Entertainment
10 Modern Sitcoms That Are 10/10, No Notes
Sitcoms are the band of television — or sometimes, exactly what viewers are looking for when they want something easy to unwind to. They are easy to watch, relatively lighthearted, and most of the time don’t require much commitment. Most importantly, they know how to make people laugh.
However, in today’s world, it takes more than comedic chops to keep viewers engaged. In the current political and cultural climate, sitcoms must also reflect the modern changes of modern life, all while remaining funny. After all, no medicine is better than laughter. Without further ado, here are 10 modern sitcoms that are a 10/10, no notes.
10
‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–Present)
It’s an American invasion in Ted Lasso. Kansas City football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is recruited by English soccer/football club A.F.C. Richmond as its new coach. The problem is, Ted has no clue about the sport. With his new team underestimating and Richmond’s fan base doubting his abilities, Ted proves otherwise with the power of kindness.
Ted Lasso is the ultimate culture clash. Nothing is more awkward and entertaining than watching Ted’s Southern hospitality collide with the British people’s brutally honest demeanor. On a bigger picture, the show also presents these football players at their most hilarious in their personal lives. Underneath the machismo of the sport, these players are big softies at heart. In a world where it’s easy to be cynical due to the devastating news, Ted Lasso‘s advocacy for utter kindness is wholeheartedly refreshing.
9
‘Kim’s Convenience’ (2016–2021)
Don’t forget to stop by Toronto’s favorite corner shop. Kim’s Convenience follows first-generation Korean immigrants, Mr. Sang-il Kim/Appa (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and Mrs. Yong-mi Kim/Umma (Jean Yoon), as they tend to their humble little store. From generational to cultural gaps, the two stumble into delightfully awkward moments with their customers, most notably the “gay discount” schtick.
Thankfully, they have their more culturally assimilated daughter, Janet (Andrea Bang), to rely on whenever they’re stuck in an awkward crisis. As a show about immigrants making it on the other side of the world, Kim’s Convenience may be full of misunderstandings, but these characters also embrace where they come from. Whether it’s Appa breaking into Hapkido in the middle of the store, or old-school superstitions, it’s unapologically Korean. As immigration becomes an increasingly crucial topic within today’s heated political climate, Kim’s Convenience shows how joy itself can be a form of resistance.
8
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)
Based on the 2014 mockumentary of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows follows four centuries-old vampire roommates who spend their immortality bumbling through modern life on Staten Island. Although being undead has its perks, Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo Cravensworth (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) are stuck in their own silly little existential crises.
With all the time in their hands, these vampires sure know how to make use of it to fill their boredom. What We Do in the Shadows takes viewers from one misadventure to another, stripping away the traditional mysteriousness of these bloodthirsty creatures. Whether it’s doing very human errands like going to the supermarket or discovering Van Helsing blood, these vampires have the best (or worst) of both worlds. Beneath the fangs and centuries-old demons in What We Do in the Shadows, the joke is simply and utterly relatable: having terrible roommates. Whether it’s avoiding chores or refusing to pay the bills, these vampires need to — no pun intended — grow up.
7
‘One Day at a Time’ (2017–2020)
Based on the 1975 series of the same name, One Day at a Time follows the Cuban-American Alvarez family living in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Single mother Penélope Alvarez (Justina Machado) is a former United States Army Nurse Corps nurse trying to find her footing in civilian life. With three generations living in one apartment, Penélope is often dragged into family mishaps.
In between raising her outspoken children and clashing with her tradition-loving Cuban mother, there’s never a boring day in the Alvarez household. But when the show isn’t joking around, One Day at a Time knows how to get serious. The series doesn’t shy away from familiar realities — from Penelope’s PTSD to her ex-husband’s alcoholism — showing that life may be hard, but we can alway scope with a bit of laughter along the way. No parent is perfect. Beyond its immigrant story, One Day at a Time validates exhausted mothers who are often messy, overworked, and stretched thin — especially when the family is of little help. Yet no matter how much they nag at each other, they are the ones who stay with you, no matter how dark it gets.
6
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
The Good Place follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a selfish and self-absorbed sales agent who dies and is mistakenly sent to a heaven-like afterlife called the Good Place. Created by the immortal architect Michael (Ted Danson), it’s meant for virtuous souls who’ve done good in their past lives. Eleanor quickly realizes that she’s not supposed to be here and secretly hides her wrongdoings.
The afterlife can be a touchy subject, but The Good Place knows how to have fun with it without getting too personal. Trying to hide her true identity, Eleanor often causes chaos in this “heaven-like” realm, from setting off a fire alarm to disrupting a neighborhood potluck. But if heaven’s willing, maybe Eleanor can learn a thing or two about redemption in this “life.” The Good Place shows what it actually means to shed your ego in exchange for accountability. There are missteps along the way, yet the most meaningful moral growth comes from making and learning from your mistakes.
5
‘Adults’ (2025–Present)
When you put five reluctant twenty-somethings in one building, you get Adults. Issa (Amita Rao), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Samir (Malik Elassal), Anton (Owen Thiele), and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) are roomies and de facto best friends crammed into a New York City house. Fumbling their way through adulthood, their co-dependent friendship brings out the best and worst in each other.
From now knowing how social security works, to blowing a one-shot job promotion, Adults is just as amusing as it is accurate. Nobody truly gets the anxiety of collapsing into unemployment, or having your boiler break down in cold weather. No matter how outrageous the situation, what’s most important is having people who show up through the highs and lows. Most audiences understand the pains of adulting. While becoming a full-fledged adult is often difficult, Adults shows that the best remedy is the people who help you survive your quarter-life crisis — with a little laughter along the way.
4
‘St. Denis Medical’ (2024–Present)
No better and more inappropriate place to joke around the job than a hospital. St. Denis Medical follows the overworked healthcare workers of a poorly financed hospital as they provide the best care possible to patients. Overseen by oncology surgeon Joyce (McLendon-Covey), she’s in charge of making sure hospital operations run smoothly — without staff sacrificing their own sanity.
Hospitals can be some of the scariest places for people. In a high-stakes environment like this, it’s easy for health workers to lose their cool. But just like patients, the staff are human too. In a place where death could be around any corner, St. Denis Medical shows how difficult it is to remain empathetic without being consumed by the grim reality of a hospital. The staff may not always come across as the heroes they imagine themselves to be. However, given the amount of care and compassion they’re expected to show every single day, the show gives these employees their flowers.
3
‘Shrinking’ (2023–Present)
The world’s worst therapist is ready to psychoanalyze you in Shrinking. Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) has spent the past year grieving the death of his wife, and work hasn’t been easy. With patients rambling about their problems without making progress, Jimmy finally snaps and gives them the cold, hard truth — which, in a surprising turn of events, actually works.
