Exclusive: Liberty Hobbs, an actor who has appeared in The Syndicate and Grey’s Anatomy, has set up a production outfit and is planning an adaptation of J. A. Baker’s thriller novel The Perfect Parents.

Hobbs, who divides her time between LA and the UK, has established Lil’ Birdy Productions and is in the early stages of developing The Perfect Parents for the screen.

Hobbs was a series regular in The Syndicate, the BBC lottery drama starring BAFTA-winner Timothy Spall and created by Kay Mellor, the late screenwriter.

Hobbs said she felt like Mellor had sent her The Perfect Parents. “It’s based in Yorkshire and Kay was a proud Yorkshire lass,” she said. “I just really connected to it.”

The actor added that she had long dreamed of creating her own projects and secured the rights to The Perfect Parents after conversations with Baker over their mutual love of Yorkshire.

How do the makers of Bridgerton keep a fandom as dedicated as theirs guessing? How does the Netflix show surprise a core of fans who are so intimately familiar with Julia Quinn’s source books that they’re anticipating every blush and ball before it even gets to the screen?

One solution, as has happened in season three, is to play with the established order of things. Though Benedict Bridgerton’s romance follows on from that of his brother Anthony’s in Quinn’s book series, the TV show has (rightly!) vaulted over that to first show the love story between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.

Their other answer? Invention. In addition to TV-only characters Madame Delacroix, Will and Alice Mondrich and Queen Charlotte herself, a new raft of invented-for-the-show characters appear in season three. Here they all are, along with info on the actors playing them, plus a couple...

The Syndicate producer Rollem is developing short film Youthless into a TV series as one of its first projects since the passing of founder Kay Mellor.

The Yorkshire, UK-based indie has optioned rights to Jordon Scott Kennedy’s script and is working it up for television.

The series will precede events featured in the short and is being built as a returning drama series, though no broadcaster is attached yet. The short explores ‘adultification’ from the point of view of kids growing up on a forgotten council estate in rural West Yorkshire. Envisaged as a black and white trilogy following Jud Donlan’s life over three summer holidays before entering the adult world, Rollem claims “Never has childhood been represented so unflinchingly.”

The “brutally honest” show is based on Scott Kennedy’s own experiences growing up on the Dewsbury Moor Estate.

Season one will be set in the summer of...

Hannah Dominique E. John-Kamen, better known as Hannah John-Kamen, is a renowned British actress who is best known for her distinct roles as Yalena “Dutch” Yardeen in the sci-fi television series Killjoys, Ornela in the popular HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones, F’Nale Zandor in Steven Spielberg’s hit sci-fi/adventure film Ready Player One and Ava Starr/Ghost in Marvel’s very own Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Hannah John-kamen Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education

John-Kamen was born on September 7, 1989 (Hannah John-Kamen age: 33) in Anlaby, East Yorkshire, England. Her father, Johnny John-Kamen, is a Nigerian forensic psychologist, while her mother, Astri John-Kamen, is a former fashion model from Norway.

John-Kamen is the youngest of three. She has one older brother and an older sister.

During her educational years, John-Kamen studied at a primary school in Kirk Ella. In addition, she received her secondary education at Hull Collegiate School,...

Festival

James Hawes‘ Holocaust drama “One Life” will be the American Express Gala at the 67th BFI London Film Festival.

The film tells the true story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to WWII, rescued 669 children from the Nazis. Fifty years later, in 1988, Winton is haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety in England. It’s not until a live television show “That’s Life” surprises him with the surviving children – now adults – seated all around him that he can finally make peace with the loss he had carried for five decades.

The cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Marthe Keller, Jonathan Pryce and Helena Bonham-Carter.

Hawes said: “This film pretty much begins and ends in London and says so much about the people of this city, its heart and its history.

Fired By Finas

The Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas), the government-backed agency that oversees the country’s film industry, has dismissed its CEO Nasir Ibrahim after less than two years in the job. It follows the return of Kamil Othman who was appointed chairman in February.

Finas notification

The latest move was announced on the organization’s Facebook page, along with the appointment of Rozita Waty Ridzuan as Finas interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found.

The notice was vague on the reasons for Ibrahim’s early termination, explaining that it was part of a wider recalibration of creative industry policies. “This initiative will hopefully further help Malaysian filmmakers and industry players to produce quality films that have high value in both local and international markets,” the statement said.

