Ariana Grande‘s decision may bring her peace, but at a high cost for the West End.

The singer recently announced that she would be taking a step back from public visibility due to the heavy scrutiny surrounding her appearance, relationships, and body. Her time away from the public eye is set to begin once she drops the mic from her “Eternal Sunshine” Tour on September 1.

With the recent development, Ariana Grande will not be performing in the “Sunday in the Park with George” musical on the West End stage despite preparations already in the works.

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A few days before Grande announced her career hiatus, the singer performed at Montreal’s Bell Center, giving listeners a feel of her ever-crisp four-octave vocal range. She performed some of her hits like “Hate That I Made You Love Me” and “Into You” dressed in an ethereal flowing white dress.

Notably, the singer gripped her microphone and moved a little stiffly on stage, but her voice remains as clear and magnificent as when she first sang on Broadway as a rising teenage star. Hours before the “Victorious” alum dropped her microphone in Canada, her new music video for “Petal” was released, and her vocals remain unmatched.

While Grande and her team seemingly hoped the video would gain attention for its setting, storyline, and ending when she attacked a group of male music executives in an audition room with a chainsaw, fans took a different route. The video gathered millions of views, with many viewers mainly commenting on the singer’s physique.

It is safe to say that the gripping, coupled effect of the comments from Grande’s recent music video and thousands over the years fueled her shocking decision. Barely 48 hours after taking her bow in Canada, the musician made one of the most dramatic decisions of her career that sparked global headlines, according to The Daily Mail.

The Grammy Winner Pulled Out Of A Huge Future Performance

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A rep for the Nickelodeon alum announced that she would be taking a step back from public visibility come September 1, which marks the end of her ongoing tour. This decision affects the highly anticipated London stage musical, which has been scheduled for Summer 2027.

“Sunday in the Park with George” was tipped to be one of the biggest shows Theatreland has ever seen, and Grande has walked away from it as she looks forward to taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny. She was supposed to star opposite Jonathan Bailey in the Barbican production of Stephen Sondheim’s legendary 1984 musical.

According to earlier reports, the artist’s casting had been a major win in the bag for producers and a triumph for the London venue. A source revealed that both Bailey and Grande, who also starred in “Wicked,” were excited to do the show together. 

Despite the recent turn of events, the actor is said to remain committed to the project, and the schedule remains unchanged. “Production will open as planned next summer, with tickets going on sale next month,” according to the show’s producers.

Ariana Grande’s Decision Left The Musical’s Production Team ‘Absolutely Gutted’

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Grande’s West End exit was not news that rolled off the tongue smoothly. According to insiders, the news of her departure from the project left the crew in “a terrible mess” considering all the work and publicity that had already gone into the show.

It was also revealed that the popstar told the “Sunday in the Park with George” production team that she was quitting the role of Dot, the mistress of the 19th-century French painter Georges Seurat in the musical, just less than an hour before her spokesperson went public with the news.

The Barbican [Center] was informed at 8 p.m. on Sunday,” a source shared, adding that the timing od Grande’s “mind-bending” decision meant that the Barbican had to scramble to get ahead of the story. 

“It is their most expensive theatrical project ever, and all involved are absolutely gutted. There were promotion plans in place, with magazine covers lined up,” the source shared, noting that in any theatre production, occurrences like this have to be taken into consideration.

The Popstar Previously Canceled ‘SNL’ Performance For ‘Emotional Reasons’

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Back in 2018, Grande was reportedly scheduled to perform on the 44th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” However, the singer was ultimately replaced by Kanye West after she stepped away two days before the performance for emotional reasons.

The show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, disclosed the reason for the singer’s absence while appearing on the “Origins with James Andrew” podcast, as reported by US Weekly. A separate source told the outlet that she “was never booked to perform” during the premiere.

While Grande did not address Michaels’ comment, she previously admitted she was having a “tough month.” The “SNL” show was scheduled to take place shortly after the “God is a Woman” singer’s team announced that she would be taking a break after the death of her close friend and ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. He was found dead of an apparent drug overdose.

Another Ariana Grande’s Previous Last-Minute Cancellation

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A decade ago, the iconic singer was forced to cancel her show in Portugal at the last minute for health reasons. She was supposed to perform at the Rock in Rio Lisboa festival on May 29, 2016, but had to pull out of the performance after being advised by her doctors not to sing.

The “Sam & Cat” alum released a statement expressing how sad she was to cancel the show, adding, “I’ve literally been crying over this for an hour” before promising to make it up to her fans once she was fully recovered, as shared by Anasharp.

“I have a throat and sinus infection & my doctors have advised me not to sing for a few days. I promise to make it up to you, and to give you the best show I’m capable of when I return. Again, I’m so sorry to the babes who were coming to see me. I love you with all my heart,” Grande’s statement read.  

