Choosing a favorite Michael Bay movie is a little like choosing a favorite flavor of Mountain Dew — none are particularly good for you, but they taste okay and help you do backflips on a dirt bike. Hey, sometimes you just need to get extreme. But Michael Bay himself has fond memories of one specific movie, one that taught him how to work with major actors and a big budget: The Rock.

Just Bay’s second movie (after Bad Boys), The Rock put him together with established movie star Nicolas Cage and very established megastar Sean Connery. No offense to Bad Boys’ Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, but neither of them had ever played Indiana Jones’ dad or James Bond. The stakes were higher, with The Rock having a reported budget of $75 million (compared to Bad Boys’ budget being somewhere in the $20 million range), and Bay credits Connery with helping him keep the project together.

How Did Sean Connery Help Michael Bay on ‘The Rock’?

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

In an old interview with Fandango, Bay said that he was nervous to work with Connery — even after working with major celebrities in his previous career as a music video and commercial director. Connery plays a roguish villain in The Rock, and Bay was intimidated about giving him his first direction (which was to do a scene “a little less charming”), but Connery’s response was, simply, “sure, boy.”

Bay also went on to say that, while filming Bad Boys, they had no money and no time to make sure they were getting things right, so his impulse was to treat The Rock the same way even though he had a lot more money. He credits Connery, “a consummate actor,” with teaching him how to slow things down and actually rehearse a scene with the actors so they all knew what they were doing. So, whenever Bay is working with “young whippersnapper actors that are late or this or that or not focused” (he didn’t name names, but we’re all thinking of the same guy, right?), he’ll tell them about working with Sean Connery. The fact that Bay’s career has steadily gotten bigger and bigger, with bigger movies and bigger actors, likely means that the lessons he learned paid off.

‘The Rock’ Is Still Michael Bay’s Best Movie

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

In The Rock, a group of rogue Marines led by Ed Harris steal a bunch of rockets loaded with chemical weapons and capture Alcatraz. They threaten to launch them at San Francisco unless the U.S. government admits to covering up details about how it mistreated Harris and his men. The FBI enlists chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Cage) to sneak onto Alcatraz and disable the rockets, but because nobody knows the secret underground tunnels of the former prison, the organization also has to bring in John Mason (Connery), a former British special agent who was once imprisoned on Alcatraz but managed to escape. (The meta-joke is that Connery is literally playing old James Bond.)

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Cage and Connery quickly become friends, with the sort of action-buddy chemistry that Bay is so good at tapping into (whether it’s between the Bad Boys or the Autobots). The movie is sort of a pure form of Michael Bay’s trademark bombast, with just enough restraint to keep it from being a total cartoon, which is a trap that nearly every subsequent Bay movie fell into (especially Bad Boys II and later). It also doesn’t make any effort to pretend it’s a more serious movie than it is, like with Bay’s bizarrely conceived 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. If Bad Boys is some early formulation of Mountain Dew where they hadn’t perfected the formula yet, then The Rock is the classic, crowd-pleasing version.

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Release Date

June 7, 1996

Runtime

137 minutes

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Writers

David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook, Jonathan Hensleigh, Mark Rosner

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Renewed interest in using the Bible as on-screen source material has been on the rise in the last decade. Since the crowd-funded darling, The Chosen, took off, a wave of adaptations has followed in its wake. More networks, studios, and streamers have returned their attention to these centuries-old tales in the past few years than the industry at large has in decades. So, perhaps it isn’t surprising that FOX would take a more novel approach with The Faithful: Women of the Bible.

This miniseries — set to air over the course of three Sundays leading up to Easter: March 22, March 29, and April 5 — aims to tackle the matriarchs that established the bloodline that would lead not only to the founding of the Kingdom of Israel but also the lineage of Jesus Christ. However, despite the name, The Faithful is anything but, and those deviations keep the drama from being compelling or effective.

‘The Faithful: Women of the Bible’ Tells the Events of Genesis From a Female Perspective

Image via Fox

The Faithful aims to use each part of its three-night airing to follow a different heroine (or heroines) from the middle chapters of Genesis. The saga begins with the two-part “The Woman Who Bowed to No One/The Woman Who Spoke to God,” highlighting Sarah (Minnie Driver), the wife of Abraham (Jeffrey Donovan), and her Egyptian servant Hagar (Natacha Karam), who gave birth to the patriarch’s firstborn son. The second night — the two-part “The Woman Who Risked Everything” — revolves around the story of Rebekah (Alexa Davalos), the bride of Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac (Tom Mison). The third night’s two-part finale, “The Woman Who Loved,” is about the sister brides of Rebekah’s son Jacob (Tom Payne), detailing the tragic story of Leah (Millie Brady) and the complicated romance of Rachel (Blu Hunt). Together, these were the women who birthed entire nations, and The Faithful aims to “finally” tell their story in earnest. At least, that’s the goal.

With only the first two episodes provided for review, there are several impressive aspects of The Faithful worth noting up front, like the series’ overall production value. The visuals are quite enthralling and propel the viewer instantly back in time. Given the current cinematic “Bible boom,” productions that take great care to appear at least visually faithful to the material stand out, even if they’re not shot on location in the Middle East. (Prime Video’s House of David is another such series). Like The Passion of the Christ before it, The Faithful utilizes Italian scenery to stand in for the ancient Levant region in which these events take place, specifically Malta and Rome. There’s certainly a sense of place created here as Sarah and her household move from their initial home in Harran to Egypt and eventually to the land of Canaan.

