A trilogy with great acting is difficult in a way single films rarely have to be. One performance can impress in two hours. Across three films, actors have to survive time, repetition, tonal shifts, aging, grief, corruption, romance, spiritual exhaustion, or complete moral defeat without making the character feel artificially consistent.

That is why these trilogies stand apart. The performances carry history from one film to the next. You can see people harden, soften, lie better, love worse, lose patience, lose innocence, and sometimes lose themselves completely. The best acting here is not always the loudest. Sometimes it is a glance held too long, a voice that has changed after years, or a person realizing too late that they have become someone they once feared.

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The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

Image via Warner Bros.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is a risky role because the costume can easily become more interesting than the man. Bale avoids that by treating Bruce as three different public performances before Batman even enters the picture: the careless billionaire act, the controlled private heir, and the wounded obsessive who can only explain himself through mission language. Across the trilogy, Bale makes the body change too. In Batman Begins, Bruce is restless and hungry. In The Dark Knight, he is more disciplined but also more uncertain. In The Dark Knight Rises, he looks like a man whose ideals outlived his strength.

The supporting performances are the reason the trilogy earns a place here. The Joker (Heath Ledger) feels unpredictable without turning him into empty chaos. Gordon (Gary Oldman) gives ordinary decency under impossible pressure. Alfred (Michael Caine) makes his love for Bruce feel warm, angry, and sometimes helpless. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), Bane (Tom Hardy), Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy), and Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson) all understand the world they are in. This trilogy has spectacle, but the actors give it its moral pain.

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The Vengeance Trilogy (2002–2005)

Image via CJ Entertainment.

Park Chan-wook’s vengeance films do not share one continuing cast of characters, so the acting achievement is different. Each film asks performers to enter a world where revenge has already damaged the person seeking it. Nobody gets to play pain in a simple line. In Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) is painfully inexpressive without being blank, while Park Dong-jin (Song Kang-ho) turns a grieving father’s rage into something frighteningly human.

Then Oldboy takes everything further through Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), whose performance is physical, humiliating, funny, disgusting, broken, and strangely tender, sometimes within the same stretch of screen time. He plays a man rebuilt by captivity, then destroyed by knowledge. Lady Vengeance depends on Geum-ja (Lee Young-ae) doing something quieter and more difficult. Geum-ja has to seem controlled, holy to some people, terrifying to others, and privately consumed by guilt. The trilogy’s acting is extraordinary because revenge keeps changing shape: panic, grief, performance, obsession, shame, and punishment all demand different emotional languages.

6

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001–2003)

Image via New Line/courtesy Everett Collection

Fantasy acting can go wrong fast when performers either underplay the scale or become too theatrical for the camera. The Lord of the Rings gets the balance right almost everywhere. Frodo (Elijah Wood) gives Frodo a softness that makes the later exhaustion genuinely painful. He plays heroism as endurance that becomes harder to access each time the Ring tightens its hold on him. Sam (Sean Astin) gives the trilogy’s most open heart without making him childish or simple.

The ensemble keeps Middle-earth emotionally readable. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) makes Aragorn’s reluctance feel tied to fear of failure, not false modesty. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) gives authority, humor, irritation, grief, and deep affection. Gollum (Andy Serkis) changes the entire trilogy, making him pathetic, funny, frightening, and heartbreaking without letting the digital performance lose human detail. Théoden (Bernard Hill), Éowyn (Miranda Otto), Boromir (Sean Bean), Arwen (Liv Tyler), Saruman (Christopher Lee), and Denethor (John Noble) each add weight to their corners of the story. The acting makes the mythology feel personal.

5

The Human Condition Trilogy (1959–1961)

Image via Shochiku

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There are performances that feel impressive, and then there is Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai), which feels almost physically punishing to watch by the end. Across Masaki Kobayashi’s trilogy, Kaji begins as a principled man trying to protect Chinese laborers under Japanese imperial rule, then is forced into military life, war, defeat, hunger, and moral isolation. Kaji never becomes a clean symbol of goodness. That is the greatness of the performance. He is sincere, stubborn, naïve, angry, frightened, proud, and sometimes wrong even when his conscience is right.

