James Ransone’s widow, Jamie “Skipper” McPhee, has slammed the Emmys for omitting her late husband from its “In Memoriam” segment.

“I didn’t watch the Emmys, so I only now understand how much of a snub this truly was. I am incredibly disappointed @televisionacad,” McPhee wrote in a Tuesday, September 15, Instagram Story shared one day after the event aired. “James Ransone was an incredibly gifted actor and it simply is not right to now acknowledge him and his work.”

The post followed an earlier Instagram Story that first revealed McPhee’s surprise over the omission of Ransone, best known for his roles in HBO’s The Wire and Generation Kill, who died at age 46 in December 2025.

“My husband James Ransone was not acknowledged in memoriam at tonight’s Emmys. He was also not at the Oscars earlier this year,” she wrote via Instagram Stories on Monday, September 14, per a report by Entertainment Weekly. “PJ [Ransone] was impossible, loveable, intolerable and incredible – depends on who you ask. But without question – he was a great actor.”

Related: James Ransone’s Wife Jamie McPhee Breaks Silence After His Death at 46

James Ransone’s wife, Jamie McPhee, broke her silence after the actor’s death at the age of 46. The Wire and It: Chapter Two actor died by suicide on Friday, December 19, per County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner records viewed by Us Weekly. Ransone leaves behind his wife, McPhee, and their two children: son Jack, […]

McPhee concluded in her first post, “But good news is PJ wouldn’t care. He’d actually think it’s funny.”

A spokesperson for the Television Academy, whom McPhee had tagged in her second Instagram Story, shared a statement regarding Ransone’s omission with the outlet on Tuesday. “Every year, the Emmy Awards presents an In Memoriam video for all three ceremonies. Given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts,” the statement read. “The Academy presents a more extensive video, listing the hundreds of names of television colleagues we’ve lost in the past year, on their website.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

McPhee has spoken about her late husband in the wake of his untimely death via social media on several occasions. In May, she shared a candid message about solo parenting as she celebrated her son’s birthday without his father. “Baby king Jack is 7 today,” McPhee captioned a May 5 Instagram post. “I can’t believe it. The most handsome, stubborn, funny, affectionate, strong boy and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Love you to the moon and back! To all of our friends and family — it takes a village indeed. We love everyone so much. Thank you for all your support, love, kindness, food, tears, and laughs these last 5 months. I can finally see that every day is a gift so on this one we celebrate Jack together. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Ransone died by suicide last December. He is survived by McPhee, Jack and the couple’s daughter, Violet.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. https://988lifeline.org/

For Kevin Costner, a simple grocery run has turned into the latest Hollywood mystery. The Oscar-winning actor was recently photographed alongside a blonde companion during a shopping trip near his California estate, sparking widespread speculation about whether the outing was merely friendly or something more. 

Now, the woman at the center of the attention has been identified, and the discovery has revealed an intriguing connection to one of Costner’s favorite places, while also spotlighting a 31-year age gap that has only fueled further curiosity.

The most surprising detail about the mystery blonde woman, Jennifer Milburn’s connection to Kevin Costner may not be their supermarket outing at all. Instead, it appears the answer could lie hundreds of miles away in Colorado.

Milburn has spent years building ties in Aspen, the exclusive mountain enclave where Costner owns his sprawling Dunbar Ranch. 

Advertisement

Before becoming director of partnerships for Simon Sinek’s The Optimism Company, Milburn worked for nearly six years at celebrity-favorite western retailer Kemo Sabe. 

The former Delta flight attendant also established herself in the community through local modeling work and has embraced the area so fully that she uses the Instagram handle “@theaspenjenn.”

Her social media presence showcases life among horses, ranches, and luxury mountain properties, a lifestyle that mirrors the world Costner has cultivated at his famous Colorado retreat. 

The “Yellowstone” actor’s 160-acre Dunbar Ranch has become one of Aspen’s most recognizable celebrity compounds, featuring 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and enough space to accommodate 27 guests.

Advertisement

Costner’s Grocery Outing Sparked Questions Neither Side Is Answering

What transformed an ordinary errand into a headline-making moment was not what Kevin Costner and Jennifer Milburn bought, but how they appeared together while doing it.

The pair were photographed shopping at an Albertsons near the 71-year-old’s Santa Barbara-area property, loading up on everyday items including steaks, vegetables, grapefruit juice, and cereal. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, witnesses described the two as being “extremely affectionate,” a characterization that immediately fueled speculation about the nature of their relationship.

Photos from the outing showed the duo moving comfortably through the store, with Milburn taking charge at times, including pointing out selections at the meat counter. 

Advertisement

Afterward, they headed back to Costner’s gray Mercedes-Benz, with the movie star returning the shopping cart before leaving.

Milburn has done little to clarify the situation. When contacted by the Daily Mail, she confirmed that she was the woman photographed alongside Costner. However, when asked directly whether she and Costner were romantically involved, she abruptly ended the conversation.

Kevin Costner’s Dating Life Is Facing New Scrutiny

3

The attention surrounding Milburn arrives at an interesting moment in Costner’s personal life.

Just last year, reports linked the twice-divorced filmmaker to filmmaker Kelly Noonan Gores, the former wife of billionaire Alex Gores. 

Sources described that relationship as “private and casual,” with the two reportedly spending time together in Aspen after meeting through mutual friends.

Advertisement

One source told Us Weekly in January, “After such a public and expensive divorce, he’s being cautious.” 

The insider added that the pair would “see each other when schedules allow, often spending time at his Santa Barbara estate” and “love dinners at home, walks on the beach and quiet nights in.”

Another source suggested Costner had little interest in rushing toward anything serious, claiming he was “not looking for a serious relationship or marriage any time soon.”

More From The Blast

Costner Admitted Divorce Remained An Emotional Daily Battle

3

Before Kevin Costner’s name was linked to Kelly Noonan Gores the actor was still grappling with the emotional fallout from the end of his marriage to Christine Baumgartner. 

In his candid 2024 GQ cover story, Costner made it clear that the divorce was not something he had simply moved past, describing it as one of several major challenges weighing on him while he fought to bring his passion project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” to life. 

Advertisement

While discussing the personal and professional pressures he was facing, Costner admitted, “So much. Very serious stuff. And those things are very important. I have to deal with them. And I have to deal with them on a daily basis, emotionally, historically almost.” 

He also rejected suggestions that his decision to mortgage property and finance “Horizon” contributed to the breakdown of the marriage, saying, “No, they’re not related.” 

The Hollywood star acknowledged that the divorce, combined with responsibilities to his children and mounting public scrutiny, had left him carrying a heavy emotional burden. 

Despite that, Costner insisted he would not lose himself amid the turmoil, choosing instead to keep moving forward even as he privately dealt with what many outlets later described as a “crushing” chapter in his life. 

Advertisement

Kevin Costner And Jennifer Lopez Rumors Refuse To Go Away

3

The emotional struggles Costner described in his GQ interview also help explain why so much attention was paid to his love life following his divorce. 

While he was trying to adjust to a new chapter personally, fans and media outlets were busy looking for signs that he might be ready to move on romantically. 

