Latest news with #historicaldrama
The Review Geek
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Has Washington Black been renewed for Season 2? Here's what we know:
Renewed Or Cancelled? Washington Black is the latest historical drama on Hulu, successfully adapting the book sporting the same name and adding plenty of human drama to book. So after watching it in its entirety, you may be wondering if this has been renewed or cancelled. Here's what we know: What is Washington Black about? Based on the book sporting the same name, the series follows the 19th century adventures of George Washington 'Wash' Black. This 11-year-old boy is forced to flee a Barbados sugar plantation after a gruesome death threatens to turn his life upside down. We have ongoing coverage of Washington Black on the site including recaps of every episode. You can find those HERE! Has Washington Black been renewed for season 2? At the time of writing, Washington Black has not been renewed for season 2. Generally Hulu would gauge numerous metrics before renewing a show, including how many people initially watch it and then looking at the drop-off rate. With some shows, cancellations or renewals happen quickly. Other times, it can take months before a decision over a show's future is made. So far, Murderbot has had a really good reaction from critics and audiences alike, with many commenting (including ourselves) that the plot and humour both work really well together. Given the way this show is set up, we're predicting that this will be renewed for a second season. The series does have plenty of potential and the ending certainly leaves the door open for more drama to follow. However, we could be completely wrong, given Hulu don't always renew every show, so take our prediction with a pinch of salt! What we know about season 2 so far: Barely anything is known about season 2 at this point as Hulu haven't officially renewed this one. Should it be renewed, we have some big questions. The final episode sees Wash and Tanna leaving Dahomey with their new-born daughter, whom they have named Nawi. As they leave in the airship, they discuss further adventures which could hint at a direction the show will take in the future. Interestingly, we also see Nawi as a young girl in the arms of her parents, which could be a good lead-in for where the story goes next. It seems unlikely but if this series is renewed, we'd expect it to be green-lit with another 8 episode order, and bring back a lot of the old cast too. Do you want to see Washington Black return for a second season? What did you think of the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Annemarie Jacir's film about Palestine revolt against British to premiere at Toronto festival
Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir 's historical drama, set against the backdrop of the 1930s Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule, is set to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Palestine 36 features an ensemble cast including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham and Tunisinan actor Dhafer L'Abidine alongside Palestinian actors Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al Massri, Kamel El Basha and long-time Jacir collaborator Saleh Bakri. Set in Palestine in 1936, when the territory was under British control, the film follows Yusuf, who's torn between his rural home and the rising unrest in Jerusalem against colonial rule. As more and more Jewish immigrants escape an increasingly fascist Europe and calls for Palestinian independence grow louder, things spiral towards an inevitable collision, leading to the Palestinian Revolution, which lasted from 1936 until 1939. Jacir is one of the Palestine's most celebrated contemporary filmmakers, known for award-winning films such as When I Saw You (2012) and the 2017 comedy Wajib, a road trip around Nazareth that follows a Palestinian father and his highly westernised son as they hand-deliver wedding invitations. She has also served as jury member at both the Cannes and Berlin film festivals. Many of her films have been chosen as Palestine's entries to the Oscars. Jacir is also the founder of production company Philistine Films. Palestine 36 has been in the making for years. The film was further delayed when production was halted 10 days before filming was set to begin in 2023, following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Filming wrapped in October last year. The film was previously titled All Before You before being changed by Jacir in February as a response to the subsequent destruction of Palestine. "Many of you have asked me what happened to All Before You. Yes it's the same film," Jacir posted on social media. "However in this year of darkness, unimaginable pain and death, a new title was born that holds all the power and strength of who we are. "The film is a testament to our people and I am eternally grateful to all my crew, my cast, my producers and every single person who fought for this film to exist." Palestine 36 is backed by Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Foundation 's fund. "We are thrilled beyond belief to announce Palestine 36 will be at Toronto as a Gala Screening. Congratulations to the whole team," the film's Instagram account shared on Monday.
Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Shaka iLembe: Inside the writer's war room
Shaka iLembe, produced and directed by Angus Gibson. Photos: The Bomb Shelter When Shaka iLembe premiered, it announced itself as more than a historical drama. From the beginning, the creative team approached it as an epic with long-range intent, a cinematic treatment of precolonial Southern African history rarely seen on local television. 'We pitched it as three seasons from the start,' says series executive producer and director Angus Gibson. 'Season one would be Nandi's story and Dingiswayo's, with Shaka growing up during that. Season two is about him becoming king and emperor, with campaigns against the Ndwandwe. Season three, he's at the height of his power, then comes the internal conflict and his eventual demise.' This level of planning is typical of The Bomb Shelter, the production company behind the series. It is in their DNA to research rigorously, an approach that has shaped their previous work on Yizo Yizo, Isibaya, Zone 14 and Ayeye. These stories hold because they do not leave the writers' room until they get it right. They are not afraid of rewrites either. Because of his experience with Yizo Yizo, Gibson was not fazed by the transition from one season to the next. In Yizo Yizo, nobody expected the character Papa Action to have such a strong effect on South Africans. Many real-life school bullies patterned themselves after Ronnie Nyakale's portrayal, which affected how the second season of the show and that particular storyline was crafted. With Shaka iLembe, Gibson is more relaxed. 'With season one, the impact was great because people were seeing something they had never seen before. Now they have seen it, so there will be a bit of a difference. But this never changes our approach from season to season.' Gibson does not speak in great oratorical flourishes; his tone is gentle and measured. Once the formalities are out of the way and the interview begins, he is cordial, assured and clearly occupied with the demands of the series. When the conversation stretches a little too long, he does not say it's time to wrap up, but his body language shifts. He grows slightly restless, his attention drifting back to the task at hand: Shaka iLembe, the most awarded show in South African television history. This commitment included convening a colloquium led by Zulu historians and experts, interviewing people from the various lineages depicted in the show and working directly with the Zulu royal family. They pursued the truth not only as it is archived, but also as it is remembered and felt in the communities where these stories still live. There is nothing absolute about these historical accounts, written or oral. 'We spoke to King Misuzulu and also to his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini,' says Gibson of some of the processes they undertook to bring the series to life. It was not merely about research but about getting the blessing of the Zulu monarchy. Writer and executive producer Nhlanhla Mtaka was a strong advocate for historical accuracy, helping to balance the tension between fidelity and creative licence. The result is a show that does not shy away from myth, but neither does it indulge in fabrication for its own sake. Cast: Mondli Makhoba plays Mthethwa general Ngomane in Shaka iLembe. Photos: The Bomb Shelter 'We wanted to make informed choices,' Gibson says. 'Not just make things up, but know all the different versions of events before deciding on a direction.' Mtaka's role was pivotal in shaping the political and cultural grounding of the story. His long-standing work with Zulu history, oral tradition and custom brought depth to how characters speak, move and assert power. He helped ensure the series was not only historically informed but culturally alive, contributing to the fully rounded storytelling of the series. Also among the team are prominent figures from South African theatre. Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, an acclaimed playwright known for his politically sharp and socially layered storytelling, contributes to the writing. Gregory Maqoma, one of the country's leading choreographers, brings depth to the series' physical language and staging. Calvin Ratladi, the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, also lends his voice. Their presence reflects the production's interest in bridging the disciplines of theatre and television, drawing on stagecraft, rhythm and narrative form to enrich the visual storytelling. Season two expands the canvas significantly. The Tsonga make another appearance, as do the Swati and the Xhosa. The arrival of the Boers and British begins to signal the slow encroachment of colonial power. These geopolitical developments, unfolding at the edges of the story, foreshadow a coming transformation of the region and the eventual clash between indigenous power and European imperialism. Alongside these broader shifts, a web of personal relationships adds emotional weight. Myriad love stories emerge — between Shaka (played by Lemogang Tsipa) and the level-headed Liyana (Luyanda Zuma), between Dingiswayo (Thembinkosi