Superhero television may be a dime a dozen these days, but there was a time when that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t so long ago that shows like the Adam West-led Batman series from the ’60s or the 1977 The Incredible Hulk TV show were considered the most popular comic-to-screen programs, though that started to change come the 21st century. Now, we have everything from Marvel Cinematic Universe tie-ins to DC Comics prequels to comic book deconstructions like The Boys that have flooded the superhero-on-TV market, but that wasn’t always the case.

Before the Arrowverse erupted on The CW in the 2010s and the MCU moved from the big screen to the small with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., it was slim-pickings for superhero fans. Smallville ruled (and still does) as the longest running live-action superhero series out there, but even that show wasn’t fully committed to tights and flights until the very end. Along the way, you’ve probably forgotten about some of the more unique superhero shows that aired for a brief time on television, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have potential on their own.

‘Flash Gordon’ (2007–2008)

Image via SYFY

After he was killed off on Smallville, Eric Johnson bounced around for a few years before landing a superhero role of his own in the short-lived Flash Gordon reboot. Now, admittedly, Flash Gordon has a rough first few episodes. The show struggled to find an audience because the quality of this 21st-century take on the retro space opera failed to live up to the hype. It wasn’t great at first, but as the show progressed, it actually grew into a capable superhero series with genuine potential — it’s almost a shame it was canceled.

Flash Gordon follows its title hero as he’s transported to the world of Mongo and pitted against the tyrannical ruler, Ming the Merciless (John Ralston). As Flash builds alliances with those on Mongo and the series slowly pivots from Earth to the alien homeworld, Flash Gordon eventually finds its voice. However, it was all too little, too late. Audiences stopped watching after a boring batch of initial episodes, and Flash Gordon was put down before it ever had the chance to soar.

‘Legends of the Superheroes’ (1979)

Image via NBC

If you’ve never heard of Legends of the Superheroes, that’s probably because DC has tried to bury the live-action debut of many of its superhero characters, including Green Lantern (Howard Murphy), The Flash (Rod Haase), Hawkman (Bill Nuckols), Black Canary (Danuta Wesley), and the Huntress (Barbara Joyce). This two-episode television special took place in the same world as Adam West’s Batman, as the Dynamic Duo appeared alongside the rest of this “Justice League.” And boy, is this a time capsule.

What makes Legends of the Superheroes “great” isn’t that it’s actually good, per se. It’s really not. But in addition to being a Batman reunion special (alongside Adam West and Burt Ward, Frank Gorshin also returns as The Riddler), the second part is actually a celebrity roast. It’s a superhero parody at its most strange, complete with the same flavor of humor that made Batman a national phenomenon — though perhaps not as grand as Batman‘s best TV heists. If that’s your style of superhero television, you probably won’t be disappointed.

‘Black Scorpion’ (2001)

Image via SYFY

Based on not one but two made-for-TV superhero comedy movies by Roger Corman (seriously), Black Scorpion was a single-season superhero series that briefly aired on Syfy (then Sci-Fi Channel) in 2001. As Angel City police detective Darcy Walker realizes that the badge isn’t always enough, she moonlights as the Black Scorpion to fight crime after dark. Though Joan Severance played the character in the previous TV movies, Michelle Lintel took over the role for the 22-episode television series.

Black Scorpion is a bit of a fever dream. It’s like if WB’s likewise short-lived Birds of Prey (a near-perfect DC show few remember) had an older cousin to learn from her poor choices. The titular heroine had a rogues’ gallery that included villains played by none other than Adam West and Frank Gorshin of Batman fame, as well as Cobra Kai antagonist Martin Kove. The bulk of the episodes were written by co-creator Craig J. Nevius, and serve as a largely enjoyable mix between the ’60s Batman series and Tim Burton’s ’80s Batman movie, albeit with a female protagonist.

‘My Secret Identity’ (1988–1991)

Image via CTV

Perhaps the most beloved entry on this list, My Secret Identity has been all but forgotten by everyone except those who watched the original program back when it aired on syndication (or the later Sci-Fi Channel reruns). Starring Jerry O’Connell as teenage comic book enthusiast Andrew Clements, the show follows his adventures after he suddenly gets superpowers from a beam shot by his friend Dr. Benjamin Jeffcoate (Derek McGrath). Knowing what he must do, Andrew chooses the responsibility of a hero.