One of the biggest stories to emerge during that period involved Jennifer Lopez. According to The Blast, the rumors began during the 2024 holiday season.

Lopez had just split from Ben Affleck, while Costner was adjusting to life after his divorce from Baumgartner. When the pair were spotted at Aspen hotspot Kemo Sabe, the internet immediately went into overdrive. 

Witnesses described the atmosphere as relaxed and friendly. Photos showed the two spending time in the celebrity-favorite western store, which has become something of an institution among Aspen’s elite visitors. 

Advertisement

Social media amplified the rumors even further. Some fans became convinced there was more to the encounter than a chance meeting. One report noted that the pair appeared to be “having a merry time drinking and laughing” alongside friends at the venue, which only intensified the speculation. 

However, the excitement quickly ran ahead of the facts. Follow-up reporting suggested there was little evidence of an actual romance. 

Multiple outlets later characterized the encounter as largely innocuous, with no confirmation that the two were dating. In fact, subsequent reports indicated Costner moved on to his relationship with Gores, while Lopez focused on her own post-divorce life.

Advertisement

Melissa McCarthy is taking on a dramatic new role in Netflix‘s upcoming scripted series about the JonBenét Ramsey case. The actress will portray JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, bringing a different character to the screen than many fans may be used to seeing her play. The series will revisit one of the most widely known and scrutinized cases in true crime that remains unsolved to this day.

On September 15, Netflix gave a first look at Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen as Patsy and John Ramsey in the upcoming limited series “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey.”

The comedic actress looked almost unrecognizable as she transformed into Patsy, JonBenét’s mother who was thrust into the spotlight following her daughter’s murder.

The series will explore the unsolved case of 6-year-old JonBenét, who was discovered deceased in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996.

Apart from McCarthy and Owen, other cast members include Emily Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund, Alison Pill, Shea Whigham, Owen Teague, Clifton Collins Jr., Angus Caldwell, and Jaime Ray Newman. The series will premiere on December 10, 2026, nearly 30 years after the murder.

The Actress Takes On A Challenging Role

McCarthy is best known for her comedic roles in movies such as “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” and “Identity Thief,” making her portrayal of Patsy Ramsey a notable departure from the types of characters she typically plays.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the 2025 Golden Globes, McCarthy said “it was quite a challenge” to step into the shoes of JonBenét’s mother. She also spoke about the media circus that surrounded the case, saying the Ramseys were treated like “blood sport” as their lives became the subject of intense public scrutiny.

McCarthy believes they did a “great version” of the story, and she hopes it gives JonBenét’s family their humanity. “It’s been rewarding and challenging at the same time,” she said of the series.

Melissa McCarthy Earned An Oscar Nod For A Dramatic Role

Just watched ‘Can You Ever Forgive me?’ Melissa McCarthy is outstanding as literary fraudster, Lee Israel. Quirky and brilliant. pic.twitter.com/wI0ZIbxkBk

— Neil Alexander (@neilalexander_) January 19, 2020

While McCarthy has built much of her career around comedy, she has also taken on some serious roles.

In 2018, she played real-life celebrity biographer Lee Israel in the biopic “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.

Other serious roles followed, including tough ’70s hosewife Kathy Brennan in “The Kitchen,” struggling romance novelist Frances Welty in “Nine Perfect Strangers,” and grief-stricken Lilly Maynard in “The Starling.”

“I started in standup, and then did all dramatic work, so I really love it. I gravitate towards it. I think the joy of doing both is kind of heaven,” McCarthy said about taking on projects comedic and dramatic roles.

John And Patsy Ramsey Faced Public Scrutiny After Their Daughter’s Murder

Sydney Sweeney likely expected her latest sports betting campaign to spark conversation. Instead, it ignited a debate that has stretched far beyond advertising. 

The actress is facing criticism from prominent female athletes after appearing nude in a promotional video for bookmaker Novig, using sports equipment to cover herself. 

While the ad generated millions of views and more than a million likes, it also sparked backlash that coincided with a noticeable drop in her Instagram following.

3

The controversy began after Sydney Sweeney shared the Novig advertisement on Instagram last Wednesday. The campaign quickly drew online attention, but not all of it was positive. 

According to a Daily Mail report, Sweeney initially gained roughly 50,000 followers after the ad’s release before the trend sharply reversed.

By Sunday, the “Euphoria” actress had lost 136,848 followers, and the following day, another 68,000 had unfollowed her. 

The combined loss pushed the total above 200,000. While that figure represents less than one percent of her audience of more than 25 million followers, it showed the intensity of the reaction to the campaign.

Critics argued that the advertisement’s approach conflicted with the values many athletes had spent years promoting. 

Rather than celebrating sporting achievement, some felt the campaign shifted attention toward physical appearance.

Sweeney Faces Criticism From Olympic And World-Class Athletes

3

Some of the strongest reactions came from elite female athletes who used their platforms to push back against the campaign.

British sprinter Amy Hunt addressed the controversy during a post-race interview after placing fourth in a 200-meter event at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

“It was incredible to be part of such an incredible race. Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like. 21.4 [seconds, the winning time of Melissa Jefferson-Wooden], muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears. This is a beautiful evening,” she said.

As The Blast reported, former Australian Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus also expressed frustration with the advertisement. “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” Titmus shared.

She continued, “Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman who had dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is – teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity.”

Titmus then questioned the broader culture surrounding sports marketing, asking, “How do we live in a world where monetising a woman’s body and sexualising women’s sport is still a thing?”

Sydney Sweeney And Novig Defend The Campaign’s Intentions

Despite the backlash, both Sweeney and Novig have defended the advertisement and its purpose. Addressing the criticism, Sweeney revealed that the campaign was about embracing a fun idea.

She added, “The concept is simple: cut through the noise and put the focus entirely on sports. The campaign brings that idea to life with confidence, humor and a playful edge.”

Meanwhile, Novig founder and CEO Jacob Fortinsky revealed that Sweeney, who owns an equity stake in the company, was actively involved in shaping the campaign. According to Fortinsky, the Hollywood star specifically pushed for the nude concept.

Advertisement

He recalled Sweeney telling him, “I’m uncomfortable with other platforms that have markets on what color underwear I’m going to wear.”

Fortinsky also praised her ability to command attention, saying, “Sydney is great at captivating audiences and being the center of attention.”

More From The Blast

Sweeney’s Romance With Scooter Braun Faces Fresh Scrutiny 

3

The backlash surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s sports betting campaign may have dominated headlines for days, but it wasn’t the only conversation unfolding around the actress. 

As critics debated her latest advertisement, another story was quietly gaining traction in Hollywood circles: the increasingly intertwined nature of her relationship with Scooter Braun and her business decisions. 

The discussion intensified after Sweeney signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a move that quickly became the subject of industry chatter. 

Advertisement

According to The Blast, Braun played a role in helping facilitate meetings that ultimately led to the representation switch. 

However, the story took an unexpected turn when Page Six reported that sources claimed super-agent Ari Emanuel allegedly advised Sweeney to distance herself from Braun if she wanted to strengthen her image as a serious actress and businesswoman. 

The report drew immediate attention because Braun reportedly encouraged Sweeney to meet Emanuel in the first place. However, a representative for Emanuel denied that the meeting and comments ever occurred. 