In 2015, the singer also reportedly pulled out of the MLB All-Star concert performance in Cincinnati, claiming she had some of her wisdom teeth pulled out earlier in the week.

Has Ariana Grande’s decision affected other projects?

Fox’s remake of Doc Martin, Best Medicine, is set in Port Wenn — but is the town a real place?

Best Medicine follows a doctor who “moves from the city of Boston, Massachusetts to a small practice in the East Coast fishing village where he vacationed as a child,” according to the official synopsis.

Josh Charles plays Dr. Martin Best while Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Cree, Annie Potts, Didi Conn, Clea Lewis, Stephen Spinella, Jason Veasey, Cindy De La Cru, John DiMaggio, Carter Shimp and dog cast member Wattson make up the rest of the cast.

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While Port Wenn is introduced as a small town in Maine, filming actually took place in Cornwall, New York. During Us Weekly‘s set visit for Best Medicine, Spencer spoke about the change of scenery.

“It’s nice. I’ve actually done quite a few shows where we I lived in a house with my producer and my costars. When I did Rectify, we were in Georgia. It just feels more like you’re going there to make something all together,” the actress shared with Us. “And then you’re really invested in the community. I’ve made friends a lot with the local businesses. That’s part of what we get to do is invest in community as well.”

Keep scrolling for a glimpse at Us‘ behind the scenes visit to the Best Medicine set:

Gracie Abrams is opening up about the two relationships shaping her creative life in very different ways: her friendship with Taylor Swift and her romance with Paul Mescal. In a new cover story, Abrams praised Swift’s creative freedom and prolific output after witnessing her career up close as an opening act on the “Eras Tour.” Gracie Abrams also clarified earlier comments about worrying that a stable relationship could weaken her songwriting drive, insisting that Paul Mescal has actually had “the most amazing effect” on her work.

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Abrams has been a fan of Swift for years, but touring together gave her an intimate look at how the superstar approaches songwriting and her evolving musical eras. “Something I’ve admired so much about Taylor’s career, as a forever fan, is her output, not just from a place of a quantity, but seemingly from a place of freedom within herself, to just be like, ‘Yep, here’s the nutshell from this time,’” Abrams told Rolling Stone.

Rather than focusing only on the number of projects Swift has released, Abrams appears most inspired by her willingness to document distinct periods of her life without becoming trapped by what came before. Each album can serve as a snapshot of a particular emotional chapter, allowing Swift to release it and then continue evolving. That example carries particular relevance for Abrams as she moves into a new phase of her own career and personal life.

Taylor Swift And Gracie Abrams Toured Together

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Abrams opened for Swift during the “Eras Tour,” placing her in front of massive stadium audiences while her own career was rapidly growing. The tour offered the younger artist more than increased exposure. It also gave her the opportunity to observe the creative and professional discipline behind one of the world’s biggest touring productions.

Now, as Abrams releases more music and enters a new level of mainstream success, Swift’s example appears to have given her a model for remaining creatively free without feeling obligated to repeat a previous version of herself.

Singer Clarifies Paul Mescal ‘Threatened’ Her Career Narrative

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Abrams also used the Rolling Stone interview to address the reaction to comments she previously made about Mescal. While speaking with Vogue, the musician admitted that she initially “worried” a stable relationship might end up “threatening [her] drive to write music.”

Some readers interpreted the remark as Abrams saying Mescal himself threatened her career, which caught the singer completely off guard. “I’m like, ‘Are we on crack? Like, what the f-ck?’” she recalled. “That was my cue to be like, ‘Oh, remember why you don’t look [at social media]?’”

Her concern was not that Mescal would interfere with her ambitions or prevent her from working. Instead, Abrams had questioned whether being happy and secure might change the emotional conditions that had previously fueled her songwriting.

According to the singer, that fear proved unfounded.

Paul Mescal Has Had ‘The Most Amazing Effect’ On Her Music

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Abrams said her relationship with Mescal has only strengthened her writing by creating room for reflection. She described the romance as having “had the most amazing effect on my writing.”

The “Normal People” actor has reportedly offered Abrams “the most amount of space to reflect on everything in my life.” That perspective has extended far beyond their relationship, helping the singer reconsider past romances and better understand her other personal connections. “It has held a mirror to me in ways that I didn’t know a relationship with another person of any kind could,” she continued.

Abrams credited the relationship with allowing her to examine areas of her life that may not have previously felt connected. “It has given me all the perspective that I could have ever hoped for, on previous relationships, on my relationship with my family, on my friendships,” she said. “It is the greatest gift, period.”

Gracie Abrams Is Protecting Her Relationship From Online Noise

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The confusion surrounding her Vogue remarks served as a reminder of why Abrams tries to avoid social media commentary about her personal life. A concern about how emotional stability might affect the songwriting process was quickly transformed into a larger narrative about Mescal supposedly threatening her career.