Swimming Further

Zdf Studios has sold “The Swarm” (8 x 45 mins), by multiple Primetime Emmy award-winner Frank Doelger (“Game of Thrones...

Scottish actor Richard Rankin (Outlander, The Last Kingdom) is set to play Edinburgh detective John Rebus in a new six-part series based on the acclaimed crime novels by Ian Rankin that will go out on Scandinavian streamer Viaplay, which recently launched in the U.S.

Screenwriter Gregory Burke (Entebbe, ’71) will adapt Rankin’s work for the screen. Eleventh Hour Films is producing the series for Viaplay. Niall MacCormick (Wallander) will direct the series, which starts shooting in Scotland next month and will stream on Viaplay in 2024. The show marks Viaplay’s first U.K. drama commission.

Rankin, best known for his role as Roger Wakefield in Starz’s long-running Outlander, also appeared in thrillers Trust Me and The Replacement; the drama series Thirteen and The Syndicate; and as a guest star in political thriller American Odyssey.

The Rebus novels have been adapted for TV before, with four seasons of Rebus...

When the 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually entered the world, it was like a stuffed stocking, filled to the brim with some of Britain’s greatest actors.

From Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson to Alan Rickman, it attracted some of the best performers of the era.

The film also launched the careers of Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson, who were children when they starred in the romcom.

It’s been almost 20 years since Richard Curtis’s film was released, and they’ve all been very busy since then.

Some of the stars of the movie have gone on to work with Curtis again, while others have had huge franchise roles or become synonymous with certain characters, like Martin Freeman’s Dr John Watson in Sherlock.

Here’s a rundown on the Love Actually cast’s varied careers, from 2003 to now…

Bill Nighy

After playing rock and roll legend Billy Mack in Love Actually,...

British YouTube star Joe Sugg is launching a production company backed by BBC Studios to develop entertainment and factual entertainment formats.

Final Straw Productions will make shows for people of all ages and has already struck a development, production and distribution deal with the BBC’s commercial arm, which has worked with Sugg in the past. As part of the deal, Sugg will be joined by BBC Studios’ Top Gear and Celebrity Big Painting Challenge exec Sacha Grimsditch, who becomes Development Executive and will help Sugg set up the firm.

Sugg already runs a talent agency, Margravine Talent Agency.

He is a British YouTube sensation, with 7.5M followers and a major presence on Instagram and TikTok. In 2018, he achieved mainstream status by coming second in BBC One entertainment format Strictly Come Dancing, watched by millions of viewers each week. He has also written a graphic novel series and recently moved into acting,...

Her credits included Band Of Gold, Fat Friends and The Syndicate.

Kay Mellor, one of the pre-eminent UK TV dramatists of her generation, has died suddenly aged 71.

The creator of Band Of Gold, Fat Friends, The Syndicate and In the Club was the driving force behind Leeds-based Rollem Productions.

A spokeswoman for the indie said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague Kay Mellor on Sunday 15 May 2022.

“We have lost a phenomenal talent and a true luminary. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the...

Kay Mellor, the writer of British dramas such as The Syndicate and Band of Gold, has passed away. She was 71.

Her production company, Rollem Productions, released a statement confirming the news, saying: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague Kay Mellor on Sunday 15 May 2022. We have lost a phenomenal talent and a true luminary. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends.

Mellor was considered British TV writing royalty, and had hits with the BBC series The Syndicate, which was remade for ABC as Lucky 7 in 2013; and ITV dramas Girlfriends and Band of Gold. She also wrote Fat Friends, which was among the first shows to star James Corden.

The industry reacted with shock and compassion this morning, with many taking to social media to post tributes. One producer who worked...

“The film festival has been a demonstration that we can and must organise events,” says David Lisnard.

City of Cannes mayor David Lisnard has set his sights set on holding a physical Mipcom in October, following this year’s successful edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which has unfolded July 6-17 against the backdrop of the pandemic.

“Mipcom will take place in October that is for certain. We recently caught up with [organisers] Reed Midem and there is already a good level of bookings,” Lisnard told Screen.

“For now, the Americans aren’t there for health reasons but there will be...

Miramax and Amazon melodrama “Uncle Frank,” and Channel 4 and HBO Max’s AIDS-themed series “It’s a Sin” dominated awards at the 60th annual Monte-Carlo TV Festival.

