Sometimes, a show with six to ten seasons is just too much of a commitment. That’s probably why some of TV’s greatest stories come from miniseries that know exactly when to end a story before it overstays its welcome. This limited format is honestly fascinating. When done right, a miniseries can deliver the emotional payoff, character depth, and scale of a long-running show while still being completely self-contained with no filler or pressure to keep going.

Now, over the years, the idea of a miniseries has evolved into a space where storytellers can take creative risks and even reinvent entire genres. Here is a list of such universally beloved miniseries that have accomplished more in a handful of episodes than many shows can manage across multiple seasons

8

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

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HBO’s Watchmen is a rare sequel that actually justifies returning to a story many people considered complete and borderline untouchable. The miniseries, created by Damon Lindelof, takes place decades after the events of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ original graphic novel. However, instead of just recreating that world, it pushes the story into 2019 Tulsa, Oklahoma. The series follows Angela Abar (Regina King), a masked police detective known as Sister Night, who uncovers a much larger conspiracy tied to white supremacy, masked vigilantism, and the buried history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre while investigating the murder of her police chief.

The show respects the original comic’s themes, but uses them to tell a story that feels extremely relevant to modern America. Watchmen begins as a murder mystery, but evolves into a much larger narrative that jumps between timelines, perspectives, and even genres. None of this ever feels disjointed, though, because Angela’s personal trauma and family history are at the center of it all. Watchmen won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, which cemented its universal acclaim. Most importantly, the miniseries never relied purely on nostalgia but used familiar mythology to tell a story that felt genuinely ambitious and fresh.

7

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

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Unbelievable is an emotional rollercoaster of a miniseries. The show, based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation and real events, follows Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), a young woman who reports that she was assaulted, only to later be pressured into retracting her statement after detectives begin doubting her story. At the same time, in Colorado years later, detectives Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) and Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) begin investigating a series of eerily similar assaults that slowly reveal the truth nobody wanted to believe. A premise like this is definitely controversial, but Unbelievable never sensationalizes its subject matter.

The series approaches every victim with empathy. It focuses less on shock value and more on the emotional aftermath of situations like these. Marie’s story is genuinely heartbreaking because the audience can practically feel her pain and isolation. Unbelievable grounds every element of its storytelling in unflinching realism, and that means it’s not an easy watch by any means. In fact, the first few episodes of the show are genuinely frustrating as Marie is forced to relive her trauma. However, that honesty is exactly why the show lands with such great impact.

6

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

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The Night Of tells a story that’s almost impossible to shake long after the credits roll. The series follows Pakistani-American college student Nasir “Naz” Khan (Riz Ahmed), whose life takes a turn when he spends the night with a young woman and wakes up the next morning to find her brutally murdered. Naz flees the scene in a panic, but is soon arrested and pulled into the justice system that seems less interested in what actually happened than in processing the case as quickly as possible. The Night Of is so gripping because it never treats the murder mystery as the only point of the story.

The miniseries explores what actually happens to a person once the system decides who they are. The story follows Naz’s journey from a soft-spoken student to a man hardened by prison, courtrooms, and legal offices. Ahmed delivers one of the finest performances of his career and perfectly captures Naz’s fear, confusion, and anger. John Turturro is equally memorable as John Stone, Naz’s attorney, who comes off as strange at first, but eventually becomes his only ally in this flawed system. A decade later, The Night Of remains one of HBO’s most impressive limited series because of how much it conveys in such a restrained format.

5

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

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Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass is one of the most haunting horror miniseries of the last decade because it doesn’t rely on surface-level fears. The story takes place on the isolated Crockett Island and follows Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), who returns home after serving time in prison for a fatal drunk-driving accident. Around the same time, the island welcomes a mysterious new priest, Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater), whose arrival coincides with a series of strange miracles that slowly transform the island’s deeply religious community. Soon enough, things take a disturbing turn as the townspeople become consumed by fanaticism and desperation. Midnight Mass is a slow-burning masterpiece that patiently builds its horror.

The series spends plenty of time exploring its characters alongside the central supernatural mystery. Everyone on the island is dealing with their fair share of grief, which is exactly why they are so consumed by Father Paul’s sermons and supposed miracles. The series is a thought-provoking exploration of religious fanaticism and constantly blurs the line between devotion and delusion. The dialogue-heavy structure also gives the series a unique identity, with the characters often engaging in long conversations about religion, mortality, and what happens after death. Those moments never feel pretentious, though, because they directly feed into the emotional core of the story. Midnight Mass builds toward a finale that feels tragic and beautiful at the same time, which is exactly why it continues to resonate with the audience to this day.