The singer’s decision to step away from online interpretations also allows her to protect a relationship she believes has created greater emotional and artistic clarity. Rather than diminishing the heartbreak and introspection often associated with her music, Mescal has apparently given her new angles from which to examine them.

Jared Leto is seemingly already facing the fallout of the ongoing assault allegations attached to his name.

The actor has been at the center of renewed scrutiny after scores of women came forward with accusations of sexual misconduct.

Now, sources say, Leto has been dropped from a big-time thriller project he was keen on participating in.

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Days after the bombshell claims, Hollywood insiders say the disgraced actor was axed from the political thriller movie “Assassination.”

Production executives of the Barry Levison-directed project reportedly turned down Leto amid the mounting sexual misconduct allegations. An insider told Page Six that the “Morbius” star was long in talks to be a part of the film since last year, expressing extreme interest in being cast. 

One informant noted that it was “seeming like a done deal” until the accusations popped their ugly heads, causing executives to steer clear. 

A separate source, however, said the allegations didn’t just come to Levison and his team’s notice, as they were well aware behind the scenes. It was reportedly even discussed internally, but when more women began coming forward, it was too obvious to sweep under the rug.

Jared Leto’s Hollywood Future Facing Jeopardy

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The reports of Leto’s axing from “Assassination” follow the predictions that his career might not survive the allegations.

The 54-year-old, who was set for a Hollywood resurgence with the release of “Masters of the Universe,” now has to fight against the tide of accusations that threaten his livelihood.

“Jared’s career in film, TV and on stage with his music is very much in trouble. He might be completely done, and he knows it. It is scary for him right now,” the source explained, according to The Blast.

Even if no criminal charges come from the bombshell claims, Leto fears the court of public opinion might sentence him to Hollywood banishment, making him an abomination for casting directors.

The actor is said to be “devastated” by how things have played out.

Inside The ‘Predatory’ Claims Against Jared Leto 

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Nine women came forward with stories of inappropriate behavior from Leto that took place over the last two decades.

According to The Blast, one of the accusers claimed her interaction with the Thirty Seconds To Mars bandleader happened when she was 17 as he “assaulted and traumatized” her at an event. 

The alleged victim Allie Teliz spoke about the incident in a recently resurfaced 2012 Facebook post where she wrote, “Youre [sic] not really in L.A. until Jared Leto tries to force himself on you backstage… In a kilt.. And a snow hat.”

She further described Leto’s actions as “predatory, terrifying, and unacceptable,” admitting she informed him of her minor status.

For another woman who remained anonymous, she recalled meeting Leto on the way to the bathroom and exchanging numbers following a quick discussion.

The accuser, who was reportedly 16 at the time, began engaging in late-night text exchanges with the “Suicide Squad” star and he asked her obscene questions to test her knowledge of sex.

The Actor Cried Out About False Allegations From Accusers

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More accusations surfaced in the BBC documentary, “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret,” where one accuser spoke up about having intimate relations with Leto when she was only 17.

Although she pointed out that she was below the age of consent in California to Leto, she claimed he shoved aside her concerns, saying, “Age is just a number.”

Leto has since denied all allegations brought forward about the incidents that took place between 2002 and 2016.

“I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false,” the Golden Globe winner revealed in a statement, per The Blast.

Jared Leto’s Controversy Sparks Legal Insight

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With Leto’s allegations taking center stage, it provoked questions about the trend of victims waiting years to expose their abusers, especially in Hollywood.

Attorney Megan Thomas, who spoke to The Blast, gave insight into the pattern, attributing it to the troubling power dynamics between both parties.

“The reason survivors in the entertainment industry often take so long to come forward is because of the combination of the fame of the entertainer and the shame carried by the survivor,” she explained.

Thomas noted the influence of celebrity status can be overwhelming, as very few people are willing to challenge stars because of the revenue they make.

Shay Martin is opening up about her new husband, Hunter, and how he helped her find love again in the wake of her late husband Tanner Martin’s death.

“‘I would want to get to know Tanner,’” Shay recalled Hunter telling her when they first connected in an interview with Today digital published on Tuesday, August 4, revealing the eight words her new spouse said that opened up the influencer to the possibility of love again.

Tanner died in June 2025 following a five-year battle with stage 4 colorectal cancer. He was 30. He is survived by Shay and daughter AmyLou, 15 months, who the pair welcomed just one month before his death.

After Tanner’s death, Shay confessed that she “cried a whole lot” while processing her grief.

Related: Shay Martin Reveals She ‘Found Love Again’ 1 Year After Tanner’s Death

Influencer Shay Martin is sharing a heartbreakingly beautiful update one year after her husband Tanner Martin died from colon cancer. “I know there are a lot of people on the internet that care a lot about AmyLou and I, so if that’s you this message is for you,” Shay said over a compilation video shared […]

“I didn’t get divorced from Tanner,” she told the outlet. “I still loved him, and I was always going to love him.”