Part workplace comedy, part family sitcom, Jimmy’s scientifically and ethically questionable methods often land him in hilarious situations with his patients. From getting his patient beat up to forcing another to talk to his barista, these small, chaotic interactions are pieces of the bigger picture: figuring out how to find meaning in life after mourning. Grief isn’t a one-way street, and it’s definitely not linear. There will be peaks worth celebrating and dips worth crying over, much like the ones in Shrinking. There’s no simple step-by-step guide to mourning; it’s about getting through each day with whatever capacity we can conjure up.
2
‘Ghosts’ (2021–Present)
Ghosts follows cheerful journalist Samantha (Rose McIver) and her partner Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), an aspiring city chef, who inherit a rundown country mansion and decide to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. Little do they know, their charming, humble abode is a hotbed for a lively, eclectic group of ghosts. But with all their money spent on renovations, it’ll be a waste to throw the entire project away.
These ghosts are nothing like the vengeful demons often seen in horror. They’re more like your annoying neighbors. From a sassy Prohibition-era lounge singer to a 1700s militiaman and a 1960s hallucinogen-loving hippie, these housemates are more hilarious than horrifying. When Samantha actually starts seeing these spirits, things get a lot more comedically complicated. Just like the spirits in Ghosts, human audiences can learn a thing or two about moving on. Sometimes our problems freeze us in a state of “purgatory” — much like the mansion. It’s easy to feel trapped in our worst habits. The only way forward is by confronting these demons head-on.
1
‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–Present)
These teachers have no time for a break. Abbott Elementary follows a group of dedicated, passionate teachers, and their slightly tone-deaf principal in a Philadelphia public school. Despite being underfunded and outnumbered, they are determined to help their students succeed and make a positive impact on their lives. Of course, that is if the difficult school district doesn’t breathe down their necks.
No teacher is perfect at Abbott, but at least they’re trying their best. Second-grade teacher Janine (Quinta Brunson) is eagerly enthusiastic about making positive changes at the school, which often throws the staff into unwanted situations. Still, they see the good intentions in Janine, and together, they band together to ensure their students receive the best learning experience possible despite the limitations. All too often, students take for granted the effort teachers put in. No blame to them — it’s because these teachers make it look so easy. Abbott Elementary highlights the real work involved in teaching kids not just their ABCs, but also how to grow into good human beings.
Entertainment
Why Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn Prefer Colorado Over L.A.
Famed actor Kurt Russell is sharing why he and longtime partner Goldie Hawn prefer living in Colorado over Los Angeles.
“What I enjoy most is that [Hawn] really likes it in Colorado,” Russell, 75, told Fox News Digital in an interview published on Sunday, March 22. “Wyatt [Russell] and [his wife] Meredith [Hagner] and their two boys, they live in Colorado now. So we like to spend as much time there as we can.”
The Big Trouble in Little China star continued of the Centennial State, “I’d like to be there more. And there’s a different kind of life there. “That’s primarily it. I’d like to be able to spend as much time there as possible.”
Russell and Hawn, 80 — who have been together since 1983 when they reconnected on the set of Swing Shift — own multiple properties across the United States. Currently, the pair split their time between their homes in Los Angeles, Palm Desert, California, Old Snowmass, Colorado and New York.
(Hawn shares daughter Kate Hudson and son Oliver Hudson with ex-husband Bill Hudson, while Russel shares son Boston Russell with his ex-wife Season Hubley. Hawn and Russell later completed their blended family when they welcomed Wyatt in 1986.)

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
“We love real estate,” Russell told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Tuesday, March 17. “Our Old Snowmass home is my favorite. It’s a large, beautiful log-cabin lodge on a ranch that we moved into a little over 40 years ago.
He continued at the time, “Goldie and I share a passion for log homes. I never got that out of my system, starting with the one in Maine.”
Now that Russell primarily travels between his properties in Los Angeles and Colorado — much like his character in his new TV show The Madison — he told Men’s Health in a recent interview that he finds a certain level of peacefulness in the Colorado mountains.
“I moved to Colorado when I was 26 years old,” the actor told the publication on March 14. “At a certain point, you find yourself asking whether you’re going to live the life you want to live, or if you’re just going to talk about it. And I decided to make the move and live the life I wanted to live.”
Season 1 of Taylor Sheridan’s hit series The Madison concluded on Saturday, March 21. The show follows the Clyburn family after they leave New York City and “relocate to the Madison River valley of southwest Montana for emotional recovery following a tragedy that shattered the family.”
Russell stars alongside fellow cast members Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Matthew Fox, Beau Gerret, Alaina Pollack, Amiah Miller, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers, Rebecca Spence and Danielle Vasinova.
Entertainment
Kate Mara Wore the White Spring Dress That Flatters Petites
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While we often rely on celebrities for outfit inspiration, those of Us of shorter stature have to keep one thing in mind whenever we love a look: most of our favorite fashion icons are actually kind of tall. Nicole Kidman is 5’11”, Katie Holmes is 5’9″ and even Meghan Markle is a perfectly average 5’6″.
So, naturally, when we spot someone like Kate Mara rocking something stylish, we’re thrilled. At 5’2″, the actress wears clothes that really do flatter petites — and that includes the white mini dress she stepped out in while in New York City.
Mara has been busy promoting her Apple TV+ thriller, Imperfect Women, and all those promo appearances called for an outfit that was sleek, stylish and seasonal. Switching things up from the multicolored floral dress she wore to the show’s premiere, she recently opted for a white A-line number, pairing it with a contrasting black blazer, beige heels and a large leaf necklace. The look was clean and simple, and the structured dress would no doubt work for a number of spring occasions. With no knowledge of the exact brand, we set off to find a similar design — and our search led us to an Amazon option that’s just $46.
Get the LuFeng’s Mock Neck Mini Dress for $46 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
LuFeng’s Mock Neck Mini Dress is the perfect, budget-friendly alternative to what Mara wore. The sleeveless style is slightly stretchy, thanks to the inclusion of spandex, and, along with a high neck, has a slight fit-and-flare silhouette that hugs the body without constricting. Just like Mara’s version, this pick is modest in the front, but the Amazon find secretly shines from the back. The scoop design shows just enough skin to qualify as sexy without feeling risqué.
Of course, photos of the dress are one thing — we needed to check reviews to see what other shorties were saying about this mini. As it turns out, petites really do love it, calling the piece “cute and flattering.”
“Fits well!” one customer wrote. “Flattering. I’m short (4’11), and it falls right above my knees. I love the scoop back. I ordered a size small.”
Another short shopper agreed, noting that the “dress fit perfectly.”
“I’m a bit short, so most dresses look too long on me. But this one fit like a glove,” they promised.
Now that it’s finally spring, we’re about to enter white dress season, and this Mara-approved style works for a variety of events on your calendar. Whether you pair it with heels for the office, ballet flats for a family function, dress it down with sneakers for a warm-weather date night or add sandals for a holiday gathering, it’s likely to become the staple you reach for again and again. Throw in the fact that it’s made to complement your body type, and it should be a done deal. Grab one now!