As the title suggests, Andrew hides his secret identity from everyone in his life, save Dr. Jeffcoate. A fun blend of adventure, science fiction, and comedy, My Secret Identity ran for three seasons and 72 episodes. With a killer theme song that will stay in your head for hours (trust us), this show is the perfect binge for those looking for some superhero-lite superhero TV. Funny enough, O’Connell would later voice Superman in his career, and it all started back in ’88.

‘Who Wants to Be a Superhero?’ (2006–2007)

Image via SYFY

From the mind of Stan Lee, this superhero-centric reality television series is actually a competition show. Who Wants to Be a Superhero? pits several contestants against each other to discover whose idea for an original superhero character would win the heart of Stan “The Man” himself. The winner would not only get their character turned into a Stan Lee-penned Dark Horse comic book, but would also be included in live-action in a Sci-Fi Channel original movie — Mega Snake being the first.

Although Who Wants to Be a Superhero? only ran for two seasons, the concept itself was an ingenious way to capitalize on the growing mainstream superhero craze. Unfortunately, the show aired about a decade too early, with Matthew Atherton‘s Feedback and Jarret Crippen‘s The Defuser being the only superheroes created from this short-lived phenomenon. It may not deliver everything you want from the superhero genre, but it was a unique idea that could only come from the mind of Stan Lee. ‘Nuff said!

‘Automan’ (1983–1984)

Image via ABC

From Glen A. Larson, the mind behind the original Battlestar Galactica, came the Tron-inspired Automan. Somehow, this ’80s sci-fi comedy still holds up as it follows an artificial superhero, “the Automatic Man” (Chuck Wagner), created by police programmer Walter Nebicher (Desi Arnaz Jr.) to fight the crime that the cops cannot. Long before AI is what we know it as today, the potential seemed limitless, and the idea of turning a computer program into a superhero just made sense.

If you can get past the basic Tron comparison, Automan was loads of fun. However, the show only lasted a dozen episodes on the air before it was unceremoniously axed by ABC. Evidently, the program was too far ahead of its time — perhaps it would have done better in today’s market. (Call Ronald D. Moore, we have another Larson series he needs to update!)

‘Electra Woman and Dyna Girl’ (1976)

Image via ABC

If you’ve never heard of Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, that’s not exactly a surprise. This superhero series was a part of the larger umbrella program The Krofft Supershow that was aimed specifically for kids. Deidre Hall played Electra Woman opposite Judy Strangis‘ Dyna Girl, as the pair of super-heroines fought crime when not working as newspaper journalists. Their bulky “ElectraComs” could do almost anything, and for 8 episodes (and 16 different 12-minute segments) they tackled some of the strangest villains.

The original Electra Woman and Dyna Girl series is a wholesome gem that has gone down in pop culture infamy. The WB even tried to make an “edgy” updated satirical superhero series in the style of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (albeit, in live-action) in the early 2000s, though the pilot was so terrible that the network ultimately passed. Likewise, a web-series revival made its way to screens starring a pair of YouTubers, but nothing quite beats the earnestness of the original ’70s program.

‘M.A.N.T.I.S.’ (1994–1997)

Image via FOX

Before Carl Lumbly would voice Martian Manhunter in the Justice League animated series, he starred in M.A.N.T.I.S. as the first black superhero on television. After Dr. Miles Hawkins (Lumbly) is paralyzed and disheartened by a criminal conspiracy targeting the black community, he utilizes his company’s superhuman M.A.N.T.I.S. exoskeleton to fight crime after dark, which grants him super-strength, speed, and paralytic darts. For a single 22-episode season, M.A.N.T.I.S. brought a new flavor of crime fighter to television screens.

Created by the combined efforts of Batman scribe Sam Hamm and future Spider-Man director Sam Raimi, it’s kind of odd that this series didn’t last more than a season on Fox. After a relatively grounded TV pilot film, M.A.N.T.I.S. goes a bit off the rails, but isn’t that the case for really all superheroes when you think about it? The show is an odd duck, but it’s a fun watch even now when looking back on it.