Sydney Sweeney And Scooter Braun Make Major Relationship Statement At Venice Film Festival

If questions about Braun’s influence were circulating behind closed doors, the couple’s appearance in Venice offered a very public answer to a different question: just how serious is this relationship? 

Advertisement

Nearly one year after reports first emerged that Sweeney and Braun were dating, the pair stepped out together at the Venice Film Festival, turning what might have been a routine celebrity sighting into one of the event’s most talked-about relationship moments. 

The appearance carried added significance because Venice was also where their story first began. According to PEOPLE, the two seemingly connected during Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding celebrations in Venice in June 2025. 

At the time, sources described their relationship as casual, but that quickly changed as they spent more time together. 

Over the following year, Sweeney and Braun reportedly traveled together, attended industry events side by side, and gradually became more comfortable being seen publicly as a pair. 

Advertisement

Recent reports describe the pair as being in a committed relationship, while Braun publicly celebrated Sweeney’s birthday by praising what he called their “true partnership” and describing her as “the exception to every rule.”

Almost seven years after its inception, Apple TV has firmly established itself as the home of prestige science fiction. What began with the ambitious, high-budget cinematic storytelling of For All Mankind and See evolved with the patient pacing and serialized depth of the unapologetically cerebral Foundation and Severance, and set a new standard for high-concept world-building with Silo and Dark Matter. Trusting its audience to follow intricate details as they unfold not over episodes but across seasons, the platform has built an empire out of complex, philosophical television that uses spectacle to examine big-picture ideas rather than existing for its own sake.

No longer needing to prove itself, Apple TV has been dabbling heavily in sci-fi’s weird and wonderful subgenres, exploring post-humanist dystopia with Pluribus, Lovecraftian cosmic horror with Widow’s Bay, speculative neo-noir with Sugar, and high tech, low life cyberpunk with Neuromancer. But since so many of its biggest success stories are adaptations, the widening of the platform’s sci-fi remit presents a massive opportunity to finally bring some of the most epic novels ever written to TV. From 1Q84 to Children of Time, these are the books at the top of the queue; primed, ready, and waiting to become Apple TV’s biggest, most ambitious franchise ever.

1

‘1Q84’

By Haruki Murakami

Image via Knopf.

1Q84 centers on two people who shared a single unforgettable moment as children who, 20 years later, independently find themselves in a surreal, alternate version of Tokyo where reality has subtly shifted, and two moons hang in the sky. Aomame, a fitness instructor and skilled assassin who eliminates abusive men for a wealthy dowager, and Tengo, a math teacher and aspiring novelist who ghostwrites a novella for a mysterious teenager, find their separate lives increasingly intertwined as they each navigate a sinister religious cult and a group of enigmatic supernatural beings whose influence in the altered reality is profound. A parallel-universe mystery and magical realism-laced journey of self-discovery; at its core, it’s a metaphysical love story where mutual desire and faith can shift the fabric of reality itself.

A three-volume journey clocking in at more than a thousand pages, Haruki Murakami’s masterwork could never be adapted as a movie without losing its core identity and becoming a standard-fare action or mystery thriller. But it has limitless potential as multi-season episodic television, the ideal medium for a visual translation of an exposition-and-monologue-heavy story; it’s a format that would allow for the epic dual narratives to layer and build, the deep-seated philosophy to weave its way towards earning its merit, and the magical realism to develop and expand on its own terms. While Murakami is extraordinarily choosy about where and how his stories get adapted, Apple TV’s auteur-first mentality might be the one time he might actually want a part in bringing his work to life on the small screen.

2

‘Children of Time’

By Adrian Tchaikovsky

Images via Hachette

Children of Time tracks humanity’s attempt to relocate across the stars and their ongoing encounters with advanced species on distant worlds that, after a human terraforming mission went sideways centuries earlier, have evolved into highly intelligent races and created civilizations of their own. With every first contact, the trauma inflicted by human hubris is laid bare, and the vast disconnect between different forms of intelligence forces humankind, alongside an interspecies crew, to reconsider its understanding of society, identity, and the meaning of sentience. But as the struggle for survival becomes more interconnected, the series asks whether cooperation and radical empathy are enough to overcome the dangerous instincts toward domination that have shaped intelligent life from the very start.

The four books in Adrian Tchaikovsky‘s series are uniquely suited to television, as each one doesn’t simply continue the story but expands its universe, presenting a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for a long-running series steeped in lore and mythology. But what makes it such a standout in a crowded world of sci-fi epics is its meticulous depiction of its alien civilizations, its intrinsic weirdness that stays with you, permeating your consciousness for weeks and months after reading it. Keeping the core oddities of the source material instead of softening them requires a level of creative fearlessness, which makes it an ideal franchise for Apple TV in its adventurous era, one with the potential to alter the way hard sci-fi is brought to life on TV going forward.

3

‘The Deluge’

By Stephen Markley

Image via Simon and Schuster

The Deluge opens in an alternate 2013 rife with political discord and extreme weather, with a scientist issuing a public warning after discovering a climatological tipping point, only to find his message ignored, his career sidelined, and his life threatened. What follows is an epic journey through three decades of American collapse, experienced through a sprawling cast of characters across the country, including activists, politicians, experts, executives, extremists, and regular people. But as the crisis intensifies, political paralysis and government failure trigger economic and societal upheaval, making the consequences of inaction impossible to ignore and forcing the characters to converge in a high-stakes reckoning of what they’re willing to sacrifice to save even the smallest portion of humanity’s future.

Stephen Markley‘s novel already has all the makings of a prestige ensemble series: a massive cast, power struggles amid deep personal relationships and passions, warring American factions, and of course, a series of escalating disasters. Markley, who currently serves as a writer on Hulu’s hit series Paradise, is uniquely placed to tackle his 900-page source material in the slow-drip fashion that Dan Fogelman has mastered – and he’s worked under for the last three seasons – especially when considering the 27-year timeline. But what makes his novel so appealing for TV is how it tackles its story from every angle, bringing a fresh look at a world that, in many ways, mirrors ours, but extends into an unfamiliar sci-fi future​​​​​​, making it feel both incredibly plausible and urgent for the moment we’re living in.

4

‘Sea of Tranquility’

By Emily St. John Mandel

Image via Knopf

The four timelines in Sea of Tranquility are linked by a single anomaly, a jarring glitch in reality that causes three people to experience a flash of darkness followed by the echoing sound of a violin in an airship terminal. From a distant British royal exiled to the Canadian wilderness in 1912, to a New Yorker searching for a long-lost friend in 2020, to a moon-based writer on a book tour in 2203, three people find their lives upended by an unexpected event that connects them across time and space, while a time-traveling detective tasked with investigating the anomaly in 2401 becomes more and more certain that reality is a simulation. A sweeping temporal mystery, the novel is a devastating examination of fate and isolation, and the transcendence of human connection across all imaginable distances,

A faithful adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel‘s book would work best in a limited-series format, as it’d require a steady hand to nail the eerie details that echo across centuries, and a tight focus to truly deliver the canny, quiet interior lives of its characters while capturing the vast scope of its visual landscape. But here’s where it gets interesting, and where things move into franchise territory: the book exists in the same universe as The Glass Hotel, and while the earlier work is a realistic white-collar literary crime drama, it adds a tremendous amount of color to the characters and plot of Sea of Tranquility. There’s a world where these two books come together to tell a much more expansive story that dabbles in genre-bending and literary boundaries, one perfectly suited to being a franchise for Apple TV.