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Additionally, The Faithful‘s cast includes several capable performers who really carry the show in light of its fractured material. Minnie Driver would never have been my first pick for Sarah, but there are moments here where she shines. Her distant cadence serves the story well when she struggles to trust God for an heir, not sure if her husband is completely sane. However, this also proves a distraction whenever more intimate moments of happiness or levity appear. In many respects, her work on The Faithful is rivaled by Natacha Karam, who wears Hagar’s inner turmoil on her sleeve as she wrestles with her initial desire to return home to Egypt and her present conflict with her mistress. Her moments of desperation in the desert are an effective and beautiful reflection of the original text, further elevating Karam’s role. Yet The Faithful doesn’t lean far enough into her plight, opting instead to spend the majority of its premiere on Sarah.

‘The Faithful’ Tries and Fails To Rewrite the Biblical Narrative

Image via Fox

As was the case with D.J. Caruso‘s bold take on Mary that hit Netflix back in 2024 and other subpar Bible-based features like Darren Aronofsky‘s Noah or ABC’s attempt to retell the tale of King David in Of Kings and Prophets, The Faithful makes such bold strides away from the source material that there are moments where the result is simply unrecognizable. The clear deviations from the text make this uneven adaptation feel like wasted potential. Admittedly, creative liberties will always be taken when it comes to adapting any beloved source material, but there’s a difference between small cosmetic changes and fundamental misunderstandings.

When Sarah is taken away to Egypt by Pharaoh (Amr Waked), for instance, she tells the ancient ruler that Abraham was her brother rather than her husband to save his life. She then tries to kill Pharaoh before he can take her, only for God to intervene and the ruler to cast her (and Hagar) out. While the inclusion of Hagar in this sequence is a creative liberty that works well in the context of the broader narrative, the rest is a reworking of the material that falls flat. The original chapter in Genesis depicts Abraham as the offending party, who introduces Sarah as his sister rather than his wife, and adhering to that version would’ve given Driver a more emotionally rich and morally compelling struggle to work with on screen.

It certainly doesn’t help that The Faithful ignores the most important (and certainly most thought-provoking) chapter in the Abraham saga: the sacrifice of Isaac. Genesis recounts the story where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, only for the patriarch to be stopped at the last moment by divine intervention. It’s perhaps the most famous story about Abraham and this time period, though The Faithful ignores this entirely, at least in the first two episodes. Whether the second batch of episodes, following Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, will delve into it remains to be seen.

While The Faithful offers some interesting notions of doubt for Sarah, particularly her initial disbelief that God wants her to have a child, this undercurrent is never fully developed. What could have been a challenging statement about the difficulty and perseverance of faith is ultimately diluted by surface-level lip service to the text. Had the series tackled the most controversial aspect of this biblical story from Sarah’s perspective, it would have allowed for a more earnest foundation for these doubts, leading to a more cathartic outcome, but The Faithful‘s version is too hollow to be substantially meaningful.

‘The Faithful’ Is a Bold Attempt That Strays Too Far To Be Relevant

Image via Fox

Despite these criticisms, there are still a few redeeming qualities to be found in The Faithful. Hagar’s story is a compelling chapter that is often overlooked, here presented as one of the most foundational moments in early Judeo-Christian history. Karam is a standout in the part, and she is certainly the heroine to cling to most tightly in the premiere. Donovan is a compelling Abraham every time he’s on-screen, and his intimate moments with Sarah are some of the show’s highlights — in fact, his casting is almost strong enough to forgive the show’s general lack of authenticity in the casting of its principal actors and the clear lack of a region-accurate dialect coach (à la The Chosen or House of David).

For those who have read the Bible and have long hoped for an adaptation that puts its female characters in the spotlight, The Faithful certainly claims to be just that. However, upon careful examination, the series can’t strike a successful balance between authentically bringing these women to life and rewriting their stories to fit the prepackaged concept the series was sold as in the first place. Perhaps future episodes will prove this reviewer wrong and better embrace the text that first turned these women into historical, even legendary, figures in the first place.

The Faithful: The Women of the Bible premieres Sunday, March 22, on FOX and will be available the next day for streaming on Hulu.

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Release Date

March 22, 2026

Network

FOX

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Directors

Danny Cannon

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Writers

René Echevarria

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Pros & Cons

• The miniseries features a solid cast that carries most of the narrative weight.
• Hagar’s arc is genuinely compelling, though it’s a shame there isn’t more of her.

• The miniseries doesn’t commit enough to the source material to feel like a genuine adaptation or examination.
• There’s a lack of development in Sarah’s wrestling with God and in the fallout of her actions.
• Couldn’t this show have cast actors who better looked (and sounded) the part?

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Alan Moore is a pretty big name in the world of comics (and as an author generally, since he’s moved away from writing comics in more recent years), and you might not even have to be a big reader of the medium to know that. His earliest published work goes back to the late 1970s, with his most iconic work, as an author of comic books, being in the 1980s. That’s the decade that saw the publication of various works of his that later got movie adaptations, but it did take until the 21^st century before any of those adaptations got released, since Moore’s work is oftentimes challenging to adapt, or otherwise a little bleaker and more intense than what you’d find in most mid-to-high budget movies.

