After a return to The Ton for Bridgerton Season 4 earlier this year, Nicola Coughlan is just a day away from stepping back onto the streets of modern-day London for Season 2 of her comedy-drama hidden gem, Big Mood. It’s been over two years since the series first aired on the U.K.’s Channel 4 and the free streamer Tubi, and a lot has changed since the last time viewers saw Coughlan’s Maggie. After her once tight-knit bestie, Eddie (Lydia West), sped off in a taxi at the end of Season 1, the two haven’t been in touch for an entire year. Now, however, Eddie’s back in town for a wedding, and with a maddeningly positive spiritual healer friend named Whitney (Hannah Onslow) who leaves Maggie feeling jealous. She’s not the only fresh face in town, though.

Collider was previously able to reveal that British acting icon and multi-BAFTA-nominated actor Rupert Everett would be coming aboard Big Mood for Season 2. Now, we can exclusively share a new sneak peek that officially introduces him to Maggie as she seeks a favor. Little is known about exactly what Everett’s character does, but there are a few things we know, like the fact that he dresses extravagantly in fur coats, hangs out with the London drag community, and, as seen in the clip, that he has a lot of sway. Although it’s Maggie’s first time coming face-to-face with him, he clearly knows who she is and is excited by her talents. However, there’s a bit of a mix-up about why she’s there to see him. Instead of a playwright, he thinks she’s supposed to be a new assistant and starts arranging for a more “glamorous” maid outfit, though she really just needs his help to get tickets to a show.

There may be a bit of a mentor-mentee relationship that will blossom between Coughlan and Everett’s characters. After all, he openly admired her “spunk” for asking him a favor so early into their relationship, and he seemed keen to work with Maggie in some way, ideally over martinis. Everett’s a big new addition for the series, best known for starring in everything from My Best Friend’s Wedding to Another Country, The Happy Prince, and both Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, where he voiced the smarmy, murderous Prince Charming. This will be his latest turn on television before joining Season 2 of Disney+’s steamy series Rivals on May 15.

‘Big Mood’ Season 2 Gets a Big Upgrade to Its Cast

Created by Camilla Whitehill, Season 1 of Big Mood was hailed for showing a completely different side of Coughlan as she played the chaotic Maggie, who wrestled with her bipolar disorder while trying to make her way through new personal and professional pressures. In Season 2, she’ll try to find a spot in her friend Eddie’s life once more, but after growing apart, she may be forced to accept that they should go their separate ways. Her darkly-comedic attempts to reconnect with her bestie will be accompanied by returning cast members Robert Gilbert, Eamon Farren, Niamh Cusack, Amalia Vitale, Luke Fetherston, Rebecca Lowman, Stephen Sobal, and Kate Fleetwood, along with other newcomers like Robert Lindsay, Marina Bye, Marcus Collins, Munroe Bergdorf, Kyran Thrax, Kelly Campbell, Leo Wan, Zachary Hart, and John Locke.

All episodes of Big Mood Season 2 will premiere on Tubi tomorrow, April 16. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.

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Release Date

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February 19, 2024

Network

Channel 4

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Directors

Rebecca Asher

Writers

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Camilla Whitehill

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  Nicola Coughlan

  Uncredited

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Rich moms flock to Santorini at this time of year, returning with Greek goddess-like style. Luckily, you don’t need an actual plane ticket to look the part. These loose, flowy pieces channel the European island perfectly with colorful styles, fun patterns and more, starting at just $6.

Aside from looking stylish, our breezy favorites don’t stick or cling, but rather drape in all the right places. Plus, they’re lightweight enough to keep you cool all spring and summer, whether you’re enjoying an outdoor brunch or an actual Mediterranean getaway.

13 Loose, Slimming Pieces to Channel Santorini Style — From $6

Santorini-Style Dresses

1. Our Favorite: This button-front maxi dress has short puff sleeves and a waist-tie belt that defines your shape. It’s the flattering silhouette you’ll reach for all summer.

2. Runner-Up: A stretchy midi with pockets is hard to beat — especially at just $30. This easy-going midi dress has plenty of room to stash your phone.

3. Boutique Vibes: Tired of safe neutrals? This vibrant boutique-style piece leans into bright colors that pop against sun-kissed skin.