5

‘The Bone Clocks’

By David Mitchell

Image via Sceptre

Advertisement

The Bone Clocks tells the extraordinary story of Holly Sykes, who runs away from home as a teenager in 1984 and begins experiencing unexplained visions and events that leave her certain a secret supernatural war is being waged in an invisible realm. The sweeping novel is divided into six sections, each spanning a decade, tracking Holly from rebellious teen to elderly grandmother as she becomes increasingly involved with the immortal beings who use her as a pawn, with her narrating the first and last sections. The other sections are narrated by individuals whose lives become part of her story, giving depth to a tale that begins as 80s realism, twists into supernatural horror, and ultimately leads to dystopia, a future on the brink of a collapse, where Holly must finally end the war that only she can see.

David Mitchell is a truly one-of-a-kind author, but when approaching his vast, interconnected body of work, it’s important to note that it’s incredibly unsuited to the brevity of a feature film – ahem, Cloud Atlas – but his spectacular writing lends itself beautifully to the format of a long-running television series. Each section of The Bone Clocks provides enough material to carry multiple episodes, if not a season, with Holly a strong, unforgettable anchoring protagonist, the supernatural lore begging to be turned into a mystery box, and a new leading character introduced at the top of each time shift to keep it fresh. Most importantly, it starts as a coming-of-age tale, morphs into an occult thriller, then becomes a dystopian journey, offering something for every type of Apple TV viewer in its franchise-ready story.

2026 has been a quiet year for Tom Cruise so far, but that’s all going to change soon when he returns to the big screen to star in one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, Digger. Co-starring Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, and John Goodman, the film was written and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu with help from Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jez Butterworth, and Sabina Berman. Cruise recently starred in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and while he never exactly came out and said it, it’s expected that it was his final movie as Ethan Hunt — the title also gives off that impression. After Digger, the only other movie that Cruise has on the release schedule is the highly anticipated sequel to Days of Thunder, which has already been dated for release on June 2, 2028.

Tom Cruise has also confirmed that he will star in another Top Gun sequel with Miles Teller and Glen Powell, but at the time of writing, it’s still unclear when the film will be released. After the colossal success of Top Gun: Maverick, most fans thought that Paramount would be further along on the third installment by now. The legacy sequel grossed $1.5 billion at the box office, and it’s also been one of the most popular movies on Paramount Plus for years now, but it’s officially set to join a new streaming library soon. Netflix has officially announced that Top Gun: Maverick, the movie Steven Spielberg once proclaimed “saved Hollywood,” will begin streaming on the platform on September 22. It’s also streaming for free on Pluto TV, and the streamer has not announced any plans for it to depart the platform.

What’s Going on With ‘Top Gun 3’?

Top Gun 3 is officially confirmed, but there haven’t been many updates on the film since last year, when Christopher McQuarrie confirmed that he had broken the story and just needed writer Ehren Kruger to turn it into a workable script. Once Cruise finishes promoting Digger later this year, he’s expected to begin shooting Days of Thunder 2 to prepare for its 2028 launch date. Thinking optimistically, even if Cruise begins working on Top Gun 3 after Days of Thunder 2, it’s unlikely the film will be released anytime before 2030.

Check out Top Gun: Maverick on Netflix starting on September 22 and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Tom Cruise’s future projects.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

May 27, 2022

Runtime

Advertisement

131 minutes

Director

Joseph Kosinski

Advertisement

Writers

Christopher McQuarrie, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Peter Craig, Justin Marks

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The best sci-fi books entice readers with an experience they’ll never forget. Whether it’s a highly sought-after planet, a dystopian treasure hunt, or an existential journey to discover the meaning of life, the genre is at its most entertaining when its imagination runs wild.

From the spice-covered deserts of Arrakis to a dystopian treasure hunt built around classic video games, these stories turn their wildest ideas into genuinely exhilarating adventures. If you’re looking for sci-fi that embraces the thrill of the journey without sacrificing imagination, here are five of the most entertaining books in the genre.

5

‘Project Hail Mary’ (2021)

Image viaa Ballantine Books

Though many know it from its hit 2026 adaptation, Project Hail Mary is originally a sci-fi novel that tells the same story through Andy Weir‘s words. Right from the get-go, readers are whisked away into an unknown adventure through the eyes of Ryland Grace, who wakes up inside a distant spacecraft. He doesn’t remember his name, his mission, or the events leading up to his rocket launch. But soon enough, he discovers that he’s the missing puzzle piece in a desperate mission to save Earth from a Sun-consuming organism that threatens to end the world as people know it.

The apocalyptic appeal sends major Armageddon vibes, but the real excitement comes from Ryland’s adventure itself. A scientist by profession, Ryland must draw on his extensive but previously belittled knowledge of the organism to test his way out of lethal situations using actual scientific methods, without overwhelming readers with complicated technical details. At a moment when humanity is on the brink of extinction, connection is most needed. Even when he’s the only human in space, he finds the most genuine connection with a creature he least expects, providing the novel with its much-needed emotional anchor and giving all the more reason to root for Ryland.

4

‘Ready Player One’ (2011)

Image via Crown Publishing Group

Ready Player One is set in a poverty-stricken 2040s. Humanity escapes a world ravaged by energy shortages, pollution, and economic stagnation through the OASIS, a virtual universe created by billionaire James Halliday. Upon his death, Halliday leaves behind a challenge: whoever finds three hidden keys and unlocks his Easter egg will inherit his fortune and control of the OASIS. Five years later, 18-year-old Wade Watts, a gunter living in Oklahoma City’s trailer stacks, discovers the first key through his knowledge of Halliday’s beloved 1980s pop culture. As he races against rival hunters and a corporation seeking to seize the OASIS, Wade’s quest transforms into a fight for humanity’s last refuge.

It’s the ultimate treasure hunt in Ready Player One. On top of the satisfaction of solving puzzles, readers can’t help but feel like they’re part of a video game themselves. What makes the quest unique is how the knowledge needed to solve its puzzles contrasts with its futuristic setting. If you’re a fan of classic arcade games, geek culture, Dungeons & Dragons, and the like, your expertise will come in handy. Ready Player One is ultimately a celebration of geek culture. One moment, Wade might be playing an arcade game; the next, he’s piloting a spaceship or exploring a fantasy world. It’s a nostalgic adventure for geeks everywhere.

3

‘Dune’ (1965)

Image via Penguin Publishing Group

Advertisement

The Oscar-winning sci-fi hit Dune is a tumultuous tale of prophecy and fulfilling one’s destiny. When Duke Leto Atreides is ordered to take control of Arrakis, the galaxy’s most valuable desert planet, he knows something isn’t right. Arrakis is the only source of spice, a powerful substance that extends life and makes interstellar travel possible, making the planet a prime target for anyone seeking power. Along with his partner, Lady Jessica, and their son, Paul, Leto soon finds himself caught in a dangerous political game involving the Emperor and their longtime enemies, House Harkonnen. But little does Paul realize that his prophetic dreams are key to saving the kingdom.

