Latest news with #BilliePiper
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wednesday FIRST LOOK: Netflix tease Billie Piper's new role in hit gothic comedy as British actress joins the cast for its second season
Netflix has given Wednesday fans a first look at Billie Piper in her new role on the show, in which she will star alongside Jenna Ortega. The gothic comedy, which follows the antics of Wednesday Addams (played by Ortega), debuted on the streaming service in November 2022. It was quickly renewed for a second series in January 2023. Now, Netflix has unveiled Billie, 42, as Isadora Capri - a captivating new character at Nevermore Academy, where she serves as the school's head of music. Described as a former child prodigy, Isadora is brilliant, intense, and enigmatic. She takes a special interest in Wednesday's musical talents and also mentors fellow werewolf Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers). Billie's casting adds an intriguing layer to the series, given her background in supernatural and gothic roles, notably as Brona Croft/The Bride of Frankenstein in Penny Dreadful. The new images come after Netflix revealed the future of Wednesday beyond the upcoming series two, and fans of the chart-topping show are all saying the same thing. The American supernatural comedy series follows Jenna, 22, as the spooky Wednesday Addams. It is one in a series of takes over the years on The Addams Family, the eccentric fictional old-money clan, famously macabre and gothic in manner and look. The second series of the Emmy-winning programme, executive produced and often directed by horror icon Tim Burton, 66, is set for release in August. And now, it has been announced that not only will Wednesday be back for a third series, but a spin-off programme is currently under discussion, according to Hollywood Reporter. Fans were delighted to hear the fate of the beloved show has been secured, taking to social media to express their excitement. Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, who plays creepy matriarch Morticia Addams, posted on Instagram confirming the news: 'When Wednesday comes a better day. 'Wednesday season three. It's official... we shall return.' One fan wrote in the comments section: 'And for many more seasons.'; 'I love this because then they can start filming soon and it won't be such a long pause between seasons! Or that's the hope!' The second series was announced in January 2023, but by the time it comes out later this year, it will have been more than two years in the making. Other users wrote, 'Season three? Hold on!', and, 'I'm excited about this.' Someone else added: 'I'll be gripping the sheets in agony waiting but please... don't let us wait three years again.' Another commenter wrote: 'Shut up. Season three?! Amazing!' One penned: 'I can't wait to see the second season, I'm waiting for it with great curiosity... and the third is already official, fantastic news!' The first series of Wednesday follows the titular troublemaker character after she is expelled and transferred to Nevermore Academy, a school for monstrous outcasts. Her cool, creepy manner and rebellious streak often see her in trouble and struggling to fit in. But after she discovers she is a psychic like her mother and applies her skills to solving a local murder case, she soon finds her stride. The programme boasts an impressive regular cast, with Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie and Narcos' Luis Guzman also starring. They feature as Nevermore headteacher Larissa Weems and Wednesday's father, Gomez Addams, respectively. The upcoming second series looks to be even more star-studded, with Lady Gaga, Joanna Lumley, Steve Buscemi, and Thandiwe Newton also joining the cast. Star Jenna and director Tim also worked together on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the 2024 sequel to the original 1988 horror film starring Winona Ryder. And they have now told all about what fans can expect from the upcoming second series and the newly announced third instalment. Scream queen Jenna, who rose to fame in slashers Scream, X and Scream VI, was embroiled in controversy in recent months for comments she made during a podcast interview. She said she spent her time on the show 'changing lines' and 'had to put my foot down' because 'everything I had to play did not make sense for the character'. Jenna said she felt terrible about this and never meant it that way, simply meaning to say she improvised a lot and was permitted to. Tim sympathised with her, feeling the comments had been interpreted in a way she had not meant. But the pair revealed that after these events, Jenna is now a producer on the show. Co-creator Alfred Gough, who made the show with Miles Millar, said this made sense, as she is already so involved in every part of the show, as well as giving notes on the script, in a way he praised. Wednesday's first series pulled in a whopping 252million viewers globally, making it Netflix's biggest English-language series of all time. Alfred has now teased a spin-off: 'It's something we're definitely noodling; there are other characters we can look at.' Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, meanwhile, added: 'There's a lot to explore in the Addams Family.' New cast member Joanna Lumley previously told Netflix news site Tudum: 'There's always something thrilling about working for Tim Burton. 'His whole mind takes him to a different world, and the world that they've created here for Wednesday and Nevermore and the family is just intoxicating. 'It's wonderful. I get to wear many, many huge wigs, one on top of the other — and lots of quite constraining clothes, so I love it.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Unlikely star could be next Doctor Who as fans call on producers to give BAFTA winner role
