Travis Fimmel and Simon Baker Head Cast of Netflix Series ‘Boy Swallows Universe’

“The Midnight Club” series, and death abounds in the next show from “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “Midnight Mass” creator Mike Flanagan.The show is based on the beloved Christopher Pike novel of the same name and takes place at a hospice with a mysterious history, where the eight members of the Midnight Club (all of whom are terminally ill) meet each night at midnight to tell sinister stories – and to look for signs of the supernatural from the beyond.Mike Flanagan executive produces and directs the show alongside Trevor Macy through their Intrepid Pictures and Leah Fong. Flanagan and Fong are the show’s creators, while Pike serves as an executive producer.The first season spans 10 one-hour episodes and stars Iman Benson, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd, Annarah Cymone, Chris Sumpter, Adia, Aya Furukawa, Sauriyan Sapkota, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, with Zach Gilford and Heather Langenkamp.This is the latest horror-tinged Netflix series from Flanagan, who also directed the Warner Bros.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief SK Global’s “Thai Cave Rescue” series faced almost as many obstacles as the specialist divers drafted to bring out 12 boys and their coach from a waterlogged grotto in summer 2018 in front of a blaze of media attention and an expectant Thai nation. The show debuts on Netflix on Thursday, a timing that means it follows three feature-length depictions and multiple news media specials retelling the watery events. It is also the retelling that is most closely associated with the Thai government, which auditioned prospective production companies and streamers and has carefully held the real-life rescued youngsters close to its chest.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video compete for second position behind Netflix in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region’s most developed streaming market. But, increasingly, all premium SVOD suppliers are focusing on profitability rather than simple growth. A new report from consultancy and research firm Media Partners Asia, “Australia Online Video Consumer Insights & Analytics” shows that Australian consumers streamed 24 billion minutes of premium online video between January and August this year. SVOD platforms accounted for 70% of viewing time, while broadcaster-operated platforms (BVOD) claimed 30%. The numbers reflect a mixture of measured usage and a panel of viewers.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Action star, Jai Courtney is to narrate “For the Love of Pets,” a factual animal welfare series set in Australia. Commissioned for the 9Network Australia and filmed in 4K, the 8-part series follows the heart-warming stories of the staff, volunteers and animals that come through the doors of the Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc. (AWL) and Vets4Pets Emergency Hospital in Adelaide. Production is by Context Media with production funding from Omnicom Media Group subsidiary, OMnet Australia. Escapade Media is on board to handle international distribution and says that it is close to announcing a raft of licensing deals.

Squid Game has suggested that Leonardo DiCaprio could be a part of the series one day, after the Inception star revealed he’s a huge fan of the show. Following the premiere of the South Korean drama last year, it went on to receive numerous recognitions, including 14 nominations at the recent Emmy Awards.

Netflix has released the first trailer for DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story starring Evan Peters – check it out above.The 10-episode series, co-created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) and Ian Brennan (The Politician), will follow the life and crimes of the American serial killer, largely told from the point of view of Dahmer’s victims.A synopsis reads: “DAHMER shines a spotlight on the as-yet untold stories of Dahmer’s victims, the people who tried to stop him, and the systemic failures that enabled him to continue his murderous spree for over a decade.”Peters stars in the series alongside Niecy Nash, Richard Jenkins, Michael Learned, Molly Ringwald, Shaun J. Brown and Colin Ford.

Michaela Zee editor Netflix has released the official trailer of Ryan Murphy’s true crime series “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” starring “American Horror Story” alum Evan Peters in the titular role. The 10-episode limited series follows the story of real-life serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Primarily told from the perspective of Dahmer’s victims, the series will reportedly take place from the 1960s to early 1990s. “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” will also explore the incompetence of the Wisconsin police during the murder investigations, allowing Dahmer to continue his killing spree.

Narco-Saints.According to Reuters, a statement from the Suriname government announced plans to explore legal action against the producers of Narco-Saints (titled Suriname in its Korean promotional material), saying it negatively portrays the South American country as a “narco state”.The statement reportedly that the series’ depiction was based on past “crime and cross-border activities”, which the government says it has endeavoured for decades to eradicate. Notably, the story depicted in Narco-Saints was based on real-life events that occurred roughly two decades ago.Created by The Spy Gone North filmmaker Yoon Jong-bin, Narco-Saints stars Ha Jung-woo (Ashfall, Entourage) as Kang In-gu, an entrepreneur who lands in Suriname for business and ends up getting framed by a Korean drug lord operating in the country and sent to prison.As he’s beginning to serve his sentence, In-gu is roped into a secret mission by Choi Chang-ho (Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo), an agent of the Korean National Intelligence Service.

Nicolas Winding Refn‘s upcoming Netflix series “Copenhagen Cowboy” premieres today at the Venice Film Festival, his first project in three years. It’s also his first project in his native Denmark in fifteen years.