More than half a century later, Dune still holds up thanks to the sheer scale and imagination of its worldbuilding. It doesn’t take long for author Frank Herbert to throw readers into the middle of the conflict. Similar to the medieval disputes akin to Game of Thrones, readers are caught between warring noble families, desert politics, and the occasional giant sandworm. Arrakis itself is a character of its own, and the book describes the universe surrounding the planet, from the ancient Fremen culture to the politics that dictate the spice trade. It’s dense and loaded, but it’s the kind of packed that immerses you so deeply that you’ll feel like you’re in Arrakis yourself.

2

‘Ender’s Game’ (1985)

Image via Tor Books

Advertisement

Ender’s Game is essential sci-fi reading. With Earth threatened by an insect-like alien race known as the Buggers, the International Fleet turns to gifted children to prepare for another invasion. Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is recruited into Battle School after proving he can outsmart his bullies. Despite being isolated and pushed to his limits by Colonel Graff, Ender becomes one of the school’s best commanders, mastering zero-gravity war games with unconventional tactics. Promoted to Command School, Ender trains under war hero Mazer Rackham.

Ender’s Game is essentially a battle playbook. But instead of focusing on the theatrics of entering battle, it gives readers the lowdown on all the mental preparation required before stepping onto the field. It takes more than brawn and weapons to defeat your enemies; true battle comes down to strategy, knowing your enemy, and choosing the most efficient methods to achieve the greatest success with minimal casualties. Ender may have started weak and vulnerable, but watching him grow through his loyalty to his troops, his willingness to study the craft, and his ability to adapt makes the book a fun read in itself. With the guidance — and sometimes the pressure — of Battle School, Ender gradually learns that winning a fight is about understanding how to use every advantage at his disposal.

1

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (1979)

Image via Pan Books

Advertisement

Audiences who want a sci-fi adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously don’t have to look any further than The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Author Douglas Adams introduces the seemingly ordinary Englishman Arthur Dent to an absurd space adventure after Earth is destroyed by the Vogons to make way for a hyperspace bypass. From there, Arthur travels across the galaxy with his alien friend Ford Prefect, the eccentric Zaphod Beeblebrox, the depressed robot Marvin, and Trillian, another human survivor. But Arthur has no time to dwell on his confusion, as his adventures lead him to uncover Earth’s true purpose, which, fittingly enough, is orchestrated by a supercomputer.

There is no telling where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is about to go. It’s obvious that the author has every intention of making each page funny, and there’s an unexplained absurdity to everything that constantly throws readers off as they try to figure out why certain things are happening. There’s no particular explanation for why a hyperspace bypass requires destroying Earth’s population or why two-headed presidents exist, which is exactly the point of the novel. Humanity is so fixated on finding the meaning of life, but the book stresses that life and the universe itself could barely care less about the answer. And when it finally provides its infamous answer, it’s so unbelievably underwhelming that it’s hilarious.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

January 5, 1981

Advertisement

Cast

• 
• 
• 

  Sandra Dickinson

  Trillian

  Advertisement
• 

  Mark Wing-Davey

  Zaphod Beeblebrox

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Gangsters and organized crime continue to be a favorite among movie and television fans thanks to iconic series such as The Sopranos and Peaky Blinders. Whether it’s a gang of loyal vigilante bikers like in Sons of Anarchy or the rise and fall of notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar from Narcos, the gangster genre has evolved and expanded into various new territories with both fictional and historical tales of real-life mobsters that seem to have something for every television fan.

When it comes to television series, most audiences have a certain taste. Even though some may like traditional mafia shows over a rare niche of organized crime, some series are simply a must-see for anyone who claims to be a serious fan of the gangster genre. From lesser-known shows such as Magic City and Gomorrah to memorable gems like Boardwalk Empire and Godfather of Harlem, these are the 25 best television shows about gangsters, ranked.

25

‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ (2021– 2025)

Image via NBC

Christopher Meloni reprises his iconic role as NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler in the spin-off series titled Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is now working for the organized crime unit where he encounters an array of gangsters and mafiosos. After suffering a devastating loss, Stabler returns to the job but, after being away for a decade, he soon learns that things have drastically changed in the Big Apple as well as the justice system, forcing him to adjust while coping with his personal issues.

Even though the series focuses on the police’s perspective, Law & Order: Organized Crime introduces a variety of gangsters who manage to keep things interesting and unpredictable. The series crosses over with Meloni’s former show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which makes it a unique spin-off out of the Law & Order franchise with endless possibilities of perps and suspects.

24

‘Wiseguy’ (1987–1990)

Image via CBS

Ken Wahl stars in the forgotten crime drama Wiseguy as a Brooklyn native and Fordham University graduate, Vinnie Terranova, who becomes an informant for the FBI under the supervision of a veteran agent, Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks). Wiseguy shows the darker side of organized crime with its gritty atmosphere, strong performances, and morally complicated storytelling, making it a landmark gangster series and an important influence on the crime dramas that followed.

The show’s long story arcs allowed the series to develop its characters and criminal organizations in a way that was unusual for television at the time. The series was a major hit and has been credited with ushering in the era of lengthy crime dramas that thrived on television during the 1990s and early 2000s. Throughout its four-season run, Wiseguy earned seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, and in 1990, it won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for Wahl’s exceptional performance.

23

‘Crime Story’ (1986–1988)

Image via NBC

Crime Story is a vital crime drama that presents organized crime in a gritty, realistic, and uncompromising way and is also recognized as another series that paved the way for modern gangster shows. Dennis Farina stars as Chicago detective Lieutenant Mike Torello, whose job to take down the major players in organized crime leads him to cross paths with his childhood friend, Ray Luca (Anthony Denison), now a made man in the Chicago Outfit.

The series captures the rise of organized crime while focusing on the constant conflict between gangsters and law enforcement, but what makes Crime Story especially compelling is its complex characters, particularly Luca, whose ambition and ruthlessness reveal both the appeal and the destructive consequences of the gangster lifestyle. With its dark atmosphere, strong performances, memorable violence, and serialized storytelling, Crime Story is a crime epic that deserves more recognition for helping pave the way for later gangster dramas.

22

‘Brotherhood’ (2006–2008)

Image via Showtime

Brotherhood is a lesser-known gangster drama that boldly combines organized crime with a deeply personal story about family, politics, and betrayal, making it a unique contribution to the genre. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, the series follows an Irish-American gangster, Michael Caffee (Jason Isaacs), who returns home after seven years and tries to pick up where he left off while his brother, Tommy (Jason Clarke), has become a promising local politician on the rise. The premise of the show was inspired by real-life brothers, William M. Bulger, a prominent politician from Massachusetts, and his brother, James “Whitey” Bulger, who was the leader of the Winter Hill Gang.