The acting has to carry an enormous historical and ethical burden without flattening Kaji into a lesson. Kaji’s face changes across the three films in a way that feels severe and earned. His eyes lose expectation. His voice becomes harsher. His attempts to argue with power become more desperate because he understands the cost better each time. Michiko (Michiyo Aratama) is just as essential because her love for Kaji never feels decorative. She represents the life he keeps trying to deserve and keeps being pulled away from. Few trilogy performances show idealism being tested this completely.

4

The Apu Trilogy (1955–1959)

Image via Aurora Film Corporation

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The acting in The Apu Trilogy is devastating because so much of it feels unforced. Satyajit Ray’s films ask performers to show life changing through small domestic gestures, disappointments, silences, and moments of joy that pass quickly. In Pather Panchali, young Apu and Durga are played with such natural curiosity that the film seems to remember childhood from the inside. Harihar (Kanu Banerjee) gives warmth and weakness, while Sarbajaya (Karuna Banerjee) becomes one of cinema’s great portraits of maternal strain.

The later films deepen everything. Apu grows through different performers, and the trilogy allows that change to feel natural rather than disruptive. Adolescent Apu (Smaran Ghosal) captures the adolescent pull between home and education in Aparajito. Adult Apu (Soumitra Chatterjee) gives charm, intelligence, romantic surprise, and later a grief so severe that it changes how he moves through the world. Aparna (Sharmila Tagore) is unforgettable because she turns a sudden marriage into something tender with tiny shifts of trust and amusement. The performances never beg for attention. They become powerful because they feel completely tied to ordinary life.

3

The Three Colours Trilogy (1993–1994)

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The Three Colours Trilogy needed actors who can make abstract ideas feel painfully private and it nailed that part. Blue belongs to Julie (Juliette Binoche), and her work is almost frightening in its restraint. Julie loses her husband and child, then tries to detach from memory, music, friendship, and desire. Julie shows that refusal through her breathing, her stillness, the way she listens, and the way pain interrupts her even when she tries to control the room around her.

White shifted into a completely different acting register. Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) is wounded, funny, humiliated, petty, and determined without losing sympathy, while Dominique (Julie Delpy) gives enough sharpness to keep the film from making their marriage too easy to judge. Red is the most generous of the three, and Valentine (Irène Jacob) has a rare openness that never feels naïve. Opposite her, the retired judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant) is cold, ashamed, amused, and lonely in ways that slowly become moving. The acting across the trilogy is remarkable because each film uses a different emotional temperature and every lead adjusts perfectly.

2

The Before Trilogy (1995–2013)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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This ranking would collapse without Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) near the top. Hawke and Delpy play two people learning how their own charm changes with age. In Before Sunrise, Jesse and Céline are curious, flirtatious, insecure, clever, and young enough to think one night can reveal everything. The performances have awkwardness built into them, which is why the romance feels alive instead of polished.

Nine years later in Before Sunset, the acting becomes sharper and more guarded. Jesse uses jokes and stories to hide regret. Céline keeps shifting between warmth, anger, and self-protection because she knows exactly what that Vienna night cost her. In Before Midnight, Hawke and Delpy make long-term love feel brutally specific: interruptions, old complaints, parenting fatigue, sexual history, intellectual sparring, resentment, tenderness, and the terrible skill of knowing how to hurt someone precisely. The achievement is almost unfair. You do not feel actors returning to roles and instead, feel two people carrying eighteen years of unfinished conversation.

