Low fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that refers to monsters or aspects of magic that intersect with the real world. A good example of this is the Harry Potter series. The series is set in the British Isles, on the same planet we call Earth, albeit in a very different version of it where an entire magical world exists, yet is hidden from non-magical folk.

Most times, these shows feature magic systems, albeit they aren’t always heavily elaborated on. Or at least, not the same way that they would be if it were a high fantasy TV show. Still, these magic systems do exist in low fantasy shows, and they definitely deserve more attention. These are the best magic systems in the low fantasy subgenre.

‘Carnivàle’ (2003–2005)

Image via HBO

Carnivàle is a TV show that is unapologetically weird, but it does it so well. The series is set in the U.S. Dust Bowl of the 1930s. As if the Great Depression weren’t making things hard enough, the Dust Bowl made it so that crops were having a hard time growing. The story follows a traveling carnival, and draws upon heavy inspiration from Christian folklore, especially the mystery surrounding the Knights Templar.

Magic can only be accessed by people known as Avatars, but it isn’t free. Each magical action must be supported by an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if an Avatar wanted to heal a mortal wound, they would need to kill somebody else in order to balance it out. This is true whether the Avatar serves the Light or the Darkness. This is such a great system because it has clearly established rules, and is based on actual laws of physics. It also means that each magical action has actual gravity and weight to it — magic can’t be used all willy-nilly like it can in other series.

‘Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell’ (2015)

Image via BBC One

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a miniseries set in an alternate version of the Napoleonic Wars, which occurred at the beginning of the 19th century. In this alternate version of the world, magic isn’t just speculation — it’s an established reality that it does exist, yet its usage is highly discouraged by society and is rarely used in practical settings. So while it does exist, it’s still seen as taboo due to established religious customs.

While the details of the magic system aren’t elaborated upon too, too much, what is revealed is pretty interesting. It’s almost treated like a science. It’s documented in books, kept in archives, and experimented on by professionals, much like how labs would carry out scientific experiments on newly-discovered chemicals. All that is known about it to the audience is that it is tied to the English language, and to the land of England itself. This show presents a fascinating take on magic, as most fantasy shows will revere magic users, but in this one, they are shunned.

‘A Discovery of Witches’ (2018–2022)

Image via Sky One

A Discovery of Witches, believe it or not, is about witches. Naturally, this means a lot of magic is going to come into play here. The story is about a forbidden relationship between a witch and a vampire, who bond over a newly-rediscovered manuscript, one which could determine the fate of the world if it were to fall into the wrong hands.

There are two ways magic works in this series. The first concerns a group known as the Weavers. Weavers can create spells from scratch, pretty much at will, using the elements of air, fire, earth, and water. They twist and pull the elemental threads, tying them into knots to create a spell or conjure a familiar. On the other hand, traditional spell-casting relies on spells already established by Weavers, which can be cast by speaking an incantation. However, this has its limits, as if the threads degrade or another witch binds the magic, its effect will not be as powerful. This is such a great magic system because there are actual limitations, and there seems to be a clear-cut picture of how it actually works.

‘Talamasca: The Secret Order’ (2025)

Image via AMC

Talamasca: The Secret Order is the third series in the newly-emerging multiverse of TV shows based on the works of Anne Rice. This one is about a psychic who is invited to join the secret order of Talamasca, an ancient covenant that monitors and controls immortal beings and the undead, including vampires, ghosts, and werewolves.

The magic in this show isn’t anything explosive or traditional. There are no spells to cast, no magical incantations, and no familiars to conjure. Instead, magic is performed via telepathy and psychic mind control, using the undead as tools to carry out deeds. It is also used in elaborate rituals, which are often multistep processes and difficult to execute. This one might not be clearly defined or rigid, but it’s cool because it shows that magic does have limitations. It can be used to control a ghost or communicate telepathically, but don’t expect to be able to turn anyone into a frog.

‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)

Image via Starz

American Gods is about a group of magic users called Old Gods. The Old Gods are having a bit of an existential crisis, because they are quickly being replaced by New Gods, in the form of rapidly-advancing technology and mass media. Desperate to defend their existence, the Old Gods must band together, despite their differences and disagreements.