Set in the early 1970s in North Carolina, “Uncle Frank” won best film, best creator and best actor for Paul Bettany who stars as a gay man forced to confront the Southern family to whom he’s stayed closeted.

“It’s a Sin,” a British series created by Russell T Davies (“Years After Years”), won best series and best actress for Lydia West. The series was produced by Red Production Company for Channel 4 and HBO Max, in association with All3media International.

Finland’s “Piece of My Heart,” a musical romantic series with Malin Akerman, took home the Jury Special Prize. The News awards were given to “ITV News: Inside the US Capitol” for best news coverage; “The Diagnosis: Covid-19” for best news documentary; “Citoyen Nobel” for best documentary.

Darren Star, who received the honorary Golden Nymph during the opening ceremony of the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival, talked about his career debut and discussed what’s next with “Emily in Paris” and his next show with Netflix, “Uncoupled.”

“Uncoupled,” which Star is doing in partnership with Jeffrey Richman (“Modern Family”), is about a newly single gay man who has to navigate the dating scene as a man in his 40s after his husband of 17 years walks out on him.

Star suggested the single-camera comedy isn’t being created as a niche show, but rather a series with a broad appeal that’s about the “very universal experience” of “being in a relationship that ends very subtly and abruptly after so many years.”

“It’s about a couple that happens to be gay, but that’s really about the universality of relationships, and I think it will hopefully be a very modern,...

To hear numerous distribution executives tell it, the international TV program sales market has successfully adapted to online dealmaking. Despite being unable to meet buyers in person over the past 12 months at markets including this month’s MipTV, most distributors say business has been good.

“We’re still getting the same prices for our shows, and buyers still want quality programs,” says Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick Intl., whose slate includes feature doc “Janis and Lucy,” about a chimp raised as a human, that has pre-sold to HBO Max for the U.S.

Meanwhile, Nicky Davies Williams, CEO of Dcd Rights, which reps dramas “My Life Is Murder” and “Frankie Drake Mysteries,” points in particular to the “enormous increase in demand” from both SVOD and AVOD services.

Both buyers and sellers pivoted quickly to platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams as lockdowns first hit in 2020. Now,...

J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot is developing a darker reboot of DC Comics’ Constantine for HBO Max with Guy Bolton set to write.

Deadline understands that Abrams’ production company Bad Robot is working with the WarnerMedia streamer on the reboot, which will see the character as a young Londoner. We hear that Bolton has written the pilot script with plans to open a writers room in March.

The character is set to be cast as a diverse lead, a departure from the one played by Matt Ryan in the NBC series, which aired for one season between 2014-15. That series was developed by David Goyer and Daniel Cerone and similarly based on the DC Comics character John Constantine, a British exorcist and occult detective who hunts the supernatural.

Ryan also appeared as the character in The CW’s Arrow and as a series regular in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,...

Matthew Lewis may not really be a wizard, but he still sees a lot of himself in the character he portrayed in the Harry Potter franchise. Beginning when he was just 12 years old, Lewis starred as the nervous, clumsy Gryffindor wizard Neville Longbottom in the wildly successful series of films, which ended with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 in 2011. Since then, Lewis has gone on to appear in shows like The Syndicate, Happy Valley and Girlfriends. He has also appeared in movies like Me Before You, opposite Emilia Clarke, and Terminal, alongside Margot Robbie. However, there's one reason it's more uncomfortable to...

In today’s Global Bulletin, WarnerMedia appoints Vanessa Brookman as head of kids for Emea, Discovery commissions two new unscripted series while Channel 5 gets a pair of dramas and the Göteborg Film Festival selects “Tove” as its opening film.

Appointment

WarnerMedia has announced that Vanessa Brookman will be promoted to the newly created position of head of kids for Emea, effective immediately.

The move brings, for the first time, all WarnerMedia’s operational, editorial and creative responsibilities for kids’ content and channel brands in the region under a single remit. The consolidated portfolio includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing and Cartoonito as well as digital properties on third-party and WarnerMedia streaming platforms.

Brookman will collaborate closely with Johannes Larcher and Christina Sulebakk at HBO Max to improve the platform’s offerings for kids before it launches across Emea markets.

A near-six-year vet at WarnerMedia, Brookman has worked in senior content,...

The BBC and BritBox North America are bringing back Kay Mellor’s lottery drama The Syndicate, which was briefly remade by ABC, five years after its last season.

The British public broadcaster and the U.S. streamer have ordered a fourth season, set between Leeds and Las Vegas, of the drama, whose third season aired in 2015.

The stand-alone series, which is written by Mellor, is set in a dog kennel, after the first season was set in a supermarket in Leeds, the second in a hospital in Bradford and the third in a stately home in Scarborough.

It will air on BBC One in the UK with BritBox, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, airing it exclusively in the U.S and Canada. It is produced by Mellor’s Rollem Productions.

The new season follows the staff of the Woodvale Kennels, who are devastated to realise they may...

(Warning: This post contains mild spoilers for Hulu’s “Catch-22”)

Milo Minderbinder is arguably the most famous fictional war profiteer in literature, all thanks to the care and detail that Joseph Heller put into crafting the character for his World War II novel, “Catch-22” — and his sketchy enterprise, “The Syndicate.”

Daniel David Stewart plays Milo on Hulu’s adaptation of the book, which stars Christopher Abbott as Yossarian, Kyle Chandler as Colonel Cathcart and George Clooney as Scheisskopf. The limited series faithfully delves into how the Minderbinder character is a satire of the modern businessman and capitalism, obsessed with expanding the mess operations in the camp.

Yeah, this “Syndicate” thing gets a little complicated to everyone — even in-universe — so TheWrap sat down with Stewart to ask him to explain himself. Or at least explain Milo.

Also Read: 'Catch-22' Star Christopher Abbott Breaks Down His 'Testicles Sequence' With George Clooney...

When it ran on CBS, Mission: Impossible had zero internal continuity. Missions came and went, agents were tortured, battered, and bruised and the next week they’d be hale and hardy, ready for the next assignment.

Since the film franchise began in 1996, the movies have gone in the opposite direction with film to film connectivity, just enough to show the films have consequence but work on their own so you don’t need one of Dk Publishing’s patented guidebooks to understand what’s happening.

You’d almost think there was some grand plan and strategy ala Marvel for these films since everything builds to a head in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, out today on disc from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Recently, the first film, from director Brian DePalma has been making the rounds on cable and I was reminded of how much larger and richer the cast of agents were. Since then,...

Gina Carano has been cast in “The Mandalorian,” Variety has confirmed with sources.

The exact nature of the actress and former mixed martial arts (MMA) star’s role in the “Star Wars” series is being kept under wraps. She joins Pedro Pascal in the series, whom Variety reported earlier this week was in negotiations to star.

Carano first came to national attention for her MMA prowess, compiling a professional record of 7-1 while competing in organizations like Strikeforce and EliteXC. She also appeared in the 2008 reboot of “American Gladiators.” As an actress, she starred in the Steven Soderbergh “Haywire” and has also starred in films like “Deadpool,” “Fast & Furious 6,” and “Kickboxer: Vengeance.”

She is repped by Gersh and The Syndicate.

Jon Favreau penned “The Mandalorian,” which is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. It follows the travails of a...

British broadcasters are going back to drama basics as they line up a swathe of lower budget scripted series to counter the multi-billion spend of the global SVODs.

Broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are preparing for a drama future where the likes of Netflix, which spends around $6.5M per episode of The Crown, for instance, and Amazon, which is expected to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on its adaptation of Lord of the Rings, are looking to take all global rights to projects.

Over the last few years, British networks have taken advantage of digital co-pro funds with shows such as C4 and Amazon’s Electric Dreams and BBC and Netflix’s Troy costing millions. But, these funds are soon expected to dry up, with the likes of Sister Pictures founder Jane Featherstone saying “the honeymoon is over”, leading domestic broadcasters to find new...

It was a movie that, for a few moments last year, we may never have got this summer. One day, in the heat of London’s sunshine months, Tom Cruise was racing across rooftops for his latest stunt when he landed awkwardly and broke his ankle. Six months out the doctors told him – weeks later, undeterred and more determined, he was back running around the capital, racing to finish the sixth installment in time for its July release. And thank god he did – because Mission: Impossible – Fallout is absolutely spectacular, and arguably the best Imf outing thus far.

Fallout follows on a couple of years after the events of Rogue Nation when Ethan Hunt and his crew had successfully eradicated The Syndicate and its leader Soloman Lane (Sean Harris). However, just as they have cut off one head, another sprouts up in its place and the Imf are soon faced with The Disciples,...

Tom Cruise is back as the super-spy Ethan Hunt for the sixth time in the most thrilling and action packed Mission: Impossible film yet.

In a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Ethan Hunt and his all-star team of Imf operatives are once again trying to save the world from nuclear armageddon in returning writer-director Christopher McQuarrie’s action opus of paranoid intelligence agencies, high-wire stunts and of course rubber masks. Famed for his daredevil streak, Tom Cruise without a doubt proves he is still Hollywood’s leading action man in a gripping spy thriller that explores dark and gritty territory, but one that doesn’t mind having a bit of fun along the way. Mission: Impossible Fallout the sixth entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise is a simply dizzyingly brilliant action masterpiece.

The first Mission: Impossible (1996) hit cinemas twenty-two years ago. Tom Cruise was thirty-four years old, and...

British reality format Love Island scored a peak audience of 3.4m viewers on ITV2 as the digital broadcaster cleaned up against its bigger rivals. The series, which follows a group of singletons including Danny Dyer’s daughter Dani Dyer who must couple up in a Majorcan villa, averaged 2.9m viewers across its 90-minute episode, more than double the 1.3m that tuned in to last year’s opener. Some 52% of its audience was aged between 16-34, a massive boon for the commercial broadcaster. The show helped the network beat major rivals including BBC One, which aired doc Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley in the timeslot, as well as The Queen’s Coronation In Colour on parent channel ITV, Versailles on BBC Two and C4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody. ITV bosses will hope that the increasing success of the format, a relative rarity in UK non-scripted formats, will help it sell the format into the U.

Rob Leane Kirsten Howard Mar 6, 2018

Wondering what to watch? Here’s our rundown of 2018’s new British dramas...

As we surge into 2018, the impressive amount of top-quality dramas emanating from our home-grown channels is showing no signs of decreasing.

See related Luke Cage: making a star of a lesser-known character Jessica Jones season 2: episode titles and fantastic pulp covers released Iron Fist season 2: Alice Eve joins the cast Daredevil season 3: Vincent D’Onofrio teases Fisk's evolution The Punisher season 2 adds Supergirl's Floriana Lima

There are plentiful programmes you’ll want to watch and/or record for later, as Britain’s best broadcasters battle it out for your attention and affections. Here, then, is a big long list of shows to look forward to in 2018...

The Innocents

Guy Pearce stars as a mysterious character currently only known as 'Halvorson' in Netflix's new 8-part supernatural teen...

As filming begins on new ITV drama Girlfriends, written by The Syndicate's Kay Mellor, the supporting cast has been set to join leads Miranda Richardson, Zoe Wanamaker and Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan. From Rollem Productions, the contemporary six-part series follows three friends struggling with the responsibilities that come with being a modern woman of a certain age. Acorn Media Enterprises is the North American partner. Among the new cast are the Harry Potter series…...

As filming begins on new ITV drama Girlfriends, written by The Syndicate's Kay Mellor, the supporting cast has been set to join leads Miranda Richardson, Zoe Wanamaker and Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan. From Rollem Productions, the contemporary six-part series follows three friends struggling with the responsibilities that come with being a modern woman of a certain age. Acorn Media Enterprises is the North American partner. Among the new cast are the Harry Potter series…...

Shooting starts next month on new ITV drama Girlfriends, written by The Syndicate‘s Kay Mellor. Rollem Productions is producing with Miranda Richardson, Zoë Wanamaker and Downton Abbey‘s Phyllis Logan leading the cast. Acorn Media Enterprises has also boarded as the North American partner in a deal negotiated by All3Media which is handling international distribution. The contemporary story follows three friends struggling with the responsibilities that come with being a…...

Directors UK and Creative Skillset programme aims to diversify directing talent in TV drama.

Directors UK and Creative Skillset have announced the first two directors who have been selected for their new high end TV drama directors career development programme.

Tina Gharavi and Samantha Harrie have been picked for the scheme, which was launched to help progress and diversify directing talent in TV drama.

They have been selected from more than 200 applicants to work on Kudos’ The Tunnel: Vengeance and Neal Street Productions’ Call The Midwife.

Four additional candidates will be announced later this year.

The scheme includes a 12-week paid placement with high end drama production companies and broadcasters across the UK, working alongside a show’s lead director throughout the entire duration of the show.

Tina Gharavi, the BAFTA-nominated and award-winning filmmaker is working alongside director Gilles Bannier (Tin Star, In The Dark, The Tunnel: Sabotage) on The Tunnel: Vengeance, the Kudos produced...

Acorn Media Enterprises has boarded its latest UK drama series as the North American co-production partner on BBC One’s Love, Lies & Records. The Acorn TV Original is written by Kay Mellor (The Syndicate) and stars Catastrophe and Ugly Betty‘s Ashley Jensen who also led Acorn’s first original series, Agatha Raisin. A six-part series, Love, Lies & Records is produced by Rollem Productions for BBC One. Shooting starts next month on the drama that follows Town Hall Registrar…...

The verdict is in: Freeform has cancelled the freshman drama Guilt.

RelatedCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s On the Bubble?

The mystery series followed American student Grace (played by The Syndicate‘s Daisy Head), who is suspected of killing her London flatmate Molly Ryan. The cast included Titanic’s Billy Zane, Vinyl‘s Emily Tremaine and Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Anthony Head, the real life father of lead star Daisy.

The show wrapped up Season 1 on Aug. 22 with the reveal that Luc murdered Molly, after being blackmailed by her jealous secret ex-lover Roz.

Following the critically acclaimed, sold out productions of The Dazzle and Bug at Found111, Emily Dobbs Productions is thrilled to pesent the London premiere of Unfaithful, a blackly comic new play starring Sean Campion The Borgias, Stones in his Pockets, Niamh Cusack Heartbeat, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Ruta Gedmintas The Strain, The Tudors and Matthew Lewis Harry Potter film series, The Syndicate. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peekat Lewis amp Gedmintas in rehearsal below...

If you ever found yourself watching Gossip Girl and thinking, “This show needs more murder,” or “I wish Chuck’s burlesque club was a deviant sex club,” then Freeform’s new mystery series Guilt is for you.

RelatedGuilt Ep Previews Freeform Drama’s ‘Racy,’ Amanda Knox-Like Mystery

The premiere this week launches with the grisly killing of Molly, a free-spirited Irish student in London. There are secrets galore (Molly was pregnant when she died! Someone was stalking her!) and so many shady suspects (Rupert Giles?!) that a flowchart might be helpful. Alas, my breakdown of the key players in...

It would be unwise to accuse Freeform’s new mystery drama Guilt (premiering Monday at 9/8c) of playing innocent. Not only does it feature a central protagonist who may have killed her roommate, but there are also plenty of other scandalous elements.

PhotosGuilt First Look: Sexy Scandal Hits London Streets in Freeform Drama

“I actually watched the pilot with my mom, and at one point, she turned to me and said, ‘This is a little racy,'” Kathryn Price, who co-created the show with Nichole Millard, recalls with a laugh. “There’s a sex club. There’s a lot...

Think you’re a good judge of innocence or Guilt? Now’s your chance to find out. TVLine has your exclusive first look at the suspects, allies and royals who’ll come under scrutiny in Freeform’s new London-set murder mystery series.

RelatedBuffy Vet Anthony Stewart Head Joins Freeform Murder Mystery Guilt

In the June 13 premiere (airing at 9/8c), American Grace (played by The Syndicate‘s Daisy Head) becomes the prime suspect in her roommate’s savage murder, forcing her sister Natalie (Vinyl‘s Emily Tremaine) to leave Boston and come to her defense across the pond. When Natalie...

Shooting began today on the third season of hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch. This is the last go-round for David Tennant and Olivia Colman (hot off The Night Manager) as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller. The pair reunites in Season 3 to investigate a serious sexual assault. Just added to the cast are 2016 honorary BAFTA winner Lenny Henry (The Pirates! Band Of Misfits, The Syndicate) and Roy Hudd (Robot Overlords, Coronation Street). As…...