When Shay was ready to start dating again, she wanted to find a person who wouldn’t try to compete with or be deterred by what she and Tanner had

“He was the first guy who didn’t see Tanner as a threat,” Shay recalled. “I think it takes a confident, empathetic man to do that.”

More than a year after Tanner’s death, Shay gave an update on how she and AmyLou were doing. Shay revealed in the post that she found a second chance at love.

“I know there are a lot of people on the internet that care a lot about AmyLou and I, so if that’s you this message is for you,” Shay said over a compilation video shared via Instagram on Sunday, August 2. “I’ve seen a lot of questions asking how AmyLou and I are doing and where we are in life. It’s been a year filled with both heartbreaking sadness but also incredible blessings. In the past year we’ve welcomed AmyLou, we’ve lost Tanner, I moved to Arizona, where I grew up, and I found love again.”

Shay explained that Tanner wanted her to “find someone who would love AmyLou as his own and honor the life” the couple “built together.” Shay shared that Hunter fulfilled that one wish with no hesitation.

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Related: Shay Martin Shares Why Family Still Pays for Late Husband Tanner’s Phone

Influencer Shay Martin is opening up about one way she and late husband Tanner Martin’s family have kept his memory alive after his death. “We are still paying for Tanner’s phone number,” Shay, 29, responded to a fan who asked if Tanner’s phone was still active during a Q&A on her Instagram Stories on February […]

“I am incredibly grateful to say that I found that person. He has never asked me to leave Tanner behind. Never. He honors my memory with Tanner,” she reflected. “He honors Tanner. He celebrates the love that I had and have for Tanner. And he loves AmyLou the way Tanner would want AmyLou to be loved.”

Shay emphasized that “moving forward is not the same as moving on” from Tanner.

“I remember thinking to myself, even during the five years Tanner fought cancer, ‘I’m never going to remarry. I’m going to be alone and I’m just going to live with that,’” she said. “And eventually, I changed and decided that there is enough love to give, you can never run out of love. And I will never graduate from grief.”

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 4, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Meghan Markle marked her 45th birthday by sharing black-and-white photos on Instagram of herself jumping into a pool in a one-piece swimsuit while holding balloons. The Duchess of Sussex captioned the post, “Thank you for the birthday love! 🎈”

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• Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their third child, a daughter born August 3 at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces. The couple are also parents to sons August and Ernest.

• Pete Davidson stepped out in Brooklyn with Brooks Nader‘s sister Sarah Jane Nader on August 3 for a night out in New York City. A source exclusively told Us that the pair “are just friends, nothing more.”

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Rep. Max Miller’s attorney, Aaron Minc, is claiming responsibility after the embattled congressman shared a fully nude photograph of his 2-year-old daughter.

“Unfortunately, I missed the last three pages of a 40+ page document with sensitive content,” Minc said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, August 4, issuing an apology for what the lawyer and rep are claiming was a genuine mishap. “It was completely unintentional and a mistake. The moment I discovered the issue on Monday morning, I corrected the file immediately.”

Minc claimed he made “multiple passes” through the documents before Miller, 37, posted them via X on Sunday, August 2, as part of his ongoing attempt to publicly discredit his ex-wife Emily Moreno, who has accused the congressman of domestic abuse. (The Ohio congressman shared a Dropbox folder of documents, including the accidental nude photo, with his followers to allegedly prove his innocence.)

The attorney told CNN that he checked the documents so no sensitive information, including Miller’s daughter’s name, was included in the public release. According to the outlet, the child’s name was included “dozens of times” in an earlier version of the file, viewed by CNN, and in addition to “several” photos featuring the toddler.

Related: Bernie Moreno ‘Doesn‘t Know‘ if Daughter‘s Ex Should Resign Amid DV Claims

Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio is unable or unwilling to say if his daughter Emily Moreno’s ex-husband, Rep. Max Miller, should resign after Emily accused the Ohio congressman of domestic violence, including breaking their daughter’s — the senator’s granddaughter’s — collarbone. “I don’t know,” Moreno told political outlet NOTUS on Friday, July 31, when he […]

“I am truly sorry to Congressman Miller, Ms. Moreno, both of their families, and, especially, to their daughter. I deeply regret the mistake,” Minc concluded.

Minc’s apology comes amid an onslaught of controversy surrounding Miller and his ex father-in-law, Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, who has been silent regarding his daughter’s allegations until recently.

Last month, Emily accused her ex Miller of domestic violence during their marriage. (She filed for divorce in 2024.)

Multiple outlets reported that Emily accused Miller of throwing hot water on her body, holding a gun to her head, pushing her with enough force to hurt her and breaking their daughter’s collarbone.

