For eight seasons, Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley played one of the hottest couples on television in the 2010s in The Vampire Diaries. The complicated romantic entanglement between the former’s Elena Gilbert and the latter’s good-hearted, over-a-century-old vampire Stefan Salvatore was the beating heart of The CW’s hit teen drama, even though the duo ultimately didn’t end up together. Yet, even after Stefan’s death and the death of TVD itself, the duo recently found their way back to each other when Dobrev and Wesley were cast in another book adaptation, You Deserve to Know, at Hulu. According to Dobrev, this wasn’t just happenstance, either.

The star recently sat down for an interview with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt for her new film, The Get Out, where the topic of her recently announced new role was brought up. She revealed that the mystery series came about for the duo because of the real relationship they built working together on The Vampire Diaries and their desire to collaborate again ever since the finale in 2017. “We have been plotting this behind the scenes for many years now, to be completely honest with you,” she said. “Paul and I have been wanting to… We’re really close, and we spend a lot of time together, and we have since the show ended, and we’ve talked about wanting to find the right thing.”

You Deserve to Know is based on Aggie Blum Thompson‘s 2025 novel of the same name, following three suburban couples whose tight-knit friendship with each other is upended when one of their husbands is murdered. With the idyllic peace of their cul-de-sac shattered, the cracks in the wives’ friendship become visible, and their dirty secrets and long-simmering tensions bubble to the surface. Dobrev plays Gwen, the member of the trio who lost her spouse and now has to weigh whether she can rely on her friends or face the harsh reality that their bond isn’t as airtight as it seemed. She’s bound to collide with Wesley’s character, Scott, another neighbor who’s on the opposite side of the murder investigation.

The choice to tackle such a story wasn’t made lightly, as Dobrev said her and Wesley’s goal was to find something that genuinely excited them that wasn’t an excuse to hang out, but instead something that honors their growth since TVD.

“Originally, we wanted to do a movie together, but we kept finding material or having things sent to us, because once we put it out there that we wanted to find something to do together again, a lot of things were sent to us, and we kept passing on everything. Nothing felt like the right thing. And we didn’t want to reunite just for the sake of reuniting for nostalgia’s sake. We really wanted it to be something that we both were really excited about that was elevated and different than the show, but also pays tribute in some way to the show as well, but with a fresh take and reflects who we are as people, as artists now 10 years later.”

Brian Tanen, who has previously written for Ugly Betty, Devious Maids, and Desperate Housewives, was tapped to adapt Smith’s book into a series, with a pair of production giants in Alex Cooper‘s Unwell and Aaron Kaplan‘s Kapital Entertainment backing the project. Ultimately, what got the pair involved and thinking this was the long-awaited idea they’d been searching for was Wesley actually cracking open the book himself. “I was slower to get to reading,” Dobrev continued. “It was sent to both of us, but he read it first, and he called me, and he was like, ‘You need to read this. I think this is it.’ And he kept on me — it was so annoying, to be honest with you — to read it. And then I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll get to it.’” Once she finally dug in, she instantly understood what her old on-screen boyfriend was so enamored by, and it quickly spurred them both to start gathering the right team to make their on-screen reunion finally happen.

“Then finally, once I did get to it, I finished the book in maybe a day or two, I couldn’t put it down, and I agreed with him that this was our next thing together. And so then started the long process of developing it and getting the team together and then finding the writer and creating the pitch and then pitching the studios. And so it’s been some time in the making. So it was really exciting for us to finally share it with the world that we were reuniting.”

Making the project even more exciting was the fact that they were more than just actors. Both Dobrev and Wesley are executive producing You Deserve to Know as well, getting them in on the ground floor of the adaptation process. “Not just as actors, but also that we’re executive producing it, and we’re bringing the story to life from both sides of the camera is extra exciting and special, especially after such a long journey together over the last however many years,” the actress ended.

What Is ‘The Get Out’ About?

Image via Vertical Entertainment

While her new Hulu series gets to work, Dobrev is currently busy enjoying a return to theaters with The Get Out. She plays the unhinged partner in crime of Aaron Paul, coming together to rob nightclub owner Marco Kapak (Russell Crowe), who’s nearing retirement. Directed by Derrick Borte, based on Thomas Perry‘s novel Strip, the film follows Marco’s attempts to leave his dangerous past behind him, though masked robbers are the least of his issues in that process. He’s also at the mercy of ruthless cartels and is trying to sway a mysterious buyer (Luke Evans) for his business, forcing him into a web of deception that makes escaping with his girlfriend, Sunny (Teresa Palmer), nigh impossible.

While the film is a silly crime comedy with Marco and Sunny’s relationship as its beating heart, there’s more depth than initially meets the eye. That’s especially true of its ending, which Dobrev explains is tied to the symbolism of California bears introduced in Marco’s journey for freedom. This idea of characters being driven from their homes and finding new starts applies just as much to her character, though the actress believes that Carrie is more deserving of getting a clean slate and, hopefully, grows from her experiences in a new life on the straight and narrow.

