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Carmen Electra embraced every inch of her nutritious breakfast while visiting the European city of Berlin.

The model, 54, shared an Instagram carousel on Friday, August 28, that captured her playfully indulging in a spread of fruits while soaking up the sunshine. “Breakfast in Berlin,” she captioned the post, which opened with a shot of herself topless while placing pineapple slices over her bust.

Further snaps from the racy shoot showed her with a plate of sliced watermelon, strawberries and other vivid fruits as she posed for the camera seductively. A video also showed her biting into a banana before one final image showed her bending over a chair to show off her derriere in a blue thong.

The shoot was likely staged in July when Electra visited Berlin as the guest of honor at Bellucci Berlin’s “La Grande Bellezza” summer party. A July 15 Instagram carousel showed Electra posing with a lollipop on a graffiti-filled street that she tagged in the German city. “How many licks does it take?” she captioned the post, which also included a video of herself twirling the sweet around the inside of her mouth.

Fans took to the Baywatch alum’s latest Berlin post to share praise, with one follower writing, “Still the most gorgeous,” and another writing, “Look as good as ever, maybe even better!”

Electra often flaunts her killer physique via risque social media posts, including the September 2025 Instagram carousel that captured her posing for sexy snaps in her living room. Proving there’s always opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot, the star sported a black zip-up corset that laced up the back, skimpy Daisy Duke shorts, fishnet stockings and knee-high suede stiletto boots.

In the post, the swimwear model posed seductively and blew kisses at the camera.

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From Alix Earle’s washboard abs to Bethenny Frankel’s cheeky moment, stars dared to bare during Miami Swim Week. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Deal of […]

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Electra, who rose to fame as lifeguard Lani McKenzie on the original iteration of Baywatch between 1997 and 1998, recently spoke to Us about Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot. Discussing one of the series’ new stars Brooks Nader, Electra stressed the need to maintain peak physical fitness to nail the role. “Basically [I] said, ‘Just be ready. Make sure that you’re in your top physical shape,’” she told Us on August 6 before adding that “running in the sand, diving over [and] jumping over waves, diving into the water” isn’t as easy as it sounds.

“You’re going to be coming out of the water, looking into the camera, and they’re going to say, ‘Don’t close your eyes.’ And your eyes are going to be burning,” she recalled telling Nader, 29. Despite the saltwater potentially affecting one’s vision, Electra reiterated that Nader will need to “open those beautiful eyes, and [she’s] going to need to look gorgeous coming out of that water, and you know the slow-motion run.”

Electra’s Baywatch series premiered on NBC in 1989 and focused on California lifeguards — with David Hasselhoff at the helm — who saved lives as beachgoers swam, encountered sharks and came up against the odd serial killer.

Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 3.

If you were hoping that this week’s Lanterns would pick up right where last episode’s cliffhanger left off, making good on that highly anticipated face-off between Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), think again. Instead, the third episode of the HBO series, titled “OutKast,” travels back in time to John Stewart’s (Aaron Pierre) complicated (to say the least) upbringing. The previous episode almost overemphasized John’s importance, and this week is entirely devoted to the same. Yes, the past is prologue, but how much of that past is necessary for Lanterns to include? Perhaps that depends on the viewer.

‘Lanterns’ Episode 3 Dives into John Stewart’s Origin Story

This episode begins in 2016, only a few months before “Pilot.” John Stewart falls onto a bunch of mattresses littered on the floor of an abandoned shopping mall. Signs lead him to the makeshift office of a Guardian of the Universe (Laura Linney). She tells him to wait inside, and that she’ll be back, so John waits until the next morning when she returns. “I was told to wait,” he says, when she notes that he hasn’t moved, reminding us that John simply does what he is told. But here’s where things get interesting. When John inquires about why he’s being interviewed for the job — and he’s seemingly not the only one, by the way — rather than being chosen by the ring, the Guardian reveals that it’s due to the death of one of their kind.

“OutKast” doesn’t give us time to dwell on the “what ifs,” even if that’s exactly what John’s father, John Sr. (J. Alphonse Nicholson), does. The episode flashes back to years ago, on the night when John Sr. was considered to become a Green Lantern. While an infant John lies awake in his crib, his father is terrified by the bubble of green energy that envelops him, admitting his fear before it departs for good. It isn’t long after that that Hal Jordan begins to actively patrol the Earth, causing John Sr. — enraged and slowly losing his mind after the experience — to shoot the television in anger, disgust, and depression. Nobody believes that he could have had the ring himself, not even his wife Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones). After she kicks her husband out of the house for the risk he poses to their children, she’s met by the aforementioned Guardian, who apologizes for any distress they may have caused John Sr. before revealing her true form.

