Britney Spears is celebrating her son Jayden James Federline’s 20th birthday with a sweet — and candid — social media post.

“Happy birthday to my handsome young boy oh dear lord we have this beautiful thing called life in front of us, it’s such a beautiful delicate thing,” the pop star, 44, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, September 12, alongside a vintage-looking photo of Jayden.

In the pic, Spears’ son can be seen wearing a flannel buttoned shirt and a pair of black pants while posing for an unidentified photographer.

“I hope I can be the best mommy in the world every day of ur life!!!!” Spears concluded the post.

Related: Britney Spears Calls Son Jayden a ‘Miracle and Genius’ Amid Reunion

Britney Spears is still feeling giddy about reuniting with her youngest son.  Spears, 43, took to Instagram on Monday, December 30, to praise son Jayden, 18, days after they spent Christmas together for the first time in years.  “Mine forever !!!” she wrote alongside two snaps of Jayden standing in a natural setting and sporting […]

Spears shares Jayden and his sibling Sean Preston with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. The singer was estranged from both her children for a time but has recently mended their respective relationships amid her most recent legal troubles.

“Her boys are going to be spending time with her,” Spears’ rep told Us in a March statement after the superstar was arrested for a suspected DUI. “Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue, needed plan to set her up for success for well-being.”

Weeks later, a source told Us that Spears voluntarily checked into a treatment facility “after several conversations” with both her sons. (Spears pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of “wet reckless” driving, resulting in the dismissal of her DUI charge. She received 12 months of probation without serving jail time.)

“They expressed concern about her recent behavior and urged her to seek professional help, which has been long overdue, to get her back on track,” the insider exclusively told Us at the time. “All they’ve ever wanted for their mom is health and happiness, even during the years they were estranged. They hope she’ll take it seriously.”

A second source, meanwhile, told Us that Spears went into the facility to show her kids that she took her arrest “seriously.”

In July, Jayden came to his mother’s defense, publicly denouncing an online conspiracy theory claiming the pop star was actually deceased and had been cloned.

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“I hop on TikTok and I see this one video that has 1.2 million likes, and the caption is like, ‘The biggest theory ever: Is Britney Spears still alive?’” Jayden said during a July 17 livestream, per screen-recorded footage. “Like, bro, you can go to her page and see her right now.”

He continued at the time, “It makes me know that a lot of the stuff on media is exaggerated and fake. People know how gullible people are, and they use that to their advantage. Anyone that sees it on media, they just see it and if it has a lot of likes, they [believe] it. They don’t even research it, they’re just, ‘Wow, yeah, it’s crazy. I believe it.’”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Coco Gauff has received support from fans and celebrities alike following her impressive run at the US Open.

Among those cheering her on was actress Issa Rae, who shared an excited reaction with the tennis star after her quarterfinal victory. The two met backstage after the win, and the moment has since gone viral online.

Actress Issa Rae met up with Coco Gauff following the tennis star’s comeback win over Mirra Andreeva in the US Open quarterfinals, and it was an emotional moment for the duo.

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As Gauff made her way into the section where Rae was waiting, the two shared a warm hug. Rae immediately revealed how tense she had felt throughout the match.

“You had our hearts beating,” Rae told Gauff, to which the tennis star replied, “I know, me too.”

Rae then followed up with more compliments, telling Gauff she was “so happy” the tennis star had emerged as the winner of the tense matchup.

Coco Gauff Says She Couldn’t Lose In Front Of Issa Rae

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During their conversation, Gauff revealed that spotting Rae in the stands motivated her to push for the win.

“I saw you in the stands,” Gauff told the actress. “And I was like, ‘I can’t lose in front of Issa.’”

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In the quarterfinals, Gauff produced a stunning comeback against Mirra Andreeva, recovering from a first-set loss to secure a 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory. The win set up a semifinal clash with newly crowned World No. 1 Elena Rybakina on September 10.

Coco Gauff’s US Open Run Ends Against Elena Rybakina

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Unfortunately for Gauff, her run ended with a loss to Rybakina at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday.

In a press conference after the match, Gauff shared what she thought had turned the match in her opponent’s favor.

“She played really well. I thought it was a good match and honestly, it came down to like a couple service games of mine in both sets, and I didn’t quite hold,” Gauff said.