The film adaptations to date have generally differed from the source material in various ways, so Alan Moore has inevitably distanced himself from them (to put it mildly). Since one of those movies, V for Vendetta, got a wide release 20 years ago (its premiere came a little earlier), it feels like a good time to go over those movie adaptations and rank them, at least of the ones that got a theatrical release. Also, Swamp Thing (1982) doesn’t quite count, so it’s not ranked here, in case you’re wondering. It’s based on a character that Moore wrote for, but the period of Swamp Thing he wrote came just after the movie’s release, so it can’t have actually been based on Moore’s work, nor even influenced by it (he didn’t create the character, but did – post-1982 – arguably re-define/strengthen him).

Image via 20th Century Studios

As an adaptation, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) is pretty loose, and the same can be said for most of the movies soon to be mentioned, too. Vol. 1 of the series was published throughout 1999 and 2000, and it’s the story found within those six issues that kind of inspired the 2003 movie. Maybe it’s more accurate to say that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) just took ingredients and characters from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1 and did its own thing with them, and if you want to be charitable, that’s in line with The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the comic, since the comic series takes pre-established fictional characters and stories and throws them into a blender.

The blended results, if you’re into comic books, are fascinating, at least in terms of Volume 1 and then Volume 2 of the series (the second volume is brutal in its deconstructive qualities, a little like another of Moore’s stories about a team of “heroes”). The movie, though, is more noteworthy for lots of behind-the-scenes drama, including the fact that it motivated Sean Connery to retire from acting, with the legendary actor not appearing in another live-action role for the remainder of his life. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a messy movie, not without some mildly entertaining sequences, but it’s clear it was always going to be difficult to get right, and the sprawling and strange story found in the original comic was not really all that well captured or replicated on the big screen.

5

‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ (2016)

Image via Warner Bros.

Batman: The Killing Joke is an animated movie that got a limited theatrical release in 2016, so it’s worth counting here, even if it’s not really on the same scale as all the other movies based on Alan Moore’s work. It’s also the only animated feature film based on an Alan Moore story to date, adapting the one-shot graphic novel of the same name; one that famously (or notoriously?) went deep into unpacking the Joker, functioning as something of a new spin on the character’s origin story.

The comic came out in 1988, and potentially worked in tandem with Batman (1989) to really make the Joker unstoppable within pop culture (that Batman film wasn’t an adaptation, but it did feature a legendary and memorable Jack Nicholson performance where he played the Joker). So, if you’re sick of the Joker nowadays, you can probably partially thank/blame Batman: The Killing Joke. As for the film, it’s not great, having some of the source material’s flaws while adding a few new missteps of its own. You’re better off just sticking with the source material, which really won’t waste much of your time, either, owing to its brevity and overall punchiness.

4

‘From Hell’ (2001)

Image via 20th Century Fox

Adapting From Hell was a pretty wild thing to take on, and even more bizarrely, it was the first theatrically released feature film to be based on something Alan Moore wrote. The graphic novel, if you compile all the volumes in one, nears 600 pages, so naturally, a bit gets cut from the film… but not as much as you might expect. The graphic novel is generally more grounded than most of Moore’s previous comic works, in terms of not being superhero-related, and also being light on fantastical/sci-fi elements, yet not entirely devoid of them. Those parts of From Hell, the graphic novel, might be the most interesting and haunting, but much of that stuff is downplayed in the film.

As for what’s the same? Both forms of From Hell are about Jack the Ripper, dramatizing one theory surrounding who was behind the notorious murders that the (officially still) unknown perpetrator committed. And both graphic novel and film are gruesome and troubling, just a little less so on both counts regarding the movie (but it’s not too sanitized, or at least not as sanitized as you might expect). From Hell (2001) adds a dynamic between two characters that doesn’t really work, and some of the casting is questionable, because Johnny Depp was an odd pick for Frederick Abberline. At least some of the supporting cast members turn in good performances, like Ian Holm and Robbie Coltrane. It’s a fairly intense and sometimes visually striking movie about Jack the Ripper, and though a more faithful (and perhaps weirder) adaptation of From Hell would likely be better, this one’s honestly not too bad. The ambition to adapt it in any way, really, can ultimately be admired.

3

‘Constantine’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Even compared to the other film adaptations here, Constantine is only very loosely based on Alan Moore’s work, if at all. But it’s not like the aforementioned Swamp Thing, since the character of John Constantine was created by Moore, initially actually first appearing as a supporting character in an issue of Swamp Thing published in 1985. Later in the decade, Constantine got his own run of comics, called Hellblazer, and it’s Hellblazer that Constantine (2005) is based on. So even if it’s based on a comic series Alan Moore isn’t directly tied to, John Constantine exists because of Moore.

So, that makes Constantine (2005) worth mentioning here. It’s become something of a cult film, if not quite a cult classic (maybe in the eyes of some), and it does admittedly offer an interesting spin on comic book/superhero cinema, since there’s a heavy element of demonic possession-related horror here. Keanu Reeves does his thing in the lead role, being well-utilized, and the rest of the cast members all do pretty well, generally. Constantine’s visuals and overall feel prove more compelling than the just-okay story being told here, but there are certainly things to like here, and those who don’t like the other movie adaptations related to Moore’s work might find themselves cutting this one a little Moore (heh) slack, since it’s further removed than most from the comics that are unambiguously Alan Moore’s.