Doctor Who fans have suggested an unlikely face could be the right fit for the future of the show, with the BAFTA winner seemingly interested in taking on the role An unlikely TV veteran could be the next Doctor Who should producers listen to fan requests. The BAFTA winner has since confirmed he would be interested in the role, and would want to bring a "working class" background to the long-running television character. Fans were delighted when familiar face Billie Piper appeared as the next iteration of the Time Lord. Her casting as the titular Doctor follows on from Ncuti Gatwa's departure from the series. But a new star for the role could come from a BAFTA winner whose work on EastEnders, as well as films like The Football Factory and Run For Your Wife. Whether Danny Dyer 's wish of portraying the Doctor is granted is yet to be seen, but fans are hopeful the star will be given the chance. Dyer said: "It's such an iconic thing to do. It's almost – not on the same level – like James Bond. It gives you an opportunity with Doctor Who, because of the nature of the work, to bring something left-field, something a bit mental, a bit stylised, which I love. I love the idea of it." Fans seem to be on board for the "incredibly working-class Doctor Who" Dyer would bring to the screen. A post to the r/DoctorWhoNews Reddit page saw fans discuss the possibilities for the actor. One fan wrote: "Honestly, I dig it. It could never happen as the BBC and Bad Wolf need to save face but I'd love a series of Comic Relief /Children in Need sketches where they put a variety of ill-judged castings in the role and they all smash it. "You could make a solid comedy about the weird choices and misjudgements of the last few years of the show." Another user suggested people forget Dyer is a credible actor, and that his CV of roles fits the bill for what producers may want from a future Doctor Who star. They wrote: "People have forgotten he's actually a bl**dy great actor, really watchable. Let's not forget one of the most celebrated British playwrights, Harold Pinter, thought Dyer was so unbelievably talented he continuously cast him in all his productions. That's a glowing seal of approval. "Now's he's just won a BAFTA for Bigstuff (a part written for him by Luke Rattigan from series 4). He's absolutely sensational in Rivals with David Tennant. I honestly can't see why he wouldn't be a brilliant fresh bit of casting. "Any other actor with cult hits and accolades like that we'd be clawing for." Not everyone was convinced by Dyer in the lead role, with a few detractors sharing their kneejerk reaction was a "no" to the suggestion. But even they have warmed to the idea of Doctor Dyer. One fan wrote: "He's not the best actor, but Doctor Who isn't Shakespeare. Maybe this wouldn't actually be that bad." Another viewer added: "F**k it, why not?"
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gavin And Stacey legend to join Doctor Who star and huge other celeb guests on BBC Radio 2 next week
Gavin And Stacey's Alison Steadman is set to join a host of other star-studded guests for a special week on BBC Radio 2 next week. To kick off the summer holidays, listeners can expect to hear from plenty of famous voices across Radio 2 and Radio 6. Alison, 78, will join her Gavin And Stacey co-star Rob Brydon Wednesday morning to host Radio 2's flagship show. She'll begin her morning joining Scott Mills Breakfast Show with Here We Go co-star Jim Howick. Doctor Who star Billie Piper will be joining her co-star Joanna Lumley on Wednesday's Craig Charles' 6 Music show. Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, 22, will be appearing on the same show on Monday. The 22-year-old actor, who also performs in band The Aubreys, will appear in the final series of Netflix 's Stranger Things in November. Last month, Scott Mills was forced to issue a live apology after holding a full-blown 'funeral service' for Call The Midwife on his Radio 2 show. The Radio 2 presenter, 51, devoted an entire segment of his Breakfast Show to reports claiming the BBC series would come to an end after its fifteenth season next year. Treating the news with dramatic flair, Scott played sombre funeral-style music and even opened a phone line for devastated fans to call in and share their heartbreak. However things got awkward after he was told only moments later that the beloved drama hadn't been axed after all. Opening the segment, he declared: 'This morning, we woke up to the news that the show that never ends is indeed ending. I am sorry if this is how you are finding out.' As he confirmed the series in question was Call the Midwife, he added: 'It is ending, the fifteenth series will be the last one. 'We opened our phone lines to offer you support in these times because we've all laughed and cried and gasped at some of the births. Lots of you have been messaging in and using the helpline.' Listeners flooded the show with emotional voice notes, reminiscing about the programme's most memorable moments. One even expressed hope the series might return, to which Scott firmly replied: 'No it won't.' But just ten minutes later, Scott was forced to backtrack dramatically after being handed a statement from BBC bosses live on air. Sounding sheepish, he said: 'Good Morning, I may have done a bad thing here so I'm going to read this prepared statement from the BBC which I've just received.' He then read word-for-word a response from the BBC, which said: 'The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. 'As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere!'