She also said she intended to review the match to see how she could improve her game against Rybakina, who had also beaten her in their previous meeting before the semifinal matchup.

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“I have to look back and see what happens,” added the tennis star. “But um, she does a great job of just being there every point and putting a lot of pressure on you on service games and return games.”

Coco Gauff Says Fans Carried Her Through US Open Semifinal

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Despite the loss, Gauff received plenty of support from fans as she battled Rybakina in the semifinal.

When asked how she felt about receiving that support, the tennis star said she was very grateful.

“It means a lot. They definitely carry me through a lot of these matches here, and I can feel the love all the way down to the last point,” she said.

She described the experience as “rare” and said she would always cherish it as she continues to compete in tennis.

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Fans Rally Around Coco Gauff After US Open Semifinal Loss

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Fan support continued beyond the court, with many expecting Gauff to compete at the highest level for years to come.

“For sure, an exceptional run. May she close the season out well. Also, Coco gets better every season, so it will be cool to see how her game evolves next season,” one fan wrote.

“You are great; hold your head up. You will come back strong. Much love to you, excellent,” another fan said.

“No need for tears… you’ve had an awesome run, CoCo !!! Congrats,” one more fan wrote.

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Emily Willis requires round-the-clock care more than two years after suffering a catastrophic brain injury while receiving treatment at a luxury rehabilitation center. The 27-year-old former adult film star, whose legal name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, is reportedly unable to move or communicate beyond grunts and moans. Her family says she relies on feeding and breathing support. Despite the devastating prognosis, one occasional gesture has given Willis’ younger brother hope that she remains aware of the people around her.

Willis entered Summit Malibu in California in early 2024 while struggling with ketamine and alcohol addiction, according to the Daily Mail. She reportedly texted her younger brother, Michael Cooper, to tell him she would be “detoxing” for 21 days without access to her phone or substances. The treatment program reportedly cost $45,500.

Michael, now 24, said his sister appeared optimistic about receiving help. “She said it had a lot of amenities, and a lot of celebrities went there, and they make sure you come out well. She was strong going in and had a path forward,” he said. “I had zero reason to think anything would go wrong.”

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Nine days into her stay, Willis was reportedly found unresponsive and not breathing. Paramedics eventually restored her pulse, but the prolonged lack of oxygen caused an anoxic brain injury. It took nearly three weeks for Willis to emerge from her coma. Her family was then told that the resulting brain damage was irreversible.

Lawsuit Alleged Her Health Rapidly Deteriorated

Adult star Emily Willis, 25, suffered devastating brain damage and was permanently disabled after cardiac arrest during ketamine addiction treatment at Summit Malibu.

Her family is now suing. pic.twitter.com/pq9slOfjSZ

— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) January 30, 2025

Willis’ mother, Yesenia Cooper, filed a civil complaint against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers. The complaint alleged that Willis entered the facility weighing 111 pounds but weighed only 83 pounds by the time she suffered cardiac arrest.

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According to medical notes described in the complaint, Willis refused medication on her first day and exhibited multiple withdrawal symptoms. Three days into the program, she was allegedly described as ‘disheveled, frail, disoriented’ and experiencing ‘difficulty walking.’ The complaint said she declined hospitalization.

Another note allegedly described her as “anxious, distressed, barely eating, not showering or getting dressed and was experiencing aches, tremors, spasms and weakness.”

The complaint also alleged that Willis experienced night terrors, a serious urinary tract infection, and severe dehydration during her stay. Despite the reported weight loss and difficulty eating, the lawsuit claimed she was not evaluated by a nutritionist or dietitian.

The complaint accused Summit Malibu of admitting Willis “merely for profits.” “Defendants failed to provide her the care she needed for her physical and mental symptoms,” the complaint stated.

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Summit Malibu denied the allegations and disputed that it was legally responsible for Willis’ condition. Court filings reportedly argued that Willis refused medication and recommendations to seek additional medical treatment.

The Rehabilitation Center Did Not Admit Wrongdoing

A judge approved a $3 million settlement in July, ending the lawsuit without a trial or a finding that Summit Malibu caused Willis’ injuries. According to TMZ, Willis is expected to receive about $1.25 million after attorney fees, liens, and other financial obligations are paid.