Kate Beckinsale's fifth adventure as the Vampire Death Dealer Selene will be titled Underworld: Blood Wars.  Co-producers Screen Gems & Lakeshore Entertainment made the announcement earlier today on the film's official Facebook page. Anna Foerster (Outlander) directed the feature, which wrapped principal photography earlier this year, with a script from Cory Goodman (The Last Witch Hunter). Joining Beckinsale are Theo James, who reprises his role from the previous installment, Tobias Menzies (Outlander), Lara Pulver (Edge Of Tomorrow), Charles Dance (Game Of Thrones), Bradley James (iZombie), James Faulkner (Da Vinci's Demons), Oliver Stark (Into The Badlands), Peter Andersson (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit), Clementine Nicholson, and Daisy Head (The Syndicate). The film will arrive in theaters just in time for Halloween on October 14, a week ahead of the Tom Cruise-starrer Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. There are also a few early rumors circulating that suggest a sixth film with Beckinsale is already being planned.

Guilt just became a family affair.

Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) has been cast opposite daughter Daisy Head (The Syndicate) on Freeform’s forthcoming soap, TVLine has learned.

RelatedSleeping Beauty Follow-Up Series After in Development at Freeform

The murder mystery finds Grace Atwood (Head), a young American women, accused of viciously murdering her Bff while in London. The Buffy vet will assume the recurring role of James Lahue, Grace’s charming stepfather who just so happens to have ties to the victim.

Vinyl‘s Emily Tremaine also co-stars as Grace’s sister Natalie who teams up with...

Lena Olin (Welcome To Sweden) and Tom Brittney (The Syndicate) are set as series regulars as mother and son in ABC pilot Spark, from writer Michael Cooney and producers Ian Sander & Kim Moses. Spark is a lavish primetime drama series of passion, greed and hope in a Steampunk reality, circa 2016. Set in an alternate history where gas and coal fuel the world, the drama centers on the battle for power between two rival families and a rebellious young woman with a spark of…...

Outlander has found its Roger in Scottish actor Richard Rankin.

Rankin will play the grown-up version of Rev. Wakefield’s adopted son, whom we met in Season 1.

PhotosCancellation Jitters: 8 Shows in Danger

Described as “intelligent, kindhearted and charming,” Roger was raised by the pastor after his parents died in World War II. When we meet him, he is a professor at Oxford who is very interested in history.

In addition to the Bradley Cooper film Burnt, Rankin’s credits include Xiii, From Darkness and The Syndicate. He also appeared in two episodes of American Odyssey.

RelatedOutlander Ep Talks ‘Shot in the Arm’ Globes Nods,...

Meet the new dramas joining ABC Family/soon-to-be Freeform‘s slate: the sexy soap Guilt and the supernatural-tinged Beyond, both of which have received series pickups.

RelatedSwitched at Birth Renewed: Season 5 Coming to ABC Family/Freeform

Guilt follows a young American woman (played by The Syndicate‘s Daisy Head) in London who becomes the prime suspect in the savage murder of her roommate/best friend. As the investigation unfolds, viewers and even the girl’s own sister (Arrow‘s Katrina Law) will question whether she’s innocent or a sociopath. The mystery will weave through all levels of London society,...

Digital Spy has an exclusive first look at BBC One's new psychological thriller From Darkness.

Anne-Marie Duff plays Claire Church in the moody crime drama, an ex-cop forced to confront her traumatic past.

Duff leads a top-notch cast that includes In The Flesh star Luke Newberry, This Is England actor Johnny Harris and The Syndicate's Richard Rankin.

Harris is Church's colleague - and former lover - Dci John Hind, with Newberry cast as his partner DS Anthony Boyce and Rankin playing Claire's struggling partner Norrie.

Written by Katie Baxendale, From Darkness originated from BBC Writersroom.

"Katie Baxendale has created a beautifully complex character in her female protagonist," Duff said. "As soon as I started to read episode one I felt excited at the prospect of being involved. It's a world in which all of the characters have real stories to tell."

From Darkness will air on BBC One next month.

The Syndicate: BBC One, 9pm

Kay Mellor's drama starring Lenny Henry draws to a close tonight.

As Hazelwood Manor awaits its grand opening, more details come to light about Amy's disappearance - and Dawn is shocked to discover Spencer was the last person to see her alive.

Virgin Atlantic: Up in the Air: ITV, 9pm

New documentary series featuring an all access behind-the-scenes look at Virgin Atlantic.

