It’s MAR10 Day today but while there are plenty of games starring Mario himself, which of his allies and enemies also deserve a spin-off game?
While the Super Mario franchise’s actual anniversary is September 13, international Mario Day is actually March 10, since the US date format renders today as MAR 10 – if you’re using the right kind of digital watch or other old school display.
Nintendo has adopted it as an official holiday but it usually doesn’t do anything other than run a limited sale for Mario games, so don’t expect a surprise 3D Mario game reveal. Although there have been rumours of a relatively big Mario Kart World update.
Mario himself has had plenty of games over the decades and while he’s occasionally stepped aside to let others, like Luigi and Wario, take the spotlight, there are still several Mushroom Kingdom residents who are overdue the chance to headline their own adventure.
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1. Toad
Yes, there is a singular Toad called Toad (Nintendo)
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No, we’re not talking about Captain Toad, who already starred in his own game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. We mean just… Toad. While the mushroom headed citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom are also called Toads, a singular Toad, called Toad, has frequently appeared as his own character in the various sports and party game spin-offs.
Aside from being one of the four playable heroes in Super Mario Bros. 2, he’s missed out on most of Mario’s recent mainline adventures, with blue and yellow Toads taking his spot in 2D platformers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
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Maybe he’s retired and prefers to hold down the fort at home. Given the popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and, most recently, Pokémon Pokopia, a Mario version of those games where you’re a humble Toad building and managing a town in the Mushroom Kingdom sounds like one of those ideas so obvious it’s surprising it hasn’t been done yet. Especially if you could end up making it look like it does in the animated movie.
2. Goomba
Goombas are surprisingly dexterous despite their lack of limbs (Nintendo)
The poor Goomba race has been getting stomped on by Mario and friends for 40 years, so when will they get their turn in the spotlight? Their standing has improved over time; in fact, the Switch 2 has seen their racing and tennis debuts with Mario Kart World and Mario Tennis Fever.
However, we’ve yet to see a Goomba be the star of the show. The closest is the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake, which added a real-time strategy side-game where a lowly Goomba leads Bowser’s minions on a quest to find their missing king.
The idea could be fleshed out into a proper tactics game, with you challenging other armies in a bid to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom in Bowser’s name, but we think a puzzle platformer similar to the Captain Toad games would be a better fit, with a dash of Pikmin thrown in where you recruit more Goombas to bypass certain puzzles.
3. Lakitu
We already got a taste for a Lakitu fishing game in Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo)
Much like the Goombas, Lakitus (Lakiti?) have frequently served as Bowser’s minions, but a few have been friendly enough to assist Mario, whether it be as the cameraman in Super Mario 64 or as a party member in Paper Mario.
Nintendo clearly sees Lakitu as important, since one has served as a referee in multiple sports games and, even after a promotion to playable character, kicks off races in all the Mario Kart games. So, why not give Lakitu their own game?
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Since they’re typically seen flying on clouds, how about a Mario themed horizontal shooter à la R-Type, with them throwing their Spiny shells as their main projectile? Or, since they’re known for fishing racers back onto the track in Mario Kart, a chill Lakitu fishing game.
4. Boo
These cackling ghouls have menaced Mario and Luigi for decades now (Nintendo)
Boos are the most famous ghost characters in the Mario franchise, but there have been other types of ghosts throughout the series, most notably in the Luigi’s Mansion games. So, what makes the Boos different? Feels like there’s some untapped lore there.
Like Goomba and Lakitu, there have been plenty of playable Boos throughout the spin-offs (sometimes it’s even been King Boo), but no dedicated Boo games outside of the Luigi’s Mansion series, where they serve as primary antagonists.
A Boo-led game would probably be the reverse of that – a stealth game of sorts where you sneak up on Luigi and scare him before he spots you. Kind of like a child friendly Dead By Daylight that replaces the bloody murders with cartoonish jump scares. The fact that most Boos can’t look you in the face seems like a game mechanic ripe for exploitation.
5. Kamek
Can you believe it took until the mobile game for Kamek to get into Mario Kart? (Nintendo)
One last minion before we move on, Kamek has been Bowser’s right-hand baddie since the king was a baby and is important enough to have his own name, distinguishing himself from the generic Magikoopa enemies.