Magic in this show isn’t based on an inherent ability — that’s only part of it. While the Old Gods might be able to use magic, their inner strength is directly tied to their followers. Their power begins to wane if they lose followers, or don’t have people sacrificing things for them. This is the reason the whole plot happens: because people are stopping their worship of the Old Gods, their power is beginning to decrease, paving the way for the New Gods to come in. It’s an interesting concept, one that’s pretty unique, considering most magic systems are dependent either on external, inanimate sources like energy, or on one’s innate strength. It’s also great because it addresses a real-world theory that many people follow: that gods only have the power that their followers give them.

‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)

Image via SYFY

The Magicians is a forgotten fantasy series about a student who enrolls at a university with the intention of becoming a magician. Mind you, this is the realistic form of a magician, meaning he is basically there to learn how to do card tricks and pull rabbits out of hats. Once he gets there, though, he discovers that actual, proper magic is real, and that the magical world is in a precarious spot, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance.

The magic system in this show is another classic one that isn’t particularly unique. Spells are cast by speaking the incantation in a dead language, usually Old Slavonic or Latin, and then performing a specific hand gesture. Because of this, using magic doesn’t only require intellect; it requires physical dexterity and emotional fortitude, as well. The source of the magic comes from the Wellspring, a cosmic reservoir outside the known bounds of the universe. Magicians just act as catalysts for this Wellspring, tearing a hole in the fabric of reality itself to bring the power of the Wellspring forth. Like many low fantasy magic systems, it’s simple, and not particularly original, but there’s a reason they worked in the first place.

‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)

Merlin is about Arthurian legend, specifically about the eponymous wizard, played by Colin Morgan. Normally, movies or shows about Arthurian legend depict Merlin as a grouchy old fuddy-duddy with a long, silvery beard, blue robes adorned with stars and moons, and a matching tall, pointy hat. In this show, though, Merlin is a much younger individual, who is just discovering his magical prowess.

The magic system in this show is pretty classic. Spells can only be cast by sorcerers, who are born with their gift. To cast a spell, one must speak the incantation, which is in the language of the Old Religion, similar to Old English. In order to learn these spells, sorcerers must study grimoires extensively. Not everybody can use magic, however. Those who aren’t born with the ability will never be able to learn it, so it’s only a select few who can use it. It might be an old and not very unique magic system, but it’s a classic for a reason. It’s simple, but it feels arcane and ancient in all the right ways.

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Merlin

Release Date

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2008 – 2012

Network

BBC One

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Showrunner

Julian Jones

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Directors

Jeremy Webb, Alice Troughton, David Moore, Justin Molotnikov, Ashley Way, Alex Pillai, James Hawes, Metin Hüseyin, Ed Fraiman, Stuart Orme

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With Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 currently in production, some set photos have recently emerged that should build even more excitement for the show’s return. While Finn Jones has already been confirmed to be reprising his role as Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist, the new images reveal Jones’ Danny alongside Mike Colter‘s Luke Cage as well as Luke’s daughter, Danielle. While the reunion of the Defenders in Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 is thrilling on its own, the reaction of fans should be a signal to Marvel that it might be time to revisit the idea of a potential spin-off for these characters.

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Brought Two MCU Heroes Back Into the Fold

It may have taken some time, but Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 doubled as a revival for Marvel’s Netflix shows with the return of the superpowered private investigator, Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), as well as Colter’s Luke Cage, who appears via cameo in the Season 2 finale, “The Southern Cross.” The episode reveals that the character’s absence was the result of classified undercover work for the CIA at the behest of the morally ambiguous Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard), but Charles released Luke from his obligations, replacing him with the volatile Benjamin Poindexter, aka Bullseye (Wilson Bethel). Season 2 additionally confirms that not only have Luke and Jessica rekindled their romance, but they also have a daughter named Danielle.

Luke and Jessica’s final scene in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 also ends with Jessica officially reopening her business, Alias Investigations, in Hell’s Kitchen. Pair that with the long-awaited return of Jones’ Danny Rand, first revealed in previous Season 3 set photos as reported by Entertainment Weekly, and Marvel TV has the perfect recipe for a spin-off series that could serve as a direct sequel to 2017’s The Defenders.