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Billie Piper ‘quite overwhelmed' to work with Tim Burton
Billie Piper has said she was thrilled to work with Tim Burton on the new series of Wednesday, describing the director as 'really childlike energetically'. Piper plays Isadora Capri, the new head of music at Nevermore Academy, in the second series of the hit Netflix show, which is set to air next month. Advertisement The drama, which centres around Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family, stars American Jenna Ortega in the lead role, and also features a number of British actresses including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dame Joanna Lumley and Piper. Speaking to Radio Times, Piper described the character of Capri as a 'really accomplished musician' with 'an interesting past of her own'. The actress told the magazine she was 'quite overwhelmed' to be working with Burton after admiring him for so long, and loved watching his films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie with her children. She added: 'I watched Beetlejuice so many times as a kid that I actually feel like it inspired the interiors in my house and the clothes I wear. I was fanatical.' Advertisement Doctor Who star Piper said she was 'grateful' to work with Burton. 'I realised I was dealing with someone who's really childlike energetically – open and engaging and fun,' she added. 'I love his energy. And that's what it feels like: like you're being painted into Tim Burton's piece of art, because it's a very specific composition a lot of the time, and it's striking.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billie Piper ‘quite overwhelmed' to work with Tim Burton on Netflix's Wednesday
Swindon-born Billie Piper has said she was "quite overwhelmed" to work with Tim Burton on the new Netflix series of Wednesday. Piper plays Isadora Capri, the new head of music at Nevermore Academy, in the second series of the hit show, which is set to air next month. The drama, which centres around Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family, stars Jenna Ortega in the lead role, and also features several British actresses including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dame Joanna Lumley and Piper. Speaking to Radio Times, Piper described the character of Capri as a 'really accomplished musician' with 'an interesting past of her own'. The actress told the magazine she was 'quite overwhelmed' to be working with Burton after admiring him for so long, and loved watching his films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie with her children. She added: 'I watched Beetlejuice so many times as a kid that I actually feel like it inspired the interiors in my house and the clothes I wear. I was fanatical.' Doctor Who star Piper, who attended Bradon Forest School in Purton until the age of 12, said she was 'grateful' to work with Burton. 'I realised I was dealing with someone who's really childlike energetically – open and engaging and fun,' she added. 'I love his energy. And that's what it feels like: like you're being painted into Tim Burton's piece of art, because it's a very specific composition a lot of the time, and it's striking.' Netflix announced earlier this year that Wednesday season 2 will be released in two parts in summer 2025. Recommended reading: Billie Piper stars in Netflix's Wednesday with Jenna Ortega Billie Piper confirmed as next Doctor in Doctor Who finale Billie Piper's pop star years and Chris Evans marriage Part 1 will be released on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 will follow on September 3, 2025. In the trailer for Wednesday Season 2, Part 1, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is back at Nevermore Academy and "facing fresh threats". Joanna Lumley joins the cast of Wednesday season 2 as Hester Frump, Wednesday's grandmother. The character is described as a "formidable and complex" matriarch within the Addams Family.
