Latest news with #NinaHayes
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson: the dynamic duo revving up 'Duster's' 1970s crime scene
Josh Holloway as Jim Ellis and Rachel Hilson as Nina Hayes in a scene from the crime thriller, 'Duster'. Image: Supplied I'm an absolute sucker for a TV series or movie that is set in the '70s. Just the aesthetics alone are a vibe. That was one of the reasons that I started watching the crime thriller 'Duster', which is co-created by J. J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. The other is that the series is helmed by 'Lost' star Josh Holloway as Jim Ellis and Rachel Hilson as Nina Hayes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Set in the Southwest in 1972, the premise centres on the FBI's first black woman agent, Nina Hayes (Hilson), fresh out of training from Quantico, taking on the mammoth task of bringing crime syndicate boss Ezra Saxton (Keith David) to book. She is laughed at by her sexist peers. But Nina has two things in her favour: she's got the smarts to get the job done, and she is fuelled by revenge. This is personal for her. Jim is her way in as he's Ezra's trusted getaway driver. In a recent press junket, ahead of the series dropping on Showmax, Morgan, Holloway and Hilson unpacked their thoughts on it. On the title of the show, Morgan revealed: 'The Duster is a really cool car. They only made it for about six years, so we wanted something really iconic for this show. We thought about the Aston Martin that Bond has or the Mustang that Steve McQueen has, and we wanted something iconic for this, so Duster it is.' The co-creator also shed light on what inspired the storyline. 'The idea came about because J.J. had an image in his head from a few years ago. It was a phone booth, a phone ringing in the middle of the desert, and a muscle car racing up to it. And he said, I think maybe Josh Holloway jumps out of that car. "So, I was like, I dig this idea. We started pitching ideas of what it could be and building the show together, and we decided to work on it together.' Holloway was in from the get-go. He smiled and shared: 'J.J. called, and I was like, yes. The answer's yes. Whatever it is you're asking, I'm in. It's just exciting to have anyone of that calibre artistically calling you for something. And, so, he just proceeded to kind of pitch me this show. 'And every step of the way, it just got better because it's set in 1972. Muscle cars, the explosion of music and individuality, and all these kinds of cultural explosions during that time, it was so rich, and I grew up, you know, as a small child in the '70s, but I remember it. 'I remember the freedom in the culture. You were freer to do anything, especially as a child. Your parents just said, 'Come back for dinner'. There was not that helicopter type thing. It was just a wonderful, rich era, and I love cars. "I have three brothers. We grew up loving cars. And, so, that was very appealing to get to drive a muscle car, and I love the Duster because it's an obscure muscle car kind of between muscle cars.' Josh Holloway as Jim Ellis in the crime thriller, 'Duster'. Image: Supplied After taking the call, Holloway revealed he contacted Rick Seaman's Motion Picture Driving Clinic to attend stunt driving school. On casting Hilson, who looks very young, Morgan explained: 'Yes. It was key to her character. She's fresh out of Quantico. She's coming in, you know, hell bent on taking this crime syndicate down. "She is young, and so she doesn't adhere to the rules. She likes to break them and make her own way. 'We wanted someone tenacious, who was passionate, and who really believed in her cause. She comes in as sort of this unstoppable force for this immovable object that is Josh.' Hilson added, 'I mean, Nina is a badass. And I think I've not gotten to play many badasses yet. Like, overt badasses. 'She's overtly badass, and she's just so dynamic and complex. She's got this rawness that comes from, I think, her childhood and losing her father so young. So, there's this vulnerability that is like the fuel for this badassery and this tenacity and her drive. 'And then, yeah, the '70s are just such a rich period. I think 1972 in particular, you've got like, oh, God, just like a whole cornucopia of things happening politically and culturally and, you know, it's right off of the civil rights movement. 'You've got like, the Black Panthers still sort of hanging out, and I think I was excited to navigate this role, navigate this character, this young black woman in this period in this environment in the bureau, which is so unheard of.' From the stellar cast, taut storyline, where personal and professional aspirations blur, this series ticks many boxes. Morgan added: 'People who enjoy sort of like that Tarantino vibe, that Scorsese vibe, that's there. We always wanted to infuse everything with humour as well. So, there's a lot of heart and fun in the show, but, you know, some of our touchstones, we talked about 'The Godfather', we talked about 'Parallax View', 'Sugarland Express', all those great movies from the '70s that we all know and love. 'Those were inspirations, and one of my favorite touchstones is a tiny little movie called 'Five Easy Pieces', which a lot of people don't know about but I love that movie so much, and it was always the touchstone because I feel like people think the '70s are very big collars and bright clothes but in that movie, you get to see people just wearing their jeans and looking normal and looking lived in and authentic, and that's what I wanted the show to feel like.' Sadly, despite the clout of the creative team, it didn't get the nod for a second season. Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking. If you enjoy this series, you should watch … 'Baby Driver' An action crime film written and directed by Edgar Wright. It stars Ansel Elgort as a getaway driver seeking freedom from a life of crime with his girlfriend Debora (Lily James). Kevin Spacey, Eiza González, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, and Jamie Foxx appear in supporting roles.
