From our grandmothers purchasing mass-market paperbacks in the grocery store to contemporary readers devouring romantasy in record-breaking droves, the romance genre has been a lucrative publishing staple for decades. For television viewers who were unaware of historical romance’s specific charms, Bridgerton has conducted a winsome crash course in its guarantees: women protagonists expressing their desires, triumphant happy endings, luxurious gowns, and the trappings of antiquated social etiquette. Netflix’s competitors have sought their Bridgerton equivalent for years, yet the period drama has failed to produce another undeniable cultural phenomenon.

It’s somewhat surprising that streamers haven’t followed Shondaland’s suit and snatched up the rights to other period drama bestsellers. In fact, they needn’t look further for runaway-success material than one of Bridgerton author Julia Quinn‘s peers. The name Lisa Kleypas elicits hushed awe from the countless readers who consider her a treasured mainstay, if not historical romance’s definitive monarch. Her breakout series, The Wallflowers, is an idyllic option to translate to the small screen. Not only is the format a studio’s dream, but the legendary quartet personifies the sub-genre’s crucial hooks and illuminates the craft-related strengths by which Kleypas ascended to her revered status.

What Is The Wallflowers Series About?

Although Kleypas’ prolific works don’t reinvent the wheel — straying from romance’s defining structure would defeat the purpose — her perspective, voice, and distinct niche have refined said wheel’s every component since 1987. The Wallflowers, a career highlight set in the Regency era, follows four social outcasts who reclaim their rejection and their futures by securing safe marriages for each other. Eldest daughter Annabelle Peyton seeks a wealthy husband to protect her financially imperiled family, whereas Lillian Bowman, a fiery and outspoken American heiress, couldn’t care less about English propriety. Daisy, Lillian’s younger sister, prefers her bookish imagination over her father’s suitor-related meddling. As for the soft-spoken and determined Evie Jenner, she rescues herself from her living hell by proposing to London’s most notorious rogue.

Connecting a romance series through female friendship was a rather revolutionary concept for the early 2000s. The Wallflowers was inspired by Kleypas’ high school experiences — ignored by, in her words, “the popular boys” — as well as her observation that “I haven’t really seen a lot about female friendships [in historical romances].” Kleypas’ mesmerizing execution honors her sensational idea.The titular Wallflowers’ life-changing bond is authentically infectious, a gravitational center of sparkling camaraderie, empathy, protectiveness, and unwavering loyalty that’s as empowering and meaningful as their respective erotic dalliances.

Kleypas’ career-wide magic touch, forged through instinct, practice, and artistic care, masters romance’s enduring value: engrossing prose, adroit wit, comforting escapism, painstaking historical accuracy, and a range of intellectually mature characters who reckon with their insecurities, shortcomings, fears, and traumas. Her sheer finesse prevents archetypes and dynamics like the reformed rake, enemies-to-lovers, or marriage of convenience from being diluted into copy-paste repetition. Likewise, her commitment to dissecting her characters’ formative pasts and charting their evolutions invigorates her heroines and antiheroes into vibrantly unforgettable genre icons. The Wallflowers’ leading ladies are capable, competent, and ambitious forces of nature; their dashing husbands wield their venomous silver tongues and scandalous reputations before their humbling vulnerability and ferocious devotion set the redemption-arc standard.

Like pieces of an assembling puzzle, Kleypas’ evocative characterizations are inseparable from how she constructs her irresistible relationships. A symbiotic foundation of internal honesty and sensual intimacy, rooted in mutual admiration, equality, and understanding, infuses every love affair with riveting freshness and to-die-for chemistry. High-intensity emotion fires on overdrive, but realistic plots needn’t apply when the operatic twists match the conflicted tension, feverish lust, and clashes between aristocratic hierarchies, self-made entrepreneurs, and women’s suffrage. Kleypas sells it all with every swirl of her pen.

The Wallflowers Can Be Adapted as a Quartet or Expanded into a Sequel Show

From a strategic standpoint, The Wallflowers’ streamlined nature is its strongest selling point. Bridgerton‘s eight installments have proved intimidating and time-consuming, a conundrum each season’s lengthy production cycle and expansive ensemble cast have amplified. Comparatively, four main books starring a smaller group of recurring characters offer an entirely feasible budgetary and timeline scope.

The Wallflowers’ healthy limitations don’t exist at the expense of the series’ long-term potential, however. Several installments in Kleyplas’ seven-part Victorian saga, The Ravenels, depict the love-struck journeys of the central couples’ adult children. Following a Wallflowers show, The Ravenels both pulls on established emotional through lines and introduces new narrative opportunities: i.e., catching up with how the original eight leads have mellowed with time and tracking how the next generation overlaps with another eccentric family.

The first book, Cold-Hearted Rake, opens with the working-class Ravenel brothers — one a known scoundrel, the other happily irresponsible — inheriting their late relative’s neglected estate. The title includes the Earl’s icily defensive widow, Kathleen, and three wonderfully unconventional sisters: Helen, reserved but iron-willed, Pandora, a career-driven trailblazer, and Cassandra, precocious and entrancing. These connections cement the Lisa Kleypas Literary Universe as an effectively realized world enriched by narrative momentum, affectionate bonds, and animosities that inform the romances but exist independently of them.