The opening episode follows the Crawley base as they prepare to celebrate the airline's 30th birthday. 58-year-old Katie hopes she can become the newest member of the cabin crew.

Crossing Lines: Alibi, 9pm

Originally only available via Amazon Instant Video, the global crime series - starring William Fichtner and Donald Sunderland - premieres in the UK tonight.

The show follows an elite police unit who tackle international crime over Europe. This week, they're on the hunt for a serial...

Guitar Star: Sky 1, 8pm

This new series sees Edith Bowman on the nationwide hunt to find a new superstar guitar player to perform at Latitude Festival.

Contestants will play a range of different music styles and are mentored by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and George Benson.

The Syndicate: BBC One, 9pm

The Syndicate continues tonight with all eyes on Godfrey (Lenny Henry) who was the last person to see Amy, who is still missing.

Lord Hazelwood's health (Anthony Andrews) continues to deteriorate and he asks Julie and Sarah for assistance in his desperate hour of need.

Birthday: Sky Arts 1, 9pm

Stephen Mangan stars as a very pregnant Ed alongside Anna Maxwell Martin in comedy drama, Birthday.

Ed experiences the drama, excitement and pains of childbirth as he goes into labour, whilst his wife (Maxwell Martin) does her best to remain calm and sympathetic.

Supernatural: E4, 10pm...

The Syndicate: BBC One, 9pm

Season three of Kay Mellor's The Syndicate kicks off with a new cast, including Lenny Henry as the gardener at a Scarborough manor house.

The staff at Hazelwood Manor find their lives turned upside down when they win the lottery, making them wealthier than the family they work for.

The Middle: Comedy Central, 9pm

Returning from its mid-season break, Us comedy sitcom The Middle continues in an episode all about romance.

As Valentine's Day looms, Brick (Atticus Shaffer) finds out his girlfriend wants to kiss him on the special day, whilst Axl (Charlie McDermott) is having a crisis of his own, being unable to connect with his significant other.

Brotherhood: Comedy Central, 9:30pm

Straight after The Middle, stay on Comedy Central to catch the series launch of new comedy Brotherhood.

When their mum suddenly dies, brothers Dan (Ben Ashenden) and Toby...

"From the moment I read The Syndicate scripts, I knew that it was a job that I had to get."

Richard Rankin was so eager to land a part in the third series of Kay Mellor's anthology drama series, he turned down other acting jobs before he'd even booked his role as Sean.

"Even though it wasn't even set in stone that I was going to be doing it, I was so of passionate about doing it, because I instantly fell in love with the scripts and Kay's writing."

Mellor herself was apparently just as keen to land Rankin, tailoring the part of groomsman / odd-job man Sean to the actor - changing the character from a Northerner to a Scot.

In the new six-part series, Sean is one of the few remaining employees of a Lord and Lady Hazelwood, working to maintain the once-magnificent Hazelwood Manor - now fallen into disrepair.

This spring, the third series of the critically acclaimed, hugely popular BBC drama "The Syndicate," from BAFTA award winning writer Kay Mellor OBE, returns to BBC One. And this time around, Lenny Henry is coming along for the ride, along with Anthony Andrews and Elizabeth Berrington. The trio will headline the new series. The story, courtesy of the BBC: It's 2015 and the once impressive Hazelwood Manor, which overlooks all of Scarborough and is the family home of the Hazelwoods, has now fallen into disrepair. Lord Hazelwood (Anthony Andrews) is fading fast, but Lady Hazelwood (Alice Krige), his second wife, seems more concerned with maintaining the lifestyle she's become...

Jamaica Inn Acorn TV Rlj Entertainment

In another significant coup for the company, Acorn TV have given a U.S. debut to the epic BBC costume drama Jamaica Inn. Part one of the three part series was added to Acorn’s online screening service this week with parts two and three to be added over the next fortnight.

The drama is based on the Daphne du Maurier book of the same name. It centers around orphaned Mary Yellan who moves to Poldark-era Cornwall to live with her aunt. She soon discovers that her aunt is married to a notorious smuggler. To complicate matters further, Mary becomes infatuated with the rogue’s dashing brother. With those spicy ingredients, Jamaica Inn soon gets pretty tasty.

Downton Abbey’s Jessica Finlay Brown plays the heroine Mary. Matthew McNulty (The Syndicate) is her love interest while Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall) takes on the role of her long suffering aunt.