‘Mutant X’ (2001–2004)

Image via Tribune Entertainment

Despite the fact that it shares the same name with a ’90s Marvel comic series, and it was made with Marvel’s cooperation in mind, the Avi Arad-created Mutant X is only loosely connected to the X-Men franchise. Well, technically, it’s not connected at all, as this team of “mutants” received their powers not because of an evolutionary mutant gene, but due to genetic experimentation conducted by a mysterious government entity. With an ensemble cast, this X-Men-lite series ran an impressive three seasons in syndication.

“Protecting a world that doesn’t know they exist” was the Mutant X tagline, and under the leadership of Adam Kane (John Shea from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), that’s exactly what this group of rag-tag not-quite-mutants did. Clearly inspired by a combination of the Fox-made X-Men movies and The Matrix, Mutant X is the second-longest-running series on this list after My Secret Identity with an impressive 66 episodes. If only it were an actual Mutant X adaptation…

‘The Cape’ (2011)

Image via NBC

Probably the most infamous show on this list, The Cape was set up by NBC to be the next big “comic book/superhero”-inspired show after the end of Heroes, but it never quite lived up to the hype. For one thing, the show was canceled before its first season even finished airing (with the finale being released online instead), with the failure of The Cape eventually becoming a recurring joke on Community. But there was something about the premise that was actually quite interesting and, as strange as it was, may deserve another look.

The Cape took the superhero concept back to its roots when “good cop” Vince Faraday (David Lyons) is framed and supposedly murdered by a supervillain, only to be taken in by a traveling circus who teach him the theatrical skills necessary to fight crime as “The Cape” (still considered by many to be among the worst TV superheroes) and win back his family. Superheroes themselves were often inspired by circus acts, and so tying the concept back to The Carnival of Crime was a unique way to update the idea. It may not have been able to carry “six seasons and a movie,” but The Cape could have lasted at least a full network TV season.

Advertisement

The Cape

Advertisement

Release Date

2011 – 2011-00-00

Directors

Advertisement

Deran Sarafian, David Jackson, David Straiton, Dennie Gordon, Ernest R. Dickerson, Karen Gaviola, Michael Nankin, Roxann Dawson

Writers

Tom Wheeler, William Wheeler, Craig Titley, Toni Graphia

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 
• 
• 
• 

  Fernando Chien

  ARK Trooper

Advertisement

Advertisement

Although Melissa Joan Hart said goodbye to Sabrina Spellman of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” in 2003, she’s still connected to the fictional character in more ways than one. In a new interview, the esteemed actress opened up about what she believes the witch would be doing today if the show were still on the air.

Recently, the cast of “Sabrina” gathered in Chicago for a reunion show celebrating the program’s 30th anniversary. Speaking with PEOPLE, Hart talked about the character that made her a household name, revealing what she thinks she’d be up to if the show were airing in 2026.

“I think married, kids maybe, still juggling around the witchcraft thing, not able to quite get a handle on it,” she said.

And Hart’s character wouldn’t be married to any average Joe. She’d likely be with her on-again-off-again love interest, Harvey, who was portrayed by Nate Richert. “I think she’s still with Harvey. I mean, look, the way they rode off on a motorcycle, there’s no coming back from that. You have to make that stick,” she joked.

Melissa Joan Hart Reflects On The Show Being 30 Years Old

A majority of the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” cast gathered together at the Vic Theatre in Illinois to reflect on the show and its impact on pop culture. Present was Beth Broderick, Caroline Rhea, Soleil Moon Frye, Michelle Beaudoin, Jenna Leigh Green, Elisa Donovan, David Lascher, Richert, and, of course, Hart.

When Hart was asked how she felt about the show reaching the 30-year milestone, the actress joked, “I can’t believe it’s been [that long] because I’m only 30.” She added, “So, that’s impossible. I was 0 when we started this show.”

Hart went on to say how special the 30-year anniversary was and how much the show still means to her three decades later.

“It’s still so loved. It’s so international. So many people come to me and say it got them through a hard time or they learned English from the show,” she said. “All these amazing things that you hear that over time you hear it so much that you have to start to believe that it meant a lot to people.”

Melissa Joan Hart Says She Didn’t ‘Identify’ With Her Character That Much

While she’s grateful for the show’s reach, Hart revealed in a previous interview that she never felt as connected to the character as some probably believed. Hart was 20 at the time, playing a teenager, and, according to her, the challenges Sabrina faced were very different from what she was experiencing.

