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The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Through adversity, a new aesthetic: The Princess of Wales' fashion evolution
Earlier this year, when Catherine (or Kate, as she is more affectionately known), the Princess of Wales, returned to the public eye after her treatment for cancer, The Sunday Times of London reported that she was doing so with a caveat: She wanted to focus on her work, not her clothes. Her office would no longer share information about what she wore. Cue shock and horror. Even if it was understandable, given what she had been through, and even if the report was later disputed by the palace itself, it sent tremors through the fashion-watching community. That was partly because the princess could change the fortunes of a designer or a brand simply by wearing a dress. And it was partly because she had long used her place in the attention economy to shine a light not just on British products, but on issues including sustainability by remaking and rewearing pieces from her closet, and even renting the occasional evening gown. Mostly, though, it was because clothes are an expression of her role as a symbol – of the country and that fine line between continuity and modernisation. Stepping back from one suggested she was stepping back from the other. It's a weird thing to essentially be an avatar, but it's the job. Her jackets are more tailored and her silhouette more streamlined in her daily outfits. Photo: AgencyRead more: Style reigns supreme: Catherine, Princess of Wales, proves she's still got it As her appearance at the Wimbledon men's and women's finals, and at the French state visit, demonstrated, however, Kate may be more selective about her appearances (she did skip Ascot), but she is no less strategic. She is simply being Kate 3.0. There she was, after all, at the state visit, welcoming Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron in a blush-coloured Dior suit with a New Look jacket and a skirt covered in net, just brushing her calves. The brand is both classic French and about to be led by a designer from Northern Ireland who was trained in Britain. It was a considered nod to political alliance (the kind she has practised since marrying Prince William) that she repeated at the French state banquet, wearing a red Givenchy gown with a built-in cape sweeping down from her shoulders. It was regal, sure, but also strategic, given that Givenchy is now designed by Sarah Burton, the British designer who made Kate's wedding gown and who has been her collaborator on numerous high-profile public about entente. And there Kate was at the Wimbledon women's final in a cream jacket and long pleated skirt, a coolly appropriate riff on tennis whites and her position as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Amid political backlash, Canada's Nathan Fillion says Superman's true power is hope
In an age of endless remakes and superhero fatigue, Nathan Fillion says he isn't sure the world needs another Superman movie. But he's certain it needs what the new one represents. 'I think all the Superman iterations have had incredible value. I love them all. This one harkens back to the comic books, the very core idea of what Superman stands for: it's about hope, it's about choosing kindness,' says the Edmonton-born actor, who plays the Green Lantern in the James Gunn-made reboot of the DC Universe franchise. 'I think that message is well-timed right now. Do we need another Superman movie? I don't know, but do we need a message of hope and kindness? I will say yes.' 'Superman,' soaring into theatres Friday, is the latest film to take on Krypton's last son. David Corenswet stars as the titular hero, an alien with godlike powers trying to do good in a world that's increasingly suspicious of his motives. As distrust mounts, tech mogul Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, exploits the paranoia, painting Superman as a threat. The film has faced backlash from right-wing pundits following a recent interview where Gunn told 'The Sunday Times of London' that the story is about 'an immigrant that came from other places' and might offend some because it focuses on 'human kindness.' On a Fox News segment titled 'Superwoke,' host Kellyanne Conway objected, arguing audiences 'don't go to the movie theatre to be lectured to.' Fillion's response to the outrage is one of empathy. 'When I hear that, I simply think somebody needs a hug and to remember it's just a movie,' he says on a call Wednesday from Los Angeles. 'I mean, I saw the movie. I don't know how political it was.' Still, Gunn's film mirrors real-world anxieties: Luthor is a power-hungry billionaire pulling government strings, citizens are divided by disinformation, and the story opens with a lopsided war raging between two fictional nations. Joining Superman are the Green Lantern, Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific — a trio of metahumans known as the Justice Gang, who stand alongside him to protect humanity. Fillion is the first actor to bring the Guy Gardner version of the Green Lantern to the big screen — a cocky, obnoxious fan-favourite from the comics who stands apart from the more straight-laced Lanterns who came before him, such as Hal Jordan, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film 'Green Lantern.' 