2

‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)

As an adaptation, V for Vendetta largely gets things right. The original comic book series was a dystopian one about a neo-fascist political party that rules over the United Kingdom as a police state, and what happens when a mysterious figure known only as V inspires revolution against said party. The comic is a good deal more complex and also a little more interesting, but the film does a good job of getting the basics down.

Also, V for Vendetta (2005) is largely restrained in terms of not adding too much extra action or potentially distracting spectacle to things. It sticks to the dystopian kind of thing that the source material did, mostly being a thriller/drama film with brief bursts of stylized action (perhaps slightly inevitable when the Wachowskis, not long after their Matrix movies, were behind the writing of this adaptation while serving as co-producers; James McTeigue directed it, though). And for what it is, V for Vendetta is pretty good, and occasionally – or at least for a few sequences – pretty great.

1

‘Watchmen’ (2009)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

To address not the elephant in the room, but the elephant not in the room (and also, it’s not an elephant, but a squid), Watchmen (2009) omits and alters a fairly memorable section of Watchmen, the comic book limited series originally published throughout 1986 and 1987. Other than that, though, and a slight drawing out of certain action sequences (presumably for the purpose of making things feel a bit more spectacular), Watchmen (2009) largely gets things right, as an adaptation. It is, surprisingly, also faithful… again, for the most part.

It’s got a reputation for not being faithful, and some criticize Zack Snyder for missing the point of the comic, but those critiques aren’t really fair. Snyder’s film does get it, because this still feels like a brutal and effective deconstruction of certain superhero/comic book conventions, only really excising one dramatic sequence of the comic and committing the fairly forgivable sin of making the film version slightly more action-packed. This is a largely great comic book movie, and even if it’s not the slam-dunk that the source material was (that one does earn its reputation as one of the best – and most important – comic book stories ever), it’s closer to it in style and effect than many give it credit for.

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Watchmen

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Release Date

March 6, 2009

Runtime

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163 minutes

Director

Zack Synder

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Writers

Alex Tse, David Hayter, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

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Cardi B‘s dedication to not performing for empty seats is rock solid!

The rapper has taken it upon herself to make sure her upcoming performance for the Canadian leg of her tour is sold out, even if it means jokingly slamming her fans about it.

Cardi B’s tour for her sophomore album “Am I The Drama” kicked off on February 11, 2026, in Palm Desert, California, and is scheduled to wrap up with double shows in Atlanta on April 17, 2026.

Cardi B To Her Canadian Fans: ‘Y’all Better Go Buy Tickets’

The “Bodak Yellow” singer did her big one to boost ticket sales for her “Little Miss Drama” tour slated for the end of the month in Hamilton, Ontario. The singer took to social media with a few words, basically letting the Canadians in Hamilton know that if they break her sold-out streak, she would be very upset, and to avoid that, tickets must be bought.

Cardi B acknowledged that since the start of her tour, every city has been a back-to-back sold-out experience, with at least 99% of the seats being taken. She revealed that the date at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton was just 80 percent sold out, with plenty of seats on the Ticketmaster sites still available to be bought. 

“I swear to God, if you break my streak – y’all better go buy tickets. Y’all not breaking my perfectly sold-out streak,” Cardi B emphasized. The award-winning rapper had recently sold out two nights at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and hopes to keep up that momentum across North America as her tour prepares to wrap up in one month. 

The Rapper’s Fans Explained Some Facts Contributing To The Slow Ticket Sales

Cardi B’s video definitely gained traction, and fans trooped under Now Toronto’s comment section to give context to why her show has so many seats left. This TikTok user wrote: “I’m here in Hamilton and the cost of the tickets is too much. I’m a fan but not that big of a fan lol sorry not sorry.”

Another user stressed that since she has a show in Toronto the night before, most attendees from Hamilton would want to attend that, which may be responsible for the low ticket sales for the Hamilton concert. “Maybe if Ticketmaster didn’t charge so much for tickets/people weren’t broke, you’d sell out,” this fan added in the comment user, while another user noted that she should have gone to Montreal instead of Hamilton.

“Queen, we love you. This is outta touch tho. We can’t afford gas and groceries. Let alone tickets. Sorry,” this fan declared, joining another fan who urged her to lower the price for the tickets. The rapper’s concert tickets currently range from $91.15 to $461.97 on Ticketmaster.

Cardi B Ex’s Mother Showed Up For Her Houston Leg Of The Tour

Earlier in the month, the mother-of-four brought the roof down in Houston, Texas, with a performance from fellow rapper, Megan Thee Stallion, to wrap up the electrifying show. However, The Blast stated that a particular attendee in the teeming crowd has remained on people’s lips since the March 4 concert.

It was none other than Stefon Diggs’s mother, Stephanie Diggs, who showed up to the venue to support her grandson’s mother. Stephanie and Cardi B built quite a bond during her relationship with the NFL player, as they were often seen supporting Stefon at some of the New England Patriots games.

Stephanie was not the only unexpected guest at the concert. Another shocking personality was Nicki Minaj’s half-sister, Ming Luanli, who posted pictures and videos of herself at the show on her social media, noting to fans that it was okay to love both. Cardi B and Nicki have been stuck in a bitter feud since 2018, and things reached another high recently when the duo traded words on social media.