“She wanted to be the wallflower. She didn’t know what to do with these magical abilities. She felt very lost, and other people were trying to help her solve it,” she said.

There were a few things, though, that helped her connect with Sabrina, such as her costumes and magical mishaps.

“If she wasn’t always in different costumes and kind of getting put in these weird situations where I got to be Cinderella or Alice Wonderland or a trapeze artist or in Cirque du Soleil or whatever I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed the experience as much as I did because I just didn’t identify with her very well,” she added.

Hart Opens Up About Growing Up As A Child Star

Before she originated the role of Spellman in “Sabrina,” Hart played Clarissa in the sitcom “Clarissa Explains It All.” She played the role from 14 to 18—her prime teenage years. But despite growing up in front of the camera, Hart said that didn’t change her.

In fact, working as a child star instilled in her a “good work ethic” and helped her learn new things about herself. “I pretty much had a normal childhood, even though I was acting since I was 4,” she said, praising the role her family played in helping keep her grounded, per The Blast.

“I think my family did a really good job…I was in Girl Scouts, and we would go on family ski trips and things like that. So there was a lot of normal mixed up with this weird, crazy world,” she said.

Did Hart Ever Want Her Kids To Become Child Stars?

Even though she did it herself, Hart wasn’t necessarily eager to turn her children into child stars. She previously revealed that her three sons once showed some interest in the entertainment industry, but for the wrong reasons—a mindset she quickly helped them move beyond. “It was for money and fame. It wasn’t because they love the craft,” Hart said.

Prime Video‘s The Boys quickly became one of the most talked-about superhero action shows ever created. The series follows a group of vigilantes led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) as they take on powerful superheroes whose public image hides corruption, corporate manipulation, and abuse. Rather than doing what most in the genre do, the series doesn’t treat heroes as purely symbols of hope. It actually offers audiences a captivating tale of what can happen when power, fame, and money matter more than doing the right thing. With a compelling premise like that, it can be hard to find another series as captivatingly good as The Boys, especially now that it’s over, but it isn’t impossible.

Shows like the miniseries Watchmen, which offers audiences a political look at masked heroes, historical power, and justice, and the animated wild ride that is The Boys Presents: Diabolical, which ​​gives fans of The Boys more of the show’s universe, are just two solid substitutes for the gory action series. On this list are eight shows that are absolutely perfect to stream as a replacement for an icon even as great as The Boys.

1

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

Image via Netflix

Lucifer is a captivating crime drama that is a fantastic streaming replacement for The Boys, as the series plays with temptation, morality, and larger-than-life characters behaving badly. The series follows the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who grows bored of ruling Hell and abandons his throne to run his Los Angeles nightclub. With a dedication to indulge in human experiences, Lucifer finds himself partnered with detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) on LAPD cases.

Lucifer may not be the bloody delight that is The Boys, but the show does make for an ideal substitute, as it delivers a mesh of dark humor, supernatural chaos, emotional messiness, and crime-solving, giving audiences a parallel view of powerful beings with very human flaws. Lucifer is no doubt a much lighter and more comedic good time, but it features some pretty heavy themes, ones that challenge the notion of good vs. evil as seen in The Boys. Lucifer definitely works as a fantastic replacement for the superhero action series, perfect for those who desire similar anti-hero energy but without the heart-stopping brutality.

2

‘Gen V’ (2023–2024)

Image via Prime Video

This clever spin-off is the college, teen drama approach to The Boys. Gen V, set in the super-powered college of Godolkin University, centers on Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and her new friends as their college life is disrupted by shady experiments and sinister plots.

Seeing as this is an actual spin-off of The Boys, it makes for a great alternative that doesn’t feel watered down. With just as much chaos, drama, and epic violence, Gen V is the perfect outrageous watch for viewers who are yearning for more superhero chaos. Satire is practically written into the show’s DNA, and being a part of The Boys universe allows for it to expand on many of the themes featured in its predecessor, while also carving out its own unique identity through its young characters, outlandish frat parties, and plenty of shocking twists. Gen V is a masterful, unapologetic, R-rated teen drama that earns its place on this list of The Boys substitutes.

3

‘The Boys Presents: Diabolical’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

The Boys Presents: Diabolical is an animated approach to The Boys universe and stands as one of the easiest, most bingeable replacements on this list. The animated anthology consists of eight short episodes that expand The Boys with R-rated, irreverent stories.

