HBO Max ‘It’ Prequel Series ‘Welcome To Derry’ Sets Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar & Chris Chalk

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International The inside story behind the ascent of Finland’s outgoing prime minister, Sanna Marin, is the subject of a new three-part docuseries from HBO Max. The streamer has unveiled the Finnish original “First Five,” which is billed as an “intimate” portrait of Marin and her headline-grabbing female cabinet. The project comes just weeks after Marin and her centre-left Social Democratic Party was defeated by the conservative National Coalition Party. Marin was sworn in as prime minister in December 2019. At just 34 years old, she was the country’s youngest PM, and formed a cabinet with four other women — a number of whom were also under 35. Mere months later, the group was thrown into an unprecedented challenge when the COVID crisis hit Finland.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The live-action “Knuckles” series starring Idris Elba at Paramount+ has assembled its cast. The show was first announced in February 2022. In addition to Elba reprising the role of Knuckles from “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” Variety has learned that Adam Pally (“Happy Endings,” “The Mindy Project”) is set to star in the series, once again playing the role of Wade Whipple from the film franchise. The film takes place between the events of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which is slated to hit theaters Dec. 20, 2024. In the series, Knuckles “agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior,” per the official logline.

Binky Felstead has welcomed her third child, a baby boy, with her husband Max Darnton sharing the news with fans on Instagram.The former Made in Chelsea star, 32, went into labour earlier this week at St Mary's Hospital in London, and Max has now shared a cryptic Instagram post appearing to confirm the arrival of the couple's second child, a baby boy. He posted a photograph of Binky along with the caption: "Champion," alongside a lovestruck emoji, seemingly confirming the MIC star had given birth. Messages of congratulations have been quick to pour in, both from Binky's fans and the couple's celeb pals.

EXCLUSIVE: Revenge actress Madeleine Stowe and Daredevil‘s Stephen Rider have joined Andy and Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs’ Max Original series, Welcome to Derry (working title), which is a prequel to New Line’s hit Stephen King film franchise, It.

BreAnna Bell Madeleine Stowe (“Soundtrack,” “Revenge”) and Stephen Rider (“Daredevil”) have joined the cast of HBO Max’s “It” prequel series currently titled, “Welcome to Derry.” HBO Max is scheduled to formally become Max on May 23. Variety exclusively reported the addition of previous cast members Taylour Paige (“Zola,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Jovan Adepo (“Babylon,” “Watchmen”), Chris Chalk (“Perry Mason,” “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt”), and James Remar (“Oppenheimer,” “Megalopolis”). The duo’s exact roles remain under wraps along with the show’s plot details. But Variety has confirmed Stowe will appear in a recurring guest role while Rider is a series regular. The official logline for the series states, “Set in the world of Stephen King’s ‘It’ universe, ‘Welcome to Derry’ is based on King’s ‘It’ novel and expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films ‘It’ and ‘It Chapter Two.’” HBO Max first order the show to series in February.

Harry Potter book series by is being adapted for television. about an HP series since January 2021, but it looks like it's finally happening.

A new generation of wizards! HBO announced that a new Harry Potter series was officially in the works.

Despite author J.K. Rowling coming under fire during the pandemic over her comments on transgender issues, Warner Bros has boldly stood by the Harry Potter and Wizarding World architect, in particular this morning, when it was made official that Warner Bros Discovery has greenlit a Harry Potter Max streaming series.

HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery’s newly rebranded Max streaming service has ordered a previously rumored “Game of Thrones” prequel series, “A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” The series is based on George R.R.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled Max, its big consolidated streamer that will pull in content from Discovery+ and supersede the three-year-old HBO Max service. So what does this mean for current HBO Max customers? One big change: Following the launch of Max, all 4K Ultra HD content will be available only to subscribers of the new service’s most expensive tier, Max Ultimate Ad Free ($19.99/month). Currently, HBO Max’s ad-free plan includes a selection of 4K programming. Otherwise, HBO Max customers mainly will see a boatload of new content and enhanced features in Max, which is adding programming from Discovery brands like HGTV, Discovery Channel and Food Network. Warner Bros. Discovery said existing HBO Max subscribers will have access to Max at the same price as their HBO Max subscription ($15.99/month without ads; $9.99/month with ads). However, the regular Max ad-free tier will offer two concurrent streams, whereas HBO Max has offered up to three.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter A “Harry Potter” TV series is officially moving forward at HBO Max. The announcement was made during Warner Bros. Discovery’s presentation to press and investors on April 12, during which it was announced that HBO Max and Discovery+ are officially being combined into a new service dubbed simply Max. News of a show based on the megahit J.K. Rowling book series first leaked on April 3, but details have now been confirmed. Each season of the show will be based on one of the books in the franchise, with Warner Bros. Discovery describing the show as a “decade-long series.” It will feature an entirely new cast from the films.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The thunder is hitting HBO Max. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is arriving on the streamer, which will soon be renamed to Max, on May 23.

HBO Max is making a ton of huge announcements!

BreAnna Bell The horror of “The Conjuring” is getting the TV treatment. HBO Max is developing a TV series based on New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring” universe. The news was announced on Wednesday exclusively during Warner Bros. Discovery’s unveiling of the Max streaming service on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles. According to Warner Bros., “The Conjuring” television series will continue the story established in the feature films. Producer Peter Safran is attached to executive produce the series via his Safran Company banner. James Wan, who also produced and directed several films within the franchise, is in talks to also executive produce. Wan’s Atomic Monster Productions is backing the project alongside Warner Bros. Television.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It’s not HBO Max — soon it’s just going to be Max. Warner Bros. Discovery officially announced Max as the new name of its flagship streamer, lopping off the HBO part of the name as it mixes in a big bucket of new content from Discovery+ and other new original series. The company announced the name change at a press event Wednesday. The rebuilt Max (on the web at max.com) is set to launch first in the U.S. on May 23, featuring what the company promises will be an average of more than 40 new titles and TV show seasons every month. “Max is the one to watch,” WBD CEO David Zaslav said on stage at the event, with thousands of shows and movies on the service.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Warner Bros. Discovery finally revealed the plans (and confirmed the long-rumored name) for its new streaming service, Max, which will combine offerings from HBO Max and Discovery+ into one product, during a splashy press presentation on the Warner Bros. Studio lot Wednesday. The event kicked off at 10 a.m. at the iconic Burbank location, presided over by WBD CEO David Zaslav, president and CEO of global streaming and games JB Perrette, HBO and HBO Max CEO and chairman Casey Bloys (who now also has oversight of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network), and U.S. networks group chairman and chief content officer Kathleen Finch. Variety is on the scene, ready to fill you in on all the details about the new streamer, Warner Bros. Discovery’s direct-to-consumer strategy, the future of HBO and the standalone version of Discovery+.

Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed its long-expected plan to jettison the “HBO” from HBO Max, announcing that its rebranded streaming service will be called Max.

As superhero fans prep for the long-awaited world premiere of “The Flash” later this month at CinemaCon, director Andy Muschietti preps his next project, “Welcome To Derry,” at HBO Max. And Variety has the first casting news from the “IT” prequels.

Taylour Paige, an Independent Spirit Award winner for “Zola,” is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Granderson Rochers. She appears opposite Jonathan Majors in Sundance hit “Magazine Dreams.” Jovan Adepo of “Babylon,” who was Emmy-nominated for the HBO series Watchmen, is represented by Powerline Entertainment, WME and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.Chris Chalk, who plays Paul Drake on HBO’s “Perry Mason,” is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Paradigm Talent Agency and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.James Remar of “Sex and the City” and “The Warriors” fame, is among the all-star casts of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Francis Ford Coppola “Megalopolis.” Hei represented by Gersh Agency and Lighthouse Entertainment.Logline: Set in the world of Stephen King’s “IT” universe, “Welcome to Derry” (wt) is based on King’s “IT” novel and expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films “IT” and “IT Chapter Two.”The series is produced by HBO Max and Warner Bros.