Blake Lively encouraged people to “be kind” following the deaths of her late Gossip Girl costar Michelle Trachtenberg and Hayden Panettiere.

Lively, 38, shared a clip of Trachtenberg and Panettiere in their 2005 comedy Ice Princess via her Instagram Story on Monday, August 17, along with a reminder that everyone has private struggles.

“You never know what others are going through,” Lively pointed out. “Thank you to both of these women for all the joy you brought so many.”

Panettiere’s spokesperson confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 16, that the Nashville alum died at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was found unresponsive from an apparent overdose after authorities responded to reports of an “unresponsive female,” later identified as Panettiere, inside a residence.

Related: Leighton Meester and More ‘Gossip Girl’ Stars Mourn Michelle Trachtenberg

Giovanni Rufino / © The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection The cast and crew of Gossip Girl honored their former costar Michelle Trachtenberg following the news of her death at age 39. “Michelle was one of a kind,” Chace Crawford, who played Nate Archibald, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, February 26. “I remember her coming […]

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” her father, Skip Panettiere, told Us in a statement on Sunday. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Panettiere had recently opened up about her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released this past May. (Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with ex-fiancée Wladimir Klitschko.)

Her death led to an outpouring of grief in Hollywood, with Panettiere’s Nashville costars, Alyssa Milano, Alexa PenaVega and many others offering stirring tributes to her life and legacy.

A similar outpouring of sadness occurred in February when Trachtenberg was found dead at age 39 inside her Midtown West apartment in New York City. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed in April that the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl actress died as a result of complications of diabetes mellitus. (Per the Mayo Clinic, diabetes mellitus is classified as a “group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar.”)

At the time, Lively reflected on working with Trachtenberg on Gossip Girl, describing her former costar as “fiercely loyal” and “brave.”

“[Michelle] was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed,” Lively wrote via Instagram at the time. “Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”

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Related: Michelle Trachtenberg Was ‘Thrown’ Health ‘Curveballs’ Before Death

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On the morning of February 26, Michelle Trachtenberg was found unconscious and unresponsive at her midtown NYC apartment by her mom, Lana. She was just 39 years old. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the beloved star’s rep told Us Weekly. As news of her untimely death spread, […]

Lively remembered that Trachtenberg always wore “yummy caramel smelling lipgloss … because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet detail.”

“You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday,” Lively acknowledged. “Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”

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).

Jennifer Lawrence found the easiest way to give a basic summer outfit instant cool-mom energy: add a slouchy purse style. The relaxed silhouette has that effortless, tossed-over-the-shoulder feel that makes even sweatpants look intentional. And while Lawrence’s designer version costs hundreds, we found a similar style for $21.

Lawrence was spotted out and about wearing a black slouchy Tory Burch shoulder bag tucked casually under her arm. She paired it with sweatpants, a classic trench coat, clogs and oversized sunglasses, creating the kind of effortlessly put-together outfit that looks just as fitting for school drop-off as it does for a coffee run.

Get the Jyg Small Hobo Crescent Shoulder Bag for $20 (was $21) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The star’s exact purse comes with a hefty $789 price tag, but you don’t need a designer budget to copy the look. The Jyg Small Hobo Crescent Shoulder Bag on Amazon delivers a similar soft, slouchy shape for $21, making it an easy way to test drive the cool-mom trend for less.

Related: Get Eva Mendes’ Easy, Comfy Tank Dress Look for Only $20

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Eva Mendes has a masters in effortless dressing, and her latest look is proof that sometimes the simplest outfits make the biggest impact. Stepping out in an easy taupe tank dress, the actress reminded Us that a comfortable, wear-anywhere staple is all you really need to get through the final stretch of summer (and well […]

Made from soft faux leather, the purse has a slightly wrinkled texture that gives it that relaxed, lived-in look. The polished gold hardware adds an expensive-looking touch, while a top zipper and adjustable strap make it practical enough for everyday wear.

Black is the closest match to Lawrence’s, but it also comes in brown, beige, burgundy and several other versatile shades.

Shoppers are just as into its easygoing design. One buyer called the purse “very spacious,” and said its versatility “goes with anything.” Meanwhile, another customer said she’s worn hers “almost everyday” and gets “lots of compliments on it.” For a $21 bag, that’s some pretty convincing praise.

