star admits he 'would have run a million miles' from TV reboot when
Bertie Carvel would have turned down the role of Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter TV reboot if he was offered it years ago. The Crown actor, 47, is known for playing Tony Blair in The Crown, Galgliesh in the detective drama of the same name, and as Simon Foster in BBC thriller series Doctor Foster. He's also taken a spin as Donald Trump in Mike Bartlett's play The 47th, Nick Clegg in Coalition, and he's set to portray Prince Baelor 'Breakspear' Targaryen in a Game of Thrones spin off next year. While his past roles have chopped and changed between politicians and detectives, Bertie admits he would have 'run a million miles' from the Harry Potter TV reboot if it was offered to him in his younger years. 'I would have run a million miles from a project like that. I've been more interested in variety, in not doing the same thing twice. But I'm a bit older now. I've got a bit less wanderlust, I'm happier to stay still,' he told The Times in a recent interview. With filming at the Warner Bros. studio in Watford set to kick off this summer, it will be an easy 40 minute commute for Bertie, who lives in north London with his wife, the actress Sally Scott, and their five-year-old son. Bertie will be portraying Cornelius Fudge – the bumbling and infuriating Minister for Magic, who was famously played by Robert Hardy in the Harry Potter films. While he 'loved' the one script he's read, Bertie hadn't read the books before getting the role – and he'd only seen one or two of the films. 'I am coming at it with a really open mind,' he said. 'Whether I come back [after the first series] probably depends on what the fans think. I mean, I'll be furious if it's not an amazing part.' The role isn't without controversy, given Harry Potter creator – and the new HBO series' executive producer – JK Rowling's comments about the trans community. Other confirmed cast members include Bertie's The Crown co-star John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, I May Destroy You's Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonnagal, How Fuzz star Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Lovesick's Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy and The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. Harry's uncaring Dursley family members Aunt Petunia and Vernon Dursley will be played by Masters of the Air's Bel Powey and Daniel Rigby. The main trio have been cast with newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron, stepping into the shoes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Meanwhile, Tom Felton has announced his return to the Harry Potter universe, as he will reprise the role of Draco Malfoy, but this time in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. More Trending On the controversy surrounding JK Rowling, Tom told Variety: 'I'm not really that attuned to it… 'I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful.' Other actors have spoken out against the TV reboot due to JK Rowling's stance on trans rights. On Instagram, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan said Rowling's reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on gender was a 'new low' for the author, adding: 'Keep your new Harry Potter, lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Michael Cera reveals relatable reason he 'turned down' Harry Potter role MORE: JK Rowling reveals how involved she is in Harry Potter TV reboot after backlash MORE: Every Nintendo Switch 2 launch game reviewed – all 25 games so far
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Record-breaking Netflix movie with 103 million views gets sequel
Sophie-May Williams Published July 3, 2025 11:11am Link is copied Comments It's a big day for movie lovers, as Netflix has dropped the trailer for a highly anticipated sequel. Troll 2 is the follow-up to the wildly popular Troll - a 2022 Netflix movie which became the streaming service's most-watched non-English language movie ever with more than 100 million views to date. But for those who have yet to see Troll, let us give you some background (Picture: Francisco Munoz) Troll follows Nora Tidemann, a Norwegian palaeontologist whose father, Tobias, lost his professorship for his belief in the existence of mythical creatures. However, when a troll reawakens deep inside the mountain of Dovre, Norway, after being trapped for thousands of years, it begins to destroy everything in its path. Thus, proving that Tobias was right all along (Picture: Netflix) As the troll heads to Oslo, with Nora believing he is trying to return home, the government orders an evacuation of the capital. Once the residents have left, they plan to bomb the city to kill the troll. However, Nora convinces the military to rethink their plan after learning that trolls are vulnerable to direct sunlight. Instead of destroying Oslo, she plans to expose the creature to UV rays in a bid to save the city (Picture: Netflix) Following the troll's demise, Norway's population tries to regain some sense of normality. However, Nora is convinced that there are still other trolls out there who may seek revenge after they were wiped out by Christian settlers. During the closing scene, a deep roar is heard inside the Dovre mountain cave, meaning the country still isn't safe. The ending was also the perfect way to suggest that a sequel may be in the works. Three years later, fans will finally be able to find out what happened to Nora - and Norway (Picture: Netflix) As for the trailer for Troll 2, the suspense is real. It seems that Nora and her partner have proven that there are more trolls in existence, and they're seeking revenge. In the last 10 seconds of the footage, Nora is seen standing in snow-capped mountains, being confronted by an angry troll. As she raises a gun to it, another emerges from the snow behind her. Then, the screen fades to black (Picture: Netflix) The trailer has already been viewed more than 700,000 times, with many fans sharing their excitement. 