Entertainment
‘For All Mankind’s First Official Spin-Off ‘Star City’ Is a Tense, Gripping Spy Thriller
I have a confession to make: I’m a latecomer to For All Mankind. While I’ve long believed that Apple TV is one of the best streamers out there in terms of its full-throated embrace of the sci-fi genre, the truth is that I’ve been forced to take my time working through its streaming library. I’ve watched every episode of shows like Murderbot and Severance, and I’ll bang the drum all day in praise of Pluribus, but I somehow overlooked Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi‘s alt-history sci-fi drama until the weeks leading up to its Season 5 premiere. (For what it’s worth, though, For All Mankind makes for an excellent binge, albeit a stressful one, in which you often find yourself shouting at the screen over certain Baldwins and their occasionally questionable decision-making.) Not only is the show a fascinating examination of how a specific turning point in global history can have ripple effects that span generations, but it’s also an emotional character drama consisting of absolutely laudable performances.
Now that I’m fully caught up (and yes, that includes this week’s Season 5 finale), I had more than one reason to be drawn in by the premise of Star City. Apple TV’s first official For All Mankind spin-off jumps back in time to the historical divergence depicted in the original series’ first episode, in which the Soviets successfully beat the United States to the achievement of a crewed Moon landing. It’s an intriguing foundation for a series on its own, as For All Mankind previously proved, but where Star City differentiates itself isn’t just in answering some of the biggest questions surrounding the Soviet space program, but in embracing a completely different genre to do so.
What Is ‘Star City’ About?
As the show’s title indicates, Star City is set in the designated headquarters for the Soviet space program, but its story begins at the same place as For All Mankind, with cosmonaut Alexei Leonov’s Moon landing, which sees Russia’s decisive victory over the U.S. in a major lunar achievement. At the head of it all is a man only known as the Chief Designer (Rhys Ifans), both for his personal safety and as an effort to safeguard the space program, the exposure of which could have deadly ramifications. Despite constant oversight and interference, the Chief Designer has secret aspirations to carry out a wholly different space mission, but it won’t be possible without a little help from a few unlikely allies, including young engineer Sergei Nikulov (Josef Davies) and recruited scientist Lakshmi (Priya Kansara).
It’s quickly established that Star City has a very different approach to protecting its secrets, with the upper echelons of the KGB willing to resort to covert and invasive methods to monitor anyone and everyone, regardless of where their loyalties actually lie. KGB head Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin) rules over the surveillance pool with an iron fist, while new hire Irina Morozova (Agnes O’Casey) wrestles with the undeniably invasive nature of her job alongside her greater professional ambitions.
Apple TV Is Officially Launching ‘For All Mankind’s First Spin-Off This Month
Watch a completely different side of the space race.
No one is immune to Star City’s intelligence-gathering, not even the young cosmonauts who are dutifully completing their training in the hopes of making it into space. Valya Markelov (Adam Nagaitis) is the program’s most respected cosmonaut, but his wife, Tanya (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis), chafes against Star City’s restrictions. Meanwhile, Sasha Polivanov (Solly McLeod) could stand to take his role as cosmonaut more seriously, but things change once he’s paired up with a familiar name to For All Mankind fans in Anastasia Belikova (Alice Englert), whose larger aspirations are often weighed against her relative inexperience.
‘Star City’ Pulls Back the Curtain on ‘For All Mankind’s Biggest Untold Story
Although For All Mankind has occasionally delved into the Soviet side of its narrative, chiefly through NASA engineer Margo Madison’s (Wrenn Schmidt) tragically complex storyline, Star City finds itself in the unique position to expand on some of the original series’ most pivotal moments surrounding the initial space race. Some characters will instantly be familiar to longtime fans, but there’s a thrill that comes from watching this depiction of their most defining years, especially when they’re written this well. O’Casey and Davies may have the biggest hurdles to overcome in terms of portraying Star City‘s most recognizable names, but they both deftly rise to meet the challenge; Davies, in particular, bears such a striking resemblance to original actor Piotr Adamczyk that I recognized Sergei even before he was introduced explicitly by name. Englert has the responsibility of building out one of For All Mankind‘s least-defined characters, and it’s a treat to watch her excavate Belikova’s layers as she faces the difficulties of being one of the only female cosmonauts in a male-dominated field.