A ‘Heroes for Hire’ Spin-Off Could Fill In Even More Gaps From Marvel’s Netflix Era

In Marvel Comics, Heroes for Hire was a licensed small business run by Luke and Danny, where the duo offered their own brand of investigative and protective services. Besides being the perfect way for Colter, Jones, and Ritter to reprise their respective roles, a potential spin-off could fill in many narrative blanks — like what brought Jessica and Luke back together. Although the one-time couple did make amends in The Defenders, the Jessica Jones Season 3 finale, “A.K.A. Everything,” seemed to indicate that they’d elected to remain on more platonic terms. Obviously, a great deal transpired with Luke and Jessica in the gap between the end of Jessica Jones and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, so a Heroes for Hire spin-off could flesh out those details via flashbacks.

Similarly, a spin-off could reveal what Jones’ Danny Rand has been up to ever since Iron Fist ended after its second season in 2018. The last fans saw of him, he was searching for an individual named Orson Randall, who previously held the title of Iron Fist in the comics. Has Danny regained the mantle, or does it still belong to Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) after she gained the powers of the Iron Fist from Davos (Sacha Dhawan) in Season 2?

Finn Jones’ Danny Rand Can Finally Suit Up in ‘Heroes for Hire’

Image via Netflix

A Heroes for Hire spin-off could also finally deliver on something else MCU fans have wanted for years: Danny Rand donning the Iron Fist costume for the first time in live-action. There were some teases and allusions to the costume in the character’s Netflix series, but over two seasons, Danny never had the chance to wear his full Iron Fist regalia. Other set images for Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 have revealed that Bullseye will wear his most comic-accurate suit yet, so Heroes for Hire could follow suit with a comics-accurate Iron Fist costume for Danny.

Marvel Television hasn’t officially announced any plans for a spin-off, but the concept makes all the sense in the world. With the original leads of Marvel’s Netflix shows now reassembled for Daredevil: Born Again Season 3, a Heroes for Hire series represents both the perfect payoff to their original arcs and a satisfying continuation of their stories in ways that fans have been waiting for.

Two weeks ago, the legendary Steven Spielberg finally returned to the sci-fi genre after almost a decade with Disclosure Day. Opening at #1 at the North American box office and turning in just shy of $100 million, the film surprised many and is a hit with critics and audiences, albeit not without its detractors. The film stars the likes of Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place), Josh O’Connor (Challengers), and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), and is based on a story by Spielberg and a screenplay by David Koepp.

Likely to be one of the best sci-fi movies of this summer, Disclosure Day is yet another reminder of how the genre and the cinematic form go together like salt and pepper. Back in 2015, one of the best sci-fi movies of the decade was released courtesy of Alex Garland, defining the early era of A24 in the process. Starring the likes of Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina earned just shy of $40 million at the box office against a reported budget of just $13 million, becoming the highest-grossing A24 movie of all time worldwide, although this record has since been broken several times.

Ex Machina became an instant hit with critics, with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff one of many who saw just how special this sci-fi gem was. In her review of the movie at SXSW in 2015, Nemiroff said, “Ex Machina is a strong feature and a huge achievement in a number of ways.” She added, “There’s a surprising amount of very effective humor courtesy of Isaac’s character, there’s an extremely riveting scenario at the core of the film, and there’s also tons of stunning visual work to admire as well.” Next month, you can try this masterpiece for free, as it becomes available to stream on Plex on July 1.

A Sci-Fi Movie Joined the Box Office Race This Weekend

Described as “a big science fiction epic film” by producer James Gunn, Milly Alcock’s debut as Supergirl flew onto global screens this weekend, after receiving a hugely mixed reception from critics. Based on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the 2021–2022 comic series by writer Tom King and artist Bilquis Evely, hope was high that all involved could follow on from the success of the David Corenswet-led Superman. Alas, if first reviews are to be believed, this will go down as one of the most underwhelming box office blockbusters this summer.

