Latest news with #SamanthaMorton
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Masterpiece' sci-fi film lauded as 'ahead of its time' with 'breathtaking action' finally lands on Netflix 23 years after its release
A 'masterpiece' film that was lauded as 'ahead of its time' has finally landed on Netflix 23 years after its release. The sci-fi hit, Minority Report, premiered on screens back in 2002 and stars movie legend Tom Cruise as the lead. Based on Philip K Dick's novel that shares the same name, the film is set in 2054 and was added to the streaming platform on July 1. The futuristic tale delves into a world where crimes are seen before they even happen. Precrime chief John Anderton, played by Cruise, flees after facing accusations of an 'imminent homicide,' according to the synopsis. Minority Report also stars Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton, amongst others, and boasts an impressive 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes where viewers have left their verdicts over the years. According to Metro, one fan gushed: 'This movie was amazing and way ahead of its time. I was very impressed. Tom Cruise had an incredible performance. 'The story was unique and captivating. Very thought provoking. All the future tech displayed in this movie is still impressive today in 2020 even to a seasoned Sci-Fi fan. 'A must see film, one of the best Sci-Fi movies out there.' While another said: 'On the short list of my all-time favorite movies, Minority Report is the rare film that has everything: breathtaking action and suspense, philosophical and ethical dilemmas, real emotion and well-placed plot twists. 'In fact, it has so much going on that it might have gone off the rails in lesser hands; but Spielberg's veteran direction shapes it into a masterpiece.' Someone else penned: 'This movie is just about 20 years old and still holds up from all aspects. 'Still looks great, has an amazing script and grabbed my attention the whole time even though I had already seen it. Amazing.' Minority Report also stars Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton, amongst others, and boasts an impressive 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes and viewers have left their verdicts on the site over the years Another fan commented: 'A cool and creative sci-fi action film with great acting from Tom Cruise and great directing from Stephen Spielberg.' 'I thought this was an awesome Sci-Fi film. One of Tom Cruise's best films,' someone else said. Though not everyone has loved the film and one viewer penned: 'What a mess of storyline. This is a waste of talent.'
NZ Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
The Listener's July Viewing Guide: The Sandman's last stand, a new Polkinghorne doco, and Jaws revisited
The fourth of English writer CJ Tudor's spooky bestsellers is the first to make it to screen in a series starring Samantha Morton. She's the new vicar, who arrives with her daughter in the sleepy village of Chapel Croft, where her
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix snaps up sex-filled period drama with impressive 97% Rotten Tomatoes score - and it makes Bridgerton look tame
Netflix has snapped up a sex-filled period drama with an impressive 97 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score - and it makes Bridgerton look tame. Harlots, originally released in 2017 and previously broadcast by now-defunct channel ITV Encore and BBC Two, details the booming sex industry of 18th century London. The bawdy show follows feuding madams Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton) and Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville) and the prostitutes who live in their brothels. All three series of the highly-rated programme, set in Georgian England in the 1760s, are now available to stream on Netflix, as of July 1. And its scandalous sex scenes outstrip even those of the streamer's period romp Bridgerton, known for its steamy moments and irresistible romances. The first episode of Harlots, for instance, sees Margaret sell her daughter's virginity to pay a fine after a night-watchmen's raid - and opens with a compilation of the 'Harlots' having sex with customers. Harlots boasts a star-studded cast, with Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey) as a prostitute, Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as an aspiring MP who uses her services and Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings) as an aristocrat. The programme was originally released on the ITV Encore channel, which was created in 2014 to show the channel's original drama, before its closure in 2018. Meanwhile, the series - influenced by 1700s prostitution guidebook Harris's List Of Covent Garden Ladies - was broadcast to American viewers via Hulu. The BBC acquired its UK broadcasting rights in 2020, which saw the show receive renewed attention. Actress Lesley said at the time, Radio Times reports: 'Yes! I hadn't thought of that, I hadn't thought of that at all. 'We finished season three and I think we all thought that was it. You know, there might be [a series renewal]! Let's start writing the letters now. 