Lawrence may have a $789 budget for achieving that perfectly undone cool-mom aesthetic but Amazon makes it much easier to copy. Throw this slouchy purse over your shoulder with jeans, linen pants or even your favorite sweats, and suddenly the whole outfit looks a little more intentional.

Get the Jyg Small Hobo Crescent Shoulder Bag for $20 (was $21) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Jyg here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Eva Longoria’s Bubblegum Pink Bikini Turned Heads in Spain — The Look

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Eva Longoria knows how to make an entrance, even at the beach. The actress recently turned heads while vacationing in Spain, stepping out in a bubblegum pink bikini that instantly stole the spotlight. The playful color feels like one of summer’s biggest swimwear trends, and we found an affordable way to recreate the look. Longoria […]

Taylor Swift is proudly supporting her dear friend Phoebe Bridgers after she dropped her newest album, Lost Weekend.

“It’s her birthday but she gave us a gift,” Swift, 36, wrote while resharing Bridgers’ new record via her Instagram Story on Monday, August 17, which also fell on the indie musician’s 32nd birthday.

Swift added that she hasn’t “been able to stop listening” to Lost Weekend since its Friday, August 14, release.

“This album is an absolute triumph in every way,” Swift gushed. “To write about grief with such vulnerability and detail, and to trust the listener with this much honesty.”

Related: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Attend Wedding 1 Week After Tying the Knot

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are stepping out for their first event as newlyweds. The couple, both 36, attended the nuptials of Kelce’s former Kansas City Chiefs teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk in Southern California on Friday, July 10, according to photos posted by Deux Moi. The photos showed the “Gorgeous” singer opted for […]

Swift ended her post by wishing Bridgers a happy birthday and sharing, “I love you!!”

The pop star and Bridgers have been close friends for years. The pair collaborated for the first time in 2021 on Swift’s song “Nothing New,” a vault track for the Red rerecording.

“I just am so excited to have people take it at face value the day that it comes out, because I got teary recording it. I just couldn’t be more excited,” Bridgers said of working with Swift in an interview with Billboard at the time. “I think that she is an incredible businessperson and an incredible writer. What she’s been able to build just from writing adeptly from a young age is insane.”

Two years later, Bridgers opened for Swift during several shows of her Eras Tour concerts.

While Swift and Bridgers have been celebrating the “Motion Sickness” singer’s new album release, the pair also spent some quality time together. Over the weekend, Swift and Bridgers were both in attendance at Oli Jacobs and Laura Sisk’s wedding held outside of Gloucestershire, England, on Saturday, August 15. Sabrina Carpenter and Jack Antonoff were also at the event.

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According to photos published by online gossip site DeuxMoi, Swift — who wed husband Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden last month — debuted a new shorter hairstyle. Swift also paired her Kindred Lubeck by Artifex Fine Jewelry engagement ring with a gold wedding band.

Kelce did not attend the wedding as NFL preseason just kicked off. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end also donned his own gold wedding band at the Chiefs’ first home preseason game on Saturday.

“It was a fun offseason, man. [Our] wedding was the best night of my life,” Kelce gushed during an August press conference . “I appreciate everybody who came out and celebrated and had fun with us. That’s about all I really got from that night. It was a crazy night. It was full of a lot of celebration.”

When done right, historical adventure can be one of the most enjoyable subgenres. The best of these books bring the past to life, transporting us to a far-flung time and charming us with epic journeys, daring escapes, adrenaline-pumping battles, and, often, grand, dramatic romance.

All the books below are worth checking out, whether set aboard eighteenth-century warships, in medieval castles, on the American frontier, or amid the chaos of revolution. These are the best historical adventure books ever written, powerful reminders that the figures of the past were humans just like us.

10

‘The Last Kingdom’ (2004)

Image via Harper Collins

“Destiny is all.” This book introduces readers to Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman captured and raised by Viking warriors during the ninth century. Torn between the culture of his birth and the people who became his family, he finds himself caught in the struggle between the invading Danes and King Alfred’s fragile vision of a united England. Uhtred’s divided loyalties add some emotional weight to a story that might otherwise have been a straightforward military adventure.

The Last Kingdom was the debut novel by Bernard Cornwell, a master of historical writing (he’s written some military nonfiction, too). In particular, he has an amazing knack for writing historical battle scenes: every shield wall, cavalry charge, desperate duel, and clang of steel against steel feels immediate and believable. The fighting is tactile and brutal, really bringing the mayhem of medieval combat to life.