“Yeah, I mean, it symbolizes… Well, bears historically, especially in California, have been driven out of California, and they’ve had to go north and escape, and quite literally the title of the movie, The Get Out, it’s what we’ve done to them, and it’s what almost every character in this film… I think more so for Russell’s character, he’s been driven out of his home to seek asylum elsewhere and safety elsewhere like the bears in bear country, which is the National Bear of California. That was the original title of the film, and it still is the title in some territories, which is a little confusing, but that’s the main symbolism. In my character’s case, I mean, she’s sort of the only one who has a chance to start over, albeit by lying her way out of trouble, hopefully, but we don’t really see exactly what happens to her in the end, if she actually gets away with it or not. But I’d like to hope that she does, and maybe she learns something and grows and tries to start fresh on a more calm path for her future if she wants to have longevity.”

When asked about when the bear idea first resonated with her, Dobrev cited the first scene of Marco explaining the history of the bear, which admittedly baffled her upon first reading. “I remember being so confused,” she added. “Why are you telling this long monologue story about this?’ And then it finally comes together at the end, which I thought was really beautiful. And it’s that reminder for Carrie, she comes face to face with the bear, and it gives her that opportunity that it could destroy her, but it lets her go. And so it gives her the chance for a fresh start, like everyone in the film is looking for that.” She appreciated that The Get Out was willing to go a bit out there with an idea and trust audiences to follow along until it pays off in the end and beautifully ties into the story being told.

Dobrev’s ‘The Get Out’ Role Is “Unlike Anything” She’s “Ever Done Before”

Carrie is practically from a whole other planet compared to Dobrev’s role as Elena. The trailer alone paints a chaotic portrait of the character, who can be a bit of a literal shoot-first, ask questions later type, down to go along with her partner Jeff’s (Paul) plan. “She really wreaks a lot of havoc in this film, which is exciting and fun for me to play as an actor,” Dobrev told Lovitt. Having so much freedom to explore with this very different part, with some brilliant screen partners like Crowe and Palmer, as well as an old friend in Paul, proved to be a refreshing change of pace. “And that’s what drew me to wanting to play this character because it’s so unlike anything I’ve ever done before, and doing it in that environment with Aaron, who’s a longtime friend, allowed for me to have that comfort and safety to go big and try things and have that freedom and safety to explore in a way that I don’t know if I would have if it was with someone else. So I’m really grateful to him for that.”

Like the ending of the film, there’s a greater depth to Carrie that Dobrev wanted to capture. Her questionable decisions are rooted in a very identifiable feeling of restlessness in a world that has become even harder to get a leg up in. Dobrev approached the role with “a lot of sympathy for somebody, that I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, that millennials nowadays were not afforded what the boomers and what their predecessors had, and the opportunities, and with the inflation and housing going up, it’s not the same golden era that they were promised. And so she’s living not the life that she wants to live, it’s very mundane, and she’s looking for excitement in any way that she can, albeit without a lot of thought or foresight, it’s all very impulsive.”

The most critical part of selling Carrie as a character with a conscience was ensuring that those moments of clarity, where the reality of her actions set in, are played with real gravity. Another boon to The Get Out was that Dobrev was able to give her input on how to best get that point across and make her less of a “caricature.”

“And I know those people. I know the people that speak before they think, that act before taking some time to really consider what the consequences will be, and you get to see that moment for Carrie where she’s impulsive, impulsive, impulsive, and then reality sets in once she goes one step too far, and she realizes what she’s done and finally has a wake-up call and a conscience. And that scene actually in the car with Aaron when she’s throwing the money out of the car, that wasn’t scripted that way. Initially, they were just celebrating that they got away with it, and I was like, ‘I don’t know, I feel like this should be a wake-up call for her, for her character arc to ground her and make her a real person instead of a caricature.’ I really felt like it was important to make sure that for her arc that she comes to her senses.”

Derrick Borte Made ‘The Get Out’ a Collaborative Experience

Image via Vertical

Getting that level of agency within a role comes with “time and experience,” Dobrev says. “When I first started, I was just happy to be there and have a job. As I get older, I’m getting much pickier, and it’s so important to me the material, the character, who I’m working with, personalities. Life’s just too short at this point to not be creatively fulfilled, but also just have fun and be around good people, and enjoy yourself.” Borte, in particular, sold her on The Get Out, as she immediately knew from their first meeting that “he was a collaborator” and not merely a director. “He was very open to letting us bring these characters to life.”

Dobrev wasn’t the only one whose role evolved thanks to Borte’s openness to suggestions. Crowe was also critical in shaping who Marco was and, in turn, how his journey unfolded to best portray him as a layered character. “I don’t know if I mentioned this already, but Russell Crowe, for example, it wasn’t scripted that he was Albanian,” she continued. “He decided he wanted to bring that layer to the role. And a lot of those decisions and little things elevated the script, and we all added our little things to each of our characters to help strengthen

it and make it what it ultimately became. And so I’m so grateful to Derrick for giving us that creative freedom and being open to collaboration and letting us improv on set.”

The Get Out‘s atmosphere of collaboration came to a head at the very end of the movie in a sequence involving Carrie that came largely off the top of Dobrev’s head. “I mean, the end credit scene where I’m sitting at the police station, that was almost entirely improv. So he just kept the camera rolling, and he was like, ‘Go for it.’” By all indications, Borte intimately understood who his cast was and what their level of comfort was when asked to take the reins of a scene. Thus, the final product that came to screens is a monument to the confidence he had in everyone to play their parts to perfection, from the Oscar-winning Crowe to Dobrev, and the rest of the cast of crooks inhabiting his world.

“And a lot of the scenes had an element of that, which was really great. And like I said before, I think it takes a lot of time and experience to be comfortable enough when you’re given that opportunity to improv and to play, and when a director asks you what you think about something to have not just the integrity, but the confidence to express your opinion and know that it will be received positively.”

The Get Out is now in theaters and available through video on demand. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on Dobrev’s new series, You Deserve to Know, as it continues development at Hulu.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

June 26, 2026

Runtime

Advertisement

96 minutes

Director

Derrick Borte

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Beyond the Gates early edition spoilers for July 06-10, 2026 hint Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) is talking about cheating wives, and she’s not even being ironic. Plus, Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) launches a new scheme against a family member of his precious Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli).

Beyond the Gates: Deanna’s Dilemma and Joey’s Suspicions

So, let’s start with Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) and her fixation on Joey Armstrong. Last Friday, Deanna went to see Kat Richardson (Colby Muhammad) at the hospital and the subject of Joey came up and Kat mentioned that she has a new perspective on Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) now. But Deanna doesn’t want a new perspective on Joey. And she tells Kat she will never give Joey a chance, even when Kat encourages Deanna to try.

So, outside of Uptown, we saw Deanna running into her dead dad, Doug McBride (Jason Graham) again, and he advised Deanna to stop being so aggressive towards Joey and told her she needs to be supportive of her mom, Vanessa, to get her away from Joey.

BTG Spoilers: Joey Suspicious of Deanna

So, the week of July 6th, we’ve got Joey on high alert. When Deanna was suddenly so supportive and nice to him and Vanessa on Friday, it was suspicious and Joey took notice. So, next week he asks his flunky Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) if Deanna would recognize him.

And Randy says, “Maybe, but why?” And Joey tells Randy that Deanna is his next job. The next thing you know, Randy is going to be meeting with Deanna at Caffeine Fix, the Beyond the Gates coffee shop. And she’s giving Randy a big hug. So, we’ll see what Joey’s up to, but he’s definitely suspicious of Vanessa’s daughter.

Beyond the Gates: Hospital Releases and Big Moments

Also, on Friday, we had Kat and Eva racing around trying to outdo each other on the walkers at the hospital after they’re both out of surgery. But next week, Kat is released from the hospital. So, that means Eva likely is as well.

And Kat gets a really warm reception at her grandparents house. So, Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) host a big celebration. And Tomas Navarro (Alex Alegria) brings Kat into the door and she’s blissed out over the surprise party there.

On hand are Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and Bradley Smitty Smith (Mike Manning) and Naomi Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit) and Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) and Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix) and Dani and Vernon and Anita and Kyle gets to come along and also Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman).

We may see Samantha Richardson (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell Richardson (Jaden Lucas Miller) as well. And in front of the whole family, Tomas drops down to one knee and proposes to Kat. So Tomas asks, “Will you do me the honor of my life and marry me?” And he pops open the ring box while Kat is looking stunned, but she is smiling.

Some new Beyond the Gates July spoilers say that Tomas and Kat are both stunned by the other. So Tomas’ proposal is what stuns Kat, I’m sure. But we’ll see what’s going to leave Tomas stunned. Maybe her answer. Remember Chelsea tried to discourage Tomas from proposing. She thought the timing was bad.

Beyond the Gates: Secrets and Surprises

Now, let’s talk secrets. We know Dani is keeping the huge secret that she did the dirty deed with her ex Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) in the elevator during the tornado, but Naomi is also sitting on a secret. And probably because of her own guilty conscience, Dani thinks it’s about sex.

So, Naomi tells Dani that she’s been lying to her husband Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) for months. And Dani tells Naomi if she turned to somebody else for comfort while Jacob was gone for so long, anyone would understand.

So, I wonder if Naomi is going to come clean to Dani about her BRCA gene mutation that she’s been hiding. But I do think that Naomi should tell Jacob the truth before she reveals the BRCA stuff to the Dupri side of the family.

Another July spoiler for this pair says Naomi and Jacob are making up for lost time. And of course, they had months of living apart while he was undercover, and they need to make up for all that. So, yay for Naomi and Jacob.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Hayley Speeds Things Up

Also, last week, we’ve got Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings) feeling threatened by Dani showing up at Bill’s office, and Hayley can tell there’s trouble, so she’s trying to speed up her timeline and finish off Bill. So, she dosed his whiskey with more poison, and then Hayley was playing sexy games to distract Bill.

So, the week of July 6th, we have creepy Mike Davis back up at Bill’s office talking smack about the case against Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) that he is pursuing with that frivolous lawsuit. And Hayley tells pervert Mike that he is crazy if he thinks he can win this case. And he tells Hayley and Bill that he knows he can win it.

So, we’ll also see mean old Mike sitting down with Bill, Naomi, and Madison. Looks like it might be time for some negotiations. Maybe Mike will come in with a more reasonable settlement proposal because last time Bill laughed in his face at how much they asked for.

Beyond the Gates: Hospital Drama and Romantic Developments

We also have the new chief of staff in place at Garland Memorial. Remember Vernon had asked Shanice Johnson’s (Ernestine Johnson) aunt, Dr. Monica McCormick (Iona Morris Jackson), to be the new chief of staff. Meanwhile, Ted was trying to put Nicole up for the job, but she didn’t even want it. So Monica agreed to take the chief position, at least for a while, but not forever, and she is fierce from day one.

When Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) is up at the hospital, Monica rolls up on Leslie and tells her, “As of today, the partnership between the hospital and Leslie’s free clinic is over.” And she is shocked and asks Monica, “Excuse me.” So, we’ll see if Leslie’s new leaf is really going to stay turned over.

So, I don’t know if Monica is cutting ties because of the scandal with the red market ring or maybe because she just doesn’t like Leslie, who’s always such a jerk to her daughter Shanice because she is dating Ted. I do wonder if Leslie will go whining to Ted about it and if he’ll help out. Hopefully, he’s not going soft on Leslie just because of the life and death crisis with Eva.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Ted & Shanice Get Romantic

Another spoiler says Ted and Shanice find time for romance, and I hope that Leslie doesn’t interrupt them. We’ll also see Andre and Dani trying to get on the same page, but she’s still sitting on that secret. And honestly, I don’t trust Bill not to blab it because he really seems to want Dani back. Then again, Hayley might just kill Bill before he gets the chance to spill the beans.

This past week, we saw Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob) softening up on Grayson Perez (Jordie Vilasuso). And another Beyond the Gates spoiler says Ashley and Grayson update their relationship status soon. So, that sounds like Ashley and Grayson are officially back on in coming days.

And last, we’re going to see Eva renegotiating terms with Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe). We know that he is supposed to be helping take care of Eva during her recovery at home because she told her mom Leslie, “No, she cannot move back in with her.”

So, we’ll see how these negotiations go between Eva and Isaiah on Beyond the Gates. And I think that they’re going to get a lot closer during her recovery when he’s there taking care of her. And it’s all very sweet.

Animation has such a packed and genuinely brilliant library that it is far too easy for stranger, quieter, or simply just less heavily promoted shows to fall through the cracks. Some of the best in the genre haven’t even been seen by mainstream audiences, sadly missed by viewers who would likely fall headfirst in love if they ever stumbled upon them. Even quite a few diehard fans of animation tend to let some of the greatest hits slip past them.

Standout but woefully underrated watches, like Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, which brings together Chinese mythology, teen comedy, supernatural danger, and personal identity in a captivatingly fresh way, and the anime World Trigger, which rewards its viewers with detailed team battles and smart, strategy-driven action, are just two examples of rewarding experiences in animation that most haven’t even heard of. Compiled on this list are the shows that may be standouts, featuring compelling storytelling, but have somehow been missed by even the most diehard animation fans.

‘Wakfu’ (2007–Present)

Image via France 3

Wakfu is truly peak animation television. The series follows the young Eliatrope, Yugo (Jules de Jongh), who discovers he can open portals and sets out to find his true family. Along the way, he gathers a loyal group of friends and embarks on an adventure rife with powerful enemies, ancient mysteries, and hidden truths that begin to quickly unravel.

Wakfu may be a colorful bout of animated fun that seems incredibly childish, but what truly makes it a number one standout is the fact that it sincerely lets adventure mature without becoming joyless. It’s a world-building experience that is well-crafted, with characters that are masterfully developed, offering audiences a story that’s expansive, funny, heartbreaking, and increasingly mythical. Most diehard fans aren’t even aware Wakfu even exists, despite how genuinely brilliant it is. The series begins as a simple, fantastical quest that gradually grows into a multi-season epic about destiny, identity, history, chosen family, and world-scale conflict, marking it as a masterpiece that may be consistently overlooked but stands as a quiet icon in the animation genre.

‘Astra Lost in Space’ (2019)

Image via Lerche

This underrated good time is a Japanese sci-fi animated series that has somehow slipped through the cracks due to how short and self-contained it is. Astra Lost in Space centers around a group of students who head to space, only to get stranded thousands of light-years away from home when the excursion is derailed by a mysterious anomaly.

There aren’t many anime sci-fi adventures that come with as many twists and shocking moments as Astra Lost in Space does. It’s a satisfying discovery for first-time viewers, most lauding the series as a hidden gem that charms with its humor, suspense, heart, and adventure. What truly makes Astra Lost in Space even better than its setup is how clean the ensemble’s bonding and escalating conspiracy is. Most mainstream audiences haven’t seen it, the show being so woefully underrated, but viewers who adore excellent writing rife with space antics, heartfelt moments, and jaw-dropping twists are sure to be entertained from beginning to end.

‘World Trigger’ (2014–2022)

Image via Toei Animation

World Trigger is a widely underrated anime series, which sadly means it has never received the same attention as bigger battle anime, but that is exactly why it belongs on a list of fantastic animated shows that even diehards may have missed. Set in a world where alien-like beings called “Neighbors” invade through portals, while an organization called Border trains agents to fight them, the series focuses on a teen, Osamu Mikumo (Tomo Muranaka), his new friend, a Neighbor refugee Yūma Kuga (Yūki Kaji), and Chika Amatori (Nao Tamura) as they work together to defend humanity while uncovering the truth about their fight.

World Trigger is a criminally overlooked shōnen action anime, with devoted fans who praise its lovable characters, intelligent power system, and captivating tactical battles. The show is so worth discovering as it gives its action a different kind of excitement through clever characters’ wins. World Trigger wields a distinct style of thrill, allowing it to stand out despite its underrated status, making it a much more impressive viewing experience than most who haven’t seen it even realize.

‘Erased’ (2016)

Image via A-1 Pictures

This iconic thrill ride is definitely one for the books. Erased follows a 29-year-old manga artist, Satoru Fujinuma (Shinnosuke Mitsushima), whose involuntary “Revival” ability sends him back in time after his mother is brutally murdered.

Erased is definitely a unique watch that most have yet to discover. It’s an enticing mixture of regret, mystery, time travel, and emotional urgency that dubs it one of the strongest under-seen thrillers in the anime genre. Erased‘s writing is tighter and more emotionally persuasive than its extremely short run suggests, with every leap backwards sharpening the brutal stakes. It may not be the most underrated series on this list, but it is sadly lacking the attention it deserves, making it a great addition to this catalog of hidden gems.

‘Mushi-Shi’ (2005–2014)

Image via Artland

Advertisement

Mushi-Shi is a true standout that even the most experienced fans can overlook because it sits on the back of most streaming shelves. The series delivers an episodic anthology, set in a semi-historical Japan where primordial lifeforms called “mushi” live among humans. The show focuses on Ginko (Yuto Nakano), who travels from place to place as a Mushishi, investigating strange cases and trying to help those who have been affected by mushi.

Even though Mushi-Shi is sadly an under-seen anime, it ranks high among some of the best animated series because it stays pretty calm without ever becoming boring. Among anime fans, it’s a pretty beloved series, but outside that circle, the show doesn’t get much attention, especially against louder fantasy titles. Mushi-Shi wields compassionate writing, with a philosophically precise approach that never mistakes explanation for wisdom. Even by the end of its relatively few episodes, it remains incredibly beloved by its rather minor audience, a true quiet beauty that deserves a place among the greatest animated series more fans should discover.

‘Sym-Bionic Titan’ (2010–2011)

Image via Cartoon Network

Advertisement

This fantastic sci-fi series is as underrated as they come. Sym-Bionic Titan centers around Princess Ilana (Tara Strong), soldier Lance (Kevin Thoms), and robot-scientist Octus (Brian Posehn) after they escape an intergalactic war and move to hide out on Earth as ordinary suburban high-schoolers.

For even the most diehard animation fans, Sym-Bionic Titan is a stark reminder that even some of the best shows never get the viewership nor the great attention they deserve. With an enticing blend of identity struggles and surprisingly sincere character moments, with giant robot battles and alien politics, the show offers audiences quite the entertaining experience. Because the series was cancelled, its unbridled potential cut short, most forgot it existed—if they ever knew of it at all. Despite this, it stands as one of Genndy Tartakovsky‘s most underrated works of art.

‘Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld’ (2024)

Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is a Netflix surprise that is one of its newer titles that simply never truly got off the ground. The fantasy series focuses on the Chinese American teenager Jentry Chau (Ali Wong), whose fire-based powers that sent her life into complete chaos have reawakened just as a demon king starts hunting her.

Not many have heard of Netflix’s Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, despite how surprisingly entertaining it is. It’s the type of good time that feels like it could easily slip past most viewers, as its appearance may seem a bit underwhelming at first glance. But in truth, Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is also quite easy to champion once given a chance. It’s addictive, a sharp genre series with emotional warmth, comic timing, and a specific cultural texture that sets it apart from the more generic YA supernatural animated series. Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is in a league of its own, with a captivating story that many may not know but would be well-loved by any diehard animated fan who comes across it.

‘The Midnight Gospel’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

This underrated sci-fi animated series has to be one of the most captivatingly odd shows Netflix has ever released. The Midnight Gospel follows Clancy Gilroy (Duncan Trussell), a spacecaster who uses a reality-simulating machine to jump through apocalyptic or collapsing worlds, going on bizarre but funny adventures.

The Midnight Gospel, at first introduction, seems like a watch that is genuinely impossible to pull off, yet somehow it blends philosophical conversations with surreal animation, offering viewers something deeply moving and unforgettable. The series is honestly quite absurd, but also wields a compelling depth that marks it as a standout—one that is, albeit underseen. It’s likely that The Midnight Gospel may be too bizarre or emotionally intense for some, an unconventional watch that, at first glance, may put off some viewers. Diehards have likely skipped over it in an attempt to find something more seemingly normal and less cosmically humorous, which is a shame since it’s a memorable hidden gem that deserves far more recognition.

Sin City has become a real-life backdrop for reality TV, attracting stars from multiple hit franchises. From shows that film on the Strip to fan-favorite watch parties that bring episodes to life, the city has cemented itself as a go-to destination for reality TV culture. 

Reality stars are often found enjoying all that Las Vegas has to offer, from dining at popular restaurants to hosting watch parties at dayclubs.

The Blast has compiled a list of just some of the recent reality star visitors and where they were found in the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

With so many amazing experiences to enjoy in Las Vegas, you might wonder where your favorite reality stars gravitate. For some, the choice of where to dine is very intentional.

Amaya Modern Mexican at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been a hot spot for reality stars from some of television’s most loved franchises. A few of their recent guests include Brett Brown and Tiffany Pennywell Brown (“Love is Blind”), Hannah Wright and Marco Donatelli (“Love Island USA”), Johnny Middlebrooks (“Love Island USA,” “Love Island Games,” and “House of Villains”), Kaitlen Reagan (“Paradise Hotel”), and Kayla Richart (“Too Hot to Handle” and “Perfect Match”).

Amaya is known for fire performers, theatrical presentations, and elaborate dishes, as well as nightly DJs and a high-energy atmosphere.

Many Reality Stars Visit The Strat For Views And Adrenaline-Pumping Experiences

It’s not just the dining that reality stars visit Vegas for. Some are seeking amazing views and adrenaline rushing moments, and The STRAT offers both.

During Season 29 of “The Bachelor,” Grant Ellis had a unique one-on-one date at The STRAT, where he and his date did SkyJump, an 855-foot controlled descent from the Tower.

According to The STRAT’s website, “SkyJump is a heartpounding, scream-inducing, open-air leap from 829 feet above the neon Strip and holds a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent facility. You’ll zoom toward the landing pad at speeds topping 40 mph while the crowds below gasp and applaud your bravado.”

Reality TV Loves The Views From Top Of The World Steakhouse

Top of the World Steakhouse at the top of The STRAT is a popular filming location for reality TV thanks to the amazing 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip from 800 feet above the city. The restaurant has served as the backdrop in many reality series, including Season 7 of “Jersey Shore Family Vacation,” and Season 9 of “Queer Eye.”

The Blast was told that there are more reality TV features that will be airing soon, but since they’re still under wraps, we can’t say more about that just yet (so stay tuned)!

‘Love Island’ Watch Parties Are Popular In Vegas

One thing Vegas visitors love is a fun reality TV watch party. Tailgate Beach Club launched its Reality After Dark series in early June with a “Love Island” premiere watch party hosted by Kaylor Martin from Season 6, cohosted by Vegas Girl Events. The poolside viewing party featured signature cocktails, tasty bites, and brought fans together in a fun atmosphere to celebrate the start of another season of the beloved reality show.

Tailgate has another fun watch party on the calendar for the finale on July 12. According to the website, Tailgate will feature a party that starts with a poolside TruFusion class.

“Get your body and your bracket ready as the villa crowns its winning couple. Sunday, July 12th Love Island Finale Schedule at Tailgate Beach Club: 5:00 PM — TruFusion Class 6:00 PM — Love Island Finale Viewing Party Work up a sweat with TruFusion, then settle poolside on 145 feet of LED for the Love Island finale with the rest of Vegas’s biggest fans of the villa,” the website reads.

A New Reality Show Is Filming On The Strip

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum, Lisa Vanderpump, well-known and loved in Las Vegas with multiple restaurants on the Strip, recently added a hotel to her list of businesses. The Vanderpump Hotel opened last month, and it’s been a hit for visitors and locals alike.

While transforming The Cromwell into The Vanderpump Hotel, Lisa took the opportunity to show fans just what went into it by filming a new reality series called “Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas.”

NBC Universal made the announcement about the new show in early May. The official description reads, “Lisa Vanderpump has been ruling over the Las Vegas strip for years now, with three hotspot restaurants serving up chic cocktails in her signature whimsical settings. Now, she is expanding her Vegas empire through the opening of her high-profile namesake hotel. In this limited series, we follow the behind-the-scenes dash to make the property worthy of the Vanderpump brand. LVP shares what inspired her newest enterprise and pulls back the curtain on the down-to-the-wire drama. The series will culminate at The Vanderpump Hotel’s lavish opening party, with fan-favorite Bravolebrities celebrating the launch.”

No airdate has been released just yet, but we’re sure it’s worth the wait!

Sullivan’s Crossing is going through a very big change with Scott Patterson‘s character Sully being written off — but what does the shocking exit mean for the show?

Based on the book series by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing centers around neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) after she moves back home to rural Nova Scotia to reconnect with her estranged father, Sully (Scott Patterson). The brief getaway turns into Maggie making plans for a future in Sullivan’s Crossing with love interest Cal (Chad Michael Murray).

Patterson previously praised his time on Sullivan’s Crossing before his exit.

“It’s always exciting to go to a new place with a new project [and] with new expectations. Everybody’s lovely. The work is deep and the collaboration is real. You’ve got a built-in audience with [Gilmore Girls] and now we’ve got Robyn Carr’s book audience,” he exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2023. “So it’s kind of exciting to come into something that’s kind of established — has already an established fan base — and I can bring mine in. They can join forces and watch the show together and compare notes.”

Us broke the news in March 2026 that Patterson wouldn’t be returning as Sully.

“Every actor knows what it’s like to fall in love with a character and a story. I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him,” Patterson wrote via Instagram at the time.