'I'd always be interested - obviously I'd be interested, I had nothing but a pleasurable time doing all three series, and it was one of those blissful jobs, so I'd definitely [give] that a lot of consideration but it's certainly not something that's been talked about. 'Maybe you could start a campaign.' But her plans are foiled when Lydia (pictured) orchestrates a raid of the area with the help of Florence Scanwell (Dorothy Atkinson) - a religious zealot who opposes sex work and becomes her pawn She said she felt it had been 'hidden away' in programming schedules upon its original release - so she was 'delighted' it was coming to the BBC at the time. Viewers were quick to take to X to comment on the risque show in 2020, when it was shown on BBC Two. One wrote: 'This started off with a bang in every sense of the word.' A second added: 'Spanking, nipples and bare bottoms so far on #harlots.' The programme starts with Margaret's daughter Lucy (Eloise Smyth) reading out reviews of the brothel's residents. Viewers are soon introduced to Nancy Birch (Kate Fleetwood) - a longtime friend and neighbour of Margaret who specialises in domination. They also meet sex workers Betsey Fletcher (Alexa Davies), Fanny Lambert (Bronwyn James) and Emily Lacey (Holli Dempsey). The latter deserted Margaret to work for rival Lydia - but soon found her stay in the elite brothel nowhere near as luxurious as she once imagined. Prostitute Emily Lacey (Holli Dempsey, pictured) deserted Margaret to work for rival Lydia - but soon found her stay in the elite brothel nowhere near as luxurious as she once imagined Margaret makes clear her ambitions to move to the more upmarket Greek Street in Soho. But her plans are foiled when Lydia orchestrates a raid of the area with the help of Florence Scanwell (Dorothy Atkinson) - a religious zealot who opposes sex work and becomes her pawn. The raid leaves Margaret with a £100 court fine - which she pays off by selling her youngest daughter's virginity. She sets up a plan to sell to the highest bidder, after previously refusing one of the brothel's client's offers of £50 to have sex with her daughter. Meanwhile, Margaret's oldest daughter Charlotte (Downton's Jessica) has a reputation as the city's most coveted courtesan. She is expected by Sir George Howard (Mamma Mia's Hugh) to sign a contract so he would formally become her 'keeper'. By becoming her keeper, George would pay for her lavish lifestyle in return for Charlotte having sex with nobody else and legally becoming his property. In one amusing scene, he gifts her a pineapple, which he believes to be the finest luxury available - and later dons her clothes as he waits for her to return home. But in a fit of jealousy, after discovering she had not been 'living like a nun' as promised, he successfully bids for Lucy's virginity. While the pair then do not have sex, he forces Lucy to say otherwise. Viewers were captivated by Hugh's character when the programme was aired on BBC Two in 2020 and laughed at the funny gesture of gifting a pineapple. 'No one wants a man who thinks she's a pineapple', wrote one, while a second joked: '"You are the pineapple of Great Britain." Imagine interrupting sex to say that.' A third commented: 'Just what every woman wants, a pineapple.' Some made comments on perceived inaccuracies in the show, saying it is not historically correct for the sex workers to have 'perfect hair and teeth'. The fourth instalment of the much-loved Netflix series (pictured) will return to screens in 2026 and as of May, 'Netflix has shared a huge update on the show's future' It comes hot on the heels of the success of Bridgerton for Netflix, with series five and six of the period drama now reportedly confirmed. The fourth instalment of the much-loved Netflix series will return to screens in 2026 and as of May, 'Netflix has shared a huge update on the show's future'. According to The Sun, Netflix has bagged a multi-million pound investment to make series five and six. A TV insider told the publication: 'After introducing the controversial gender swap at the end of series three which saw Michael Stirling switched to Michaela, there is a chance execs could skip ahead to Francesca's story. 'They certainly weren't afraid to dabble with Julia Quinn's timeline by swapping the order of Colin and Benedict's tales.' The comment was in reference to the introduction of Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), the cousin of Francesca Bridgerton's new husband John Stirling (Victor Alli), at the end of the last series. Michaela, based on a character in the original Bridgerton books called Michael, leaves Francesca speechless - opening up a new romantic prospect for her, despite her recent marriage. MailOnline contacted Netflix for comment about this at the time. Series four, meanwhile, will centre on the love story of Luke Thompson's character Benedict Bridgerton and a new leading lady Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha. Harlots is available to stream on Netflix. The guide to London's sex workers that