Mthembu) and deceitful or torn Ntombazana (Amanda Seome), and among the Ndwandwe brothers, Nomahlanjana and Sikhunyana (played by Zamani Mbatha and Anele Sphamandla Nene, respectively). These stories lend texture and humanity to a narrative often dominated by war, power struggles and succession. They show that while history remembers kings and battles, people live through longing, betrayal, ambition and tenderness. Mkabayi (played by Dawn Thandeka King) had a Ben 10. Probably untrue, but it makes for entertaining television. This season has been a quiet build-up, focused on complexity and layering the characters. It is, in many ways, a cinephile's dream. Gibson and his team allow the story to unfold with patience and depth. In an era with streamers that reward fast pacing and instant drama, this approach feels rare. It is a welcome artform compared to the wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am format we have become accustomed to in South African television. Props to Mzansi Magic for allowing artistry and filmmaking to flourish. Dingiswayo is portrayed by Thembinkosi Mthembu in Shaka iLembe. Photo: The Bomb Shelter This is not to say the season will not erupt. With its melodic and poetic dialogue and carefully calibrated tension, it is clearly building toward a moment of dramatic release. The second half of the season promises to unleash drama where some favourites may or may not continue on the show, depending on your knowledge of history. It is, after all, the story of Shaka kaSenzangakhona, UNodumehlezi kaMenzi, Inyoni edl'ezinye, Yadl'ezinye, Ilemb'eleq' amany'amalembe ngokukhalipha. What has driven the show is a writing process rooted in debate, contradiction, and historical questioning. 'Our writers' room is full of argument,' Gibson says. 'That's always been the way since Yizo Yizo.' In season one, the storyline involving slave trading out of Delagoa Bay was hotly debated. 'Some historians say there was no slaving. Others say Portuguese records show there was,' he recalls. These disagreements were welcomed as necessary in the pursuit of a richer narrative. The same approach was used when dealing with gaps in the historical record. 'Before 1800, very little was written down. We relied on praise poetry and oral accounts that were only recorded from the 1860s. But memory shifts,' Gibson says. These narrative silences gave the team creative space. They filled in the gaps with emotionally plausible and culturally grounded storytelling, but never without rigorous interrogation. Some criticism from viewers on language and historical interpretation was expected. 'We made a decision to use a contemporary rural Zulu. No one knows what it actually sounded like back then. And no doubt the Mthethwa and Ndwandwe spoke differently,' he says. Even widely accepted sources — such as the writings of Mazisi Kunene or A Bryant or John Laband and Jabulani Sithole — were treated with caution. None were taken as gospel. Oral history was also a major factor in the process. 'People would say, 'my grandfather said this,' not realising it might be rooted in fiction.' Shaka iLembe is produced and directed by Angus Gibson At one colloquium, a moment of light relief emerged when a member of the Mhlongo family told an anecdote suggesting that lobola for Nandi had never been paid. The remark drew laughter and served as a reminder that history is also lived through stories and jokes, through small details passed down in families. What holds the series together is its commitment to cultural depth and narrative integrity. 'We try to tell a story that is entertaining,' says Gibson, 'but also one that celebrates a very complex society.' This is a show that takes seriously the task of historicisation but never forgets the audience. Its success lies in balancing research and resonance, fact and feeling. In portraying Shaka, the team avoids one-dimensional heroism. He is neither demon nor saint. He is a man forged by exile, loss and military discipline, but also seduced by power and haunted by prophecy. As his legend grows, the show never loses sight of the human being behind it — the son of Nandi, the product of political unions and betrayals, and the figure around whom memory continues to swirl. Shaka iLembe is beyond a chronicle of one man's rise. It is a story shaped through memory, consultation and craft. A Zulu epic that is as much about how we remember as it is about what happened. In giving shape to the past, it opens a space for viewers to reflect not only on who Shaka was, but on the kind of stories we tell about ourselves as a people. Watch Shaka iLembe season two every Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 8pm.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Morgan Spector on 19th Century Masculinity & the ‘Gentle Universe' of ‘The Gilded Age'
It's impossible to imagine 'The Gilded Age' without Morgan Spector as George Russell, but the actor initially had his doubts. 'It's funny, I had watched 'Downton,' but I didn't think that I would be able to do it,' Spector says of creator Julian Fellowes' previous hit 'Downton Abbey.' 'I didn't think I would play in the world that Julian makes, for whatever reason. And so then when I auditioned for it and tried the material on, I was like, 'Oh, this is actually fun.' There's a kind of Old Hollywood classical glamour to this that is very pleasurable to play.' More from WWD The Fashion Crowd Take Over the Serpentine Summer Party With 'Reverie,' Baekhyun Gives Fans What They've Been Waiting For Princess Diana's Wedding Gown Sweeps Into the Spotlight - Again - in New Documentary Fun is part of what makes 'The Gilded Age,' now back for its third season on HBO, such a hit with audiences (critics, meanwhile, are calling the new season the best yet). The historical drama, set in the 1880s boom period of New York City, is a softer viewing experience than even 'Downton' was, and certainly than the average Sunday night HBO program. 'Often when I see things on HBO that are period, they're like, 'OK, we're going to do period drama, but there's going to be horrific violence, or it's going to be the dirty underbelly of the world you've seen before.' And this is not what this is really about,' Spector says. 'It's a much gentler universe, but it's interesting. Maybe it's the times we're living in, but I think people have gravitated to, I don't want to say the low stakes, I feel like actually this season especially, there are real stakes. But it's something where you could just enjoy the writing and the costumes of the world, and it's not going to leave you with a gnawing feeling of horror in your stomach on the way.' The 44-year-old actor is Mr. Russell, a new money railroad mogul who, with his wife Bertha (Carrie Coon) and two children, ascends the ranks of New York old money society. 'The most fun is that I get to work with Carrie Coon so much,' Spector says of his onscreen wife. 'I have loved building this marriage with her and this season sort of testing that marriage with her, but just getting to act with an actor who is that good makes you better and makes it so that even the days where you turn up and you have to just do three pages of exposition, it's a pleasure.' 'George has a kind of modernity to him in a lot of ways in terms of how he treats his wife, how he treats his daughter,' Spector continues. 'There's a kind of contemporary sensitivity that I can connect to. And then there's also this sort of period patriarch quality to him, which in terms of an act of historical imagination is also fun to play. He's not going to be as in touch with his feelings. He's not going to be as willing to kind of accept doubt or weakness in self as maybe I would be. There's a lot about investigating 19th-century masculinity that I think is fascinating.' The upcoming season, which debuts on Sundays on HBO through Aug. 10, will see George take on more financial risks with his business life, and at home, his daughter Gladys's potential marriage presents many questions. 'There's a lot at stake over the course of this season, for sure,' Spector says. Best of WWD A Look Back at BET Awards Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars: Tyla, Queen Latifah and More [PHOTOS] A Look Back at the Tony Awards Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars: Liza Minnelli, Elle Fanning, Jennifer Lopez and More [PHOTOS] Maria Grazia Chiuri's Dior Through the Years: Runway, Celebrities and More [PHOTOS] 😵💫 Need to unwind after a long day?
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Sean Hannity explores America's notorious Depression-era outlaws in new Fox Nation series
The stories behind four of America's most notorious outlaws are coming soon to Fox Nation. Beginning July 16, Fox News primetime host Sean Hannity will continue his 2024 series "Outlaws and Lawmen" by diving into the true stories of legendary criminals John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker in the new historical drama series "Wanted: Dead or Alive," with new episodes dropping weekly. "In the shadows of the Great Depression, outlaws cemented their names into history as America's most wanted," Hannity said, commenting on the series. "I'm thrilled to further this series and share the stories that ultimately defined a generation," the press release continued. Hannity will transport viewers back to the Great Depression, which enshrouded the nation in desperation and despair in direct contrast to the distant memory of the roaring '20s. Bank foreclosures and joblessness abounded, sowing the seeds of desperation and creating a new breed of outlaw notorious for robbing banks and pulling off daring kidnappings as they sealed their place in American folklore — and into the crosshairs of the FBI. Each episode of "Wanted: Dead or Alive" will focus on a single character or duo's story, re-imagining the era and focusing on the acts that cemented their identities as outlaws. Best known for being the longest-running primetime cable news host in history, Hannity also hosts the "Sean" podcast on Fox Nation, speaking to popular personalities like fitness guru Jillian Michaels and boxing legend Mike Tyson, and others in in-depth sit-down interviews touching on politics, health, sports, entertainment and more. To learn more and to stream episodes of the "Wanted: Dead or Alive" series, subscribe to Fox Nation.