For anyone who misses The Boys, Diabolical is the perfect, outrageous, and wholly unpredictable watch to get into. Each episode stands on its own, often jumping from cartoonish mayhem to plain old gross-out comedy. Diabolical doesn’t need a consistent plot throughout its season; instead, it’s a mesh of chaos that stands as perfect from its very first episode, right on up to the rolling credits on its last. It’s the ideal candidate for anyone hoping to fill the gaping wound of TV boredom that The Boys’ end may have left them with.

4

‘Misfits’ (2009–2013)

Image via Channel 4

This underrated good time is just as darkly humorous and hilariously raunchy as The Boys. Misfits is a teen superhero drama that follows a group of teenage offenders sentenced to community service as they are unexpectedly caught up in an electrical storm that somehow gifts them superpowers.

Misfits may be on the older side, but it remains a quality watch. It’s well-known for its binge-watch factor and opening seasons of teenage chaos that feature themes of sex, powers, and emotional drama that can be surprisingly emotional. The British series delivers a genuine story that rejects the clean, heroic versions of superpowers, offering audiences characters that are far from polished icons and chosen ones. Misfits wields a scrappy charm and a reckless energy that would definitely appeal to any The Boys fans. The series is a true cult classic, with an anarchic ensemble, a mixture of genres, and crude humor.

5

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–2025)

Image via HBO Max

Peacemaker is a hilarious DC series that makes for one of the best replacements for The Boys, simply because it understands how violent, funny, and oddly emotional superhero stories can be when they don’t pretend their characters are actually normal. The James Gunn series centers on the morally twisted, “peace-at-any-cost” killer, Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena), as he navigates life and a new mission fresh off of saving the world with Task Force X and killing a teammate.

For viewers in need of The Boys‘ mixture of superhero satire, graphic violence, and a damaged individual steadily hiding behind their bravado, Peacemaker makes for one of the greatest recommendations. The DC action is brutally violent, a true mirror of The Boys‘ peak brutality, with iconic DC lore. Peacemaker features quite a few parallels to The Boys series: a smashing satirical edge, twisted supes, and an outsized sense of charm. The show is remarkably brilliant, with a distinct DC vibe and The Boys-like sensibility.

6

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

Image via AMC

This series is based on the Vertigo comics and stands as a pretty natural replacement for The Boys, as it shares that exact taste for deeply damaged characters, blasphemous humor, and comic-book violence. Preacher focuses on the disillusioned Texas Preacher, Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), who becomes the host to a mysterious entity — the “Word of God” — that grants him the power to command anyone to do his bidding.

Season after season, Preacher escalates its story, ranging from biker cult storylines to features of hell and beyond. The show is absolutely wild and makes for an ideal alternative to The Boys because of its twisted tone and irreverence. Preacher wields The Boys’ excess, delivering over-the-top violence and profanity. Its mixture of humor, gore, and bizarre drama makes it a captivating watch, but even beyond that, Preacher’s Southern Gothic flair and supernatural/superhero elements make it a boundary-pushing good time.

7

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Image via Warner Bros.

Watchmen is one of the finest yet most underrated miniseries to ever exist. The DC universe expansion is set in an alternate 2019 Tulsa, where masked vigilante life is outlawed after a white supremacist group of costumed terrorists known as the Seventh Kavalry launches a campaign of racially-motivated violence. The series focuses on Angela Abar (Regina King), a police detective who is secretly operating as the costumed hero “Sister Night.”

Watchmen is simply far too great to be as underrated as it is. It’s relentlessly dark, ultra-violent, and steeped in political themes of power and corruption, all the while sustaining a darkly humorous tone. The show mirrors The Boys’ blend of the familiar and the subversive quite nicely, as it builds on its source with rather complex characters. Both series actually use morally gray leads to further their tale in a uniquely captivating way. Watchmen is twisty and well-paced, with brave storytelling and tone, making it a perfect The Boys-style recommendation for fans.

8

‘Invincible’ (2021–Present)

Image via Prime Video

This Prime Video animated series is easily one of the greatest replacements for The Boys. Invincible follows a young teen, Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), the son of the most powerful superhero on Earth, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), as he awaits powers of his own. When Mark’s superpowers finally emerge, he sets out to be an even better hero than his heroic father, only to discover that his dad isn’t actually the man he thinks he is.