4. Real Deal: This Mediterranean-inspired wrap dress comes in a rich blue hue that looks straight off the Greek island. Plus, the wrap silhouette flatters most body types.

5. Extra Flowy: Loose dresses can look shapeless fast, but this billowy maxi manages to be completely oversized without looking frumpy.

Related: Pamela Anderson Wore the Pretty Mary Jane Shoe Style Katie Holmes Adores

If there’s anyone who knows about dreamy, storybook-worthy dressing, it’s Pamela Anderson. Her latest Mary Jane flats are polished and luxe, channeling garden party vibes no matter how they’re styled. The shoes are much classier than sneakers, and according to one shopper, they’re just as comfortable. With a cosign from Katie Holmes, the timeless style […]

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Santorini-Style Blouses

6. Our Favorite: Transitioning your wardrobe from spring to summer shouldn’t require an overhaul. This chiffon floral blouse layers now and works solo when temps climb.

7. Runner Up: Three-quarter sleeves give you arm coverage, while the bell hems add a bit of interest. This feminine blouse should cost much more than $6.

8. Frills and Fuss: Ruffle details, stripes and short puff sleeves give this playful number serious European flair. It brings a ton of personality.

9. Could be Zimmermann: Zimmermann blouses run $400 and up, so finding this $33 lantern-sleeve top is a serious win. The print feels high-end without the markup.

Santorini-Style Pants and Skirts

10. Our Favorite: These airy gauze pants have a weightless feel that’ll make you forget you’re wearing bottoms at all.

11. Runner-Up: Prefer gemstone colors? This floral maxi skirt comes in saturated hues that photograph beautifully. The bold print does all the styling for you.

12. Pretty in Pink: This pink maxi skirt is one of those rare pieces that goes with almost everything, including white blouses and striped tees.

13. Luxe Alert: An elastic waist means zero fuss with these relaxed-fitting pants. They look polished while feeling like your comfiest sweats.

Related: I Travel Monthly — Cool Moms Wear These 19 Chic Travel Sets

Whether flying or driving, I’m always going somewhere. It gives me plenty of time to spot fashion trends in airports, hotel lobbies and new cities. Somehow, wherever I go, cool moms wear these two-piece outfit styles nonstop. Charleston, New York, Marseilles, you name it — the chicest gals wear matching sets, and these 19 travel […]

Dakota Johnson is the definition of ‘effortlessly cool,’ from her relaxed street style ‘fits to her totally relatable attitude. Naturally, her latest boho-chic top style is no exception. The flowy blouse gives off her iconic easy, undone vibe — and though it’s sold out, we could resist tracking down a similar option on Amazon that delivers the same laid-back charm.

The Materials actress was recently spotted in Los Angeles wearing the dreamy, breezy top paired with classic medium-wash jeans and black ballet flats. Her entire look is proof that the simplest outfits are often the chicest. The babydoll-style top is a super flattering, easy-to-wear pick, which is why we’re grabbing this near-identical top to get her look for just $20.

Get the Tankaneo Babydoll Top for $20 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Tankaneo Babydoll Top delivers the same floaty, feminine feel as Johnson’s, thanks to its drapey bohemian fit and lightweight fabric. The subtle flare and soft structure give it that signature artsy look without feeling oversized or shapeless.

Related: J.Crew‘s Outlet Is Having a Huge Sale on Spring Blouses, Tops and More

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Giving your shirt and blouse collection a spring refresh feels that much sweeter when you get all your breezy, elevated tops on sale. And while Us bargain hunters love a good deal, we expect pieces with high-quality fabrics, comfortable silhouettes and rich mom-looking style — which is why we’re shopping J.Crew’s massive outlet sale. The […]

It’s also incredibly versatile. Borrow from Johnson’s playbook and pair the shirt with denim cutoffs or relaxed jeans for a casual daytime outfit, or dress it up with tailored trousers and sandals for an easy, elevated appearance. To fully channel Johnson’s carefree aesthetic, add some layered jewelry and oversized sunglasses.

While her white top is classic and goes with everything, there are a number of other colors to pick from, too. Just be forewarned: You might end up buying more than just one. “I’ve bought five of these shirts in all different colors,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “They’re my new favorite shirt!”

You’ll be glad you have multiple colors, though, because you’ll want to wear it day after day. “This lightweight top is the perfect style for any day of the week for spring and summer,” said another. “I love the cap sleeves, they give just the right amount of coverage keeping the sweetheart neckline.”