Other cast members responsible for depicting the show’s completely original characters lend Star City even more of its intrigue. Ifans, who once again joins an existing franchise spin-off, approaches the role of the enigmatic Chief Designer with potent cunning and charm, while Martin is equal parts chilling and riveting as a KGB department head who seemingly answers to no one. Nagaitis’ Valya could easily earn comparisons to his most infamous role on AMC’s The Terror, but the actor unearths new levels of desperation to make the cosmonaut more sympathetic than Hickey ever was. It’s likely no coincidence that some of Nagaitis’ best scenes occur opposite his onscreen spouse, especially once both husband and wife start to feel the pressure of Star City’s constant supervision; the glimpses we earn of Tanya’s more free-spirited and rebellious nature are confirmation that Serkis was the perfect choice for the role. One of the biggest questions I was left with while watching, however, had more to do with the spin-off’s lack of any distinct Russian accents; Star City‘s cast mostly embraces a generic English cadence, which does serve as a notable departure from For All Mankind‘s approach.
‘Star City’ Is a Completely Different Change of Pace for the ‘For All Mankind’ Franchise
The new opening credits of Star City make one thing clear: this is a very different show — not merely in the story’s focus and tone, but also in the series’ aesthetic. There’s a distinctly grainier, grittier look to the spin-off’s scenes that immediately sets it apart; some of that is certainly in large part due to the setting itself, with its austere and minimalist architecture calling a very specific time and place to mind. It honestly might feel jarring to be plunged into Star City‘s ’60s Cold War era, with very little warmth to speak of in its palette, especially if you’re caught up with For All Mankind as a sci-fi epic that has evolved far beyond its current 2010s timeline. While its darker cinematography can occasionally tip too far into streaming television’s biggest struggle, rendering some scenes difficult to decipher, it’s also instantly immersive as a backdrop.
Given that the Soviet space program was also historically shrouded in secrecy, it makes perfect sense for the majority of Star City‘s storylines to deal in that very theme, and the result is a successful pivot into full spy thriller territory. Watching the first five episodes provided for review calls the very best parts of FX’s The Americans to mind, especially with Star City‘s emphasis on the cost of deception and how increasingly stacking lies can culminate disastrously, not just for those directly involved but for their closest loved ones as well.
An equally transfixing element can be found in the series’ depiction of surveillance work and how surprisingly intimate it can be for someone like Irina, for instance, to listen in on every single second of another person’s day-to-day life, combing through audio recordings for even the slightest whiff of political treachery. By the time Irina comes face-to-face with the individual she’s been monitoring, it’s a delicious instance of internal drama that revolves around her juggling her knowledge of their secrets against the facade they choose to present to the world. Once Irina’s personal truths are also exposed, it doubles as a reminder that even the characters we thought we knew best from For All Mankind all had to start somewhere.
The best decision Star City makes isn’t to copy or mimic what came before on the original series, but to carve out a completely separate path within the overall franchise. There are still sequences that unmistakably call the spin-off’s predecessor to mind, particularly when the story embraces those familiarly fraught space missions where everything can and will go wrong in a matter of seconds. However, Star City‘s distinct visuals, sharp performances, and compelling narrative that pulls back the curtain on the mysteries surrounding the Soviet position in the space race all combine for a spin-off that doesn’t necessarily need to match For All Mankind‘s longevity to be gripping in the moment.
Star City premieres May 29 with its first two episodes on Apple TV.
- Release Date
-
May 29, 2026
- Network
-
Apple TV
- Showrunner
-
Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert
- Writers
-
Megan McDonnell
Cast
-
-
Anna Maxwell Martin
Lyudmilla
- The cast is full of standouts, from Rhys Ifans’ enigmatic Chief Designer to Anna Maxwell Martin’s chilling KGB head Lyudmilla.