Ex Machina will be available to stream on Plex this July. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

April 24, 2015

Runtime

108 minutes

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Director

Alex Garland

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Writers

Alex Garland

Producers

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Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald

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Angelina Jolie is reportedly ready for the next chapter in her years-long legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt. Despite Pitt recently scoring several courtroom victories in the ongoing dispute over their French winery, Château Miraval, a member of Angelina Jolie’s legal team says the actress remains confident as the case heads toward trial in 2027.

According to a statement provided to PEOPLE, Jolie’s attorney insisted that Pitt’s recent legal wins have not changed the core of the case. “Have made no impact on the merits of the case, and certainly has no impact on Ms. Jolie’s case,” the lawyer said.

Instead, Jolie is reportedly focused on bringing the lengthy dispute to a close. The attorney added that the actress is “looking forward to defeating the case at trial next year so that their family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving on.”

Brad Pitt Scores Key Legal Victory In Winery Battle

Jolie’s comments come after Pitt secured a significant win in the ongoing fight over Château Miraval, the French estate and winery the former couple once owned together.

A California appeals court recently ruled that Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler can be pulled further into the lawsuit after previously arguing he had little involvement in the 2021 deal that saw Jolie sell her stake in the winery. Pitt has long maintained that he and Jolie had an agreement that neither would sell their share without the other’s consent. Jolie has disputed that claim.

The actor originally filed suit in 2022, alleging that Jolie secretly sold her interest in the winery to Shefler’s company despite knowing he opposed the transaction. As part of the latest ruling, members of the Stoli Group, which is connected to the purchase, are expected to sit for depositions later this year.

Angelina Jolie Sold Her Share Of Château Miraval In 2021

The legal dispute stems from Jolie’s decision to sell her stake in Château Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group. Pitt has alleged that the sale damaged the business and brought in an unwanted partner.

“The wine business associated with the French château has also suffered, as the business has been stymied by the dispute between the château’s indirect shareholders and by Stoli’s repeated efforts to interfere with, and gain control of, the château,” the court docs claim.

Meanwhile, in previous court filings, Jolie’s legal team accused Pitt of waging a “vindictive war” over the winery and attempting to maintain control of the property. The estate has become one of the final unresolved issues between the former spouses following years of legal battles.

The Former Couple Finalized Their Divorce, But Not Their Legal War

Pitt and Jolie married in 2014 after years together and separated just two years later. Although the pair were declared legally single in 2019, negotiations surrounding their divorce continued for years. In late 2024, reports confirmed the former spouses had finally reached a divorce settlement, ending one of Hollywood’s longest-running divorce battles.

“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,” Jolie’s lawyer James Simon told PEOPLE in a statement. “This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

However, their fight over Château Miraval remains ongoing.

The Couple’s Children Have Largely Distanced Themselves From Brad Pitt

The former couple share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox.

Their eldest son, Maddox, reportedly took steps in 2026 to formally remove “Pitt” from his legal name. Daughter Zahara also made headlines after filing paperwork earlier this year to drop the surname, while Shiloh legally removed “Pitt” from her hyphenated last name shortly after turning 18.

The couple’s youngest daughter, Vivienne, has also appeared to embrace her mother’s surname professionally, opting to be credited as “Vivienne Jolie” during her work on Broadway. Meanwhile, twins Knox and Vivienne have generally been viewed as being closer to Jolie amid the family’s ongoing tensions.

Pax is reportedly the only one of the former couple’s children who still maintains some contact with members of Pitt’s extended family and continues to use the double surname.

More than 30 years after Nicole Brown Simpson‘s murder shocked the nation, a man who once loved her is shedding new light on what he claims many people already knew about O.J. Simpson behind closed doors. Joseph Perrulli, who dated Nicole in 1992 following her separation from O.J., is opening up about his relationship with Nicole in a new book, claiming he witnessed the lasting fear she lived with amid allegations of abuse involving O.J. Simpson.

Joseph Perrulli recently reflected on their relationship and claimed the former NFL star’s alleged abuse was widely known throughout Hollywood. “I had people in the [movie] industry telling me about, you know, informing me about his abuse, so I knew,” Perrulli told Page Six.