Get the LuFeng’s Mock Neck Mini Dress for $46 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more white mini dresses here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Entertainment
HBO’s Quietly Brilliant 6-Episode Drama Is Perfect From Start to Finish
No show has taken the world by storm quite like Heated Rivalry. Premiering at the tail end of 2025, the Crave original series (airing on HBO in the U.S.), adapted from the bestselling Game Changers series by romance author Rachel Reid, rapidly became an obsession for television audiences. There’s no onscreen couple that viewers have become invested in quite like Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Despite a relatively short first season, each episode of Heated Rivalry is perfect from start to finish.
Series creator Jacob Tierney lets each episode of Heated Rivalry stand on its own, allowing the story to evolve naturally while serving the overall narrative. The pacing is right, the character development is smart, and the show itself is a strong example of proper queer storytelling and visibility. Ultimately, Heated Rivalry‘s first six episodes serve as a blueprint for the show to extend its success into an already confirmed second season.
What Is ‘Heated Rivalry’ About?
For those needing a refresher, Heated Rivalry tells the story of two young hockey stars — Canada’s Shane Hollander (Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) — whose competition on the ice evolves alongside their secret romance behind closed doors. The two evolve from casual hook-ups into a much more emotional relationship, depicted through a storyline taking place over several years. With the difficult task of depicting Shane and Ilya’s relationship over such a broad span of time, the series dedicates itself to slow-burn storytelling, which allows for deeper, more nuanced character development.
In order to craft a strong story, Heated Rivalry also takes bold risks that initially seem confusing. It’s rare for any show to pivot an entire episode away from the central duo to introduce a separate relationship between other characters, and yet that’s exactly what the series does. Later, it becomes clear that the complicated romance between Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.) is essential for Shane and Ilya to take the next step in their own relationship. There aren’t necessarily any massive cliffhangers that lead fans to question whether Shane and Ilya will end up together; instead, the slow build to a happily ever after is what successfully keeps people tuning in week after week.
‘Heated Rivalry’s Best Moments Are About Building Both Romance and Drama
In adapting Heated Rivalry, Tierney took Reid’s original novel and successfully translated it into a TV series by treating the source material with care. When the show happened to stray from the book, each moment still existed in service to the story. Some of that success was only possible thanks to some excellent performances, chief among them Storrie and Williams, whose depiction of Ilya and Shane’s lust-to-love evolution allowed viewers to fall in love with the journey unfolding onscreen.
Outside of thoughtfulness in the adaptation process, Heated Rivalry‘s initial airing led to a lot of viral moments that you’ve likely seen while scrolling on your phone. These scenes weren’t just intended to get viewers talking; they have a much deeper meaning for the show’s central romance. In Episode 4, Ilya making Shane a tuna sandwich is a sign that he is listening to his on-again, off-again fling. In Episode 5, Shane’s suggestion that Ilya vent over the phone to him in Russian gives him the freedom to share his true feelings. When the two rendezvous at Shane’s cottage in the finale, which you can now rent on Airbnb, a surprise interruption leads to an even more important scene with Shane’s parents, Yuna and David (Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh).
‘Heated Rivalry’ Just Took a Major Narrative Risk in the Finale — and It Paid Off
Take us back to the cottage!
‘Heated Rivalry’ Has a Strong Road Map for More Seasons, Thanks to Rachel Reid’s Books
Heated Rivalry‘s overall charm lies in how it successfully resonates with every viewer. For the queer community, the show is positive onscreen representation, celebrating the queer experience without reinforcing tired stereotypes. For others who may not strictly identify with every character onscreen, the promise of a happy ending for Shane and Ilya is more than enough reason to binge. Tierney’s remarkable ability to pack integral character development for Shane and Ilya into only six episodes helps to create fully rounded characters with depth.
Heated Rivalry also has a strong foundation for replicating its initial success. With Season 2 set to go into production this summer ahead of a 2027 release, Tierney also has a guide for where the television adaptation could go. Earlier this year, Reid revealed that she is writing a Game Changers sequel featuring Shane and Ilya, providing even more material for future seasons to adapt. With Reid’s book series offering even more couples to introduce as well as a sense of where Shane and Ilya are going, Heated Rivalry has a bright future ahead, but for now, as Tierney told CBS Mornings, we’ll have to “enjoy the yearn” by binging the show’s six perfect episodes over and over again.
- Release Date
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November 28, 2025
- Network
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Crave
- Directors
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Jacob Tierney
Cast
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Connor Storrie
Ilya Rozanov
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Hudson Williams
Shane Hollander
Entertainment
Jen Affleck Wishes ‘Real Moments’ Were Shown on Mormon Wives
Jen Affleck is sending a message to fans after the premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4 amid the show’s recent pause after star Taylor Frankie Paul was again accused of domestic abuse.
“When I joined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, I didn’t know what would come from it but I knew I wanted to share my story,” Jen, 26, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, March 22. “I hoped it could inspire someone or feel relatable. I wanted to be honest about what it’s like being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, the beauty and the struggles.”
Jen noted that she wanted to “highlight marriage, being married at a very young age, the real pressures many couples face with culture and expectations,” referring to her 2019 wedding to husband Zac Affleck.
“I wanted to share what it felt like stepping into a world so different from the one I came from, and navigating the contrast between the two,” she wrote. “When I went on DWTS postpartum, my purpose was to represent moms to show our strength, our resilience, and what we’re capable of. To remind us that our dreams still matter, while honoring the incredible role it is to be a mother.”
Alongside the message, Jen shared a series of clips and photos through the years with Zac and their three children — daughters Nora, 4, and Penelope, 8 months, and son Luca, 2 — as well as her time on Dancing With the Stars season 34.
“I understand drama is what people expect from reality TV, but I wish more of the other real moments were shown too,” Jen continued. “The empowerment, the birth stories, the beauty of motherhood. Since I was dancing on my countertops as a young mom all I’ve ever wanted is to be a light and to help moms and others feel seen, hopeful, and inspired 🤍.”
She concluded, “My current TikTok search is literally ‘who is Jen Affleck’… and honestly, same. I’m still figuring out who I am, what I believe, what I want, and where I fit. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way. I’m far from perfect, still learning, but I hope my vulnerability can be a source of good.”
In the comments section, Zac shared his support, writing, “I love you ❤️.” Costar Mikayla Matthews also added, “😍😍.”
Since the season dropped on Hulu, news broke that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” into an alleged dispute between Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen, who is also featured on the show.
According to an NBC News report on Thursday, March 19, the cast met virtually with Hulu and Disney executives on March 7 to discuss how to proceed with production amid the ongoing investigation. The group ultimately agreed to pause filming.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it because Taylor is our friend,” one cast member said during the 30-minute call, per NBC News, which said it had obtained audio of the meeting.
The outlet reported that the cast member said they did not feel comfortable filming while Taylor was being investigated. Us Weekly reached out to Hulu for comment.
Mikayla, for her part, appeared to confirm that she and her costars cosigned the decision to pause filming.
“It was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,” Mikayla wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, March 18.
Taylor’s upcoming season 22 of The Bachelorette has since been cancelled by ABC.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment spokesperson told Us on Thursday.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Entertainment
15 Movies To Watch if You Like ‘Game of Thrones’
Quite amazingly, five years have elapsed since Game of Thrones concluded its eight-season run in 2019, and although fans remain divided with the final season, the series’ relevance has never waned. While the prequel series House of the Dragon has been partially responsible, a significant reason for its enduring quality is its sheer brilliance, not only for its mesmerizing fantasy spectacle but for its political intrigue, scintillating suspense, and its arresting and often confronting intensity as well.
As such, fans don’t have to stay within the realm of fantasy to recapture the heart-stopping thrill that Game of Thrones so famously provided. While several fantasy titles are simply must-watch movies for all Game of Thrones fans, everything from modern political satires to grueling war films, classic mobster pictures, and even dystopian sci-fi may prove to be just the tonic for those still missing the hit HBO series. These movies are perfect for every Game of Thrones fan, acting as inspired and, sometimes, perfect companions.
15
‘The Green Knight’ (2021)
One of the most overlooked films of the 2020s thus far, The Green Knight presents exactly what one would expect from an epic fantasy adventure handled by the bold creativity of A24. A commanding spin on the Arthurian legend, it follows young Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) as he embarks on a quest to prove his honor and bravery by defeating the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson). On his quest, he encounters ghosts, giants, and thieves while wrestling with his courage and resolve.
The comparisons to Game of Thrones are plain to see, with The Green Knight excelling as a dark and gritty fantasy with its sights firmly set on human nature. Its intriguing reworking of myth and legend to create a unique and spellbinding adventure gives it an alluring and enigmatic quality that is utterly transfixing. Bolstered by breathtaking visuals and Patel’s outstanding lead performance, The Green Knight is a modern masterpiece of fantasy cinema.
14
‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)
Far better than its poor reviews and abysmal box office figures would suggest, The 13th Warrior is a gritty yet wondrous marriage of historical fantasy and swords-and-sandals action that all lovers of the genre should see. For Game of Thrones fans, it is particularly good for those who enjoyed the story of The Wall and its themes of duty, honor, and standing strong against a formidable and unnatural enemy.
It follows an exiled Arab ambassador as he joins forces with a group of Viking warriors to defend a remote village from an evil and mystifying force descending upon them from the nearby woods. Granted, The 13th Warrior isn’t without its flaws, but it does triumph as a compelling tale of dark fantasy eeriness and the valor of a warrior. Complemented by John McTiernan’s nous for action direction and practical production elements that feel especially immersive and intricate when the film is revisited today, The 13th Warrior stands as a forgotten gem of fantasy action that is perfect for Game of Thrones fans.
13
‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)
Despite being released as a box office flop, Dragonslayer has become an enduring fantasy adventure, one that has steadily amassed a cult following over the decades. Another brilliant dose of pure fantasy for Game of Thrones fans, it follows a young apprentice wizard who must kill a terrible dragon that terrorizes the kingdom of Urland, only sparing its people so long as they provide him with human sacrifices to feed on. The situation takes an urgent turn when the deceptive king’s daughter is to be the dragon’s next sacrifice.
Rich with dark fantasy adventure, exciting action, a wonderfully unconventional love story, and a lovable, bumbling hero worth cheering for, Dragonslayer is an underrated highlight of Disney’s forays into action-fantasy storytelling. In a piece written for The Daily Beast, George R. R. Martin himself heralded Dragonslayer as the fifth-best fantasy picture of all time and labeled its villainous dragon, Vermithrax, “the best dragon ever put on film.”
12
‘Dragonheart’ (1996)
Another forgotten fantasy gem to appeal to those who loved the dragons of Game of Thrones, Dragonheart substitutes the terrifying might that the magical beasts are sometimes presented with in favor of humanity, heart, and gentle wisdom. The 1996 fantasy adventure follows the unlikely partnership between Draco (Sean Connery), the last dragon, and Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a disillusioned dragon-slaying knight, as they work together in defiance of an evil king’s tyrannical reign.
It’s cheesy, childish, and its CGI effects haven’t aged all that gracefully over the years, and yet Dragonheart holds an enduring charm that is difficult to resist, particularly for those who love medieval fantasy indulgence and the air of majesty that surrounds dragons. Complemented by the efforts of its impressive ensemble cast and Randy Edelman’s genuinely exceptional score, Dragonheart stands as a commendable guilty pleasure that plenty of Game of Thrones fans would embrace for its fantasy allure and its surprisingly poignant tale.
11
‘Come and See’ (1985)
Taking a significant stride away from fantasy entertainment, Come and See is a grueling and deeply disturbing war film that may appeal to Game of Thrones fans who were left contemplating some of the brutal horrors the series depicted, particularly in war. Episodes like “Battle of the Bastards” and Season 5’s “Hardhome” are among the highest-rated Game of Thrones episodes on IMDb for their commitment to exhibiting the terror of war and showing humanity at its destructive and savage worst.
Very few films in history have managed to excel in this regard quite like Come and See, a Soviet-Belarussian WWII drama from 1985 that tracks a young boy as he joins a Resistance movement and experiences the atrocities committed in the war. It is a punishing picture, but an important and necessary one that is perfect for fans who enjoy grappling with the more challenging and confronting aspects of Game of Thrones’ morally ambiguous characters.
10
‘Children of Men’ (2006)
Science fiction and fantasy are often lumped together, largely due to both genres taking audiences to vastly different realities and featuring stories with great scope and thematic poignancy. Another aspect that makes them easy to link is their necessity to efficiently and masterfully build a new story world that audiences can understand quickly. While Game of Thrones did this brilliantly, there has perhaps been no greater cinematic achievement in this regard than the criminally underrated 2006 sci-fi drama Children of Men.
Set in a dystopian future where humanity has lost the ability to procreate, it follows a reluctant former activist as he safeguards the first pregnant woman in 18 years through to a mysterious safe harbor at sea. Children of Men is a masterpiece in immersive storytelling, one that thrives as a gripping, action-packed thriller, a contemplative sci-fi spectacle, and a deeply affecting human drama.
9
‘Gladiator’ (2000)
The lack of fantasy allure aside, Gladiator is a perfect movie for Game of Thrones fans on account of its astonishing scope, rich historical setting, and its ability to weave together a story of stirring, vengeful passion with overtones of political corruption and the elusive nature of power. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed by the emperor’s son when he kills his father to seize power and orders Maximus and his family to be murdered. Surviving the assassination attempt, Maximus becomes a gladiator with a mission to return to Rome to instill the vision Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) had for the senate while avenging his slain wife and child.
Ridley Scott’s ability to realize such a vast sense of scale while still delivering a rousing revenge story is brilliant, as is the brutal realization of the combat sequences, the gripping intensity of the performances, and the captivating atmosphere of power, corruption, and Roman glory. With even John Mathieson’s cinematography and Hans Zimmer’s gorgeous score worthy of singling out for praise, Gladiator soars across all disciplines of filmmaking as a defining triumph of epic cinema.
8
‘The Death of Stalin’ (2017)
Beneath all the fantasy glamour and the confronting violence, Game of Thrones is ultimately a political thriller, with each character a ruthless and cunning figure hoping to secure power and prestige. While this basic, oversimplified concept makes for pulsating drama, it can also conjure riotous satire, as is the case in Armando Iannucci’s underrated, darkly comic masterpiece The Death of Stalin.
Featuring an exceptional cast, it focuses on several advisors and followers of Joseph Stalin as they scramble to outwit each other in the wake of the Soviet Union leader’s sudden and unexpected demise. Running with a razor-sharp wit and a deliciously cynical perspective on humanity, The Death of Stalin mercilessly skewers politics to be a hilarious historical film that draws clear parallels to the modern day. Replacing the Red Wedding with the Red Scare and bloodshed with belly-laughs, The Death of Stalin is a great comedy for those who enjoy Game of Thrones’ scheming politics.
7
‘The Lives of Others’ (2006)
Another foray into political cinema, The Lives of Others is an Academy Award-winning German spy movie set in East Germany in 1984. It follows Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), an espionage agent for the Stasi who is assigned to observe the conversations between a playwright and his lover. As he grows interested in their lives, Gerd begins to doubt the purpose of his task.
While the film may not closely replicate the political scheming that made Game of Thrones so intoxicating, The Lives of Others does maintain the same sense of moral ambiguity, using its bleak tone and historical setting to present an intriguing story about human connection. Additionally, spycraft played a significant though largely invisible role throughout Game of Thrones, and fans who were interested in that underlying deceit would do well to seek out The Lives of Others as a rewarding and surprisingly sincere movie about invading someone’s privacy while living behind the Iron Curtain.
6
‘The Last Duel’ (2021)
With its gritty, high-stakes medieval atmosphere, compelling focus on political intrigue and codes of honor, and its penchant for graphic and brutal violence, The Last Duel is able to match the intensity, aesthetic, and general themes of Game of Thrones, even with the stark differences between the stories. The biggest difference resides in The Last Duel’s basis, with the movie depicting true events that transpired in 14th-century France when the friendship of two knights is stained by an accusation of sexual assault and a looming fight to the death.
Like Game of Thrones, The Last Duel excels at conjuring a tone of imposing tension. It delivers a promise of violence and death that isn’t exciting or thrilling so much as it is stomach-churning. Also armed with a realistic understanding of human nature in all its egotistical and selfish complexity and an intriguing true story of a woman’s charge for justice in the Middle Ages, The Last Duel holds a certain gravitas that will resonate with many Game of Thrones fans.
Entertainment
Joe Amabile Bets on Bachelor Return After Taylor Cancellation
Joe Amabile is predicting that the cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season 22 of The Bachelorette will not be the end of the franchise.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen to the franchise. I don’t know if this is it. If they come back, are they going to come back with The Bachelorette or are they going to come back with The Bachelor?” Joe, 39, questioned on the Sunday, March 22, episode of the “Not Married to This” podcast with wife Serena Pitt.
He continued, “What do I think is going to happen next? I think, since I went on the show – the first time I went on the show was 2018 — people were saying, ‘This is it. This is going to be the last season.’ People say that all the time. I think this is really bad, but I also think it’s still publicity. If anything, more people are talking about the Bachelor franchise now than maybe ever.”
Joe pointed out that the famed Bachelor mansion has been recently renovated thanks to the HGTV series Bachelor Mansion Takeover, which stars several alums helping to redo the home.
“They have a brand new mansion,” Joe said. “I, personally, if you’re still a fan of the franchise and you want to watch, I would bet a lot of money that they come back. Like, I don’t think it’s over. I think they come back and I think they go to their bread and butter, which is The Bachelor.”
News broke last week that Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen were involved in an alleged domestic violence incident leading to season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halting production. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to Us Weekly at the time that there was an open “domestic assault investigation” concerning the pair, noting that allegations were “made in both directions.”
“There’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate,” Taylor exclusively told Us at a New York City press dinner on Tuesday, March 17. “It’s been hard. And it sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well. So the headlines that are out right now are very hard to see because that’s not the truth of it. I have always treated my children with respect and I’ve never touched them. So it’s been really hard.”
Days later, TMZ released footage of Taylor physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Mortensen in an 2023 altercation while in the presence of her daughter. The incident led to her arrest at the time, where she was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident. Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice. She later reached a plea deal.
Hours after the footage was released, ABC announced the cancellation of The Bachelorette season 22 — which was set to premiere on Sunday, March 22.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us in a statement.
A rep for Taylor later told Us in a statement that she “is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the rep said.
The statement continued, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota, for his part, broke his silence on the footage in a separate statement.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota said at the time. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and given temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, per documents obtained by Us. (Taylor is also mom to daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul.)
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Entertainment
Giants’ Cam Skattebo Apologizes for CTE and Asthma Comments
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has issued an apology over his controversial comments downplaying the seriousness of two well-documented medical conditions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma.
“I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgment, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma,” Skattebo, 24, wrote via X on Saturday, March 21. “It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma.”
He continued, “I sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by my remarks, and I assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward. Much love!!!”
Earlier this month, Skattebo was asked whether he believed that CTE was “a real thing.” (CTE is a degenerative brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic.)
“No, it’s an excuse,” Skattebo said on a March episode of the “Bring the Juice” podcast, also agreeing with host Frank Delana’s own opinion that asthma is similarly an excuse. The football stay continued, “That’s valid. Yes, asthma’s fake.”
Asthma, per Mayo Clinic, is a condition where the airways narrow and swell that can make breathing extremely difficult, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. There is no known cure.
Delana, for his part, subsequently made a joke about individuals who have asthma.
“Is there anything worse than and someone’s huffing and puffing,” he quipped. “You’re just soft.”
Skattebo concurred, adding, “Yeah, just literally breathe air.”
Skattebo was drafted by the Giants in April 2025, playing his rookie season with the team until he sustained a gruesome ankle injury the following October.
“[I] feel absolutely terrible for the young man,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters at the time. “Obviously I saw it. It looked bad. You feel for anybody on your team that goes down and has a really bad injury. And I feel, and I know the players feel the same way about Skat.”
The pro athlete underwent surgery to repair his dislocated ankle and has since been recuperating to prepare for the 2026-2027 NFL season.
“[My recovery is] on schedule,” Skattebo said during a January press conference about his progress. “I got another week until I start moving around, upping my speed a little bit. Time’s gonna tell, but take it easy. [I] got plenty of time to get back to it.”
He further stressed that making it to the team’s training camp in the summer “was obviously the goal.”
“Hopefully, [I’ll] get back by OTAs,” Skattebo said, referring to the NFL’s voluntary preseason practices. “If not, there’s no rush to it.”
Entertainment
‘DTF St. Louis’ Star David Harbour Reveals Which Part of Episode 4’s Beastie Boys-Style Rap Wasn’t Originally Scripted
[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of DTF St. Louis.]
Summary
From creator Steven Conrad, the seven-episode HBO limited series DTF St. Louis follows what happens when local weatherman Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) starts an affair with Carol Smernitch (Linda Cardellini) and her husband Floyd (David Harbour), Clark’s on-air ASL interpreter and friend, ends up dead. As Clark and Floyd start to spend time together, Clark finds himself drawn to Carol and wants to spend more time with her, even if it’s right under Floyd’s nose. So, when Floyd ends up dead, and either one of them could be a suspect, detectives are brought in to unravel the clues, put together all the strange pieces, and solve the mystery.
During this interview with Collider, co-stars Bateman, Harbour and Cardellini discussed Floyd’s Playgirl past and the role it still plays in his life, Bateman and Harbour’s Beastie Boys inspired episode four rap, the love triangle that makes you keep guessing about who could have committed murder, how the meeting between Floyd and Modern Love ended up in a kiss, and what Harbour loved about working with Peter Sarsgaard.
Floyd’s Playgirl Past Plays a Big Role in What He Thinks of Himself Now in ‘DTF St. Louis’
“It’s core to what he struggles with.”
Collider: I’m so intrigued by the character study of these three people. David, much is made of the fact that Floyd was in Playgirl. It’s certainly an unexpected detail about the character, and it seems very specific to him. What was your reaction to that aspect of his story? How do you think he feels about that detail from his past?
DAVID HARBOUR: I think it’s core to what he struggles with nowadays. He, at one point and very physically, thought himself quite something. Now, he’s in decline and feels like he doesn’t have the same sort of potency that he used to have as a young man. I think that’s part of the reason why he carries that thing around, and he has it in the closet, and it’s so integral. You’ll see, as we get to the final episodes, it plays a big part, before his death, in what he wants and what he thinks of himself and what’s important to him. It’s an incredible detail, right from the weird, wonderful brain of Steve Conrad. This poor overweight guy with heart problems and Peyronies disease used to be a Playgirl model when he was 23 or 24. I love it.
In the heart of suburbia, three lives intertwine through a dating app, but one death throws the town into chaos.
I loved it because it was so unexpected. Jason and David, I never imagined that I would hear the two of you rapping a song about acing a life insurance physical. How did that rap come about? Were you intentionally referencing the Beastie Boys because it so sounded very Beastie Boys to me?
JASON BATEMAN: We just followed our leader. Steve Conrad wrote those lyrics and came up with the beat and the style of shooting it. That’s a great example of what this show is, which is that these real spicy meatballs can exist in this world, and it doesn’t bump you out of the show. There’s some great counterbalance in these other scenes that have all this raw vulnerability and emotion that allow for these big swings on this side, and somehow it ends up balancing. It’s such a fun watch, this show.
Jason Bateman and David Harbour Shared a Beastie Boys Moment in ‘DTF St. Louis’
“We were talking about the life insurance policy, but it was also kind of written like a rap.”
Did you guys immediately lock in on getting that timing right with the two of you doing it, or did that take some time?
HARBOUR: We had versions of it. We were three weeks into shooting, and in the script, there was this thing where it was written that we were talking about the life insurance policy, but it was also kind of written like a rap. I was like, “Do you want us to sing this at all?” You can’t say things like that to Steve because his mind will go, “Yeah, maybe you should. Let’s do that.” And then, he wrote the whole thing and recorded a version of it. And you’re right, it’s very Beastie Boys. As opposed to professional, amateur means doing it for the love of it, and I do think there’s a wonderful amateur quality of Steve, in some ways, where he’ll just go, “Yeah, I don’t know, in the middle of this episode, I just want to see these guys rap,” or “I want to see Floyd on a pommel horse.”
I find, as a viewer, when I sit around watching Game of Thrones or whatever, I do wish I could have these little breakout moments where you can just be like, “Okay, now you guys are doing something else,” and just allows the audience that pleasurable moment of, “You’re watching TV, so here’s this little bit of strangeness and a bit of weirdness for you.” It’s calibrated with a very dark, contemplative show about relationships and marriage and normalcy, and all these things. But they are these little bonbons that are just lovely. But yes, it’s very Beastie Boys inspired, for sure.
Jason Bateman Finds Perfect ‘Ozark’ Replacement in First Trailer for Spicy HBO Crime Thriller
The series also stars David Harbour and Linda Cardellini.
There’s something that feels awful and sad about Clark and Carol taking advantage of the fact that Floyd got them concert tickets and they’re continuing their affair in front of him. How did all of that work? How did you guys feel about that? And David, what was it like to put your whole body into that moment?
BATEMAN: That was the very last shot I had. That was another balance of being with his wife and sweetly offering to get us water, and I’m like, “Yeah, sure, go get us some water,” and I immediately grab her hand. There’s just something so untoward about the whole thing. Carol is having this moment of recognition with Floyd about how incredible he is. It brings on tears. That’s also a moment for Clark to maybe flash being threatened by him, that maybe she’s falling back in love with him. Now, you’ve got another moment for the audience to go, “Oh, maybe she didn’t kill him. Maybe Clark killed him.” There’s all this stuff that’s going on.
It’s just another great example of a scene that’s got a bunch of different stuff going on. Linda [Cardellini] did such a great job performing that scene. She had to speak up and pretend the music was going on and that the crowd was cheering, and yet the crowd, when we were shooting it, was completely silent to protect the dialogue, and she had to get into this emotion. I just remember being so impressed that she was able to make herself cry and be very lovely while screaming, and saying these very sweet, soft things that you would whisper. I don’t know how she did that, but it was very impressive.
LINDA CARDELLINI: Thank you. That scene, watching him up there and that music was so infectious. We did it a couple of times with just the music, and he didn’t have to go full-on. It was so much fun to be there. When you come back to that moment after knowing more things that will come about, there’s more in there than we all realize at that moment. I love those moments.
Floyd Just Wants To Make a Connection With Modern Love in ‘DTF St. Louis’
“He wants to protect him and take care of him.”
