Latest news with #Bryan Cranston
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix just got Prime Video's most overlooked crime drama — and you can binge all 3 seasons right now
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In August 2014, Bryan Cranston won his fourth and final Emmy for his performance as Walter White on "Breaking Bad" and made a speech that would inadvertently lead to his next TV project. 'I don't know why I have been blessed with an abundance of good fortune in my life,' Cranston began. 'I was a kid who always looked for the shortcut — schemer. My own family nicknamed me Sneaky Pete. My own family!' After thanking the academy, his family, the cast, and the crew, he concluded: 'I'd like to dedicate this award to all the sneaky Petes of the world.' The next day, Cranston got a phone call from Zack Van Amburg, the president of Sony Pictures Television, who pitched him a surprising idea: What about a show called "Sneaky Pete"? Seven months later, Cranston had teamed up with David Shore (creator of "House") to write and film a pilot, which aired in March 2015 on CBS. The network passed on the show, and a bidding war began, with "Sneaky Pete" ultimately getting scooped up by Amazon's Prime Video and premiering two years later. Positive reviews were enough to keep the series running for three seasons, but it never managed to break into the mainstream conversation, which is a shame, because "Sneaky Pete" is a truly excellent crime drama. Thankfully, that may finally be about to change. "Sneaky Pete" is streaming for the first time on Netflix as of July 10, meaning this overlooked show has a chance to reach its biggest audience ever. Here's why it's worth making "Sneaky Pete" your new summer obsession. What is 'Sneaky Pete' about? "Sneaky Pete" stars Giovanni Ribisi (best known as the villain in "Ted" and Phoebe's brother in "Friends") as Marius Josipović, a con man who's released from prison as the show begins. Marius soon runs into a gangster he once robbed (Cranston), who wants revenge. Thinking quickly, he remembers that his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, has some rich grandparents in upstate New York who haven't seen their grandson in 20 years. So Marius becomes Pete and heads north to start a new life and meet his new family. While this plan seems to work at first, it quickly arouses the suspicion of his new grandma (Margo Martindale). He's soon introduced to a sprawling family — including a female cousin he probably wishes he could kiss— leading to further complications. Marius' con-man instincts often make things worse, creating an increasingly tangled web of lies that he struggles to keep up with. "Sneaky Pete" season 1 also features a great B-plot focused on Marius' brother Eddie (Michael Drayer) and Cranston's gangster, which helps keep things moving as we're slowly eased into the world of the Murphys. If you're only watching for Bryan Cranston, however, be warned, he doesn't show up in any of the later seasons, which put more focus on the Murphy clan as those relationships continue to develop and new complications are introduced. A network crime drama/prestige TV hybrid The premise of "Sneaky Pete" may seem slightly contrived, but the execution is masterful, thanks in large part to showrunner Graham Yost ("Justified"), who came onboard after Amazon picked up the show with the goal of transforming it from a network drama to prestige television. A big part of that is Bryan Cranston, who was supposed to only get a glorified cameo but instead wound up with a small-but-significant season 1 role. Cranston clearly saw something special in "Sneaky Pete" and decided to stick around. The always-amazing Margo Martindale ("The Americans," "Justified") also does some heavy lifting to elevate the main plotline while Ribisi and the rest of the cast find their footing. Comparing the pilot episode, which was released on Prime Video unchanged, to the series that followed, it's easy to see how Amazon altered the original concept. It's darker and sexier, in the style of so many mid-2010s prestige shows. The overall structure still sometimes feels more episodic, with a clear adventure-of-the-week framing that might play better on CBS (especially early on in the show), but that doesn't mean you can't binge your way through multiple episodes (or even seasons) at a brisk pace. A (somewhat) satisfying ending The most important question to ask about any older show before diving in is whether it sticks the landing. In this case, the answer is a resounding: sort of. Amazon canceled "Sneaky Pete" in 2019 after season 3, and while the series doesn't end on some huge, unresolved cliffhanger, it's also clear that the show's creators were already planning for season 4. Much of the third season is spent assembling various pieces and bringing important plotlines and characters into position. Yost seems like he was setting up for something big that we'll likely never get to see. Then again, if "Sneaky Pete" is a hit on Netflix, maybe a sequel of some sort could still happen (like with "Suits" and its recent spinoff show). But even if these three seasons are all we ever get, you won't regret watching this criminally overlooked crime series that never dipped in quality and just keeps getting better until its very last episode. Watch "Sneaky Pete" on Netflix and Prime Video Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More on Tom's Guide What's new on Netflix this week Prime Video top 10 shows — here's the 3 worth watching now Netflix's new mystery thriller series could be your perfect summer binge-watch
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Critically acclaimed crime thriller 'you need to watch immediately' finally hits Netflix - and is hailed as 'a masterpiece'