Nicolas Winding Refn says that the characters in his upcoming Netflix series Copenhagen Cowboy, are a “female evolution” of characters from previous projects such as Valhalla Rising, Drive and Only God Forgives.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Netflix announces production of upcoming Japanese series “House of Ninjas,” set for release in 2024. Ninjas are the legendary Japanese heroes of the shadows, known for their ambush attacks and ferocious fighting style. But they remain figures of mythology or, at least, the past. Set in modern-day Japan, “House of Ninjas,” tells the story of the Tawara family, the last ninja clan. It had abandoned its roots after an incident in the past, but now the family must take on the greatest crisis in Japanese history, one that threatens to shake the nation to its core.

Netflix has announced it has commissioned The Vince Staples Show, a fictional comedy series loosely inspired Vince Staples and his life story. Staples is joined by producers Kenya Barris, best known for creating Black-ish, Corey Smyth and Calmatic.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterVince Staples is heading to Netflix with his own scripted comedy show, Variety has learned.The streaming giant has given out a series order for “The Vince Staples Show,” loosely based on the real life of the rapper and actor. Staples will star in the show as himself. The show will be set in Long Beach, CA, where Staples grew up.Staples will executive produce in addition to starring. Kenya Barris is also executive producing via Khalabo Ink Society. Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams, Corey Smyth and Calmatic also executive produce. Edelman and Williams are co-showrunners on the series. Barris, Edelman, and Williams also executive produced Kid Cudi’s animated Netflix show “Entergalactic.” Calmatic will direct the first two episodes of “The Vince Staples Show.”

Netflix has released a trailer for director Nicolas Winding Refn’s upcoming series Copenhagen Cowboy – check it out below.Set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 9 ahead of its release later this year, Copenhagen Cowboy is a six-part series described as a “poetic neo-noir”.The series follows enigmatic young heroine, Miu (Angela Bundalovic), who, after a lifetime of servitude, looks to enact vengeance on Copenhagen’s criminal netherworld. During her search, she encounters her nemesis Rakel, as they “embark on an odyssey through the natural and the supernatural”.Refn is best known for directing 2011’s Drive starring Ryan Gosling and 2016’s Neon Demon with Elle Fanning.

Netflix has dropped the first teaser for Nicolas Winding Refn’s upcoming six-episode series Copenhagen Cowboy which will debut at the Venice Film Festival later this week. The series marks the filmmaker’s first production in his native Denmark in 15 years. Check out the teaser above and some new stills below.

Netflix has cast the roles of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the upcoming sixth series of The Crown.Two actors, Rufus Kampa, 16, and Ed McVey, 21, will play William, while Meg Bellamy will take on the role of Kate Middleton.The announcement comes ahead of the launch of series five of the popular royal-related drama, which is due to return in November. Both McVey and Bellamy are relative unknowns, and were reportedly selected for the world-famous Netflix show after submitting self-taped auditions for a casting call put out on social media.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Indonesia is often described as the world’s most populous Muslim nation. But the country’s development as a global-scale media market has been uneven and full of promises unfulfilled. Many of the old connections between media ownership and political influence appear to have been transplanted from the analog era into the digital one, making it a tricky place for foreign film, TV and (latterly) streaming companies to operate in. The slate announcement and Friday’s Jakarta event, however, appear to normalize Netflix’s position in Indonesia after a politically-charged and controversy-laden first few years. The presentation included a gushing video message from Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

A family affair. The latest dating show from Netflix puts a new twist on finding love — this time including siblings in the mix.

Boy Swallows Universe has finally been announced and there are some big Aussie stars leading the show.WATCH: Travis fimmel in the Vikings season five trailerBased on the popular Australian book by Trent Dalton, the show will be led by Vikings star Travis Fimmel as Lyle Orlik, Aussie icon Simon Baker as Robert Bell and nostalgic H2O: Just Add Water star Phoebe Tonkin as Frances Bell.As for the leading child characters, Eli and Gus Bell will be played by Felix Cameron as Eli and Lee Tiger Halley as Gus.The adult cast have some serious acting chops between them, with Simon best known for his long-running role as Patrick Jane on The Mentalist.But it’s Travis who has caught fans’ attention in newly released promotional photos, as he’s sporting a very different look for the show.Travis Fimmel will be sporting a mullet as Lyle Orlik.For years he led Vikings as Ragnar Lothbrok, sporting everything from a heavy tattoos and a long braid to a shaved head and scruffy beard in the role - but we’ve never seen him with a mullet before!The Australian star appears with a “business in the front, party in the back” hairdo as Lyle Orlik, sporting a dangling earring and a few tattoos to match.Meanwhile Phoebe Tonkin, who most Aussie women will remember as Cleo in the iconic H2O: Just Add Water, is looking beachy as ever with wavy blonde locks in the promo photos.Phoebe Tonkin, who most Aussie women will remember as Cleo in the iconic H2O: Just Add Water, will play Frances Bell.Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker and Phoebe Tonkin will lead the cast, with other stars like Bryan Brown, Anthony La Paglia and Sophie Wilde joining them as Slim Halliday, Tytus Broz and Caitlyn Spies respectively.The rest of the supporting cast include the likes of