David, the relationship between Floyd and Modern Love is an interesting one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dynamic where somebody just agrees to kiss someone to be polite and not upset them. What was it like to find that relationship, figure that dynamic out, and figure that kiss out? It feels like we couldn’t have had that moment without the things that we learned about Floyd before then.
HARBOUR: Yeah, for sure. You’ll see things, further on, about sign language. You’ve started to see the beginning of how his Peyronies disease got started, but you haven’t gotten to the end of that story, which is another big moment in Floyd’s life that relates to this as well. I think it is a show about true love. Floyd really does love people, and I think he really tries, really hard. He fails, and he doesn’t communicate well, and he’s got a lot of problems. It’s a weird thing that you just have to give over to it. There’s a version of that scene with Modern Love where he comes back, and he’s like, “Sorry, man, I thought you were a girl. This is a mistake.” But he doesn’t. He really wants to make this guy comfortable. He sees the guy’s vulnerability around the Solid Gold dancers and how he felt alone, and he wants to protect him and take care of him.
I think that he’s caught off guard, certainly, by the kiss idea. I don’t think it’s his first impulse, but he’s like, “Why not?” And then, he gets confused about it and has a nice little scene with Jason [Bateman], trying to figure out what he is doing. One of the fun things about the arc of this character, and you’ll see as we go into [episodes] five, six and seven, what it is that Floyd is looking for in DTF, and it’s not really sex, it’s something else. He even changes the word, at one point. The DTF doesn’t have to mean fuck? It can mean “feels good together.” He has a new phrase for that. He’s looking for a certain connection and a certain potency in life, and he’s making attempts. That scene is one of my favorites. We’re so lucky to have gotten Peter Sarsgaard to do that for us. He’s so extraordinary in the whole thing, with the eyeliner and the roller skates. He’s just the best. It was so fun.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Steve Conrad
- Directors
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Steven Conrad
- Writers
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Steven Conrad
DTF St. Louis airs on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
Entertainment
Keyanna Joseph Shares Photo, Social Media Mentions 21 Savage
RELATED: Alleged Mom Of 21 Savage’s Two Oldest Children Seemingly Reacts To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal (PHOTO)
Keyanna Strikes A Pose For The ‘Gram
Keyanna Joseph blessed her timeline with a new photo of herself, and it’s giving unbothered, quiet luxury! It’s her first feed post on the ‘gram since Feb. 23. This new post shows the mother of two posing next to a cream-colored piano. She’s dressed in black shorts, a printed long-sleeved blouse, and brown sandal heels. Joseph struck a pose from behind with her face slightly poking from behind her long, highlighted curls. Her luxury handbag, believed to be Hermes, is sitting on the piano. The caption? An emoticon sticking out its tongue. Unlike the caption in the embed below, it’s unclear whose home Keyanna Joseph snapped this photo in.
21 Savage wife Keyanna posted up in her matrimonial home looking like money 😍👀🔥#21savage #keyannanukee #latto #hiphopculture #jviewsdaily pic.twitter.com/cY0CST29sU
— JViews (@jviewsdaily) March 22, 2026
As stated, mentions of 21 Savage flooded Keyanna’s IG comment section. For example, @sexyshay02 commented, “Mrs. Abraham-Joseph” while @fittlifeofcoco name-dropped Latto: “Sis ain’t post since February now she poppin out cuz LAtto announcement…. Yall both know it’s a marriage for the paperwork so why we playing salty games keyanna 😬.”
@netta.aaa added, “tell us the tea girl🌚.”
“Forever ♾️ going to be the wifey 😍,” @thenum1_goat said.
“🙌🙌🙌 sit pretty.. when you know what it is, you don’t have to say much.. #BIGUnbothered,” @randiblanko advised.
“Pop itttttt! 🤏🏾💍,” @princessbarbsss wrote.
@__tema__98 got straight to the point with their comment, writing, “So you and latto are going to be sister wives? 👀.”
Is Keyanna Joseph Married To 21 Savage?
In 2020, rumors surrounding Keyanna Joseph and 21 Savage shifted to marriage. At the time, reports alleged that Savage, real name Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, and Keyanna had tied the knot as a resolution to his legal troubles related to overstaying his visa. The H-4 visa had expired during his childhood in 2006. Savage was then raised in East Atlanta, which many fans believed to be his birthplace until ICE detained him, subsequently revealing he was born in London.
Neither Keyanna nor 21 Savage has ever confirmed or denied a legal arrangement. Notably, they share the same last name, “Joseph.” However, in all these years, no marriage documents have been cited or released in the media. Still, it hasn’t stopped the internet from calling for his “wife” every time the Latto dating rumors have popped off—and even more so this week with her pregnancy reveal.
On Keyanna’s Instagram profile, at least two posts, from December 2023 and July 2025, appear to show her wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger. Though there’s no other evidence that the ring is an engagement ring, a wedding band, or related to 21 Savage in any way. Also, the co-parents do not follow each other on Instagram.
Social Media Floods The Mother With “Wife” Comments & Questions
RELATED: Too Cute! Video Shows Cheetah-Inspired Baby Announcement With Latto & 21 Savage’s Names On It (WATCH)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
‘Dark Winds’ Stars Explain How Season 4’s Biggest Turning Point Yet Changes Chee and Bernadette Forever
Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 6.
Season 4 of Dark Winds has been quite the rollercoaster. From beginning with a series of bodies on the Rez to the journey to ’70s Los Angeles, the trio of Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) has been thrown for a serious loop. But after this week’s episode, “Shíká Nidanitáhą́ą́ (Those who were searching for me),” the budding conflict between Chee and Manuelito finally comes to a tipping point. Ahead of this week’s episode, Collider caught up with Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten, who shared their thoughts on where these two lovebirds are headed — and how Season 4 will change them forever.
Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten Explain the Tension Between Chee and Bern in ‘Dark Winds’ Season 4
COLLIDER: It’s no secret that fans have been hoping for a full-blown Chee/Bernadette since Season 1, but there’s still plenty of drama and tension between them this season. Were either of you surprised at Joe’s decision to choose Bern as his successor or by your characters’ respective responses to that decision?
KIOWA GORDON: Yeah, I think Chee was very surprised. She was surprised, too, in the episode.
JESSICA MATTEN: Well, I, in real life, was surprised because that doesn’t happen in the novels. Right?
GORDON: Yeah.
MATTEN: So that was a way to integrate Bernadette’s character into the [Leaphorn] and Chee novels. So, I was just kind of like, “What?” And I was like, “Oh, this is an interesting turn.” You know, so. [Turns to Gordon] I don’t know if you want to…
GORDON: Oh yeah. It was a surprise, but a welcome one for sure.
MATTEN: Well, not really to Chee.
GORDON: Not to Chee but to me personally. I was like, “Yeah! We could do that.”
MATTEN: We’re just rooting for each other. I saw that Kiowa had this big story arc this season, and I was like, “Good!”