“Whatever the ring saw in your husband is in his genetic makeup,” the Guardian eventually notes, offering Bernadette a chance to raise her son to be fearless — to be the next Green Lantern. This isn’t how Green Lanterns are usually chosen, and from what we can tell, this takes place long before Sinestro’s coup. Thus, it appears that (as usual) the Guardians have some sort of agenda. Back in 2016, John tells the Guardian that he became a Marine to get this “job interview” in the first place before recounting his last mission, which began almost a year earlier. When John meets with his commanding officer, he learns that a threat to national security, a target codenamed “Grey Wolf” (who doesn’t appear to be related to the DC Comics character), is almost impossible to track — save for his preferred personal retreat in Russia. John is the third Marine to be tasked with this mission after the other two failed, but he agrees to go behind enemy lines without hesitation.

‘Lanterns’ Reveals John’s Upbringing Was More Complicated Than We Thought

Image via HBO

It’s here where “OutKast” begins to get really intense. After meeting the Guardian, Bernadette confronts her husband and informs him that their other sons, Aaron and Marcus, already know fear, but baby John is a blank slate. They vow to condition their son not to know fear with the ultimate goal of training him to become a Green Lantern candidate. “He’s going to hate us,” John Sr. tells his wife. “So be it,” Bernadette replies. At John’s (Cairo Cash Lee) fifth birthday party, his parents gift him a Green Lantern uniform (one akin to the character’s classic comic book appearance) and tell him about his destiny. They explain to John that the Guardians send birds to watch over him (which explains his construct in the last episode). “They want us to make sure that you’re fearless,” Bernadette says. “You can’t worry about anybody but yourself.” They also give him a rifle when the poor boy just wanted crayons!

Back in 2016 (give or take), John embarks on his mission to hunt and apprehend “Grey Wolf.” Though he is injured while parachuting into Russia, he cauterizes his wound and sets up surveillance on the target. Nine months pass during John’s stakeout. Back in the interview, the Guardian inquires about why John was discharged from the Marines. He reveals he was dishonorably discharged — not because he couldn’t follow an order (he stuck around for nearly a year!), but because he failed to complete the mission. At first, the Guardian replies by asking what John knows about Sinestro, but the conversation quickly pivots to Hal Jordan. “Sinestro was Jordan’s teacher, a father figure,” the Guardian reveals, though she believes that Jordan’s continued affection for Sinestro is troubling.

Speaking of parental figures, the Guardian then inquires if John resents his own parents due to his rigorous upbringing. He tells her that “rigorous” comes with the territory, and what we see next begins to unpack that a little. Remember that scene in “Pilot” where John Sr. shot an apple off young John’s head? Well, Lanterns flashes back to John’s youth to reveal that the whole thing was his idea in the first place, an idea that Bernadette pushed her husband to entertain. After the test is successful, his father takes him to get a cheeseburger. This scene is bookended by another question by the Guardian, who asks if he loves his parents. John responds in the affirmative, adding that he’s entirely confident that he will get the job as the next Green Lantern.

In another flashback, it’s emphasized that young John and his brothers don’t exactly get along. They grew up in the same home, but John was raised quite differently from Marcus and Aaron. In some respects, he’s something of an outcast, and to drive that idea home, his brothers get him to sing along to OutKast’s “ATLiens” from the backseat of the family car. What seems like a bonding moment at first adopts a more somber note when one of his brothers likens John’s pronunciation to a “white boy named Henry,” and then the car stops in a rough neighborhood, where John’s parents force him to get out and walk the rest of the way home for the sake of his “training.” When he gets home, Bernadette has been waiting for him, but leaves before the boy breaks down, refusing to comfort her son.

“OutKast” Reveals the Real Reason Behind John Stewart’s Tension with Hal Jordan

Image via HBO

As John tells the Guardian, “Humans are not programmed, we’re raised,” though the alien doesn’t understand the distinction. John insists that there is one, but in his case, that may be a stretch. As a boy, John watched his mother go crazy, wondering about the Guardians and their lack of response. She believes it must be due to John’s fear, but the boy calls the birds liars, insisting that he’s not afraid. So, his mother turns the tables on him the next time he fearlessly survives another apple-on-the-head target shoot. Instead, she wants John to shoot an apple off her husband. Unsurprisingly, John can’t do it — how has nobody called the cops after years of backyard target practice? “Guess the birds aren’t liars, after all,” his mother tells him. That evening, Bernadette tells John that loving his dad isn’t something to be ashamed of. “It’s normal not to want to hurt the people you love,” she says before admitting that she made the bird thing up. It turns out that the Guardians don’t answer at all. In her mind, she insists they’re giving John the gift of privilege that Hal Jordan has. Inspired by his mother’s emotional manipulations, John tries again, successfully shooting an apple off her head instead.