9

‘The Eagle Has Landed’ (1975)

Image via Penguin

“There are no heroes in war. Only survivors.” Some readers will be familiar with the movie adaptation starring Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland, but the original novel is worth checking out in its own right. The premise is certainly audacious: in it, the Nazis concoct a plan to kidnap Winston Churchill during the Second World War. We follow an elite team of German paratroopers, an Irish Republican Army operative, and a host of British civilians whose lives become intertwined as the seemingly impossible mission unfolds… in a quiet English village, of all places.

This story could have been pure pulp (and there are definitely some pulpy elements), but ultimately author Jack Higgins elevates it by refusing to reduce the conflict to simplistic notions of good and evil. In fact, he gets surprisingly complex with some of the characters, painting everyone in shades of grey. For instance, many of his German soldiers are honorable professionals, and several of the Allies have serious flaws.

8

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ (1905)

Image via Bantam Classics

“They seek him here, they seek him there.” Long before modern superheroes appeared in comics, Baroness Orczy created one of fiction’s greatest masked adventurers. The Scarlet Pimpernel centers on a mysterious English nobleman who repeatedly slips into Revolutionary France to rescue innocent aristocrats from the guillotine. At the same time, he continually outwits the relentless French agent Chauvelin.

By day, Sir Percy Blakeney presents himself as a dim-witted aristocrat but, by night, he’s a genuine hero, a skilled swordsman and cunning strategist. Consequently, in many ways, the book is the archetypal “secret identity” story, using disguises, cover stories, daring escapes, and clever deception that went on to be hugely influential. Indeed, its DNA lives on in everything from Zorro to V for Vendetta. While obviously dated now, it’s still interesting to see where many of these tropes originated.

7

‘Master and Commander’ (1969)

Image via W. W. Norton & Company

“There is very little that is not dangerous about a ship.” Here’s another one that served as the basis for a great movie. The first novel in Patrick O’Brian‘s Aubrey-Maturin series introduces Captain Jack Aubrey and naval surgeon Stephen Maturin during the Napoleonic Wars. As Aubrey commands HMS Sophie across the Mediterranean, the two men forge one of literature’s greatest friendships while confronting conspiracies, enemy warships, and the unforgiving realities of life at sea.

The main appeal of the book is its stunning attention to detail. O’Brian’s unparalleled knowledge of naval warfare allows him to recreate the Age of Sail with astonishing authenticity: every maneuver, cannon exchange, and shipboard routine feels convincing. More importantly, though, Master and Commander never gets bogged down in technicalities or info dumps. Instead, the settings and description push the characters into tense situations, crucibles to reveal their courage and, occasionally, their flaws.

6

‘The Wager’ (2023)

Image via Doubleday

“The sea was indifferent to every human ambition.” Although technically a work of nonfiction, David Grann‘s The Wager possesses all the excitement and narrative momentum of the finest historical adventure novels. Recounting the catastrophic 1741 voyage of the British warship HMS Wager, the book follows its crew through shipwreck, starvation, mutiny, murder, and an extraordinary struggle for survival after becoming stranded on the coast of Patagonia.

Grann reconstructs the ordeal with remarkable clarity, drawing extensively upon journals, court records, and firsthand accounts, thus making the past tangible. Every hardship the men endure feels immediate, from the relentless storms that destroy the ship to the impossible moral choices confronting the starving survivors. We are left with an adventure that never needs embellishment because history itself proves astonishing enough.

5

‘Shōgun’ (1975)

Image via  Hodder & Stoughton

“To learn patience is not to rebel against every hardship.” This book reentered the public consciousness two years ago thanks to the masterful TV series adaptation. Inspired by the real-life arrival of English navigator William Adams in seventeenth-century Japan, the first novel in the Asian Saga follows the shipwrecked pilot John Blackthorne as he becomes entangled in a deadly struggle between rival daimyo, samurai, Jesuit missionaries, and the ambitious Lord Toranaga, who seeks ultimate political power.

It’s a fantastic tale of culture clash. Importantly, rather than presenting Japan merely as an exotic backdrop, author James Clavell allows us to fully engage with its culture through Blackthorne’s eyes as he slowly transforms from bewildered outsider to respected participant. Every aspect of society, from politics and religion to warfare, commerce, and even etiquette, feels fully realized. Decades later, Shōgun remains one of the finest reconstructions of feudal Japan.