A critically acclaimed crime thriller 'you need to watch immediately' finally hits Netflix - and is hailed as 'a masterpiece'. The TV show, Sneaky Pete, hit our screens on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video back in 2015. The streaming service's synopsis reads: 'A con man (Giovanni Ribisi) on the run from a vicious gangster (Bryan Cranston) takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his prison cellmate, Pete, "reuniting" with Pete's estranged family, a colorful, dysfunctional group that threatens to drag him into a world just as dangerous as the one he's trying to escape - and, just maybe, give him a taste of the loving family he's never had.' The series aired 30 episodes over three successful series until 2019. It stars Giovnni Ribisi as Marius Josipović / Pete Murphy, Marin Ireland as Julia Bowman, Shane McRae as Taylor Bowman, Libe Barer as Carly Bowman and Michael Drayer as Eddie Josipović. Although the show wrapped up six years ago, fans will be happy to know that they can watch the full series on Netflix. And it's no surprise considering how many positive reviews the show has got. Sneaky Pete has received a whopping 96% on critic site Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile others have rushed over to IMDB to share their positive views. 'A masterpiece.' 'Will keep you hooked!' 'Sneaky Pete is such an excellent and entertaining series! It's a show about cons, lies, deception, family, relationships, etc., etc. 'And tells it in such an amazing way that you can't wait to see the next episode! It was one of the best Amazon originals and got cancelled after 3 seasons for god knows why? Even though it ended it on a cliffhanger it's still definitely worth watching, it's not the kind of cliffhanger that will ruin the show for you. 'Once you start this amazing series you won't be able to stop watching it until you've binged the entire series so make sure you give yourself enough time to watch it. 'I promise you that it's worth every second!' 'Instantly Sucks YOU IN! Great Acting, Great Story, GREAT SHOW!' 'Excellent cast and script. Doesn't disappoint. 'Great choice for your next binge.' 'This is an excellent mystery, crime drama, con game series.' 'I'm really, really hoping for a 4th season. 'Loved every second of this and it left me wanting for more. 10 episodes was not enough.' 'A con artist hides from his past mistakes by posing as his former cellmate, deceiving a family that has no idea he's not the man they lost years ago,' Netflix's official synopsis reads. Sneaky Pete isn't the only show on Netflix that has got people talking recently. Earlier this week Stranger Things fans were left 'crying' as Netflix dropped a first trailer for the final series. The popular sci-fi show debuted in 2016 and follows a group of friends who tackle supernatural forces in Indiana. Now, a teaser for season five has been released by the streaming platform and it sent fans into a frenzy.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bryan Cranston Addresses ‘Lone Wolf' Troubles, Vows Not To Film Or Promote Movie 'Until Every Cast And Crew Member Is Paid Back In Full'
EXCLUSIVE: Bryan Cranston has made his position clear regarding the ongoing funding challenges facing indie movie Lone Wolf. In a message to Deadline, which you can read in full below, the Breaking Bad and Trumbo star said he won't return to finish filming or promote the feature until all cast and crew that are owed money are paid back in full. A 'distressed' Cranston, who himself has been paid for his work to date, has spoken to multiple co-stars who are still owed money. More from Deadline 'Lone Wolf' Producer Describes 'Extremely Challenging Process' As Crew & Actors On Movie Remain Unpaid & Movie Is Still Unfinished Months After Wrap Bryan Cranston Thriller 'Lone Wolf' Endures Turbulent Production With Dozens Of Crew Still Unpaid Weeks After Wrap 'Everything's Going To Be Great' Review: Bryan Cranston And Allison Janney Lead Game Cast In Uneven Dramedy About A Family Whose Lives Aren't In Sync As we revealed earlier today, there is around a $2M shortfall in funding on the project, whose shoot came to an abrupt halt months ago. Crew, vendors and some cast are still owed at least one week's wages, and there remains filming to be done. As noted by financier-producer Jordan Wagner to us today, the project suffered a 'breakdown in the financing structure', and financiers have been scrambling to plug gaps. You can read Wagner's statement and the latest on the situation here and more about the original crew response here. Shortly after our story went up earlier today, I got a call from another financier on the project who said he hadn't known a situation quite like this on a movie in more than two decades in the business. As we've noted before, legal action is being discussed by different parties. Indie movies hitting snags is not uncommon, but it is more rare for projects of a certain scale and with as many good elements as Lone Wolf to trip up like this during production. Mark Pellington directs the conspiracy thriller about a troubled veteran (Lily Gladstone) struggling with addiction who is recruited by a contractor (Cranston) for a covert government plot to assassinate a high-level politician. Cast also includes O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Chet Hanks and Spencer Garrett. The producing team includes Oscar nominee Christine Vachon and vet Ted Hope, alongside others. Bryan Cranston's message to Deadline, which he is happy for us to share: 'The report in Deadline (as far as I know) is very accurate (thank you for that, Andreas). It is very unfortunate that this intriguing little story was sideswiped by a few incidents that temporarily derailed the film's production. I don't know all the details – only from what I'm hearing second hand (I am not a producer on this film) so all I can relay is what I do know.'For some reason money that was promised to be deposited into the escrow accounts for the cast and crew were not done so in a timely manner. That caused a couple stoppages to the shooting. Then, apparently some portion of what was promised was deposited, and that lifted the DO NOT WORK order and we started up again.'Right now, there is a strong effort to raise the necessary capital to finish the film, and I think that will happen for two main reasons: One, because the missing few scenes (approximately over two shooting days) are vital to the story. And two, that I (and I think I speak for Lily as well) will not do anything to promote the film until every cast and crew member is paid back in full, and we will not appear on screen again (ie return to filming) for this movie until that happens.'In full transparency, I was paid for my part in this film even before the last temporary work stoppage – so I was surprised when I found out that we had to stop again, and that most of the crew didn't get, as far as I know, their last two weeks of pay, nor did the co-stars in the movie.'That is where it stands now…I'm distressed that this has caused so much grief and distrust, and so sorry that this crew (which was fantastic) were not treated with the respect they deserved, but I really believe that the producers will manage these difficult times by making everyone whole, and we'll finish the film….Man, what a mess. BC.' Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