A faithful adaptation of The Wallflowers can fulfill audiences’ longing for period dramas by following Bridgerton‘s blueprint of big-hearted earnestness and playfully modernized glamour, while always evoking Kleypas’ distinct sensibilities. The secret lies in capturing the novels’ timeless spirit in all its glory and including astute adjustments in line with Kleypas recognizing and rewriting her internalized sexism. Between pitch-perfect romantic gestures and indomitable women nurturing their unbreakable friendship, the soaring world of Lisa Kleypas is a win-win for fans and the industry — a polished diamond just waiting to be greenlit.

A mother in Miami was arrested after she poured hot, melted candle wax onto her two daughters and set a fire inside of her home during an incident she captured on camera.

Meliza Campos-Sanchez was taken into custody on Monday, August 17, and charged with first-degree arson, child abuse and two counts of child neglect, according to arrest affidavits viewed by People.

The investigation into Campos-Sanchez, 26, was launched after Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to her home after receiving a report of a kitchen fire on Sunday, August 16.

After looking into the situation, a fire investigator ultimately determined that the fire had been intentionally set with an open flame, ignitable liquids and combustible materials.

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Campos-Sanchez posted two videos to her Instagram account at the time of the fires.

One video showed her using lit candles to pour melted wax onto her own leg before spilling it into the hands of her two daughters. The second video captured Campos-Sanchez wearing a silver mask as she sprayed an unknown liquid onto clothing on the kitchen floor. She then set the clothing on fire with a red lighter.

Fire investigators searched the home and found burnt materials, as well as minor damage on the tiled kitchen floor. Investigators also found the silver mask, the red lighter and a clear plastic bottle with a yellow cap, which reportedly contained liquid believed to be rubbing alcohol.

Campos-Sanchez’s husband, Yusniel Cue, spoke to investigators following the fire and said they had been experiencing marital issues. He explained that he had been staying with his parents for about a week when the fire occurred.

Cue added that he learned about the incident when one of Campos-Sanchez’s friends called him to tell him about the videos, and they told him to call the police.

He arrived at the home after Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue got there and took custody of his daughters. Meanwhile, Campos-Sanchez was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Additionally, Cue told investigators that Campos-Sanchez allegedly attempted suicide during an earlier occasion. He said he contacted the sheriff’s office one week earlier due to his concerns for their children.

Investigators also spoke to Campos-Sanchez’s eldest daughter, who said that she and her younger sister were in the laundry room when they saw their mother setting the clothes on fire in the kitchen.

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She added that her mother threw a glass mug onto the floor while she was dancing near the flames, and she eventually used a bowl of water to put out the fire.

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Additionally, the daughter told investigators that her mother had brought her and her sister into the kitchen and started pouring hot wax from the lit candles onto the three of them.

An officer later went to a nearby hospital to interview Campos-Sanchez, but she was sedated and unable to speak prior to her arrest.

It is not currently clear whether Campos-Sanchez has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest.

Bringing it back! Ava Ryan sat down with ET to dish on the 2016 trends she’s not ready to let go of, from Taco Bell classics to internet fads, and more.

The Vine alum partnered with the food chain to celebrate its Decades #TBTB Menu, featuring the return of the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt, and Caramel Apple Empanada.

“Taco Bell is a staple in my friend group. After all these years, my go-to order is still a Burrito, Nacho Fries, and a Baja Blast. I’m also so excited to try the Caramel Apple Empanada,” Ryan shared.

And while her favorite foods have stood the test of time, her appetite for nostalgia goes beyond the menu.

“If there’s one thing from 2016, I’d bring back, it’s that feeling of people making things because they genuinely thought they were funny or fun, where they were just being silly and enjoying what they do. There was something really special about being yourself, and being a little weird, and unique,” she notes.

Need proof? Look no further than her own archives.

“It’s still crazy to think that those 6 second videos I made with my mom had such a big impact on people. At the time, I was just being a kid and playing around. … Obviously, I miss Vine, the mannequin challenge, and making slime,” Ryan says.

A few staples from the era have managed to stick around.

“I still love the Snapchat dog filter, and seeing the way my videos have connected with people and remained a part of online culture really gave me the confidence to pursue comedy.”

That confidence has carried over from seconds-long clips to her acting career.

“My comedic style is sarcastic, as you could probably tell from those early videos. I still tend to gravitate towards sarcastic style characters like Georgia in Free Bert and the character and I are very alike. I try to bring a part of myself into any character I play.”

But of course, not every craze is worthy of a revival. “Throw away the fidget spinners,” the actress shares. 

The Decades Menu returns nationwide on Thursday, Aug. 20 before Taco Bell’s limited-edition collaborations with Anti Social Club and Camp Snap drop on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

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Baltimore Ravens veteran Calais Campbell is speaking out for the first time since his brother, Ciarre, allegedly killed their mother, Nateal, in June. 

“These past couple months have been pretty tough for me and my family,” Calais, 39, told reporters while attending Ravens training camp on Tuesday, August 18. “We’re working through it. I really appreciate all the love and support and prayers that have been coming from all over the NFL community, all the fanbases and you guys, as well.”

Ciarre, 41, was booked in Fulton County, Georgia, on Wednesday, July 1, on several charges including murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife.

The body of Calais and Ciarre’s mother was found dead inside a Buckhead townhome on Tuesday, June 30. She was 71. 

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Authorities discovered that Ciarre had “barricaded himself inside the home” before he was successfully taken into custody. 

In a 911 call from the day Nateal was killed obtained by TMZ Sports, Calais told a 911 dispatcher that his brother is “mentally ill” and “diagnosed with schizophrenia.”

Calais asked for police to perform a welfare check on his mother, leading to the eventual discovery of her deceased body.  Local outlet WHSV reported that Nateal was found with several cuts to her neck. 

“This morning, he drove in her car, which is very unusual,” Calais said on the call. “He doesn’t drive at all…we can’t get in her house. I just tried to jump the window and he’s in there and she says she left, but the camera footage that my neighbor has showed she never left. We’re just trying to get in there.”

Ciarre’s attorney, Jay Abt, claimed his client was innocent shortly after he was taken into custody. 

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“We look forward to his day in court,” he told WSBTV. “I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time.”

The Campbell family issued a statement after Nateal’s death, but did not mention Ciarre being charged with her murder. 

“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the statement said. “While the details of her passing are still being investigated, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with our father, her beloved Chuck, and in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask for privacy at this time so that we may honor her and share in our overwhelming grief privately and as a family.”

General Hospital shocks as sketchy new guy Hudson Tucker (Troy Lennon Appel) is really close to stumbling upon the truth about what happened to his and Delilah Wilson’s (Lily Cardone) child.

Remember, Ethan Lovett (Christian Howard) lied right to his face. But with Hudson on the property and Brook Lynn Quartermaine Chase (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) out with Phoebe Chase (Lucia and Luna Creighton), it’s all about to kick off.

Ethan tried to convince Hudson that the baby died, but he bugged Ethan’s room, knows she’s alive, and this week, Hudson finally lays eyes on his kid. We are going to talk about what happens after Hudson comes face to face with his baby girl.

General Hospital: BLQ & Chase Secure

All right, so right now, Chase and Brook Lynn think everything’s settled. They did a closed adoption after the alleged bio signed over his parental rights. And of course that was Ethan. They’re settling in with Phoebe. They’re planning the future, but it’s all about to go off the rails for Chase and Brook Lynn because Ethan told Hudson when he tracked him down in Norway big lies and none of that is selling.

We know, of course, the baby did not die and she is Phoebe and Brook Lynn and Chase just adopted her. But if you recall when Ethan found out Delila died, he vowed at the time nobody would ever know her secret. And of course, Ethan was referring to nobody ever knowing who Phoebe’s bio father was.

So, Ethan lied and told Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that he was Phoebe’s dad because Ethan’s rationale was Hudson’s a scary and dangerous guy and Delilah wanted to get away from him. That’s why she ran to Port Charles to start with.

Ethan’s Plot on GH

So, Ethan stole a DNA sample presumably from a case some arrest that Hudson was involved in at the PCPD and then he used that sample to cheat the paternity test so Alexis could move the adoption forward. That’s also why Ethan insisted on a totally closed adoption that could never be opened so that hopefully nobody would ever know who Phoebe’s real dad was.

He was adamant about that with Alexis and Ethan also swore Ava Jerome (Maura West) to secrecy. She was skeptical, but after Ethan took a bullet for her, Ava was convinced to protect the kid, keep the secret. And then when Hudson showed up in Port Charles, Ethan freaked when he saw him, and just ran away. So, Hudson had been hunting for answers about Delilah and the baby. And after he followed Hudson to Norway and beat him up, he finally said, “Okay, look, Delilah died,” which was true.

Ethan’s Big Lie on General Hospital

And Ethan also said the baby died. That part was a big fat lie. And Hudson warned if Ethan lied, he would go after his mom and sisters. If you remember, Hudson planted a bug in the hotel room and then he overheard Ethan calling Ava back in Port Charles. And Ethan had her swear that she won’t give up the secret about the baby. But Ethan and Ava never used Phoebe’s name.

That’s helpful. So, Hudson’s not going to immediately see Brook Lynn and Chase’s kid and hear her name and know, “Oh, that’s my kid.” And even though Brook Lynn’s adoption of Phoebe is official, it can absolutely be undone if Hudson can prove he’s the dad. He can allege that somebody scammed the system.

Hudson is Ruthless on GH

He could even say Brook Lynn and Chase paid a con man for his baby, which would look bad. And with Hudson on the Quartermaine grounds this week, he’s going to see Brook Lynn, Chase, and Phoebe. And Hudson may just be curious because he knows he should have a baby right now, and he may ask Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) some just passing questions like cute kid, how old is she?

Hudson’s there trying to get Joss to take that CEO job at JJ. Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) sent him over to the Q estate to see Joss, but it’s really all because they needed Hudson there to set the stage for him to see Phoebe and this to move forward. So, Hudson tells Joss he’s got this job to do. He won’t leave until it’s done. And then while talking to Joss, Hudson’s going to ask questions. Maybe he even notices something in the baby’s face that reminds him of himself or Delilah and he gets a tingling suspicion.

Hudson Starts Poking Around on General Hospital

So, I’m wondering if Hudson starts asking questions about Brook Lynn and Chase’s baby because spoilers say Joss inadvertently says too much. So, she may tell Hudson when Phoebe was born that the little girl’s adopted and that her birth mother died and it was so tragic. Any and all of that is too much info. He doesn’t need it. But to Joss, it would probably seem like innocent, commonly known info on General Hospital.

And if Hudson asks what happened to the dad, Joss can honestly say they don’t know who it is. It was a closed adoption. He signed away his rights. And from there, I think alarm bells are going to go off in Hudson’s mind because Ethan lied to him about Delilah and the baby. So, thanks to Ethan’s frantic call to Ava, we know that Hudson knows Ethan was keeping some sort of secret about the baby.