If you fell in love with Johnson’s sweet, breezy top, this $25 Amazon version is a great way to copy the sold-out style. It’s lightweight, flattering and perfect for recreating the boho look without the splurge. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to add to your cart.

Get the Tankaneo Babydoll Top for $20 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more babydoll tops here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Related: Martha Stewart‘s Go-To Spring Hue Is Trending — These Finds Nail the Look

Martha Stewart predicted the butter yellow trend before it even happened. She’s been rocking the spring-to-summer hue on blouses, sweaters and entire outfit sets for months. We’re following suit with these 13 pretty spring pieces hiding on Amazon. Festive yet sophisticated, these butter yellow blouses, dresses, sandals and more work for casual and elevated occasions […]

By Robert Scucci
| Published 5 seconds ago

I’ve got a nasty habit of not revisiting movies I first saw when I was seven, finally watching them as an adult, and realizing how much time I wasted not enjoying them over the years. The latest addition to that pile is 1995’s Johnny Mnemonic, a movie that has all the trappings of a straight-to-VHS sci-fi thriller but with a $26 million budget. I remembered loving it as a kid, but over time I kept telling myself, “I’ve already seen that, let’s try something new.”

If you take anything from me, it’s this: just watch the damn movie. Johnny Mnemonic rules. Not because it’s nostalgic. Not because it’s great cinematic art. It works because it’s Keanu Reeves delivering deadpan dialogue as the titular character, Dina Meyer throwing hands against corporate enforcers, Henry Rollins looking permanently angry and bewildered but always ready to help, and Ice-T reliably being Ice-T because that’s the most Ice-T thing he could possibly do.

Brain Implant Overload

Set in the year 2021, Johnny Mnemonic centers on Reeves’ Johnny, a mnemonic courier who uses his brain to transport encrypted files. The tradeoff is simple: you lose your memories, but you gain storage space, which means bigger and better jobs. When he’s tasked with carrying a payload that far exceeds his mental capacity, he takes the job anyway because the payout is too good to pass up.

Naturally, the job goes off the rails almost immediately. The highly sensitive data he’s carrying has global implications, drawing the attention of the yakuza and exposing their partnership with a megacorporation called Pharmakom. Johnny can’t trust his handler, Ralfi (Udo Kier), whose ulterior motives become obvious fast, which leads him to Jane (Dina Meyer), a cybernetically enhanced bodyguard working with a resistance group known as the LoTeks, led by J-Bone (Ice-T).

With help from a computer genius named Spider (Henry Rollins), the true nature of Johnny’s brain data is revealed, setting up a final showdown between Johnny and his crew, the Pharmakom corporation, and their grip on society through a degenerative condition known as nerve attenuation syndrome (NAS), which has pushed the world into a constant class war.

All That, And AI Dolphins

Johnny Mnemonic is one of those cyberpunk thrillers that feels unrealistic now that we’ve passed the timeline it predicted. Still, there’s a kernel of truth in how greed, corruption, and corporate power can spiral out of control. Even Johnny, our supposed hero, pushes his own brain past its limits for a payday that’s clearly beyond his scope, never stopping to consider the consequences. It’s a small but effective way of showing how baked-in these problems are in this world.

As ridiculous as the premise is, everyone commits. That commitment fuels some explosive retro-futuristic action and just enough comic relief to keep things moving. My favorite stretches involve Henry Rollins rattling off conspiracy theories that turn out to be completely accurate, playing into his anti-establishment persona in a way that feels less like acting and more like perfect casting.

Like a lot of gritty cyberpunk from the early 90s with that straight-to-VHS look, Johnny Mnemonic is buried on Rotten Tomatoes with a 19 percent critical score and a slightly better 31 percent audience rating from over 50,000 users. This is the kind of movie you need to meet on its own terms. If you’re into titles like Split Second, Prototype X29A, Fortress, and Crime Zone, then Johnny Mnemonic fits right in the pocket with them.

If that’s the kind of territory you like to occupy, Johnny Mnemonic is about as good as it gets, and you can stream it on Netflix as of this writing.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 8 seconds ago

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you may already know that ICE enforcers have been sent to airports all across the United States, in order to aid the TSA amidst staffing shortages. Unfortunately, not every flyer has found this back-up force helpful. Some have complained that ICE aren’t trained to properly do the job, while others have alleged that ICE agents are spending their time standing around, not helping at all.