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Related: Sen. Bernie Moreno Claims Rep. Max Miller Is a ‘Danger’ to His Daughter

After refusing to denounce Rep. Max Miller after his own daughter accused the congressman of domestic violence, Sen. Bernie Moreno is calling the politician a “danger” who is unfit for public office. “As a father and husband, I can tell you the last two years have been pure hell for my wife Bridget, our daughter […]

Miller has vehemently denied the allegations and has remained committed to continuing his run for reelection in Ohio amid the scandal — a race that could determine which political party controls the House after the midterm elections. He has also sued Emily for defamation.

Miller came under fire again on Sunday after he posted a link on social media with messages, videos and images involving his ex-wife in hopes of “defending” himself and combat her allegations as they battle for custody of their child.

Among the exhibits in the Dropbox folder, which was visible to Miller’s nearly 60,000 followers on X, was unredacted details about his family — and a photo of his daughter fully nude. The picture was taken in relation to an alleged injury she had suffered.

The image was part of a February 2025 exchange between Miller and Emily as they coordinated custody arrangements for their daughter. Emily claimed at the time that she saw a large bruise on their child, prompting Miller to ask for a picture of the girl.

When Emily sent the photo, it focused on the bruise — later determined to be a broken collarbone — but also showed their child unclothed.

The injury was investigated by police in 2025. No charges against the congressman were filed.

On Sunday, Miller told his followers in a livestream that he was releasing the documents as a way of “speaking up as a father, trying to protect our daughter.”

The congressman insisted, “I’m going to use my platform to share the facts in this very genuine way.”

Once the photo unintentionally became public, Miller’s ex-father-in-law expressed his outrage over his actions and publicly denounced him for the second time. (The picture was removed on Monday.)

Related: What to Know About Eric Swalwell’s Misconduct Scandal and Investigation

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Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, a Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation and calls from top Democrats to end his campaign for California governor. Four women — including a former staffer who claims the politician raped her — accused Swalwell in April 2026 of sexual misconduct and harassment. Swalwell has categorically […]

“As a father and husband, I can tell you the last two years have been pure hell for my wife Bridget, our daughter Emily, me, and our entire family in the aftermath of Emily’s divorce,” Sen. Moreno, 59, said in a statement shared via X on Sunday. “It has been horrific to watch this play out in full public view, all while knowing an innocent two-year-old girl is caught in the middle.”

He alleged, “As he has admitted privately, Max Miller needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”

The senator added, “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”

Related: Addison Rae’s Father Accused of Exposing Himself in a Walgreens

Addison Rae’s father Monty Lopez allegedly exposed himself at a Walgreens before his arrest. According to police records obtained by Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 25, Lopez, 50, was arrested for obscenity. The alleged crime occurred on July 31, 2024, at a Walgreens in Lafayette, Louisiana. Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Lopez was arrested […]

Miller, meanwhile, issued a statement on Tuesday, vowing to keep fighting to clear his name.

“In light of all the renewed interest in my family affairs I am going to file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family,” he wrote via X. “I have absolutely nothing to hide.”

He added, “We will be providing the committee all necessary documents needed for a detailed examination. The accusations continue to change, but my facts stay the same. I am looking forward to my colleagues reading everything for themselves.”

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On Tuesday, the House Ethics Committee confirmed it has opened an investigation into Miller in the wake of the allegations.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Television adaptations used to be a high-stakes bet that greatness could survive the leap from page to screen. What’s left to the imagination in a novel is rendered real in a series, so the odds are stacked against exceeding reader expectations. But as we’ve moved away from faithful, event-style minis and TV movies and towards expansive, multi-season adaptations, those stakes have changed; it’s now a bet that greatness can be the foundation for a prestige drama to build a new story of its own.

None of it is possible, however, if you don’t start with a truly great book. From domestic, spy, and legal thrillers to speculative, hard, and dystopian science fiction, these must-read novels are standouts in their respective genres, and more than a few spent time on the bestseller charts. Each one now acts as the basis for a prestige drama series, and in every single instance, the read is just as good as the watch.

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‘The Leftovers’

By Tom Perrotta

Image via Macmillan Publishers

Set three years after a rapture-like event that caused 2% of the population to vanish, The Leftovers doesn’t seek to explain what’s now called the Sudden Departure. Instead, through the lens of the increasingly fractured Garvey family, it focuses on the immense psychological weight carried by those left behind in the small fictional New York town of Mapleton, which has been paralyzed by grief, trauma, and confusion. It’s an exploration of the human propensity to seek meaning in the face of unanswerable questions and how, whether by pushing normalcy and clinging tight to the remnants of bureaucracy, mitigating unbearable guilt by joining nihilist cults, or blindly following charismatic prophets who claim to have all the answers, we cling tight to any narrative that might help us survive.