'Nordic folklore is magical, we need more movies about it!' one person penned, as another predicted: 'They're going to eat her, and then they're going to eat the world. OH MY GOOOOOD.' Elsewhere, a third typed: 'Really enjoyed the last one! I'm getting a "let's fight fire with fire" vibe with this one!' while a fourth echoed: 'Absolutely loved Troll… So HYPED UP for Troll 2' (Picture: Netflix) We already know from the trailer that Ine Marie Wilmann, who plays Nora, is back for round two. Other returning characters include Kim Falck as Andreas and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen as army major Kristoffer. Roar Uthaug is also credited as the director once more (Picture: Netflix) At the end of the trailer, it's revealed that Troll 2 will be released on December 1, only on Netflix. Granted, it's not the cheeriest festive title. But given it's set in Norway, and that the trolls literally emerged from the snow, the setting couldn't be more apt (Picture: Francisco Munoz) Ahead of the trailer drop, director Roar Uthaug said: 'I am beyond proud of how audiences around the globe connected with the first Troll film far beyond what we imagined. With the sequel, we are aiming high - expanding the scope, deepening the story, and creating a troll-sized spectacle like you've never seen before. I cannot wait for fans to experience the adventure we have in store' (Picture: Netflix) As for Ine Marie Wilmann, she noted that 'diving into the Troll adventure was incredibly fun the first time around.' She also said she was 'amazed by its global success.' In terms of the sequel, she added: 'It is with great respect and excitement that I embarked on creating the sequel. I hope and believe that people will enjoy more of what they appreciated last time. We certainly had a fantastic time making Troll 2, and we are really looking forward to sharing it with the world.' Finally, producers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud revealed what viewers could expect. They said: 'It's always daunting to do a sequel but we truly feel that this time, we've created an even better, bigger, funnier, and more adventurous film - if that's even possible!'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Killer baby names is the 2025 trend that nobody saw coming
Could your favourite Netflix docuseries or true crime drama be inspiring your baby name shortlist? True crime is a huge genre of non-fiction work right now. From documentaries and TV series to podcasts, crimes are examined in detail, including the actions of the people associated with and affected by the incident. A deep-dive may also be conducted into the perpetrator's motives. True crime content has been dominating streaming charts and podcast playlists for years, and is more popular than ever. However, its influence may be spreading further than we think - and in an unnerving way. Names linked to infamous criminal cases, true crime celebrities, and viral scandals are trending. In short, parents are turning to cult documentaries and chilling podcasts for baby name inspiration, and they might not even realise it. BabyCentre UK's Baby Naming Expert, said. "Parents are unconsciously absorbing popular culture, and these names creep in to our minds via gripping TV, podcasts, and viral content. It's a fascinating lens on how culture shapes language, and by extension, baby names." True Crime-inspired names in BabyCentre's top 100 baby names making headlines (and head counts) in 2025 are: Anna – The 'Fake Heiress' Anna Delvey Arthur – Arthur Lee Allen, Zodiac Killer suspect Bella – Inspired by Belle Gibson, wellness scammer Erin – Erin Patterson, dubbed 'The Mushroom Cook' Freddie & Rose – The story of Fred and Rose West Joseph – A nod to 'Joe Exotic', Tiger King Luca – From the viral doc 'Don't F*** with Cats' Teddy – A surprisingly soft spin on serial killer Ted Bundy Ruby – From viral doc 'Devil in the Family', Ruby Franke Ronnie & Reggie – The Kray twins "Baby names often serve as a time capsule of the world babies are born into," Faye Mingo, at BabyCentre, said. "So it's fascinating to watch how these trends unfold each year. And even more so when unexpected influences, like true crime, begin to make an impact." But it's not all crime and consequence. Inspired by the rise of high-society TV dramas like Succession and The White Lotus, today's parents are leaning towards timeless name nobility. We're seeing a resurgence of names that carry aristocratic weight, exuding elegance, heritage, and lasting sophistication, according to BabyCentre UK. Think names that wouldn't be out of place on a trust fund registry or a marble family crest. These aren't just names - they're legacy statements for the next generation. Succession Chic names rising this year include: Amelia - Striving Ada – Nobility Alice – Noble Aria – Noble Melody Elodie – Wealth Freya - Lady Gianna – Gracious Penelope - Weaver Zara – Princess/Lady Albie - Noble Eli – Ascension Ibrahim – Father of many Nathanial – God has given Otis - Fortune Reuben – Behold a son Rory – Red King Sebastian – Revered Theodore – Gift "We often choose names in tune with what's happening in the world around us as we welcome our little ones," SJ Strum went on. "For example, Evie, the newest addition to Peppa Pig's family, is a perfect short and sweet vintage pick that's now soaring in popularity. "We've also seen an uplift in names honouring the late Queen, like Eliza, Elsie, and Elizabeth. Royal -inspired names remain strong year-on-year: from Charlotte, Zara, and Mia, to George, Harry, William, Charlie, and Archie. "Even Princess has seen a surprising comeback, as the nation rallied around Princess Kate during her recent cancer treatment." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