Brotherhood stands out for its realistic portrayal of organized crime without romanticizing it. The gangsters are complicated, often self-serving people whose decisions have serious consequences for themselves and those around them. The show also explores the blurred line between legitimate politics and criminal activity, showing how power and corruption can operate on both sides. Its exploration of the darkness hiding in the corners of small-town America, strong performances, notably by Clarke and Isaacs, and emphasis on family relationships are just a few reasons why Brotherhood is one of the most underrated gangster television dramas of all time.

21

‘The Westies’ (2026–Present)

Image via MGM+

The Westies is one of the best recent shows about gangsters and stands out for bringing a gritty, old-school New York crime story to the small screen while giving the characters enough depth to make the violence and power struggles feel meaningful. Set in the 1980s in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, the series follows a local gang, the Westies, led by Eamon Sweeney (J.K. Simmons), who fight for a piece of an upcoming construction job while also dealing with the mounting pressure from the Italian Mafia and the FBI.

Despite being new to the scene, The Westies have several things going for it, notably its intense atmosphere, brutal street-level storytelling, and excellent performances, especially Simmons and Bosch star Titus Welliver, who plays Glenn Keenan, an NYPD detective whose past with Simmons’ character leads him to toe the line between the law and the criminal underworld. With its alluring story of political and criminal corruption mixed into an old-school mob drama, The Westies has quickly established itself as a compelling addition to the gangster genre.

20

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (2021–Present)

Image via Paramount

Jeremy Renner stars in Taylor Sheridan‘s edgy crime drama Mayor of Kingstown as Michael McLusky, whose family has played a crucial part in maintaining the peace in Kingstown, Michigan, by acting as mediators between the law and criminals, becoming a very lucrative business for the now-prominent family. Unlike the majority of other gangster shows, Mayor of Kingstown presents organized crime on a much larger scale and dives deep into the darker side of prisons, gangs, law enforcement, politics, and corruption, making it one of the best modern shows about gangsters to date.

The series also doesn’t romanticize gangster life; instead, it shows how crime spreads beyond the streets and affects entire communities, exposing a detrimental domino effect that rarely gets attention in other crime-driven series. With the show’s fifth and final season on the horizon, its intense action, unpredictability, and Renner’s outstanding performance are just a few things that put Mayor of Kingstown on the map, ultimately cementing its reputation as one of the most powerful contemporary crime dramas about the relationship between organized crime and the institutions surrounding it to date.

19

‘Falcone’ (2000)

Image via CBS

The CBS series, Falcone, is a gangster show that manages to slip through the cracks mainly because it only ran for one season, but despite its short-lived run, it’s still a series for any mafioso aficionado to check out. The show is based on the true story and harrowing experience of F.B.I. agent Joseph Pistone (Jason Gedrick), who went undercover and infiltrated the Colombo crime family.

In 1997, Pistone’s story made its initial debut on the silver screen in the essential gangster film, Donnie Brasco, starring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, which was a monumental success. While the film reigns supreme, Falcone adds a bit more detail and insight into Pistone’s story, giving audiences a more in-depth view of his time with one of the most powerful crime families in New York City.

18

‘Gangs of London’ (2020–Present)

Image via AMC+

Gangs of London is a marginalized gangster series based on the popular 2006 video game and hits the ground running with an immediate conflict. When the head of a powerful London crime family, Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney), is murdered, no one knows who ordered the hit, leading to an intense power struggle between local and international gangs that ultimately brings destruction and mayhem throughout the major city.

Even though the series has earned mixed reviews, with many noting the excessive violence, Gangs of London is celebrated for giving a raw, uncensored depiction of organized crime. It features an array of exceptional performances by the entire cast, which is just the cherry on top of this promising gangster series. With the third season underway, Gangs of London is currently one of the most promising gangster series and has all the potential to rank among the big leagues of similar series.

17

‘Mob City’ (2013)

Mob City gives viewers a look behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood during the 1940s and exposes the intense power struggle between a corrupt police force and organized crime, who are each determined to claim the West Coast as their domain. Jon Bernthal stars as a former Marine and Los Angeles detective, Joe Teague, who soon finds himself in the middle of a plot to take down the city’s elite gangsters, specifically Mickey Cohen (Jeremy Luke) and Bugsy Siegel (Edward Burns).

The show is based on the book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City, written by John Buntin, and gives real-life accounts from former LAPD officers and detectives, adding an authentic touch to this gangster show. Mob City is an absolute must-see for any viewers who are fans of the early days of the mafia and their journey to gaining control of not just the West Coast but practically the entire United States.

16

‘Get Shorty’ (2017–2019)

Image via MGM+

Chris O’Dowd stars in Get Shorty as an enforcer, Miles Daly, who works for a murderous crime ring in Nevada. After growing tired of his current situation, Daly decides he wants to change his profession and sets his sights on Hollywood. There, he makes connections while working to find a production crew and raise funding to produce a film, which he quickly learns is easier said than done.

Based on the 1990 novel by Elmore Leonard, Get Shorty is more of a homage to Leonard’s work than an actual adaptation and has no connection to the 1995 film version by the same name starring John Travolta. The series is a humorous spin on organized crime, oftentimes poking fun at the traditional tropes of the gangster genre, and is much more in line with Leonard’s dark sense of humor.

Mikayla Matthews is opening up about her decision to exit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a result of Taylor Frankie Paul’s return.

“To make things more clear and shut down any assumptions … the only reason I’m leaving the show is because I was told a certain person was coming back … because it’s unethical and kids are involved,” Mikayla, 26, wrote in a lengthy Instagram Stories statement on Tuesday, September 15. “I’m being put in an unfair position because of the things I’ve seen and heard that I don’t agree with. I filmed [season] 6 cause that person was not there. Then we were told she was coming back.”

The Hulu reality series halted production on season 5 in March after Taylor, 32, and her ex Dakota Mortensen were involved in an alleged incident one month prior. (Dakota, 33, and Taylor subsequently filed temporary restraining orders against each other, with Dakota earning temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. Taylor was granted supervised visits until their next court hearing.)

In the wake of the scandal, Hulu aired a condensed season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but will return in full for seasons 6 and 7.

Related: Mormon Wives’ Mikayla Documents Her ‘Much-Needed Escape’ Amid Taylor Drama

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mikayla Matthews is finding solace away from the group’s lingering cast drama. “After everything going on the last couple weeks, this was a very much-needed escape 🙏🏼,” Mikayla, 26, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, March 21, sharing footage of her family’s beach vacation in California. “Think I’ll stay […]

Mikayla, who joined the cast in season 1, shared her reaction to Taylor’s return in her statement. “I said, ‘Great, then I will not be participating, God bless and goodbye,’ [and I] haven’t filmed a day since.”

She continued, “This wasn’t a spur of them [sic] moment decision and it wasn’t influenced a single percent by season 5 coming out. In fact [I] already had that brought to everyone’s attention and I had a stance when I was doing season 5 interviews. No ultimatums, I’m not in control of who comes and who leaves.”

Mikayla concluded, “If you guys watched season 5 and thought, ‘Wow, this is hard to watch, incredibly triggering and frustrating, imagine having it be your reality every day. Why would you willingly agree to put yourself back in [an] environment that has caused all that discomfort for every single person on this cast and crew?”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

A second Instagram Story requested that fans “leave me alone” in the wake of her decision. “My life does have to go on outside of this and I’ve been heavy on that block button. I do have to continue to provide for my family and have a lot of exciting things lined up and want to enjoy my life,” she wrote. “I love you all, I want the best for everyone.”