He also gets to be one of the main enemies in the Illumination Mario movies, and yet it took until 2012’s Mario Party 9 before he finally got to be playable. He’s since had a few more playable appearances in spin-offs but after finally making it into the racing games with Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, he was demoted to just an item in Mario Kart World.
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Given his position in Bowser’s army, Kamek might be a better lead role for a strategy game than a Goomba and his flying broomstick and spells make him a good fit for any kind of arcade-style shoot ‘em up. Alternatively, a Kamek game could focus on his early years rearing Bowser, kind of like a Nintendogs life-sim parody where you’re taking care of an evil toddler and trying to make him even more evil.
6. Waluigi
Waluigi is a far more popular character with fans than he is in-universe (Nintendo)
While Luigi’s lanky doppelganger has thrived in the spin-off games, he’s never so much as been acknowledged in the mainline entries. He’s completely absent in the Wario Land and WarioWare games too, despite being Wario’s partner in crime.
The closest he’s come to having a substantial role in the franchise is as the starting villain in 2005’s Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix and even then, he serves as the first boss fight, vanishing completely after he’s bested in a dance off.
Like Wario, Waluigi’s unhinged personality means any game he’d star in could afford to get really weird in ways a regular Mario game can’t. Something akin to those bizarre Legend Of Zelda adventure games starring Tingle would suit Waluigi’s weirdo vibes perfectly, where you explore dungeons and complete puzzles to gather treasure. At the very least, it’d be great to see him appear as a co-op partner in a new Wario Land platformer.
7. Princess Peach
The highest profile character on the list (Nintendo)
Okay, yes, we’re cheating with this one as Peach has already had the lead role in two games: 2005’s Super Princess Peach and 2024’s Princess Peach: Showtime! So, why are we including her on this list? It’s because we feel neither of those games did her justice.
Super Princess Peach was a perfectly fine 2D platformer but suffered from some (presumably unintentional) sexist overtones and while not without its charms, Princess Peach: Showtime! is patronisingly easy even for a kids game and does little to expand on Peach’s character in the same way Luigi’s Mansion did for Luigi.
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A more dedicated platformer, with Peach as the lead, makes a lot more sense now that the animated movies have turned her into a hyper-competent action hero, but we’d also welcome an expansion on Showtime’s formula if it had more engaging gameplay and a funnier script. Maybe even give it to Luigi’s Mansion studio Next Level Games, so it can flex its animation chops.
8. Daisy
Daisy’s personality can simply be described as loud (Nintendo)
Like Waluigi, Daisy is mostly known for her appearances in the spin-offs, serving as Peach’s louder and more tomboyish counterpart. Unlike Waluigi, though, she finally made the jump to the mainline platformers in 2023 as one of Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s playable characters, 34 years after her debut in Super Mario Land.
Hopefully this is a sign she’ll appear more frequently in the platformers and considering the games often hint at her being a love interest for Luigi, she’s arguably overdue an appearance in a Luigi’s Mansion game, though ideally not just as a kidnap victim.
A Daisy-centric platformer would also be the perfect excuse to return to her home kingdom of Sarasaland, which still has untapped potential for new locations. Or alternatively she could share the spotlight with Peach in a hypothetical Showtime sequel, as a co-op partner.
9. Nabbit
Weird that Nabbit never showed up in the Mario + Rabbids games (Nintendo)
Debuting as a new enemy in 2012’s New Super Mario Bros. U, Nabbit’s antagonistic role was quickly dropped in favour of him being the beginner friendly playable character in the 2D games. Since he’s completely invincible (although he’s not immune to falling into pits) he’s meant for little kids who have never played a platformer before.
A Nabbit game, though, could be a good opportunity to return to his roots. His whole thing was speeding away after robbing someone’s house, so how about a Super Meat Boy-esque platformer where the levels are bite-sized and the emphasis is on how fast you can complete them, with you helping Nabbit flee his pursuers.