After HBO optioned The Leftovers for television, author Tom Perrotta actively sought out Lost mastermind Damon Lindelof to be his partner and co-creator. The first season of The Leftovers is based on the source material, adopting its gritty, bleak tone and adding a pinch of magical realism. It’s in the latter two seasons, widely praised for their surreal, darkly humorous execution, where you really feel Lindelof’s presence; the show leaves Mapleton and the book behind, and explores the broader global implications of the Sudden Departure in increasingly insane and unbelievably compelling ways. Though the novel arguably remains the best version of the original story, it’s what the show does beyond that story that makes it one of the best prestige dramas in modern HBO history.

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‘The Night Manager’

By John le Carré

Image via Penguin Random House

The Night Manager was legendary spy novelist John le Carré‘s first book after the Cold War, marking a significant shift away from the gritty world of espionage and geopolitical conflict and a headlong dive into corporate imperialism, unchecked capitalism, and institutional corruption in the power vacuum left behind by war. Centered on luxury hotel night manager and former soldier Jonathan Pine, it follows his recruitment by British intelligence to infiltrate the inner circle of untouchable billionaire arms dealer and all-around bad guy Richard Onslow Roper and bring him down. It’s a high-stakes thriller set in a moral gray area, exposing increasingly blurred lines between good and evil and pitting two stunningly rich characters against one another amid a dangerous game of deception.

The first season of The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston as Pine and Hugh Laurie as Roper, was a BBC and AMC co-production and fairly true to its source material, beyond streamlining some of the more exotic locations of the novel, modernizing the timeline from the end of the Cold War to the Arab Spring, and casting the brilliant Olivia Colman to replace Pine’s original male intelligence handler. The most significant divergence, however, was the ending, which paved the way for creator David Farr to extend the story beyond the book and bring it back as a BBC and Prime Video co-production for a new installment nearly a decade after the first. If the explosive, table-flipping new adventures of Pine and Roper are anything to go by, the third and final season could be the best one yet.

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‘Dark Matter’

By Blake Crouch

Image via Pan Macmillan

Dark Matter is rooted in the many-worlds theory of quantum mechanics, which proposes that every possible outcome of an event actually does take place, but unfolds in parallel universes that branch off from our own. For Jason Dessen, the biggest decision of his life was walking away from his career as a quantum physicist to start a family. In a parallel universe, Jason2 made the opposite decision; he’s spent the last 15 years completing his work on a box capable of interdimensional travel, but deeply regrets the sacrifice he made to get it done. Jason2 decides to use his box to kidnap Jason and take his place, depositing him in his lonely universe so he can live the life he wished he’d chosen – but Jason refuses to give up, stopping at nothing to claw his way through the multiverse, facing off against alternate versions of himself to get home to his beloved wife and son, in a thrilling, action-packed journey that also serves on a meditation on identity, love, and what could’ve been.

Author Blake Crouch served as an executive producer on Wayward Pines, co-writing several episodes of the series based on his beloved trilogy of the same name, but opted to become showrunner when adapting Dark Matter for Apple TV. The first season saw stars Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, and Alice Braga navigate the events of the novel as written, and the second will feature a brand-new story centered on Jason and his family hunting for an alternate-free new home in the multiverse. According to Crouch, the television-first storyline was built to unfold across two seasons, so while it’s still far too early to know if it’ll get a green light for a final outing, it’s all but guaranteed there will be another killer cliffhanger waiting for us when the final episode later this year.

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‘Big Little Lies’

By Liane Moriarty

Image via Penguin Random House

Liane Moriarty is the reigning queen of the beach read, known for suspenseful thrillers laced with scathing wit and truth. A sharp suburban satire framed by a mysterious death, Big Little Lies exposes the dark, painful reality hidden behind the facade of perfection, and explores the dangerous toll of the lies we tell ourselves and others to survive. The novel begins with the aftermath of a fatal school trivia night, then recounts a school year through the eyes of three Australian mothers who each carry a dark secret whose trauma and shame threaten to unmake them. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, the web of lies they’ve built to get by begins to unravel, leading to one fateful night where a bond built on schoolyard parenting and shared secrets becomes a solidarity for mutual survival.

When the legendary David E. Kelley adapted Big Little Lies for HBO, he opted to remove the lighthearted aspects of the novel in favor of a darker, more high-end feel, relocating the setting from a fictional Australian beach town to the more opulent Monterey, California. Beyond these tweaks, the first season remained tight to the source material except for the ending, which was changed to allow the show to return. In its second season, the leading trio of Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and Shailene Woodley began exploring a world beyond the page, officially cementing a legacy beyond a book adaptation and becoming a cultural phenomenon. And the trio’s journey doesn’t end there, as 11 years after the first book, Moriarty is releasing a follow-up novel, Big Little Truths, and seven years after the second season of Big Little Lies ended, it’s officially set to return for Season 3.

