EXCLUSIVE: Veteran British director Susanna White has revealed she’s working on debut feature film based on her teenage life in the fashion world as she gears up for today’s launch of Apple TV+ period drama The Buccaneers.
19.10.2023 - 19:51 / variety.com
K.J. Yossman When producer Judy Craymer persuaded ABBA to allow her to make a musical out of their back catalogue, she never imagined the show would still be running twenty-five years later – not to mention spawn two hit movies starring Meryl Streep. To celebrate the stage production’s quarter century anniversary, Craymer is now bringing “Mamma Mia” to British TV screens with a new talent competition show, titled “Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.” Produced by Fremantle-owned Thames and set to air on ITV1 in the U.K.
from this Sunday, the show aims to find a new Sophie and Sky (played by Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper in the movies) to star in the West End. After holding open auditions, which saw thousands of wannabe Sophies and Skys apply, applicants were whittled down to 500 and then to a final 14 (seven boys and seven girls) who were swiftly whisked off to “musical bootcamp” on a picturesque Greek island. After being put through their paces by some of Craymer’s longtime collaborators (including choreographer Anthony Van Lasst, musical maestro Martin Lowe and casting supremo David Grindrod) the contestants strut their stuff in front of a panel of judges, comprised of “Glee” star Amber Riley, singer Jessie Ware, West End star Samantha Barks (who currently plays Elsa in the London production of “Frozen The Musical”) and comedian Alan Carr.
(Zoe Ball hosts the show). The series also includes a few cameos from the movie to cheer the contestants on. The winning Sophie and Sky – who will each be awarded a year-long theater contract – will be decided by a public vote in the final live show of the season.
EXCLUSIVE: Veteran British director Susanna White has revealed she’s working on debut feature film based on her teenage life in the fashion world as she gears up for today’s launch of Apple TV+ period drama The Buccaneers.
Celebrity Big Brother star Dapper Laughs has shared the wonderful news that his wife Shelley is pregnant. The 39 year old TV star, whose real name is Daniel O'Reilly, will be welcoming a third baby to the family.
UPDATE, 11:58 AM: The two-year old lawsuit between Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten and the producers of the Oscar-winning film is over.
Let’s Talk Off Camera,” said on this week’s episode. Shockingly, Baldwin, 65, told Ripa that the duo “have thought a lot” about it. According to the three-time Emmy Award winner, the main reason he wants to do a reality show would be to “stay home and work from home.” “I’m desperate to try to work from New York,” the actor said.
Jessie Ware has been on our radar for years.The 39 year old musician first came to attention way back in 2012 when she released her debut album, Devotion.The record received critical acclaim and was even nominated for that year's Mercury Prize. Following her early success, Jessie then went on to release a string of other albums and singles, all of which have been incredibly well received - most recently, 2023's That! Feels Good! which produced the feel good single, 'Free Yourself'.Thanks to these musical talents, Jessie has also been nominated for six Brit Awards over the years.
Samantha Barks is an extremely successful West End and Broadway star, who first came to prominence back in 2008 when she appeared on Andrew Lloyd Webber's reality show, 'I'd Do Anything,' and ended up placing third. For those who can't remember, the show saw hundreds of hopeful unknown musical theatre performers compete for the lead role of Nancy in the 2009 West End revival of Oliver. Plus, the series was also on the hunt for three young rising stars to alternate as Oliver Twist.
Paris Hilton had to hold back for her wedding. In a new interview, she revealed she had multiple clothing options for her wedding party, and that while she wore multiple dresses over the course of the evening, she had many more options. Victoria Beckham and Maluma’s new favorite yellow boots are approved by Paris Hilton: See PicsSelena Gomez and Meryl Streep get involved in a juicy mystery: WatchA post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)Hilton had an interview with British Vogue, where she opened up about her wedding to Carter Reum.
It appears that nothing is stopping Emily Andre these days - not only has she announced she's pregnant with her third child with husband Peter Andre, but she's also made a very exciting career venture. The 34-year-old revealed she's "over the moon" on Instagram as she has written a new book titled Healthy Mind, Happy You. Posting a snap of the colourful book cover, she said: "EXCITING NEWS! I’m over the moon to reveal my latest book, Healthy Mind, Happy You.
Mamma Mia! Scot Stevie Doc felt like her late mum was with her throughout her time on the ABBA reality TV show.
New ITV show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream began airing on Sunday, 22 October, and many viewers were quick to share their confusion over the judging panel. The talent show sees 14 hopefuls competing to be cast as lead characters Sophie and Sky in the hit West End show, Mamma Mia. Filmed across eight weeks in Corfu, Greece, earlier this year, seven boys and seven girls lived together in a villa while taking part in the competition.
Concerned that a prolonged actors strike would bring long-term, irreparable harm to the industry, Hollywood’s biggest stars on a Zoom call this week with SAG-AFTRA leaders pledged to commit $150 million over three years to remove a cap on union dues to bring more coin to guild coffers, and they suggested a streamer residual structure that would put actors on the bottom of the call sheet before them, in hopes that getting money faster would help more struggling actors qualify for benefits.
Meryl Streep has confirmed in a statement that she separated from her husband Don Gummer more than six years ago.The 74 year old actress – who has starred in movies such as Mamma Mia!, The Devil Wears Prada and Death Becomes Her – married sculptor Don, 76, in 1978.The former couple share four children; musician son Henry, 43, and actress daughters Mamie, 40, Grace, 37, and Louisa, 32. Meryl confirmed the sad news via her representative in a statement to Page Six in the early hours of Saturday morning.The statement reads: "Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart." Meryl and Don had not been photographed together since they attended the Oscars in 2018, where Meryl was nominated for Best Actress for her role in The Post as Katharine Graham.
Gwen Stefani opened up about a challenge in high school that became a “superpower” when she began to harness her creative energies.
“We want nothing more than to resolve this and get everyone back to work,” declared Netflix’s Ted Sarandos at the top of the streamer’s Q3 earnings video call Wednesday, exactly a week after talks with the actors guild ceased, for now. “That’s true for Netflix. That’s true for every member of the AMPTP,” the co-CEO added of his studio peers.
Miriam Margolyes has revealed she now has a “cow’s heart” after undergoing an operation to fix a worrying health problem. The 82 year old Harry Potter actress told how she'd had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) - a procedure that avoids the need for open heart surgery.The operation meant that her aortic valve was replaced by that of a cow. Miriam, who is known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as for her chaotic appearances on This Morning, discussed the procedure on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware.
Geng Zihan has just won Best Director in the Fei Mu Awards of Pingyao International Film Festival for her debut feature, A Song Sung Blue, a coming-of-age tale set in Harbin in northeast China.
One step forward, more steps back for women on the small screen: the latest Boxed In report from San Diego State University’s Dr. Martha Lauzen says that more females showed up as contestants on reality programs and game shows than on series during the 2022-23 season.
Halle Berry was reportedly misled about the scope of her role within 2006′s X-Men: The Last Stand, according to director Matthew Vaughn.
JoJo opened up about a duet that she recorded that sadly did not get to see the light of day.
Kourtney Kardashian has starred in a topless photoshoot after opening up about how she talks to her unborn baby, following a terrifying pregnancy scare. Last month, her husband Travis Barker was forced to cancel concerts while on tour with Blink 182, after rushing to be by Kourtney's side following a medical "emergency." The 44 year old revealed on social media that she had to have emergency fetal surgery to save her baby's life. Now Kourtney has opened up more about the ordeal during an interview and photoshoot with Vanity Fair, which saw her showcase her bump in nothing but tights.