- Agnes O’Casey and Josef Davies deliver terrific performances as the younger versions of For All Mankind’s Irina and Sergei.
- The show’s decision to embrace the spy thriller genre feels perfectly aligned to the story it’s telling.
- The stark difference in cinematography means that some scenes land just this side of too murky to be decipherable.
Entertainment
2025’s Divisive Fantasy Sequel Is Finally Getting a Second Chance on Netflix
At the 98th Academy Awards, many outstanding movies stole the headlines, representing a superb year for cinema. The global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters flew the flag for animation, while international cinema was celebrated via the Danish-Norwegian drama Sentimental Value. Blockbusters were given their due thanks to Apple’s F1, and even the horror genre found Academy gold courtesy of Weapons. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler’s vampire flick Sinners were the night’s most notable winners, but there was one glaring omission from any of the categories, and it was all its own fault.
Of course, we’re talking about Wicked: For Good, the musical sequel to the 2024 first half that won over the hearts and minds of both audiences and critics. Sadly, this sequel proved ultimately disappointing, unable to live up to the high bar set by the first installment, and eventually earning a total of zero Academy Award nominations. However, there is still lots to love about Wicked: For Good, such as fresh new music, some darker themes, and a pair of excellent lead performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with the latter perhaps unlucky not to find herself nominated for the second year in a row.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good might’ve disappointed critics, but it still found box office success, turning in a global haul of $532 million against a reported $150 million budget. Split between a domestic haul of $343 million and a further $189 million from overseas markets, Wicked: For Good was the year’s highest-grossing musical, and has since found streaming success on Peacock. Now it’s about to make the move to the world’s biggest streamer, as the musical sequel debuts on Netflix on July 20.
Ariana Grande Will Return in Another Big Hollywood Sequel
For Grande fans, her recent work in some of the biggest Hollywood titles has felt well-deserved. Later this year, she will provide a fresh face to a memorable returning cast in the fourth film in the Fockers franchise, Focker-in-Law. Grande joins Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Skyler Gisondo, and Beanie Feldstein in an all-star cast with the film set to be released theatrically by Universal Pictures on November 25, 2026.
Wicked: For Good comes to Netflix next month. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.
- Release Date
-
November 21, 2025
- Runtime
-
137 Minutes
- Writers
-
Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire
- Producers
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Marc Platt, David Stone
Entertainment
Bethenny Frankel Recommends the Suuksess Swimsuit on Amazon
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Pool and beach season is here, and Bethenny Frankel found a slimming one-piece suit so good, you’ll want it in multiple colors. The retro bathing suit is fitting for poolside lounging and beach days alike.
Frankel shared her Amazon find in an Instagram post, and we were thrilled to see that real shoppers are just as obsessed with it. The Suuksess Tummy-Control One-Piece Swimsuit has an open back and halter top, so you can tie it as tight or loose as you’d like. You’ll get the support you need without feeling suffocated in the heat.
Get the Suuksess Tummy-Control One-Piece Swimsuit for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The Suuksess swimsuit offers tummy control, thanks to ruching in the stomach area. The one-piece is fully lined and has a removable padded bra. And if you don’t want the halter top pulling on your neck, you can tuck the straps in, and it works as a strapless bathing suit, as well.
Frankel showed off the black and white swimsuit, but it comes in various other color combinations. The former The Real Housewives of New York City star suggested pairing this suit with a belt or skirt, which is ideal for grabbing lunch by the beach or looking a bit more elevated. Something tells Us this slimming one-piece won’t go to waste this season!
Real-life Amazon shoppers agree: This swimsuit is super flattering and actually offers tummy control. Plus, it provides solid coverage and is very comfortable.
“I love this suit! It has a vintage vibe. Not high cut in the hips and offers full coverage in the back. The tummy control is perfect! I have a long torso and the fit was great!” a five-star reviewer shared.