'What I like about him is the idea that you don't have to be good to be a Green Lantern. You just have to be fearless,' he says. Fillion, who got his start on the soap 'One Life to Live' and found cult fame with Joss Whedon's early-aughts drama 'Firefly,' says at the beginning of his career he gravitated toward 'flawless' characters because he wanted to be well liked. 'I was really, really wrong about that,' he says. 'No one can relate to someone who is perfect, and no one likes a guy who is perfect. We like people who are flawed, because we can relate to that. We are, all of us, flawed.' That realization has helped shape much of Fillion's career, as he's played charmingly imperfect heroes including a smug crime novelist on 2010s dramedy 'Castle' and an everyman cop on police procedural 'The Rookie,' which just wrapped its seventh season. As Gardner, he sports a hairdo audiences may not be used to seeing him in: a blond bowl cut. Fillion says he fought for the look as producers considered other styles. 'I was team bowl cut all the way. It is canon. I think if we didn't do it, we were going to hear about it,' he says. 'It says a lot about Guy Gardner. When you see a guy walking down the street with a bowl cut, he clearly does not care what you think.' 'Superman' is seen as the true kickoff for James Gunn's revamped DC Universe under his leadership at DC Studios. Fillion, who previously worked with Gunn on 2021's 'The Suicide Squad' and 2023's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' says he's all-in on the new DCU. He will be reprising his role as Gardner in the forthcoming series 'Lanterns' and the second season of 'Peacemaker,' both on Max. He says he'd be up for starring in a stand-alone Justice Gang movie. 'If I get the chance, I'll ride this one until it's in the ground. It'll be fantastic,' he says. Fillion says he always hopes 'nobody's a jerk' when he starts a new project, but Gunn is 'incredible' at vetting the people he works with. As a result, he's formed bonds with many actors he's 'come to love as people.' 'They hate it when I say this, but we don't just walk away friends. We walk away super friends.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
Global News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Amid political backlash, Nathan Fillion says Superman's true power is hope and kindness
In an age of endless remakes and superhero fatigue, Nathan Fillion says he isn't sure the world needs another Superman movie. But he's certain it needs what the new one represents. 'I think all the Superman iterations have had incredible value. I love them all. This one harkens back to the comic books, the very core idea of what Superman stands for: it's about hope, it's about choosing kindness,' says the Edmonton-born actor, who plays the Green Lantern in the James Gunn-made reboot of the DC Universe franchise. 'I think that message is well-timed right now. Do we need another Superman movie? I don't know, but do we need a message of hope and kindness? I will say yes.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think that message is well-timed right now. Do we need another Superman movie? I don't know, but do we need a message of hope and kindness? I will say yes." Superman, soaring into theatres Friday, is the latest film to take on Krypton's last son. David Corenswet stars as the titular hero, an alien with godlike powers trying to do good in a world that's increasingly suspicious of his motives. Story continues below advertisement As distrust mounts, tech mogul Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, exploits the paranoia, painting Superman as a threat. The film has faced backlash from right-wing pundits following a recent interview where Gunn told 'The Sunday Times of London' that the story is about 'an immigrant that came from other places' and might offend some because it focuses on 'human kindness.' 4:46 Superman: David Corenswet says some Lex Luthor scenes were 'too evil' to make film On a Fox News segment titled 'Superwoke,' host Kellyanne Conway objected, arguing audiences 'don't go to the movie theatre to be lectured to.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Fillion's response to the outrage is one of empathy. 'When I hear that, I simply think somebody needs a hug and to remember it's just a movie,' he says on a call Wednesday from Los Angeles. Story continues below advertisement 'I mean, I saw the movie. I don't know how political it was.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I mean, I saw the movie. I don't know how political it was." Still, Gunn's film mirrors real-world anxieties: Luthor is a power-hungry billionaire pulling government strings, citizens are divided by disinformation, and the story opens with a lopsided war raging between two fictional nations. Joining Superman are the Green Lantern, Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific — a trio of metahumans known as the Justice Gang, who stand alongside him to protect humanity. 4:05 New Superman trailer reveals DC universe's iconic characters Fillion is the first actor to bring the Guy Gardner version of the Green Lantern to the big screen — a cocky, obnoxious fan-favourite from the comics who stands apart from the more straight-laced Lanterns who came before him, such as Hal Jordan, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film Green Lantern. 'What I like about him is the idea that you don't have to be good to be a Green Lantern. You just have to be fearless,' he says. Story continues below advertisement Fillion, who got his start on the soap opera One Life to Live and found cult fame with Joss Whedon's early-aughts drama Firefly, says at the beginning of his career he gravitated toward 'flawless' characters because he wanted to be well liked. 'I was really, really wrong about that,' he says. 'No one can relate to someone who is perfect, and no one likes a guy who is perfect. We like people who are flawed, because we can relate to that. We are, all of us, flawed.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "No one can relate to someone who is perfect, and no one likes a guy who is perfect. We like people who are flawed, because we can relate to that. We are, all of us, flawed." That realization has helped shape much of Fillion's career, as he's played charmingly imperfect heroes including a smug crime novelist on 2010s dramedy Castle and an everyman cop on police procedural The Rookie, which just wrapped its seventh season. 2:05 Alberta forest group snags actor Nathan Fillion as host of virtual outdoor tour As Gardner, he sports a hairdo audiences may not be used to seeing him in: a blond bowl cut. Fillion says he fought for the look as producers considered other styles. Story continues below advertisement 'I was team bowl cut all the way. It is canon. I think if we didn't do it, we were going to hear about it,' he says. 'It says a lot about Guy Gardner. When you see a guy walking down the street with a bowl cut, he clearly does not care what you think.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It says a lot about Guy Gardner. When you see a guy walking down the street with a bowl cut, he clearly does not care what you think." Superman is seen as the true kickoff for James Gunn's revamped DC Universe under his leadership at DC Studios. Fillion, who previously worked with Gunn on 2021's The Suicide Squad and 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, says he's all-in on the new DCU. He will be reprising his role as Gardner in the forthcoming series Lanterns and the second season of Peacemaker, both on Max. He says he'd be up for starring in a stand-alone Justice Gang movie. 'If I get the chance, I'll ride this one until it's in the ground. It'll be fantastic,' he says. Fillion says he always hopes 'nobody's a jerk' when he starts a new project, but Gunn is 'incredible' at vetting the people he works with. As a result, he's formed bonds with many actors he's 'come to love as people.' 'They hate it when I say this, but we don't just walk away friends. We walk away super friends.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They hate it when I say this, but we don't just walk away friends. We walk away super friends."
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Amid political backlash, Canada's Nathan Fillion says Superman's true power is hope
In an age of endless remakes and superhero fatigue, Nathan Fillion says he isn't sure the world needs another Superman movie. But he's certain it needs what the new one represents. 'I think all the Superman iterations have had incredible value. I love them all. This one harkens back to the comic books, the very core idea of what Superman stands for: it's about hope, it's about choosing kindness,' says the Edmonton-born actor, who plays the Green Lantern in the James Gunn-made reboot of the DC Universe franchise. 'I think that message is well-timed right now. Do we need another Superman movie? I don't know, but do we need a message of hope and kindness? I will say yes.' 'Superman,' soaring into theatres Friday, is the latest film to take on Krypton's last son. David Corenswet stars as the titular hero, an alien with godlike powers trying to do good in a world that's increasingly suspicious of his motives. As distrust mounts, tech mogul Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, exploits the paranoia, painting Superman as a threat. The film has faced backlash from right-wing pundits following a recent interview where Gunn told 'The Sunday Times of London' that the story is about 'an immigrant that came from other places' and might offend some because it focuses on 'human kindness.' On a Fox News segment titled 'Superwoke,' host Kellyanne Conway objected, arguing audiences 'don't go to the movie theatre to be lectured to.' Fillion's response to the outrage is one of empathy. 'When I hear that, I simply think somebody needs a hug and to remember it's just a movie,' he says on a call Wednesday from Los Angeles. 'I mean, I saw the movie. I don't know how political it was.' Still, Gunn's film mirrors real-world anxieties: Luthor is a power-hungry billionaire pulling government strings, citizens are divided by disinformation, and the story opens with a lopsided war raging between two fictional nations. Joining Superman are the Green Lantern, Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific — a trio of metahumans known as the Justice Gang, who stand alongside him to protect humanity. Fillion is the first actor to bring the Guy Gardner version of the Green Lantern to the big screen — a cocky, obnoxious fan-favourite from the comics who stands apart from the more straight-laced Lanterns who came before him, such as Hal Jordan, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film 'Green Lantern.' 'What I like about him is the idea that you don't have to be good to be a Green Lantern. You just have to be fearless,' he says. Fillion, who got his start on the soap 'One Life to Live' and found cult fame with Joss Whedon's early-aughts drama 'Firefly,' says at the beginning of his career he gravitated toward 'flawless' characters because he wanted to be well liked. 'I was really, really wrong about that,' he says. 'No one can relate to someone who is perfect, and no one likes a guy who is perfect. We like people who are flawed, because we can relate to that. We are, all of us, flawed.' That realization has helped shape much of Fillion's career, as he's played charmingly imperfect heroes including a smug crime novelist on 2010s dramedy 'Castle' and an everyman cop on police procedural 'The Rookie,' which just wrapped its seventh season. As Gardner, he sports a hairdo audiences may not be used to seeing him in: a blond bowl cut. Fillion says he fought for the look as producers considered other styles. 'I was team bowl cut all the way. It is canon. I think if we didn't do it, we were going to hear about it,' he says. 'It says a lot about Guy Gardner. When you see a guy walking down the street with a bowl cut, he clearly does not care what you think.' 'Superman' is seen as the true kickoff for James Gunn's revamped DC Universe under his leadership at DC Studios. Fillion, who previously worked with Gunn on 2021's 'The Suicide Squad' and 2023's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' says he's all-in on the new DCU. He will be reprising his role as Gardner in the forthcoming series 'Lanterns' and the second season of 'Peacemaker,' both on Max. Currently on hiatus A review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe. He says he'd be up for starring in a stand-alone Justice Gang movie. 'If I get the chance, I'll ride this one until it's in the ground. It'll be fantastic,' he says. Fillion says he always hopes 'nobody's a jerk' when he starts a new project, but Gunn is 'incredible' at vetting the people he works with. As a result, he's formed bonds with many actors he's 'come to love as people.' 'They hate it when I say this, but we don't just walk away friends. We walk away super friends.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
Los Angeles Times
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Jean Marsh, British actress and co-creator of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs,' dies at 90
Jean Marsh, the British actress who co-created the enduring serialized hit TV series 'Upstairs, Downstairs,' died Sunday at the age of 90. The Sunday Times of London said Marsh died at her London home due to complications from dementia. Marsh gave television one of the best loved programs in history when she teamed with actress Eileen Atkins to create 'Upstairs, Downstairs,' set in a London estate during the Edwardian era. The series depicted the lives of the staff toiling downstairs at 165 Eaton Place and the wealthy Bellamy family living above. Marsh played Rose Buck, the head parlormaid in the Bellamy home. The drama made its debut on London Weekend Television in 1971 and became a major prime time series hit for PBS in 1974 when it was imported for U.S. audiences. The series depicting class distinctions in British society ran for five seasons and was revived for the BBC in 2011 with Marsh recreating her role. Marsh told NPR in 2011 that she and Atkins came up with the idea while watching a period drama on TV. 'We'd been watching something full of rich people, rich food, beautiful clothes and we had chips on our shoulders, I suppose. And we thought, 'Who did all this work? Who cooked? Who washed up?' ' she said. 'All those things we put together and thought, 'Let's write something about the downstairs people, the servants, the people who serve.' ' During its run, 'Upstairs, Downstairs' earned seven prime-time Emmy Awards, including a 1975 lead actress in a drama series win for Marsh. Jean Lyndsey Torren Marsh was born July 1, 1934 in Stoke Newington, a northwest section of London. Her father was a printer's assistant and her mother worked as a housemaid, giving her the insights she needed to write 'Upstairs, Downstairs.' (Atkins' parents also worked as household servants.) Marsh began her performing career as a teenager, appearing as a dancer in the Michael Powell-Emeric Pressburger film, 'The Tales of Hoffmann.' She made her Broadway stage debut in 1959, starring opposite John Gielgud in 'Much Ado About Nothing.' That same year she played opposite Laurence Olivier in David Susskind's TV production of 'The Moon and Sixpence' for NBC. Marsh split her time between the U.S. and London during the 1960s, with roles in the film 'Cleopatra,' and TV shows such as 'I Spy,' 'The Twilight Zone,' 'Doctor Who' and 'The Informer.' After 'Upstairs, Downstairs' became a hit, Marsh worked steadily in the U.S. and Great Britain for the next five decades. Her film roles include Alfred Hitchcock's 1972 film 'Frenzy,' and the spy drama 'The Eagle Has Landed.' She played Queen Bavmorda in Ron Howard's 1988 hit 'Willow.' Marsh also had numerous guest roles on U.S. TV series including 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'The Love Boat' and as a regular on the ABC sitcom 'Nine to Five.' In 1996, she wrote a successful romance novel, 'Fiennders Keepers,' which dealt with social change in a rural community. She played Mrs. Ferrars in a well-received 2008 TV mini-series version of 'Sense and Sensibility.' Marsh was married the late actor Jon Pertwee, who was 15 years her senior, in 1955 when she was just 20. They divorced five years later. She later lived with actors Kenneth Haigh and Albert Finney before beginning a 10-year relationship with the director Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