Invincible is genuinely one of the most perfect shows to stream after binge-watching The Boys. The show knows just how to be extremely shocking, epically brutal, and wield emotional stakes with masterful precision. For audiences in need of an earnest alternative to the live-action bout of fun, Invincible truly works, as it delivers a clean image of superheroes who are naturally flawed humans beneath their costumes. From extreme gore, massive battles, and devastating betrayal to a young protagonist just trying to be a hero, a good friend, and a loving son, the series stands as one of the most relentlessly entertaining and emotionally compelling watches that can perfectly replace The Boys.

Advertisement

Invincible

Advertisement

Release Date

March 26, 2021

Advertisement

Network

Amazon Prime Video

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton might seem as different as can be — but they make a perfect match.

Stefani and Shelton met while working on The Voice in 2015 and quickly fell for each other in the wake of their divorces from Gavin Rossdale and Miranda Lambert, respectively. After five years together, Shelton finally popped the question in October 2020.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

While the “Hollaback Girl” singer and Shelton hunkered down together amid the coronavirus pandemic, an insider exclusively told Us Weekly that Stefani’s kids have a soft spot for Shelton. (Stefani shares three sons, Kingston, Zuma and Apollo, with Rossdale.)

“Those boys look up to Blake in a big way,” the source said in August 2020. “He’s earned their respect as a father figure. He’s gone from being their friend to being a serious parental influence.”

Scroll down to take a look back at all of Stefani and Shelton’s sweetest moments together.

Fresh off the success of Ocean’s Eleven in 2001 — the movie grossed $450 million worldwide against a reported budget of $85 million — Hollywood decided to focus on the heist genre like never before. Interestingly, the big-budget underperformers Swordfish and The Score were released a few months before Ocean’s Eleven. But their so-so box-office didn’t deter the industry from chasing success in the heist genre. Only two years later, Paramount got an A-list cast together for a big-budget heist movie that did solid business at the box office, received moderately positive reviews, and is now witnessing a viewership spike on streaming. The movie wasn’t exactly a remake, but was heavily inspired by a cult classic British film from 1969 starring Michael Caine.

The 2003 version was directed by F. Gary Gray, who’d return to the heist genre several years later with The Fate of the Furious and the Netflix hit Lift. Neither film received particularly positive reviews, although Gray’s 2003 film holds the highest score of the lot on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. It was headlined by Mark Wahlberg, with Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Edward Norton, Yasiin Bey (credited as Mos Def), Donald Sutherland, and Seth Green in supporting roles.

‘The Italian Job’ Sequel Never Took Off

By now, you’ve probably guessed that we’re talking about The Italian Job. The film is sitting at a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Despite some iffy plot elements, The Italian Job succeeds in delivering an entertaining modern take on the original 1969 heist film, thanks to a charismatic cast.” The movie was reasonably successful, grossing $176 million worldwide against a reported budget of $60 million. A sequel, tentatively titled The Brazilian Job, was stuck in development hell for several years before its writer, David Twohy, stated that no progress had been made on it. The Italian Job, however, remains a fan favorite. According to FlixPatrol, it was among the most-watched movies on Netflix worldwide this week, when the leaderboard was topped by the recently released romantic comedy Office Romance. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

May 30, 2003

Runtime

Advertisement

111 minutes

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Euphoria creator Sam Levinson is addressing the intense online backlash surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard, and her season 3 OnlyFans character arc.

“If you look at OnlyFans, it is making as much money as Hollywood. I mean, essentially it’s on par,” Levinson, 41, said on the Friday, June 19, episode of Real Time With Bill Maher about the storyline and the swift condemnation it received from fans of the hit HBO Max series and real-life sex workers alike.

“It’s not a niche business, it is a massive enterprise,” he continued. “And so if you’re young, you’re going … ‘I don’t want to go work in a nine to five at this place or that thing. Well, maybe I can just start taking photos of myself?’”

In the third and final season of Euphoria, Sweeney’s Cassie films herself in a slew of naked or near-naked scenes in which she cosplays various sexual fantasies for her online clients and admirers, including adult baby play, foot fetishes, dominatrix work and more. For many of the scenes, Sweeney was topless or near-naked, sparking online backlash about how both her and her character were portrayed on screen.

“She has a need to be validated by other people,” Sweeney, 38, told Vanity Fair in a June interview. “She doesn’t know how to love herself unless someone else loves her. So I understand how Sam got her to where she was in season 3. I think she was more excited by the idea of these people loving her and knowing who she is and feeling like her world isn’t small.”

She continued at the time, “He actually, as we were finishing up season 2, started hinting at different ideas that he was putting together for season 3. And it was very similar to season 1 and season 2, he would call me, usually a few weeks after we wrapped, and he pitched me the entire idea. So I knew years before we started filming season 2 that I would be married to Nate, we’d be living in a suburban neighborhood and Cassie would be crazier than ever.”

On Friday, Levinson said that as a creator he was interested in exploring the “long-term consequences” of online sex work, like OnlyFans.

“What happens when you know, as a young person, you’re on Instagram … and you’re told that you’re the product, you’re the brand, and now you’re 18 years old, and you’re going, well, ‘How do I make money?’” he said. “And I just thought chasing that desire, that kind of fast cash, was an interesting thing to kind of explore.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Sydney Sweeney Marks ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Finale With Near-Total Nude Photo

Sydney Sweeney is seemingly saying goodbye to Euphoria season 3 much like her on-screen character, Cassie Howard — with a bang. “It’s called… acting,” Sweeney, 28, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, May 31, alongside several behind-the-scenes and on-screen photos of the actress during what many believe to be the final season of the hit HBO […]

Advertisement

He added of the backlash, “You know, we take a fairly critical look at it. It hollows out the individual. You know, you’re constantly just depending on the likes and external validation.”

Levinson also discussed what he said is an added layer to Sweeney’s character’s arch — social media and how pervasive the online influencer culture can be for young people.

“I mean, if you’re constantly taking photos of yourself and selling yourself online,” he explained, “it’s the natural evolution of it.”

Holly Ramsay and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty are preparing to become parents. The couple announced on Saturday, June 20, that they are expecting their first child together, sharing the exciting news on Instagram alongside a series of photos. Holly revealed the pair are expecting a baby girl, writing, “Baby Ramsay-Peaty coming December 2026. We can’t wait to meet our baby girl.” The pregnancy news comes less than a year after the couple tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at England’s historic Bath Abbey.

While this will be Holly’s first child, Peaty has spoken candidly in the past about how becoming a father changed his life. Back in 2020, the Olympic gold medalist described parenthood as one of the most meaningful experiences he had ever experienced.

“I knew everything was going to change from there, but it’s been amazing,” Peaty told the BBC. “Everyone’s thinking it was an accident, but that’s not the case. It’s one of the most beautiful things you can do together, and we’ve already sorted the nursery.”

The following year, he doubled down on those sentiments while reflecting on how fatherhood shifted his priorities. “The most rewarding and brilliant thing” he’s experienced, Peaty told The Independent in 2021. “I make decisions now based on how he’s going to perceive it [and] what matters in the long-term for him. It’s less self and more him.”

Holly Ramsay Called Adam Peaty Her ‘Best Friend’ After Engagement

The pregnancy announcement comes nearly six months after Holly and Peaty exchanged vows during a lavish ceremony at England’s historic Bath Abbey on December 27, 2025.

For the special occasion, Holly wore a custom-designed Elie Saab wedding gown featuring long sleeves, a dramatic full skirt, and an elegant circular train. Ahead of the wedding, she told British Vogue that she envisioned a timeless, feminine look inspired by iconic royal and Hollywood brides, citing both Grace Kelly and Princess Kate as influences in her search for the perfect dress.

“I’m truly so lucky being able to walk this beautiful bride down the aisle and gaining an incredible son-in-law @adamramsaypeaty!” the celebrity chef wrote on Instagram at the time. “I love you so much @hollyramsaypeaty and couldn’t be a prouder dad.”

Holly Ramsay Gushed Over Adam Peaty Before Their Wedding

Before saying “I do,” Holly publicly gushed over Peaty following their September 2024 engagement. “I am marrying my best friend. I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever.”

She added, “I love you, and I cannot wait to be your wife. I promise to always be there with you and George, I’m so grateful to be in his life and I cannot wait for more. Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you. Here’s to forever.”