“This one-piece swimsuit is both supportive and stylish. The tummy control feature offers a smoothing effect without feeling too tight, and the design accentuates curves in all the right places,” one verified purchaser said.
Going swimsuit shopping isn’t always the most fun experience, which is why we’re happy Frankel pointed out an Amazon option that’s flattering in the stomach area. Summer, here we come!
Get the Suuksess Tummy-Control One-Piece Swimsuit for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more one-piece swimsuits here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Entertainment
It’s Officially the End of an Era for Netflix’s Best Teen Romance
There are plenty of romantic stories coming out this year that you can’t afford to miss. After breaking box office records with the rom-com Anyone But You, director Will Gluck is back in the genre with One Night Only, starring Top Gun: Maverick‘s Monica Barbaro opposite Masters of the Air star Callum Turner. Focus Features will later bring the fifth adaptation of the Jane Austen classic Sense and Sensibility to the screen, featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Fiona Shaw, and more.
But the most exciting romantic tale to come in the second half of 2026 is the conclusion of a beloved Netflix series, which has been praised endlessly for bringing representation and breaking down barriers for young people across the world. Of course, we’re talking about Alice Oseman‘s young-adult series Heartstopper, which first aired in 2022 and earned 53.46 million hours viewed in its first three weeks. Two years later, Season 2 drew 55.5 million hours viewed in the same amount of time, with Season 3 achieving similar success.
On July 17, the young love story between Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) will come to an end, as they face a pivotal crossroads on the cusp of adulthood. Directed by Wash Westmoreland, Heartstopper Forever promises one final touching chapter in this endearing story, sure to bring its audience to both tears and laughter. Joining Connor and Locke in the feature-length finale are William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, Rhea Norwood, and Leila Khan. A synopsis for the third season reads:
“Nick is soon leaving for university — which will push him and Charlie into a long-distance relationship. As Charlie says in the first few seconds of the trailer, above, they’re haunted by the idea that ‘everyone thinks teenage relationships don’t last.’ Will Nick and Charlie beat the odds?”
‘Heartstopper’ Is Growing Up
Oseman and co have been keen to increase the maturity of each season of Heartstopper, to reflect the in-world aging of their characters and the real-world aging of their fans. In the feature film, which sees Charlie and Nick about to blossom into adults, the maturity dial has been turned up once again, with more nuanced themes related to relationships ready to be discussed. “Heartstopper starts like a fairy tale and a bit idealistic, in a beautiful way that we all love,” said Oseman in an interview. “But in the film, we’re taking a slightly grittier look at romance and what it is to be in a long-term relationship. I find that fascinating and exciting.”
Heartstopper Forever debuts on July 17. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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2022 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Alice Oseman
- Directors
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euros lyn, Andy Newbery
- Writers
-
Alice Oseman
Entertainment
Taylor Swift’s Red Lip Stays in Place Thanks to a $24 Lip Liner
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Taylor Swift just proved lipstick isn’t the secret behind her signature red lip. While watching Taylor Swift’s End of an Era docuseries, I caught the songstress applying the Smashbox Be Legendary Line & Prime Lip Pencil in True Red. It was obvious to tell it’s one of her tried-and-true makeup products because the pencil was whittled away to a little nub — a true sign that this lip liner is well-loved.
This silky lip liner is made with ingredients you’d find in most hydrating lip balms, including sunflower seed and jojoba oils, that soften lips and keep them comfortable throughout the day — or 12 hours to be exact. The creamy formula also doesn’t tug or skip; it beautifully glides as you apply for a perfect outline every time.
Get the Smashbox Be Legendary Line & Prime Lip Pencil for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
As someone who has worked in the beauty industry for nearly a decade, I know that it doesn’t matter how long-lasting a lipstick formula is. The real trick to the perfect lip look is a smudge-proof lip liner base. Swift knows this, and it’s the real reason you never see her vibrant lip color bleeding outside of the lines.