4

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

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The Queen’s Gambit is one of Netflix’s most-watched scripted miniseries, and for good reason. The show somehow managed to make chess feel as tense and engaging as a high-stakes sports drama. That’s not all there is to the story, though, because The Queen’s Gambit is also a deeply fascinating character study. The series follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned girl with an extraordinary talent for chess. As Beth rises through the competitive chess world and gains international recognition, the series also follows her struggles with addiction, loneliness, and the pressure that comes with being viewed as a genius from such a young age.

There’s no denying that chess is an important part of the storyline, but The Queen’s Gambit never treats it as the entire point. The matches are exciting only because the audience understands the emotional consequences they hold for Beth. Every victory and loss is tied to the very trauma she spends the entire show trying to suppress. She is brilliant, but the show never romanticizes. Instead, it focuses on just how isolating intelligence can be at times. Few modern miniseries have connected with audiences on such a massive scale while still feeling this intimate and character-driven.

3

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

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The Haunting of Hill House is another Mike Flanagan masterpiece that delivers more than just hollow jump scares. At its core, the story is about grief, trauma, and the way families carry pain for years without knowing how to deal with it. The miniseries is loosely inspired by Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, and follows the Crain family across two timelines. The audience follows Hugh (Henry Thomas) and Olivia Crain (Carla Gugino) as they move into the massive Hill House with their five children. They hope to renovate the mansion over the summer before selling it, but the house slowly begins affecting each family member in terrifying ways.

The present-day timeline shows the Crain siblings as adults who remain emotionally fractured as they try to process the time they spent in the house as well as the mysterious death of their mother. The Haunting of Hill House is brilliant in how it uses horror to explore relatable human emotions instead of relying purely on scares. The ghosts in the show are terrifying, but the real fear comes from watching this family fall apart. The story constantly jumps between timelines to slowly reveal what actually happened the night Olivia died. However, the narrative never feels confusing because the audience is almost desperate to discover the truth. The Haunting of Hill House set a new benchmark for the genre, one that very few series or films have reached.

2

‘Adolescence’ (2025)

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Netflix’s Adolescence became a cultural phenomenon overnight because it taps into a fear that feels terrifyingly real. The British miniseries follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), whose family’s entire world collapses after he is arrested for the murder of a classmate. The show doesn’t unfold as a straightforward crime drama, though. The first episode spends most of its time establishing this world, and in doing so, it makes the audience sympathize with Jamie. The viewers are almost convinced that there is no way this young boy did something so heinous. However, the final moments of the episode deliver a devastating blow as the police officers play the footage, which clearly proves Jamie as the culprit.

From there, Adolescence shifts its focus in fascinating ways. One episode moves entirely through Jamie’s school environment to explore the influence of online radicalization, bullying, and the young boy’s distorted idea of masculinity that was shaped by the content he consumed. Another episode centers heavily on Jamie’s therapy sessions, while the last episode focuses on his family and their struggle to reconcile the boy they thought they knew with the reality that they now have to face. Adolescence is unapologetically immersive and emotionally exhausting. Each episode is filmed in one continuous take, which traps the audience inside every uncomfortable moment without giving them room to breathe. Yet the technical ambition never overshadows the emotional core of the story. Cooper’s performance is the soul of the show. It’s not easy to watch this innocent-looking boy playing such a messed-up character, but that’s the entire point.

1

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

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Band of Brothers practically set the standard for what prestige TV could be. There’s no denying that it remains one of the greatest war miniseries ever made. The story follows Easy Company, a unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from their brutal training days all the way through World War II. The narrative picks up at Camp Toccoa, where the soldiers are pushed to their physical and emotional limits before eventually being dropped into some of the war’s most horrifying battles, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. The great thing about Band of Brothers is that it never treats war like a spectacle divorced from reality.

Sure, the large-scale battles are intense and incredibly realistic, but the emotional core of the series always comes from the relationships between the soldiers themselves. The audience watches these men evolve from nervous young recruits into exhausted survivors shaped by fear, loss, and loyalty to one another. The miniseries spends so much time developing each member of Easy Company, which makes every death and victory carry genuine emotional weight. This sense of humanity runs through every episode, and despite the scale of the war, the show never stops feeling personal. The fact that it includes interviews with real veterans before each episode adds another layer of authenticity to the entire story. Band of Brothers still hits just as hard over two decades later, which goes to show its incredible appeal and staying power.