inspired Harlots By Hallie Rubenhold for The Mail On Sunday Harlot was inspired by the real people and events depicted in Hallie Rubenhold's book, The Covent Garden Ladies, which details the story behind one of history's most notorious publications, The Harris's List Of Covent Garden Ladies. At the beginning of Harlots, there is a flurry of excitement as the latest edition of The Harris's List, a guide to the capital's sex workers, arrives from the bookseller. All of the 'ladies of pleasure' are eager to hear what has been written about them, anxious that whatever is said will make or break their careers in the sex trade. Scenes like this would have unfolded every Christmas between 1757 and 1795 when the guide rolled off the presses. The Lists were more than just a dry catalogue of names and addresses, but a wittily written chronicle of London's sex trade. Each edition contained information about the women who worked in it, providing details of their ages, physical appearance and sexual specialities as well as stories about these women's lives. The thousands of women from all walks of life who featured in its pages include the likes of Miss Noble who was known for her 'skill in the reviving the dead' with her tongue of 'double charm', or Miss West 'who can pick her gallant's pocket very coolly' while in the act. Miss Love of 14 George Street is celebrated for her 'dark complexion'. The lists are filled with others who led lives as actresses, servants, shopkeepers, nursemaids and even a number who were married women. They ran the gamut in terms of age and appearance, from those described as 'true beauties' to others referred to as 'veterans in the field of Venus'. Not all were confined to brothels. The Harris's List show that women often shared accommodation with other sex workers or lodged with ordinary families, such as green grocers and cabinet makers. Although Covent Garden was the centre of sin, filled with theatres, taverns, coffee houses and bath houses, there was no designated red-light district, and women lived in virtually every neighbourhood, from Fitzrovia to Mayfair, from Holborn to the City. The Harris's List cost two shillings and sixpence, which pushed it far out of range of the ordinary working man. Those women who appeared on it catered almost exclusively to middle-class men and above, but the sex trade catered to every strata of society, from the Prince to the dock worker.
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Seductive' and 'provocative' period drama leaves fans 'breathless'
Harlots is a British period drama that first aired in 2017 and has since been a hit with viewers, who have been left 'screaming at the TV like a crazy person' This hidden gem of a TV series has been garnering heaps of praise from fans, with its celebration of stellar actresses bringing to life the risqué tale at its core. Harlots transports viewers to 18th-century London, drawing inspiration from The Covent Garden Ladies by British historian Hallie Rubenhold. Samantha Morton shines as Margaret Wells, who bravely runs a brothel while contending with the few options available to women - marriage or sex work. Religious officials are hell-bent on shuttering the 'houses of ill-repute', urging police to clamp down and conduct raids. An fan shared their thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes, saying: "Harlots is a spectacular show that helps us understand what life was like for women in 1763. There is drama, murder, sex, and money. What's not to love? "If you haven't checked this show out yet. Please do! You are missing out. Season 2 stepped up its game. I am on the edge of my seat every episode, screaming at the TV like a crazy person", reports Surrey Live. The acting chops demonstrated by the ensemble cast really shine through and it's quite the line-up. With BAFTA laureate Lesley Manville, Lord of the Rings alumnus Liv Tyler, along with Jessica Findlay, Dorothy Atkinson and more, Harlots boasts an array of characters that resonate deeply with the portrayal of the female experience of those times. One captivated viewer wrote: "This show continues to be incredible. Its nonstop, raucous, vibrant, glam energy showcases stories about the most objectified, vulnerable women refusing to relinquish their inner power to a system hellbent on squashing them beneath its boot heel. These women aren't perfect, but they inspire. Samantha Morton is amazing." Others were left astounded by the show's sensual allure. "Provocative doesn't even begin to describe properly this smooth zeal of this show," they noted. "The costumes, the colour in the clothes, and the art of how they speak – it is all together a suspenseful and seductive ride." First hitting screens in 2017, Harlots enjoyed three successful seasons before drawing to a close in 2019. It appears the series bowed out on a high note, with viewers praising the "strong" conclusion of the third and final season. And now I'm disappointed that it seems the series is over. ". To join in on the buzz, all episodes of Harlots are available for streaming on Amazon Prime with a premium subscription.