For one intrepid traveler and Netflix actress, ICE has become a major thorn in an otherwise seamless travel experience. The star, Natasha Lyonne, took to X to describe a recent run-in with the Homeland Security force that left her unable to appear on the The Drew Barrymore Show as previously scheduled. In her post, Lyonne describes being detained after getting kicked off an April 7 flight from Los Angeles to New York.

Conflicting Sources Tell Conflicting Stories

Specifically, the X post explains that Natasha Lyonne “took a Lunesta once seated, to ensure some shut eye on the Delta One red eye flight.” Lyonne continued to claim “ICE had other plans & I was detained instead. Sign of the times, I guess … Never had a problem with Delta or TSA before.” The actress concluded her remarks with a thank you to tenured TSA officials, and an apology to other travelers who may have been disrupted by her altercation.

Curiously, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security denies that this event ever took place, after a bit of investigating from reporters at Variety. DHS told the outlet “Neither ICE nor TSA escorted or detained Natasha Lyonne.” Clearly, someone isn’t being entirely truthful in this exchange, though recent developments at the government agency show that their record keeping leaves much to be desired.

Not An Ideal Travel Scenario

For now, it’s unclear whether Natasha Lyonne was in fact detained by ICE, or if there was a larger misunderstanding at play. Either way, she missed her slot on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she was going to promote her upcoming turn on HBO’s Euphoria.

Lyonne is perhaps best known for portraying Nicky on Orange Is The New Black, and Nadia Vulvokov on Netflix’s Russian Doll. She also appears in the Focus Features documentary Lorne, which is currently playing in select theaters. Hopefully, this alleged ICE interaction is a one-off, and not a “sign of the times,” as Lyonne suggests.

Tanzanian officials are reportedly questioning Ashlee Jenae, or Ashly Robinson‘s fiancé, Joe McCann, following her death in a Zanzibar hotel.

RELATED: UPDATE: Jarvis Butts, Man Recently Sentenced For Death Of 13-Year-Old Na’Ziyah Harris, Reportedly Found Deceased In Prison

Tanzanian Officials Are Reportedly Questioning Ashlee Jenae’s Fiancé Following Her Death In Zanzibar Hotel

According to 6abc Action News, officials in Tanzania have reportedly confiscated the passport of Ashlee Jenae’s fiancé, Joe McCann. This, reportedly, while he is being questioned by authorities.

Per PEOPLE, the authorities are reportedly speaking to McCann as a “witness,” and he has not been arrested.

According to 6abc Action News, on Tuesday, April 14, Jenae’s parents spent the day in Washington, D.C., reportedly trying to “obtain information from the embassy.”

“No one wants to talk to us. Just let us know what happened, that’s the only thing we want to know is the truth,” Harry Robinson, Ashlee Jenae’s father, reportedly told the outlet.

To note, Zanzibar’s Ministry of Tourism and Heritage also released a statement on the case on Wednesday, April 15.

Social Media Continues Sharing Thoughts

Social media users continued sharing thoughts on the death of Ashlee Jenae, a.k.a. Ashly Robinson, and her fiancé, Joe McCann, in TSR’s comment section.

Here’s Why Tanzanian Officials Are Reportedly Questioning Ashlee Jenae’s Fiancé Following Her Death In Zanzibar Hotel

As The Shade Room previously reported, Ashlee Jenae had traveled to Zanzibar to celebrate her 31st birthday with Joe McCann. During their trip, McCann proposed. However, they allegedly got into an argument and were separated into two different rooms at their hotel.

On April 9, McCann allegedly discovered Jenae in her hotel room and called her mother, Yolanda Denise Endres.

“He told me that Ashly did something to herself and she was being taken to the hospital… he told me it had been 11 hours prior,” Endres told 6abc Action News.

McCann reportedly alleged that he found Jenae had hung herself. Since then, her family has been searching for answers about what really happened, having reportedly learned that she had an “unidentified mark around her neck.” According to 6abc Action News, a second hospital listed Jenae’s cause of death as “cerebral hypoxia by strangulation and suffocation.”

Lastly, 6abc Action News reports that an autopsy for Ashlee Jenae, a.k.a. Ashly Robinson, will be completed on Wednesday, April 15. Amid this, her family is reportedly seeking to travel to Zanzibar as they continue to request to see hotel footage and answers from authorities and Joe McCann.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Parents Of Influencer Ashlee Jenae Speak Out After She Was Found Dead During Birthday Trip With Fiancé In Zanzibar

The rumored romance between 90s stars Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas has reportedly entered the meet-the-family stage.

The duo began making waves as a couple following reports of their secret relationship, with sources now claiming their respective families are blending together quite nicely.

Heather Locklear’s potential romance with Lorenzo Lamas is a full-circle moment for the actress, who has experienced a few hiccups in her love life.

Heather Locklear And Lorenzo Lamas Reportedly Spend Quality Time With Their Families

According to new reports, Locklear and Lamas are taking their relationship seriously by allegedly introducing each other to their respective families. Sources close to the couple claimed Lamas visited Locklear’s mansion in Thousand Oaks, California, with his kids and grandchildren.

The “Falcon Crest” actor’s daughter, Shayne Lamas, seemingly confirmed the visit in a social media post. She shared a picture of her dad and Locklear from their prime during a modeling campaign. Sources told TMZ the same picture could be found on the wall inside Locklear’s home.

Additionally, sources claimed that Lamas and his family had a blast with Locklear, going out for lunch and then watching a movie. The meet-the-family moment follows news of Locklear and Lamas secretly dating for months. The outlet obtained pictures of them from New Year’s Eve at the popular Barry’s Steakhouse in Las Vegas.

The ‘Melrose Place’ Actress Found Love Multiple Times

Before Locklear began making waves as an item with Lamas, she had gone through multiple relationships. Her first high-profile romance was with Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, with whom she tied the knot in 1986 during the height of their careers, per Hello Magazine.

The duo turned heads as a power couple during that era, but their romance soon fizzled out, and they separated in 1993 after seven years of marriage. At the time, reports claimed Locklear had pulled the plug on her marriage due to an alleged infidelity incident.

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The TV personality did not waste time moving on from her first marriage, finding love again with another rockstar, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. Locklear and Sambora said their vows in 1994 and later welcomed a daughter named Ava. They gained fame as one of the entertainment industry’s most enduring couples until their 2007 split.

Heather Locklear Reconnected With Her Former High School Flame

After two marriages, Locklear appeared to be done with romance in the spotlight and reconnected with a man from her past. She began dating her former high school sweetheart, Chris Heisser, but rekindling their romance was not the best move for Locklear.

The pair reportedly faced numerous ups and downs in their relationship despite getting engaged. They never made it down the aisle, with news of their breakup coming in 2025 after roughly five years together. Multiple sources confirmed their separation to US Weekly.

One source described Locklear and Heisser’s breakup as “a slow fizzle,” claiming nothing dramatic had happened behind the scenes. “They are still friends and support each other’s sobriety,” the source added, noting Locklear was sober and focused on herself.

The TV Personality’s Breakup Coincided With Her Ex’s Divorce

The source also claimed that Locklear was ready to date again, a comment that raised eyebrows as her separation from Heisser coincided with one of her ex’s relationship problems. Page Six reported in 2025 that the timing of the split occurred amid her first ex-husband’s divorce.

Mötley Crüe drummer, Lee, was in the midst of separating from his fourth wife, Brittany Furlan, after six years of marriage. Furlan implied she was partly to blame for their split, revealing that she had been chatting with another man who ended up being a “catfish.”

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According to Furlan, she believed she had been communicating with Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke and came clean about her transgressions after the man was unveiled as a fake. Although she admitted her faults, Furlan stressed that she had been having problems in her marriage.

Heather Locklear’s Friends Reportedly Feared A Reunion With Her First Ex-Husband

Months after news of trouble in Lee and Furlan’s marriage broke, The Blast reported that Locklear had sparked concerns of a possible reunion with her ex. Sources claimed the actress’s friends were worried about her rekindled contact with Lee.

They claimed Lee and Locklear never stopped talking after their divorce, but their communications had significantly increased following their separations from their respective partners. On that note, Locklear’s pals feared Lee would negatively influence her sobriety journey.

Locklear had reportedly completed more than 20 stints at rehabilitation facilities before achieving sobriety. Her pals feared that her long history with addiction could repeat itself if Lee were allowed back into her life. “A lot of her friends are pleading with her to see sense,” a source said at the time.