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Weekend Binge Alert: 'Duster' gives a nod to this HBCU
If you're looking for something thrilling to binge over the holiday weekend, Duster on Max should be at the top of your list. Not only because it's a fast paced adventure each episode, but it also stars a fictional HBCU graduate as its main character. Set in the gritty, fast-paced world of 1970s Arizona, Duster is a slick crime thriller created by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. The series follows the unlikely partnership between getaway driver Jim Ellis (Josh Holloway) and FBI agent Nina Hayes, brilliantly portrayed by Rachel Hilson. But here's where it gets especially interesting for HBCU fans-Nina Hayes is written as a proud fictional graduate of Morgan State University. In early episodes she displays a Morgan State coffee cup on her desk and tells her backstory of coming from Baltimore and graduating from MSU. This creative choice subtly weaves HBCU representation into mainstream storytelling, adding depth and pride to her trailblazing character. Then there's Keith David. If you don't dig his deep voice and intense facial expressions, we'll have to question your taste in entertainment. David plays the top villain in the series, but you can't help enjoying his character's personality and struggling to root against him. At least this viewer did. Inspired by Real History, But Not Based on It While Duster isn't based on a true story, it is loosely inspired by the groundbreaking life of Sylvia Mathis, who became the first Black female FBI agent in 1976. The series captures the essence of her barrier-breaking journey, imagining what a Black female FBI agent's life might have looked like in the early '70s, even though the storyline and characters are entirely fictional. Why You Should Watch High-speed chases, undercover operations, and sharp FBI HBCU connection through Nina Hayes, a Morgan State alum who uses her intellect, grit, and courage to challenge systemic chemistry between Rachel Hilson and Josh Holloway, bringing both intensity and heart to the rich 1970s setting, delivering all the retro vibes with a modern storytelling pace. Critics have praised the show's stylish execution, sharp dialogue, and dynamic character arcs. Whether you're in it for the action, the cultural callbacks, or the refreshing take on crime dramas, Duster offers something special. Where to Watch: Stream Duster now on Max. The post Weekend Binge Alert: 'Duster' gives a nod to this HBCU appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duster delivers a Pam-Grier-meets-slasher-movie mashup
Generally, the first episode of a new TV show establishes the world, the second reiterates those same beats, and the third is where you really find out what the series is going to feel like on a weekly basis. So it's a relief that after last week's installment zeroed in on criminal driver Jim Ellis, FBI Agent Nina Hayes takes center stage here. I was worried that last week's Jim-centric hour meant Duster was too enchanted by Josh Holloway to give Rachel Hilson the same screentime. But it turns out the series was just planning two back-to-back 'showcase' episodes for its two co-leads. In fact, Nina even gets her own in medias res cold open just like Jim did last week. 'Suspicious Minds' opened with Jim burying a body in the desert only to jump back in time 15 hours to fill in the gaps. This episode opens with Nina being held at knife point and then jumps back to 13 hours earlier to show us what happened to get her there. While the in medias res cold open is a pretty basic TV trick, it works really well for Duster for two reasons. For one thing, this is an intentionally 'basic' throwback show, so classic TV storytelling devices feel like a natural fit. And, for another, this is a relatively episodic series, and the cold open serves as a helpful thematic primer for the tone and focus we can expect. Here we immediately know we're getting a Nina-centric hour with a violent, conspiracy-heavy tone. The cold open also gives the episode a ticking clock that makes it more exciting to sit through the procedural beats. Ten minutes in, we see a picture that confirms the guy attacking Nina is none other than her much discussed predecessor Agent Breen (Michael Bryan French). And the opening scene provides some extra tension as we watch Nina get chewed out by her boss Agent Nathan Abbott (Greg Grunberg) for barking up the wrong tree and then decide to take Agent Awan Bitsui to visit Breen at the Kirkbridge Sanitarium anyway. What could feel slow or meandering on a more serialized show all feels like it's building towards an episodic climax here. Again, the series isn't reinventing the TV wheel. But, hey, sometimes old tricks are popular for a reason—which is basically Duster's entire raison d'être. Watching these last two episodes back-to-back also helps us get to know Jim and Nina by contrasting how they handle similar missions. Last week, Jim used his charisma and people skills to crash a party at Elvis' house and steal his blue suede shoes. This week, Nina relies on her powers of observation and a little cold-hard cash to sneak into the sanitarium. True, she also throws a little flirtation into the mix too. But it's really her ability to spot a weak link in the hospital's security chain—in this case, a Black janitor who's being mistreated by his white bosses—that gets her in the door. Once Nina and Awan are inside, the show has a whole lot of fun giving them even more of a full-on heist than Jim got last week, where the bowling alley fight was the episode's actual climax. Sure, the idea of two FBI agents spontaneously going undercover at a mental institution seems a little farfetched. But Awan's absolutely adorable love of Superman sells the idea that he'd be okay adopting a 'secret identity.' (This is a great episode for Asivak Koostachin.) And playing Jimi Hendrix's 'Foxey Lady' while Nina changes into a white nurse's uniform is a double homage to two iconic Pam Grier roles: Foxy Brown and Coffy. It's an enjoyably stylish sequence, even if we quickly realize that Nina is definitely an overconfident newbie when it comes to improvising on the job. Her attempt to reach Breen goes awry almost immediately as she really just succeeds at freeing him from his locked room and letting him run amuck in the hospital. From a modern perspective, it's probably not the most sensitive approach to basically turn the sanitarium into the setting for a horror movie. But it does feel like a fitting homage to the slasher films that would take theaters by storm in the late 1970s. Where a lot of final girls survive on gumption alone, Nina saves herself by talking through Breen's brain-addled riddles. True, I don't know if committing multiple crimes, getting Breen to knock himself out, and only getting the clue to 'follow the numbers' could really be considered a win for our intrepid agent. But it's great to see Nina faced with more than just interoffice drama this week. And her undercover mission provides another point of comparison with Duster's co-lead. Where Jim is a well-trained crime pro with a long history of getting out of scrapes, Nina is still learning the ropes when it comes to bending (okay, breaking) the law. At least she gets an unexpected ally in Agent Abbott's wife, who's so excited about the idea of her husband working with the first Black woman at the FBI that he agrees not to report Nina's indiscretion. It's a bit of a goofy resolution to a bit of a goofy sideplot, but given how the deck is stacked against Nina because of her race and gender, it's nice to see her get a win because of those qualities too. That also goes for the sweet scene where the FBI cleaning lady Kelly (Esther Omegba) is so excited to meet her. Though Nina takes center stage this week, this is by no means a Jim-lite episode. Once Nina finds proof that his brother's van was intentionally exploded with C4, Jim becomes even more motivated to get dirt on Saxton. Here that means sabotaging his boss' limo in order to become his chauffeur for the evening—driving him to Tucson for a meeting with 'global implications' (a.k.a. partnering with some Russians). The storyline mostly exists to ratchet up the interpersonal tension for Jim. His dad is adamant that Saxton is family, and Saxton goes so far as to say that Jim is one of the few people in the world he can really trust and confide in. He even reveals he loved Joey like a son and thought about grooming him to take over his criminal empire, which would seem to place Royce or more likely Genesis as the prime suspects in the murder. But is that just an act to cover up the fact that deep down Saxton is just like his favorite song: 'no good'? It's hard to say. This week offers the most extended screentime for Keith David yet, and he's such a naturally warm, charismatic presence that you really do want to root for him. Placing Saxton within the context of a racist, rural bar is also a reminder that though he may be a powerful crime lord, he's still breaking down barriers in his own way too. Jim even decides to let go of the idea that Saxton had Joey killed—at least until he hears his boss mention 'Paris Gilford,' the go-to C4 provider for the greater Phoenix area. In the end, Jim winds up back on 'Team Saxton Did It' and Nina winds up without any new leads outside of her CI, which means this hour is ultimately a little less consequential than it seems like it's going to be in the beginning. Plotwise, we pretty much just leave things exactly as we started them. But putting Nina front and center is still a crucial step for Duster's worldbuilding. The show now feels like a true two-hander (or three-hander if we consider Saxton another co-lead). And that's a solid foundation for whatever detours it wants to take next. • This week in 'It's the 1970s!': The Staple Singers' number-one hit 'I'll Take You There' plays on the radio, and Saxton buys a pack of smokes from a cigarette vending machine. Also, Awan is going to be so excited when the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie comes out in six years. • The blue suede shoes from last week remain in the opening credits and we get a new tease for Wade's beloved rolodex of criminal connections. We also get to see the IRL version of the arched 'Duncan's Layaway' sign that's been part of the sequence from the beginning. • I continue to think they need to make some minor adjustments to Jim's hair. It's so clean and shiny without really being styled. I feel like they either need to lean into the idea that he's a man who fully does his hair each day (give me some feathered face framing pieces!) or let it be a little grungier. • Royce is apparently having 'emotional swings' after his heart transplant (is that a thing?) and cries when his dad offers him steak. • Great casting on the photo in Nina's locket! That guy really looks like he could be Hilson's dad. • I'm not exactly sure why this show is so adamant about checking in on all of Jim's family members each week, but at least their scenes are all light and zippy, with Izzy having a breakfast date with her doctor boyfriend David (Friday Night Lights' Matt Lauria), Jim and Luna sharing an adorable lunch together, and Jim walking in on Charlotte performing her weekly Guys And Dolls striptease for Wade. More from A.V. Club The Handmaid's Tale's otherwise satisfying final season was marred by Serena's ending Paradise is lost again in Hacks' season 4 finale Patti LuPone stuns Broadway as The Apologizer
The Review Geek
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Duster Episode 3 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
Duster Set in the 1970's Southwest, deep in the heart of Arizona, Duster centers on the life of a gutsy getaway driver called Jim, who works for a growing crime syndicate. However, his world is turned upside down when he learns some shocking truths regarding his brother, causing him to become entangled with an FBI agent called Nina Hayes. Here is everything you need to know about Duster episode 3, including their release date, time and where you can watch them. Where Can I Watch Duster? Duster is an HBO Original and will be exclusively available on HBO Max. As this is an exclusive original series, HBO is the only place you're going to be able to watch this one. At this time there's no word on international streaming, but it's likely that this one will end up on Sky Atlantic for those in the UK in the future. Duster Episode 3 Release Date Episode 3 of Duster will air on Thursday 29th May at 9pm (ET)/ 3am (GMT). Expect episodes to drop pretty close to this time each week. Duster should be available with subtitles from its release, with the chapters scheduled to clock in at around 56 minutes long each, which is consistent with the time-frame for the rest of the show. How Many Episodes Will Duster Have? This season of Duster will feature 8 episodes in total. Unlike other streaming releases lately, this one is sticking pretty rigidly to one episode a week. They will release every Thursday at the same time, meaning there will be a total of 5 episodes left after this one drops. Is There A Trailer For Duster? There is! Check it out below to get a glimpse of Jim and Nina's journey here: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of Duster so far? Let us know in the comments below!
The Review Geek
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Duster Episode 2 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
Duster Set in the 1970's Southwest, deep in the heart of Arizona, Duster centers on the life of a gutsy getaway driver called Jim, who works for a growing crime syndicate. However, his world is turned upside down when he learns some shocking truths regarding his brother, causing him to become entangled with an FBI agent called Nina Hayes. Here is everything you need to know about Duster episode 2, including their release date, time and where you can watch them. Where Can I Watch Duster? Duster is an HBO Original and will be exclusively available on HBO Max. As this is an exclusive original series, HBO is the only place you're going to be able to watch this one. At this time there's no word on international streaming, but it's likely that this one will end up on Sky Atlantic for those in the UK in the future. Duster Episode 2 Release Date Episode 2 of Duster will air on Thursday 22nd May at 9pm (ET)/ 3am (GMT). Expect episodes to drop pretty close to this time each week. Duster should be available with subtitles from its release, with the chapters scheduled to clock in at around 58 minutes long each, which is consistent with the time-frame for the rest of the show. How Many Episodes Will Duster Have? This season of Duster will feature 8 episodes in total. Unlike other streaming releases lately, this one is sticking pretty rigidly to one episode a week. They will release every Thursday at the same time, meaning there will be a total of 6 episodes left after this one drops. Is There A Trailer For Duster? There is! Check it out below to get a glimpse of Jim and Nina's journey here: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of Duster so far? Let us know in the comments below!
