Meghan Markle is once again in the headlines after her self-acclaimed title as the “most trolled person” made waves.

The Duchess of Sussex made the declaration during a speech on her recent trip to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry. While speaking about the dangers of social media, she poured her heart out, advising youngsters via her personal experience as a public figure.

Meghan Markle’s life, daily choices, and actions have never shied away from the media, and over the years, she has been the subject of great public scrutiny. This includes her business, growing lifestyle brand, and decisions concerning her family.

Meghan has weathered through the tough times, and her astrology readings affirm that after boisterous storms comes calm. The “Suits” actress shared a post on social media showing the hopeful messages from her horoscope. “Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, & Aquarius ending the hardest seven years of their lives on April 25,” The string of posts on her Instagram stories began.

She shared the message on Saturday, April 25, which featured two men dancing to one of Celine Dion’s all-time hits, “That’s the Way It Is.” The message resonated perfectly with Meghan, whose birthday is on August 4, making her a Leo. The next reading was a knock at her life, the criticism she had dealt with, and the effect it had on her.

“The tension between who you actually are and what the world around you was willing to see has been exhausting in a way that is hard to explain to people who have not lived it,”  it began. Her astrology post continued, reading, “Your confidence took hits it had no business taking. You questioned your creative direction, your spotlight, your worth.”

They sound like words that run deep as a description of what the Duchess of Sussex may have faced since her status switched when she joined the royal family. The horoscope concluded with a positive message highlighting April 25 as an auspicious day. “April 25, the pressure lifts. You get the space to just exist without fighting for it,” signaling a light at the end of the tunnel for Meghan.

According to US Weekly, Royal watchers have speculated that the seven hardest years of her life, as the post pointed out, refers to the pubic scrutiny she has faced since she tied the knot with Prince Harry seven years ago in May 2018. While Meghan uses social media to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever, she often warns against its use and the dangers associated with online platforms and the younger generation.

On her recently concluded Australian tour, the former Hollywood star gave a speech about how social media has impacted her life over the years. The media personality and her husband spoke to young people during their visit to Batyr, a mental health charity at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.

She got candid, saying she was “bullied and attacked” online every day for a decade, tagging herself as “the most trolled person in the entire world.” Harry’s speech echoes similar views. He noted that social media has  “led to so much loneliness for so many people” before disclosing his mental health struggles, which led him to seek help in therapy.

Meghan spiced up her speech at Batyr with words of encouragement as she told her listeners, “Now I’m here,” despite the constant trolls and critics online. Speaking further, she decided to address the issue at the root, highlighting that social media companies were not “incentivized to stop.” 

The Blast reported in an earlier release that the media personality informed her listeners that the clickbait nature of social media was not going to change, hence they had to develop tough skin and become stronger as they navigate the use of online platforms.

“When I think of all of you and what you’re experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realize that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks,” she said to the youths. She further noted that she has an ever-listening ear to those going through similar experiences with the media, as they easily resonate with her.

Not Everyone Sees The Mom Of Two As ‘The Most Trolled Person In The Entire World’

Meghan has admittedly had her fair share of one too many bad days in the media, but the title as the person with the most trolls seems to be a stretch to some people, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Right from inside Capitol Hill, the politician spoke with news outlets, saying that the title belongs to President Donald Trump.

Cruz explained that Trump is the most trolled person on the planet, and the former Hollywood star is still in the shadows when it comes to internet trolls. As reported by The Blast, he went on to praise Meghan for her work as an actress, referencing her phenomenal role on the hit legal drama TV series “Suits.”

The Texas Senator emphasized that Trump has seen more online hate, and as such, in his opinion, the title goes to the POTUS. His judgment comes as a no-brainer as he has experience in that department. Cruz noted that he gets trolled as well, but often responds to them with laughs or trolls back.

Meghan Markle Recently Gave Royals Another Reason To Frown

Meghan’s brand, As Ever, recently launched new candles in her candle collection as part of a Mother’s Day celebration. She claimed that two of them were inspired by her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The candles are named No.506 and No. 604, and according to reports, the numbers are not random but linked to her children’s birthdays.

This move, allegedly, does not sit right with other members of the royal house. A source described it as “an outrageous use of their titles,” adding that the late Queen Elizabeth II would not have approved of Meghan incorporating the kids into her business. They stated that the late queen previously stressed that the Sussexes should not profit from their titles after dropping their status as working royals in 2020.