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Band of Brothers

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Release Date

2001 – 2001

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Network

HBO

Directors

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David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks

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• 
• 

  Donnie Wahlberg

  C. Carwood Lipton

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Stephen Colbert made a surprise TV return one day after his CBS finale to host a public access show in Monroe, Michigan.

“It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount,” Colbert, 62, joked during his opening monologue of Only in Monroe on Friday, May 22.

The comedian actually has a long history with Only in Monroe, as he previously filled in for hosts Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rafko-Wilson when he was preparing for his Late Show debut in July 2015.

Colbert even dropped an Easter egg into his final Late Show monologue by referencing his 2015 appearance on Only in Monroe, joking that “show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next.”

Related: Stephen Colbert Feels ‘A Sense of Relief’ About ‘Late Show’ Ending

Stephen Colbert is opening up about his next chapter after CBS canceled his late night show. In a new interview with GQ, which was conducted shortly before The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won big at the 2025 Emmy Awards, Colbert, 61, said he “accepted” the network’s decision to pull the plug on his show. […]

“Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, which came to an end last night,” he explained on Friday’s Only in Monroe episode.

Colbert then quipped, “Viewers outside the greater Monroe area are able to view Monroe Community Media thanks to something known as streaming, which I promised not to learn about while I was on CBS. And evidently CBS also decided not to learn about it.”

Throughout the hour-long episode, Colbert discussed local issues and was joined by celebrity guests, including Jack White as his musical director and actor Jeff Daniels. Eminem and Steve Buscemi filmed cameos that aired during the special Only in Monroe episode.

He also spoke with Byron Allen, whose show Comics Unleashed will replace The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS.

“Byron, have a great show,” he told Allen, 65. “You’re the best, buddy.”

The unusual Only in Monroe episode ended with Colbert, Daniels, 71, and White, 50, burning down the show’s set after receiving approval from “the fire marshal” (a.k.a. Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, 53.)

“That’s a wrap,” Colbert announced. “Thanks for watching Only in Monroe and if you watched any of my other talk shows over the years, thanks for watching those too!”

He then teased, “Until we see each other again, I’ll be only here, only on Only in Monroe!”

CBS announced in July 2025 that it was cancelling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert despite the series’ late night ratings dominance.

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“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time,” a CBS statement read at the time. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”

CBS insisted that the decision to end The Late Show was a “financial” one and was not “related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Colbert wrapped up The Late Show with a star-studded final week of episodes featuring guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Reynolds and Paul McCartney, among others. He jabbed at CBS during Thursday’s finale by having his band play expensive licensed music and ending with a CGI-animated scene of the Ed Sullivan Theater being sucked into a glowing green vortex.

A reported family fallout is making headlines for “Riverdale” actress Hayley Law, and the details are turning heads. According to new reports, the actress is allegedly at odds with her father after he married someone much younger, who also happens to be Hayley’s former best friend and one-time co-star. The alleged feud has reportedly left deep fractures within the family, with insiders claiming the “Riverdale” actress has distanced herself from both her father and the woman she once considered a close friend.

Hayley is best known for playing Valerie Brown on “Riverdale,” but off-screen, sources claim she has been navigating painful family drama. According to the Daily Mail, Hayley’s father, casting director Blair Law, recently married actress Caitlin Mitchell-Markovitch, who is not only significantly younger than him, but also reportedly once shared a close friendship with Hayley.

Caitlin appeared on “Riverdale” in a minor role as Ginger Lopez and reportedly attended school with Hayley years earlier. Last month, Caitlin shared photos from her bridal shower on Instagram, though Hayley was noticeably absent from the celebration.

Insider Claims Hayley Felt ‘Ultimate Betrayal’

According to an insider, Hayley and Caitlin were once extremely close. The source claimed the pair “were very close” and had previously been photographed together in multiple family social media posts.

However, Blair’s reported relationship with Hayley’s former friend allegedly caused a major rift. “This felt like the ultimate betrayal from both of them,” the insider claimed. “They’ve been together for a while now.”

According to the source, Hayley “cannot get behind this union or the relationship” and “hasn’t spoken to her dad in quite some time.” The insider also alleged that Blair is in his sixties and is a well-known casting director in Vancouver.

Fans also reportedly noticed signs of tension online. According to reports, Hayley has unfollowed both her father and Caitlin on social media. Meanwhile, her sister Brittany, who reportedly attended the wedding, still follows both.

Blair has also reportedly continued sharing photos celebrating Hayley’s career achievements online, though there are allegedly no photos of him featured on Hayley’s Instagram page. In contrast, insiders say Hayley has remained especially close with her mother following her parents’ separation years ago.

Hayley Law Has Reportedly Stayed Close With Her Mother

The source also claimed Hayley’s bond with her mother remained strong throughout childhood. “Hayley was always very close with her mom growing up,” the insider alleged. “She was always present, and she basically raised her kids as a single mom. Blair wasn’t a consistent presence and wasn’t as involved in their lives as she was.”

The insider further claimed Hayley’s mother played a major role in encouraging her acting ambitions. “Their mom really loved being a stage mom almost. She really wanted Hayley, especially, to get into acting,” they said. “The split from their mom was quite messy.”

Blair Law And Caitlin Mitchell-Markovitch Went Public In 2025

Blair and Caitlin officially debuted their relationship publicly in October 2025 when they announced their engagement on Instagram. “Hard launch!” the caption read alongside a diamond ring emoji. The couple later celebrated their engagement in Las Vegas before Caitlin shared bridal shower photos in April.

According to old social media posts, Caitlin and Hayley once appeared especially close, with Blair previously sharing photos of the pair celebrating birthdays and spending time together, including a Disneyland trip in 2020.

Now, insiders claim what was once a tight-knit friendship has reportedly become a painful family divide.

Who Is Hayley Law?

While Hayley is now making headlines for reported family drama, many fans first came to know the actress through her breakout role on “Riverdale.” The Canadian actress starred as Valerie Brown on the hit CW series, appearing in the show’s first season as a member of Josie and the Pussycats alongside Ashleigh Murray and Asha Bromfield.

Outside of Riverdale, Hayley has continued building her acting and music career. She appeared in Netflix’s “Altered Carbon,” Freeform’s “The New Romantic,” and the horror film “Mark, Mary & Some Other People.” She also landed a lead role in the supernatural drama “The Good Doctor” spinoff-adjacent series “Moonshine” and appeared in several independent film projects in recent years.

Beyond acting, Hayley has pursued music under the name “Hayleau,” releasing multiple tracks and leaning into an R&B-inspired sound.

One of the biggest accomplishments a streamer or network can have is a popular franchise. That’s why cable networks like HBO spend massive amounts of money on Game of Thrones or streaming services like Prime Video have tried to nurture their own franchise with experiments like Citadel. Netflix has not been left behind, ordering spin-offs of their most popular shows, like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and even Squid Game. The streamer has employed numerous tactics to tap into different audiences, including mobile games, stage plays, and even reality competitions. But sometimes, the old trick of spinning out a popular character also works, and that’s what it did with its biggest crime universe.

Before it became a franchise, this universe started off as a licensed acquisition of a TV show that had aired in Spain. The show became a sensation but was limited by its premise, which meant it could only go on for so long. Money Heist, as it was called, ended after six seasons, becoming one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. However, the service was not ready to let the brilliant world of Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato go. A spin-off, Berlin, premiered several years later.

Berlin recently returned for a second season titled Berlin & the Lady with an Ermine, and it’s already a hit, proving why Netflix keeps investing in this franchise. Streaming data from FlixPatrol shows the series is the most watched globally, beating even new popular shows like Nemesis, Legends, and The WONDERfuls. The second season finds the titular character, played by Pedro Alonso, executing another heist, but while exacting revenge after feeling disrespected. But as Berlin continues his exploits, Netflix is ready to return to the original world of Money Heist.

OG ‘Money Heist’ Is Back!

While Berlin’s antics are entertaining, nothing beats the classic plan by the Professor (Álvaro Morte). His detailed heists and smart thinking were one of the main allure of the original series, and Netflix recently hinted that the original series could be returning with a new story. The streamer made an ambiguous announcement saying that “the stories of Money Heist do not end with Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine.” The announcement spectacle featured a boat full of people, dressed in the iconic red jumpsuits and Dalí masks, sailing along the Guadalquivir River to the rhythm of “Bella Ciao.” The streamer did not confirm if it was another season of Berlin or a new Professor heist. But the presence of the jumpsuits and the masks hints at the latter.

Berlin Season 2 is streaming on Netflix, but stay tuned to Collider for more updates, including clarification on the announcement.

Animated movies can be big winners, or they can vanish as quickly as they’ve arrived, but Netflix knew they were onto something when they found this little gem, because this movie did not just pop in and pop out, it’s been building and building, and it’s proved that audiences adore colorful fantasies. In 2026, animals show us the way.

Directed by Nathan Greno, Swapped follows Ollie, a tiny little woodland creature who is voiced by Michael B. Jordan, and Ivy, a beautiful and glorious bird voiced by Juno Temple, after the two switch their bodies with the aid of some freaky forest magic. Their woodland Freaky Friday situation confronts them to understand why their two species have been divided for so long, while also turning the movie into a big, bright fantasy adventure about empathy, perspective, and why life might not be the way you thought it would be.

The cast includes Tracy Morgan (30 Rock, The Longest Yard) as Boogle, Cedric the Entertainer (Barbershop, The Neighborhood) as Caloo, Justina Machado (One Day at a Time, Jane the Virgin) as Calli, Ambika Mod (One Day, This Is Going to Hurt) as Violet, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Shrill) as Lily, and Táta Vega (The Color Purple, The Lion King) as Ollie’s Grandma.

What Is ‘Swapped’ About?

The film’s director, Nathan Greno, recently sat down with Collider and was glowing in his praise about the work the cast had done in bringing the movie to life. According to Greno, Temple brought sadness and vulnerability to scenes he thought he already understood, while Jordan’s process changed the way Greno thinks about directing voice performances completely.

“And then Mike… it’s Mike. I mean, Michael B. Jordan is, I mean… the way he records, I’ve never experienced anything like that, and it’s kind of changed the way I even direct now, when I’m going forward. It’s, like, his way of working and his way of, like, finding the truth within the lines. Both of them change the course of the movie 100%.”

Temple, speaking to Collider’s Steve Weintraub, added that the message of the movie was an important one for her, and that she hopes kids took a lot from it. “I hope that they feel the absolute importance and need for friendship we’ll have throughout life. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you come from, what you do, your friends are always going to be integral to making your life better, bigger, and more beautiful,” said Temple.

Swapped is streaming now on Netflix.

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Release Date

May 1, 2026

Runtime

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98 Minutes

Director

Nathan Greno

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Pop icon Miley Cyrus recently earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and during her speech, she shed a few tears as she looked back on her expansive career. The singer, 33, thanked her family and fans for their support over the years and later told the audience how much it means to her to be the recipient of one of the coveted stars.

Cyrus was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Friday, May 22, 2026. During a particular part of her speech, the “Flowers” singer became overcome with emotion as she opened up about how much the moment meant to her.

“This is where it gets me,” she said before reflecting on her journey from a teenage Disney star to a Grammy-winning performer. “To my family, my future family, parents, my mom, my siblings, my friends, my collaborators, thank you for loving and supporting not only the choices that I make, but my fears, and then facing them with me,” she added.

Miley Cyrus Said Her Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame Represents More Than People Realize

Continuing, Cyrus told the audience that the moment was “something that I’ll never forget, and I’m always going to cherish,” adding, “I love you all so much, thank you.”

The “Hannah Montana” star was surrounded by her entourage, which included her mother, Tish Cyrus, her sister, Brandi Cyrus, and her fiancée, Maxx Morando. Also joining the “7 Things” singer were iconic designer Donatella Versace and Anya Taylor-Joy.

“This star somehow represents immortality, and although I love the lyric, the fact that I won’t is what creates the urgency that sets my heart on fire,” Cyrus said, explaining that receiving the star is “an accumulation of devotion.”

She added, “A star isn’t something that you win like a seasonal game. It’s not something that you can chase or collect. It’s not something you make the next record for.”

Fans Are Freaking Out Over Miley Cyrus Receiving A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Cyrus posted about the special occasion on Instagram, showing off her long blonde hair and a floor-length black dress.

“Surrounded by my fans, who I owe it all to … in Versace of course … looking like heaven,” she captioned the carousel. In her caption, Cyrus also thanked her team and her mother. “To everyone I know and love, my friends, my family, my love, thank you so much. I adore you,” she wrote.

Cyrus’ picture excited her fans, many of whom flooded her comments with love and support. “Our superstar got her own star, you’ll live forever,” someone wrote.

“Queen!!! One of the most deserving humans of all time. I’m so proud of you,” another posted, while a third added, “Such a special day. Truly raised a generation, Miley.”

Cyrus Said Getting Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame Was ‘Like A Dream’

Cyrus’ star on the Walk of Fame came nearly a year after it was revealed that she’d be one of the stars in the class of 2026.

She celebrated the special news with an Instagram post, saying she was “honored” to be part of an elite group of artists. She explained that she used to travel to Los Angeles with her dad when she was younger, and they’d go into California gift shops and buy fake Oscars and Marilyn Monroe merch.

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“To now be cemented on this legendary boulevard, surrounded by the icons who inspired me, feels like a dream,” she said. “This moment will live forever, thank you to everyone in my life who made it possible. I am grateful to share this star with you.”

The other 2026 inductees include Josh Groban, Gordon Ramsey, Emily Blunt, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Cyrus Celebrated 20 Years Of ‘Hannah Montana’

According to a previous report from The Blast, Cyrus recently celebrated 20 years of “Hannah Montana” with a Disney+ special hosted by Alex Cooper.

The program featured a few updated tracks, like “Best of Both Worlds,” and gave viewers some behind-the-scenes tea about one of their favorite childhood programs.

“Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection,” Cyrus said about the special. “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”

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With shows like Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and Band of Brothers, HBO quietly changed the culture. While traditional networks competed heavily for the Sunday slot, the cable network claimed it for themselves and made HBO Sundays a real thing. The 9 pm slot is coveted because that’s when HBO airs new episodes of its biggest shows. The network is always looking for the next big hit to replace shows that are either wrapping up for the season or ending permanently. In 2016, HBO was facing a shift that meant it had to take big swings. One of the most popular HBO shows — and the most popular period — was nearing an end. The series had become increasingly expensive, and the story was reaching its natural conclusion.

That show is Game of Thrones, the hit fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin‘s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series. Game of Thrones was a global phenomenon, and HBO needed another high-concept big-budget show to take over once the show wrapped up. The network picked up Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy‘s sci-fi Western Westworld as its new flagship series. Set in a park with human-like robots, the series explored the rise of artificial intelligence. Westworld was an immediate hit, but it never reached the levels of Game of Thrones. Years later, ratings began to decline, production costs rose, and HBO canceled the series after four seasons, despite the creators having a five-season roadmap.

Soon after, HBO removed the show from HBO Max for financial reasons, leaving fans with a few ways to watch it, including purchasing episodes and seasons on PVOD platforms. Streaming data from FlixPatrol shows that the appetite for Westworld has never waned, as the show is among the most-streamed on iTunes. Ranked second at the time of writing, this surge can be attributed to its creators’ new hit sci-fi Western, Fallout, and the recent news about an upcoming remake of Westworld, but for the big screen.

‘Westworld’ Is Returning

Nolan and Joy’s version was not the first time the story had been explored. Michael Crichton tackled his own screenplay in a 1973 film adaptation. Now, Warner Bros. is remaking the film, with Jurassic World writer David Koepp attached as the writer. The new movie does not have a director or cast yet. With the film in the early stages of development, plot details have not been revealed, so it’s unclear how events will unfold.

HBO’s Westworld is available for purchase on online stores. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2016 – 2022

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HBO

Showrunner

Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy

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Directors

Fred Toye, Jennifer Getzinger, Stephen Williams, Vincenzo Natali, Craig William Macneill, Anna Foerster, Craig Zobel, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Helen Shaver, Jonny Campbell, Michelle MacLaren, Neil Marshall, Nicole Kassell, Tarik Saleh, Uta Briesewitz, Lisa Joy, Meera Menon

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Writers

Roberto Patino, Carly Wray, Ron Fitzgerald, Daniel T. Thomsen, Karrie Crouse, Wes Humphrey

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Brandi Glanville is opening up about another alarming health concern!

The reality star is still on a mission to unravel the factor behind some of the health issues she has been experiencing and has shared her latest theory with her pal on a new episode of her podcast.

Brandi Glanville made waves online in 2024 when she blamed Bravo for causing her so much stress after her exit from the franchise, thus leading to a significant disfigurement in her face.

The reality TV star recently discussed it on her podcast, “Brandi Unfiltered,” with her guest, Lisa Ann. Glanville said she was just informed about it recently and believes she may have it in her tonsils. Ann confirmed that ringworm is highly contagious, particularly through close physical contact. 

Due to the highly contagious nature of the infection, she noted that makeup artists who work with her brand are trained to check talent for any suspicious skin patches.

Glanville noted that she might have been exposed because she dated a man in the industry years ago and became intimate with him in very interesting ways. 

She recalled them getting very creative with intimacy to prevent pregnancy, stating: “He would only, you know, my face … because he didn’t want to get me pregnant. He didn’t know that the ship had sailed. I’m like, ‘OK, whatever, I’m not going to correct you. Alright, honey.’ And in my mouth in all that.”

The Bravo alum also shared that she has already undergone several tests for sexually transmitted infections affecting the throat, but said all the results came back negative.

However, Glanville acknowledged that she is still concerned when people say that if ringworm is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the ears.

The Bravo Alum Looked Forward To Fresh Start With Move To New Home

Prior to this shocking revelation from Glanville, she closed out 2025 with a candid interview with US Weekly, in which she admitted that while healing has been a slow process for her, she is slowly getting back to her normal routine.

The star continued, saying she hopes for a fresh start as she moved into her new home, given the opportunity her new space has given her to reset, renew, and focus on creating a calmer, more positive environment for herself.

Glanville emphasized that she now relishes the simple things, such as staying at home, taking care of herself, and getting into her creative persona. She revealed that she had also been filming a variety of new projects alongside her new YouTube series at the time. 

Brandi Glanville Blamed Her Facial Disfigurement On Ruptured Breast Implants

Earlier in the year, after a challenging last quarter in 2025, The Blast noted that she was spotted in Beverly Hills looking very radiant. As she interacted more with fans and paparazzi, Glanville disclosed that the cause of her health issues had to do with ruptured breast implants. 

She said that the silicone leaked all over her body, clogged her lymph nodes, and eventually caused severe infection in her face. The mystery ailment caused her to rack up a massive amount of bills through many doctors’ offices, trying to find out what was wrong with her and why her appearance had changed so drastically. 

After undergoing a sonogram, Glanville said she finally found out what the problem was when her implants were revealed. The former Bravo star said she did not follow the recommendation to replace the implants every 10 years, and that she had them in for about 20 years. 

In retrospect, she said she was abiding by the controversial rule of not replacing what was not broken. Prior to discovering the actual reason for her physical ailments, Glanville was openly speculating that the stress of Bravo could have had something to do with her appearance.

The ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Star Admits She Hit Rock Bottom During Health Battle

In August 2025, The Blast noted that Glanville candidly shared about the profound impact her current medical situation was having on her mental and emotional health.

She admitted that she was still looking for answers and was seeing numerous doctors at that time, hoping to find out why the facial deformity had occurred.

The reality star acknowledged that it had cost her a lot of money, saying that she had spent the majority of her savings on treatments and medical consultations and had also depleted her insurance plan. 

Amid all the struggle, Glanville disclosed that she sometimes felt defeated and emotionally broken. The dramatic changes in her appearance and the lack of answers left her in a low mood. 

The reality star further revealed that she had suicidal thoughts at the time, but that her kids were her strength to push on and fight through one of the darkest periods of her life.

Brandi Glanville Landed In Urgent Care After Trying A Viral DIY Hack

Glanville recently posted a video about her experience with a TikTok garlic cure that put her in urgent care. In an episode of her “Brandi Glanville Unfiltered” podcast, the reality star revealed that she had caught a cold from her 18-year-old son, Jake, and that she had tried a new sinus-clearing hack she saw on social media.

According to Glanville, the trend suggested using garlic helped relieve congestion; unfortunately, the situation went south when a clove of garlic jammed itself deep in her ear canal. The accident caused her to suffer serious pain until it was removed at urgent care the next day by a doctor.

Glanville said she initially tried to stick the garlic in her nose, but it was too painful because she had just had laser cosmetic surgery. The burning sensation created by the garlic on her sensitive skin made her switch to her ear.

After the incident, the Bravo star confessed that she learned a lesson not to take everything people post online as gospel. Glanville continued by saying that she was seeking to ease her sinus congestion, but realized that individuals need to be more careful when following health tips on social media apps.

The Secret Service confirmed that an alleged shooter who opened fire at Secret Service agents near the White House has died.

An agency spokesperson also announced on Saturday, May 23, that a bystander was injured during the violent incident and is currently in critical condition. The suspected shooter — who has not been named publicly — allegedly opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington D.C., though no agents were injured.

“Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, an individual in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Us Weekly on Saturday. “Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire.”

The statement concluded, “No injuries were sustained by officers. The President [Donald Trump] was in the White House during the incident, however no protectees or operations were impacted. The incident remains under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”

Related: New WHCD Shooting Video Shows Moment Shots Were Fired With Trump Nearby

Shocking new video footage shows the moment shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last weekend. Jeanine Pirro, the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, posted what appears to be security camera footage of the shooting incident via X on Thursday, April 30. Shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen can allegedly be […]

CNN reported that investigators matched the name of the suspected shooter with someone they’d had “multiple encounters with in and around the White House.”

Us has reached out to the White House and Secret Service for comment.

Earlier in the night, a Secret Service spokesperson confirmed to Us that the agency was “gathering information and will have more on this incident shortly.”

“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted a short time later.

White House reporters were on the premises when gunfire broke out. They were quickly rushed into the briefing room and locked down for around 40 minutes, per multiple outlets.

“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang tweeted at the time. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”

The incident took place less than one month after shots broke out at the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.

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President Trump, 79, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and numerous other administration officials were all inside the Hilton’s ballroom when gunfire erupted near the main magnetometer in the lobby. They were all rushed out of the ballroom within moments of the shooting.

Related: Donald Trump Praises Melania’s Reaction to ‘Traumatic’ WHCD Shooting

President Donald Trump praised first lady Melania Trump’s reaction to a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “I want to thank the first lady, that was a rather traumatic experience for her,” Trump, 79, told reporters from the White House on Saturday, April 25. “We’re not going to let anybody take over our society, […]

Cole Tomas Allen allegedly shot a Secret Service agent in their protective vest during the crossfire, with the agent being rushed to a local hospital for treatment. (Trump told reporters in a briefing that the Secret Service agent was saved by his security vest.)

Allen, 31, was later charged with attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of weapons and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime and pleaded not guilty during a May 11 court hearing.

Although he’s been a fond favorite on British screens for many decades, thanks in no small part to his iconic role as the foul-mouthed government spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker in Armando Iannucci‘s The Thick of It, Peter Capaldi‘s popularity in the U.S. would finally come when he was cast as the titular Time Lord in the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who. During his fondly remembered run, Capaldi helped steer the series into more mature and darker territory, in what is now considered a misunderstood period for the show.

Since his time in the TARDIS, Capaldi has been part of some critically acclaimed series, although few have proven quite as popular as Apple TV’s Criminal Record. Paul Rutman‘s British crime thriller scored impressive figures in its first season, including a reported 12.63 million viewers per episode globally, and a second season became quickly inevitable. That second season finally debuted earlier this year, with Cush Jumbo and Capaldi’s Detective Sergeant June Lenker and Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty returning for a more politically charged second installment.

Despite having to go head-to-head with some of Apple TV’s most popular shows, including the beloved comedy-drama Shrinking, a second season of the Jon Hamm-led Your Friends and Neighbors, and the hugely popular new series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Criminal Record has held its own, regularly finding a place inside the streaming top ten. At the time of writing, the show has hit its best milestone yet, officially passing the 100-day mark on the Apple TV charts in the U.S.

What’s Next for ‘Criminal Record’?

Following the explosive fifth episode this past Wednesday, Criminal Record will return on May 27 for Episode 6, “When the Music Stops.” Directed by Joelle Mae David, the episode is sure to kick the second season into its final gear with just three episodes left. A synopsis for the episode reads, “After the chaos in the woods, Billy goes dark; Operation Samphire hangs by a thread.” But what will happen to the show after the June 10 finale? Although Apple TV hasn’t yet committed to a third season, hope is high that this twisty thriller will return again, with star Jumbo even saying in a recent interview when asked about a third season, “We would love it, but it’s not up to us!”

Criminal Record is available to stream on Apple TV, and continues this Wednesday. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

January 10, 2024

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Paul Rutman

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Directors

Jim Loach

Writers

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Thomas Eccleshare, Ameir Brown, Paul Rutman

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  Andrew Brooke

  Clive Silcox

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  Charlie Creed-Miles

  DS Tony Gilfoyle

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