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Such a game could also explain where Nabbit came from and why he’s made a habit out of stalking Mario and company in the 2D games. Super Mario Bros. Wonder describes him as ‘someone keeping an eye on Mario and his friends,’ so maybe he’s just lonely and awkward.
10 & 11. Geno and Mallow
Geno must have earned himself new fans through the Super Mario RPG remake (Nintendo)
The Mario role-playing games are full of fan favourite characters, but if any of them were going to headline their own game, our vote is for the double act of Geno and Mallow, who both served as party members in Super Mario RPG. Coincidentally, that game turned 30 years old the day before MAR10 Day, on March 9.
You’re likely already familiar with Geno thanks to the enduring fan demands that he be playable in Super Smash Bros., but if not, he’s a sagely star spirit who inhabits the body of a wooden doll and fights with energy blasts and kid-friendly firearms.
Mallow, meanwhile, is an adorable cloud boy raised by frogs who wields weather-based magic. He’s also the only party member with a real character arc, joining Mario on his quest to track down his birth parents and eventually outgrowing his cry-baby tendencies.
Super Mario RPG’s overall plot was rather thin, but a direct sequel with a script thatrelies on the comedic stylings of the Paper Mario games would be very welcome and the perfect opportunity to further flesh out Geno and Mallow. Alternatively, their unique abilities could be used for a co-op platformer in the style of Hazelight’s games like Split Fiction.
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Mallow is part of a small list of Mario characters who undergo any sort of character development (Nintendo)
The Lidl store is expected to create up to 40 jobs, while the warehouses are expected to create up to 153 jobs. However, those living nearby are not happy about the development.
Elisha Aurangzaib thinks the development will “bring a bit more to the community”, but has found the construction disruptive. She said: “Initially I thought I wasn’t too keen when they were building it.
“All I could hear was thumping. [My house was] rattling. I had frames and kitchen cabinets moving.”
One man, who wished to remain anonymous, has found the construction to be “inconvenient”. He said: “It has been irritating.
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“It wasn’t much to start, but it has gradually gotten worse.” The man said it will be “nice to have a shop nearby”, but the development is “bigger than expected”.
He added: “It will bring more jobs but the other worry is traffic will build up in the area. It’s hard enough to get out of here as it is.”
Amanda Smith described the Boulevard as a “massive eyesore”. She said: “It’s been a big green space for so long. It feels out of the blue that they are doing it. It’s good to get a Lidl right in front, so I won’t even have to use my car for shopping.
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“But then on the other hand, there is Aldi and Tesco basically next to it. And the warehouses, they are big eyesores. It feels like such a waste of a big space that could have been made into something prettier and more useful for the community. Hampton is becoming so overbuilt, and now they want ugly warehouses built in it.”
Nik, who asked to use his first name only, said it is a “bad thing”. He added: “There’s lots of traffic now and in time, once the customers start using the shop, it’s going to be chaotic. This place used to be quiet, but now it’s busy and always has people about.“
Another lady, who asked to not be named, said the construction has caused a “right racket”. She added: “Things in my house have moved about and rattled so much, it’s ridiculous. I don’t know if they even thought about the effect the building would have on people nearby.
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“I’m all for bringing jobs in, but it feels like they could have tried to think of something else to build instead of warehouses. Maybe something else for younger people because you get more hanging about these days in Hampton with nothing to do.”
Sladen Estates, overseeing the development, has been approached for comment.
Apple’s iPad Air M4 comes in 11″ and 13″ sizes and one retailer is dishing it our for pennies before pre-orders close.
Jake Hackney Senior Consumer Writer
05:01, 10 Mar 2026
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Apple has had a busy month so far as the tech giant has unveiled not one, or two, but five new devices. Alongside an iPhone and MacBooks, there’s another addition to Apple’s ultra-thin tablet series with the iPad Air M4.
The latest model is touted as providing ‘blazing performance, more memory, enhanced connectivity and game-changing iPadOS 26 features’. It’s powered by Apple’s M4 chip, which is said to offer ‘incredible performance’ that’s three times quicker than its predecessor.