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It’s been three years, but Good Omens is coming back for one more miracle. The Prime Video fantasy series is back for a third and final season, which will consist of a single super-sized episode, this spring. We finally have our first look at the show’s wayward angel-demon duo as they confront the end of the world in the first trailer for the third season.

In the new trailer, the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and his enemy-turned-frenemy-turned-maybe something more, the demon Crawley (David Tennant) face off for the final time…with apocalyptic consequences. Aziraphale is on the top of the heap: he’s now the Supreme Archangel, and he’s been tasked with overseeing the Second Coming. Crowley, on the other hand, is wallowing in his own misery and loneliness. Can they perform one last miracle together? In addition to Sheen and Tennant, the third season will also see the return of Doon Mackichan as Michael, Gloria Obianyo as Uriel, Liz Carr as Saraqael, Paul Chahidi as Sandalphon, Quelin Sepulveda as Muriel, and Derek Jacobi as The Metatron; Bilal Hasna (Extraordinary) joins the series as Jesus. The finale will be directed by Rachel Talalay (Doctor Who), and will premiere on Prime Video on May 13.

What Is ‘Good Omens’ About?

The first season of Good Omens is based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett; it details the unlikely alliance between Aziraphale and Crowley as they attempt to stop the rise of the Antichrist and the scouring of the Earth by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, bringing about the end of the world. As the first season adapted the entire book, the second season was solely written by Gaiman; it saw Aziraphale and Crowley accidentally perform a miracle, even as they found themselves in custody of the amnesiac angel Gabriel (Jon Hamm). They were forced to conceal him from the forces of both Heaven and Hell, even as their millennia of mutual antagonism became something more romantic. In the season’s closing moments, they admitted their feelings for each other…just as Aziraphale was summoned to help bring about the Second Coming.

Good Omens was initially renewed for a six-episode third season, the same length as its predecessors. However, after Gaiman, who wrote and executive produced the series, was the subject of multiple sexual assault accusations, he stepped down from his role on the series, and the season was reduced to a single extra-long episode.

Good Omens‘ third and final season will premiere on Prime Video on May 13, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

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Showrunner

Neil Gaiman, Douglas Mackinnon

Directors

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Douglas Mackinnon

Writers

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

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New York City’s Greenwich Village wasn’t prepared for the sudden arrival of Bob Dylan. Originally raised in the iron-mining town of Hibbing, Dylan had a firsthand account of what it was like living as part of the working class. However, his lofty musical ambitions, though seemingly unreachable for a small-town guy, literally drove him to New York on a 20-hour road trip. Following his move in 1961, it took only a year for Dylan to be signed under the wing of John Hammond at Columbia Records, which was followed by his self-titled debut album in 1962.

Although his rise to superstardom was meteoric, Dylan made it a point to never forget the people who were part of his humble roots. Growing up in a time when racial tensions were still at an all-time high, something in Dylan prompted him to speak up on these issues, best expressed through the one thing he knew how to use: folk music. One song in particular hits especially hard, even raising some hairs on a certain listener who had nothing but vulgarities to throw his way.

Bob Dylan Wrote “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” Based on a Racially-Motivated Murder Case

Leave it to Dylan to write a song based on an actual murder. His 1964 track, “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll,” recounts the killing of Hattie Caroll, a 51-year-old African-American bartender, by William Devereux “Billy” Zantzinger, a 24-year-old from a wealthy white tobacco farming family in Maryland. On February 9, 1963, Caroll was fatally assaulted at a Baltimore hotel. That night, Zantzinger reportedly arrived drunk at a whites-only elite ball, where he repeatedly used racial slurs and physically assaulted staff. The attack on Caroll occurred when he struck her with a metal-tipped cane, causing her to collapse and die from a brain hemorrhage hours later.

Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

However, it was not until August 29, 1963, that Dylan came across news of Carroll in The Baltimore Sun. Carroll’s case was one of two civil rights highlights in that edition, the first being Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., while Carroll’s case appeared as a brief item on the last page of the first section. Dylan went on to record “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” on October 23, 1963. The song was written partly at the home of Joan Baez and was later released on January 13, 1964, on his third studio album, The Times They Are a-Changin’.