Here’s the thing with lip liners, though: Using them is like a double-edged sword. Will lining your lips prior to swiping on lipstick make your pout impermeable? Yes. However, many lip pencil formulas are drying and can accentuate cracks and lines. The Smashbox one isn’t like other lip liners, though.
If you plan on wearing red lipstick, this liner in True Red is a necessary addition to your routine. That said, even if you aren’t wearing a red hue, it’s a good idea to stock a neutral color in your makeup bag — especially if you’re over 40.
As we age, our lips become drier and thinner with age, which results in annoying feathering when you apply lipstick. Older shoppers who have purchased this say it fixes the issue.
“This lip liner is a must have for older women who struggle with feathering or lipstick bleeding into lines around the lips,” one Amazon reviewer said. “It definitely helps to reduce that and keeps the lipstick on your lips, not in your wrinkles!”
If you’ve struggled with lipstick that fades, feathers, bleeds or smudges, the solution just might be the Smashbox Be Legendary Line & Prime Lip Pencil. I trust anything that Taylor Swift swears by, so I’m adding this to my cart STAT!
Get the Smashbox Be Legendary Line & Prime Lip Pencil for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Smashbox here and more lip liners here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Entertainment
Apple TV’s New Sci-Fi Spin-Off Is Perfect From Start to Finish
There is something to be said about a show that takes two distinct genres and blends them without one overshadowing or detracting from the other. Apple TV has seen some success recently with such shows after Widow’s Bay became a runaway hit. The Matthew Rhys-led series blends comedy with horror. And Widow’s Bay is not the only hit Apple TV show to combine two genres and still manage critical and viewer acclaim.
Several weeks ago, the streamer launched a gripping thriller that has taken over watchlists. This show is currently ranked in the top ten on Apple TV’s global streaming chart according to FlixPatrol. It can be best described as a perfect hybrid of FX‘s hit espionage thriller The Americans and Apple TV’s long-running sci-fi drama For All Mankind. It’s comparable with the former because it also takes place during the Cold War, as the West and the Soviet Union sought to outdo each other in every facet of life. One of the most heated competitions between the two sides was the space race, which is also explored in the show.
Titled Star City, it is not entirely fresh to Apple TV, as it is an offshoot of For All Mankind. But instead of focusing on a character or moving to a new location like other offshoots, Star City turns back the clock and returns to the period that started everything — the Moon Landing. Here, it takes viewers behind the Iron Curtain into the Soviet Space program that was run with great secrecy and crippling control by the KGB — and landed the first man on the moon. Instead of playing defense in suburbia, America goes on the offensive as tech and science become hot commodities.
‘Star City’ Builds a Cold, Paranoid Persona
Critics have praised the show for carving out its own identity rather than treading in For All Mankind’s footsteps. And with how out of love most of the flagship show’s viewership have found themselves in recent seasons, Star City read the writing on the wall and pivoted to being tense, paranoid, and cold. Collider’s Carly Lane called it the “best decision” for the show not to wash, rinse, and repeat, but instead to use every advantage of its setting to become something engaging. She praised its “distinct visuals, sharp performances, and compelling narrative” in her review of Star City Season 1.
Other critics had more or less the same to say about the show, with their consensus on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes declaring: “Taut, ambitious, and impressively self-assured, Star City proves a worthy expansion of the For All Mankind universe with its blend of political intrigue and human drama.” New episodes of the show stream on Apple TV on Fridays at 3 am ET. In next week’s episode, “Awl in a Sack,” Chief Designer’s (Rhys Ifans) crew is off to their secret mission on Venus while Irina (Agnes O’Casey) tries to save Tanya (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis), putting them both at risk.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
-
May 28, 2026
- Network
-
Apple TV
- Showrunner
-
Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert
Cast
-
-
Anna Maxwell Martin
Lyudmilla Raskova
-
Agnes O’Casey
Irina Morozova
-
Alice Englert
Anastasia Belikova
Entertainment
Netflix’s Biggest Taylor Sheridan Replacement Quietly Returns in 1 Month
Taylor Sheridan is no stranger to the streaming summit. In fact, it would be noticeably strange for a Sheridan series not to be the most-watched at any given time on Paramount+. Right now, the latest project from his ever-expanding Yellowstone universe is topping the charts, as millions tune in to see Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) face Ranch rivalry in their new life in South Texas. With just two episodes left until the season finale, Dutton Ranch proves once more that the Western genre is a sure-fire route to streaming success.
With most Sheridan projects on Paramount+, rival streamers will have to find their Western success elsewhere. On Netflix, this came in the form of Ransom Canyon, a Texas Hill Country-set series created by April Blair. First released in 2025, Ransom Canyon was an instant hit, debuting at #2 on Netflix’s English-language charts with 56.6 million hours viewed. This success continued to rise in the following weeks, eventually leading to a jaw-dropping 1.12 billion viewing hours earned in its initial release period.
Next month, on July 23, Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly‘s Staten Kirkland and Quinn O’Grady will return in a hotly anticipated second season of Ransom Canyon. Creator Blair has teased what fans can expect in the second season, which will feature a six-month time-jump from Season 1. “Love is at the forefront this season, and it’s really about people fighting for those relationships and fighting to figure out how to be with the person they want to be with,” Blair said, also saying:
“Season 1 was fighting these outside forces that were coming in and threatening a way of life. Season 2 is really about community, rebuilding in the wake of that, and coming together. There’s definitely a lightness and hopefulness in Season 2.”
What Is Currently Topping the Netflix Charts?
Before Ransom Canyon inevitably makes its quick rise back to the streaming summit next month, what movies and shows are currently proving popular? At the time of writing, the most-watched series on Netflix is actually a reality show, namely Outlast: The Jungle, the third season in the Outlast series, which sees 16 new contestants battle it out in the tropical jungle of the Panama Islands. On the movie side of the streaming ranks, it’s another work of non-fiction topping the charts, courtesy of director Jessica Dimmock‘s Maternal Instinct.
Ransom Canyon returns to Netflix on July 23, 2026, with Season 1 available to stream in full right now. For more of the latest streaming news, make sure to stay tuned to Collider.
- Release Date
-
April 17, 2025
- Network
-
Netflix
- Showrunner
-
April Blair
- Directors
-
Amanda Marsalis
- Writers
-
April Blair
Entertainment
Reese Witherspoon Reunites With Legally Blonde Cast
Reese Witherspoon celebrated the 25th anniversary of her iconic movie Legally Blonde by reuniting with the original cast, including Jennifer Coolidge and Selma Blair.
The Legally Blonde trio walked the red carpet at Hall Des Lumieres in New York City on Saturday, June 20, as part of the Elle World pop-up event to promote Amazon Prime Video’s prequel series Elle, which features newcomer Lexi Minetree as a younger version of Witherspoon’s character Elle Woods.
Witherspoon, 50, Blair, 53 and Coolidge, 64, were joined by their Legally Blonde castmates Ali Larter, Matthew Davis and Victor Garber, along with new Elle stars Minetree, 25, and Elle Woods’ onscreen parents June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott.
As the red carpet event got underway, Witherspoon shared a special moment via her Instagram Story where she got to pose with Minetree. Witherspoon paired a pink satin midi dress with Miss Z pumps while Minetree went for a glittery pink skirt.

The casts of “Elle” and “Legally Blonde” at Elle-World. Theo Wargo/Getty Images
“Passing the pink torch and it feels so good,” Witherspoon wrote.
The upcoming Elle series takes place before Woods became a Harvard law student, focusing instead on her high school years in 1990s Seattle. Witherspoon executive produced the prequel comedy series, which will premiere on July 1 on Prime Video.
Witherspoon officially announced the project in May 2024, teasing. “I had this crazy idea that the world might want to know the origin story of Elle Woods. So, here I am to officially tell you the most amazing news ever, which is that we’re going back to high school with Elle.”
“Before she became the most famous Gemini vegetarian to graduate from Harvard Law School, she was just a regular ‘90s high school girl. And thanks to Amazon and Hello Sunshine, all of you are going to get to know her in this new series on Amazon Prime Video,” she added. “I’m so excited.”
Amazon promoted the impending launch of the Legally Blonde prequel with Saturday’s Elle-World, which the company described as “a one-day NYC event bringing the world Elle Woods to life through experiential activations, exclusive merchandise, and can’t-miss surprises.”
Meanwhile, Blair — who played Elle Woods’ romantic rival Vivian Kensington in the 2001 movie — recently opened up exclusively to Us Weekly about some of the memorable red carpet looks she wore to promote the classic comedy.
“I remember styling myself only, like, it never occurred to me to have a stylist,” Blair told Us in April. “I do remember that about that time, I just liked something, and I’d go to the store and I’d buy it, or go to the store and be like, ‘Hi, can you dress me?’ It was just a different time. I thought it was wild when people put makeup on for [a] premiere or style it.”
She went on, “That’s a young girl’s idea, though, because you realize five years later, I need makeup. I did makeup for that premiere and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, such a big deal.’”
Entertainment
Forget James Bond, This Gripping WWI Spy Series Is Your Next HBO Max Obsession
One of the most popular spy film franchises is set to make an epic comeback in a few years with Denis Villeneuve’s James Bond film, expected to arrive sometime in 2028. The leading man has yet to be chosen to succeed Daniel Craig, who last portrayed the iconic MI6 agent in 2021’s No Time to Die, marking his fifth and final appearance in the role. As the debate continues over who should inherit the mantle, now seems like the perfect time to revisit other spy franchises, including a fellow British favorite with as much potential as the James Bond films.
Inspired by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons’ comic book series, Kingsman originated in 2012 with its first film, Kingsman: The Secret Service, hitting theaters three years later. The film, directed by English filmmaker Matthew Vaughn from a script he co-wrote with Jane Goldman, starred Colin Firth and Taron Egerton, both of whom reprised their roles in the sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Another feature film followed in 2021, serving as a prequel, but it failed to reach the heights of its predecessors, nearly ending the acclaimed franchise.
Titled The King’s Man, the spy action film appears to have found redemption on global streaming. According to FlixPatrol, the movie ranked among the top ten most-watched films on HBO Max this week, fluctuating between the fifth and sixth positions. Several international territories — including Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania — have also seen The King’s Man climb to the number one spot on their charts. Vaughn returned to direct the film, based on a story by him and a screenplay he co-wrote with Karl Gajdusek.
‘The King’s Man’ Almost Ended Its Acclaimed Spy Franchise
With a budget of $95–100 million, The King’s Man grossed $37.2 million in the United States and Canada, along with $88.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $126 million. That made it the lowest-grossing feature film in the franchise. On top of that, it was a critical disappointment, with a 41% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 183 reviews and an average score of 5.1/10. However, audiences appeared to enjoy the film more, as its Popcornmeter score stands at an impressive 80% based on more than 1,000 verified ratings.
Featured in The King’s Man’s ensemble cast are Ralph Fiennes as Orlando Oxford, the founding Kingsman Arthur; Gemma Arterton as Polly Wilkins, a maid and member of Orlando’s spy network who is also founding Kingsman Galahad; Rhys Ifans as Grigori Rasputin, an agent and second-in-command of The Shepherd; Matthew Goode as a devious Scotsman posing as an English officer in the British Army, Max Morton (a.k.a., The Shepherd).
The King’s Man streams on HBO Max.
- Release Date
-
December 22, 2021
- Runtime
-
131 Minutes
- Director
-
Matthew Vaughn
Entertainment
Taylor Sheridan’s 13-Part ‘Yellowstone’ Sequel Is Officially Taking Over the World
Taylor Sheridan is the king of modern-day streaming, as the man behind a selection of the most-watched shows in the world. It all started with the ambitious Yellowstone, and has since expanded into the likes of Landman, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, and The Madison. Next on the agenda for the prolific producer is a novel, titled How to Not Die in Prison, which will be released on June 23 by Simon & Schuster.
“I’ve never been to prison. But, like every man, I’ve certainly wondered how I would survive if circumstances ever put me there,” Sheridan said about the book, which he has co-written with Tom Nelson, a man who knows exactly what it’s like to live behind bars, having spent 17 years in maximum and medium-security prisons. In anticipation of How to Not Die in Prison‘s arrival, fans continue to binge the smorgasbord of Sheridan shows on streaming, and, in doing so, have helped one of his newer projects reach an impressive milestone.
The first broadcast procedural in the Yellowstone universe, Marshals, debuted earlier this year to impressive viewing figures, with the premiere drawing 20.6 million multiplatform viewers over its first seven days. This helped the series become the most-watched new broadcast show of the season, as millions tuned in to see Luke Grimes return as Kayce in the shadow of selling the ranch to Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). Shortly after the premiere of Season 1, and thanks to instant success, Marshals was picked up for Season 2, with production having already begun.
‘Marshals’ Hits an Impressive Streaming Milestone
Almost a month since Marshals‘ first season finale, the series has hit a major streaming milestone, officially crossing 100 days on the Paramount+ charts in the U.S. However, the series can’t overcome the current crown-holder on Paramount+: Dutton Ranch. One of Sheridan’s darkest projects yet, the series recently aired its seventh episode, “Den of Sin,” and has been a mainstay at the top of the U.S. streaming charts. Following Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) move to a new life in South Texas, the show neatly expands the Yellowstone canon without feeling tied to any source material, allowing for creative freedom and plenty of twists and turns.
Marshals Season 1 is available to stream in full now on Paramount+. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Showrunner
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Spencer Hudnut
- Writers
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Spencer Hudnut, Tom Mularz, Dana Greenblatt
Entertainment
Olympian David Hearn Arrested for Touching Lincoln Memorial Pool
Olympian David Hearn was arrested for allegedly touching the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amid President Donald Trump’s allegations that vandalism occurred at the monument.
The canoeist, 67, told the Washington Post on Saturday, June 20, that he was taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor destruction of government property the previous day and detained for five hours before eventually being released. Hearn has been ordered to answer the charge in a Washington D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
Per Hearn, he wrapped up a 52-mile bike ride by stopping by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has undergone a controversial $14 million renovation project to paint the bottom of the pool “American flag blue.” The athlete said he noticed a section of detached liner and reached inside the water to see what the piece felt like.
“I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything,” he told the Post. “By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
He added, “I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece. It was still attached to the bottom. I didn’t remove anything.”
The 2000 Summer Olympics canoeist stressed that he “didn’t vandalize anything.”
Conservative Emily Miller shared footage of Hearn’s arrest, though she claimed that he’d “grabbed the hose that female National Park Service workers were using to clear the algae.” Hearn denied those accusations, though he acknowledged that his bicycle may have touched the hose.
Us Weekly has reached out to the U.S. Park Police for comment.
This incident occurred hours before Trump, 80, claimed via TruthSocial that vandals were responsible for deterioration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
“We’ve cleaned, renovated, and beautified over 45 Monuments and Memorials, 28 Statues, and 22 Fountains in Washington,D.C.,” the president wrote on Friday, June 19. “Things are really looking good in our Nation’s Capital, and add to that the fact that when I became president, Crime was rampant, and now, Washington, D.C., is one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the United States.”

Park Service employees use vacuums to remove green algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
He went on, “However, we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial. Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.”
The New York Times reported on Friday that the pool seemed to be rejecting elements of its renovation, with excessive peeling, “chunks of coating” and sections of “American flag blue” visible to visitors amid an ongoing algae problem.
Trump insisted that saboteurs somehow used chemicals “to destroy and demean our beautiful work,” though those accusations have not been proven.
“It’s a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so,” the president added on Friday. “Law Enforcement is actively investigating this situation, and will hopefully have it resolved soon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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