The Blast also reports that the former TV personality had her children’s names, email addresses, social media handles, and domain names all trademarked. Some insiders do not view the trademark move as an issue; however, they have eyebrows raised if Meghan’s intention is to use them for the sale of future goods.

The Rookie just killed off a character in a shocking death scene ahead of the season 8 finale.

During the Monday, April 27, episode of the hit ABC series, Monica (Bridget Regan) tried to get away from the Feds and the arms dealer she crossed.

She tried to find a way to run away — after having a conversation with ex Wesley (Shawn Ashmore) — but her trip to the airport took a turn when the driver passed the LAX exit.

Monica accepted her fate by just asking that the driver not shoot her “in the face.” Instead, Monica is shot twice in the chest and her body is left on the side of the road for Tim (Eric Winter), Nolan (Nathan Fillion), Nyla (Mekia Cox), Angela (Alyssa Diaz), Grey (Richard T. Jones) and Garza (Felix Solis) to find before Wesley joined them.

“When [showrunner] Alexi [Hawley] called me — I mean, well, first of all, whenever a showrunner calls you, you have to be worried that it’s the call of death. But truly, I was not surprised. I was thrilled that she lasted as long as she did,” Regan told TV Insider. “If you play with fire, as long as she has, eventually you’re going to get burned. And as I said to Alexi and everybody, I was like, she’s not on her ninth life. She’s on her 37th.”

Regan pointed out that Monica “escaped multiple assassinations and prison time.”

“When her number was finally up, I wasn’t surprised. I thought, fair enough. She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude,” she continued. “But what I was surprised by was just how incredibly sad I was for her. Not that she died, but that she never truly flipped, that she actually succumbed to the dark side and couldn’t find her way back. And I felt like there was this version of Monica that could have been something else, but she just could never get there. So to me, that was the real heartbreak of it all.”

The actress recalled being promised an epic onscreen death, adding, “You hear about all these famous shows where everyone’s dying all the time, like The Sopranos, etc. Everyone’s reading the script, going, ‘Do I die? Do I die? Do I die? Do I die?’ I always had that in the back of my mind because I felt like it was inevitable. Either at some point, she was going to go to jail, or she was going to die.”

For Regan, it was special getting to see Monica go out on her own terms.

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“What’s so fun about her is she is who she is. The ‘not in the face’ line is how she’s always going to be her vain, fabulous, greedy self. That’s just who she is. She can be terribly smug,” she noted. “With Monica, you’re always walking that line. She has to be confident enough that you believe she can hold her own in this criminal world, but I always wanted her to be believable, but there’s also something deliciously over the top about who she is. She’s so fun, and she refuses to be anything but herself. And so yeah, we were always calibrating.”

Regan admitted that wrapping up her time on The Rookie “was emotional,” saying, “It was heavy. I was bummed. I was like, oh man, this is such an incredible show to be a part of. But I did feel like, creatively, it was time for her to go. Because if we’re going to say that she’s messing with all these dangerous criminals from Elijah to Aiden to Cooper Johnson, it would be unbelievable if it didn’t catch up with her at some point.”

The Rookie airs on ABC Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.

It’s true that most great action movies have already been watched enough. However, it’s also true that over time, the genre has built a reputation, which often leaves smaller or less talked-about films slipping through the cracks. For instance, there are movies that arrived at the wrong time, while others simply didn’t get the attention they deserved despite doing a lot right. Despite being incredible.

Anyhow, the films that I’ve circled in this list are those kinds of action films. They’re easier to return to, even years later, because they don’t feel tied to trends that fade quickly. These are movies that quietly hold up, even when they’re no longer part of the present pop culture, as such, so let’s get into it.

5

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

Image via New Line Cinema

By the time The Long Kiss Goodnight came out, action films had already settled into a familiar rhythm, which makes its setup feel a little unusual even now. The film, directed by Renny Harlin, follows Samantha Caine (Geena Davis), a schoolteacher with no memory of her past, whose life begins to change when fragments of a much darker identity start to return. What makes this interesting is how casually the film introduces that shift and allows the mystery to build instead of rushing straight into action.

With time, Samantha’s transformation into Charly Baltimore never feels like a gimmick, which is where the film quietly stands out. The action is sharp and deliberate, but it’s the character work that gives it the edge. At the same time, the film doesn’t overcomplicate its premise, which keeps everything moving without losing clarity. It’s the kind of balance that feels effortless, even though it rarely is.

4

‘Ronin’ (1998)

Image via MGM

There’s a certain restraint to Ronin that makes it feel very different from most action films of its time. Directed by John Frankenheimer, the film brings together a group of mercenaries led by Sam (Robert De Niro), all hired for an extremely vague job. Instead of relying on exposition, the story allows tension to build through uncertain moments. That uncertainty gives even the quieter moments a sense of unease that carries through the entire film.

Ronin is a standout film because of how grounded everything feels, especially during its action sequences. The car chases, in particular, aren’t exaggerated for a show, which makes them far more intense than expected. At the same time, the film never feels the need to explain every detail, and that trust in the audience works in its favor. It creates a sense of realism that lingers, even after the story moves on.

3

‘The Rundown’ (2003)

Image via Universal Pictures

There’s something surprisingly restrained about The Rundown, especially considering it arrived at a time when action films leaned heavily into excess. It is directed by Peter Berg and follows Beck (Dwayne Johnson), a retrieval expert sent to bring Travis (Seann William Scott) back home, only to get pulled into a situation far more complicated than expected. The setup sounds familiar, but the film takes its time establishing Beck’s personality before throwing him into chaos, which gives the story a steadier foundation.

As things move forward, the film leans into a mix of action and humor without letting either one overpower the other. Beck isn’t written as an unstoppable figure, which makes his hesitation feel more believable in moments that could have easily turned exaggerated. On the other hand, the action sequences remain clear, never losing track of where the characters are or what’s at stake. That sense of control keeps the film engaging.

2

‘Dredd’ (2012)

Image via Lionsgate

Dredd feels unusually focused for a film that is set in such a sprawling, dystopian world. The movie is directed by Pete Travis, and its premise follows Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) and Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) as they enter a massive high-rise controlled by Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). Instead of expanding outward, the story locks itself into this one location, which immediately creates a sense of confinement that shapes everything that follows.

That decision allows the film to build tension in a very controlled way, where each level of the building feels like a step deeper into something more dangerous. The action never feels excessive because it’s tied closely to the survival of the characters, and that makes even the quieter moments feel uneasy. Along with that, the film doesn’t spend time overexplaining its world, which helps maintain momentum. It trusts the setting to speak for itself, and that restraint is what gives it lasting impact.

1

‘The Raid 2’ (2014)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Following up a film as tightly constructed as its predecessor is never simple, which makes The Raid 2 feel like a very deliberate expansion. Directed by Gareth Evans, the story continues with Rama (Iko Uwais) as he goes undercover, moving away from the contained structure of the first film into something far more layered. That shift immediately changes the tone, because the focus is no longer just survival, but navigating a world that is built on shifting loyalties.

With each passing moment, the scale grows without losing the intensity that defined the original. The action sequences remain precise, but they are now placed within a broader narrative that gives them added weight. At the same time, the film allows its story to breathe, which helps the quieter moments feel just as important as the larger set pieces. That balance is difficult to maintain, but here it feels intentional, giving the film a sense of depth that is difficult to find in most action films.

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The Raid 2

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Release Date

March 28, 2014

Runtime

150 minutes

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Director

Gareth Evans

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Gareth Evans

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Michael Jackson‘s music is seeing a renewed surge in popularity, with Spotify streams climbing following the release of “Michael,” a biopic starring the King of Pop’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role. The film has sparked fresh interest in the singer’s catalog, drawing longtime fans back while introducing his music legacy to a new generation of listeners.

The King of Pop’s Spotify is seeing a spike in streams after the release of “Michael” on April 24, in U.S. theaters. Per information gathered by Luminate, a data and insights company, Michael’s streams increased by 95 just one week after the film premiered, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter on April 27. Combined streams have reached 31.7 million from 16.3 million the previous week.

Additionally, the outlet noted that Michael’s listenership increased by 5 million in a week, soaring from 68 million to 73 million.

The Jackson 5, Michael’s band with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, also saw a boost from the biopic, with streams increasing from 1.3 million to 2.4 million.

‘Michael’ Features Some Of The King Of Pop’s Biggest Hits

A film like “Michael” is bound to include the singer’s iconic songs, and some of those included were “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Human Nature,” along with The Jackson 5 hits “I’ll Be There” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

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Michael was known for his unmistakable vocal style, and for the biopic, Jaafar and Michael’s voices were blended. In an interview with “Today with Jenna & Shenelle,” the 29-year-old singer and actor said he did all the performances in the movie, but he was singing “on top of Michael’s track.” The same process was done for Juliano Valdi, the young actor who portrayed a 10-year-old Michael in the movie.