Gordon Ramsay Once Joked About Being Mistaken For A Grandfather

The baby news will mark Gordon Ramsay‘s first grandchild, adding a new role to the celebrity chef’s already busy family life.

Gordon and his wife, Tana Ramsay, share six children together: Megan, twins Holly and Jack, Tilly, Oscar, and Jesse. While he may soon officially become a grandfather, Gordon previously joked that he wasn’t exactly thrilled when strangers assumed he already held the title.

Advertisement

In a 2020 interview with Men’s Health UK, the chef recalled being mistaken for Oscar’s grandfather while out with his family.

“The worst thing is when I’m walking with Tana and Jack, and everyone is looking at Jack as if Oscar is his son,” Gordon said. “‘You must be so proud to be a grandad.’ ‘F-ck off, he’s ours.’ If I get called ‘grandad’ one more f-cking time, I’m going to hit the roof.”

Gordon Ramsay Says Fatherhood Brought Out His Softer Side

Despite his famously fiery television persona, Gordon has often insisted he’s much softer at home than viewers might expect.

“The kids have brought the most emotion out of me,” he told PEOPLE in 2023. “It’s funny, isn’t it? Because everyone thinks, ‘God, you must be an absolute a-s to be at home with.’ [But] Tana’s super fierce, an ex-Montessori school teacher. So I’m the softie.”

Now, with Holly expecting her first child, Gordon is preparing to embrace grandfatherhood for real.

Advertisement

Daveigh Chase’s mother, Cathy Chase, has broken her silence after The Ring child star’s shocking and tragic death at 35.

“I was devastated. It felt like something inside of me squeezing all of the air out of me, and at the same time, It felt like I was exploding outwardly,” Cathy, who last saw Daveigh in 2019, told Daily Mail in an interview published Friday, June 19. “I let out this guttural scream and I just was running, and these weird sounds were coming out of me, like, primeval sounds. I went out into the backyard, and I was screaming, “No, no, no, no!” I am in so much pain but I hope her soul heard me.”

Daveigh’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, announced on Wednesday, June 17, that the actress had died one day prior. He claimed that Daviegh had meningitis and an infection in her blood that causes sepsis, a life-threatening illness that can cause organ failure.

Days earlier, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover Daveigh’s medical expenses.

Related: How Did ‘The Ring’ Child Star Daveigh Chase Die? What to Know So Far

Former child star Daveigh Chase, the voice behind Disney’s beloved Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and the haunting Samara in The Ring, has died at 35. Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the news to TMZ on June 17, 2026, revealing that the late actress had been battling meningitis and a serious blood infection prior to […]

“Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left,” he wrote in the fundraiser description. “All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.”

Cathy, for her part, claimed to the Daily Mail that she found out about Daveigh’s death through the media after years questioning her daughter’s health.

“I would just put her name in the coroner’s [search system] and see if her name came up and if somebody had her somewhere,” Cathy recalled to the outlet. “I would look at their list of unidentified bodies. It was very difficult, but you do everything you can as a mother.”

According to Cathy, Daveigh allegedly struggled with substance abuse issues after injuring her back in a 2016 motorcycle accident.

Advertisement

Related: Daveigh Chase’s Former Manager Skeptical of Boyfriend’s GoFundMe

Daveigh Chase’s former manager is casting doubts on the legitimacy of the GoFundMe page set up by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, in the wake of the actress’ death. “A man claiming to be Daveigh’s boyfriend has launched a GoFundMe page purportedly on behalf of Daveigh and her family. Neither her family nor her close friends […]

“She was seeking drugs and was partying with the wrong people,” Cathy claimed. “I never kicked my daughter out. She wanted freedom and these people got her hooked on some drugs. That was the beginning.”

Cathy further claimed that she last saw Daveigh in October 2019.

“She was completely gone, like, out of her mind. I honestly thought there was something wrong with her,” Cathy said. “My daughter was never diagnosed with mental health other than PTSD, but the drugs took hold of her.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Daveigh is survived by her parents, her brother and her boyfriend. Cathy also helped identify the Donnie Darko actress’ body earlier this week.

“[The hospital chaplain and I] were able to lay hands and pray,” Cathy told the Daily Mail. “Technically, we were touching the glass, but it’s as close as we could get, so we were able to lay hands and pray for her. It was a beautiful experience, and, and I feel very blessed, too, have been able to share that with my daughter.”

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).