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‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

By Margaret Atwood

Image via Vintage Books

Margaret Atwood‘s 1985 classic The Handmaid’s Tale isn’t just one of the best sci-fi books of all time; it’s one of the best books written in the last century, period. Set in a near-future dystopian era after radical extremists known as the Sons of Jacob staged a violent coup to overthrow the United States, the country is now a totalitarian theocracy known as the Republic of Gilead, where a fertility crisis has led to women being stripped of their rights by the patriarchal dictatorship and forced into reproductive servitude. The story follows a Handmaid forced into subjugated surrogacy, Offred, as she goes about her daily duties in service to the elites while trying to cope with her memories of a failed escape to Canada with her family, attempting to survive in this new world while engaging in small, secret acts of resistance.

The first season of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale follows the book down to its ambiguous ending, changing only small details and replicating the iconic final scene in its entirety. From that moment on, however, it’s a whole new story – showrunner Bruce Miller went on to build an expansive universe that spanned five additional seasons, with Elisabeth Moss appearing as June “Offred” Osborne throughout its full run. 34 years after the original novel was published, in 2019 Atwood released a sequel, The Testaments, while working closely with the production team to ensure the sanctity of their respective worlds, enabling Hulu to craft a spin-off series that follows the television canon while using the second book as a framework. The Testaments, which sees Ann Dowd return to the role of Aunt Lydia alongside two new characters, Agnes (Chase Infiniti) and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), was just renewed for a second season.

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‘Presumed Innocent’

By Scott Turow

Image via Hachette Book Group

When Presumed Innocent was published in 1987, it set a new standard for modern legal thrillers. Unfolding in first person through the lens of flawed, obsessive, and deeply unreliable chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the story opens with the discovery of the brutal murder of prosecutor Carolyn Polhemus. After Rusty is appointed to lead the investigation, he decides to withhold an all-consuming affair with Carolyn that ended badly in an attempt to save his fragile marriage, but soon comes to regret that fact; he’s been framed, and all the evidence points directly at him, so he’s charged with her murder and is put on trial. Real-life defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Scott Turow deftly navigates the inner workings and loopholes of the legal system to build a portrait of institutional realism around our unreliable narrator, who remains detached and defensive even after going from accuser to accused, making us question everything that happens from start to finish and making for an unbelievably propulsive, twisty read.

Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent is another David E. Kelley adaptation, and its first season made some significant departures from the book and the 1990 Harrison Ford movie of the same name; the original culprit is reframed as a red herring and blame is placed on someone entirely new, subplots were built out to make it sustain eight episodes, and Jake Gyllenhaal, who made his first television appearance playing Rusty, delivered a character that was far more aggressive, vocal, and violent. The series, much like the novel before it, will also break new ground in adaptations: positioned as an anthology, the next season will keep the iconic novel’s name but leave its story behind entirely, adapting Jo Murray’s novel Dissection of a Murder, with new stars Rachael Brosnahan and Matthew Rhys.

Rosie O’Donnell’s rumored return to “The View” may or may not happen. 

The former TV host recently sparked widespread attention after publicly declaring her intention to return to the show, but new reports quickly surfaced indicating that the discussions are far from being finalized.

This came after O’Donnell claimed that some of the show’s former hosts would likely return for its 30th anniversary celebration. 

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O’Donnell recently created a major stir among daytime viewers after claiming that she “will” appear on “The View.” 

However, despite her public statement, reports reveal that producers currently have “no current plans” to bring the former panelist back to the daytime table. While fans anticipated a big television reunion, network sources clarified that an appearance has not been arranged.

A rep for O’Donnell confirmed that “there was a mention of inviting some of the hosts back to ‘The View.” The rep also added, “There has not been a formal ask from the show at this time,” per Entertainment Weekly. 

To address the conflicting claims, the spokesperson further noted that Ana Navarro “mentioned [to O’Donnell] coming to Season 30 of The View as a guest (at some point during the season).” However, the representative emphasized that “nothing has been formalized.” 

As the network prepares for its traditional autumn return, an official premiere date has not been set, leaving the former host’s return unconfirmed at this moment. 

Rosie O’Donnell Previously Spoke About A Potential Return To ‘The View’

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This update comes on the heels of O’Donnell’s statements during a podcast interview, when she shared her expectation of making an appearance on the daytime talk show.

“I will go on the 30th anniversary,” she said, as confirmed by The Blast. O’Donnell also clarified that her participation would be limited to a visiting guest spot alongside other former panelists rather than a full-time position.

In addition to expressing her support for the current format, O’Donnell reflected on the challenging work environment she experienced when she first joined as moderator in 2006.

She recalled her early tenure as a high-pressure setting where personnel felt easily replaceable and workplace security felt inadequate.

Michelle Collins Claims She Was Snubbed for The View’s Anniversary Special

Following O’Donnell’s comments regarding past panelists being brought back for the upcoming broadcast milestone, former co-host Michelle Collins revealed that show executives have not reached out to her. 

Taking to social media, the comedian expressed surprise upon discovering that former talent had allegedly been approached for the celebratory event.

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PEOPLE Magazine reported that the performer shared her surprise, saying, “Now that was news to me; maybe because I’m traveling so much, my invite somehow got lost.”

Collins, whose single-season tenure on the daytime panel ended in 2016, emphasized that no production representatives have reached out to her regarding a guest appearance.

She noted that she “found that really interesting” given that she has “always behaved very professionally about the show” following her departure. 

‘The View’ Had Its Fair Share Of Explosive Fights Among Co-Hosts

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Just as Collins briefly reflected on her past time on the show, O’Donnell also recently took a walk down memory lane to reflect on her time on the show.

However, she particularly focused on the famous conflict she had with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. 

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O’Donnell named former co-host Hasselbeck as her least favorite panelist, recalling their viral 2007 debate regarding the Iraq War. Reflecting on the clash, she said, “Listen, it’s known that me and Elisabeth Hasselbeck did not have a great ending to our friendship, so I would say that was the most problematic, perhaps.”

Besides reflecting on her personal feelings, the former host also suggested that production staff intentionally orchestrated the on-air confrontation to boost television viewership.

O’Donnell pointed to the sudden technical decision to switch to a split-screen layout as evidence of behind-the-scenes planning, noting that it was likely “prepared,” as reported by The Blast.

Rosie O’Donnell Shares Her Vision Of A Potential Daytime Television Return 

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Looking past her history with the panel show, O’Donnell is also exploring a potential full-time comeback to daytime television on her own terms.

According to The Blast, she revealed that her representatives are actively holding conversations to secure a permanent hosting spot on air.

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Taking a deviation from traditional Hollywood formats, she shared that her ideal project would mirror the structure of her original talk show.

O’Donnell explained that viewers are seeking comfort over star-studded interview circuits because “America wants nostalgia.” She also noted that “celebrity culture is dead in America” and expressed a desire to center the show around uplifting human-interest stories and lighthearted games.

Bethenny Frankel is opening up about an alleged misdiagnosis she said she received for something “major.”

“So I joined a medical community and it has teams of doctors that sort of cross reference your markers, your labs, longevity,” the former Real Housewife, 55, said in a Monday, August 3, Instagram video, adding that the health initiative was comparable to the Mayo Clinic — but conveniently accessible via her home.

“It’s not just some vanity BS concierge doctor,” she explained. “It’s very legitimate.”

Frankel went on to add that the non-traditional medical care she received revealed she was “misdiagnosed with something pretty major.” While the former reality star didn’t divulge any additional details about her alleged condition, or lack thereof, she advised her followers to always obtain a second, third and even fourth opinion when seeking medical advice.

Related: Bethenny Frankel Details ‘Anxiety’ After Kidney Disease Diagnosis

Bethenny Frankel is doing what she can to stay healthy amid her battle with chronic kidney disease. “I slept an extraordinary amount this weekend. You need the sleep because you get exhausted, and then you get dehydrated because you’ve slept so much, and it’s a constant battling of the drinking of the water and then […]

“Be very thorough in your labs, your check ups, your second, third opinions, your crowd sourcing of opinions,” she said.

Frankel also added that you should not “believe everything you hear on the internet.”

“Everybody is saying that they have everything. I’m very confused because I was operating with an idea that I do have this and I don’t want to throw anybody under the bus. I tried to do the right thing and it’s very confusing,” she said. “I just think there’s nothing we should be more thorough about than our medical care, our health and just think about it.”

Frankel shared that it is important to keep a record of your symptoms and any previous diagnoses or inklings.

“Get a notebook out and whatever it is you think you have or someone said that you have or symptoms you are experiencing.” she said. “We are so thorough about restaurants, shoppings and other things … I think we need to be thorough about our health.”

While it is unclear what Frankel was referring to, she revealed earlier this year that she was diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease.

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Related: Bethenny Frankel Through the Years

Bethenny Frankel has made contestant headlines ever since she got her start in reality TV. Frankel made her first reality TV appearance in 2005 on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. She finished as the runner-up in the competition for her BethennyBakes business, which made egg-free, wheat-free and dairy-free cookies and meal delivery in New York. Following […]

“[The doctor] said it could be a function of this traumatic experience I had years ago when I almost died from an allergy attack,” she explained in an January Instagram video. “It could have done damage to the kidney. It could be autoimmune.”

One month later Frankel shared an update, revealing that her kidney disease was actually stage 3A, meaning she has mild to moderate kidney function loss, per the National Kidney Foundation.

“So, right now, this is a step in the wrong direction, but not to be totally alarmed and to come back and get tested in a couple of months,” she said in a February video. “I have a little bit of anxiety and I’m sick to my stomach, but I’m remaining calm.”