Music supervisor John Warhurst explained the decision to The Hollywood Reporter, saying that while the two actors were capable of singing Michael’s songs, they had to think about whether or not the audience wanted Michael’s vocals to be included in the biopic. “Every movie is different, but here we think people want Michael to be part of it,” Warhurst explained.

Is There Going To Be A ‘Michael’ Sequel?

“Michael” spans the singer’s early childhood through the “Bad” tour, which concluded in the late ’80s. Although the film covers more than two decades of his life and career, several later events, including his death, are not included in the narrative. However, there was an implication at the end of the movie that a sequel was going to be made.

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As the final scene faded to black, text appeared, which read, “His story continues,” leading the audience to believe that a second part may be in the works.

As reported by Page Six, 30 percent of the sequel had already been filmed. Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said a sequel was always in mind, but they wanted to see the reception to the first movie before proceeding. “We do have probably 30% of a second film from footage that we already shot, and we will work with all the talent and try to let everyone know what our plan is in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

The Michael Jackson Biopic Is Facing Criticism

Audiences had mixed reactions to “Michael.” According to Rotten Tomatoes, the Tomatometer (based on professional critic reviews) stands at 39 percent, while the Popcornmeter (based on audience scores) is significantly higher at 97%.

One of the issues some people had with the film was that it glossed over or excluded some aspects of Michael’s life that were deemed controversial, per The Blast. Writer John Logan explained the biopic’s direction, saying the filmmakers chose to go with an “uplifting story” for the movie, while admitting that the pop star was a “complicated person.”

Slate critic Sam Adams wrote, “The purpose of a biopic is to show us aspect of a public figure that the public never had access to. But Michael utterly fails at giving us any sense of who Jackson was behind closed doors.”

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Michael Jackson Is One Of The Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities

Michael Jackson’s estate has generated billions since his death in 2009. Per Forbes‘ list of Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities for 2025, Michael earned $105 million in that year alone, securing the top spot. Over the past 25 years, the King of Pop has topped the list 13 times, with his highest-earning year coming in 2017, when he reportedly earned $825 million.

With soaring streaming numbers and the biopic, plus a potential sequel, renewed attention on Michael has continued to drive momentum across different platforms, further adding to the estate’s continued posthumous earnings and cementing the singer’s legacy.

Zoë Kravitz has sent fans into a frenzy after stepping out with a dazzling diamond ring that instantly reignited speculation of an engagement with Harry Styles. 

The actress didn’t try to hide the massive sparkler as she moved through New York City, and new details about the proposal have only added fuel to the excitement. 

From a lavish custom design to whispers of a deeply romantic moment, the couple’s relationship appears to have taken a major step forward in a way few saw coming.

Zoë Kravitz turned heads when she was spotted in New York City wearing a striking diamond ring on her wedding finger, casually checking her phone while sporting a “Boy Next Door” cap. 

The understated outfit did little to distract from the eye-catching jewelry, which quickly became the center of attention.

Experts believe the ring is no ordinary piece. According to an estimate shared with the Daily Mail, the diamond appears to be a ten-carat oval stone set in yellow gold, likely custom-made and valued at around $1 million. 

“Zoe’s ring looks to be a ten-carat oval-shaped diamond set in yellow gold. It was probably custom-made and costs around $1 million. It is bezel set, which is popular these days,” Chris from The Diamond Bank in Los Angeles told the outlet. 

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The sighting wasn’t the first time she had been seen wearing the ring. Back in December, she was photographed with the same piece on her left hand, quietly sparking early speculation that something serious was unfolding behind the scenes.

Kravitz Said Yes To ‘Romantic’ Proposal Instantly

Behind the scenes, Zoë Kravitz’s engagement reportedly stemmed from a deeply personal, heartfelt moment. 

Insiders revealed that Harry Styles planned an “old-fashioned, romantic” proposal, which she accepted immediately.

According to sources, the “Mad Max: Fury Road” star didn’t hesitate because she is “madly in love with him,” and she values the way he shows up in the relationship. 

One insider noted that Kravitz appreciates how the singer “supports her in a beautiful, kind way.” 