William Zantzinger Is Not Happy with Bob Dylan’s Song

“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” provides a line-by-line description of how the assault went down. Apart from the obvious details, such as the names of those involved, the murder weapon used, and where the assault took place, the song also shows the class divide between Carroll and Zantzinger. Zantzinger is referred to as “who at 24 years owns a tobacco farm of 600 acres,” which speaks to the extent of his wealth. Meanwhile, Carroll is described as the one “who carried the dishes and took out the garbage.”

Related

3 Near-Perfect Classic Rock Songs That Were Massive Hits But Are Forgotten Today

These three songs had huge success when they first came out, then were promptly forgotten.

However, Dylan also alters several factual details for artistic and lyrical purposes, including misspelling William Zantzinger’s name as “Zanzinger” and stating that Carroll had 10 children instead of the actual 11, likely for rhythmic reasons. The song also describes the charge as first-degree murder, whereas Zantzinger was actually convicted of manslaughter. Critics have argued that these changes and the suggestion of lenient treatment due to political connections push the song close to libel. Zantzinger himself later strongly objected when approached by a Dylan biographer, calling the singer “a no-account son of a b***h… I should have sued him and put him in jail.”

11 Years Later, Bob Dylan Wrote A Protest Song Based on Another Arrest

“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” wouldn’t be the only time Dylan wrote about a real person’s case. In November 1975, Dylan released “Hurricane,” retelling the case of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. The incident took place in 1966, when Carter, alongside John Artis, was accused of a late-night shooting at Paterson’s Lafayette Bar and Grill, leaving three dead. Critics have pointed out that Carter and Artis were racially profiled. Unfortunately, the two were sentenced in 1967 to two consecutive life sentences for the triple murder.

Similar to Carroll, Dylan found out about Carter’s story when he read his autobiography, The Sixteenth Round: From Number 1 Contender to Number 45472. Naysayers might say that Dylan has a knack for taking somebody else’s tragedy and using it to make art. But remembering his determination to stand up for what’s right, his intentions have always been to defend the underdogs. His reflection from his personal visit to Carter proves it: “Was I doing my bit for Rubin? I wrote that song because it was tops in my mind; it had priority in my mind at the time to get that song done.”

Will Trent just lost a cast member after a shocking plot twist killed off a main character.

During the Tuesday, April 14, episode of the hit ABC series, Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) died while secretly working with the FBI to find information on the Commander, who is the mysterious person linked to Adelaide Trevens (Mallory Jansen).

Adelaide told Will she had a surprise for him, which turned out to be Amanda’s body in the street. The GBI Deputy Director was dead from multiple stab wounds and that will set off a chain of events for the rest of the season.

“Amanda has been the character who has protected Will for as long as she has known him,” coshowrunner Karine Rosenthal told Variety in a statement. “So this gives us the opportunity for a completely new dynamic in the GBI, because her replacement will not have that same relationship with Will. Her death had the most impact on the most amount of characters. It really sets everybody reeling from this enormous loss. So it’s such a reset for our characters in a way that is painful but exciting for season 5.”

Rosenthal told the outlet that Sohn was made aware that her arc was coming to an end early in season 4 and she handled the news with “grace.”

“Nobody gets to always exit their shows — even on the writing side — on their own terms all the time,” executive producer Daniel Thomsen added. “It’s hard to do that with grace. So it was just very impressive. She is a total pro.”

Based on a book by Karin Slaughter, Will Trent follows a special agent at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who was abandoned at birth and grew up in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Will now relies on his unique perspective while pursuing justice, resulting in the highest clearance rate in the GBI.

In addition to Sohn, the show stars Ramón Rodríguez, Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, Jake McLaughlin and Kevin Daniels. Rodríguez, who portrays the titular character, exclusively teased to Us Weekly about what is to come.

“It is going to be a real emotional roller-coaster. It really is,” Rodríguez shared with Us in March. “There’ll be highs and definite lows. So questions will be answered.”

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Rodríguez said he is excited for viewers to see how the story unfolds.

“It’s been fun seeing Will realize this new normal in his life with the new relationship with Angie and Seth. It’s been great watching them understand this new friendship territory,” he noted. “Meanwhile, he’s had Ava come in his life and give him these great gems of like, ‘Hey, not everything has to be so serious.’”

Will Trent airs on ABC Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.