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Ahead of its launch on Wednesday (March 11), Sky Mobile is accepting last-minute pre-orders with a deal that costs shoppers 53p when spreading the cost. In Sky’s monthly offers, the 11″ iPad Air M4 can be pre-ordered for £16.50, equivalent to roughly 53p per day over a 31-day month.
Similarly, the 13″ iPad Air M4 is priced at £21, or approximately 67p per day. Both deals are for the 128GB storage version, with customers only needing to pay a £12 upfront fee for each.
Key points to bear in mind here are that Sky’s tablet deals run on 48-month contracts, with the option to upgrade to a new device after 36 months at no additional charge. They also come with a standard 100MB data allowance, which may not be sufficient for some users, reports Birmingham Live.
Sky Mobile customers can get Apple’s new iPad Air M4 from £16.50 per month or 53p per day when spreading the cost.
For those intending to use the iPad Air whilst connected to WiFi, 100MB may be adequate, but anyone planning on using it on-the-go should consider opting for a larger bundle. In addition to a selection of storage options, the iPad Air M4 is available in four colours: blue, purple, starlight and space grey.
Despite the contract commitment, Sky’s iPad deals offer far more budget-friendly options compared to purchasing outright, with prices starting at £599 at retailers such as Amazon and Argos. At EE, costs start at a steeper £45 per month but this includes a 5GB data allowance and a shorter 24-month term.
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The iPad Air M4 features cutting-edge Apple Intelligence functionality, a 12MP Center Stage camera and the sophisticated Liquid Glass display found on the iPhone 17. It comes pre-loaded with iPadOS 26 straight from the box and is also compatible with accessories such as Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
Launching the new model, Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said: “iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality. With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.”
Henry Burrell, Deputy Technology Editor at the Daily Express, highlighted several aspects of the iPad Air M4 that could entice Apple enthusiasts to upgrade. He said: “The iPad Air has more memory than the previous generation, with Apple confirming 12GB RAM in these new models.
“It’s rare for Apple to divulge how much RAM its iPhones and iPads have, but in the age of demanding apps and Apple Intelligence, Apple AI tools, our gadgets need all the RAM they can get. Apple says the M4 iPad Air is up to 30 per cent faster than the M3 version, and up to 2.3 times faster than the M1 version.
“In practical use, you may not notice these gains depending on your usage, but it’s certainly good to see Apple offer a year-over-year chip upgrade without raising prices.”
No more getting away with it. No more close calls. The vile crimes of child predator Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) are finally exposed on Coronation Street. However, for her victims, the nightmare is far from over…
For months, the insidious Megan has been grooming and gaslighting underage schoolboy Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) into believing that they are in a loving relationship.
The plucky young bookworm suspected something was a little off about Megan’s dynamic with Will when he discovered that his schoolfriend owned an incriminating tracksuit which Megan had sworn was Daniel’s.
Ever since, he’s been like a dog with a bone determined to expose the predatory Miss Walsh’s true colours.
Megan, of course, has fought back, abusing her power as a teacher to sabotage Sam’s grades, his academic performance and reputation at school. This caused poor Sam to spiral and abuse unprescribed Ritalin in a desperate attempt to do better. When he tried to plant cameras in Megan’s flat to catch her illicit affair with Will on camera, she discovered his plan and threatened to make the poor lad look like a pervert.
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The whole Megan ordeal has caused him serious psychological distress, as Corrie viewers up and down the land have been rooting for him to bring Megan down.
Megan has tortured Sam since he discovered her secret (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV/Shutterstock)
Finally, finally, they are about to get their wish. Sam is about to expose Megan as a paedophile to the entire street.
While Coronation Street fans will be delighted to see the villain finally getting her just desserts, it’s sure to be far more complicated for Will. A victim of grooming, he is completely in Megan’s thrall. Actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale explains his character’s headspace.
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‘In Will’s mind, he’s not a victim. He thinks a victim is someone who has suffered intense hardship, and since he thinks he’s enjoying this, he doesn’t see the harm. He even tells people I’m not a victim, he’s naïve to the fact that Megan is scheming and taking charge of everything. He’s just tagging along, not realising how much of a toll it’s taking on his mental health or his family.’
That toll is about to get a lot worse in upcoming episodes of Coronation Street, when the truth finally comes out. This is sure to have colossal consequences for Will and his family, as well as Sam and his mother Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson). Lucas teases the epic fallout facing Will.
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Will’s family will reel (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV)
‘It’s getting dangerous. Leanne is essentially family, so he has to be on the ball, but Will isn’t always the most cautious – he’s taken risks with PDA and kissing in cars. He doesn’t comprehend the full gravity of the situation.’
‘When it eventually blows up, I think he’ll be deeply ashamed – not necessarily for the relationship itself, but for the web of lies he’s told his family and Ollie’
What about Megan? Her exposure may not necessarily be the end of the story.
The damage she has done to Will psychologically will surely ensure his loyalty. Jude gives us a sneak preview of Will’s reaction when the cat is out of the bag.
Will doesn’t initially see himself as a victim, Lucas explains (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV)
‘At first, he’ll definitely jump to (Megan’s) defence. It will take him a long time to accept the idea that it wasn’t a mutual thing and that he was actually being manipulated.’
Coronation Street has worked on Will and Megan’s grooming storyline with support from Barnardo’s. Jude reflects on what he would like viewers to take away from this dark and emotional story.
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‘Awareness. This kind of inappropriate, underage relationship – especially the dynamic of an older woman and a younger guy – isn’t talked about as often as it should be. These issues are happening in the real world. We want to show that no matter the gender or the dynamic, it is never acceptable. Bringing light to that is the most important part of this job.’
Michael Carrrick is in charge of Manchester United on an iterim basis as the club search for a new permanent manager
Michael Carrick is set to oversee a pivotal match in Manchester United’s season next weekend. The interim boss is preparing to face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, where a win could significantly boost the club’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
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United have been out of action for an extended spell and will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat to Newcastle. The result marked the first loss under Carrick, who has won six of his first eight games in charge.
The team’s change in form under the ex-midfielder has fuelled debates over whether the 44-year-old should be given the job permanently. However, several other managers have been linked with the vacancy.
Meanwhile, a United legend has named the coach he believes would be a perfect fit for the club. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the latest headlines around Old Trafford.
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with both the United and Tottenham Hotspur jobs as he plots his next managerial move. The 46-year-old earned plaudits during his two years at Brighton, where he deployed an attacking style.
He joined Marseille in June 2024 and led the club to second place in Ligue 1 last season before parting ways in February. The Telegraph reports that De Zerbi is ‘of interest’ to United and is included on the club’s shortlist of candidates.
The former Sassuolo boss is said to be ‘keen’ on the United job, which could damage Carrick’s hopes of staying on beyond this season. The report adds that De Zerbi’s “stock remains high” with the United hierarchy, despite leaving Marseille.
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Spurs are also weighing up options for their next permanent manager. However, as Tottenham are currently battling relegation, United would likely be a more attractive option for De Zerbi.
‘Dream coach’ named
United legend Patrice Evra believes Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique would be the perfect appointment for United. The 55-year-old led PSG to Champions League glory last term and is reportedly in talks to extend his contract but Evra is confident the Spanish coach would be a success at United if the club were able to tempt him to Old Trafford.
“I’m not talking to the Man United board or Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but in my honest opinion, with no disrespect to PSG or Nasser Al-Khelaifi, but Luis Enrique would be a dream coach for Man United,” the former defender told Stake. “I love the man, I love his philosophy, what he went through in his personal life and overcame it shows his personality.
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“The job he’s done at PSG by bringing them a Champions League without Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, it’s a fantastic job. Players would have to work really hard to play for Man United, they’ll have to run a lot and I think Enrique would bring that.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
“It formalises an ideological framework related to a ‘common consciousness of the Chinese nation’ across education, religion, history, culture, tourism, mass media and the internet and directs that this ideology be integrated into urban and rural planning and economic development,” said Human Rights Watch China Researcher, Yalkun Uluyol.
Previously speaking on ITV’s This Morning, the ever-savvy money-saving guru shed some light on a matter.
He said: “They say it’s better to only put the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn’t efficient.
“Using a timer is best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I’d stick with that.”
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However, his next point made the issue a bit more complex.
He said: “There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home.
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“This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result. So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it.”
Over on the MSE Forum, the conversation continued.
One member recounted: “I live in a well-insulated new build so heating is on a timer with thermostat on 20C from 6am to 7am and 5pm to 8pm. I generally keep it off completely over the summer.”
Echoing that, another added: “My heating is set to 21C from 07.45 to 23.30 then 18C overnight but sometimes I manually increase the temp to 22.5C in the evening if my wife is feeling chilly.
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“It resets to 21C at 7.45 the next day. It will occasionally produce heat during the night if it is below freezing outside.”
It’s challenging to dry your clothes outside because colder and damper weather often means that your laundry will take longer to dry and will be left feeling damp and smelling musky.
This means it is especially important to be aware of some savvy tips for getting your clothes dry – even without the use of a tumble dryer.
For starters, avoid drying laundry in the rooms where you spend the most time e.g., your living room and bedroom.
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Instead, place the drying rack in the bathroom, the kitchen or the hallway where you spend less time.
In a CBS interview on Sunday, defence secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a next phase of the US-Israeli operation that included using more powerful ordinance. “The ability for us to be up over the top and hunting with more conventional munitions, gravity bombs, 500-pound, 1,000-pound, 2,000-pound bombs on military targets,” he said, “we haven’t even really begun to start that effort of the campaign.”
Eve Myles has played her fair share of detectives, from DS Lola Franks in We Hunt Together, to DCI Jeanette Kilburn in The Crow Girl.
In her latest series, Gone, the Welsh actress stars as Detective Annie Cassidy, who is tasked with solving the mysterious disappearance of a woman.
The six-part drama, written by George Kay, is partly inspired by the book To Hunt a Killer by crime correspondent Robert Murphy.
The book explores the case led by former Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay of Gloucestershire Police, whose investigation helped secure a life sentence for the man who sexually assaulted and stabbed Melanie Road, 32 years after her murder.
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Both Mackay and Murphy served as consultants on the series, which sees a local headmaster, played by David Morrissey, become the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.
Myles, 47, who also starred in Broadchurch, says she sought Mackay’s advice while preparing for the role.
“She was very generous during the time we spoke,” says Myles.
“We did Zoom calls while she was out walking her dog or eating breakfast. Whenever I had questions or wasn’t sure about something, I could call her and she was always available to help. She also made visits to the set.
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“She even appeared as a supporting artist in one of the scenes, which was brilliant. It added to the sense of involvement and inclusivity.
“She was very honest and open, especially considering I was a complete stranger asking her quite personal questions.
“I felt it really helped me understand, manage and develop Annie’s character. I was profoundly grateful to her for being so open.”
Myles says she was particularly inspired by Mackay’s resilience and perseverance in solving Road’s case.
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“Julie said to me that she never doubted, not for a single second, that she would catch the killer.
“That resilience and persistence really stayed with me. Even if, externally, you feel like you’re not being listened to or heard, you have to keep that belief loud and alive within yourself and keep working towards your goal.
“You’ve got to trust your instincts. You have to believe that you have a voice and that you’re more than capable of achieving what you set out to do.”
Set against the backdrop of a prestigious private school, Morrissey’s character, Michael Polly, is an upstanding member of the community, until he finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation.
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When he encounters the determined Detective Cassidy, a tense game of cat and mouse begins as she chips away at his composed exterior in search of the truth.
Morrissey, 61, known for his roles in State of Play and The Walking Dead, describes Gone as more of a psychological drama than a conventional thriller.
“We’re very used to the sort of ‘crash, bang, wallop’ moments you often get in a psychological drama like this. But this story is about the pauses, the intrigue and the relationships,” he explains.
“I don’t think these two characters would ever have met, or chosen to spend time together, if they didn’t have to. They’re both very good at their jobs. Whether they’re as successful in their personal lives is another matter, but professionally they’re highly capable.
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“They meet at a time of crisis, and much of it centres on them trying to work each other out, for very different reasons. It becomes a kind of chess match between them, while the world carries on around them.”
Myles agrees, emphasising the emotional depth of the series.