4

‘The Pillars of the Earth’ (1989)

Image via Pan

“There is no longer any such thing as innocence.” This is one of the most beloved books by Ken Follett, one of the most ambitious historical fiction writers currently working. Set in twelfth-century England during a period of civil war known as the Anarchy, The Pillars of the Earth follows an enormous cast of builders, monks, nobles, craftsmen, and merchants whose lives become intertwined through the construction of a magnificent cathedral. Their lives are defined by faith, corruption, revenge, and perseverance.

In a lesser writer’s hands, this complex setup could have become a dry history lesson, a cavalcade of names, facts, and dates. Follett instead turns it into a page-turning blockbuster, with an entertaining plot and an endless stream of colorful characters. There’s romance, action, betrayal, and suspense, so the book’s 800-odd pages fly by. Those who enjoy it are in luck, as there are three other books in the series to dive into.

3

‘Lonesome Dove’ (1985)

Image via Simon & Schuster

“I hate rude behavior in a man. I won’t tolerate it.” Lonesome Dove is a fantastic adventure/Western/drama hybrid. It revolves around retired Texas Rangers Augustus “Gus” McCrae and Woodrow Call as they lead an ambitious cattle drive from Texas to Montana, accompanied by an unforgettable cast of cowboys, outlaws, settlers, and drifters crossing the vast American frontier. Their friendship is exceptionally well-drawn and genuinely touching.

Here we have a book of immense landscapes and flawed heroes, where the protagonists are equal parts tough and vulnerable, often uncertain, making their triumphs and losses surprisingly affecting. And that’s without even getting started on the action, including showdowns with the Sioux and shootouts with bandits. Lonesome Dove was a huge hit, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and spawned an acclaimed TV series starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall.

2

‘Treasure Island’ (1883)

Image via Cluny Media

“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest. Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!” Another cornerstone of the entire historical adventure genre that has produced countless remakes and homages. Narrated by the young Jim Hawkins, Treasure Island begins with the discovery of a pirate’s treasure map and quickly develops into an unforgettable voyage involving mutiny, buried gold, naval battles, and one of literature’s greatest villains: the charismatic Long John Silver.

Returning to Treasure Island now, it’s amazing how fresh Robert Louis Stevenson’s storytelling feels nearly a century and a half after publication. His pacing is relentless, his dialogue crackles with personality, and every chapter introduces new dangers that keep readers hooked to the page. That said, Silver himself is the book’s most enduring creation, an engaging, intelligent, unpredictable antihero who oscillates dangerously between charming and ruthless.

1

‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (1844)

Image via Penguin Random House

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words: Wait and Hope.” Like Treasure Island, The Count of Monte Cristo is a reference point for the whole genre. Wrongly imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, protagonist Edmond Dantès, a young sailor, spends years confined within the Château d’If before making a miraculous escape, discovering an immense hidden fortune, and embarking upon a classic quest for revenge.

Edmond’s transformation into the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo ranks among fiction’s greatest character arcs. The book keeps us hooked with a twisted thicket of subplots, each involving disguises, shaky alliances, and shocking revelations, along with a hearty helping of swashbuckling adventure. Admittedly, the book’s writing style does sometimes show its age, and the whopping page count (over 1000!) is intimidating, but The Count of Monte Cristo is a classic for a reason.

Viewers just received an update on Landman as season 3 continues to go through major filming delays.

Paramount+’s head of originals, Jane Wiseman, spoke with Deadline on Monday, August 17, about the future of the show, saying, “Between Tulsa King and Landman, which Yana Grebenyuk Taylor [Sheridan] is writing right now, Frisco King, Dutton Ranch, The Madison, we have a lot of business, and we’re going to be in business for time to come.”

Wiseman credited Sheridan’s vast TV empire for bringing in more audience members.

“We are definitely developing a lot; we’ve announced seven scripted drama greenlights in the last 10 months, so it does feel like there’s volume. And then we have a lot on the runway that we haven’t announced yet,” she teased. “So, to me, what we don’t want to do is scale so big so fast. We want to be very deliberate in our choices. We want to stay on strategy. We want to curate what we have, but we also want to take care of the Sheridan audience, the Taylorverse.”

Related: Why Is ‘Landman’ Delayed? Season 3 Change Explained After Filming Update

It might be a while before fans see more of Taylor Sheridan‘s beloved show Landman. The hit Paramount series premiered in November 2024 after filming began in Texas early that year. Production on season 2 started in 2025 and ended that August, with the episodes airing in November 2025. Season 3, however, has been plagued […]

Sheridan, 56, originally started off as an actor before he pivoted to writing movie scripts. He shifted his focus to TV with Paramount Network’s Yellowstone, which aired from 2018 to 2024. Sheridan has also worked on original shows Landman, Lioness, Tulsa King and more.

News broke in October 2025 that Sheridan had closed a major with NBCUniversal. The five-year overall deal for film, TV and streaming will begin January 1, 2029, after Sheridan’s TV deal with Paramount — which goes through 2028 — officially ends.

Paramount will retain the rights to Yellowstone and the other franchises Sheridan created under his deal with the company, so he is expected to create brand-new property for NBCUniversal. Sheridan’s move came after Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media.

Landman, meanwhile, premiered in November 2024 after filming began in Texas early that year. Production on season 2 started in April 2025 and ended that August, with the episodes airing in November 2025.

Season 3, however, has been plagued with changes. While filming was originally scheduled for May 2026, it got pushed to three months later. Production was apparently delayed again, as actor James Jordan confirmed exclusively to Us that filming would start in September.

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Related: When Is ‘Landman’ Returning for Season 3? Filming Updates Explained

Taylor Sheridan‘s fan-favorite series Landman has been renewed for a third season — but when will it premiere? Director Stephen Kay recently teased when Landman would return, telling The Hollywood Reporter, that the creators are “cutting while we’re shooting and so it’ll hopefully be out soon.” The plan is to condense two parts of the […]

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“It’s going to be fantastic. Taylor is writing as we speak. It’s going to be 10 crazy, wonderful, funny and wild episodes — just like season 1 and season 2 have been. Billy Bob [Thornton] and everybody, we’re all ready to get back to work,” he shared in July. “I believe we’re bringing back the same director, Stephen Kay, who I adore. So it’s going to be a great ride.”

Jordan continued: “We start that sometime in September, and we’ll shoot that through the first quarter of next year. Then we should have it out … I don’t know when. It’s up to the powers that be, but we’re very excited to get started on that.”

While no reason was given for the delay, the news about Landman’s production change came after the last of the show’s stars secured raises in June. According to Deadline, the entire original cast — outside of Thornton — successfully negotiated paycheck increases. (Thornton, who plays Tommy, reportedly has a separate three-year deal with standard year-to-year increases. He would be up for negotiating a new contract if Landman is renewed for a fourth season.)

Robert Pattinson is taking on a different kind of role in the upcoming movie “Primetime,” portraying TV presenter and journalist Chris Hansen. While the actor has been lauded for his transformation into the “To Catch a Predator” host, as seen in the trailer, Hansen has some thoughts about the casting choice.

In a recent interview, the TV personality revealed that he wouldn’t have picked Pattinson to play him and named the actor he would have chosen instead. In addition, he is also questioning the motive behind the A24 film.

Robert Pattinson is having a big year on the big screen, with four major films on his slate. He has already appeared in “The Drama” and “The Odyssey,” with two more highly anticipated movies still to come: “Primetime” and “Dune: Part Three.”

When the first look at Pattinson as Chris Hansen was released in a teaser in May, many reacted positively to the transformation, praising how the actor embodied the “To Catch a Predator” host.

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In a recent interview, Hansen shared his honest thoughts about the movie and the casting. He acknowledged that Pattinson was a good actor, but he wouldn’t have picked him if he had been given the option.

“Years ago, I had crafted a script and thought Denis Leary would be a good guy to play me, depending on the age of it all,” Hansen told host Annie Elise on the “Serialously” podcast.

Leary appeared in movies such as “Judgment Night,” “Demolition Man,” and “The Thomas Crown Affair,” and he also provides the voice of Diego in “Ice Age.”

The Journalist Was Not Involved In ‘Primetime’

“Primetime” is a crime thriller that explores the production of the TV series “To Catch a Predator,” in which Hansen confronted suspected internet predators after conducting sting operations. The series aired from 2004 to 2007.

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The movie is produced by A24, with Lance Oppenheim at the helm. The movie also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine, and Anna Faris.

Hansen said that while he was made aware that a film about the show he hosted was being made, he wasn’t involved in the production whatsoever.

“A couple of months ago, they came and said, ‘Hey look, we’re doing this, we’d like you to have some sort of consideration in terms of helping us with this’,” Hansen said. However, he noted that the filmmakers had already completed the project before they reached out to him.

Chris Hansen Thinks The Trailer Is ‘Very Dramatic’

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Hansen has not yet seen the movie and, as a journalist, does not want to form an opinion before watching it. He did, however, see the trailer, and in his opinion, it was “dramatic.”

“It looks very dramatic. But again, you know, I’ve been busy being the real Chris Hansen. So I don’t have a lot of time to focus on the fake Chris Hansen in the movie… I know he’s a popular actor, and I know the director is a popular guy. I also have some questions. What’s Hollywood’s motive here?” he asked.

Hansen shared that he had been invited to a private screening of “Primetime” and would share his thoughts on the movie afterward.

‘To Catch A Predator’ Faced Controversy

Chris Hansen weighs in on the upcoming film ‘PRIMETIME’.

“It looks dramatic. It looks very dramatic. I know [Robert Pattinson] is a popular actor – I also have some questions: What’s Hollywood’s motive here?”

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(Source:@THR) pic.twitter.com/pT6NDqLqi6

— PoppingCinema (@PoppingCinema) August 18, 2026

“To Catch a Predator” faced controversy during its run, with many questioning ethics and the “entrapment” methods used to catch suspects.

The show ended in 2007 following an incident the year prior, in which a Texas assistant district attorney became the focus of a sting operation for soliciting sex with a minor. As the show’s crew and a SWAT team surrounded the home, the suspect shot himself before authorities could get to him.

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The show faced severe criticism afterward, but Hansen has repeatedly said “To Catch a Predator” ended because “it had run its course.”

Fans Already Think Robert Pattinson’s Performance Is Oscar-Worthy

Pattinson as Hansen is already generating a lot of online buzz. The full trailer was released on August 6, and it has already accumulated more than 35 million views.

“No freaking way that’s Pattinson’s voice. Simply unbelievable,” one commented. Another user wrote, “Dude legitimately clawed his way out of just being ‘sexy vampire guy.’ Good for him,” referring to Pattinson’s role as Edward Cullen in the vampire saga “Twilight.”

Based on the trailer alone, critics from some outlets are saying the actor deserves an Oscar nod.

“Primetime” will be released in theaters on September 25.

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Guy Ritchie has made a career with tightly edited crime movies, but his two-movie franchise has perfected the art of style. After cult classics like Snatch and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, the filmmaker proved he could continue his crime brand on a larger budget scale. In 2009, he delivered the beginning of his highly entertaining Sherlock Holmes franchise.

Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective has been featured in many adaptations before, but none delivered Ritchie’s trademark sense of humor and delightful thrills. Robert Downey Jr. stars as the titular investigator, with Jude Law co-starring as his indomitable Watson. For two films, the duo exhibited a fun-filled friendship with more excitement than any previous attempt.

‘Sherlock Holmes’ Reinvents the Classic Detective

Sherlock Holmes purists may balk at the creative liberties Guy Ritchie’s films take, but that is precisely what makes them a perfect binge. While Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows are less cerebral than the subject material, these mysteries more than make up for that discrepancy. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s chemistry is flawless as Holmes and Watson, and the decision to make their relationship the focal point of the series is paramount.

When the story begins, Watson and Holmes are at odds because the former decides to get married and leave their business behind. This, of course, is a promise that needs to be broken as the two embark on the mystery of an occultist who has supposedly risen from the dead. The push and pull between the characters is punctuated with witty one-liners and an impeccable score by Hans Zimmer. Visually breathtaking, the first Sherlock Holmes is more than its IP.

Viewers can round out their viewing experience with the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. This was the highly anticipated second movie that made good on its promise to incorporate the classic Holmes villain, Moriarty. Jared Harris is perfectly cast as Holmes’ adversary, who matches him for intelligence. Both features rush by at a clip, utilizing all the hallmarks of a great blockbuster. With a stacked cast including Yellowstone’s own Kelly Reilly, fans likely would have tuned in for countless sequels.

Game of Shadows ends with a book-accurate conclusion for Sherlock, though as many literature fans know, that was not the end for the great detective. Ritchie certainly left cinema-goers wanting more after the ending of the second film, which makes binge-watching the series even easier. The director went on to create even more big-scale pictures like Aladdin and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but no one would question a decision to give these characters one last hurrah.

All these actors are still in high demand, and maybe even another sequel to the elite thriller could retcon Irene Adler’s controversial demise. Experience laughs, mystery, and an extremely engaging rendition of “The Rocky Road to Dublin” before Sinners’ Irish vampire did the jig. After all, the game is afoot.

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Sherlock Holmes

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Release Date

December 25, 2009

Runtime

129 minutes

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Writers

Simon Kinberg, Anthony Peckham, Lionel Wigram, Michael Robert Johnson, Arthur Conan Doyle

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  Robert Downey Jr.

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  Sherlock Holmes

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Victoria Beckham has mastered the art of understated fashion, and her vacation dress style is proof that the simplest outfits can also be some of the most flattering. With a sleek silhouette, rich neutral color and easy fit, it’s the kind of comfy maxi dress women over 50 reach for again and again.

Beckham was spotted in Saint-Tropez wearing a chocolate brown spaghetti-strap maxi dress that skimmed her figure in all the right places. She styled it with a woven bucket hat, raffia bag and white pointed-toe heels, creating an effortlessly polished look that’s easy to recreate without a designer budget.

Get the Laughido Double-Lined Cami Maxi Dress for $40 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Luckily, you don’t have to splurge to steal the A-lister style. We found the Laughido Double Lined Cami Maxi Dress on Amazon, and it captures the same streamlined silhouette, chocolate brown shade and timeless appeal that made Beckham’s look stand out.

Related: Sandra Bullock Skipped Tight Pants for This Loose, Slimming Style

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Every so often, a pair of jeans comes along that makes you question every other style hanging in your closet. Meghan Markle‘s latest denim moment is one of those times. Her pant style is crisp, tailored and elongating. In fact, the jeans somehow make legs look a mile long, giving you a flattering silhouette that […]

Charles Esten is breaking his silence after his former Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 just days after she reportedly attended one of his shows.

“Patty [Hanson, his wife] and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden,” Esten, 60, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17.

Esten starred alongside Panettiere in the hit ABC series, which aired from 2012 until 2016 and concluded with its final two seasons on CMT from 2016 until 2018. Panettiere starred as rising country music star Juliette Barnes, while Esten portrayed songwriter Deacon Claybourne.

“I will never forget the first time I met her,” Esten continued. “In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first Nashville audition. I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard.”

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Hayden Panettiere opened up about her unplanned acting break more than one year before her untimely and shocking death. “I had taken four years off. Didn’t know or plan to, but that’s just the way it panned out,” Panettiere exclusively told Us back in 2025. “And I desperately needed it.” Panettiere explained at the time […]

He went on, “To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Panettiere, who — in full Juliette Barnes mode — had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, ‘That was so good!!’”

Esten recalled the way Panettiere supported him in that potentially embarrassing moment.

“I can promise you that in that moment, there was nothing in the world I needed to hear more than that. I told her that, along with my Heroes-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, ‘See you on the set!’”

He added, “I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, ‘See you on the set!’”

Esten recalled that he and the late became “fast friends,” often “having fun and laughing a whole lot” in between shooting emotionally charged Nashville scenes.

“She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette,” he noted. “What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me.”

“Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly,” he concluded. “God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light”

Us previously reported that Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, from a suspected overdose.

A resident of the building exclusively told Us that a neighbor shared with them that one of Panettiere’s friends was playing at The Foundry on Friday, August 14. The music venue is attached to the apartment building, which was why Panettiere was at the complex. The resident said she was staying at an Airbnb in the complex, and “there was more than one person staying” in the unit.

Esten was booked to perform two nights at the venue as part of his Carolina Tour. Panettiere died one day after his last show at The Foundry.

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Alexa PenaVega is reflecting on childhood fame after Hayden Panettiere’s death. “Hayden, Michelle [Trachtenberg], Daveigh [Chase] … my heart is heavy today,” PenaVega, 37, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17. “These aren’t just names from my childhood. They’re girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. We […]

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Authorities in South Carolina confirmed to Us on Monday, August 17, that police responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence, later identified at Panettiere.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office also confirmed to Us on Monday that an official autopsy had been completed, and there were no signs of trauma that may have contributed to Panettiere’s death.

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“On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest,” a statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office read. “First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”

Esten and Panettiere grew close while working on Nashville, and they remained friends for years after the show wrapped.

Back in 2018, Esten exclusively spoke to Us about his bond with the Ice Princess star, recalling that they’d been “buddies ever since” they started working together.