The actor hinted at what caused his surprising departure, adding, “The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of Patterson’s messy exit:

The Key Players

Season 3 of the hit series, which started streaming on Netflix in August 2025, ended on a shocking note when Maggie and Cal’s relationship was affected by her secret husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), strolling into town.

Elsewhere in the season, Sully left on a getaway to Ireland with his girlfriend, and Edna (Andrea Menard) and Frank (Tom Jackson) also contemplated moving on from the campground.

The Gist

Us exclusively broke the news in March 2026 that Scott Patterson exited the series before season 4.

“Season 3 of Sullivan’s Crossing ended with Sully leaving for Ireland, beginning a new chapter in his life. Season 4 picks up the next day, with Sully still overseas,” showrunner Roma Roth shared with Us. “While he isn’t physically present in this season, the character remains an important part of the world with the potential to be included in future seasons should that align with the ongoing creative.”

Advertisement

Related: Sullivan’s Crossing’s Shocking Cast Exits After Scott Patterson Departure

Scott Patterson isn’t the only Sullivan’s Crossing star who has made a shocking departure from the show. Based on the book series by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing centers around neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) after she moves back home to rural Nova Scotia to reconnect with her estranged father, Sully (Scott Patterson). The brief getaway turns […]

What Has Been Said

In a lengthy statement, Patterson clarified his perspective on his exit.

“It’s unfortunate that it is now being implied that they moved on from me/Sully when the fact is the complete opposite, and those who sadly already have spoken out are also fully aware of this fact, and yet chose to say otherwise,” he wrote via Instagram in March 2026. “I was not intending to make any statement but the fans of the books and the show deserve to know the truth as I have always been respectful of those who support this industry by watching and loving these characters we are so dang lucky and blessed to portray and bring to life.”

Patterson stood by his decision to break his silence.

“I really enjoyed Sully and fought for his voice and his character. The richness and depth of Sully, whom the fans of the books all know and love, is so multi-layered and interesting,” he added.

The statement concluded: “The fans deserved better than to think the embodiment of this character, me, would just disrespect not only the show, but them. In the end, we’re all fans of these characters and stories, and I’ll always support and defend the truth.”

Kohan also broke her silence after her onscreen dad’s shocking exit from the show.

“[My character Maggie’s] whole world at the beginning of the [fourth] season is not what she anticipated,” Kohan told Yahoo Canada in March 2026.

Kohan teased a shakeup for Maggie, adding, “She’s just kind of settled in with Cal — and then it’s really thrust on her that now, you’re taking over the Crossing, and you are fully involved, while the rest of your life is kind of thrown up in the air again.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

The actress pointed out that “part of her support system is now gone too” while referring to Maggie’s dad, Sully, being out of the picture when the new season begins.

What’s Next

Sullivan’s Crossing is currently streaming on Netflix.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Sullivan’s Crossing is returning for a fourth season,” showrunner Roma Roth said in a statement at the time about what fans can look forward to. “Seeing it resonate with a global audience and watching the ratings climb have been a dream come true. Season 4 will explore themes of change and transformation so you can expect a whole new set of exciting and emotional challenges for Maggie and Cal.”

“Big Fat Liar” actor Frankie Muniz is clapping back at a conservative political commentator who slammed his “bizarre” divorce announcement. According to a previous report from The Blast, Frankie revealed yesterday, July 1, 2026, that he was divorcing his “baby momma,” Paige Price Muniz. He said that their separation wasn’t the result of a nasty falling-out, but rather a deep commitment to their 5-year-old son, Mauz. The actor said that he and Paige plan to continue their deep friendship and be the best parents to their kid.

In Frankie‘s original divorce announcement, the actor posted a video of him and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Paige, dancing with their son, Mauz. The actor captioned the clip, “Who says you can’t stay best friends with your baby momma?”

Frankie received backlash over his comments, as many questioned why the 40-year-old appeared to be making light of divorce. Conservative commentator Michael Knowles was among the critics. He said, “Muniz deleted the bizarre video of him and his wife dancing to celebrate their divorce.”

Knowles added, “But he reposted the same nauseous text. This is the most offensive part of liberal ‘morality.’ It’s not enough that we tolerate their sin and vice. They demand that we celebrate it.”

Frankie Muniz Claps Back At Knowles After Claiming The Actor Was ‘Celebrating’ The Downfall Of His Marriage

It didn’t take long for Frankie to respond to Knowles and clarify his position. According to the “Malcolm in the Middle” performer, his initial post was meant to highlight that he and Paige can remain amicable amid their separation.

“It wasn’t to celebrate our divorce. Far from it. We grieved our divorce beyond anything you can imagine,” Frankie responded. “It was to celebrate the fact that we’re both adults and can handle it like adults moving forward, amicably.”

Frankie said that the reason he received such backlash is due to the state of the world right now. “Everyone is just used to the hideous mudslinging a lot of couples do at the end of a relationship, so they don’t know how to take it when two people are cordial,” he finished.

Frankie Muniz Announced His Divorce From His Partner With A Lengthy Post On Instagram

In the caption of his original post, Frankie opened up about his and Paige’s split, saying that after 10 years together, they’ve decided to separate but maintain a “deep friendship as co-parents.”

He thanked Paige elsewhere in his post, saying he was “endlessly grateful” for the support she’s given him while he’s pursued his dreams.

“She put her own dreams on hold so I could chase mine, and she was always my biggest supporter,” he wrote. “That foundation of respect and friendship isn’t going anywhere. We’re excited to keep building Muniz Racing together and to co-parent our boy with the same teamwork and love we’ve always had.”

More About Frankie’s Relationship With Paige

Frankie and Paige got married in a formal ceremony in February 2020 after eloping the year before. The pair got engaged in November 2018 at an Arizona festival, which Frankie posted about online.

“So thankful this Thanksgiving for my FIANCEE!” the New Jersey native said about the engagement online. “Yep, @pogprice said yes! She makes my life instantly better! We’re eating our Thanksgiving dinner at Boston Market, but I wouldn’t want it any other way, as long as [I] have her by my side! #sheismyrock.”

Regarding their wedding, Frankie called the moment “perfect” while opening up about the special day. “From the moment of waking up together and jumping on the bed hyping each other up, to helping our wedding planner with setting things up at the venue, all the way to walking down the aisle with my best friend hand in hand with our closest friends and family in attendance. Everything was just so us,” he said.

What Other Celebrities Split This Year?

In addition to Frankie and Paige, several other celebrities ended their relationships this year, including Jack White and Olivia Jean, Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo, Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid, Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson, Haylie Duff & Matthew Rosenberg, and many more.

Advertisement

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

I’ve been on a constant search to find the worst movie ever made, and I think I’ve finally earned the right to take a short break after watching 1999’s Simon Sez, starring Dennis Rodman and Dane Cook. Laying at the very bottom of a pile of tomatoes that are so rotten that they’re basically liquid, Simon Sez has achieved zero percent status on the review site, as it is nearly unwatchable.

But if you have a penchant for punishment and no longer trust joy, this is the next movie that you should watch if you’re willing to rent or purchase it on demand (buyer beware).

Simon Sez’s Plot (Or Lack Thereof)

I don’t even know how to start breaking down the plot to Simon Sez because it’s nonexistent. I’m not typically one to copy/paste a film’s synopsis from IMDb, but it’s a brave new world, and I have to take this approach in order to provide some insight on how this dumpster fire was marketed to the masses.

The synopsis for Simon Sez reads as such: “Basketball superstar Dennis Rodman stars as a hip Interpol agent (Simon) attempting to defeat the deadly plans of a crazed arms dealer.”

Dane Cook As Jim Carrey As A Dinosaur

But there’s so much more (or less, depending on your outlook on life) to Simon Sez than meets the eye. Dennis Rodman is joined by a young Dane Cook doing his best (read: worst) impersonation of Jim Carrey doing impersonations of dogs and dinosaurs (complete with barking and roars) whenever he gets the chance (nearly every scene). Dane Cook’s Nick Miranda is on a mission to save a kidnapped girl who isn’t really kidnapped, and his briefcase that is supposed to have $2 million of ransom money in it is actually filled with bricks and a suspicious CD-R.

The plot to Simon Sez falls apart so quickly that you’ll spend most of your time watching the film wondering exactly what’s at stake.

Dane Cook Dialing It In

At this point in Simon Sez, we don’t know what’s on the CD-R, but we know that arms dealer, Ashton (Jerome Pradon), is the primary antagonist in this heist-gone-wrong film that makes Bill Murray’s The Man Who Knew Too Little look like Ocean’s Eleven by comparison.

If I had to weigh in, however, the real antagonist in Simon Sez is Dane Cook’s inability to read the room as he shoe-horns as many half-baked stand-up bits as humanly possible into every single on-screen exchange he has. It’s unreal how much topical humor is jammed into the dialogue in the form of jokes about Bill Clinton’s Oval Office escapades and how attractive he thinks Drew Barrymore is.

CyberMunks 1999

After Simon Sez’s plot unravels (about three minutes into the film), we’re introduced to Simon’s loyal but bumbling sidekicks, two “cyber-monks” and expert hackers named Micro (John Pinette) and Macro (Ricky Harris).

The cyber-monks spend most of their time joking about Micro’s weight and appetite while dancing to house music that’s clearly a part of the soundtrack but doesn’t actually exist in their reality. In other words, Micro and Macro are popping and locking to complete silence if you look at Simon Sez objectively, and it’s a form of cinematic torture that will require you to bite down on a piece of tile in order to prevent yourself from screaming and swallowing your own tongue.

Inescapably Watchable

This is the part where I try to find redeeming qualities for Simon Sez, but I don’t think I have the strength this time. While I don’t necessarily disagree with New York Times writer Lawrence Van Gelder for describing Dennis Rodman as “inescapably watchable,” his charisma simply isn’t enough to hold it all together. But like I’ve said in the past, there is inherent entertainment value in ill-fated action comedies like Simon Sez, so I’ll extend an olive branch by telling you that this is a perfect party movie.

If you want every single movie you watch for the rest of your life to be a comparatively better viewing experience, then Simon Sez comes with strong recommendation. As of this writing, the only way to view this disjointed romp is by purchasing it on-demand through YouTube, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.