Taraji P. Henson to Star as Shug Avery in Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple’ (EXCLUSIVE)

If you have not watched the first five episodes of Love Is Blindseason 2, bookmark this for later or proceed with caution. The second season of Netflix's hit dating experiment is certainly not lacking in drama. The first five episodes were released last week, and already fans are all about following this season's love triangles and biggest shockers. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment thus far happened early on when Kyle Abrams shocked Shaina Hurley by proposing with his mother's engagement ring after the pair had expressed some fundamental religious differences — he is an atheist, she is a Christian. Shaina surprisingly accepted the proposal, but it was clear from her on-camera reaction that she was very conflicted.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterKatya Martín, the star of ABC’s “Promised Land,” has landed the lead role in the upcoming indie feature “The Death That Awaits.”Martín will play a drifter in search of answers to a mystery from her past, who takes on a job in the countryside looking after a sick teen. She soon realizes her charge is undergoing a mysterious transformation that her parents will do anything to stop.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterMelissa Joan Hart will star in multiple new “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday movies, as well as the made-for-TV hoarder film “Dirty Little Secret” at Lifetime, as part of a new multi-year deal with the cable channel, Variety has learned exclusively.Under her new pact, Hart will star in, direct and executive produce several movies for Lifetime. For the “Ripped From The Headlines” movie “Dirty Little Secret” (working title), which is set to debut this summer, Hart stars as a mother hiding her extreme hoarding tendencies that are destroying her family.Additionally, Hart will star in and executive produce new movies for Lifetime’s 2022 and 2023 Christmas slates, having previously starred in six holiday films for the cabler, including “Mistletoe in Montana,” “Dear Christmas” and “A Very Merry Toy Store.” Hart has previously executive produced eight Lifetime films with her production company Hartbreak Films, including the recent “Christmas in Tune” starring Reba McEntire.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAmber Heard (“Aquaman”) and Spain’s Eduardo Noriega (“Vantage Point”) will star in 19th century-set supernatural thriller “In the Fire.”The film, which will shoot in Italy, is directed by Conor Allyn (“No Man’s Land”).Principal photography is set to start Feb. 21 in Italy’s Apulia region.

Sasha Urban editorJay Ellis (“Insecure,” “Top Gun: Maverick,”) will host the inaugural Anthem Awards.The virtual awards, to be held Feb. 28, were created to honor individuals and organizations for their social impact work.“It’s a tremendous honor to host the first annual Anthem Awards,” Ellis said.

Jamie Lang AMC Networks’ genre-focused streaming platform Shudder has acquired the rights to horror maestro Gustavo Hernández’s “Virus: 32” in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.The deal was closed between Shudder and Pip Ngo from XYZ, CAA Media Finance and Juan Torres from Latido Films. Spanish sales powerhouse Latido is selling the film and has been showing it to buyers at this year’s European Film Market.A high-profile title to track since it was first unveiled at the virtual Cannes Market in 2020, “Virus: 32” stars Paula Silva (“In the Quarry”) and former Berlin Silver Bear winner Daniel Hendler (“Lost Embrace”) in a story about a rapidly spreading virus which transforms people into intelligent, ultra-violent, extra-fast zombie hunters.

David Arquette is looking to make clowns sweet again. The actor is tackling the formidable task of removing the frightening stigma associated with the make-up-covered comedy performers, and he's getting some help.ET's Nischelle Turner recently sat down with Arquette, who explained how he's bringing the iconic character of Bozo the Clown back to the spotlight years after the once-famous children's icon went off the air.«There's a lot of stuff we have to do just to rehabilitate the clown image but it's just about spreading joy and happiness,» Arquette explained with a smile.

ABC News special “Soul of a Nation: Screen Queens Rising” to reveal that she will play the role of Sofia in the new flick.Brooks, 32, portrayed the character during the show’s run on Broadway and even earned a Tony nomination in 2016.“My heart is so full, thank you,” Brooks happily sobbed on the special. “And I tell you, Ms. Oprah, I did not get to thank you enough the first time.

Released in 1985, “The Color Purple” is one of the most celebrated films of the modern era. The film earned 10 Oscar nominations and is considered a landmark achievement.

The casting for the highly anticipated The Color Purple movie musical has finally been announced!

Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino have been brought on board the cast of Blitz Bazawule's forthcoming movie, adapted from the Broadway musical.Brooks has been tapped to play Sofia, a role that she played on Broadway during the 2015 revival production, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Barrino, meanwhile, will be reprising the role of Celie, which he first portrayed in her Broadway debut in 2007.The casting news was announced Thursday, as part of the ABC News special During the special, Brooks rewatched the moment she was surprised with the news of her casting with a special Zoom call from Oprah Winfrey — who portrayed Sofia in the original 1985 film, earning herself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.«I am here representing all things purple to tell you that you are our Sofia,» Winfrey told an emotional and excited Brooks.

The movie musical “The Color Purple” has found its leads.

Fantasia Taylor will star as Celie and Danielle Brooks will play Sofia in Warner Bros’ film adaptation of the musical The Color Purple, with both reprising their respective roles on Broadway. The news was revealed Thursday during ABC’s Soul of a Nation: Screen Queens Rising special.

Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks have landed the lead roles in the upcoming movie musical The Color Purple.

Angelique Jackson Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple” movie musical has found its Celie and Sofia in Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks.Both actors reprise their respective roles from the stage musical, where Barrino made her Broadway debut in 2007 following her “American Idol” win, and Brooks earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia in the 2015 revival.Barrino and Brooks’ casting was announced on Thursday as part of the ABC News special “Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising.” During the broadcast, “ABC News Live Prime” anchor Linsey Davis interviewed the women about reprising their roles for the film.The upcoming Warner Bros. movie is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which is itself an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

Naman Ramachandran British singer-songwriter George Ezra, best known for hit singles “Shotgun,” “Paradise” and “Budapest,” will star in feature documentary “End to End.”The documentary is from producers Richard Yee (“An Idiot Abroad”), Catherine Miller and Fiona Neilson (“Oasis:Supersonic”) and is directed by Adam Scarborough and Christy Tattershall.Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide sales and will introduce the hot project to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market, while runs alongside the Berlin Film Festival. U.K.