1

The Godfather Trilogy (1972–1990)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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No trilogy gives actors more room to show power changing people than The Godfather. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is one of cinema’s great long-form performances because the transformation is so carefully measured. In the first film, Michael watches the family business with distance, then starts making choices that narrow his soul without him fully admitting it. In the second, he has become controlled, suspicious, brilliant, and emotionally unreachable. In the third, he wants forgiveness, but Michael makes that desire feel trapped inside a man who still knows how to command before he knows how to confess.

The surrounding performances are just as essential. Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) gives warmth, calculation, age, and authority without ever needing to raise the performance into caricature. Young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) becomes a separate person rather than a Brando imitation. Kay (Diane Keaton) gives the trilogy’s clearest moral injury. Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) is weak, loving, resentful, and unbearable to dismiss. Connie Corleone (Talia Shire), Sonny Corleone (James Caan), Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), and Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) all add different kinds of family pressure. The acting is top-notch because every major relationship changes meaning as the trilogy continues. Love becomes leverage. Loyalty becomes fear. Family becomes the place where nobody survives untouched. When you look back and understand that Francis Ford Coppola made the first film in 1972, it feels unreal.

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The Godfather

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Release Date

March 24, 1972

Runtime

175 minutes

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Director

Francis Ford Coppola

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Writers

Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola

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Off Campus is expected to devote a season to Jalen Thomas Brooks‘ character Tucker — but who should play his love interest Sabrina?

Based on the Off-Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating the complexities that come with transitioning into adulthood,” per the official synopsis.

Season 1 focused on Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett (Belmont Cameli), but despite Logan’s (Antonio Cipriano) story being based on the books, Dean (Stephen Kalyn) will be the focus next and then Tucker (Brooks) is expected to follow after Logan’s turn.

“You’re gonna see a lot of Tucker becoming this guy that he’s known to be in the books,” Brooks exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2026 about his character’s journey in season 2.

Despite there still being plenty of time for the show to introduce Sabrina, fans have been eagerly awaiting cast news. Luckily, some actresses, including Chandler Kinney and Shabana Azeez, have weighed in on the possibility of them appearing on the highly anticipated role.

Keep scrolling to see the most popular fan casts for Sabrina:

Chandler Kinney

Kinney is booked and busy coming off Pretty Little Liars but she just wrapped the first two seasons of Elle … and told Us she would love to venture over to the Off Campus set for the role of Sabrina.

Antonia Gentry

When Gerry isn’t focused on Ginny & Georgia, something tells Us she would nail it as Sabrina.

Maitreyi Ramkrishnan

Fresh off Never Have I Ever (and a mysterious role in season 2 of Elle), Ramakrishnan is due for another project centered on romance.

Shabana Azeez

If The Pitt fans won’t get to see Javadi and Mateo date on the HBO show, then the least Azeez and Brooks can do is play love interests somewhere else. It doesn’t hurt that Azeez has already given her stamp of approval to play Sabrina — as long as she doesn’t have to play hockey.

Sydney Park

Before becoming a popular fancast choice, Park appeared on The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and more.

Savannah Lee Smith

The Gossip Girl and Cruel Intentions alum could be the perfect opposite for Brooks on Off Campus.

Isabella Briggs

Briggs needs to be more booked after The Summer I Turned Pretty and there’s no better time than now with Off Campus.

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Sofia Wylie

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series proved that we need more of Wylie on our screens — preferably in a romance project.

Rainbow Wedell

Wedell is best known for her roles in The Wilds, School Spirits and more.

Lexi Underwood

Us has had our eye on Underwood after her time on Little Fires Everywhere and Cruel Summer.

Roomies, Big Tigger is making headlines after a serious situation involving his wife, Alicia Brown, took another turn. As more information continues to come to light, newly surfaced footage and court filings are shedding light on allegations that have now sparked widespread conversation online.