This whole time, John has been dancing around what got him discharged from the Marines in the first place, but the Guardian insists he talk about it. As it turns out, “Grey Wolf” arrives after John has been scoping out the retreat for nine months, but before he can pull the trigger and complete his mission, Green Lantern arrives, destroys the entire compound, and leaves with the target. As John later discovers, apprehending “Grey Wolf” had all been a lucky break on Jordan’s part, but John is forced to take the fall for the international incident. John speaks with his mother afterward and is frustrated that everything he worked for is gone. However, she’s applied to art school on his behalf: “The path hasn’t changed; this is just a detour.” At art school, John is eventually sought out for a very special project: the Green Lantern Corps. After sketching the building they’re in to prove his imaginative power, John is asked to use a Green Lantern ring to create a replica of his father’s watch. When he succeeds, the events are set in motion for his interview, bringing the episode full circle.

The Guardian asks John whether Hal’s actions have caused him to harbor ill will toward the current Green Lantern. As it turns out, the Guardians have asked Hal to stop using his abilities to interfere in terrestrial affairs, and he wasn’t following orders when he captured “Grey Wolf,” after all. “Would you be comfortable replacing Hal Jordan?” she asks. John replies that if those are his orders, it doesn’t matter if he’s comfortable with it. When he heads home to share the good news with his folks, Hal is already sitting at the kitchen table, spoiling the surprise. It’s all good at first, but when Hal and John are alone, the Green Lantern insists that he doesn’t want a sidekick or a backup: “The only way you’re going to get this ring is over my dead body.”

New episodes of Lanterns air on HBO and HBO Max every Sunday.

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Release Date

August 16, 2026

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HBO

Directors

James Hawes

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Pros & Cons

• Aaron Pierre really shines in this episode as we begin to understand the complexities of John’s feelings toward Hal Jordan.
• The whole episode (in particular each time shift) is well-paced, which can be difficult to do properly in stories like these.

• This episode breaks up the momentum after last episode’s exciting cliffhanger.
• Longtime DC fans may not love the direction Lanterns is taking with John Stewart, especially as it makes Hal Jordan out to be the orchestrator of all his personal and familial turmoil.

Freida Parton is honoring sister Dolly Parton after the country music star’s death at age 80.

“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida, 69, wrote via Facebook on Saturday, August 29. “I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”

She continued, “Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”

Freida recalled asking her followers to pray for Dolly months prior, and again asked her fans to “please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss.”

Related: Dolly Parton’s Sister Clarifies Comments Asking Fans to ‘Pray’ for Her

UPDATE — 10/8/25, 3 a.m. ET: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida clarified her comments asking fans to pray for the singer in a new Facebook post late Tuesday, October 7. “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. […]

“There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well,” Freida wrote. “I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.”

Freida continued, “I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honor. It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too. Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. .”

She signed the message, “All My Love, Freida.”

Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Dolly’s niece confirmed that she has since been buried beside her husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.

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Related: Dolly Parton’s Nephew Addresses Her Death at Age 80 in Emotional Video

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]

“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey Parton wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”

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In the tribute, Lainey shared that she was treated like a child of Dolly’s and recalled the late country music icon financially supporting her through school.

“It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Lainey wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”

She concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always. 🤍.”

Dolly Parton’s niece Lainey Parton is reflecting on their relationship after confirming the country music icon was laid to rest following her death at 80.

“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 29, revealing her aunt was buried a day prior. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.

She continued, “Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her. Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

After recalling a moment when Dolly asked her to sing on the Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables album, Lainey shared that the singer “continued to believe in me.”

“When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else,” Lainey said. “She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”

She continued, “I’m so thankful I said yes to the opportunities and memories I got to share with her as my Aunt Dolly, including being in a movie with her. I’m so glad I have those moments to look back on now. I have things I can watch, hear, and hold onto when I miss her.”

Lainey shared that it “doesn’t feel real” that Dolly died, sharing that she will miss the singer’s voice, laugh, hugs and “just knowing she was there.”

“I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Lainey wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”

Related: Dolly Parton’s Nephew Addresses Her Death at Age 80 in Emotional Video

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]

Lainey concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always. 🤍.”

News broke on Tuesday, August 25, that Dolly died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. At the time, Dolly’s rep shared that the family asked for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.

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“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” read a statement from her rep. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”

The statement continued, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”

The singer was buried beside her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.

Mississippi mayor Ken Adams is sparking fierce online debate after disagreeing with the White House’s decision to lower all American flags to half–mast in tribute to the late Dolly Parton.

“I want to make something clear about the recent decision to lower the flags for Dolly Parton.

First, there is no question that Dolly Parton was a great person,” Adams, the mayor of Oliver Branch, wrote via the town’s official Facebook page on Friday, August 28, addressing the presidential decision. “She brought happiness to millions of people and has done tremendous things for others throughout her life. I have nothing but respect for her. My concern is different.”

He continued, “I believe lowering the American flag to half-staff should mean something very significant. In my opinion, it should be reserved for our military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, or events that have had a tremendous impact on our country.”

Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. As  “a mark of respect” for the iconic country singer and philanthropist, President Donald Trump proclaimed that the United States flag should be flown at half-staff at all public buildings until Tuesday, September 1.

As for Adams, he argued that the flag should only be lowered in specific circumstances.

“If we lower the flag every time a well-known or beloved person passes away, I believe we eventually lessen the meaning of the gesture,” he explained. “I also believe there is a role for local government in these decisions. Mississippi cities operate under Home Rule. We have locally elected officials who are responsible for making decisions for the people we represent.”

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Related: Nashville Airport to Be Renamed in Dolly Parton’s Honor, Governor Says

Plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late Dolly Parton are officially moving forward. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Friday, August 28. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit […]

Adams added, “I don’t believe that means we should disregard what the President or Governor decides. It means we have the ability to use our own judgment when appropriate. The President can make the decision for the country. The Governor can make the decision for the State of Mississippi. I believe a mayor should have the ability to make a decision for his or her city.”

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While Adams stressed that he meant no disrespect to Parton and her illustrious and iconic music and philanthropic career.

“It isn’t about politics, and it certainly isn’t about saying she wasn’t a great American,” he said. “It’s simply my belief that the American flag at half-staff is one of the highest honors we can give, and I believe that honor should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes preserving the meaning of an honor means being selective about when we use it.”

Parton, who was laid to rest on Friday, is survived by her siblings, her nieces and her nephews.

Influencer Jordyn Woods is defending her decision to include longtime friend Jaden Smith in her bridal party when she married now-husband Karl-Anthony Towns.

“‘Why is Jaden with all of the girls?’” Woods, 28, wrote via TikTok on Saturday, August 29, alongside images of Smith, also 28, posing next to the bride and her bridesmaids.

Woods went on to note that Smith was present at her bridal shower and even helped Towns, 30, dress for the big day. (While a woman’s bridesmaids have historically been all women, it’s become more common to organize a coed group. Taylor Swift even recently entrusted her brother as her “Man of Honor” in lieu of a formal bridal party when she married Travis Kelce last month.)

“He’s never missed an important moment in my life,” Woods stated, revealing her friendship with Smith began in childhood. “So grateful to have the epitome of a day ONE. From diapers to marriage. I can’t wait for his wedding one day but until then 🤣!!!”

Related: Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns’ Relationship Timeline

From friends to lovers, Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns have supported each other through numerous ups and downs over the years. The former best friend of Kylie Jenner made waves in February 2019 when she and Tristan Thompson kissed while he was dating Khloé Kardashian. While Woods and Jenner had a falling out over the […]

She continued, “He’s never missed a birthday, showing up at my dad’s funeral and making us all laugh, to now getting married. I’m so lucky I’ve never had to know a life without our friendship.”

Woods and the New York Knicks athlete said “I do” in a star-studded ceremony held on August 15 in Malibu, California.

“We didn’t want it to feel performative,” Woods, who donned a custom Danielle Frankel gown for the occasion, told Vogue of her wedding. “This has been one of the best, most successful years of our lives — being in the NBA Finals was surreal. And everything [at the wedding] was beautiful, but what I remember most is the feeling in the room.”

She added, “There was so much love surrounding us, and you could genuinely feel how happy everyone was to be there witnessing that moment with us.”

Just three months before Woods and Towns exchanged vows, the NBA star received another ring when the Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals.

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“Trying to find the right words because I’m still overwhelmed with emotion. These guys were so locked in that I woke up this morning still saying 0-0, waiting for Game 6,” Woods wrote via Instagram in June after the Knicks’ championship run. “Watching this team all season has been unbelievable, not just because of their undeniable talent, but because they’re even better people than they are players.”

At the time, Woods gushed that she “couldn’t be more proud” of Towns’ part in the NBA victory.

“Watching the humility you’ve carried through every high and low, the way you put your faith before everything else, the sacrifices you’ve made, and the joy you’ve brought to every moment has been so inspiring,” she said. “No ego. Just hard work, gratitude, and an unwavering belief.”

Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3, Episode 6.

In Episode 306 of The Walking Dead: Dead City, entitled “Genesis,” Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) find themselves randomly meeting on the streets of New York City, on a clear but chilly day, without a Walker in sight. The alternate reality episode of the series lets viewers see a different side of the duo without the intertwined but twisted history they’ve had previously. It shows how life could be in non-apocalyptic circumstances and explores whether there are aspects of ourselves that are the same, no matter what the world that we’re living in is.

Collider recently got the opportunity to chat with Cohan about the memorable episode and what it was like to have such a unique experience on the longtime franchise. During the interview, she discussed the exciting opportunity to break the mold, the fun of an alternate reality episode, exploring a different side of Maggie and Negan, how special it was to see Emily Kinney return as Beth, what she hopes fans will take from this episode, and why this was one of her favorite experiences on The Walking Dead.

Lauren Cohan Was Excited To Explore an Alternate Reality in ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Season 3

“Is life better in the apocalypse or in this alternate reality?”

Image via AMC

COLLIDER: When you read Episode 6 and learned how everything would play out for Maggie and Negan, how did you react?

LAUREN COHAN: Playing this character for a really long time and then having an opportunity to break the mold in a million ways has been invigorating. I don’t want to say invigorating because I had a great time last season with the dynamic with Hershel that I thought was very real to life. I like when our show echoes real world problems in a different setting. And so, to turn into this whole new territory this year has been really cool because I think we have served that darkness well. (Showrunner) Seth Hoffman came on for Season 3 and he had a handful of these conceptual episode ideas, and this was one that he told Jeff and I really early on that he wanted us to go for. We were very excited because dream sequences or alternate reality is so rare in The Walking Dead to begin with. And then, a relationship that’s as defined as Maggie and Negan’s, you see it very differently this season, but the only way you can see it this differently is if it was literally another dimension or another universe.

Going back to the rigid mind and the rigid life, and the trauma and stress that Maggie has been in for so long, both as an actor and as a gift for Maggie, it’s been incredible to see how many more colors come out when she’s relaxed and how much surprise there is in how you would interact with somebody, let alone that person being someone with whom you have this crazy history. We were really excited to do that episode. We were also excited because it supports the theme and the narrative of the season, not really of second chances, but if you change your point of view or you change just one thing, how different life can be and the different paths that you can take.

For me, it’s been interesting with the dynamic with Maggie and Negan. Just within our normal timeline, I like the fact that Maggie gives this to herself. She’s so much happier because she isn’t holding onto that resentment. It’s obviously hugely complex because it will never be gone or over. But then, in Episode 6, what I thought was really interesting was the idea of, is life better in the apocalypse or in this alternate reality? I see people in our world who actually live more fully. It’s obviously greater extremes, but we wanted to pose that question to the audience because I think it’s a question that’s always maintained for us, during the course of our lives and careers in The Walking Dead. There is something pretty awesome about life this way, albeit it being terrifying. Who are you in the apocalypse? And then, who are you in the real world anymore?

Lauren Cohan Enjoyed Exploring the Maggie and Negan Relationship Without the Threat of Walkers in ‘Dead City’ Season 3

“This is one of my favorite experiences on ‘The Walking Dead’ that I’ve ever had.”

I don’t think I ever would have imagined that we would ever get a Maggie and Negan meet-cute at any point in The Walking Dead. Was it surreal to shoot the scene in the diner, just on a normal day without Walkers, and to share this relationship between these two people in the daytime where they’re having a conversation about their own baggage?

COHAN: Yeah. The first thing that came up for me when we knew that episode was going to happen and then when we were prepping it, not so much once we were shooting it, was that the stakes are so different. I’m here talking about, “Do I sell the farm? Are my husband and I right for each other?” We’re confronting whether to have kids in life. There’s no time for those conversations. It doesn’t make them any less important because it’s all relative. But the stress that Maggie is under, in the beginning of that episode, when Negan says, “Come and have a day with me. Just leave it all,” is very relatable. If you separate real timeline Maggie and Negan from this episode, which we really did because you have to, it was just incredibly fun. On the simplest level, Jeff and I, getting to act with a full range of naturalness was so much fun. This is one of my favorite experiences on The Walking Dead that I’ve ever had, just to have the history with both each other and with the characters, but then let it all go.

What was it like to also revisit and have her spend time with Beth and have Emily Kinney there?

COHAN: I tear up even right now thinking about it because as soon as Seth pitched the idea, I knew he was looking for somebody unexpected and exciting to bring back. As soon as he had the idea for Emily and Beth, it takes almost nothing to feel for that relationship and for her, for me. She was such a unique character in the show. Beth went through depression and struggles, and her death was obviously really dark, but she went out fighting. To bring her back, and to bring her back as a Brooklyn indie singer-songwriter in a bar with all the light and life and hope and creativity and dreams, the first day of shooting was so easy.

We shot the scene at the fountain first, and just watching Emily come around the corner and then having this surreal moment in my mind where I’m Maggie and she’s Beth and we’re in The Walking Dead, it was so moving. It was so incredibly easy just to see her and be with her. The fantasy of bringing people back, because that’s so keystone to the show, and to have second chance and for things not to have gone the way they did and to turn back time, was really amazing. We had such a great time.

Lauren Cohan Hopes ‘The Walking Dead’ Fans Are Moved by the Return of Beth in ‘Dead City’ Season 3

“I hope it helps create a ripple in the real time of the show, for change and healing.”

Image via AMC

What do you hope fans take from this episode?

COHAN: I hope they love seeing Emily. I hope they are moved and they get lost in the alternate reality of it. I hope it helps create a ripple in the real time of the show, for change and healing and a different reality. For me, Negan will always have done what he did, and it will always be really unforgettable and unforgivable. I feel very protective of the fact that forgiving doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt. Having children is the ultimate vote for the future of humanity. Forgiving someone is believing in their possibility to change their potential. They help each other in the episode. It’s the most unlikely alliance in that city in real time, but is it for the betterment of themselves and everyone to actually go through that.

The Walking Dead: Dead City airs on AMC on Sundays.

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Release Date

June 15, 2023

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Network

AMC

Showrunner

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Eli Jorne, Seth Hoffman

Directors

Kevin Dowling, Loren Yaconelli

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Writers

Brenna Kouf

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Post-apocalyptic films, despite the global scale of their premise, work best as introspective reflections on humanity, exploring all the strengths and flaws that come with the mortal experience. While many sci-fi stories explore the adventurous aspects of surviving the end of the world — rugged survivalism, mutated creatures, and abandoned cityscapes, the most compelling stories in this genre are centered around the question of what it truly means to continue living in a world that is desolate, unforgiving, and lonely. This is a critical distinction that separates apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic movies, separating the Roland Emmerich-style disaster movies from the slower burn of other films.

Z for Zachariah is one such example of a character-driven drama set in the end-of-days. The film delves headfirst into this question of human survival and coexistence as it explores the lives of three unlikely survivors of a nuclear apocalypse, forced to navigate life within the confines of a miraculous safe haven. Based on a novel from 1974, the underrated sci-fi picture is one of the most personal post-apocalyptic stories out there, featuring a starkly minimal cast of just three actors — but when that cast includes Margot Robbie, Chris Pine, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, there’s still an overabundance of talent and depth present throughout the film. Directed by Craig Zobel, the indie sci-fi thriller still has plenty of post-apocalyptic intrigue, but in a dead world, the most compelling stories are about the scarce few that remain. Despite the star power in the film, Z for Zachariah only received a limited release and minimal media attention. However, a retrsopective look back at the picture proves that it’s an underrated and important addition to each of these actor’s respective filmographies.

‘Z for Zachariah’ Takes a Personal Approach to the Post-Apocalyptic Genre

Image by Lionsgate

Z for Zachariah is set in a dying world rendered uninhabitable by a nuclear apocalypse. However, within an isolated valley in the Southern United States, a young woman named Ann Burden (Robbie) lives a miraculous life shielded from the radiation outside her humble homestead. Surviving thanks to the miraculous microclimate in the valley, Ann and her dog Faro keep a simple and steady life as they plant and harvest in preparation for the impending winter, motivated by the ever-dimming hope that her family will return from their expedition outside. But Ann’s loneliness is poised to come to an end when John Loomis (Ejiofor), an engineer and researcher, finds his way into the valley. Upon discovering that the valley was spared from excessive radiation, Loomis rushes to bathe in a seemingly crystal-clear lake. However, Ann discovers him and warns him that the water is irradiated because it comes from outside the valley. Without second thought, Ann swiftly takes the stranger into her home and nurses him back to health.

Once Loomis regains his strength, he and Ann continuously grow closer to one another as they steadily build a life in the valley, supplementing each other’s survival despite the secrets that keep a degree of distance between the pair. John’s engineering background proves to be an immeasurable asset as he begins undertaking projects around the farm, improving the scarce living conditions with practical and hands-on solutions that make survival significantly more comfortable. But just as a shade of normalcy begins to form for the pair, a stranger arrives in the valley and shakes up the already tenuous balance. Caleb (Pine), a miner who survived the apocalyptic fallout by remaining underground for months, arrives with rumors of a town of survivors further south. Similar to her earliest interactions with Loomis, Ann proves to be trusting and earnest upon meeting another living person, eager to give help to a fellow survivor. In contrast, Loomis feels suspicious and skeptical of Caleb, initially planning to ask him to leave before being dissuaded by Ann. The initial meeting and following days after Caleb’s arrival are marked by a cold tone, one that dances between Loomis’ suspicion and the group’s dependence on each other for continued survival, adding significant tension to the film with the sole addition of one new character.

That focus on character interactions and tension is what makes this movie stand out from others in the genre. Despite being a sci-fi film, Z for Zachariah takes a far more grounded approach than others in the genre. Most of the science in the film is relatively small-scale and realistic, focused on realistic survival strategies such as fixing a water wheel to generate power, even with the dramatic background of nuclear fallout just outside the valley. And despite the differing professional backgrounds of each character, it’s quickly affirmed that each of them brings a set of skills that are essential for their survival. Loomis uses his engineering background to manually pull fuel from an abandoned gas station, Ann’s farming knowledge keeps them fed, and Caleb’s hands-on mechanical experience proves a welcome addition. While the fiction part of science-fiction in the film is mostly in the background, the destruction of the nuclear apocalypse still serves as the overarching catalyst for the central conflict: the tension between the survivors.

The Survivors Navigate Love, Trust, and Jealousy During the End of Days

The small-scale perspective of this post-apocalyptic film means that John, Caleb, and Ann won’t be solving the problem of saving the entire world — in fact, because of the safe haven of their miraculous valley, their immediate survival isn’t a pressing concern as it would be for other characters in the same genre. The valley is one of the most hospitable settings of a film set after nuclear fallout, which allows the central narrative to truly sit with the characters and their interpersonal relationships. Even though there are fewer than a handful of characters, it’s Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Ann that serves as the central foundation for the entire film. It’s her stalwart care of the farm before Caleb and John arrive that provides such a safe haven for them to arrive at, and it’s her earnestly friendly personality that enables coexistence in such a tense environment. Ann is a kindhearted and steady Southern belle, faithful and optimistic even after suffering immeasurable loss. While Robbie’s Southern accent wavers at times, her performance is nonetheless endearing and heartfelt, maintaining an irrefutable charm despite the melancholic tone of the story. One of the keys to Robbie’s performance is her measured restraint. Despite her character’s innocence and naïveté, she’s not an easily manipulated farm girl but a young woman driven by her staunch hope and values.

The other characters then play important juxtapositions to Ann’s character. In contrast to Ann’s steady faithfulness, Ejiofor’s Loomis is a stoic and troubled figure. Despite his reliable nature and incredibly useful expertise, Loomis carries a haunted past on his shoulders, a burden and distance expertly portrayed by Ejiofor’s performance. While Ann holds onto hope due to her religious upbringing, Loomis continues to push forward because of his own resilient dependence on science. But though he doesn’t hold the same religious faith as Ann, Loomis does remain respectful of the source of her unwavering conviction. Loomis relies on his scientific background as the foundation for his continued perseverance, but intellectual knowledge alone soon proves lacking for sufficient survival. Despite being the most tangibly useful member of the group, Loomis also harbors the most insecurity and guilt about his past — shortcomings that prevent him from truly connecting with Ann and Caleb. Though his presence proves vital for improving the physical conditions of their home, his detachment keeps their living situation cold and the tensions hot throughout the film.

While John and Ann serve as the foundational relationship in the story, Caleb is the wildcard that disrupts whatever shade of stability they are forming. A religious person like Ann, Caleb retains his southern charm and manners that make him easy for the young woman to connect to. Even with her trusting nature, Ann’s trust in Caleb is formed through their shared beliefs and backgrounds, which serve as nostalgic remembrances of life before the apocalypse. However, Caleb isn’t introduced as a straightforward charming gentleman, but as someone who carries an air of danger around him. For once, Pine’s striking eyes aren’t painted as the charming baby blues of a romantic lead, but like the ice-cold stare of a wolf, indicating a strong defiance and confidence. Just as John and Ann’s relationship begins to deteriorate over concerns about issues of trust and affection, Caleb and John enter a Cold War over their third companion’s attention. It’s a cold and passive-aggressive war, one that cannot be fought outright, but remains a nagging tension throughout all their interactions. Each moment between the two is thrilling, as the audience is unsure what they are going to say, or even worse, what they are going to do.

At first, the quietly brewing love triangle between Ann, Caleb, and John may feel out of place, considering the more pressing concern about survival in such an inhospitable environment. However, its inclusion in the film instead makes these characters feel all the more human; it makes their unexpected coexistence in the valley feel like the random shuffle of existence, rather than an intentionally written narrative. There is something viscerally human about John’s jealousy over Caleb. Despite his mechanical expertise and knowledge, his inner emotional turmoil ultimately supersedes his own rational thinking. Caleb, on the other hand, is painted in a more intentionally antagonistic lens, lording arrogantly over the other man at any given opportunity. However, even with this initial framing, both characters are multidimensional and can be seen from the other lens. John is still fallible and deserving of criticism and Caleb, despite his air of mystery, likewise deserves a chance to prove himself trustworthy. Ultimately, the two men are forced to remain cordial, forced to work with one another, and forced to believe that everything will be okay.

At the center of it all is Ann, whose guarded optimism about the world serves as the guiding beacon of hope in Z for Zachariah. Though her companions often underestimate her because of her youth, Ann is equally as complex a character as her male counterparts. While she remains optimistic and hopeful, she demonstrates an acute understanding of the reality of the situation. Although her hope for the future is often misinterpreted, she is not naive — though she is still flawed. Similarly to the other two characters, Ann’s approach to processing complex emotions suffered from her time in isolation, making her susceptible to emotionally charged and unsteady decisions. While audiences might get frustrated at moments when the characters act irrationally, it’s these moments that make them feel more human and relatable. So even when they’re all trying their best, the small contingent of survivors still have to contend with their internal turmoil, just as much as they have to deal with the harsh external world.