According to Perrulli, there was a sense that few people were willing or able to challenge Simpson at the height of his fame. “We were all powerless,” he explained. “He was still a spokesperson for a very big company [Hertz], a rental car company, and he was still a sportscaster. So, you know, everybody was powerless, and it seemed like he could do what he wanted. And he did.”

Perrulli claimed Nicole confided in him about the violence she allegedly experienced during her relationship with Simpson. According to the businessman, Nicole told him she feared for her safety after being beaten so severely by her ex-husband.

The pair began dating after Nicole’s split from Simpson, whom she married in 1985 and with whom she had two children: daughter Sydney and son Justin. Although Nicole and O.J. divorced in 1992, their relationship remained complicated, and they later reconciled.

Perrulli said he was deeply in love with Nicole but became increasingly alarmed by Simpson’s behavior during their relationship.

A Disturbing Dream Marked The End Of Their Relationship

Among the experiences Perrulli says convinced him to step away from the relationship were allegations that Simpson monitored him and Nicole while they spent time together. He claimed he learned that the former football star had watched them at Nicole’s Brentwood home and had even followed them while they were jogging. Still, Perrulli said the defining moment came in the form of a disturbing dream.

According to his account, he dreamed that he and Nicole were driving together when their vehicle plunged off a cliff, killing them both. The following morning, he gathered keepsakes from their relationship, placed them in a briefcase, hid it, and began distancing himself from Nicole. Despite his feelings for her, he said he felt he had no other choice.

Their Final Meeting Happened Months Before Nicole’s Death

Perrulli said the last time he saw Nicole was during the Christmas season in 1993 at a holiday gathering hosted by the Jenner family. “She wanted to be friends,” Perrulli explained. “It was very difficult to be friends with her when I was in love with her, trying to maintain a platonic relationship like that.”

The reunion was especially uncomfortable because Nicole attended with Simpson. Still, Perrulli believed they would eventually reconnect. “I would see her again. I would apologize, but I got the phone call six months later that she’d been murdered.”

Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed outside her Los Angeles home in June 1994.

O.J. Simpson’s Legacy Remains Tied To The Case

The former Buffalo Bills star was arrested and charged with the murders, but was acquitted in the highly publicized criminal trial in 1995. A year later, a civil jury found Simpson liable for the deaths.

Long before Nicole’s murder, police had responded to multiple domestic violence incidents involving the couple. During a 1989 incident, Nicole reportedly told officers she feared Simpson was going to kill her. Simpson later pleaded no contest to spousal abuse.

He died in 2024 at the age of 76.

Why Joseph Perrulli Decided To Tell His Story

Perrulli has now chronicled his relationship with Nicole in a book titled “The Forgotten Briefcase.” He said he never intended to write about their time together, but changed his mind after rediscovering the briefcase in 2024.

“I spent close to four hours on the stairs rediscovering this woman and and and realizing who she was,” he shared. “All these little mementos. I’d say they humanized her. She was a victim. And because of the way we broke things off, I. I ignored how much I loved her.”

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For Perrulli, the memories ultimately inspired him to revisit a chapter of his life that ended in tragedy and to share a side of Nicole Brown Simpson that he believes the public never truly knew.

‘Love Island USA’ has the internet in a frenzy. Friday night’s Casa Amor recoupling delivered shocking twists, broken trust, and emotional confrontations as Islanders made their final decisions about whether to reunite with their original partners or pursue new connections. The dramatic episode quickly sparked heated debates across social media, with fans divided over several key moments. Among those joining the conversation was actress Marsai Martin, whose reaction to the explosive recoupling prompted social media users to weigh in with their own opinions.

RELATED: Girl’s Girl! Megan Thee Stallion Shows Love To ‘Love Island USA’ Contestant Trinity After Emotional Casa Amor Moment (WATCH) 

‘Love Island USA’ Casa Amor Recoupling Sparks Heated Confrontations

On Friday, June 27, ‘Love Island USA’ had one of its most explosive moments of the season thus far. Friday’s episode marked the end of Casa Amor, giving Islanders the opportunity to either remain loyal to their original partners or recouple with someone new after days of exploring new relationships.