RELATED: Alicia Brown Shares Message About “False Narratives” As Big Tigger Is Reportedly Ordered To Stay Away From Her & Their Kids

New Video Surfaces Amid Big Tigger Allegations

According to TMZ, Ring camera footage from inside the couple’s home appears to capture part of an alleged May 9 altercation between Big Tigger and Alicia Brown. In the video, Alicia allegedly tells someone to “take a picture” before Big Tigger approaches her, grabs her by the neck, and tells her to stop. The footage then shows him grabbing her arms as the two struggle while Alicia repeatedly yells, “Get off of me!” Moments later, the pair move out of the camera’s frame behind a door before a loud noise is heard, followed by what sounds like Alicia crying.

@tmz

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️ 🚨 Security footage in Big Tigger’s home appears to capture part of a fight with his wife, including his alleged assault of her … TMZ has learned.

♬ original sound – TMZ

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Alicia Brown Addressed “False Narratives” On Instagram

On Thursday, June 25, Alicia Brown shared a message on her Instagram Story, saying the past few weeks had been difficult and expressing frustration over what she called “false narratives” and attacks surrounding the situation. She also said she took “full responsibility” for posting the video of her injuries but added that the “lack of accountability, remorse and acknowledgement” had weighed heavily on her. Brown concluded by asking for patience as she works with her legal team and determines the appropriate platform to share more about what happened.

Court Documents Detail Alleged Altercation

As previously reported, an arrest warrant issued on Saturday, June 20, revealed additional details about the alleged incident that led to Big Tigger’s arrest. Alicia Brown reportedly told investigators the altercation began after she confronted him over text messages with a woman he worked with. Brown alleged that Big Tigger then called her a “psycho.” Additionally, he admitted to deleting other messages, and began recording her before the argument turned physical. Furthermore, she claimed he tackled her to retrieve his phone. He also allegedly shoves her into a door inside their home office. Moreover, this reportedly caused a deep laceration above her left eye.

Authorities reportedly reviewed Ring camera footage of the incident. Meanwhile, medical staff later contacted police after Brown sought treatment for her injuries. Investigators also noted that the couple’s 13-year-old son was home during the alleged incident. Therefore, the event lead to a third-degree cruelty to children charge.

RELATED: Big Tigger’s Mugshot Released As More Details Surface About What Allegedly Led To His Arrest On Battery & Cruelty To Children Charges

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue to fuel speculation about their wedding celebration, which will reportedly take place at Madison Square Garden.

Reports of celebrity guests, with surprise performances from A-list stars, and multiple planned events have sparked intense interest among fans.

At the same time, a playful exchange between Travis Kelce and his brother has reignited conversations about marriage and family, with many connecting the jokes to themes in Taylor Swift’s music.

According to Page Six, Swift and Kelce’s wedding celebrations could include performances from music legends Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw.

The latter holds special significance for Swift, whose debut Billboard hit as a teenager was the song “Tim McGraw.”

Adding fuel to the rumors, fans have pointed to Swift’s recent appearance at Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where she wore a shirt featuring the phrase “Stevie Knicks,” a move some believe may have been a subtle hint in true Swift fashion.

Sources claim the guest list is massive, with one industry insider suggesting the gathering could rival the scale and star power of the Met Gala.

Public records show permits have been approved for events at Madison Square Garden, including a large gathering expected to host more than 1,000 attendees and a separate, smaller event believed to be a rehearsal dinner.

The Singer’s Wedding Reportedly Has Nashville In A Frenzy As Country Stars Adjust Their Schedules

Despite the excitement, some sources close to the singer suspect the actual wedding ceremony may not take place during the highly publicized celebrations.

Several insiders believe Swift and Kelce could choose to exchange vows privately before the larger festivities begin, and considering their net worths, the couple can certainly afford multiple ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Nashville has become a hub of speculation. Rumors are circulating that several country music stars have adjusted their schedules around the reported wedding dates, prompting speculation that they may attend.

Names frequently mentioned include Kenny Chesney, Kesha, Dierks Bentley, members of Little Big Town, Sugarland, and Kelsea Ballerini.