GORDON: Yeah, the trade-off. She got the position, I got the meat. [Laughs]
John Wirth also explains the process behind choosing which Tony Hillerman book to adapt for each new season.
MATTEN: But it’s cool. It’s a team effort, and I think it’s important that the individual characters all get their arc, and get a moment to shine…
GORDON: You’re gonna get yours this [upcoming] season…
MATTEN: Am I? I don’t know, because you get to invest more into the character, and I think that’s what audience members are craving. I know when I watch shows, I want to go into the depths of the soul…
GORDON: Yeah, you dive deeper into it, and it’s amazing.
MATTEN: Yeah, and just how it works is that person gets that time on screen. But I think it’s very important, and in the end, it benefits us all. As a team.
Jessica Matten Reveals How Bernadette Manuelito Deals With Her ‘Dark Winds’ Trauma
Speaking of that, in Episode 6, Bern has this heart-to-heart with Emma that I think really highlights the mother-daughter dynamic between them that’s honestly been missing a bit from the last few seasons. Jessica, considering where Joe and Emma have been over the years, is there a part of Bern that maybe doesn’t want the job? Maybe she’s afraid of her and Chee falling down that same path of slow compromise?
MATTEN: 100%. And, as we were saying earlier… Bernadette is coming from a place of protecting their relationship. She also is very conflicted because she just experienced this post-traumatic stress of murdering someone [in Season 3], and she’s trying to deal with her own emotions still and process how to cope with that. Because this is the ’70s, it’s not like there are mental health clinics saying, “This is how you deal with your trauma.” Right? So, she’s trying to hold this all in on her own and remain solid, not just for her own safety but for Chee’s safety, for the person that she loves.
So, yes, and thank you for pointing out that scene with Bern and Emma, because I was talking to the writers and I said, “I feel like there’s something still missing in the arc of Bernadette dealing with her trauma and trying to heal from cold-blooded killing someone for the first time.” If you go back to Joe Leaphorn’s arc for the first two seasons — or three seasons — it was about his trauma [resulting in him] killing a man, essentially, but the man just freezing to death. Where Bernadette straight up stabs a man in the freaking jugular…
GORDON: In the neck!
MATTEN: And I was like, “I think we need to continue this arc and not let it go just in Episode 1.” So, our writers, Tom Brady and Max [Hurwitz], they beautifully incorporated this small but powerful scene between Emma and Bern. Emma is the mother she never had, so this is why that scene held so much weight. And it was beautiful to just connect with Deanna as a person and actor, and to have that moment because you’re right, we don’t have a lot of those matriarchal moments in the show.
And it’s a shame, honestly.
MATTEN: Yeah! And that’s why it was so beautiful to have that moment. It really helped shape not only her character arc for the season for Bernadette, but you see that beautiful river, that flow, go into her next scene, which is with Chee. And that scene is really powerful too.
‘Dark Winds’ Season 4’s Ghost Sickness Arc Has Changed Jim Chee to His Core
You guys mentioned earlier that Chee really gets the spotlight this season. Much of his arc in Season 4 has centered on the ghost sickness, which is one of the most interesting elements. In Episode 6 specifically, Chee encounters this harrowing vision of his mother, which is really chilling to the viewer. Kiowa, did you feel like this moment has been a long time coming for Chee? Is this ghost sickness almost a blessing in disguise for him to deal with these things?
GORDON: Yeah, it has to, otherwise he’s just going to stay stagnant, really. It’s really, it’s an opportunity for him to grow like he’s never grown before. To have the people at his back that he has… It’s the only moment that really saves him, because if he were to have to go through this darkness alone, I don’t think he would’ve ever saw the other side of it. So, to have Bernadette, to have Joe, to have Emma, and Toby Shaw, and [Sheriff Gordo] Sena, and Margaret Cigarete… without that tradition and culture, he would’ve been lost to the ages. So, it’s a nice thing to have him thrust through this and, of course, to have to deal with it in the here and now and not put it off any longer than he has been.
I don’t know if you remember this, but when we spoke at Camel Rock Studios last June, I compared Bern and Chee to Mulder and Scully from The X-Files due to their respective “believer” and “skeptic” roles on the show. In what ways, if any, do you think that those roles have been challenged this season?
GORDON: Yeah, I think [his] skepticism is a little wavering now. It’s like, “Oh, maybe I should dive deeper into the culture and the traditions and ceremony that I was supposed to have been brought up in and taught. And that should’ve been my firm footing. And to learn songs and all this stuff. To be a healer.” So, I think he’s trying to open up his mind towards that aspect now.
MATTEN: I think the writers did a brilliant job… I was excited for Kiowa, because, literally, ghost sickness is a reflection of, psychologically and spiritually, the pain a person is going through, and, within the Navajo culture, showing that physically, how it comes to life and what it looks like. There’s also the thing about Chee being jealous about Bernadette getting the position over him. I would like to think that part of his ghost sickness is also the bad medicine that he’s holding onto about that as well. All the demons coming to the surface come into this physical form. Everything that’s suppressed in the body. And I think it’s kind of a good lesson to the audience on a very subconscious level… It’s like it has to come out from somewhere, otherwise, it does come out in your body. Stress, cancer, disease. Dis-ease.
GORDON: Dis-ease.
MATTEN: Oh, fun part! Kiowa is so brilliant [in] just his commitment to just going there, but in between takes, you yell “cut,” and he’s back dancing and shaking it. [Laughs]
GORDON: Oh yeah, in my gown! [Laughs]
MATTEN: Yeah, he’s in his gown!
GORDON: I told them, “Can we just tear up the back real quick and just have my butt cheeks flapped open, you know? No underwear. That would be so funny.” He’s like, “This ain’t no show. We don’t need that.”
MATTEN: He’s doing this big dance in between… And then another scene we were shooting too, our director for an episode, Jim [Chory], he was like, “You’re one crazy motherf-cker. I don’t know any actor who could just like be joking around 30 seconds [later],” [because] you put out a really amazing performance crying.
GORDON: Yeah, that’s so wild.
MATTEN: So, as dark as our show gets, bless Kiowa because he keeps our energy elevated and light.
GORDON: But it’s just about finding that flow state and then having access to it immediately is really what I try and strive for. I guess that’s what it is.
So, Season 4 gag reel is what I’m hearing?
GORDON: I wish, dude! I don’t think anybody does that anymore.
MATTEN: Oh, that would be amazing.
GORDON: But I wish. That’s what I’m always hoping for every project I ever do. I’m like, “Where’s the bloopers?”
MATTEN: Even Zahn happening to be behind the screen and then going “[gagging noise]” whenever we have a “kissy scene” or whatever. Yeah, it’s just funny. We should have a bloopers’ thing.
Dark Winds airs Sundays on AMC and AMC+.
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