One of the night’s biggest moments came when Aniya chose to remain loyal to KC, only for him to return to the villa alongside Casa Amor bombshell Tiera. After the recoupling, KC explained that his decision was about “choosing himself,” a statement that quickly fueled tension throughout the villa. The emotional moment prompted several of the women in the villa to rally behind Aniya. As emotions ran high, a heated exchange between Trinity and Tiera quickly unfolded, leaving viewers stunned. The confrontation spread across social media, with many users joking that the dating series had started to resemble an episode of ‘Baddies’.

Marsai Martin Shares Her Thoughts On The Explosive Episode

As conversations surrounding KC and Aniya’s relationship continued online, viewers remained split over whether KC made the right decision. Some fans argued that KC had every right to explore new connections during Casa Amor and return with the person he felt was the better match. Others believed he misled Aniya throughout the experience and unfairly left her single and vulnerable during one of the villa’s most emotional moments. Actress Marsai Martin also joined the online discussion sharing her thoughts on her Instagram Story, writing, “@loveislandusa y’all got me defending MEN. I’m annoyed 😭”

Social Media Weighs In

Marsai Martin’s post quickly circulated online, with fans debating whether they agreed with her perspective on the episode over in The Shade Room Teens comment section.

Instagram user @josephhamir wrote, “Marsai…you’re losing me bro wait a minute 😭 Are we all watching the same show??? Like are some of y’all genuinely watching with your ears closed half the time KC is not in the right 😂 At the end of the day Trinity deserved to say her peace bc he had so much to say about her and Bryce, yea more licks for you KC.”

Another Instagram user @nivsiaq wrote, “There’s nothing wrong with KC exploring but how he went about it is wildd.”

While Instagram user @kvnnedydasia wrote, “So… what he said about Aniya was all okay? as if the girls wasn’t gonna attack him after they all heard it?”

Instagram user @drakelyn0 wrote, “Close your ears then. Matter fact just don’t tune in 😭 titi did the absolute most! Then her laughing when Aniya went to cry solidified everything.”

Another Instagram user @tkthomasss wrote, “Marsai being a bird was not on my bingo card 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @yosidthekid wrote, “Like y’all can’t tell me the villa girls were not doing the f**** most.”

Instagram user @the_infamous_ashley wrote, “No seriously how yall mad he picked who he liked its giving what ya’ll did last season with Taylor. Like isn’t that the point of love island”

Another Instagram user @diam0nddd_ wrote, “Oh wow I never thought I’d see the day where I had to call Ms. Marsai an airhead”

While Instagram user @1cysag wrote, “I liked you Marsai I really did…”

RELATED: Lizzo’s ‘Love Island USA’ Elimination Take Sparks Debate As Fans Rally Behind Melanie (VIDEO)

Political commentator Meghan McCain is weighing in on the intentionally false abuse claims against former presidential candidate Pete Buttegieg.

“Absolutely horrified at what happened to @PeteButtegieg and his family,” the former The View cohost, 41, wrote via X on Saturday, June 27. “I am so sick of dirty, cruel politics and am truly deeply upset by the involvement of his children. It is wildly f***ed up.”

She concluded, “This world has to do better.”

On Friday, June 26, the former secretary of transportation, 44, revealed that he had been the target of an intentionally fake abuse claim to child protective services (CPS), resulting in an investigation.

“Someone decided to hurt our family this week,” Buttigieg wrote via Substack. “They explained that there had been an allegation against me, that it concerned our 4-year-old twins and that a forensic interview had been arranged for the children the following day. I could not be present at the children’s interview, nor could any family member sit in.”

Buttigieg shares twins Penelope and Gus with his husband, Chasten Buttigieg. The pair married in June 2018, making Pete one of the most prolific openly gay politicians in American politics. As such, he has also been subjected to anti-LGBTQ attacks.

“I was bewildered and troubled, but tried to stay calm,” Pete continued in his Substack post. “I’m used to any number of falsehoods, attacks and serious problems being thrown my way. What I didn’t understand was what could have led to this kind of visit. Then, the CPS worker told me something that made my stomach turn: I was not to be alone around the children, at least until the interview took place the next day.”