Beatles Legend Paul McCartney Could Do A Surprise Performance During Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding

Swift and Kelce’s reported guest list spans music, film, television, and sports. Friends and longtime collaborators such as Abigail Anderson, the Haim sisters, Ed Sheeran, Jack Antonoff, Margaret Qualley, Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Suki Waterhouse, and Mariska Hargitay are all rumored to be invited.

There is also talk that the Madison Square Garden event could feature surprise performances from multiple artists. Among the names being discussed is Paul McCartney, who famously shared a stage with Swift during the 40th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live.

Although McCartney is reportedly overseas, his daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney, is believed to be among the guests and may even contribute to Swift’s wedding wardrobe.

Some Notable Faces May Be Absent From The Power Couple’s Wedding

Like Swift, Kelce also has a star-studded guest list, which includes several NFL figures, such as teammates and fellow players from around the league.

Reports also suggest that “Saturday Night Live” cast members could be in attendance due to the couple’s strong connections to the show.

However, one notable absence from the rumored guest list is Blake Lively, following reports of a strain in her friendship with Swift amid ongoing legal controversies involving actor-director Justin Baldoni.

Recently, it was also revealed that Swift was no longer on good terms with Keleigh Teller, due to a difference in lifestyles, with sources telling TMZ that the model and her husband, actor Miles Teller, might not attend the singer’s wedding if they don’t resolve their issues before the big day.

Jason Kelce References Taylor Swift Lyric While Teasing Travis About Future Kids

As wedding rumors continue to swirl, the couple sparked fresh discussion about their future during a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast. During a sponsored segment, Travis and his brother Jason Kelce jokingly discussed the possibility of the Kelce family growing in the years ahead.

Referencing one of Swift’s lyrics, Jason playfully imagined a future neighborhood filled with children who are Travis’ “look-alikes.”

“Do I sense a Kelce family reunion in the works? We really don’t have a big family. It might be nice to meet some of the Kelce relatives that we don’t know,” Jason quipped per The Blast.

Travis laughed along and admitted he could picture having a larger family one day and would put it on his “wish list,” though the exchange was clearly made in jest.

The conversation quickly prompted fans to connect the remarks to Swift’s latest music. On her recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” the song “Wish List” explores dreams of love, family life, and the possibility of building a lasting future with someone.

Actress Jodie Sweetin rose to fame as a child star on the beloved sitcom “Full House.” But life in the spotlight wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. In a new interview, the actress and mother of two reflected on navigating her teenage years in the public eye, revealing she went to great lengths to convince her high school classmates she wasn’t a “stuck-up b-tch.”

While on the “Inside of You” podcast, Sweetin, 44, opened up about her time playing Stephanie Tanner on the world-famous TV show, “Full House.” She said that in an attempt to prove she wasn’t a snobby celebrity, she used to act out, hoping to relate to those around her.

“I had this weird, I’ll say, I had this, particularly after the show ended, like, in high school, there was this strange feeling that I had, because everyone assumed I was quote unquote a TV star. So, like, you know, the rumor before you would even start at a school was like, ‘Oh, she’s a stuck-up b-tch,’” she said.

She went on to say that she was concerned with proving them wrong, so to do that, she tried to be “worse than them” by getting “more f-cked up” and doing “more drugs.”

Jodie Sweetin Opened Up About Past Addiction Struggles

This isn’t the first time Sweetin has gotten candid about how growing up as a child star affected her. According to a previous report from The Blast, Sweetin reflected on her past addiction struggles with alcohol, revealing that she began drinking when she was just 14-years-old.

“It was at Candace’s wedding, and I was just a blackout drinker,” Sweetin said of the “awful” experience. “They would pour a glass of wine… and then they’d get around to pouring more, and I was like, ‘I’ll take a little more, please.’”

The actress explained that after that moment, something “clicked” for her, marking the beginning of a frightening journey.

Jodie Sweetin Recalls Having Peers Tell Her To Settle Down

Sweetin shared that just a few years later, her peers noticed that the way she interacted with alcohol wasn’t the same as theirs, prompting them to tell the star to “settle down.” That moment then led her to find others who she believed were on the same level as her, saying, “I’ve got to find somebody that I can do these drugs with.”

Candace Cameron Bure Reflects On Her Struggles While Filming ‘Full House’

Sweetin wasn’t the only one facing struggles while filming “Full House.” Another report from The Blast details Bure’s candid confession about her eating disorder.

“It was binging and purging, like, I’m a bulimic. I still say I’m a bulimic because the thoughts, whether I’m doing that or not, never leave me. I still need the tools to say, ‘No, Candace, we’re not doing that,’” she said on an episode of her podcast.

The Hallmark actress explained that, while she’s dealt with this struggle for many years and has even spoken openly about it, it constantly consumes her thoughts.

The mother of three then revealed that part of what triggered her eating disorder is how she was treated on the set of “Full House,” revealing that her mother placed her on a diet at a young age.

“That completely shaped the viewpoint that I had about myself, and the feelings about my body, like, ‘Oh, I have to make decisions because there’s a fear that I could develop an eating disorder because I’m on TV, because that’s the pressure, and I don’t want to be too fat compared to other actors because then producers might tell me that I need to lose weight.’ My parents never wanted a producer to come up to me and say, ‘We need your child to lose weight,’” she admitted.

Speaking about body image, the actress made headlines late last year when she revealed she deleted a bikini photo of herself from her Instagram after receiving one too many comments about her appearance.

According to the “Dancing with the Stars” alum, she was shocked to see that a photo of her tanning at the beach had become about her body. “It wasn’t worth it,” she said, per The Blast. “I took it down.”

Dresses should be considered a vacation essential. Not only are they lightweight and easy to pack since they don’t take up much space, but they are also almost always super versatile. Accessories and shoes can turn them from laid-back and casual to dressed up enough for a special dinner, so you can easily get multiple wears out of them. Not convinced yet? Nordstrom just dropped some stylish dresses that will definitely change your mind.

Whether you’re heading to a tropical island to unwind and relax, playing tourist as you frolic through Europe or visiting family in a new spot, there’s a dress below that will work for you. They’re impossibly chic, plus they’re comfortable even when it’s hot and sunny out. The best part is that you’ll wear them again and again, long after the trip ends. Shop our favorite vacation dresses and be sure to add them to your Nordstrom cart before they sell out.

15 Chic Vacation Dresses for Summer 2026 at Nordstrom

1. Our Favorite: Made of 100% cotton, this bright maxi sundress is lightweight, breathable and so comfortable. You can dress this up or down, as it looks just as good with flat sandals as it does with a pair of heels.

2. Runner-Up: If you want a vacation dress that feels a little more special, this strappy maxi dress is it. The embroidered lace print throughout makes it look so much more expensive than it is, and the super-thin straps feel so slinky.

3. Sunset Vibes: This multi-colored floral midi dress was made to be worn during a beautiful sunset or a special night out. It’s even dressy enough to wear to a cocktail party if that’s part of your plans.

4. Poolside Pick: If you’re heading anywhere near a beach or pool, keep this breezy cover-up maxi dress in your suitcase. It has a luxe look that makes any swimsuit feel more elevated.

5. Tropical Locale: With pops of bright pink, orange and blue, this floral halter mini dress seems like it was made for a Caribbean destination. The linen blend also makes it ideal for steamy temps.

Related: These 17 Resort-Style Dresses Look Straight Out of a Beach Boutique

There’s something about a true resort-style dress that just hits differently. They’re easy to slip on, move with the breeze and somehow make even a quick iced coffee run feel like a beachside moment. We’re partial to floaty maxis, soft prints and silhouettes that don’t cling, tug or require a second thought. However, that easy, […]

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6. Bold and Bright: If you’re looking to make a statement, this colorful maxi dress needs to be in your suitcase. With a rainbow of bright hues, cool zig zags and a high-neck halter top, it feels both fun and stylish.

7. Elevated Basic: You can’t go wrong with this airy tank dress, made of a linen blend that keeps it breezy and laid-back. This is simple, casual and perfect for everything from shopping to going out to dinner.

8. Versatile Find: The elastic waistband of this tiered maxi dress makes it extra flattering and comfortable. Details like a square neck and tiered skirt feel romantic, and you could easily dress this up or down.

9. Rich Mom Feel: This drop waist mini dress somehow feels both on trend and timeless. It’s the kind of luxe-looking find you might spot on an off-duty model, yet it costs just under $100, making it a steal you don’t want to miss.

10. Easy Breezy: With its loose fit and thin straps, this colorful maxi dress is the kind of clothing item you want to slip into after a long day spent at the beach. The palm tree and seashell print also manages to feel so chic and interesting.

11. Night Out: Pack this cotton midi dress for a fun night out dancing or getting drinks with friends. The backless look and bold red hue make it so much fun.

12. Comfy But Chic: You need at least one minimalist dress for every vacation, and this button-down midi dress can play that role perfectly. It’s so easy to throw on for just about anything, with a smocked bodice and relaxed fit that make it extra comfy.

13. Euro Summer: This striped midi dress is pretty enough to work in even the most chic locations. It’s stylish but simple, and the floral appliques keep it so much more interesting.

14. Paradise Found: Perfect for a beachside resort, this maxi dress features palm trees, flowers, suns and a wave-like design that will remind you of the ocean. Keep it close by for a special dinner.

15. Keep It Simple: With its relaxed fit, minimalist style and button-down design, this mini dress can work for so many different trips. It’s so easy to slip into and helps you create a whole look with almost no effort at all.

Most streaming services often rely on iconic franchises or breakout hits to maintain their success. In the case of Paramount+, it’s mostly been supported by two constants: Taylor Sheridan and Star Trek. Sheridan created a wealth of shows for Paramount+ following Yellowstone’s breakout success. At the same time, Alex Kurtzman and other creators delivered a variety of Trek shows that spanned nearly every era of the final frontier. Paramount+ is now facing a massive shift as Sheridan is set to depart for a lucrative deal at Universal, and the only remaining Star Trek series will be ending next year. A new spy thriller has proven itself to be the next big hit for Paramount+, thanks to a major shift of its own.

The series in question is The Agency, created by veteran screenwriters Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow). It stars Michael Fassbender as a CIA agent who’s pulled out of an undercover assignment, only for his life to be upended when his lover (Jodie Turner-Smith) follows him to London. Season 1 of The Agency was a moderate hit, sitting at 66% on Rotten Tomatoes; however, Season 2 shot up to a whopping 90%. What exactly is the reason for this major uptick in critical reception? The answer lies in The Agency shaking up its story and its schedule.

Season 2 of ‘The Agency’ Made a Massive Shift to Its Story

Image via Showtime/Paramount+

Throughout Season 1 of The Agency, most of the story was dedicated to Fassbender’s Martian struggling to acclimate to life in London, all the while dealing with the cost of a double life. It also featured a different release schedule, with the premiere consisting of two episodes, followed by one episode each at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Season 2 has radically shaken things up by dropping all 10 of its episodes on a single day. It also marks a significant shift in the story, as Martian ends up leaking information within the CIA while battling the mercenary code-named ‘Viking’ (Chayne Crawford). The bingeworthy storyline, packed with plenty of twists and turns, blends the paranoia of the Jason Bourne franchise with the high-octane action of the James Bond movies. It also secured The Agency a place on Paramount+’s Top 10 TV shows.

While The Agency Season 2 does end on a major cliffhanger, there’s one piece of evidence that it could be renewed for more seasons. The series is an adaptation of the French-language spy thriller The Bureau, which ran for five seasons. The Agency is even closely adapting some of The Bureau‘s plotlines, including the fact that the latter’s protagonist would end up playing the role of double agent in one season. It wouldn’t be the first time an American adaptation of an international series was successful, and with Paramount+ needing more hit series outside Taylor Sheridan and the Star Trek universe, it wouldn’t be surprising if The Agency is renewed for a third season.

One of ‘The Agency’s Creators Is Working on Another Hit Series for Paramount+

The success of The Agency might make Jez & John-Henry Butterworth the next big creative minds for Paramount+, especially since one of them has contributed to another of the streamer’s hit series. Jez Butterworth is also serving as the showrunner for MobLand, the Guy Ritchie-produced crime drama starring Tom Hardy as a fixer for a prominent crime family. While MobLand was hit with rumors that Hardy might depart the series after its upcoming second season, those rumors were quickly put to rest as Paramount representatives said that his return was being “creatively worked through.” Should MobLand return to the same level of critical acclaim as its debut season, it could secure a future renewal for The Agency.

In a time when spy thrillers are starting to become more common on TV, The Agency stands out thanks to its ability to adapt between seasons. A potential third season could keep up the momentum and cement the series as must-watch TV in the vein of Yellowstone.

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Release Date

December 1, 2024

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Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

Showrunner

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Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth

Directors

Joe Wright, Zetna Fuentes, Neil Burger

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You can take wonderful care of your hair, but damage can still sneak through, leaving your strands looking less striking than you’d like. Drew Barrymore understands the woes of damaged hair and has turned to a particular haircare brand to bring her ‘do back to life. Made with patented technology, the shampoo and conditioner is on sale now, so you can experience the benefits, too.

Barrymore documented her hair journey on Instagram. “I wanted to do something to feel more attractive to myself, and it totally backfired,” she shared in a post, noting her hair didn’t respond well to bleach. “Within three weeks, Olaplex saves me!” Barrymore said in another post. So, we’re thrilled that the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner is marked down for a limited time.

Get the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner for $45 (originally $61) at Walmart!

The No. 4 Shampoo is designed for medium-coarse hair, and it repairs common damage you might experience from harsh chemicals, heat and tight hairstyles. With just one wash, the shampoo strengthens, reinforces, nourishes and boosts shine, according to Olaplex. Follow it up with No. 5 Conditioner, which also focuses on damage, to nourish, ease detangling and smooth.

You don’t need to use a lot of each product to experience the benefits. Olaplex says the 250-milliliter bottles of shampoo and conditioner offer up to 100 and 50 applications, respectively. With the shampoo, just apply it to wet hair and lather well before rinsing it out. For the conditioner, let it do its thing for one to three minutes before rinsing it out. That’s all it takes!

Real-life shoppers agree that the formulas are super concentrated, so you only need a small amount to get an impressive lather.

“My hair used to be damaged from heat, and then, when l started using Olaplex, my hair got better. I recommend Olaplex for frizzy, damaged, and thin hair. It moistened my hair,” a verified buyer shared.

“My hair has gotten dry and [has begun] to break off easily. I decided to try Olalpex and am glad I did! My hair is smooth, soft and shiny with almost no breakage. I noticed the difference after one use!” one five-star reviewer wrote.

Whether it’s damage, frizz, dryness or something else, everyone’s hair could use a little pick-me-up. And if it happens to be Barrymore-approved? Well, that’s just a bonus!

Get the Olaplex Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo and No. 5 Conditioner for $45 (originally $61) at Walmart!

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Drew Barrymore is refreshing her beauty routine for fall, and we’re taking notes! The talk show host and actress’ fall essentials include the Jones Road Beauty The Face Pencil, and if it makes our under-eye circles as invisible as Barrymore’s, we’re in for a real treat. “The Face Pencil is the makeup version of the […]