Her mother will reportedly continue serving as her conservator and overseeing the money placed into a trust for her ongoing care.

Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers did not admit liability or wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Willis’ own attorney acknowledged in court filings that the case ‘was no slam dunk’ because it remains unclear what happened immediately before she stopped breathing. That uncertainty continues to torment her brother. “That’s what is so frustrating is that this didn’t happen to her at home or anything. It happened under the care of medical professionals who were acting under California law as her legal guardians,” Michael told the Daily Mail.

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Emily Willis’ Mother Moved Her To Mexico

Yesenia has since moved Willis to Mexico, where relatives help provide constant care at a family member’s home. She reportedly plans to purchase a house there because nursing services are more affordable than in the United States and she has support from extended family.

Willis’ mother believes her daughter remains aware of her condition despite being unable to communicate conventionally. She said Willis sometimes screams and kicks out of frustration. Yesenia is also hoping to take her daughter to Spain for experimental treatments that she believes could help Willis regain some independence. “They do things there that aren’t available here. Maybe she can become more independent,” she said.

Michael remains concerned about the physical and emotional toll his sister’s care could take on their mother. The family continues to accept donations through a verified GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $127,000 at the time of publication.

“People have already been very generous,” Michael said. “But if anyone feels inclined to keep giving her the best quality of life possible, it would be more than appreciated.”

Her Family Remembers An Independent And Generous Woman

Michael described Willis as fiercely independent from a young age. She began working at a burger restaurant at 14 so she could buy her first smartphone. After the family moved from Mexico to Utah, Willis helped her younger brother by driving him to school in an aging green Pontiac Grand Am. “It was ugly, but she loved it,” Michael recalled.

Willis left home at 17 and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where she entered the adult film industry. Her success reportedly earned her millions of dollars, but Michael said she remained committed to supporting her family. “She was the most generous person ever, trying to take care of the people she loved, my mom, my dad, and me. We never asked her for money. We just loved her for who she was,” he said.

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Her father, Michael Cooper Sr., acknowledged that accepting her career took time. “I didn’t like what she was doing, but instead of trying to criticize her and lose her, I kind of embraced her so she didn’t push me away,” he explained. “Nobody wants their daughter to do that. People will criticize, but they’ll watch somebody else’s daughter doing that, no problem.”

Willis and her younger brother remained especially close, regularly speaking by phone, traveling together and visiting amusement parks. “It was me and her against the world. That was something we’d always say,” Michael said.

Emily Willis Had Hoped To Pursue A Different Career

Before her medical emergency, Willis had begun expanding beyond adult entertainment. She appeared alongside Bella Thorne, Stephen Dorff and Scott Bakula in the 2023 science-fiction film “Divinity.” Deadline confirmed her casting in the project, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

According to her brother, Willis also discussed attending acting school or leaving the adult industry to study psychology in college. “We’d talk to her, try to help her, urging her to move out of Hollywood and those influences and come closer to us,” he said.

Michael now holds onto one small response that suggests his sister may recognize him despite her inability to speak. “Sometimes I’ll blow her a kiss, and she’ll sort of pucker her lips like she’s blowing one back,” he said. “It’s a struggle for her, and it doesn’t always happen. But it has me thinking she’s in there.”

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Celine Dion is heading back to the stage in Paris, but this comeback has been years in the making.

Her return has already sparked plenty of excitement, with the singer quietly preparing for her first major performances in the city in years. What has gone into getting her ready, however, is a story in itself.

Celine Dion first captured international attention after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988, then broke into the English-speaking market in the early 1990s. With hits such as “The Power of Love,” “Because You Loved Me,” and “My Heart Will Go On,” she became one of the most recognizable voices in modern music, making her return to live performance especially significant.

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After years away from the kind of stage that made her a global superstar, the iconic singer is finally preparing to step back into the spotlight. But before the lights come up in Paris, Dion has had to put in serious work behind the scenes to get herself ready.

Her preparation has involved far more than rehearsing songs. Dion has been working with doctors and specialists while rebuilding her strength and mobility, gradually pushing herself through rehabilitation as she worked toward performing again.

That road has had plenty of emotional “highs and lows,” but the singer kept going. Now, with her Paris shows finally approaching, the progress she has made is becoming one of the most important parts of the comeback story, as an insider is giving the singer her flowers by saying:

“People may not realize how much work Celine put in to fight this condition and to regain her strength and mobility.”

The Comeback Took ‘Constant, Consistent Work’

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According to Us Magazine, a source said Celine Dion has put in “constant, consistent work” to regain her strength and mobility. The insider revealed that she trains almost every day on top of physical therapy and has begun seeing “such great results” from her rehabilitation. In their words:

“She is physically so strong and has done so much hard work to get here. She trains almost every day on top of physical therapy.”

The source said Dion has also spent years figuring out her condition and finding the right doctors and specialists, describing that process as daunting and acknowledging the emotional lows she experienced along the way. Even so, the singer kept showing up for the work, with the insider describing her as “incredibly resilient and strong-willed.”

Now that effort is leading to the moment she has been working toward. Her preparation was described as an “incredible labor of love,” with the source insisting Dion would never have taken on the Paris shows unless she believed she could deliver.

More From The Blast

Celine Dion Refused To Let Her Diagnosis Define Her Comeback

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Dion has been remarkably candid about life with stiff-person syndrome, but she has also made it clear that the condition does not get to define what comes next. According to John Hopkins, Stiff Person Syndrome commonly develops in people between the ages of 40 and 50, affecting one to two people in a million.

After years of dealing with symptoms, she has chosen to focus on living her life and finding ways to keep moving forward. The singer has described the condition as progressive and said she prefers not to call it a “disease.”

She also opened up about the difficult days when her symptoms made movement incredibly hard, while explaining how she found small ways to cope and maintain a positive outlook. The Blast detailed her candid reflections on learning to live with the condition.

That mindset now sits at the heart of her return to the stage. Dion has made it clear that she does not want to spend her life questioning what the condition might take away, and that determination has helped shape the comeback fans are now waiting to see.

The First Song Of The Paris Comeback Is Locked Away

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The stage is set, the comeback is happening, but Dion is keeping one tantalizing detail all to herself. Fans know they are getting their long-awaited Paris return, yet the singer has refused to reveal which song will open the show.

When French broadcaster BFMTV asked about her first number, Dion gave the kind of answer guaranteed to keep fans guessing: “I can’t say, it’s a big secret.” With a catalog packed with career-defining hits, that leaves plenty of possibilities for what could get the first note of the night.

As reported by The Blast, Dion has admitted that she is still “a bit uptight” about returning after such a long absence, even as she insists she is ready. Now, with the opening song still under wraps, fans have one more mystery to solve before  Dion finally takes that Paris stage.

Celine Dion’s Paris Return Started With A Gift To Her Fans

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The mystery surrounding her first song is only part of what makes Dion’s Paris comeback so personal. Long before fans began wondering what she would sing first, the singer had already framed her return as the birthday gift she had been waiting to give herself.

In March, Dion surprised fans by announcing that she would perform in Paris beginning in September, calling the chance to see and perform for them again “the best gift of my life.” She also reportedly reassured fans that she was feeling good, singing again and even dancing a little.

The response was immediate, with fans celebrating the announcement and rushing to buy tickets for the initial run of shows. After spending so much time away from the stage, Celine Dion now has an audience waiting not only to hear that first song, but to see the comeback she has been promising all along.

Following the massive success of Christopher Nolan‘s blockbuster epic The Odyssey, audience interest in the myths and legends of ancient Greece has skyrocketed. Full of heroes, epic fights, dangerous voyages, and larger-than-life characters, The Odyssey is the type of mythological spectacle that Hollywood had been hesitant to make—but despite pre-release internet backlash, Nolan’s adaptation has grossed well over a billion dollars at the box office, with records being broken left and right. It’s clear that audiences have not yet had enough of ancient Greece as a cinematic setting, and for those looking to stay in that world, there is already another epic waiting for them.

2004’s Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Brian Cox, did not receive the near-universal praise that The Odyssey has. But more than two decades later, audiences seem to be warming up to it, with the film holding steady as the second most-streamed film on Apple TV. On the surface, it looks like the type of epic non-franchise blockbuster that audiences claim to miss and is the type of movie that is built to get people to the theater. Now that ancient Greece is back on the public’s minds, it may be the perfect time to revisit Troy and see what holds up.

Led by Brad Pitt’s Achilles, the film takes Homer’s Iliad and turns it into a tragic war epic centered on human pride, mortality, and what a person will do to be remembered throughout history. By not focusing on Odysseus, played by Sean Bean, the film also makes Troy feel like a companion piece to The Odyssey. The movies focus on two different heroes, but the friendship between Odysseus and Achilles in Troy is a crucial part of the narrative, and the movie ends at the perfect launching point for The Odyssey.

‘Troy’ Has Aged Better Than Its Original Reception Would Have Suggested

When Troy was first released, it earned mixed reviews from both critics and general audiences, who criticized it for its bloated narrative and the many creative liberties it took with Homer’s original story. Some of those criticisms were earned, but if you watch the movie today, many of the qualities that once made the movie have an old-fashioned feel are now precisely what makes it refreshing.

While Homer’s Iliad focuses on the ensemble of characters, Troy centers itself around Achilles and his quest to carve his name into the stones of history. Rather than painting him as just the skilled warrior that he is, the movie makes his awareness of his mortality the defining trait of his character. On the other side of the coin is Eric Bana‘s Hector, the leader of the Trojan military, who feels responsibility for not just himself, but his family and his country. It’s a more nuanced take on the conflict that most adaptations take, and gives Troy more complexity than its reputation as a sword-and-sandals blockbuster suggests. Achilles and the Greeks want history to remember them; Hector and the Trojans fight for those they love.

Following the death of Achilles’ cousin Patroclus at the hands of Hector, these diametrically opposed foes are led into an eventual clash of swords and shields. Their duel outside the walls of Troy stands as one of the best fight scenes of the era, with Hector showing that Achilles is, in fact, mortal, despite his eventual defeat. It’s a fight that is physical, desperate, and intimate despite the enormous scale surrounding it.

‘Troy’ and ‘The Odyssey’ Explore Different Kinds of Ancient Heroes

Image via Warner Bros.

The presence of Odysseus in the film makes Troy especially interesting as a companion piece to Nolan’s The Odyssey. Both stories are filled with heroes, but their narratives serve as an interesting contrast in how they define heroism. Achilles is unbeatable in combat but struggles with understanding his own humanity, while Odysseus survives because he knows how to adapt and survive, not because he is the greatest warrior. Each character represents different aspects of who we consider to be a hero and what qualities we place the most emphasis on in a person.

Because of this, watching Troy after The Odyssey does more than provide viewers with another ancient Greek adventure to enjoy. It reveals a new and exciting corner of the same legendary world. Much of The Odyssey’s focus is on mythology and the destiny that the Greek gods had set humans on, and while Troy is more grounded, it shares the same fascination with fate and mortality. More than 20 years after the movie’s release, it remains a fun, if flawed, take on Greek mythology and what it means to be a hero.

For anyone looking to dive back into ancient Greece after watching The Odyssey, and spend a few more hours in the lands of Homer’s heroes, Troy remains one of the best places to go next.

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Release Date

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May 14, 2004

Runtime

163 minutes

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Director

Wolfgang Petersen

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Recently, rumors have been swirling about who will be cast as the next James Bond. The iconic spy has been played by everyone from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, and now that Daniel Craig has set aside his martini after 2021’s No Time to Die, a replacement is needed. This has set off a frenzy, with several names thrown into the ring. Recently, Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner have been floated as possibilities — as well as an actor who has been showing off his talents in another brilliant spy thriller series.

Jack Lowden Is Already Playing the Perfect Spy in Apple TV’s ‘Slow Horses’

Since 2022, Jack Lowden has shown he has what it takes to play a convincing spy in Apple TV’s Slow Horses, demonstrating over five seasons that he can truly tackle anything. Lowden’s character, River Cartwright, has just been hired by MI5, but his introduction to the job is rocky. In a disastrous training exercise, River makes a blunder that gets him relegated to a group of rejects, nicknamed the “Slow Horses” in tribute to the Slough House branch they’ve been assigned to. This ragtag bunch of agents doesn’t have the glory that often comes along with being in MI5, and are more often tasked with paperwork than legitimate cases. Each season, River and his fellow Slow Horses are pulled into bigger investigations involving serious national security threats, all in the name of protecting Great Britain.

River’s personal life is often no better than his professional one. His beloved grandfather and former head of MI5, David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce), is slowly losing his memory to Alzheimer’s, and Season 4 drops a major revelation about the identity of River’s birth father. River’s love life is a bit of a mess, too, between a missed opportunity to turn his connection with Sid Baker (Olivia Cooke) into something more and a misguided attempt to kiss his best friend and fellow Slow Horse, Louisa Guy, (Rosalind Eleazar), in Season 5. Yet all of these traits work in tandem to make River a lovable and well-rounded character. Even though he’s far from perfect, River is relatable, honest, and always tries his best to do the right thing.

Jack Lowden Doesn’t Need 007 To Have a Flourishing Career

Although Lowden would be fantastic as James Bond, he’s already depicting the perfect spy in Slow Horses. Bond is slick, glamorous, and rarely makes a misstep, while Lowden’s River is a much more authentic protagonist who’s easy to root for. He’s often forced to chase or outrun suspects, depending on the episode, and each scrape he finds himself in is typically humiliating, but still always fun to watch. It’s not that River is altogether incapable of saving the day, but rather that he seems to have terrible luck, and Lowden strikes the perfect balance between deadpan charm and long-suffering annoyance.

Of course, Lowden would still make an exceptional James Bond, having already demonstrated that he can pull off complex stunts with ease and is right at home in the spy world. But there’s no way the actor could top his two-time Emmy-nominated performance as River, which continues with the Season 6 premiere of Slow Horses this month. He’s also starring as the celebrated Mr. Darcy in Netflix’s upcoming miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. At the end of the day, we’re happy to see Lowden onscreen in any role, but we’re just as satisfied with him playing a Slow Horse as we would be with him stepping into that famous tuxedo.

Seasons 1–5 of Slow Horses are available to stream on Apple TV in the U.S. Season 6 drops on Wednesday, September 16.

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Slow Horses

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Release Date

April 1, 2022

Network

Apple TV+

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Showrunner

Douglas Urbanski

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Directors

Adam Randall, James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Saul Metzstein

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Andor may be over, but Kyle Soller‘s performance as Syril Karn remains one of the show’s strangest and most memorable. Across the series’ two seasons, Syril evolves from an obsessive bureaucrat into a pawn in the Empire’s plans for Ghorman, with his increasingly complicated relationship with Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) ultimately ending in tragedy. By the time Syril realizes just how thoroughly he has been manipulated, his devotion to order has already helped put him on a collision course with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and the Ghorman resistance. Soller’s performance makes that downfall unexpectedly emotional, especially as Syril’s carefully controlled exterior begins to fall apart.

Given just how well Soller embodies Syril’s desperation, severity, and growing disillusionment, it may be surprising for Star Wars fans to learn that the actor has already played an even more openly vulnerable character in another acclaimed sci-fi series. Back in 2023, Soller starred in the Netflix sci-fi hit Bodies, showing off his softer side and giving the series its most poignant love story as London Detective Inspector Alfred Hillinghead.

A critically acclaimed release in its own right, Bodies is a thrilling adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name that broke into Netflix’s Top 10 following its release. For viewers who were impressed by Soller’s tragic turn in Andor, the eight-part sci-fi mystery offers an even clearer showcase for his emotional range.

What Is Netflix’s ‘Bodies’ About?

Bodies is also a healthy mix of time travel and good old-fashioned (literally) murder. The series’ plot revolves around detectives in four time periods — 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 — all of whom suddenly stumble upon the same body (Tom Mothersdale) appearing in all four years at once in the same exact spot. As the investigators each follow their own leads to understand this mystery victim’s identity, cause of death, and the motivation behind the killing, both the audience and detectives alike are pulled into a conspiracy spanning centuries, one that seeks to reshape the world into a new, dystopian order and ensure that everyone knows what it means to feel loved.

What follows is an exhilarating race both against and throughout time in order to ensure the man somehow living in all four time periods, Elias Mannix (Gabriel Howell and Stephen Graham), cannot be allowed to continue a time loop that grants him power over history itself.

Soller’s DI Hillinghead is the lead investigator in the year 1890 and, for all intents and purposes, leads the most compelling and vital subplot in the series’ eight episodes. At once intrigued by a reporter at the scene of the crime, Henry Ashe (George Parker), and wholeheartedly devoted to his wife and daughter, Hillinghead is a man pulled in two directions as questions surrounding the titular body pull him deeper into the mystery of Graham’s Sir Julian Harker.

Facing police corruption, blackmail, and the injustice of a late Victorian society as he digs deeper for the truth, Hillinghead is subsequently forced to choose between living honestly or living safely, and Soller’s heartbreaking performance imbues Hillinghead’s dilemma with a level of raw emotion that easily makes his storyline the most impactful of the series.

Kyle Soller Masterfully Balances Severity With Passion in ‘Bodies’

Watching Soller at the beginning of Bodies is sure to be a treat for Andor fans because the actor imbues his London detective with the same severity that defines Syril Karn. A stern, stoic presence onscreen whose serious regard for propriety contrasts with Henry Ashe’s more teasing, liberated personality, Soller once again demonstrates his skill at bringing hawkish authority figures to life during Bodies‘ earliest episodes. But the actor truly shines once the series begins exploring Hillinghead’s queer identity. At first so startled by his feelings for Ashe that he has the man arrested on the same kind of indecency charge that doomed Oscar Wilde, the pair’s joint investigation soon makes it impossible for Hillinghead to hide his true feelings. The role allows Soller to surrender the rigid restraint familiar from Syril Karn in favor of a much more openly passionate performance.

Hillinghead’s subsequent scenes with Ashe are all largely stolen by just how successfully Soller’s pleading line delivery tugs on your heartstrings, with the character’s mask quickly melting away to reveal the portrait of a man who has lived his entire life without the love he truly craves. Whether recovering from a séance gone wrong in Ashe’s apartment or urging Ashe to run once Harker issues Hillinghead a chilling ultimatum, Soller masterfully conveys the urgent need of Hillinghead’s desire and the growing happiness of a man finally at home in Ashe’s apartment. Furthermore, by convincingly capturing both Hillinghead’s early austerity and the pining familiarity he develops once he opens up to Ashe, Soller effectively captures the duality of a man who goes from trapped to entranced, transforming one of Bodies‘ best characters and highlighting the versatile talent of the Star Wars performer.

Kyle Soller’s Love Story in ‘Bodies’ Grounds the Sci-Fi Narrative in Deeply Personal Stakes

Image via Netflix

Aside from how well Soller portrays the most dynamic character in Bodies‘ romantic subplot, the relationship itself has larger implications for the show’s story at large. In a series that juggles the usual futuristic exposition and sci-fi gymnastics in 2053, Bodies‘ 1890 plotline occupies a much more intimate atmosphere, one with all the charged tension and personal turmoil of a classic period romance. Consequently, Hillinghead’s affair grounds the mind-bending plot of Bodies‘ later episodes with a depth of human feeling that allows the series to remain tonally balanced, reminding viewers of the series’ personal stakes even as each new revelation opens the door to a plethora of complex, plot-related paradoxes.

Once again, Soller is a standout of these later story moments, expertly communicating Hillinghead’s inner conflict between his old lies and new lease on life, both when his family is threatened and during the detective’s final confrontation with Elias Mannix. In fact, by the end of Bodies, it’s hard to root for anyone more than Hillinghead because of the twisted scheme Elias ultimately unleashes on the man’s family and loved ones.

Nevertheless, a character’s tragedy is an actor’s opportunity, and Soller more than seizes his chance to deliver a stirring performance that is as gut-wrenching as it is deeply moving. After seeing Syril Karn’s complete downfall in Andor, Soller’s work in Bodies feels even more revealing. Both characters begin as tightly wound authority figures, but Hillinghead allows the actor to expose a tenderness and vulnerability that Syril spends much of his life desperately suppressing. For Andor fans who came away impressed by Soller’s performance, Netflix’s sci-fi mystery proves just how much more range the actor has to offer.

All eight episodes of Bodies are available to stream on Netflix.

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Bodies

Release Date

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2023 – 2023-00-00

Showrunner

Paul Tomalin

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Directors

Marco Kreuzpainter, Haolu Wang

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Writers

Paul Tomalin, Danusia Samal

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Taylor Swift‘s latest date-night appearance with her husband, Travis Kelce, has renewed interest in their married life and raised a question many people want answered: where are the wedding photos?

The newlyweds were recently photographed together hand in hand during a Manhattan date night over two months after their July 3 star-studded wedding ceremony at Madison Square Garden.

While Travis Kelce has offered up details about the night, Taylor Swift, on the other hand, has remained mum on the subject, fueling demands from Swifties to release wedding details and especially a look at her wedding dress.

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Swift and Kelce stepped out for date night at Ambassadors Clubhouse New York in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, dripping in style.

The outing, which reportedly marked their first date night as newlyweds, saw Swift turning heads in a dress by Stella McCartney and Kelce accompanying her in a more casual outfit.

However, the attention following the outing quickly turned to their wedding, which the couple had mostly been secretive about.

There has been no official photo of Swift and Kelce from inside the wedding despite the scale of the ceremony, and the silence has left a good portion of Swift’s fanbase asking for even the tiniest details.

According to the Daily Mail, one fan begged, “I just need to see the wedding dress. They don’t even need to be on her. Photos on a mannequin will do.”

Another reflected on the time they spent being a fan of the pop star and couldn’t fathom not seeing her wedding dress.

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Still addressing the singer’s wedding, one fan made it pretty clear there are consequences to not updating Swifties: “I’m unstanning Taylor because where are those damn wedding pics.”

Swift has previously been fairly open to sharing some details about her personal life with her fanbase, and they have come to expect it. However, the silence since the nuptials is particularly deafening.

The “Shake it Off” singer has shown no indication that she plans to even release official wedding photographs, but speculation abounds as to what the deal is.

Sources also stated that Swift knows jokes are being made about her wedding on social media, particularly the activities involving raffle draws.

One insider noted that the singer is acutely aware of the “online jokes surrounding the designer handbags gifted to guests.”

Speculations Surrounding Taylor Swift’s Silence Amid ‘Negative Feedback’

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The lack of photographs has also made people wonder why the singer is withholding the wedding pictures, leading to speculations that it might point to plans for a future project.

A source told the Daily Mail, “Everyone is convinced she is doing a documentary about the wedding, or maybe even a music video to go with a song about the wedding.”

The source added that others are hoping Swift is planning to release a whole wedding album with several “wedding-themed music videos.”

Another insider had a different take on the matter. They suggested that Swift may simply be biding her time and waiting for the “backlash” surrounding the wedding to die down.

“There was negative feedback to the wedding. It’s like she needs some time to pass so the backlash wears off,” the insider told the outlet.

The “backlash” in question refers to the response from critics who were not pleased with the lavishness of the wedding, which led to street closures near the Garden, a huge police presence, and general disruption that allegedly hit businesses in the area.

Some critics have reportedly dubbed her “Marie Antoinette,” referencing the famous symbol of excess whose lavish lifestyle and willful ignorance of the struggles of normal people is seen as being partly responsible for the French Revolution.

Travis Kelce Spills On The Wedding’s Privacy

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While Swift has been silent on the matter, her hubby has at least publicly provided information about the couple’s decision to keep the event largely undocumented.

According to Elle, Kansas City’s tight end explained on the season 5 premiere of his “New Heights” podcast that guests were required to surrender their devices.

“With no phones, you know, people not having to be on guard. It makes everyone be in the moment and be present,” Kelce said.

Kelce explained that they needed the wedding to feel “private” and Madison Square Garden went “above and beyond” to grant their wish.

He also described the celebration as “a very magical, magical night.”

Taylor Swift ‘Doesn’t Owe Her Fans A Glimpse Into That Day Until She’s Ready To Share,’ Source Says

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Swift’s insistence on keeping the matter quiet is reportedly because she doesn’t consider it an obligation to give fans access to her wedding day.

According to a Daily Mail source, “She doesn’t owe her fans a glimpse into that day until she’s ready to share it.”

The source explained that Swift releasing the photos is not going to be “transactional,” that she’s not going to release the photos just to “sell an album or coincide with some big announcement.”

The “I Knew It, I Knew You” singer reportedly “loves” being able to decide what happens with her photos and who gets to see them, if any at all.

As fans continue grasping for details about the wedding photos, Swift maintains their privacy and is not likely to change her mind on the matter anytime soon.