Hudson’s Next Move

And the big question is what comes next? Where does Hudson go once he sees the baby on the Quartermaine estate and has these suspicions? I suspect Hudson might initially play it cool and get as much info as he can from Joss. You know, Hudson may even say hi to Brook Lynn and Chase, say cute kid, and then go start figuring things out because he needs to gather evidence to support his suspicions.

And if true, that same evidence would support his claim in court to take Phoebe from Brook Lynn and Chase. So, Hudson might steal her pacifier or Phoebe’s little baby hairbrush, something with some DNA on it so that Hudson can have it tested against his DNA to confirm a paternity match.

And then, you know, he could just go directly and confront Chase and Brook Lynn. But I think it’s smarter to get that DNA evidence first. And I’m also wondering if Hudson is going to go after Ava because Ethan put a target on her by involving her in the cover up and then calling her. Of course, he didn’t know his room was bugged.

General Hospital: Hudson’s Real Motives

But Ava doesn’t have a lot of info to help Hudson. She knows the basics. Ethan lied. Said he was Phoebe’s bio dad when he’s definitely not. But the bottom line is I don’t think Hudson’s going to walk away from his daughter.

Everything we’ve seen of him so far shows he’s both determined and dangerous, which makes it seem smart that Delilah and Ethan were trying to keep Phoebe away from Hudson. But the question is, does he want to be a father to Phoebe or is Hudson just mad that Delilah ran off with his baby? And it’s about control.

I’m expecting Hudson to go after custody. And from there, I expect Brook Lynn and Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) might try and buy Hudson off. Just pay him to go away, leave the baby with them. But Ethan seems to think Hudson is a bad guy. So there’s no telling what he might do. He beat Ethan brutally in Norway.

Ethan Made the Right Call

So, protecting Phoebe seems like a smart idea. Hudson right now is acting like a legit businessman while he’s in Port Charles. But he’s a bad guy. I kind of wonder if that means this JJE stuff has some illegalities in it we don’t know about yet because why would Jax have a psycho like Hudson managing affairs for him? Either way, looks like Chase and Brook Lynn are soon in Hudson’s crosshairs.

And if he’s that bad of a guy, that could be real trouble. And there’s even more trouble ahead for Brook Lynn. She’s still keeping the secret that she’s the second driver in the accident Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) caused. And she framed Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen) for it. Chase let the framing slide, but if he finds out the other part, that’s a deal breaker. And if this Hudson and Phoebe thing blows them up, that’s going to be even harder.

General Hospital: Hudson’s Paternity Discovery and Secrets

We’ll see how it plays out, but I’m certain Hudson won’t go away quietly. I doubt the Quartermaines can buy him off. All he needs is a DNA test and he can get a lawyer to go to court and unravel that adoption and snatch Phoebe back. Unless Brook Lynn and Chase can somehow prove he’s unfit, criminal, or dangerous, they’re going to lose Phoebe. And with Ethan gone, nobody else in town seems to know that Hudson’s a really bad guy except for Ava because Ethan warned her. And I could actually see her intervening to protect Phoebe because Ava’s all about the kids. So, this could get really messy for a lot of people really soon.

One of Hayden Panettiere’s final on-camera appearances reflected a cause she had championed since she was a teenager: protecting dolphins and whales from captivity. PETA released a new campaign featuring the late “Heroes” and “Nashville” actress on Tuesday, days after her unexpected death at 36.

Filmed in late July, approximately two weeks before Panettiere died, the video shows the actress using the confined space of a bathtub to illustrate the conditions dolphins and whales experience inside marine amusement parks. The animal rights organization released the previously recorded material as a tribute to Panettiere and her nearly two decades of marine wildlife activism.

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The campaign begins with Panettiere being photographed inside a cramped bathtub for a still advertisement. The visual was designed to create a comparison between the limited space available to a person inside a bathtub and the tanks used to hold large marine mammals in captivity.

Panettiere then appears fully clothed and standing in front of the tub as she delivers the campaign’s central message. “Imagine spending your entire life in a bathtub. That’s what it’s like for dolphins and whales in tiny tanks at marine amusement parks. We can end this, you and me,” the actress said.

She continued by asking viewers to consider the psychological impact captivity can have on marine animals. “Can you imagine their frustration, their trauma, their depression? All that is important and crucial for their well-being is ripped away,” Panettiere added.

The campaign is aimed at marine parks such as SeaWorld and urges the public to stop financially supporting facilities that keep dolphins and whales in tanks.

PETA Releases Video In Tribute To The Actress

PETA confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the campaign was filmed shortly before Panettiere’s death. The organization decided to release the photographs and video to honor her life while advancing the message she recorded.

“Today, in tribute to Panettiere’s life and legacy of compassion, PETA is sharing the ad and moving video encouraging everyone to honor her memory by doing as she asked: refusing to buy a ticket to any facility that condemns these sensitive animals to a tiny concrete tank,” PETA said in a statement.

Panettiere concludes the video with a direct request to her supporters. “Vow today to never go to a marine park that keeps dolphins in extreme captivity. Together, we can end this cruelty,” she said.

The ‘Heroes’ Star Launched ‘Save The Whales Again!’

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Panettiere’s advocacy for marine wildlife began long before her latest collaboration with PETA. In early 2007, she launched the “Save the Whales Again!” campaign in Hollywood alongside several of her “Heroes” castmates.

Panettiere used the initiative to educate the public about cruelty toward marine mammals while serving as a spokesperson for the Whaleman Foundation, an ocean conservation group focused on dolphins, whales and their habitats.

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Later that year, the actress put herself directly in the middle of an international controversy involving Taiji, Japan’s annual dolphin hunt. Panettiere was only 18 when she traveled to the coastal village with anti-whaling advocates. The trip occurred while she was starring on “Heroes,” giving the young actress a significant public platform that she was willing to risk using for a politically sensitive cause.

Hayden Panettiere Confronted Dolphin Hunters In Japan

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The group initially planned to participate in a surfers’ memorial ceremony on the water. After learning that pilot whales, including calves, had been driven into the cove, a smaller group returned before dawn. They paddled into water that the Whaleman Foundation described as stained red as they attempted to reach the animals awaiting slaughter.

“The reason we surfers were there was to share the water, stained red with blood, at eye-level, with our ocean kin awaiting their execution,” surfer Dave Rastovich, co-founder of Surfers for Cetaceans, wrote on the Whaleman Blog. Fishermen reportedly used boat propellers and long poles to prevent the activists from advancing. The confrontation continued for more than ten minutes before the group was forced to return to shore.

Footage from the incident was later incorporated into “The Cove,” which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Reports subsequently circulated that Japanese officials had issued a warrant for Panettiere’s arrest, although the existence of that warrant was later disputed.

Panettiere remained committed to the cause despite the controversy. “We must unite as a world to solve our increasing international environmental crises,” she said in a statement at the time. When asked about the experience by the MarineBio Conservation Society, Panettiere made it clear that the potential consequences had not changed her position. “I’d do it again,” she said.

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Actress Returned To Taiji Three Years Later

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Panettiere returned to Taiji in March 2010, weeks after “The Cove” won its Academy Award. This time, the actress pursued a different strategy. Rather than attempting another direct confrontation on the water, she sought meetings with the town’s mayor and representatives of the local fisheries union.

Two officials reportedly prevented her from entering the town hall. “We are trying to peacefully come up with better ideas as to how to generate income and utilize the nature here. We’ve been to Taiji before and it’s a beautiful place with beautiful wildlife,” Panettiere said at the time.

Brittany Snow is remembering Hayden Panettiere as a determined performer and supportive friend following the actress’ death at age 36. The “Pitch Perfect” star shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, with whom she worked on both the long-running soap opera “Guiding Light” and the “Kingdom Hearts” video game franchise. Snow reflected on playing Panettiere’s sister for three years and revealed that she saw parts of herself in her former co-star, even if she never expressed those feelings directly.

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Snow posted her tribute to Instagram Stories on Monday, August 17, praising Panettiere’s talent, personality and resilience. “I was lucky enough to play your sister for 3 years,” Snow wrote. “I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you. Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were.”

She continued, “Always supportive, curious, funny and brave. You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit.”

Snow and Panettiere worked together as young actresses on “Guiding Light.” Snow portrayed Susan “Daisy” Lemay, while Panettiere played Lizzie Spaulding. Their connection later extended into the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise, although their roles did not directly overlap. Snow voiced Namine, while Panettiere became the original English-language voice of Kairi.

Hayden Panettiere Helped Bring Kairi To Life

Panettiere voiced Kairi in the original “Kingdom Hearts” and returned for “Kingdom Hearts II,” helping establish one of the Disney and Square Enix franchise’s central characters. Kairi is closely connected to protagonist Sora and his friend and rival Riku, making her a significant part of the series’ emotional core. Alyson Stoner later stepped into the role at different points before Panettiere returned. Stoner ultimately voiced Kairi in 2019’s “Kingdom Hearts III.”

Following Panettiere’s death, Stoner recorded a tearful message acknowledging the loss felt by the actress’ loved ones and the gaming community. “Hey, this is very raw. It’s very messy, and please give me some grace. I wanted to acknowledge Hayden’s passing,” she began. “I’ve worked with Hayden, I’ve worked with Hayden’s brother Jansen [who died in 2023 from a heart condition], and from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives Hayden reached.

“Sending so much love to Hayden’s family,” she continued, fighting back tears. “I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left, and sending lots of love to the Kingdom Hearts community too, and how we’re sharing in this loss.”

‘Kingdom Hearts’ Pays Tribute To Its Original Kairi

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The official “Kingdom Hearts” social media accounts also honored Panettiere and recognized what her performance brought to the role. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hayden Panettiere,” the statement begins. “Through her performance as Kairi, Hayden brought warmth, heart, and an unforgettable voice to the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ series. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones.”

The tribute arrived during an emotional moment for the franchise. Fans had just received several major updates about “Kingdom Hearts IV” during Disney’s D23 event, including a new trailer and confirmation that the game is expected to arrive in 2027. The footage revealed that Sora will travel to a world inspired by Pixar’s “Coco.” It also included playable segments featuring Mickey, Donald and Goofy, along with the anticipated return of Riku.

‘Kingdom Hearts’ Reunion Takes On Somber Meaning After Hayden Panettiere’s Death

During the “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” panel, longtime English voice actors Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher appeared together to discuss their respective roles as Sora and Riku. The actors, who began voicing the characters as teenagers, also delivered their first live performance together as Sora and Riku in the franchise’s 25-year history.

The celebratory moment took on a more somber meaning following the death of Panettiere, whose voice helped shape the earliest chapters of the series.

Hayden Panettiere Also Starred In ‘Until Dawn’

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“Kingdom Hearts” was not Panettiere’s only major video game role. The actress portrayed Samantha Giddings in the cinematic survival-horror game “Until Dawn,” appearing alongside a cast that included Rami Malek, Brett Dalton, Jordan Fisher and Peter Stormare.

Released as an interactive horror experience, the game allowed players’ decisions to determine which characters survived the night. Panettiere’s character emerged as one of its most recognizable figures. “Until Dawn” was adapted into a movie in 2025, although Panettiere did not appear in the film. A sequel to the game is scheduled for release in 2027.

Bold and the Beautiful has both Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) absolutely distraught right now because both their marriages are falling apart.

And this week, they turn to each other for comfort and that could change everything. Today we’re talking about how Steffy and Carter might share a night of passion that leads to Steffy getting pregnant.

Bold and the Beautiful: Steffy & Carter Connect

All right, right now Steffy and Carter are both devastated at the state of their marriages and there’s a real vibe happening between them while they’re both tipsy. So Steffy told Carter her marriage is over and then he told Steffy that Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) walked out on him. And Steffy and Carter both feel completely abandoned and betrayed by their spouses. As you know, Steffy just came home from Monaco distraught that Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) followed them all the way there.

She’s feeling strong feelings about this. She’s also upset that Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) knew about it, that he didn’t warn her. And of course, Steffy found out the worst possible way. Eight toes on the beach. So, now she feels like she cannot trust Finn. And Steffy insists she’s terrified of Sheila, but I have some qualms on that. I’m not sure her actions match her words because Steffy keeps confronting Sheila.

Steffy has hit Sheila multiple times. She constantly confronts her. She reams her out. That’s pretty fearless stuff. Not what you usually do with people that you’re scared of. But Steffy insists she needs to protect herself and her children from Sheila. And of course, Steffy’s madly in love with Finn and doesn’t want to lose him. But Steffy can’t see a way through. She doesn’t want this to end their marriage, but she’s always gonna put her kids first.

Steffy Digs in Her Heels on B&B

And she truly believes Sheila is a danger to them. Because of that, she doesn’t feel like she can trust Finn right now. And we knew something big was coming because of what Brad Bell teased for Monaco. He said events in Monte Carlo would change lives forever. Most of us were theorizing this would be Sheila’s big redemption moment where she saves somebody, proves that she’s changed, all that kind of stuff.

But instead of her being able to prove anything to Steffy, everything just went sideways. The life-changing event did involve Sheila, but it was a bad life change. She followed Finn to Monaco, lurked on the beach when her flight was delayed, which shouldn’t have been a huge deal, but it sent Steffy over the edge, and she threw her wedding rings at Finn right there on the beach.

Then she got the first flight back to LA and was boozing the whole way from Europe to the West Coast. And now Steffy doesn’t think she can trust her husband. And Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) agrees that he can’t be trusted. So this week, Finn’s fighting really hard for his marriage. But by the time he gets back to LA, things are set in motion and it may be too late because Steffy might wind up with a huge secret of her own that she has to hide.

Carter’s Troubled Marriage on Bold and Beautiful

As for Carter, his life has been completely upended by Daphne’s heartbreaking premature menopause diagnosis. Her ovaries aren’t working right. So, the chances of her and Carter conceiving a child naturally are extremely low. And this is hitting Daphne so hard. She feels really guilty that she can’t give Carter the family he’s always wanted.

So, Daphne thinks she had to walk away from Carter and ended their marriage. Daphne even said their marriage was a mistake, which hit him really hard. But in the end, she believes she’s doing the best thing for Carter. So, she’s going to head back to Paris and then release him to be with somebody who can give him a family.

All of these are red flags and foreshadowing. And Daphne gave her wedding rings back to Carter, but it’s clearly killing her. So this week, we got Steffy back in LA, and Carter’s surprised to see her stumble drunk into the Forrester Creations office. And of course, he’s drunk, too. So, that means he and Steffy are drunk together.

Carter & Steffy May Cross the Line on B&B

Basically, Carter wants to protect Daphne, and she won’t let him. And Steffy wants Finn to protect her, but she feels like he’s not doing it. He’s not doing a good job. And with booze in the mix and then them being at the office all alone, you know, feels like the writing is on the wall because by the end of the most recent episode, Carter had Steffy in his arms. And we had a cliffhanger moment at the end of Monday’s Bold and the Beautiful episode where they almost kissed. We know that Steffy’s back to her place on Tuesday, but she and Carter might cross lines before she heads home to sober up and crawl into her bathrobe.

Bold and the Beautiful: Finn Won’t Give Up

Meanwhile, Finn is speeding back to LA trying to find Steffy. And remember, Finn told Ridge he needs to get to Steffy before something else happens that tears them even further apart. That’s more foreshadowing. So, we may or may not see this on the next episode with Steffy and Carter doing things, but we may see the cheating truth confirmed in a flashback.

You know, assuming Steffy and Carter are going to sleep together, I bet they realize, “Whoops, that was a mistake.” Because Steffy is Daphne’s best friend. And of course, Steffy really doesn’t want her marriage to Finn to be over. So, we may get Steffy and Carter at their places waking up hung over with little memories, scraps of flashback. We’ll see.

And then Daphne is going to be back by the end of this week to talk things over with Carter. And then she also talks to Ridge. So, I suspect if Carter and Steffy do the deed that they will agree to keep it a secret and never tell anyone. That’s well and good, except I suspect Steffy may turn up pregnant because of all the infertility stuff.

Bold and Beautiful: Pregnancy Secret and Surrogacy Cover-Up

And can you imagine how soapy that would be? Because Daphne’s her bestie and she’s got infertility. And if Steffy turned up pregnant with Carter’s kid when Daphne can’t get pregnant with his kid… messy, messy. And if Steffy does turn up pregnant, then this is another pregnancy where she will need another paternity test that she will have to keep secret.

So if it is Carter’s kid, it’s not like Steffy could hide that from Finn. So here’s what I wonder. Remember Steffy mentioned to Daphne that she froze some eggs? And I wonder if that was more foreshadowing that Steffy is not going to just give an egg, but maybe gives her a baby to raise.

I mean, if she really didn’t want Daphne to know that they cheated, Steffy could tell a big lie. She could offer to give Daphne an egg and to be a pregnancy surrogate. And then Steffy could pretend that the baby she and Carter accidentally made is really a surrogacy effort. And then she hands the kid over to Daphne and Carter.

Bold and the Beautiful: Steffy & Carter Keep Their Secrets Hidden

And then Finn and Daphne would never need to know that they cheated. They wouldn’t find out the awful truth that Steffy and Carter went behind their backs. And of course, Steffy could admit to the cheating and give the baby to Carter and Daphne to raise anyway. But at that point, Steffy and Carter’s marriages would implode. Daphne would never talk to Steffy again. It would be such a mess.

But as we know, the truth eventually comes out on soap. So, Daphne and Finn, I think, are going to find out at some point, assuming again that Steffy and Carter do this. They’d be devastated. And Carter did nothing wrong in his marriage to Daphne. We all know Carter’s been nothing but supportive of her.

Daphne’s the one who’s falling apart inside and thinking she needs to leave to do what’s best for him. Plus, she walked out on Carter, so he was technically single. Same for Steffy because she gave back her rings and dumped Finn. By the strictest definition, their marriages were over.

You know, at the point that Steffy and Carter might have wound up in bed together or on the CEO couch together, but Daphne and Finn will still see it as cheating and betrayal. So, we may see Steffy and Carter kissing and groping this week, or we might see them cut away to Steffy home in a robe, talking to Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig), and then having flashbacks of a drunken sofa mistake with Carter. One thing is for sure, as Brad Bell promised, this is all definitely life-changing.

It’s time for a Big Brother live feeds update including Rick Devens giving Drew Campbell a big hand in the game including a cheat code he may need soon. Plus, we have Angela Murray’s birthday madness, the scramble to save Kamu Kirk, and Yash Patel hitting on the ladies again.

Big Brother: Veto Meeting Let Down

Let’s start with the fallout from the veto meeting where Devens put his Diamond Power of Veto around Dee Valladares’s neck. That was after Yash didn’t use his regular power of veto.

Devens took down Dee and renommed Kamu. We were hoping for fireworks given the blindside move Devens made but nope. Angela said “Everyone’s taking it well”. And Dee said, “I hate that everyone’s taking it well.”

She wanted to see fights. But instead, it was literal crickets. There were hours of almost no talking, while the houseguests napped and sunned in the yard without touching on the veto shocker.

Big Brother 28: It’s Birthday time!

After that snooze fest, Taylor Brown cooked gyros for everyone for Angela’s birthday. And Lala Verrett made cake. Then, Taylor played emcee for Angela’s talent show. Kamu initially didn’t play along.

He said he was just an audience member. Dee fell over trying to do a handstand. Mallory Aurichio did a backroll then said the Declaration of Independence and alphabet backwards at top speed.

Yash did a bad magic trick. He tossed a blanket and said close your eyes then ran across the yard to hide. The best part of the bad magic was when Yash said he hates doing the trick because people bug him asking how did you do that?

Lala did a handstand in the middle of the yard, perfectly balanced. Barrett Pfeiffer, Mallory and Melody Morris did a mediocre birthday song. Haley Thogmartin demonstrated her softball arm. Devens contribution was hidden by production so I expect we’ll see it on the episode.

Big Brother: The Under Cooked Roast

Kamu finally decided to play and demonstrated some MMA moves on Drew, picking him up and manhandling him. Melody’s roast was meh. She said, “Angela, if you’re here, who’s losing first round in every competition?”

That got laughs. Melody mentioned when she first met Angela she was crying a lot and thought it was just the egg costume, but that’s just how she is. And the last joke was just a compliment. Taylor would’ve roasted Angela much better.

Lala sang a pretty birthday song for Angela. And everyone sang and gave her love and Angela said her 53rd was the most perfect birthday ever. It was all kumbaya and distracted everyone from the surprising veto meeting.

Big Brother 28: Dee & Devens’ Damage Control with Allies

Dee did some clean-up and told Barrett about her bribe power. Devens told Mallory and Melody-Drew that he made the DPOV move for them and their mosh pit alliance group.

Devens said he was good with Kamu, but this is what’s best for the group. Then the scramble for votes kicked off with Haley again not campaigning. Yash is working hard to save Kamu harder than Kamu is if I’m being honest.

Yash and Kamu worked on Mallory to join their side and pitched an alliance of everyone in the house besides the three vets and said they can run that to jury. I mean true, but good luck.

Kamu told Mallory about Dee’s bribe power but Yash lied and told Mallory that Dee was bribing him to nominate her and Melody. In my recollection, Dee asked to keep her and Angela off the block. And then just herself.

I remember Dee suggesting Drew as an alt but not the littles. Mallory told Yash all the reasons to take Kamu out now. Yash is fighting it. Taylor pitched to Mallory that keeping Kamu or Haley to go after the icons is smart.

But Mallory said we don’t need them to do that. And she told Taylor this is our shot to get Kamu out without getting much blood on our hands.

Big Brother: Is Kamu Toast or will Bro Code Save Him?