The ‘Bodak Yellow’ Hitmaker Threw Some Shades At Her Baby Daddy In San Francisco

While things are seemingly smooth between Cardi B and Stephanie, the same might not be said for the rapper and her ex-boyfriend, who got an earful during her concert in San Francisco. Cardi B assured her fans and Stefon by extension that she is never to be played with and is definitely not afraid to be alone if disrespect is involved.

She added that it does not matter how many girls Stefon had dated in the past and will date in the present; they do not match up to her in any way. The rapper’s stinging words came a few days before Stefon was reportedly informed by his team about their plans to release him following the 2026 NFL league year and free agency signing period.

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Sources close to Cardi B have explained that their breakup happened as a result of the rapper feeling betrayed by the person who was meant to be her biggest protector. The musician reportedly finally understood all her friends have been saying all along that the athlete was not right for her and she deserved better.

Cardi B Addressed Pending Legal Matters Amid Tour Takeover

The media personality did not let her ongoing tour distract her from putting some things in place in her court case with celebrity blogger, Tasha K. As reported by The Blast, Cardi B’s legal team asked that the blogger provide all records relating to her income from YouTube and her other social media accounts.

Cardi B also asked that Tasha make copies of her tax returns available just two months after they came to a crescendo in their years-long legal battle. The defamation lawsuit agreement reached by both parties will see Tasha K pay out about $4 million over an extended period of time and agree to keep her lips sealed when it comes to the rapper’s business.

The mother-of-four sued the blogger in 2019 for a malicious campaign of slander, and in 2022, she testified in court that Tasha K’s lies made her feel suicidal and threw her into bouts of depression. A federal jury subsequently found the blogger guilty of several offences, including defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Will Cardi B’s new video do the magic and fill up the seats in Canada?

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Rebecca Gayheart stepped out in public for the first time since the death of estranged husband Eric Dane.

Gayheart, 54, attended the Los Angeles premiere of The Drama on Tuesday, March 17, bringing along daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, whom she shared with the late actor.

Posing for photos with her children on the film premiere’s red carpet, Gayheart, who separated from Dane in 2018 after 13 years of marriage, smiled softly for the cameras as she dazzled in a striped dress.

The public outing comes just under one month after the Grey’s Anatomy actor died on February 19 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 53 years old.

Related: Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s Daughters Through the Years: Family Photos

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing, but their daughters had always been their guiding light. The pair tied the knot in 2004 and expanded their family in March 2010 with the birth of daughter Billie. Their second daughter, Georgia, was born in December 2011. Gayheart filed for divorce in February 2018, […]

The former couple’s daughters appeared just as glamorous, with Dane and Gayheart’s eldest dressed in a two-piece white lace co-ord that flashed the teenager’s midriff. Georgia wore a form-fitting pink minidress that zipped in full down the front.

While Billie stood eloquently with a small purse in her two hands, Georgia kept an arm on her mom’s back as camera bulbs flashed.

Gayheart also posed for photos on her own, toting her own small handbag.

The public outing comes days after Gayheart spoke about her family maintaining a “state of shock” in the wake of Dane’s death. During an interview with Variety, published on Wednesday, March 11, the Jawbreaker star said, “I just want to thank everybody for being so kind to us during the last couple of years. It’s been challenging and meaningful, and people are kind.”

She expanded to the outlet, “I’m having trouble receiving all of the support and love coming at me from every which way because of Eric and the [entertainment] community that’s so generous with their time. They’ve been holding me and the girls up the last two weeks, and I don’t think they’re going anywhere. I think they’re in it for the long haul. Hollywood gets a bad rap. That kind of makes me mad, because we have a lovely community of people, and I’m so grateful for them.”

Gayheart, whose 2018 divorce filing from Dane was later withdrawn, also detailed how she and her daughters “signed off” on a tech company that utilized AI to digitally restore Dane’s voice before his death.

“We were thrilled to have it because we knew what was coming down the pike,” Gayheart said. “We were all really struggling with the voice loss that he was already experiencing. Knowing we had that in our back pocket, just felt really good. I’m sad, and I know Eric is too, that we didn’t ever get to really use it. But what I do know is that he would want as many people as possible to have access.”

Dane’s family announced his death on February 19, revealing he died just shy of one year after the actor went public with his ALS battle.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family confirmed to Us at the time. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.”

It continued, “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.”

Murder mysteries are everywhere, but they’re notably omnipresent in the podcast medium in the form of true crime. Between the widespread cultural foothold of investigative podcasts like Serial, the enduring legacy of network dramas like Criminal Minds, and inventive feature films like Knives Out, the genre became synonymous with obsession and endless consumer compulsion.

The phenomenon of murder mysteries, in both fictional and nonfictional formats, was enough to serve as the basis of one of the most popular streaming comedies in recent memory, Only Murders in the Building. The award-winning Hulu series starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez looms large over Bodkin, an overlooked Netflix black comedy that features Will Forte as an intrepid podcaster getting in on the police procedural himself, teaming up with experienced investigators. Despite similar premises, the seven-episode series probes into the psychological intrigue of our fascination with death with more weight than expected.

Will Forte’s Netflix Series ‘Bodkin’ Taps Into Our True Crime Obsession

Airing in 2024, Bodkin, produced by Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, only has one season to its name, and there are no signs of Netflix picking it up for a follow-up, which is ultimately a shame for a series that has even more potential beyond its clever setup. Created by British writer Jez Scharf, the series follows an American podcaster, Gilbert Power (Forte), an Irish investigative journalist, Dubheasa “Dove” Maloney (Siobhán Cullen), and Gilbert’s assistant and aspiring journalist, Emmy Sizergh (Robyn Cara). These strangers convene at the titular Irish coastal town to re-examine a cold case involving the disappearance of three people during a celebration decades prior. The portrayal of an idyllic, quaint town in Ireland amid the frenzy and luridness of murder and mystery will recall the films of Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh, who has become a modern-day poet of the sacred and the profane in the nation. Bodkin captures this anarchic spirit with its distortion of murder mystery comedies, often appearing glib and wholly sincere within a scene.

Like many of the most gripping true crime stories, Bodkin begins slowly and methodically. For a series promising such a tight and engaging premise, the often stagnant process of events in the first episode will be disarming for many viewers. However, the midway point of the season highlights a sense of mundanity of the journalistic process, a feeling especially conveyed by the tried and true reporter, Dove. The constant longing for approval and admiration on Emmy’s part reflects the ignored nobility of the journalism field, as her boss, Gilbert, is more consumed with trying to obtain as many listeners as possible by finding the next hit podcast. This desperation leads to Emmy committing highly unethical journalistic practices. Unsurprisingly, the overriding beauty and folksy charm of the town reveals itself to be unseemly, a place harboring grave truths and decades of conspiracy surrounding the disappearance. By the time the later episodes tackle each character’s background and motivation, Bodkin finds its groove and distinct thematic language.

‘Bodkin’ Brilliantly Blends Intense Thrills and Eccentric Humor

There are stretches of Bodkin where comedy seems like the last thing on its mind, as the series is indebted to the cold case at hand and earnestly approaching it like a Pulitzer-winning podcast. Above all else, the series is a deeply humanist portrait of our true crime fascinations, and the trio of amateur reporters are avatars for our desire to uncover the truth in a world where reality is distorted. Their amateur status pits them up against the eclectic local community, and their most harrowing challenge proves to be certifying their worth as outsiders. No one knows more about the politics and cultural framework of Ireland than its people, who occasionally aid the team in their investigation — memorably the scene-stealer, Seamus (David Wilmont) — and they have come to live with the eerie mystery that haunts Bodkin.

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This Psychological Thriller Series Is So Suspenseful, You Won’t Want To Hit Pause

We can’t look away.

Thanks to the presence of Saturday Night Live alum Will Forte, Bodkin never loses its innate comedic charm. Even at its most nerve-wracking, the series, anchored by Forte’s chemistry with Emmy and Seamus, who hilariously characterize the absurdity of everyday people trying to solve inscrutable mysteries, taps into the macabre sense of humor artists have had towards murder, going all the way back to Alfred Hitchcock. A precise blend of eccentric and gritty, Bodkin is destined for a cult following years down the line, where we all ask ourselves how we allowed this gem to slip through the cracks. In an age where true crime and murder mysteries have become meta, Bodkin tapped into this lifestyle in a smart and effortless way.

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Bodkin

Release Date

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2024 – 2024-00-00

Writers

Jez Scharf

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Taylor Frankie Paul is in the middle of serious allegations of domestic violence regarding her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, but as “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star inches closer to the premiere of her debut as “The Bachelorette,” some of the men on the cast have come to her defense.

The reality star is known for drama-filled behavior on “Mormon Wives,” but the male cast members say they saw a very different side.

‘Bachelorette’ Cast Say Taylor Frankie Paul Was ‘Softer’ And ‘Pleasant To Be Around’ Following Domestic Violence Allegations

Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.

The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consistently pleasant to be around.”

Regarding the recent domestic violence allegations, they said that while the claims are “troubling,” they believe there are many misconceptions about Paul and want the public to refrain from rushing to judge, and that the full truth of what happened during the incident will be revealed in time. 

‘The Bachelorette’ Season 22 Still Airing Amid Allegations Against Taylor Frankie Paul

According to TMZ, ABC has decided that the premiere of “The Bachelorette,” starring Paul will still air as planned on March 22, despite recent allegations of domestic violence against her.

Per the outlet, Paul is currently in New York City on a press run to promote the show, which is still slated to air the full season in its entirety.

Additionally, TMZ also shared details about “The Bachelorette” team being laser-focused on casting Paul for the show despite her drama-filled past and prior domestic violence arrest.

An inside source close to the show, told the outlet that “Bachelorette” producers wanted Paul badly for the show because they felt that due to the massive success of “Mormon Wives” and her immense social media following she could increase the show’s lagging ratings.

However, since they wanted her at all cost, the source said they admittedly “cut corners” during the vetting process. 

ABC has since hired a public relations crisis manager amid the news of Paul’s alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

#MomTok Members Previously Said Paul Was In A Positive Mental Space While Filming ‘The Bachelorette’

Mere days before the news of domestic violence allegations against Paul circulated, “Mormon Wives” cast members Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews spoke exclusively with Us Weekly about Paul’s mindset while filming “The Bachelorette.”

“While filming, we were able to see her, and you could tell while filming [‘The Bachelorette’] that she was in a better mindset,” Neeley told the outlet.

As for Matthews, she said that while she initially felt that Paul “wasn’t ready” for the show, she was excited to watch her journey.

“That was an opportunity for her to be forced to be away from the toxic cycle that she was in with Dakota, at least for a period of time, to hopefully figure out what she wants and what she needs,” she said. “I’m excited to watch ‘The Bachelorette’ back, because I don’t know [what happened].”

‘Mormon Wives’ Cast Reportedly Refusing To Film With Taylor Frankie Paul Over Domestic Violence Allegations

The domestic violence allegations against Paul have reportedly caused the “Mormon Wives” cast to completely distance themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” an inside source connected to the show told PEOPLE.

The behind-the-scenes drama on the show, which was initially not revealed, was discovered to be a domestic violence incident between Paul and Mortensen, who are also parents to son, Ever.

According to PEOPLE,  the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the outlet that an open “domestic assault investigation” exists between Paul and Mortensen. Per the police department’s spokesperson, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.” 

An inside source connected to the show confirmed the production pause. “They are not filming,” the source said. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Paul And Mortensen Set To Undergo Psych Evaluations Amid Domestic Violence Incident

Per TMZ, Mortensen has made calls to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times alleging Paul has been physically abusive to their son, which Paul firmly denies. 

According to the outlet, in late February, the former couple got into a verbal altercation while inside Mortensen’s car after Paul reportedly spilled a drink. Inside sources shared that Mortensen became “enraged” and “got physical” with Paul, however, he called the police and told them that she was the one who assaulted him. 

Following the incident, a source close to Paul told TMZ that Mortensen disappeared for weeks and ditched filming, which led to production being put on pause. However, sources with “Mormon Wives” said that filming stopped because cast members refused to film amid the domestic violence and child abuse allegations, despite production wanting to continue filming season 5. 

Additionally, due to Mortensen repeatedly calling DCFS on Paul, alleging abuse, both are now required to undergo psychological evaluations. 

When production on “Mormon Wives” resumes, it has not been decided what capacity, if any, Mortensen will be part of the show.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s recent domestic violence allegations continue to trickle down to other aspects of her life, which now includes brand collaborations.

Per recent reports, Cinnabon has announced that it is cutting ties with a joint collab with the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” and the currently streaming “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” following the allegations against Paul.

Cinnabon Axes Joint Collab With ‘The Bachelorette,’ ‘Mormon Wives’ Due To Taylor Frankie Paul Allegations

According to Entertainment Weekly, popular baked goods company Cinnabon has officially ended its collaboration with both “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” following the domestic violence allegations against the star of both shows, Taylor Frankie Paul.

“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’” a spokesperson told the outlet on Tuesday, March 17. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”

The company initially announced the collaboration with both shows on March 9, ahead of the March 22 premiere of “The Bachelorette” and March 12 release of “Mormon Wives” season four.

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The products tied to both shows included a Swirled Soda, which was “inspired by the viral beverage trend popularized” on ‘Mormon Wives,’ and a “limited-time ‘Bachelorette’-themed packaging for CinnaPacks and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ –themed cup sleeve for the Swirled Sodas.”

A joint Instagram post from “The Bachelorette” and “Mormon Wives” accounts sharing a look at the products has now been deleted.

‘Bachelorette’ Still On Track To Air New Season Despite Fallout From Allegations Against Paul

According to TMZ, as of now, ABC has decided that the premiere of “The Bachelorette,” starring Paul will still air as planned, despite recent allegations of domestic violence against her.

Per the outlet, Paul is currently in New York City on a press run to promote the show, which is still slated to air the full season in its entirety. She is also still set to appear at the Los Angeles premiere for the show.

Additionally, TMZ also shared details about “The Bachelorette” team being laser-focused on casting Paul for the show despite her drama-filled past and prior domestic violence arrest.

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An inside source close to the show, told the outlet that “Bachelorette” producers wanted Paul badly for the show because they felt that due to the massive success of “Mormon Wives” and her immense social media following she could increase the show’s lagging ratings.

However, since they wanted her at all cost, the source said they admittedly “cut corners” during the vetting process. 

ABC has since hired a public relations crisis manager amid the news of Paul’s alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

‘Bachelorette’ Cast Members Describe Taylor Frankie Paul As ‘Softer’ And ‘Pleasant To Be Around’ During Filming

Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.

The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consistently pleasant to be around.”

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Regarding the recent domestic violence allegations, they said that while the claims are “troubling,” they believe there are many misconceptions about Paul and want the public to refrain from rushing to judge, and that the full truth of what happened during the incident will be revealed in time. 

Domestic Violence Discovered To Be Root Of Production Shutdown Of ‘Mormon Wives’

Shortly after reports surfaced that “Mormon Wives” season 5 had shut down production, new details emerged revealing it was due to a domestic violence incident between Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who is also the father of her son, Ever.

According to PEOPLE, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the outlet that an open “domestic assault investigation” exists between Paul and Mortensen. Per the police department’s spokesperson, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.” 

An inside source connected to “Mormon Wives” confirmed the production pause. “They are not filming,” the source said. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Things are reportedly so serious that Paul’s fellow #MomTok members have all distanced themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source told the outlet.

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The Allegations Have Resulted In Paul And Mortensen Being Ordered For Psych Evaluations

Per TMZ, Mortensen has made calls to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times alleging Paul has been physically abusive to their son, which Paul firmly denies. 

According to the outlet, in late February, the former couple got into a verbal altercation while inside Mortensen’s car after Paul reportedly spilled a drink. Inside sources shared that Mortensen became “enraged” and “got physical” with Paul, however, he called the police and told them that she was the one who assaulted him. 

Following the incident, a source close to Paul told TMZ that Mortensen disappeared for weeks and ditched filming, which led to production being put on pause. However, sources with “Mormon Wives” said that filming stopped because cast members refused to film amid the domestic violence and child abuse allegations, despite production wanting to continue filming season 5. 

Additionally, due to Mortensen repeatedly calling DCFS on Paul, alleging abuse, both are now required to undergo psychological evaluations. 

When production on “Mormon Wives” resumes, it has not been decided what capacity, if any, Mortensen will be part of the show.

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Lori Loughlin left fans in awe of her ageless beauty during a rare appearance on the red carpet of a Hollywood event last week.

The sighting comes several months after her split from her ex-husband Mossimo Giannulli, allegedly due to “incriminating” texts and emails on his phone.

Sources close to the couple also claim that their marriage was never the same after their college admissions scandal, as Lori Loughlin “never fully forgave” the fashion designer.

Lori Loughlin Stepped Out For A Hollywood Event Looking Noticeably Younger

Loughlin turned heads as she attended the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s Unforgettable Evening 2026 gala on March 11.

The “Full House” alum’s chic outfit wasn’t the only thing that caught fans’ attention, as the actress appeared more youthful and vibrant on the red carpet.

For the recent outing, Loughlin donned a plunging black and white dress and let her hair flow down freely while rocking a side part.

She seemingly wore light makeup as her face only highlighted smoky eyeshadow and nude lips. The actress then completed the look with silver drop earrings.

Loughlin attended the gala with her two daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella, whom she shares with her estranged husband, Giannulli.

Just before she made her appearance on the red carpet, makeup artist Lyndsay Zavitz posted a picture of her face beat on Instagram, causing many fans to point out that she looked much younger.

Fans Praise The Actress’s Youthful Look Following Her Split From Mossimo Giannulli

Fans of Loughlin took to social media to gush over her youthful look; however, some speculated she’d gone under the knife to achieve the taut appearance.

“Wow! She looks amazing! What’s her secret?” a fan said, while another added, “Wow, perfection!!!!”

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“Amazing! She looks so youthful,” someone else wrote.

Commenting on a picture of Loughlin at an event, a critic noted, “She looks like she’s had some work. Here she is at 59. Either she had work, or she’s aging backwards all of a sudden.”

Another said, “That’s not Lori L. Unless she had a face-off.”

Someone else commented, “As if she just rolled out of bed looking 20 years younger. She looks great, but can we not pretend we are baffled by her youthful appearance?”

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“Love it when they say someone looks half their age without pointing out they look like a completely different person after plastic surgery,” another person penned.

Lori Loughlin And Mossimo Giannulli’s Marriage Never Fully Recovered From Their 2019 Scandal

Loughlin’s rare red carpet outing comes months after her split from Giannulli, whom she was married to for 28 years.

Sources told Us Weekly in January that the 2019 College admissions scandal, for which they were arrested after offering bribes to get their children into a top university, changed the state of their marriage.

“The school scandal was a turning point, and they never really connected or recovered their relationship after that,” the insider said, adding that Loughlin felt he “got her involved” in the situation.

“She didn’t fully blame him, but he spearheaded it,” the source also shared, noting that Loughlin “never fully forgave him and never fully got over it.”

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According to a source who spoke to Page Six, “incriminating” texts and emails Loughlin found on Giannulli’s phone also caused their marriage to fall apart.

“Mossimo had used Lori for years,” one of her friends told the news outlet. “She was hoping maybe he would change when he got out of prison, but he got worse.”

Mossimo Giannulli Raised Eyebrows Over Frequent Sightings With A Young Stylist

Meanwhile, Giannulli has sparked rumors about his relationship status as he has been seen several times with much younger stylist Hannah Harrison.

The pair was first spotted together in October last year when they went shopping as reports of his split from Loughlin dominated headlines.

However, Harrison denied anything more than platonic was going on between them and said the misunderstanding was an issue of “bad timing.”

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“I feel like it was bad timing. I went to the [G/FORE Supply] store not knowing that his separation had been announced,” she told Us Weekly at the time. “I was going there to meet him.”

“We did not drive together. We drove separately,” Harrison added.

The following month, they went clubbing at Zouk nightclub in West Hollywood and looked particularly cheerful as they walked side-by-side. Reports claimed they left together and went to Harrison’s house, where they chatted until 3 am.

They were last seen together in February when they grabbed a drink at Lynx Coffee in Los Angeles.

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Lori Loughlin’s Close Pal Called Mossimo Giannulli A ‘Narcissist’

Following reports of Loughlin and Giannulli’s marriage, the actress’s “Full House” co-star, John Stamos, addressed the situation, openly blasting Giannulli during an appearance on the “Good Guys” podcast.

Stamos called the designer a “terrible narcissist” and even accused him of dragging her into the college admissions scandal.

“I’m just heartbroken for her right now,” Stamos said about Loughlin at the time. “I’ve really tried to be there for her during this time.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” the actor continued, per The Blast. “She was married 27, 28 years. Her kids are good girls. She’s beautiful inside and out. But I told her, ‘Every bit of negativity or hardship you’ve been through has been connected to this guy.’”

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