As a result of the investigation, the former Mayor of Sound Bend, Indiana, was forced to leave his two children with their grandparents.

“The 24 hours until they returned are among the darkest hours of my life,” he wrote. “I tried to get my head around the idea that I had been accused of something so serious that I couldn’t be alone around my own children and had consented to have them interviewed by strangers, without my knowing where the accusation had come from or even what it contained.”

After the investigation and interview, authorities told Pete that the abuse claim was made by an “anonymous” individual.

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“The caller said that he had spoken to a woman who claimed to have met me at a conference several years ago in Alabama, where she said I told her that I had committed unspeakable violent crimes, and the caller believed my children were still at risk,” Pete claimed. “That was all. The officer had a couple of obvious questions. He asked if I had been to a town where the woman claimed she had met me. I have not. Then, the officer made clear that he believed this was politically motivated, and said it would not be referred to a prosecutor.”

Neither the law enforcement officials nor CPS found evidence to substantiate the accuser’s allegation, meaning that Pete could resume watching his kids “unsupervised.”

“Now, our family is left to deal with the aftermath,” Pete stated in his essay. “I worry about any unseen effects this had on our kids, on Chasten and me and on the rest of our family. Even though the accusation was absurdly and obviously false, and was promptly rejected by law enforcement, I still worry about the harm it has done.”

Dean McDermott is celebrating a milestone in his sobriety journey.

“WOW we wee WOW!! 3 years!! Couldn’t have done it without my Family, Friends, Fellowship, Sponsor and a 12 step program!!” McDermott, 59, wrote via Instagram on Friday, June 26. “It all started with surrendering and asking for help.”

He continued, “The best decision I’ve ever made. If you’re struggling, reach out. I love you all.”

McDermott also uploaded a video, calling himself “clean Dean” and proclaiming that he is in good spirits.

Related: Dean McDermott Celebrates 1 Year of Sobriety: ‘A Beautiful Life Awaits’

Dean McDermott has a reason to celebrate after reaching one year of sobriety. The actor, 57, took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 2, to commemorate the milestone moment, writing, “Last week was an incredible week of love, hugs and recovery. Thank you to my Sponsor, my Sponsee Brothers and everyone in the fellowship for celebrating […]

“Today, June 26, I celebrate three years being clean and sober. Yes, it can be done,” he said. “I want to let you know out there if you’re suffering and you’re in pain [that] it can be done. If I can do it, you can do it. It starts by reaching out your hand and asking for help.”

McDermott continued, “I know in your darkest days that seems like Mount Everest to do that, but reach out. … Ask for help, it’s OK. You can’t do this thing alone, none of us can.”

McDermott, who stopped drinking following his 2023 divorce from Tori Spelling, initially blamed the demise of his marriage on his continued substance abuse issues.

“Alcohol made me feel good enough. I started feeling good enough until it got to a point where it didn’t — it ended up in isolation,” McDermott told the Daily Mail in November 2023. “It ended up with me drinking a fifth of tequila every night, seven days a week and a handful of [prescription medications] by myself with a beautiful family in the other room. That’s what it led to and that’s what led to the brokenness and to what happened between me and Tori. I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t live that life anymore. I was tired of the anger and the yelling.”

According to McDermott, his alcohol-induced fights “petrified” Spelling, 53, and their five children. (McDermott also shares son Jack, 27, with ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace.)

“I would wake up angry that I woke up and I have these five, six beautiful kids in my life, but I was so dark and hopeless, I couldn’t see that,” McDermott recalled to the outlet, praising Spelling’s support. “She came from just such a place of love and wanting me to be healthy and happy. … It was codependence. She put my well-being well ahead of hers. She loved me so much that she didn’t really want to tell me how it was affecting her, although I could see it in her face.”

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Spelling and McDermott finalized their divorce in November 2025, since pledging to be amicable coparents.

“We’re great coparents. Our relationship is fantastic,” McDermott exclusively told Us Weekly that month. “We’re a united front. It’s all about the kids. At the end of the day, we’re a family, right? And whether we’re together or not, I love Tori. I’ll love her for the rest of my life, and she’s gonna love me for the rest of her life.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).