After Taylor’s scandal, authorities confirmed that she would not be charged over the alleged February incident with Dakota.

Related: Taylor Frankie Paul Teases Tell-All Amid Mikayla Matthews Drama

Taylor Frankie Paul is almost ready to share her full side of the story amid drama with The Secret Lies of Mormon Wives costar Mikayla Matthews. “Almost to the point of doing a live again,” Taylor wrote via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, May 12, alongside a selfie. “Seems like people are confused and falling […]

Advertisement

Yesterday, Taylor seemingly addressed her Mormon Wives costars via a cryptic Instagram Story. “I stayed off my phone most of the day then got on just to see more videos directed to me and, as a group, they are STILL going and if I respond, I’m in the wrong,” she wrote over a mirror selfie. “The only reason I’m continuing the show is to share my story and hopefully help people. I originally had no desire to be around them either but I have a bigger purpose I’m aiming towards and need to focus on that only. I have a good heart at [my] core and I just need to remember I’m not this evil person they want me to be.”

Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for Reacher Season 4.

Even before Lila Hoth (Agnez Mo) was revealed to be a villain in Season 4 of the hit Prime Video TV series Reacher, it was clear that she wasn’t being entirely forthcoming in the information she was giving Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) about herself. So, when it was revealed that she was actually a skilled operative who had been manipulating the hunky ex-military hero, everything got thrown into a tailspin involving a senator, an investigative reporter, and a whole lot of shady governmental figures. In reality, Lila and Amisha (Anggun), a mother figure who helped the lethal fighter achieve her deadly skill set, set a much more sinister plan in motion and proved to be formidable adversaries for a man known for always besting the bad guys.

Collider recently got the opportunity to chat with Mo, an Indonesian singer-songwriter, actress and TV host, about why it’s so much fun to be so bad. During this interview, she discussed the very twisted women’s empowerment of Lila Hoth, how exciting and challenging the role was, forming a genuine connection with Jack Reacher while also manipulating him, figuring out their intimate moment together, all the work that went into the big finale fight scene, how she felt about Lila’s ultimate fate, and whether this has inspired her to continue her acting career again.

COLLIDER: This character was so much fun to watch this season.

AGNEZ MO: Oh, my gosh, she was so much fun. Thank you so much for acknowledging that. That’s what I said to (showrunner) Nick Santora all the time. I was like, “Nick, thank you so much for making me such a layered character for me. This is amazing.”

I very much appreciate that you were able to be scary on a show next to Alan Ritchson.

MO: After watching Season 3 and how Alan [Ritchson] fought the big Dutch villain, it’s incredible to see how this season could pull off something totally different for Reacher.

I feel like a big guy knows what to do when they’re fighting a big guy way more than they know what to do with a woman.

MO: Absolutely! This is somehow women’s empowerment, in a very twisted way.

Agnez Mo Was Excited To Play a Different Type of Villain in ‘Reacher’ Season 4

“It was just so fun to play Lila.”

Did you know the full scope of your character when you signed on for this season? Did you know that there was going to be this insane fight scene in the finale? How much were you told?

MO: When I did the audition, they gave me a few scenes. I think there were three scenes, and those scenes gave me a little snippet of what Lila could be. Obviously, I didn’t know how far the creator and writers would take Lila, but I got a glimpse in those three scenes that they gave me for the audition. After I booked the job and they gave me all the scripts, I was like, “Oh, my God, yes!” For this to be my comeback to acting, stepping back into the world that I once loved, is both exciting and challenging at the same time. To be able to present this different type of villain in Reacher, it’s exciting to play. Every single day that I was on set, I worked with my acting coach, John Markland. I also worked with Nick Santora, and we worked on her background. There’s a psychological background to her. It was just so fun to play Lila.

What did you most enjoy about the layers of the character and the aspects of her that you had to keep hidden at any given time?

MO: I feel like everybody is picking up on some of the shifts, like the tone of voice and the volume of voice and even a little bit of the body language. In the third episode, she lured him into this emotional connection with sexual tension. What’s so fun about it is discovering who she really is as the story unfolds. As an actor, you have to think several steps ahead because you’re playing a character within a character. Because it’s Reacher’s show and not Lila’s show, there’s very little background and exposition for Lila. My acting coach, Nick and I had to figure it out together. If Lila was being groomed by an older woman, she must have seen this woman as someone she trauma-bonded with. She must have seen this woman as a mother figure and as someone that she constantly wants to please. She was groomed as a killing machine, so she probably has a sociopathic tendency. So, how do you play that? But also, you’re trying to play this damsel in distress character within Lila. That was the fun part of it.

Other than me playing the damsel in distress and not being able to tell the audience just yet that Lila is actually playing something, we also needed to make smart decisions in putting in those sprinkles of mystery. For example, that one scene after the intimacy scene where she says, “Be careful, I don’t want anybody else that I’ve dragged into this getting hurt,” you could see in her expression and feel like, for some reason, you can’t trust her. There were all of these decisions that we made to make sure that when people finally understand that Lila is actually the villain, they can go back to those episodes and see the things that they didn’t catch. It’s a nuanced performance. When we did the intimacy scene, there were a couple of options that we could have gone with there. She could play the whole damsel in distress again because she knew that Reacher felt connected with Lila. She was a badass who was like, “I don’t run away from danger,” but then she was also, “Oh, I need you.” She really played Reacher. He somehow trusted Lila because she helped him. When we were filming that, we felt she needed to show a little bit of the possibility that she was being manipulative. We were figuring Lila out every single day of shooting.

Agnez Mo Believes That Lila’s Connection With Jack Reacher Is Genuine in Season 4

“This might be the first time that Lila sees someone who cares about her without needing anything from her.”

Image via Prime Video

I love how, as a viewer, it also plays with your emotions because we’re introduced to her and we feel for her before we realize something isn’t quite right.

MO: When I read the scripts and dove deep into the character, I was trying to play the perspective that maybe Lila does have this genuine thing about her, but she never really explored that side of herself because she’s always been groomed and trained as a killing machine. The only person she knows how to please is Amisha. Thinking about it and being in her world for a second, that must have been a hard life for her because she doesn’t have anybody that cares about her. There’s this little connection with Reacher, and a genuine chemistry and connection. This might be the first time that Lila sees someone who cares about her without needing anything from her.

She is trying to lure him to get this drive, but at the same time, she is also interested in him. The audience is like, “I could see them together. I love them together.” And then, all of a sudden, Amisha swoops in and is like, “No, it’s all about the mission.” I love that it’s a combination of those things. I love to play a character where it’s not just so good or so bad. I feel like that just plays into the human side of it. Even when you’re a villain, you also have the side of you that maybe wasn’t explored enough because you’ve always been taught that you are a villain. Can you imagine the confusion in her mind and her heart, knowing that this is a mission, but then he defends them? That’s what the audience saw in that intimacy scene as well.