Haley tried to get Kamu worked up about being on the block but he said: “it’s Big Brother, had to happen. I think it’s kinda cool how it happened”. Later, Kamu threw Haley under the bus to Dee. So Kamu’s trying to stay.

Taylor did some self-motivation saying, “None of it is personal but game mode is officially turned on.” Also Yash told Barrett and Mallory they should have votes to save Kamu. He’s clueless.

However, Mallory wants to tell Yash before the vote that they’re sending Kamu out if he doesn’t win the blockbuster. Yash is now pushing to get Angela out when before, he didn’t want her to go.  Yash’s got to save the bro.

Icon Backlash on BB28

Mallory and Yash griped about Dee getting a power. He and Mallory complained about how bad she did at the puzzle and they talked about how he helped her then got nominated.

Yash and Mallory suspect if Dee doesn’t use the $5k bribe she gets to keep it. Mallory slammed Dee for not winning anything since HOH week 1. They ranted about her already winning Survivor, saying she shouldn’t win this.

Too bad Dee’s not on the block. But now they know if they nominate her, Devens can’t save her again. Also in a Melody, Yash, Kamu talk, Yash was stunned that Devens really had the Diamond POV and said some expletives.

Yash cursed him for not holding onto that until next week. Kamu said, “As soon as he was like, this veto ceremony is far from over, I thought, I’m going up”. Melody said she thought Devens was joking.

Kamu asked Drew to let him know if he doesn’t have the votes to stay. Mind you, Kamu was lying to Drew’s face when he was on the block fully planning to help evict him.

Big Brother: Haley’s Antics

Haley has a fit about something bizarre. Drew and Haley yard-walked and she doesn’t want to go to the jury house. She said she’d go crazy. Drew asked do you know what it’s like then explained it’s a villa with a pool.

You can watch movies, have your own room and bathroom. Haley said she can’t be cooped up. Umm. Isn’t that Big Brother. She told Drew she can’t be alone in the house for a week.

He said Haley might enjoy it and she snapped and said she’s done talking about it. Drew asked what if you’re the second person? Haley threatened to hit him. By the way, Drew’s still fully ratting to the vets.

He talked to Kamu then took it back to Dee and said Kamu told him part of me wants to win the Blockbuster but the other part of me wants Haley to win. He said he wants to sit on the block and prove to the icons the house is riding with him and not them.

Kamu said he wants to prove they’re not scared of the icons. Drew said he told Kamu, yeah bro, you should let Haley win because I don’t know if she stays against Angela.

Matchmaking in the BB28 House

In fun feeds stuff, Yash is soliciting women to be his wife, said they should send him a kiwi emoji. Said you might be my wife, enter my life, and hop in the DMs. The HOH group teased him and said that pitch must’ve gotten at least three.

Big Brother 28: The Devens Cheat Code

Just like he taught Drew to tie a tie, daddy Devens has another lesson for his TV son. He coached Drew on how to land a power in the BB Time Capsule instead of a punishment.

Although we know Drew really wants a punishment because he wants the attention. So, Devens told Drew you can spin a long time on the chair if you want, there’s no limit. He said there’s more powers than punishments now.

Devens told Drew to focus on one power square and then spin till he memorizes the pattern of what lights up before and after it because it’ll be consistent. Then you slap the button.

They suspect the time capsule winner will be Barrett, maybe Drew or perhaps Yash. I’m betting Drew. Also in other weird feeds stuff, for Mallory and Melody’s amusement, Barrett and Drew were reenacting scenes from the movie The Challengers.

As of today, Netflix subscribers worldwide have officially been treated to one of the best military dramas on television. As announced in January, the war series is part of a licensing agreement between Netflix and Paramount Global, which also brings shows like Taylor Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown and the medical drama Watson to the streamer. It should, however, be noted that only one major show, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, debuted on Netflix back in June as part of this deal.

From creator Benjamin Cavell and produced by CBS, the military series originally aired from September 27, 2017, to October 31, 2021, covering its first four seasons and parts of Season 5. The following month, the hit show made a highly publicized transition to streaming with the rest of Season 5 and the final two seasons streaming exclusively on Paramount+. During its CBS run, it was a solid ratings success in total viewers early on but later declined, prompting its move to streaming, where it performed adequately but not enough to prevent cancellation.

Starting today, August 18, 2026, all seven seasons of SEAL Team are streaming on Netflix in most regions worldwide, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Latin America, among others. This is a dream come true for many fans who don’t have access to Paramount+ and have missed significant parts of the series. Leading the action drama is TV icon David Boreanaz as Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Hayes, and he is joined by Max Thieriot, Neil Brown Jr., A.J. Buckley, Toni Trucks, and Jessica Paré, who round out the titular team.

Is ‘SEAL Team’ Worth Watching?

With an 84% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, SEAL Team is a compelling series that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. It centers on Bravo Team, a highly trained Navy SEAL unit, as they execute some of the most dangerous, high-stakes missions around the world on short notice. The series also highlights the intense pressure these missions place on the team members and their families. For them, failure isn’t an option, and this stress often pushes the team to rely on each other despite overwhelming odds, both in their missions and in their personal lives.

SEAL Team ended with Season 7 on Paramount+ in 2024, one year after the streamer announced that it would be the final run. Reports also confirmed at the time that a standalone movie that re-entered development in February 2022 and aimed to “expand the storytelling universe” had quietly been shelved.

SEAL Team is officially available to stream on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming news.

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Release Date

2017 – 2024-00-00

Directors

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Jason Cabell

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