“It shifts from being a procedural investigation to an emotional one. There are no car chases, no bombs going off, no guns, it’s not that kind of thriller.
“This is a psychological thriller, a human thriller. It’s about the breakdown of two people who were never meant to come together, but are forced into each other’s lives under extremely traumatic circumstances and what happens to them in the process.”
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Morrissey describes his character as a control freak.
“It was about the idea that he’s a man who’s built a cage around himself,” he explains.
“As a result, he’s controlling, a real control freak. He likes routine and is very rigid in his outlook. He has a strong moral compass.
“He’s deeply committed to his ethics, particularly when it comes to how a school should be run, and he’s taken all of that responsibility on. But the downside is that he’s not emotionally in touch with himself and struggles to be vulnerable.
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“He doesn’t seem able to have fun or embrace any kind of frivolity. What fascinated me was how locked-in he is, how that rigidity is demanded by his job, yet ultimately becomes an obstacle in his personal life.”
As his world begins to unravel, that rigidity becomes even more apparent.
“Once his world begins to unravel, he doesn’t have the emotional intelligence to cope with it. Instead, he reacts in a way that feels violent, not necessarily physically violent, but through stonewalling, stoicism and an absence of emotion. That unsettles people. It tips the police off to the sense that something isn’t right.
“‘I don’t know what’s wrong,’ she thinks, ‘but something is and I need to dig deeper.’ That’s really the heart of the piece.”
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Morrissey, who has starred in thrillers including The Woman in Cabin 10 and Basic Instinct 2, says he was surprised by how the story unfolds.
“I think it’s a very surprising story, not just in the classic ‘he didn’t do it’ sense but in the cracks that appear in the characters’ emotional lives, and how we get there.
“I’ve not really seen it examined in that way in a classic thriller, the emotional lives of people, the baggage they’re carrying, and how that unexpectedly opens up.”
LK Bennett, founded back in the 90s, entered administration in January, with John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP appointed joint administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property were sold to US firm Gordon Brothers, which also owns Laura Ashley and Poundland.
However, LK Bennett’s nine stand-alone and 13 concession stores were not included in the deal, leaving them at risk of closing.
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Its website explains: “The LK Bennett stores were not included in the transaction and continue to trade under the Administration.
“Online sales via the LK Bennett website continue for the foreseeable future.”
Full list of LK Bennett stores at risk of closing
The full list of LK Bennett stores at risk of closing is:
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Stand-alone stores
Lower Guildhall Mall (Bluewater)
Canary Wharf (London)
Eastgate Square Shopping Centre (Chester)
Duke of York Square (London)
Harrogate
Knightsbridge (London)
New Bond Street (London)
Richmond
White City Westfield (London)
Concession stores
Arnotts (Dublin)
The Bentall Centre (Kingston upon Thames)
Brown Thomas (Dublin)
De Gruchy (Jersey)
Hoopers (Tunbridge Wells)
Hoopers (Wilmslow)
Jarrold (Norwich)
John Lewis (Edinburgh)
John Lewis (High Wycombe)
John Lewis – Oxford Street (London)
John Lewis (Manchester)
John Lewis (Oxford)
John Lewis (Cheadle)
JK Bennett launches closing-down sale in all UK stores
JK Bennett has now launched a closing-down sale in all stores across the UK with up to 75% off, with “everything reduced”.
A LK Bennett spokesperson, via London Now, said: “There are some truly exceptional offers available across all categories.
“Everything has been reduced, including new season pieces.
“We anticipate strong demand and expect key styles to sell through quickly; we would like to thank our loyal customers for their support over the years and invite them to shop early to avoid disappointment.”
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Turbulent start to 2026 for UK high street
It has been a rough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.
Major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have been forced to close stores already in 2026, while Revolution and BrewDog have shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.
Several other retailers have fallen into administration recently, including:
Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in the opening weeks of 2026:
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EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, has also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.
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Tesco recently revealed plans to cut 380 jobs in stores across the UK, while its been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.
UK delivery company Yodel is also set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.
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It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, Superdrug, and Lidl.
Which recent shop closure has affected you the most? Let us know in the comments below.