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The reaction within their inner circle has also been telling. Friends reportedly weren’t shocked by the engagement, with one source telling Page Six that “no one in their circle is surprised.” 

At the same time, the mood around Kravitz has been described as pure joy, with insiders sharing that she is “on cloud nine” following the milestone moment.

Zoë Kravitz And Harry Styles Built A Low-Key Romance

Kravitz and Styles have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight, but their timeline reveals a steady progression.

They were first linked in August last year when they were seen holding hands, and by the following month, things appeared more serious as they were photographed spending time with Kravitz’s father, Lenny. 

That moment hinted that the relationship had already moved into a more meaningful stage.

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Since then, the couple has been spotted together in multiple cities, including London, Rome, and Brooklyn, often enjoying quiet outings rather than flashy public appearances. 

In one instance, the One Direction veteran visited Kravitz at her hotel in Hampstead, where they were seen holding hands during a coffee date. 

Despite their efforts to remain private, each sighting has added to the narrative of a relationship that has grown steadily stronger over time.

Kravitz Finds Something Different In Styles

For Zoë Kravitz, this relationship appears to stand apart from her past romances. 

Insiders say she feels “different” about Styles than she did about previous partners, including her former husband, Karl Glusman, and ex-fiancé, Channing Tatum.

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Kravitz’s relationship history includes her 2019 marriage to Glusman, which ended in divorce in 2021, and her later engagement to Tatum, which was called off in October 2024 after three years together. 

At the time, sources said the split was amicable, with both realizing they were at different points in their lives and had grown apart.

Now, those close to Kravitz believe she has found something more aligned with what she wants in the long term. One insider even shared that she considers the singer her “soulmate.”

There’s also a sense that Styles approached the relationship with intention. Another source previously noted that “Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoe if it wasn’t anything.”

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Zoë Kravitz And Harry Styles Align On Future Goals

Part of what makes Kravitz and Styles’ relationship work may come down to shared priorities about the future. 

Styles has openly said he wants more than just career success, explaining that he took time away from music to reflect on what he truly wants in life. 

During that period, he considered where he saw himself in five years and realized he valued meaningful relationships, strong friendships, and the idea of building a family.

He emphasized the importance of choosing the right partner, someone who helps him grow and holds him accountable. 

“I want to be fulfilled and I want to be in great relationships with people. I want to have great friendships with people. I want a family. I want these things,” Styles shared during an interview on Apple Music’s “The Zane Lowe Show.”

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He added, “It just allowed me to go like, okay, what do I have to do to create space to allow these things to happen? I can’t just expect them to just happen to me.” 

His past relationships, which have included Olivia Wilde, Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Russell, as well as more recent links to Ella Kenny and Kim Mupangilai, have all unfolded in the public eye. However, with Kravitz, the approach has been noticeably more grounded.

Rejoice, sci-fi fans — Apple TV, in an elegant little hat-trick maneuver, has simultaneously announced Silo Season 3’s summer premiere date, dropped an enigmatic trailer, and introduced multiple new faces to the show’s already impressive roster. The official press release confirms that Season 2’s last-minute additions, Jessica Henwick and Ashley Zukerman, have boarded Season 3 as series regulars, with Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey), Laura Innes (ER), Reed Birney (House of Cards), Matt Craven (A Few Good Men), Morven Christie (Grantchester), and Colin Hanks (FX’s Fargo) joining them in undisclosed roles.

Although the streamer doesn’t specify who the newcomers play, based off the context provided by the promotional images, it’s safe to assume they exist in the “Before Times” era that Henwick confirmed (in a Collider exclusive) will play out alongside Silo’s original, far-future timeline. If showrunner Graham Yost‘s dystopian drama continues to follow the overall shape of Hugh Howey‘s book trilogy, then these characters are either responsible for the silo’s creation or exist right on the outskirts — and still find themselves dragged into its harrowing, conspiratorial orbit.

‘Silo’s Second Book Explains How the Apocalypse Happened

Without venturing too deep into the spoiler waters, Howey’s second book, Shift, doubles as a sequel following Juliette Nichols’ (Rebecca Ferguson) next steps after returning to her silo and a prequel divulging the events behind Earth’s cataclysmic destruction. Daniel Keene (Zukerman), the Georgia congressional representative introduced alongside Henwick’s journalist Helen Drew in the final minutes of Season 2’s finale, becomes one of Shift‘s point-of-view characters. After he’s approached by the distinguished and powerful Senator Thurman, Daniel joins a classified project called the Containment and Disposal Facility, or CAD-FAC, a sophisticated subterranean repository for radioactive waste.

Believing he’s contributing to world safety, Daniel applies his architectural degree to the underground facility’s design. Aside from Daniel and Thurman, the initiative’s core leaders include Erskine and Victor, who hold their motivations close to their chests. When the nuclear bombs of mutually assured destruction fall, all four CAD-FAC creators shelter inside the silo. It’s only then, with Earth devastated beyond compare, that Daniel learns his partners’ ruthless intentions, why the attacks occurred, and the project’s actual name — World Operation Order Fifty (its acronym, W.O.O.L., sneakily calls back to book one’s title, Wool).

Related

Forget ‘Silo,’ One of the Most Bonkers Sci-Fi Thrillers Ever Made Is Free to Stream in May

‘Silo’ will return for Season 3.

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Are ‘Silo’s New Cast Members Tied to the Past?

Since Birney and Matt stand side-by-side in the images, it stands to reason they’re tackling Erskine and Victor, respectively. Innes, meanwhile, has every appearance of a competent, scheming politician holding the world in the palm of her hand. As for how Findlay, Christie, and Hanks relate to the books’ remaining vital characters, since Christie stands in a political office area, she might be Thurman’s daughter, Anna (who, for added drama, also happens to be Daniel’s ex-girlfriend).

The same logic applies to Findlay’s costume. Daniel’s sister, Charlotte, is a former naval officer, and Findlay’s jacket and baseball cap all but confirm she’s either active in or retired from that profession. Although Hanks stands near Henwick, his contribution is more ambiguous to the point of speculation; his role could subtly connect to the books or be invented for the show’s purposes. When it comes to Silo‘s slippery nature, there’s only one guarantee: book-reading fans and show-only viewers alike should brace themselves for the mind-melting scale that awaits.

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Silo

Release Date

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May 5, 2023

Showrunner

Graham Yost

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Bridgerton Season 4 may have belonged to Benedict and Sophie on paper, but it still found room to leave the Ton in chaos on the way out. After Penelope finally stepped away from Lady Whistledown and appeared ready to start a new chapter as a novelist, the finale pulled the rug out from under everyone with the reveal that Whistledown had returned anyway — and not by her hand. It was exactly the kind of last-minute twist the show loves, and it instantly turned the conversation from one romance to the next looming mystery. Who is she?

While promoting Season 2 of Big Mood, Nicola Coughlan told Radio Times that she is more than ready for the series to keep evolving beyond Penelope’s time at the center of the Whistledown saga.

“I think in a way, it’s great because it’s a show that keeps reinventing itself. Same thing – you have to hold on tightly, let go lightly. Like I loved leading that show, it’s amazing but it’s exhausting – it was so much work. You don’t really have a life when you’re doing it, which I was sort of fine with. It’s about eight months filming and then it was like six months promotion around it. It was amazing but I’ve taken everything out of that that I could possibly want.”

What Can We Expect From ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5?

Coughlan added that it now feels “lovely to pass it on to someone else” as the series moves forward and noted that Season 5 is about to begin filming. That lines up neatly with how the creative team has framed the twist. In a previous interview with Radio Times, showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed that she, Shonda Rhimes, and the writers already know who the new Whistledown is and have been writing toward that reveal. Brownell explained that once Penelope’s identity was exposed, some of the old tension around Whistledown naturally disappeared, so handing the pen to someone new opens the door to fresh red herrings and a new mystery. She also said the move lets Penelope step into a different phase of her life with Colin, rather than keeping her trapped in the same secret forever.

“Shonda and I and all my writers know who Whistledown is and we’ve been writing to that. But that was what was really exciting to us was to A: let Penelope move onto a next chapter as a novelist, in her romance with Colin et cetera. But I think once we revealed that Penelope was Whistledown at the end of season 1 and especially now that she’s come out publicly at the end of season 3, the stakes of it – we lost a bit of them in season 4. It was really fun telling the story of her having to face some accountability with the people she’s written about, but it’s also so fun now to have red herrings and clues and have no one know because it’s not from the books at this point… Yeah we’re going a bit rogue.”

Bridgerton streams now on Netflix.

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Release Date

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December 22, 2020

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson

Writers

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Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin

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  Luke Thompson

  Lady Violet Bridgerton

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  Ruth Gemmell

  Benedict Bridgerton

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