The Film Is Slow and Contemplative With its Characters

Image via Lionsgate

Audiences shouldn’t watch Z for Zachariah with expectations of an adrenaline-pumping sci-fi thriller, despite the genre it falls under. The film is slow, contemplative, and brutally realistic about the interpersonal struggle between flawed people; John’s jealousy, Ann’s uncertainty, and Caleb’s arrogance all seep into every minute action that they have. Their actions and words are layered with subtext and complex motivations which leave audiences in a constant state of uncertainty. That ever-present discomfort feels right at home in a post-apocalyptic setting, where each moment isn’t guaranteed. While it’s not the central focus of the movie, questions about race, science, and religion all permeate throughout the narrative. There’s no denying that John’s identity as a black man contrasts with both Ann and Caleb, who are not only both white, but were raised in similar communities. Even after society has collapsed, the characters are unable to completely separate from the world they once knew, forcing them to contend with the remnants of their old lives as they endeavor to build a new one.

Where other post-apocalyptic movies like Mad Max focus on emotions like rage in their exploration of humanity, Z for Zachariah carries an overarching tone of sadness and melancholy that permeates throughout the entire film. Even with a runtime of just over an hour and a half, the movie feels like it lasts much longer because of the deliberate pace of each passing day. For every minor victory that the characters earn, there is still the void of society and community that dwarfs whatever happiness is attained. Robbie, Ejiofor, and Pine all deliver some of the most subtle yet emotional performances of their career, embodying characters that are not typical in their resumes with notable depth and contemplation. If you’re a fan of any of these actors, Z for Zachariah is certainly worth viewing. In this brief glimpse of a potential haven, it truly feels like these characters are the last survivors of the end of the world — there’s no hope of rescue, and maybe no reason at all to even continue living. Even within the safe haven they were seemingly blessed with, the characters in Z for Zachariah live with uncertainty in every breath, questioning what it means to live, alone, in a dead world.

Sister Wives alum Janelle Brown is continuing to share glimpses of her relationship with her new boyfriend following her split from reality TV polygamist Kody Brown.

“A beautiful evening by the water (this may be becoming a theme for us 😃),” Janelle, 57, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 30. “Had dinner while we watched the boats.”

Janelle also shared a photo of the pair smiling as they placed their arms around each other, posing on a dock beside boats.

Days earlier, Janelle unveiled her romance with her boyfriend and uploaded a selfie of the twosome.

Related: Why Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Is ‘Not Interested in Dating’

TLC; Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic Janelle Brown is embracing single life after her separation from Kody Brown — and she doesn’t want a new relationship anytime soon. “First of all, I’m not interested in dating at all. I’m not even interested. I’m not looking,” Janelle, 54, said during the Sunday, November 12, episode of Sister Wives. “I […]

“Some chapters are meant to unfold quietly before they’re shared,” she wrote via Instagram. “I wasn’t looking. I certainly wasn’t expecting you. And somehow, you turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed. And it has been pretty wonderful. 🩷Everyone please meet Pete.”

Janelle previously tied the knot with Kody in 1993, while married to Meri Brown. Kody went on to wed Christine Brown and have a spiritual ceremony with Robyn Brown in 1994 and 2010, respectively. Kody legally divorced Meri in 2014 to legally marry Robyn and adopt her three children.

In 2021, Christine shared that she and Kody separated. One year later, Janelle announced that she and Kody had called it quits for months. Meri confirmed her own split from Kody in 2022. Robyn is still married to Kody.

Between his four partners, Kody has 18 children — one with Meri, six with Janelle, six with Christine and five with Robyn. (Janelle and Kody’s son Garrison died in 2024. He was 25.)

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Related: A Look Back at Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown and Ex Kody Brown’s Relationship

Sister Wives‘ Janelle Brown and Kody Brown’s plural marriage was anything but conventional ahead of their 2022 split. Janelle and Kody’s lives were intertwined well before they spiritually tied the knot in 1993. Janelle’s late mom, Sheryl Brown, and Kody’s dad, William Winn Brown, were married for years before William’s death in 2013, making the eventual […]

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Earlier this month, Janelle reflected on a past version of herself and her previous relationship dynamic. At the time, she shared a selfie video of her at the beach.

“Have you ever wondered about what the version of you who second-guess everything would think of you now?” Janelle wrote over an August 20 Instagram video. “I think about her sometimes. The version of me who ran every decision past three people before she trusted it enough to move.”

“She would probably not even recognize the version of me who bought land without a plan, who changed course mid-week because it stopped feeling right, who doesn’t ask permission before making the call anymore,” Janelle continued. “I don’t think she’d think I got braver, necessarily. I think she’d just be relieved. Like she’d been waiting a long time for someone to finally believe her instead of everyone else.”