Busy Philipps has revealed she underwent two brain surgeries after doctors discovered a rare tumor she had no idea was growing inside her head.

In an extraordinary twist, the actress nearly canceled the scan that uncovered it while grieving the death of her “Dawson’s Creek” co-star James Van Der Beek.

Now, Philipps is opening up about the frightening diagnosis, the painful conversation with her daughters, and a complication that sent her back into surgery just as she thought the worst was behind her.

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Busy Philipps had no obvious symptoms when she became convinced she wanted a full-body MRI.

The 47-year-old told PEOPLE that she first became interested in the Prenuvo scan after reading about it on Instagram. When she raised the idea with her primary care doctor in 2025, however, he told her there was “no need” because she was young, healthy, and her annual blood work was normal.

Philipps remained interested after another doctor told her “knowledge is power,” and eventually booked the scan.

Her original January appointment was postponed because of a blizzard, pushing it to February 12.

That timing almost changed everything. James Van Der Beek had died from colorectal cancer just one day earlier, and Philipps was grieving while juggling work commitments and plans to help her sister through a medical procedure.

She considered canceling. However, her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, urged her to reconsider, telling her, “Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan.”

She went, and doctors found a lesion on her brain.

Philipps Learned She Had A Rare Tumor Despite Having No Symptoms

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The discovery sent Busy Philipps into a whirlwind of appointments.

A follow-up MRI eventually led to neurologist Dr. Orrin Devinsky, who delivered the reality she had been hoping to avoid.

“This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. And Busy, it’s got to come out,” Philipps recalled him telling her.

The actress said she began “hyperventilating and trying to breathe.”

Doctors scheduled surgery for March 2, with Silverstein accompanying her to the hospital. During the roughly five-hour operation, surgeons removed a 2.6-centimeter mass from her brain.

A biopsy identified it as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare slow-growing malignant tumor.

Philipps’ neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alexandra Miller, told PEOPLE that the condition has “the best prognosis of all of the malignant gliomas.”

Early detection also worked heavily in Philipps’ favor. Her surgeon explained that had doctors waited until symptoms such as seizures developed, the tumor could have grown substantially larger and become more difficult to remove completely.

Busy Philipps’ Diagnosis Left Her Daughter Terrified

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One of the most difficult moments came before surgery, when Philipps had to tell her daughters, Birdie and Cricket, what doctors had discovered.

Birdie, now 18, struggled particularly hard with the news.

“She was kind of beside herself and really, really scared and overwhelmed with emotion,” Philipps recalled.

The actress tried to reassure her daughter with a promise that reflected just how frightening the situation had become.

“Birdie, you’re just not in the movie where your mom dies your senior year of high school,” she told her. “That’s just not the movie that you’re in. I promise you.”

Cricket, 13, reacted more calmly after asking her mother whether she would be okay.

Meanwhile, Philipps’ longtime friend and former “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Michelle Williams rallied around her during recovery, helping arrange meals after she returned home.

Philipps was moving around remarkably quickly after surgery despite having more than 40 staples in her head.

The recovery initially appeared to be going so well that she soon turned her attention back toward acting.

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Actress Suffered Frightening Setback After Starting Her ‘Dream’ Job

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Philipps had landed a role in the CBS series “Cupertino” around the same time doctors were preparing to operate.

She ultimately recovered enough to begin filming, describing the project as her “dream” job.

But in April, another frightening problem emerged. During a Botox appointment, Philipps’ dermatologist noticed something concerning about her surgical incision and refused to proceed. She urged the actress to immediately send a photograph to her surgeons.

Doctors agreed that something looked wrong. Philipps was eventually diagnosed with a staph infection in the incision and returned to the hospital for another operation on April 27. Surgeons cleaned the infected area and removed one of the tiny titanium tacks that had been placed in her skull during her first procedure.

Fortunately, doctors caught the infection before it became deep. Emotionally, however, the second surgery hit Philipps hard.

“The second surgery really threw me,” she admitted. “I just felt like I was back to square one, and I was really, really upset.”

Busy Philipps Wonders If Her Brain Had Been Warning Her For Years

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Philipps does not currently need chemotherapy or radiation, although she will undergo regular scans to watch for recurrence.

Looking back, however, the actress questions whether there were subtle warning signs she failed to recognize.

She told PEOPLE that she had experienced unusually intense emotional reactions in recent years, including episodes of crying until she vomited and sending inflammatory messages when angry.

At the time, she attributed those changes to perimenopause.

Doctors have not established that the tumor caused those experiences, but Philipps remembered telling her surgeon about them. Michelle Williams also reminded her of something she had repeatedly said over the previous two years: “My brain feels broken.”

Philipps admitted she had felt as though “something was misfiring,” even though she was not consciously aware of anything being medically wrong.

After having the tumor removed, that feeling has changed. “My brain does not feel broken anymore,” she said.

After what she calls “the weirdest six months of my life,” Philipps is choosing to focus on how differently everything could have unfolded had she canceled that February scan.

“I’m grateful that I’m alive,” she shared.

Jared Padalecki has one of the most stable careers of actors in his generation. He rose to prominence in the 2000s as a heartthrob after playing Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls, then became even more famous when he was cast in Eric Kripke‘s drama Supernatural as Sam Winchester. He starred in the CW drama alongside Jensen Ackles from 2005 until it concluded in 2020. For his next role, Padalecki did not stray far, returning to The CW to headline a reboot of an iconic show.

Anna Fricke created Walker in 2021, a remake of the iconic 1993 Chuck Norris procedural titled Walker, Texas Ranger. Padalecki played Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger dealing with tragedy after spending a long time undercover. Cordell loses his wife and is suddenly left to raise two teenagers while balancing his career and navigating a complicated family history. Padalecki played the sharp ranger for three seasons until the show ended in 2024. Walker also spawned a short-lived spin-off, Walker: Independence.

While the franchise’s ending was untimely after The CW’s decision to move away from scripted programming, Walker delivered over 60 episodes of engaging family drama and law enforcement. The series is available to stream on HBO Max and has seen a rise in viewership over the last week. FlixPatrol has ranked Walker eighth globally on the streamer, with particular interest emerging in Central and South America. With streaming services regularly adding shows, Walker’s newfound popularity two years after the show ended suggests it was recently licensed in these regions and viewers are discovering the dangerous and complicated life of Cordell Walker.

What Is Jared Padalecki Up To Currently?

The actor has not appeared in major roles since Walker ended, but he has been attached to several projects that could run for years if they move forward. CBS Studios wanted to strengthen their relationship with Padalecki by creating a Fire Country spin-off centered on his character, Camden. The spin-off was rumored to be in development, but no real updates have been offered so far. Meanwhile, the actor is set to reunite with Fricke in another CBS Studios drama, this one centering on a doctor played by Padalecki. The latest update revealed that the show was still in development, with scripts being written, but no decision on a potential series pickup from CBS. On the film side, Padalecki will be seen in Guarding Stars alongside Jake Foy, Leighton Meester, and Andie McDowell.

Stream Walker on HBO Max in the US, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2021 – 2024-00-00

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Network

The CW

Directors

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Steve Robin, Ben Hernandez Bray, Stephanie Martin, Amyn Kaderali, America Young, Austin Nichols, David McWhirter, Phil Hardage, Richard Speight Jr., Aprill Winney, Chad Dashnaw, Joel Novoa, Bola Ogun, Bosede Williams, Jensen Ackles, Jessica Yu, Kelli Williams, Paula Hunziker, Peter B. Kowalski, Randall Zisk, Tessa Blake, Clara Aranovich, Jackeline Tejada, Kevin Berlandi

Writers

Casey Fisher, Blythe Ann Johnson, Russel Friend, Geri Carillo, David James, Maya Vyas

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Denis Villeneuve is one of the most thoughtful directors of our time. He takes incredibly mind-bending concepts and interprets them in a nuanced, humane, and intimate manner. Around the world, he’s well known for making the Dune movies, his take on Frank Herbert’s story. While widely thought unfilmable, Villeneuve brought Herbert’s world to life in the most authentic way, be it the worm ride or the different planets with unusually vivid imagery.

But before Villeneuve made the Dune franchise, he made numerous movies that had a similar impact on the audience, like Blade Runner 2049. Among them is Arrival, a feature based on Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang. With Villeneuve at the helm, Eric Heisserer’s screenplay moves away from typical alien-invasion action tropes to offer a deeply moving, intellectual exploration of communication, global unity, and the human perception of time in Arrival. Starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, the plot is pretty straightforward; when 12 monolithic spacecraft simultaneously touch down at different locations on Earth, panic ensues, and the US military recruits linguist Louise Banks (Adams). Banks and her team race against time to decode the extraterrestrial language while global panic pushes nations toward war. Despite a world-ending terror, the movie draws your attention toward Banks, who goes through vivid, overwhelming “flashbacks” while trying to understand the alien language.

The themes of communication, grief, determination, free will, and choosing a life even when you know what is in store for you resonated with fans worldwide. It earned $203 million on a $47 million budget and further got critical acclaim and fans’ love. It further bagged several accolades and eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Arrival Is Gathering Streaming Approval

A decade later, fans still love to revisit the sci-fi drama, and their love is reflected on streaming charts. Arrival is at the 5th spot on Apple TV’s domestic streaming charts. The feature stands tall among films like Apple original The Dink, Matt Damon’s The Bourne Identity, Brad Pitt’s F1, and The Martian, among others. Villeneuve is currently busy with Dune: Part Three, which will bring the Timothée Chalamet-led franchise to a close. Next, he’ll be at the helm of the James Bond franchise, which should announce the next Bond soon. However, no further details about the project have been revealed.

Meanwhile, check out Arrival on Apple TV and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

November 11, 2016

Runtime

116 minutes

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Director

Denis Villeneuve

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Writers

Eric Heisserer

Producers

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Aaron Ryder, David Linde, Karen Lunder, Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, Dan Cohen

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Dolly Parton transformed the people, heartbreaks, and hardships in her life into songs that eventually became part of American culture. The country legend, who died at age 80, wrote thousands of songs during her career. Some were inspired by painful professional goodbyes, while others grew from childhood poverty, marital jealousy, or even the sound of her acrylic nails.

From the real woman who inspired “Jolene” to the business decision that allowed “I Will Always Love You” to become a global phenomenon, the stories behind Parton’s greatest hits reveal nearly as much about her as the songs themselves.

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“Jolene” sounds like a desperate confrontation between a wife and the beautiful woman she fears could steal her husband. However, the title character was actually created from two separate encounters. Parton said the song’s storyline was inspired by a red-haired bank teller who appeared to take an interest in her husband, Carl Dean.

Dean began making frequent trips to the bank, something Parton later turned into a joke during concerts. “I knew my husband was spending more time at the bank than we had money,” she quipped, according to her official website.

The woman who inspired Parton’s jealousy was not actually named Jolene. That memorable name came from a young fan Parton met while signing autographs. Parton thought the girl’s name was beautiful and told her she would write a song about it. She then combined the child’s name with the bank teller story, creating one of country music’s most recognizable characters.

Despite a long-running claim that Parton wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day, she eventually clarified that she could not confirm it. The two compositions were found on the same cassette, meaning they were at least written during the same period.

‘I Will Always Love You’ Was Not Originally A Romantic Breakup Song

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Although it became one of the most famous love songs ever recorded, “I Will Always Love You” was written about the end of a professional partnership. Parton joined “The Porter Wagoner Show” in 1967 and spent seven years performing alongside its host. The opportunity introduced her to a larger audience, but Parton eventually wanted to leave the program and build an independent career.

Her decision caused tension between the collaborators. When conversations failed to communicate how she felt, Parton turned to songwriting. She wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a farewell to Wagoner, expressing gratitude for everything he had done while making it clear that she needed to leave.

According to Parton, Wagoner began crying when she performed the song for him. He agreed to let her leave if he could produce the record. Parton’s original version topped the country chart in 1974. A new recording created for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” reached No. 1 again in 1982.

Whitney Houston transformed the song once more in 1992 when she recorded it for “The Bodyguard.” Her version spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced Parton’s songwriting to an entirely new audience.

Parton retained control of the composition after famously declining a proposed deal involving Elvis Presley. Elvis wanted to record it, but his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, reportedly required Parton to surrender half of her publishing rights. Walking away was painful, but retaining those rights allowed Parton to benefit when Houston’s version became an international blockbuster.

‘Coat Of Many Colors’ Turned Poverty Into Pride

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Few songs captured Parton’s childhood as vividly as “Coat of Many Colors.” Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a small cabin in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. When her family could not afford to purchase a winter coat, her mother, Avie Lee Parton, stitched one together using scraps of fabric. As she sewed, Avie Lee told her daughter the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Young Dolly proudly wore the garment to school, believing its love and special meaning made her rich.

Her classmates saw it differently and mocked her for wearing clothing made from rags. Rather than allowing the experience to remain a painful childhood memory, Parton turned it into a song about dignity, gratitude, and the difference between lacking money and lacking love.

She reportedly wrote the lyrics while traveling with Wagoner, scribbling them on the back of a dry-cleaning receipt because she did not have any other paper available.

“Coat of Many Colors” reached No. 4 on the country chart in 1971. Parton later adapted the story into a children’s book and an NBC television movie.

Although “Jolene” became more widely recorded, Parton identified “Coat of Many Colors” as the song she was proudest of because of its messages about family, bullying, acceptance, and appreciating what a person has.

Dolly Parton Used Her Nails To Write ‘9 To 5’

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Parton found inspiration in an unusual instrument while filming her movie debut, “9 to 5.” The 1980 comedy starred Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin as three working women who challenge their controlling and sexist boss. Parton also agreed to write the movie’s theme song. Because filmmaking involved long stretches of waiting between scenes, she began clicking her acrylic fingernails together to pass the time. The resulting rhythm reminded her of secretaries typing.

Parton used the sound to develop the song while on set and returned to her hotel at night to record her ideas with a guitar. The clicking became such an essential part of the finished track that the album reportedly included a “Nails by Dolly” credit.

“9 to 5” topped Billboard’s country and pop charts while turning workplace frustrations into an upbeat anthem. It also earned Parton an Academy Award nomination and two Grammy Awards.

The song’s enduring popularity demonstrated one of Parton’s greatest talents. She could take an everyday sound, connect it to a larger struggle, and turn it into something millions of people immediately understood.

Dolly Parton Faced Health Struggles Before Her Death

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Parton’s remarkable career came to an end when the country music legend died on August 25 at age 80. Her death followed months of personal loss and public concern surrounding her health.

After her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 following a lengthy illness, Parton admitted that grief had affected her ability to work and forced her to step back from certain projects.

She later canceled a major Dollywood appearance because of health issues. However, when a disturbing AI-generated image falsely depicted her on her deathbed, Parton pushed back against the speculation and insisted she was “not ready to die yet.”

Even during those difficult final months, Parton continued discussing new ideas and the work she still hoped to accomplish.

Beloved Dolly Parton has passed on to join fellow legends like Whitney Houston in the forever beyond. 

However, long ago, the country music star looked to her close pal’s funeral to decide what she would want sung at her own.

The “Coat of Many Colors” singer was confirmed dead at 80 in a statement by her family after a secret, brief battle with cancer.

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More than a decade before her painful passing, the music icon had reflected on the kind of song she wanted played at her funeral.

In a 2014 interview, Parton dished on her choice, explaining that she believes many would expect her hit song, “I Will Always Love You,” to be her choice. 

Reminiscing on Houston’s 2012 memorial service where the song was played, the country singer said, “When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, ‘Oh my Lord.’ That’s when it hit me that she was really gone.”

“I Will Always Love You,” written by Parton, took on a different spin when Houston recorded her version for “The Bodyguard,” becoming an instant classic.

Dolly Parton Once Revealed What She Wants Sung At Her Funeral

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Nevertheless, Parton wanted something more sentimental for her burial. Opening up to Entertainment Weekly in 2014, she opted for the gospel song “If We Never Meet Again.” In her words:

“It’s an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.”

Reciting a line about where roses bloom forever, Parton revealed it was sung at her father Lee Parton’s funeral in 2000.

“That was my daddy’s favorite,” she said. “We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”

The Famed Singer Planned Her Death Announcement Beforehand

Little did Parton know that 12 years after that interview, her own time would come, leaving the world in shock. As reported by The Blast, her death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver in an Instagram video. 

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver shared, explaining that Parton spoke to him about it long ago.

Although Parton’s loss was unbearable, her nephew noted that the family found comfort in her reunion with other loved ones. 

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens,” he said.

Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed

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More details were soon brought to light about the “Jolene” singer’s final moments.

It was no surprise that Parton battled health issues in the previous year, especially following the loss of her longtime husband, Carl Dean.

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However, she remained silent on the nature of her illness until her demise. As confirmed by a rep of the legend, Parton took her last breath at  Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She was admitted four days before her death for kidney and autoimmune problems.

“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement read, per The Blast.

Inside Dolly Parton’s Final Interview

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The timing of the icon’s passing has left fans even more heartbroken, as she still shared plans for her future in what has become her final interview.

As The Blast reported, just four days before her demise, Parton opened up about her challenges while admitting she was still putting in the work behind the scenes.

“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she explained.

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However, Parton, who was no stranger to overcoming health issues, assured her admirers she was pushing on.

“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me, as I’ve often said, I’ve dreamed myself into a corner, and I still have so many things I want to achieve,” she said in what would be her last words to fans. 

Leah Remini spoke out after landing a diamond as the newest cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 16.

On Wednesday, August 26, the King of Queens star, 56, shared a link to news coverage about her joining the Bravoverse and wrote in the caption, “It’s true!!”

Earlier in the day, Bravo confirmed that Leah had signed on for RHOBH after other cast members started filming “earlier this summer.” (Us exclusively reported that some of the Beverly Hills cast were recently in Ghana to celebrate Bozoma Saint John-Watson’s wedding to Keely Watson.)

Leah is no stranger to unscripted TV, having hosted, produced and edited the groundbreaking docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath from 2016 to 2019. The A&E show documented Leah’s own highly-publicized break with the Church of Scientology as well as highlighting the stories of others who’d left the religion.

Related: Morgan Stewart Reacts to ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Rumors

Morgan Stewart will not be checking into The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The Rich Kids of Beverly Hills alum took to Instagram on Wednesday, August 19, to shut down online speculation that she will join the RHOBH cast for season 16. “I don’t know what happened today but no I am not joining [RHOBH],” Morgan, […]

RHOBH’s season 16 cast announcement came on the heels of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles alum Tracy Tutor confirming her involvement on August 19.

“Well… the secret’s officially out. 💎,” Tracy, 51, announced via Instagram. “I’m joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I could not be more excited for this next chapter. Beverly Hills is home. I’ve raised my girls here, built my career here, and now apparently I’ve decided to let you all even further into my life. 😂”

She added, “Excited? Very. Nervous? A little. Likely to get into some trouble? Absolutely. So what’s left to say but, Let’s f***ing go.”

Earlier in the summer, RHOBH’s most recent newbie, Amanda Frances, shared that she would not return for season 16 after making waves in her single season. (Amanda feuded with costars Bozoma and Dorit Kemsley in her freshman season, in addition to revealing her past association with a religious cult.)

“My time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is complete,” Frances, 40, wrote via Instagram on August 5. “Saying yes to this show was one of the boldest, wildest, most clarifying things I’ve ever done. And I am genuinely grateful — grateful for the experience. The women. The viewers who saw me, rooted for me, challenged me, quoted me, misunderstood me, defended me, found my work, bought my books, or simply watched me try to explain metaphysics in a room full of diamonds and side-eyes.”

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Related: From Bethenny to NeNe to Camille! ‘Real Housewives’ Who Left and Returned

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Not all Real Housewives give up their diamonds — or peaches/apples — for good. Bethenny Frankel, NeNe Leakes and Dina Manzo are among the ladies who left their respective franchises only to return years later. While Bethenny, NeNe and Dina all returned in a full-time role, other women, including Camille Grammer and Danielle Staub, made […]

Amanda noted that she came into RHOBH “with an already-full life” and she now felt “that life is asking for all of [her].”

“Beverly Hills, thank you. I am taking the clarity, the lessons, the plot twists, the spiritual warfare, and the occasional deeply unnecessary dinner party drama into all that God has for me next,” she continued. “And to anyone watching, please know: Your next move does not require anyone’s approval. Your evolution does not need a permission slip. And you can be grateful for an opportunity and know when it’s time to leave. And obviously… Say it with me: I win in the end.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 16 will air on Bravo. Old episodes are available to stream anytime on Peacock.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This interview contains spoilers for ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 4, Episode 6, “Off Hour.”

This week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows one of the most harrowing hours the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise has ever had to face in the four seasons we’ve known them. When the ship becomes trapped in a deadly warp emergency, the crew—and the ship—are pushed to the limit both physically and mentally. Written by Bill Wolkoff and directed by Dan Liu, “Off Hour” puts our heroes through the wringer, and while they come out of the disaster stronger for it, the experience also serves as a turning point for two of the ship’s key players.

I caught up with Strange New Worlds stars Martin Quinn, who plays Scotty, and Babs Olusanmokun, who plays M’Benga, to chat about how their characters are forever changed by their experiences in this episode. During our conversation, Olusanmokun broke down the fascinating dynamic between Chapel and M’Benga and why their relationship is capable of withstanding so much, especially in dire situations. Meanwhile, Quinn spoke about how Scotty is finally putting down roots on the Enterprise and how this episode takes him one step closer to becoming the “miracle worker” fans know and love from The Original Series. We also briefly spoke about last week’s incredible Muppets-style episode and how tricky it was to record audio for a puppet. You can watch the interview in the player above or read the transcript of our conversation below.

Bringing Two of ‘Strange New Worlds’ Best Dynamic Duos To Life

COLLIDER: One of the best dynamics on the show from the beginning has been M’Benga and Chapel. They’ve been through so much together, and this episode really pushes them to a breaking point. Why do you think it’s so important for him to push her to put down roots instead of just blindly following him?

BABS OLUSANMOKUN: Because he knows how she can be. He knows she really can neglect herself in a certain kind of way and is running in a way that he’s familiar with, also. I think he’s trying to save her, essentially, and say, “Hey, put down roots. These are good people. Stay here. I might be going off, but you definitely need to stay here. There’s no more running to do.” And I think he’s gotten to a place where he was very comfortable saying that to her. He’s seen enough evidence, and there is just enough love and care there that he would say that to her. He needed to say that to her.

Martin, I love the dynamic between Scotty and Pelia, as well, the sort of animosity, teacher’s pet trope turned on its head. What do you think that Scotty truly appreciates from learning from that relationship?

MARTIN QUINN: I feel like Pelia’s got this thing where she’s aware that something will happen. She’s, yeah, within a pickle, but it will either sort itself or the correct option that we need to follow will show itself. And I think that confidence that she has is something that Scotty, so far in Strange New Worlds, hasn’t quite got. You know what I mean? I think that she’s so laid back. He’s kind of the opposite, isn’t he? He’s quite uptight.

But at least that trust that we will solve this, I think that kind of trust is what he needs to trust a little bit more. I mean, that’s been his problem in Season 3, as well, wasn’t it? He didn’t trust anybody else to help. So, I think he kind of needs to trust that the answer will appear in front of him at some point. Maybe not right now, but soon.

Building off of that a little bit, Scotty’s relationships in this season in particular feel like they’ve had some big shifts. What does that say to you about him finally putting down roots on the Enterprise?

QUINN: He’s been the outsider during Season 3, but it’s great to see him slowly but surely making this his home. He’s got a lot to get over with what happened in the Stardiver, and he’s got to kind of accept now that this is his new family. He’ll have lost his family on the Stardiver, and then he’s moved away from his family that he does mention a couple of times in that episode. So, he’s got to kind of accept his new family, and it’s beautiful to see him, and for me to experience it, that he’s slowly accepted the Enterprise as his home.

Babs Olusanmokun Breaks Down M’Benga and Chapel’s Most Painful Episode Yet

“I think he was very, very deeply grateful for that.”

Image via Jan Thijs/Paramount+

Babs, you spend a lot of this episode pinned down by that medical table. I would love to hear about the logistics of filming that and hiding your legs and the progression of the gore makeup through the episode.

OLUSANMOKUN: Wow. Well, they built this apparatus, like a different table, essentially, and they reconstructed it below [for] my legs. I needed help to get into it and help to get out. They tried to make it as easy as possible for me. The production designers did a fantastic job. What we thought would be the best way, I ended up going in a different direction. I can’t remember exactly now how. There was quite a bit going into making it comfortable and making it something I could sit in for hours. And then the gore and the ice, it was a lot of work. It was a lot of work. It was a lot of sweating, but it was wonderful.

I love that. We’ve had a two-hander between you and Jess [Bush] each season. What was the biggest challenge of turning that conflict inward and towards each other rather than facing an external conflict together?

OLUSANMOKUN: At least for this episode, it’s a conflict that you know will be resolved. We’ll have resolution in terms of both care deeply for each other. As colleagues and through their history, there’s just a care there that’s not very common. She wasn’t going to let him go and let him down. He didn’t want to let her down. He wanted to make sure she got out, like, “Be gone! I’m good here.”

There’s been something so strong between them that is like, “No, if you can’t take care of this relationship, then who are you?” There’s a sense of home for both. The history they’ve had in the past and work, being combat medics together and being on the Enterprise together now, there’s a lot of history there. And they know with everything else going around, there’s something there where they can look at each other and speak very truthfully and seek the best for each other.

I think this episode was that, right? It’s like, “I can save you.” “No, you can’t. We’re both going to die.” “No, I can save you!” She convinces him, and ultimately, I think he was very, very deeply grateful for that.

Martin, I feel like Scotty’s true understanding of the Enterprise as his ship and the deeper connection to the Enterprise is established in this episode, especially in that moment when he feels the hull in the Jefferies tube. Can you talk about that shift in him?

QUINN: I think it’s realizing that the answer isn’t in a textbook. Things come up that you can’t prepare for, and that you’ve got to kind of listen and be present, rather than panic. That is the big lesson that probably we all could do with. I think that that is his journey. We all know that he becomes the miracle worker — it’s just taken lessons like that to get there. He’s got to listen and be present and not panic, and follow in the footsteps of Pelia.

Martin Quinn Had One Unexpected Problem With Scotty’s ‘Strange New Worlds’ Puppet

“I was losing my mind.”

Image via Jan Thijs/Paramount+

Lastly, going back for a brief moment, we had the amazing puppet episode in this season, as well. I am curious just how much fun you had making that episode, and how badly did you want to take your own puppet home?

QUINN: [Laughs] It was great. I had a scene as a person, a couple of scenes, but then we didn’t see it until we all had to put our voices over the top of the puppeteers’ work. For me, that was a grueling couple of hours. It was hours and hours I spent on it. I don’t know. How did you find that, Babs? I felt like I was losing my mind.

OLUSANMOKUN: No. I remember being surprised at how little I needed to go in three for the episode. But I was doing some other stuff. I don’t know if I was really working on another episode, but it felt like, apart from the big scene on the bridge, and then maybe the ADR, like laying out some stuff, it didn’t feel as heavy, work-wise, as I thought it would be.

QUINN: No, for me, I was losing my mind. It was whether or not the mouth and what I was saying was lining up, and I was like, “I need to go again. I need to go again.” It’s because the puppeteer was a Canadian guy, but he was doing his Scottish accent, and then I had to do my Scottish accent over his Scottish accent. So, it was trying to get it all to link up. And he was ad-libbing sometimes, and I was like, “Hold on, hold on. When I say that, is it when the mouth’s closed?” Do you know what I mean? I was just losing my mind. So, yeah, shout out to all the engineers in Glasgow who were patient with me during those sessions, the sound engineers.

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds air on Paramount+ every Thursday. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

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Release Date

2022 – 2027-00-00

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Network

Paramount+

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Showrunner

Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman

Directors

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Dan Liu, Amanda Row, Maja Vrvilo, Akiva Goldsman, Dermott Downs, Eduardo Sánchez, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jonathan Frakes, Jordan Canning, Leslie Hope, Valerie Weiss, Sydney Freeland, Christopher J. Byrne, Rachel Leiterman

Writers

Onitra Johnson

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Tim Curry fans have not seen the last of the legendary actor. The “Rocky Horror Picture Show” star completed filming his scenes for the upcoming horror sequel “Stream 2: Sudden Death” before his death at age 80. Director Michael Leavy confirmed that Curry finished all of his work on the film, meaning audiences will eventually have another opportunity to see the actor onscreen.

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According to TMZ, Curry will reprise his role as Lockwood, a mysterious figure connected to the deadly operation at the center of the franchise. The first “Stream,” released in 2024, followed a family whose hotel getaway became a nightmare after masked killers began competing to carry out increasingly violent murders. The killings were livestreamed to an online audience that watched, placed bets, and awarded points based on the creativity of each attack.

Curry appeared near the end of the movie in a brief but important cameo as Lockwood. His character was shown wearing a plague doctor-style mask and using a wheelchair, with the scene suggesting that he was involved in a much larger organization operating the deadly game.

That appearance was not intended as a simple celebrity cameo. Leavy later explained that the filmmakers had always envisioned Lockwood as part of a broader story. “The first film only scratched the surface, and we’re excited to bring him back in a bigger role that audiences will really respond to,” the director said when Curry’s return was announced.

His Final Role Was Announced Months Before His Death

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Curry’s expanded involvement in “Stream 2: Sudden Death” was publicly announced on June 1. The news was noteworthy because Curry had accepted relatively few live-action roles since suffering a major stroke in 2012. The medical emergency left him paralyzed on his left side and unable to walk, leading him to focus primarily on voice acting.

His cameo in the original “Stream” marked a rare return to feature films. The sequel was set to give him considerably more material and reveal additional details about Lockwood’s role within the franchise’s violent mythology. TMZ reported after Curry’s death that he had completed every scene required for the sequel.

The filmmakers have not publicly disclosed the precise dates or location of Curry’s filming. A production listing updated in July still described the project’s broader shoot date as “TBA,” but Leavy’s statement confirms that Curry’s individual work had been completed before he died on August 25.

No release date for “Stream 2: Sudden Death” has been announced.

‘Stream 2’ Will Expand The Deadly Game

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While Leavy has remained careful about revealing major plot details, he confirmed that the sequel will follow a different family rather than returning exclusively to the survivors from the first movie. The murderous game is also expected to move from a hotel into a hospital setting.

“Now that ‘Stream’ is known and people know what it’s about, we don’t have to kind of slow play it like we did in ‘Stream 1,’” Leavy previously explained. “Now we can kind of jump right in off the rip.”

Brian Quinn of “Impractical Jokers” and producer Joe Imburgio wrote the screenplay. Curry is joined by returning cast members David Howard Thornton and Damian Maffei. Mike Giannelli, who originated the role of Art the Clown before Thornton took over the character in the “Terrifier” films, is also coming out of retirement for the sequel.

The production comes from Fuzz on the Lens Productions, the company connected to the “Terrifier” franchise.

The Director Felt Honored To Work With Tim Curry

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Leavy said he was shocked and devastated by Curry’s death, describing the actor as a “true cultural icon.” The director remembered Curry as someone who brought humor, warmth, wit, and charm to the production. He also expressed gratitude that Curry’s final work had been completed and could still be shared with audiences.

“It’s deeply meaningful to know that audiences will still have the opportunity to celebrate the work Tim brought to this role,” Leavy told TMZ, adding that Curry left an extraordinary impression on the team both personally and professionally.

The Film Will Be Dedicated To Curry And Tony Todd

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“Stream 2: Sudden Death” will be dedicated to Curry and horror legend Tony Todd, who appeared in the first movie before his death in November 2024. Todd played Locksley, another important figure connected to the livestreamed killing operation.

Leavy said the dedication will honor both men, their friendship with the filmmakers, and the faith they placed in the independent horror franchise. “Dedicating ‘Stream 2’ to them is our way of honoring their memory, their friendship, their belief in us, and the lasting legacy they leave behind,” he explained.

The sequel will now preserve the final performances of two actors who left enormous marks on the horror genre. Todd became synonymous with the “Candyman” franchise, while Curry terrified a generation as Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.”

Tim Curry Died At His Los Angeles-Area Home

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Curry died late Tuesday night at his Los Angeles-area residence following years of serious health issues. Police reportedly responded to his home at approximately 11:23 p.m. after the Los Angeles Fire Department had been called because of a medical emergency.

The actor was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities said no foul play was suspected. A specific cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Tim Curry spent the final 14 years of his life navigating the lasting effects of a devastating stroke that left him unable to walk and temporarily took away his ability to speak. The “Rocky Horror Picture Show” star suffered the medical emergency in July 2012, but initially had no idea anything was wrong. He later revealed that two blood clots were discovered in his brain, leading doctors to perform emergency surgery.

Curry survived, underwent extensive rehabilitation, and continued working from his wheelchair until shortly before his death at age 80. Although the stroke defined many of his later health struggles, no official cause of death has been announced, and there is no confirmation that it directly caused his death.

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Curry was receiving a massage on July 13, 2012, when his massage therapist became concerned about his condition. The actor did not believe he needed medical attention because he was not experiencing pain or any symptoms he immediately recognized as signs of a stroke. “I felt fine,” Curry recalled during a 2025 interview with “CBS News Sunday Morning,” revealing, “I had no symptoms that I was aware of. I wasn’t in pain.”

His massage therapist trusted his instincts and called for an ambulance despite Curry’s objections. The actor later credited that decision with potentially saving his life. By the time he arrived at the hospital, doctors had determined that he had suffered a serious stroke.

The diagnosis carried an especially personal significance for the actor. Curry’s father had suffered a stroke when Curry was a child and later died from pneumonia. Curry said thinking about what happened to his father left him frightened as doctors prepared to treat him.

Doctors Discovered Two Blood Clots

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Curry underwent emergency brain surgery after doctors discovered two blood clots. In his 2025 memoir, “Vagabond,” the actor described receiving a craniectomy, a procedure in which surgeons temporarily remove part of the skull to access the brain and relieve potentially dangerous pressure.

Curry recalled the procedure in characteristically blunt terms, writing that his skull had been “smashed in” during the effort to save his life. When he emerged from the hospital, Curry was required to wear a protective helmet because part of his skull had not yet been replaced. He later admitted that the helmet was not his “best look,” using humor to describe an experience that had nearly killed him.

The emergency procedure removed the blood clots, but the stroke had already caused permanent neurological damage.

The Stroke Left Tim Curry Partially Paralyzed

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Curry was left with paralysis on the left side of his body. The stroke affected his face, arm, and leg, permanently limiting his mobility. He became dependent on a wheelchair and was ultimately told that he would not walk again. His short-term memory was also affected.

For an actor whose career depended heavily on physical expression, stage movement, and his famously distinctive delivery, the changes were profound. Curry had built his reputation by commanding every scene, whether strutting across a stage as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, racing through an elaborate explanation in “Clue,” or terrifying viewers as Pennywise. After the stroke, simply communicating became one of his most immediate challenges.

Tim Curry Had To Learn How To Speak Again

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Curry spent time in the hospital before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation process. He underwent physical therapy to adjust to his limited mobility and speech therapy to recover a skill that had been central to his life and work. “I had to learn how to speak again,” Curry revealed. “That was very weird. I hated not being able to speak.”

Although Curry eventually recovered his ability to communicate, his speech and facial movement remained affected. The rehabilitation allowed him to regain enough independence to resume portions of his career, but he never recovered the ability to walk.

In September 2025, more than 13 years after the stroke, Curry candidly told an audience that he still could not walk and referred to his wheelchair as his “silly chair.” He nevertheless continued attending selected events and meeting fans.

Humor Became Essential To His Recovery

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Curry refused to allow his physical limitations to erase the wit that had helped define his performances. When he made a rare red-carpet appearance in 2015 to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Actors Fund, he described humor as “absolutely vital” to his recovery. “It is just part of my DNA,” he told Los Angeles Magazine.

His refusal to indulge in self-pity also became central to his outlook. During his final major interview, Curry said he did not admire self-pity and questioned why any person should consider themselves important enough to demand it from others.

That attitude did not mean the recovery was easy. Curry acknowledged fear, frustration, and the enormous challenge of losing his mobility and speech. Humor just gave him a way to retain control over how those experiences were discussed.

Silo Season 3 is adapting the second book in Hugh Howey‘s series, Shift, though it is taking more creative liberties than ever. Changes are nothing new for this series, though the show’s interpretation of Rep. Keene (Ashley Zukerman) is considerably different from the book. The latest episode, “Gray Goo,” changed things up even more, and some fans are frustrated to see the story drifting away from the source material. Howey himself hopped into a Facebook fan group to defend Keene’s new arc, simultaneously acknowledging how different it is. With two more episodes to go in this season and another season on the way, it’s too soon to draw any major conclusions just yet. However, right now it looks like this version of Keene is better suited for the TV show than an exact copy of the book character would have been.

Howey’s novel introduces us to Rep. Donald Keene, though the show changed his first name to Daniel to avoid any comparisons to real-life political figures. In Season 3, we’ve seen Daniel slowly uncover the secretive project to build the silos that will eventually become doomsday shelters for Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) and everyone else we know in the series. At the end of Episode 8, Daniel actually rejects an offer to join the project, which is not how it played out in the book. There, Donald was pretty quick to sign on — even if he didn’t fully understand what he was in for. Having Daniel refuse this call reframes the rest of the story in some ways, but it’s ultimately good for his arc and for the overarching mystery of the series as well.

‘Silo’ Makes Daniel More Likable Than Donald

Image via Apple TV

Responding to fans online this week, Howey wrote: “It’s an improvement over the books. We didn’t want Daniel to be a WILLING contributor to a large part of the project. You’ll start to see why in the next two episodes. It’s critical to his arc.” Howey’s commentary actually highlights some nuance in this change — while Daniel didn’t refuse to work on the Silo project in the books, he had even less of an idea of what he was getting into. The show has simply streamlined his story so that information can be revealed to him and the audience at a smoother pace.

In Shift, Donald Keene is a freshman Congressman who already knows Senator Thurman (Laura Innes) as an old family friend. Since they both represent the people of Georgia, Donald is happy to work with Thurman in any way — both as part of his responsibilities and to raise his political notoriety. Thurman introduces him to this construction project under false pretenses. Thurman claims it is an underground storage facility for nuclear waste, with just one silo-style shelter on campus to house the staff in case of an emergency.

Donald does find it odd when Thurman asks him to design the shelter himself, but he has a background in architecture and he dreads saying no to the senior legislator. Throughout the book, Donald does wish he could abandon the project as it causes him stress and strains his relationships, but he persists for the sake of his career. He does not learn what he was actually designing until a nuclear attack drives him inside. Even then, he doesn’t learn the truth about the nanoweapon swarms until later.

It’s easier and more natural for the show’s version of Daniel to refuse Thurman since he has no personal history with her. In fact, the show hasn’t changed Daniel’s characterization so much as the circumstances under which he learns about the silo project. Since he knows about the nanoweapons and other conspiratorial aspects of this plot from the start, he has a chance to come off as more heroic and noble by refusing this offer. It gives Daniel time to believe he has agency before the full scope of the coercion at play is revealed.

Thurman’s Plot is Even More Horrifying on TV

Image via Apple TV

If Apple TV‘s version of this plot makes Keene more likable, it makes Thurman even more villainous. As mentioned above, these changes make a lot of sense for the pacing of a TV show — they help draw out the suspense and tension and make it harder for viewers to guess where the story is headed. This is likely a good call, though we’ll see if the show can stick the landing for Season 3 in a couple of weeks. As it is, Keene’s storyline has been more exciting at the cost of his overall screen time compared to the books.

It makes sense that fans feel like the TV show is letting Keene off the hook in a way. Rather than reckoning with the consequences of his own actions, he will now have the comfort of knowing he refused to join the project when given the chance. However, in either case the whole plot came down to unbelievable manipulation by Thurman. In the end, giving Daniel the heroic moment that Donald never got will look like a small trade for the much-needed injection of Hollywood pacing in this story. It doesn’t hurt that the masterminds of this plot will look all the worse in the process.

So far, showrunner Graham Yost and the rest of the cast and crew have given us no reason to doubt they can pull all these strands together and bring this story to a satisfying close. Until then, fans can read ahead in Howey’s Silo trilogy, available now in print, digital, and audiobook formats. Silo Season 3 has two more episodes to go, airing on Fridays on Apple TV. Season 4 has been greenlit and is slated for release next year.

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Release Date

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May 5, 2023

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Graham Yost

Directors

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Morten Tyldum, David Semel, Michael Dinner, Aric Avelino

Writers

Graham Yost, Hugh Howey, Jeffery Wang, Lekethia Dalcoe

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