I actually really liked that you were wearing a bracelet that would have given away your plan if we knew what it was. Was it fun to have that and know that no one else would know what that was until it was revealed?

MO: Yes, exactly. As an actor, you have to think several steps ahead. You know things about your character that the audience doesn’t know yet, but you can’t really announce them, and you can’t show that yet. You have to be like, “Okay, in this scene, I have to really be Lila, the damsel in distress that needs him.” But then, I have to finally show little sprinkles of her not being trustworthy. There’s something about Reacher that is just too intriguing for Lila to not be there and talk to him. She really wants to know him. She’s also just a manipulative bitch. She’s using all these psychological tricks on him, and I’m pretty sure this is not the first time that she’s done this. She’s done this her whole life. When she reaches out for the cloth, she wants him to ask her about it. I love that people have noticed and picked up on those choices from very early episodes.

I also really liked that Lila and Amisha spoke to each other in their native language and I really appreciated that the show did. How did you feel about that? Was it something that felt important for the character and for the relationship between the characters?

MO: Yeah. We were born in Indonesia. I know a lot of Americans that have lived in the United States since they were like maybe three or four years old who still speak their own language when they meet other people from their country. It’s just very natural. It’s fun to put little sprinkles of that culture. At the same time, I love how Nick [Santora] didn’t highlight that as if that culture is just an attribute because I would hate to play a character where the only thing you know about her is where she came from. It’s just one part of Lila. It was very smooth. It flows into everything else surrounding Lila and Amisha. Because Amisha has groomed Lila since she was nine or 10 years old, or whatever, I’m pretty sure they had an amazing bond, even if it is a trauma bond.

Do you feel like Lila truly knew just how much of an opponent Reacher would be? Do you think she underestimated him and thought he would have been easier to take out?

MO: She definitely underestimated Reacher. Playing into that whole backstory of them just being villains in general, this must not have been their first time going against someone bigger and stronger. Because they’ve been together for so long, they have this confidence of, “No, I think we’re good. I think we’re going to get this right.” But when someone has been working with another person for that long and there’s that unspoken bond, when you see them together at the bowling alley, Lila already knew what Reacher wanted, and she managed to maneuver in that spot. And Amisha is sad, all of a sudden. That’s the kind of bond you have when you’ve been working with the same person for 15 or 20 years. That’s the kind of relationship we were trying to present.

The Huge Finale Fight Scene Between Reacher, Lila, and Amisha Took Several Challenging Days To Shoot

“Alan [Ritchson] knew how much hard work I put into the character, and it showed.”

Image via Prime Video

Advertisement

The fight scene in the finale between Lila, Amisha, and Reacher was so interesting to watch with the choreography of it all. What was it like to rehearse and shoot that scene? Was that a fun fight scene to do?

MO: It was so fun. We actually spent four or five days shooting that because it’s such a long fight scene. And it’s not just fighting. It’s about the camera angles and camera movement that has to play into everything just so that it feels cohesive. And then, there’s the timing of it. It’s not just one person against another person. It’s two people against one person. So, with the camera movement following the choreography, it was very technical. When I first got the job, they only gave us about a month before we had to go to Toronto, and from that first day, we were at training. For those five or six months, whenever we were not filming, I would always be in the studio to train with the stunt team and the stunt coordinators. And then, when we were not training with them, I would be at the gym, just to make sure that I was ready physically.

I would also bring my karambit – the knife –everywhere I went, so that it would feel like second nature to her. That was my first time playing with karambit, but you couldn’t tell that in the show. You’d think that was her baby. I played with it everywhere that I went. I went to a restaurant and was playing with it, and someone was like, “Hey, just put that away.” That’s what was so fun about it. Once I was used to being Lila, I showed up already being her. Even Alan himself knew how much hard work I put into the character, and it showed. It was not something that he was used to. He’s used to punching. With this, he needed to take a second and figure out what was going on. Because we’re obviously shorter than him, it gave us an advantage because we could just slash him wherever, like legs, stomach, and all of that. He’s so used to punching someone bigger or at least the same size, but we were just playing him with karambit.

How do you think Lila felt about Reacher throwing Amisha out the window?

MO: I think that was the first time that she was like, “Oh, shit, this is getting serious.” You could see from the one-on-one fight scene between me and Reacher right after that, that there was a lot of anger and a lot of rage. That’s the reason she was like, “I don’t know what I love more, fucking you or killing you.” It’s all that pent-up anger. She is very composed and very controlled all the time. She never really lost control. But in that fighting scene, you could tell that there was a lot of emotion there.

As the actress playing the character for the full season, how did you feel about the way things ended for Lila? What was your reaction to that?

MO: I think it was supposed to be like that. This show is called Reacher. What’s cool about it is that Nick really plays into the human side of Reacher, especially this season. He almost got killed, and the irony is that it was by women who were arguably a lot smaller than him. But at some point, Reacher has to be the hero. He has to win. That fight scene really embodies everything because it’s the climax of the relationship between Reacher and Lila. To be honest with you, what I really want to know is, what happened to Lila growing up? What happened in the years leading up to her 20s? That’s what I’m really interested in. I did wonder if Lila wasn’t found by Amisha when she was young, would she be a good guy instead of a villain? Maybe she would have been a superhero instead of a supervillain. I want to see the prequel for Lila.

When she gets stabbed with the syringe and you’re on the ground convulsing and bleeding, did you think a lot about how that should look and how you wanted to physically embody that?

MO: Even that voice, we didn’t prepare for that. I was in the scene and I was really tired. I was as tired as the character because I did everything. When we did the fighting scene, it was really me doing the fighting scene and I really got tired. I love that because then the voice and the tone and the growling really did come from a genuine place. By genuine I mean that she’s really tired and she really wants to kill Reacher. When she finally realized, “Oh, man, this is actually me who’s going to get killed,” you could see her face change into almost the first episode Lila. I wanted the audience to wonder if there could be a universe where Lila is actually the Lila in the first episode and the villain Lila is actually a product of her environment and her circumstances. When she’s dying, it wasn’t something that we prepared. We just wanted to keep it cohesive with the person she injected. I wanted to mimic that to keep it consistent. Logically, she had to have the same reaction from the injection.

After Her Time on ‘Reacher,’ Agnez Mo Would Love To Step Back Into More Acting Roles

“I want to try out for ‘Lioness.’ I think that would be amazing.”

Image via Prime Video

Has this inspired you to do more acting again now?

MO: Yeah, absolutely. Let’s see how this plays out. There are already a couple of projects being offered, so we’ll see how it goes. Lila is a character that I really enjoyed. But I would love to step back into it more. When I stopped acting, it wasn’t because I stopped loving acting. The industry, at that time – and we’re talking 15 or 20 years ago – wasn’t as healthy as it is now, with the hours and the safety and all of that. I just felt like, “Man, I really can’t do this for a long time.” But now, everything has changed, so we’ll see. I want to try out for Lioness. I think that would be amazing. Or maybe even a Lila spinoff. I’m just talking shit right now.

Reacher is available to stream on Prime Video.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

February 3, 2022

Network

Prime Video

Advertisement

Showrunner

Nick Santora

Advertisement

Directors

Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent

Writers

Advertisement

Cait Duffy

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement