Entertainment
The Woman Who Secretly Saved Star Wars Just Died
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Marcia Lucas, former wife of George Lucas, just died at the age of 80. The two have been divorced since 1983, the same year that Return of the Jedi was released. Because this happened a long time ago (in an era far, far away) many younger fans of the franchise have no idea who Marcia is or why she is so important to Star Wars. She and George had a relationship that was just as much creative as it was romantic, and she helped him edit the films of the Original Trilogy. But she had the most influence on A New Hope, the very first film in this blockbuster sci-fi series.
As you might imagine, nobody had quite as much sway with a young George Lucas as his wife. Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill once said as much, claiming, “if she wanted to keep it, it was in. Fortunately for all of us, she had some very good ideas, including everything from little character moments (Leia kissing Luke for luck in the Death Star) to major story beats (like the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi). For these reasons and more, she earned the title “the secret weapon” of this franchise. That means that fans owe a life debt of gratitude to this woman, unbeknownst to almost everyone, secretly saved Star Wars.
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
To understand why Marcia Lucas was so important to the franchise, you need to first understand what a nightmare the production of the first Star Wars movie was. Remember, George Lucas was juggling ideas for decades worth of films, and he made the bold (and slightly crazy) decision to make A New Hope the fourth installment of an ongoing story. That meant this first film needed to introduce a galaxy far, far away, give us tons of background info, develop a bunch of younger characters, and make us care about the past of the older characters. Along the way, it needed to balance world-building with humor and plenty of action.
After everything was shot, George had tons of footage, but the whole thing looked like a hot mess. Star Wars was saved in the edit by a series of editors. One of them was Marcia Lucas, who was the real deal when it came to bringing films to life. She wasn’t some nepo hire of her husband’s; in fact, she was so good at her job that she (along with fellow editors Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew) won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing to honor their work on the first Star Wars movie. Thanks to her keen eye, George Lucas’ creation became the biggest sci-fi franchise in the world.
In The Editing Trenches
What changes did Marcia make in editing? For one thing, she re-ordered many of the earliest scenes of A New Hope so that the audience would feel excited and immersed; originally, that first hour was largely composed of boring exposition. She also edited Obi-Wan and Luke’s conversation so that they watch Leia’s “you’re my only hope” message in the middle of talking about Luke’s father. This adds urgency to the narrative, whereas the original cut made it seem like the two were indifferent about rescuing her. Additionally, she spent eight weeks editing the Battle of Yavin so that the film had a thrilling climax that still hit all the right emotional beats.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, George Lucas revealed that Marcia had to edit “40,000 feet of dialogue footage of pilots saying this and that” into a cohesive fight scene. But she never thought that this spectacle should come at the expense of emotionally satisfying character beats. As recorded by The Secret History of Star Wars website, she once told George a blunt truth about the famous trench run sequence: “If the audience doesn’t cheer when Han Solo comes in at the last second in the Millennium Falcon to help Luke when he’s being chased by Darth Vader, the picture doesn’t work.” Incidentally, Luke originally did two trench runs, and she cut it down to just the final one.
Killing Off The Most Famous Actor’s Character
Nobody can deny that George Lucas is a creative genius, and nobody else in Hollywood could have developed something quite as crazy cool as Star Wars. But he’s never been the strongest writer in the world, as evidenced by the cringe-inducing dialogue and bizarre plot beats of the prequels. It was the same from the beginning, and Lucas’ original script for A New Hope was bad. Numerous people dunked on it, including George’s buddy, Steven Spielberg. Fortunately, Marcia was a double threat and was a solid writer on top of being an excellent editor, and she provided some ideas that really saved that first Star Wars film.
Marcia Lucas’ most famous storytelling contribution to A New Hope was convincing George Lucas to kill off Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was originally scripted to survive. It was also her idea to have the Death Star threaten the Rebel base on Yavin IV, creating a sense of urgency for the film’s climax. Additionally, she convinced her husband to keep in many of the quiet character moments of the movie, including Leia kissing Luke and telling him it was “for luck.” Heck, Marcia even convinced him to keep in the part where the mouse droid comes up and gets scared away by Chewbacca’s roar!
Becoming One With The Force
Unfortunately, Marcia Lucas’ importance to the development of Star Wars has been downplayed ever since she divorced from George Lucas in 1983. It was an insanely bitter divorce, one that left George convinced he’d never marry again (though he changed his mind almost exactly 30 years later). Speaking of bitter, Marcia opened up about the divorce in the book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, angrily noting that “George would never acknowledge that to me. I think he resented my criticisms, felt that all I ever did was put him down.” Continuing, she said, “In his mind, I always stayed the stupid Valley girl…he never felt I was very smart and he never gave me much credit.”
Fortunately, a growing number of fans have acknowledged her contributions to this amazing franchise in recent years. Now, with her death, more people than ever before are learning about the awesome achievements that earned her a highly coveted Academy Award for Film Editing. With any luck, the fandom will do a better job of honoring her creative legacy than her husband ever did, and we can remember her for who she truly was: the woman who secretly saved Star Wars from its own creator.
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After it was revealed that Carson Rowland won’t be returning for season 5 of Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias, many fans are now convinced that he may be joining season 2 of Amazon Prime’s hit series Off Campus as Jake.
Sweet Magnolias showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson exclusively confirmed to Us Weekly that Rowland, who portrays Tyler “Ty” Townsend, made the “decision” to sit out on the upcoming season, which premieres on Thursday, June 11. After the announcement was made, several fans took to social media to speculate that his next project will be on Off Campus.
One fan shared a screenshot showing that Rowland, 28, follows Jalen Thomas Brooks and Antonio Cipriano on Instagram, which Us Weekly can confirm. The actors appeared on season 1 of Off Campus as hockey players John Tucker and John Logan, respectively.
The speculation continued when an Off Campus fan account pointed out that Brooks, 24, and Cipriano, 26, followed Rowland back. Additionally, the Sweet Magnolias alum also happens to follow fellow Off Campus star Stephen Kalyn, who appears on the show as Dean Di Laurentis.
Courtesy Of Netflix Carson Rowland knows that Sweet Magnolias fans love the relationship between Ty and Annie — and believes their “Jim and Pam” dynamic is a big reason why. “The writers, they love this slow burn. And I think what they’re doing is turning the furnace on so gradually to get people’s excitement up, […]
The fan account wrote that the mutual followings are “sparking rumors about a possible appearance by [Rowland] in the series.”
Meanwhile, several fans have expressed hope that Rowland will play Jake Connelly in Off Campus. In the popular book series that inspired the show, written by Elle Kennedy, Jake is the star forward and captain of the Harvard hockey team.
“I hope that Carson Rowland, whom the Off Campus guys have been following, is Jake Connelly,” another social media user wrote.
One fan said that Rowland “looks just like Jake,” while another chimed in that Rowland being cast as Jake was her “first thought” and she won’t be “complaining” if the actor actually joins the show.
Despite the fan speculation, neither Rowland nor the creative team behind Off Campus has publicly commented on the casting rumors. Us has reached out to Rowland for comment.
Off Campus author Elle Kennedy is sounding off on the show potentially making changes by shifting the book order. “The first season is Hannah and Garrett. You get to see the glimpses of the other characters, so fans are going to be like, ‘Who’s next? What’s going to happen?’” Kennedy exclusively told Us Weekly. “We’ll […]
At the end of season 4 of Sweet Magnolias, Ty was at a crossroads while deciding if he should tour the world with his bandmate Olivia (Tommi Rose) or stay close to Serenity amid his romance with Annie (Anneliese Judge). Ty and Annie ended the season at odds when he asked her to defer her dream college in California so that she could go on tour with him instead.
While many fans were hoping to see Ty and Annie’s relationship continue to bloom, Anderson insisted to Us that the show will continue to share meaningful stories amid Rowland’s absence.
“In his leaving, we wanted to make the best of the situation,” she said. “And look at what happens when people leave the people they love to chase a dream.”
Alex Rodriguez’s ex-girlfriend, Jaclyn Cordeiro, is sending a message about “peace” after the pair called it quits.
“POV: You’re in your 40s and realize peace is the new luxury. Peace comes from protecting your energy, releasing control, and giving yourself permission to rest,” Cordeiro, 46, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, May 26. “1. Protect your time. Peace often starts with boundaries. Not every call, invitation, conflict, or expectation deserves access to you.”
She continued, “2. Accept what you can’t control. The need to fix everyone and everything steals peace faster than almost anything. Focus energy where you actually have influence. 3. Make space for yourself without guilt. Even one quiet hour to rest, walk, sit in the sun, or do nothing is not selfish. It’s maintenance for the person carrying so much. Jac🫶🏻.”
Days prior, Cordeiro shared that she and Rodriguez, 50, had gone their separate ways.
“To clarify, Alex and I are currently taking some time apart, but there continues to be mutual love, care and deep respect between us and for our families. We remain supportive of one another, and there is absolutely no animosity, drama or negative story here,” Cordeiro told TMZ in a statement published on May 21.
The statement continued, “I’m also navigating a serious health matter involving a family member at this time, so my focus is understandably there. Alex and I continue to be very close, and out of respect for everyone involved, especially our daughters and loved ones, I’d kindly ask that any reporting reflects the compassion and privacy this situation deserves.”
Us Weekly confirmed in October 2022 that Rodriguez began dating Cordeiro. Prior to his relationship with Cordeiro, Rodriguez was married to ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis until their split in 2008. The pair share daughters Natasha, 21, and Ella, 18. He was also engaged to Jennifer Lopez from 2019 to 2021.
Alex Rodriguez shared a cryptic message just after his ex-fiancée, Jennifer Lopez, filed for divorce from her husband, Ben Affleck. “You either go one way or the other, you might as well be the one deciding the direction,” a years-old quote attributed to Rodriguez, 49, read via The Concept’s Instagram on Tuesday, August 20. The […]
In 2023, Rodriguez recalled a pivotal moment in his life when Cordiero was there for him.
“I went with Jac, and we were waiting for Natasha [before we left]. We got there early to her dorms, and we saw a handful of parents saying goodbye to their children,” he recalled to Us at the time of move-in day. “And it was funny, every time it was exactly the same. The parents were a mess. The father would go into the driver’s seat, the mom would give the hug to the young man or the young woman, and every time it was like the mom crying and the child consoling, [which was] kind of cute. It was no different with me.”
Authorities are crediting a “group of private citizens” for ultimately recovering the body of Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown.
“On Saturday, May 30, 2026, a group of private citizens conducting a search along the Okanogan River located a deceased individual in the river,” a Sunday, May 31, updated press release shared by Washington state’s Okanogan County Sheriff Office’s official Facebook account read in part. “The individual was recovered and brought to shore, where he was positively identified as Matthew Brown.”
The press release, signed by Sheriff Jodie Barcus, continued, “Matthew Brown has been transferred into the custody and care of the Okanogan County Coroner. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner’s Office. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to Mr. Brown’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The press release concluded by stating that “no further information” will be released, citing an “ongoing investigation” into the reality TV star’s untimely death.
Authorities have suspended the search for a man feared to be Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown. “Search efforts to locate the male reported deceased in the Okanogan River continued through Friday 5/29/2026,” Sheriff Jodie Barcus said in an updated press release shared via the Office of the Okanogan County Sheriff’s official Facebook account on […]
Bear Brown, Matt’s brother, confirmed his sibling’s death at the age of 43 via TikTok on Saturday, revealing that their other brother, Noah Brown, was with the group of private citizens when they located his oldest brother’s remains.
“They found a body in the river a few hours ago and it was positively identified as being Matt,” Bear, 38, said at the time. “Noah was with them and helped them pull the body out of the water. Noah identified [Matt].”
While an official cause of death has yet to be publicly revealed at the time of publication, Bear speculated that his brother’s death was “self-inflicted,” adding that he “never would have suspected that [Matt] would have hurt himself” even though his brother “struggled for a long time.”
“I was so worried that he would end up ODed or something like that,” he continued. “I didn’t think he would hurt himself.”
He added, “I ask people to please, please be respectful to my family and to my mom. Please watch the comments that you leave, guys. Sometimes words can hurt more than fists can … In one of [Matt’s] last videos, he was talking about how negative people were on his posts. You guys should keep in mind that people on the other side of your screen, people you are watching a video of, are real people too.”
Later, Noah broke his silence in the wake of his oldest brother’s death, confirming he ID’d Matt’s body.
“For the past couple of days, I’ve been working with search and rescue groups trying to locate the body and today at 3:27, the group that I was working with located the missing body and I identified it as Matthew,” he told the camera. “My oldest brother, Matthew Brown, has passed away.”
He added, “I was there when we pulled him out of the river. We hauled him up off the bank and then after the sheriff’s got there and everything, the coroner did his thing and I went down to identify that it was him.”
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Entertainment
57 Years Later, John Wayne’s Best Western Is Officially Neighbors With Taylor Sheridan
There were a lot of Westerns made in the 1950s and 1960s, but this one in particular holds a very special place in the history of the genre. This smashed box office expectations, earned an Oscar at long last for its legendary star, and is probably on the Mount Rushmore of horseback movies. Now, it’s streaming once again, so saddle up.
True Grit is moseying onto Paramount+ in June, bringing the legendary 1969 Western back for viewers who want to revisit the adventures of the iconic Rooster Cogburn. Directed by Henry Hathaway, the film is based on Charles Portis’ 1968 novel of the same name and remains one of the most recognizable Westerns of its era. The cast includes John Wayne (The Searchers) as Rooster Cogburn, Kim Darby (Better Off Dead) as Mattie Ross, Glen Campbell (Norwood) as La Boeuf, Robert Duvall (The Godfather) as Ned Pepper, Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider) as Moon, Jeremy Slate (The Born Losers) as Emmett Quincy, and Strother Martin (Cool Hand Luke) as Colonel Stonehill.
The story follows Mattie Ross, a young woman that won’t take no for an answer who hires aging U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn to help track down the man who murdered her father. Along the way, they are joined by Texas Ranger La Boeuf, creating a strange, prickly trio as they head into dangerous territory in pursuit of justice.
Was ‘True Grit’ Successful?
The movie ended up being one of the defining films of Wayne’s career. The movie earned about $31.1 million domestically, which is roughly $275 million in today’s money, and around $37.7 million worldwide, which works out to around $333 million today. AFI also notes that it earned $11.5 million in film rentals in 1969, equal to roughly $102 million today. And not just that, it was a major success on the awards circuit, with Wayne winning his first and only Academy Award for playing Rooster Cogburn, while it also received a nomination for Best Original Song.
The Coen brothers later adapted the same novel in 2010 with Jeff Bridges and a wonderful debuting Hailee Steinfeld, but the Wayne version still has its own appeal. It’s a broader and more traditional movie, but more than anything, it’s a classic studio Western firing on all cylinders.
True Grit streams on Paramount+ in June.
- Release Date
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June 11, 1969
- Runtime
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128 minutes
- Director
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Henry Hathaway
- Writers
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Charles Portis, Marguerite Roberts
Nothing unites the world better than comedy, and sitcoms have long been one of television’s greatest sources of laughter. From early classics like I Love Lucy to modern hits like St. Denis Medical, the genre has constantly reinvented itself to reflect changing times and audiences. Yet despite those changes, certain sitcoms have managed to stand the test of time — not always because they are technically the best, but because they hold a special place in viewers’ lives.
Whether it’s a sitcom broadcast in over 100 countries across the globe or one that has surpassed 805 episodes and counting, these series have become beloved comfort watches for generations of audiences. Their memorable characters, timeless humor, and relatable stories continue to resonate no matter the era. Without further ado, here are the most universally beloved sitcoms of all time.
6
‘The Office’ (2005–2013)
Corporate culture is usually the last place people try to be funny. That’s not the case with The Office, which shows what happens when the stuffiest workplace turns into one of television’s quirkiest and most chaotic comedies. In the beginning, the Dunder Mifflin paper company branch looks like nothing more than a washed-out office stranded in the middle of nowhere in Scranton. The most exciting thing that probably happens there is the arrival of new office supplies. But The Office has a charm that sneaks up on audiences, and it’s all thanks to its beloved manager and eccentric staff.
The thing about The Office is that it takes familiar office tropes and pushes them to hilarious extremes. Not every viewer has worked in corporate, but almost everyone has dealt with an incompetent and wildly unprofessional boss like Michael Scott (Steve Carell). We’ve all encountered uptight coworkers like Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and jokesters like Jim Halpert (John Krasinski). What most people don’t have is the ability to turn the most awkward and inappropriate workplace situations into genuine comedy. If there’s any show where ignoring HR policies and doing anything except actual work literally feels acceptable, it’s The Office.
5
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)
No other dysfunctional fictional family has kept the world entertained quite like The Simpsons. If its 36 years on air aren’t proof enough of its timeless appeal — alongside its eerily accurate real-life predictions — the show has become a television staple because of its slice-of-life adventures that remain relatable no matter what era audiences watch them in. Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) is the kind of father nobody would want in real life, yet viewers can’t help but feel both dumbstruck and amazed by his immature shenanigans.
The chaos is balanced out by the rest of the family, especially the far more emotionally grounded Marge Simpson (Julie Kavner) and her troupe of rowdy children. While they began as America’s most scandalous, dysfunctional family, The Simpsons has spent decades showing that families are meant to be imperfect. Most families may not cause riots in elementary schools or meltdowns across small-town Springfield. Still, it’s refreshing to see the series tear down the stereotypical white-picket-fence family image that television had pushed for generations.
4
‘Friends’ (1994–2004)
Loyalty, dependability, and compassion are universal languages that anyone around the world can understand. That’s why a show like Friends, despite being firmly rooted in New York City, didn’t just attract an average of 25 million viewers per episode in the United States, but also became a global pop culture phenomenon syndicated in over 100 countries. Not everyone gets along with their own family, but audiences have always found comfort in the idea of a chosen family. That’s exactly what Friends is about: a group of late twenty-somethings who feel like they should have their lives figured out by now, but absolutely don’t. But that’s okay, because they have each other to sort it all out together.
Just like the audience watching them, the Friends gang thinks they have this whole adulthood thing under control. But Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) literally walks out of her own wedding, Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) quits his stable data-processing job in his thirties to pursue a marketing internship, and Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) barely knows who her biological father is. Life may be unpredictable, but what remains constant is that they always have friends they can rely on when everything falls apart. In a generation where everyone seems socially disconnected despite being constantly linked through technology, the camaraderie in Friends feels like a bittersweet reminder of just how important friendship really is.
3
‘Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)
Schitt’s Creek follows the once-wealthy Rose family after they lose their fortune to fraud. Left with almost nothing, former video store mogul Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) discovers the only asset he still owns is Schitt’s Creek, a rundown town he jokingly bought years ago for his son David. Forced to abandon their lavish lifestyle, Johnny, his dramatic soap-star wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara), socialite daughter Alexis (Annie Murphy), and eccentric David (Dan Levy) must adjust to life in a shabby motel while navigating the quirky townspeople they once considered beneath them.
Part of the show’s appeal comes from watching the Roses stumble through everyday life completely out of touch with reality. Their arrogance and cluelessness make for endless laughs, but over six seasons, Schitt’s Creek gradually reveals how much these characters are capable of changing. What begins as a story about a spoiled family losing everything slowly becomes one about personal growth, humility, and finding purpose. Johnny rebuilds the motel business, Alexis pursues her education and career, Moira becomes involved in the town, and David follows his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps.
2
‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–Present)
Teaching is a noble profession, but it doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves. Abbott Elementary tells a story that both school staff and students can relate to. There are the teachers who do everything in their power with limited resources to provide the best learning experience for their students, and then there are the students, who, despite still being in kindergarten and elementary school, are incredibly bright for their age. Which brings us to one of the show’s funniest aspects: sometimes your biggest critics aren’t your fellow teachers, but your own students.
The teaching staff at Abbott Elementary is a rowdy bunch. While there are teachers like the overly passionate yet naive Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and the seasoned veteran Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph), there’s also the low-key gangster Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) and the questionable hustler Ava Coleman (Janelle James). Although they always have the kids’ best interests at heart, their methods don’t always translate well, leading to plenty of hilarious moments. From teachers getting caught “smoking” by a student to one becoming far too attached to a class pet, the show proves that no matter how imperfect these teachers may be, they’re still willing to learn and grow alongside their classes.
1
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)
“Nine-nine!” Chaos is practically part of the job description in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Set inside the fictional 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department, the series follows Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), a talented investigator whose immature antics and sloppy habits constantly test the patience of his coworkers. His biggest rival, the ambitious and highly organized Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), is determined to outshine him at every turn. Things become even more chaotic when the strict and emotionless Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher) takes command of the precinct and clashes with Jake’s carefree attitude.
With lives at stake, a police precinct should remain vigilant and ready for action. But Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the complete opposite of that. Almost everyone on the force possesses exceptional talent, but it’s what they do with those talents that makes the show so hilarious. They still solve cases, though usually on their own terms, leading to shenanigans like Peralta going completely off the book or one of Santiago’s perfectly planned schemes falling absolutely haywire. No matter how big their egos may be, however, protecting the people of Brooklyn always remains their top priority.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Release Date
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2013 – 2021-00-00
- Directors
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Michael McDonald, Claire Scanlon, Linda Mendoza, Dean Holland, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Victor Nelli Jr., Craig Zisk, Tristram Shapeero, Rebecca Asher, Eric Appel, Maggie Carey, Alex Reid, Giovani Lampassi, Nisha Ganatra, Ryan Case, Trent O’Donnell, Matt Nodella, Jamie Babbit, Ken Whittingham, Max Winkler, Akiva Schaffer, Fred Goss, Jaffar Mahmood, Julie Anne Robinson
As Johnny Depp mounts a return to the mainstream following a decade spent on the sidelines because of personal legal issues, one of his last real hits is coming to Prime Video. The movie can ease the audience back into Depp’s corner, provided that they’re interested in being there. The crime drama was released at a time when Depp was experiencing something of a purple patch at the box office. In a few years, his commercial pull would take a major hit. This was one of the many reasons why studios severed ties with him when his legal troubles overshadowed every other aspect of his career.
The movie also marked one of the rare occasions on which Depp agreed to work with an American auteur who wasn’t Tim Burton, at least during the 2000s. In 2009, he agreed to appear in Terry Gilliam‘s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, where he filled in for the late Heath Ledger along with Colin Farrell and Jude Law. It was in that same year that Depp headlined the crime drama we’re talking about. He played a notorious real-life gangster who was viewed as a Robin Hood-type figure during the Great Depression. Incidentally, Depp’s movie was released in the wake of the Great Recession of 2008.
Here’s When You Can Watch Johnny Depp’s Gangster Movie on Prime Video
We’re talking, of course, about Public Enemies, directed by Michael Mann. The movie grossed over $210 million worldwide against a reported budget of around $100 million, making it the second-most successful film of Mann’s career behind Collateral. Public Enemies featured Depp as John Dillinger, a Chicago bank robber who is tailed by FBI agent Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale. Marion Cotillard appeared as Dillinger’s girlfriend, while a murderer’s row of acclaimed character actors played supporting roles. This group included Jason Clarke, Stephen Graham, Bill Camp, Shawn Hatosy, Giovanni Ribisi, and John Ortiz, among others. Interestingly, Public Enemies also featured Channing Tatum and Carey Mulligan in cameos. The movie holds a 68% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Michael Mann’s latest is a competent and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances, but some may find the film lacks truly compelling drama.” Mann is now putting together his most ambitious project yet: Heat 2, which will reportedly enter production with some of the biggest stars in the world shortly. You can watch Public Enemies on Prime Video from June 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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July 1, 2009
- Runtime
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140 minutes
- Director
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Michael Mann
- Writers
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Ann Biderman, Michael Mann, Ronan Bennett
- Producers
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Kevin Misher
Hulu’s 83% Rotten Tomatoes sci-fi series is dominating Netflix charts globally just days after arriving on the streaming giant, and its momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Its spin-off, which recently ended its first season with a game-changing finale, has partly contributed to the renewed success, alongside the show’s consistently powerful episodes. Running for six seasons from April 26, 2017, to May 27, 2025, the series was created by Bruce Miller, whose work on the show earned Emmy wins in 2017 for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
As the first streaming series ever to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, The Handmaid’s Tale has enjoyed remarkable success since its debut. Based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling novel, the dystopian drama is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society established in what was once part of the United States. Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as state property, forcing fertile women, known as “Handmaids,” into child-bearing servitude in a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world.
The Handmaid’s Tale was added to Netflix’s catalog in select regions in early May and quickly captured the attention of viewers worldwide. This week alone, the series has surged on the platform’s charts, ranking among the Top 10 most-watched shows in international territories, including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, and Mexico, among others. That makes it the perfect binge-watch heading into the weekend, especially since its spin-off, The Testaments, just concluded its first season and is already expected to return for Season 2.
‘The Testaments’ Is a Gripping Spin-Off of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Also created by Miller, The Handmaid’s Tale spin-off premiered on April 8, 2026, with its Season 1 finale airing on May 27. The Testaments follows Agnes (Chase Infiniti), a young woman raised in upper-class Gilead society and educated at a prestigious girls’ school overseen by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), all in preparation for a prosperous marriage. But then there’s Daisy (Lucy Halliday) from the independent city of Toronto, whom Aunt Lydia orders Agnes to mentor, not knowing she’s a spy.
Agnes is the daughter of June (Elisabeth Moss), the central protagonist of The Handmaid’s Tale, who successfully escaped Gilead but was tragically separated from her first child. In The Testaments‘ finale, titled “Secateurs,” mother and daughter are still not reunited, but Agnes finally learns the truth about her birth mother after Daisy reveals that Agnes’ birth name is actually Hannah.
The Handmaid’s Tale streams on Netflix.
- Release Date
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2017 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Hulu
- Showrunner
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Bruce Miller
- Directors
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Mike Barker, Kari Skogland, Daina Reid, Reed Morano, Floria Sigismondi, Jeremy Podeswa, Kate Dennis, Richard Shepard, Amma Asante, Christina Choe, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Bradley Whitford, Dearbhla Walsh, Liz Garbus
- Writers
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Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, John Herrera, Jacey Heldrich, Dorothy Fortenberry, Marissa Jo Cerar, Lynn Renee Maxcy
Tom Parker’s widow, Kelsey Parker, is expanding her family.
“A year ago next month, we lost our beautiful baby boy, Phoenix 🤍,” Kelsey wrote via Instagram on Sunday, May 31. “And somehow, through all the heartbreak, it feels like Tom and Phoenix have sent us another little gift from heaven our little rainbow baby ✨.”
In the clip shared via Instagram, Kelsey and her family piled their hands on top of each other before unveiling a black-and-white ultrasound image of the pregnancy. A feather was then placed over the pic.
Kelsey’s pregnancy announcement comes nearly one year after she shared the loss of her son with boyfriend Will Lindsay.
“Phoenix Parker-Lindsay, you will forever be loved,” Kelsey wrote via an Instagram post at the time.
“For Phoenix, Born Sleeping, Forever Loved,” the poem began. “The world grew quiet as you arrived / So loved, so longed for, yet not alive / Our precious boy, our angel light / Born with wings, took silent flight. We named you Phoenix, brave and bright / A soul of love, of warmth and light / Though we never heard you cry / You’ll live in hearts that won’t ask why. No breath you drew, no eyes to see / Still, you mean everything to me / You’ll journey with us, softly near / In every sigh, in every tear.”
Kelsey also shared a message via her Instagram Story, where she asked for privacy for her and her family.
“Before I receive an influx of lovely messages and heart-felt well wishes, I want to just say that I truly appreciate everything you are all going to say and share,” she wrote. “But with the news being so raw, I would really like to ensure that we as a family are given space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news.”
Tom Parker’s widow, Kelsey Parker, is pregnant and expecting a baby with boyfriend Will Lindsay. “Tom and I always said we wanted four, but life had other plans,” Kelsey, 34, told the U.K.’s The Mirror in an interview published on Sunday, January 26. “So yes, this is amazing but also bittersweet. The joys of finding […]
Kelsey became a mom when she and Tom welcomed their children, Aurelia and Bohi. Tom died in 2022 at the age of 33 after a stage four glioblastoma diagnosis.
“Tom and I always said we wanted four — but life had other plans,” she told The Mirror in 2025, while confirming her pregnancy. “So yes, this is amazing but also bittersweet. The joys of finding out I’m pregnant and moving forward with my life, while thinking, ‘My life could have been so different. I’ve felt every emotion under the sun.”
She continued, “I’m still getting my head around it, but I’m so excited. And I know I’m putting myself out there, telling people. I just want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
Netflix is a bounty of entertaining content. The platform has produced countless original series over the years, but only a select few from the streaming service’s massive library have managed to feel genuinely near-perfect from beginning to end. Whether through consistently gripping pacing, emotionally layered storytelling, breathtaking visuals, or unforgettable characters, those select few are some of Netflix’s most rewarding series that should honestly be consistently shared with others.
Near-perfect icons of the streaming service like sci-fi watch Alice in Borderland, which transforms its survival drama into a tense psychological thriller filled with unpredictable twists and emotional desperation, and Stranger Things, another bout of sci-fi brilliance on Netflix that stands as a global phenomenon, are just two examples of what the platform has produced in recent years. On this list are some of Netflix’s near-perfect watches that are definitely worth spending time watching once or even twice.
8
‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)
Arcane is a fantastic Netflix series that counts as a great success among the best video game adaptations. Set between Piltover and Zaun, the show features technological transformation, class fracture, and family rupture through the eyes of figures like Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Caitlyn (Katie Leung), as they become entrenched in violent unrest, political conflict, and the increasingly rapid divide between the two cities.
Few animated series in recent years have succeeded in the ways that Arcane has. It’s a meticulously crafted gem that wields every frame, action sequence, and emotional beat to reflect the extraordinary level of artistic precision the fantasy drama has. What makes Arcane a near-perfect watch is the show’s outright clearing of three bars all at once: it is critically bulletproof, visually revolutionary, and emotionally legible to non-gamers, marking it a perfect match for this list of near-perfect Netflix greats that all subscribers should take the time out to watch.
7
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Stranger Things is a Netflix sci-fi original series that has truly captured mainstream audiences quite thoroughly. The series follows the mysterious disappearance of the young Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), as his family and friends find themselves desperate in search of him, stumbling across a troubling conspiracy of experiments, alternate dimensions, supernatural predation, and telepathic, waffle-loving little girls.
Stranger Things is its own cultural phenomenon thanks to its genuinely lovable cast, nostalgic atmosphere, and absolutely thrilling supernatural mystery. The series is a hypnotizing blend of Spielberg-inspired adventure with heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling and horror, making this list because it stands as one of the clearest examples of understanding how to create event television. Stranger Things is well-deserving of its status as one of Netflix’s near-perfect works because even with its quieter moments, it remains a deeply entertaining and emotionally engaging series rife with suspenseful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and massive crowd-pleasing spectacles.
6
‘Derry Girls’ (2018–2022)
This underrated good time is one of Netflix’s best-kept secrets. Derry Girls centers on a chaotic friend group, including Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), and James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), as they bumble, panic, posture, and self-mythologize their way through adolescence in 1990s Derry during a rather overall troubling time.
Derry Girls is an extremely charming watch. The Netflix comedy-drama deserves far more attention than it’s ever received. It’s impossibly funny, with outrageous characters that add to the show’s hilarity while still delivering heartfelt, wholesome moments and a surprisingly sincere coming-of-age story buried underneath all the often-frantic madness. Derry Girls is no doubt an outstanding series, with emotional warmth, sharp writing, and endlessly lovable character dynamics that make every chaotic episode feel incredibly memorable, marking it as a watch worth diving into.
5
‘Sex Education’ (2019–2023)
Sex Education is another teen drama that is hilariously adult in the most important ways. The drama focuses on the horribly awkward and anxious teen Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), as he uses the knowledge he’s gained from his sex therapist mother, Jean (Gillian Anderson), to start an underground clinic at school, where he advises other teens on all things sex.
Sex Education may be a teen drama, but its balance of coming-of-age storytelling and mature discussions about relationships and emotional honesty makes it the perfect watch for most adults. The show may be incredibly bawdy, yes, but it’s also extremely sex-positive, humane, and strangely attentive to things like shame, religion, disabilities, identity, friendship, and emotional education. Sex Education is a British drama that deserves far more attention than it’s ever received simply because it’s honestly one of the best shows Netflix has ever produced.
4
‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)
This thrilling historical drama is genuinely consistent in its high quality across its multiple seasons. The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon-born man who was once raised by Danes, and is constantly forced to keep choosing between blood, belief, and ambition in a Britain being violently remade.
The Last Kingdom is for anyone who desires a gripping historical drama rife with political betrayal, brutal warfare, emotional character arcs, and deeply satisfying long-form storytelling. Even beyond its absolutely thrilling action and historical spectacle, The Last Kingdom delivers a strong emotional core, memorable characters, and consistently engaging pacing. It’s one of those rare watches that feels insanely rewarding with each season. The Last Kingdom is entertainment brilliance that succeeds as a Netflix epic for viewers addicted to layered conflicts, large-scale historical storytelling, and emotionally driven warrior journeys.
3
‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–Present)
Alice in Borderland is a constantly overlooked gem, whose near-perfection isn’t acknowledged nearly enough. The series centers on the drifting gamer with no clear place in ordinary life, Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), as he and his two friends wake up in an emptied-out Tokyo where survival depends on deadly games that expose intellect, fear, selfishness, and despair.
Alice in Borderland is quality sci-fi television. Viewers who have seen the series have lauded it as an underrated bout of perfection that offers thrills, fright, and emotional sincerity. The Netflix series is impeccably bingeable, a hard-hitting action with a crisp survival design and enough emotional seriousness to keep it from becoming just another empty spectacle. Alice in Borderland may have its flaws in its much later seasons, but the series is a quality watch that creates a viewing experience that feels constantly suspenseful.
2
‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)
This compellingly brilliant sci-fi spectacle is one of the finest, most unpredictable anthology series ever created. Black Mirror centers around episodic, standalone stories. Black Mirror stands as an incredibly compelling and rather unsettling examination of humanity’s relationship with technology — it’s amazingly ambitious in its concepts and haunting social commentary.
It’s a watch that very few shows even come close to matching in creativity and quality. Netflix subscribers who haven’t seen the show should definitely dive into the series, as it offers episode after episode of new worlds, moral dilemmas, and emotional nightmares, constantly exploring how things like social media, innovation, surveillance, and outright digital obsession can reshape human behavior in deeply disturbing ways. Black Mirror is no doubt extremely bleak, but it also stands as one of Netflix’s bright spots that has had a hand in setting the standard for quality sci-fi series.
1
‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)
Sense8 is an underrated sci-fi masterpiece that tells an emotionally expansive story. The incredible series follows eight perfect strangers around the world who become inexplicably linked and must survive being hunted by malicious forces that see them as a threat.
Sense8 is a bout of brilliance that everyone should indulge in. It’s an extremely underrated Netflix beauty that never truly found its way into mainstream conversations. Sense8 actually stands as one of the streaming platform’s most bold and most emotionally ambitious originals, delivering a quality series that at its core explores connection. It’s a masterful sci-fi watch that is genuinely unforgettable. Most who have seen the series have praised it for its groundbreaking representation and creative storytelling. Sense8 may have never succeeded in gaining an overwhelming audience, but it’s a near-perfect Netflix gem that is definitely worth taking the chance on.
Influencer Estee Williams is paying tribute to her 8-month-old daughter, Estelle, after her death.
“Until we meet again, my sweet Estelle,” Williams wrote via her Instagram Story on Saturday, May 30, alongside a photo of her holding her daughter. She added an angel wings emoji to the image.
Williams confirmed to People on Sunday, May 31, that Estelle died from multiple organ failure and had spent several months hooked up to various hospital machines.
Williams gave birth to Estelle in 2025. The baby was born with the congenital heart defect known as ventricular septal defect.
Influencer Esther Thomas has died after undergoing surgery. “Greetings … We the family of Esther Thomas [A.K.A Sunshine] with pain in our heart we regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter Esther Thomas who suddenly passed away on the 9th of January 2026 after an unsuccessful surgery,” a statement shared […]
“After a two-day long labor and complete exhaustion, my midwife and I agreed that transferring to the hospital was the best decision. Estelle was born another 24 hours later — healthy and absolutely beautiful. It wasn’t until a day and a half later that she failed two oxygen saturation screenings and a heart murmur was detected, at which point she was admitted to the NICU for further evaluation,” Williams wrote via Instagram in 2025.
She continued, “The cardiologist performed an echocardiogram, and that’s when we learned she had two VSDs — one large and one moderate. We were told the larger hole measured 11 mm and that, sometime during her infancy, she would likely begin to show symptoms and need open-heart surgery to repair the VSDs with patches. Four days later, we were able to go home and begin our baby girl’s heart journey.”
Williams shared that Estelle’s surgery was scheduled in November 2025, which was expected to be a “relatively short hospital stay” meaning about three to six days after surgery.
“Our baby girl’s surgery was a success! The surgeon shared that hers was the largest VSD he had ever seen or repaired — measuring 30 mm and requiring a 3cm patch. A Healthy baby’s heart her age/weight would typically be about the size of a walnut, but because of the immense work her heart was doing to keep her alive, hers had grown to the size of an orange. It truly felt miraculous that we were able to bring our baby home from the NICU and that she was able to grow, even if only a little, before her surgery,” Williams wrote at the time.
Australian influencer Erin Oudshoorn is mourning the death of her 6-year-old daughter, Luella “Lulu.” “It is with the most painful, shattered heart to share that our darling Lulu passed away peacefully in our arms yesterday, surrounded and profoundly loved on by all of her extended family,” Oudshoorn wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, January 27. “Dave […]
Williams explained that because the “patch was so extensive and unable to contract like a normal septum,” Estelle’s “postoperative court became entirely unanticipated and was marked by significant complications.” Within two weeks, Estelle had “undergone her second heart surgery due to her complete heart block.”
After Estelle went into cardiac arrest in December 2025, she was placed on life support. Williams was told that her daughter could not leave the hospital until she had a heart transplant.
In April, Williams shared that Estelle was considered ineligible because of various health complications, including sepsis and issues with blood clotting. After the situation improved, Williams shared that Estelle was granted eligibility again. Earlier this month, Williams explained that Estelle had been removed from the transplant list for a second time.
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