Entertainment
Netflix’s Whimsical 3-Part Black Comedy Is the Most Underrated Show You Haven’t Rewatched
In Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket (Patrick Warburton) tells the dreadful tale of the Baudelaire orphans, Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Sunny (Presley Smith), who recently lost their parents in a terrible fire and are being pursued by a treacherous villain named Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), who is dying to get his greedy hands on their fortune. Visually stunning, delightfully whimsical, and perfectly cast, the series is an adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s (an alias for author Daniel Handler) 13-book children’s series — a much more successful adaptation than the failed 2004 film (sorry, Jim Carrey).
For the average viewer, especially an older viewer, A Series of Unfortunate Events is a fun, if repetitive, ride that roughly follows the same formula: The highly intelligent Baudelaires are placed in the care of a completely incapable guardian, Count Olaf finds them and fools the completely incapable guardian with a terrible disguise, chaos ensues, and then the Baudelaires are shipped off to another incapable guardian. It is, quite literally, a series of unfortunate events. But underneath the theatricality, satire, and brilliant original songs, A Series of Unfortunate Events offers something a little deeper than that.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Adapts the Tone and Feeling of the Original Series
A Series of Unfortunate Events is a children’s story, but if you look closer, it is also a surprisingly sophisticated musing on the nature of morality. As a child reading the book series, I saw a trio of kids outsmarting the adults time and time again — the classic “adults are clueless, kids are smart” trope that is so common in children’s literature. I laughed at the complete incompetence of Mr. Poe (K. Todd Freeman) and all the other foolish adults who were, without fail, astounded when it was revealed that (gasp!): it was Count Olaf in a disguise all along!
A Series of Unfortunate Events is a faithful adaptation of the book series. It’s tremendously gloomy. It’s hilariously absurd. It’s wildly theatrical. It’s a faithful portrait of everything I envisioned in my head when I was a child. As an adult watching the series come to life on screen, I still laugh just as heartily as I did then because there’s no question that A Series of Unfortunate Events is rich with an absurd, sardonic wit. But unlike when I was just a child with my nose stuck in a book, cracking up over Count Olaf’s latest disguise, I now also find myself struck by how surprisingly, beautifully introspective the series is as the narrative unfolds.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Doesn’t Shy Away From Confronting Moral Dilemmas
The final season of A Series of Unfortunate Events in particular explores difficult, complex questions about morality. In “Grim Grotto,” the Baudelaire orphans meet Fiona (Kassius Nelson), the daughter of the missing Captain Widdershins and interim captain of his submarine, the Queequeg. They are horrified to learn that Fiona’s mysterious brother is none other than Fernald (Usman Ally), Count Olaf’s hook-handed henchman. While the Baudelaires have started to question the nature of nobleness and treachery after they were forced to make some questionable decisions of their own, their confrontation with Fernald is perhaps their greatest moral conflict yet.
Up until this point, the Baudelaires have based all their decisions and their beliefs on the black and white ideology that there are noble people (their parents, the Snickets), and there are villainous people (Count Olaf, Esme). But Fernald forces them to face the reality that there is always more than one side to the story. Fernald, a former V.F.D. apprentice of Anwhistle Aquatics, burnt down the Anwhistle Aquatics headquarters when he learned that Gregor Anwhistle was doing dangerous research on Medusoid Mycelium, a poisonous mushroom he planned to use on their enemies.
The Baudelaires have trouble reconciling the fact that Fernald did a wicked thing, even if it was for a noble reason. Fernald then says what captures the heart of what A Series of Unfortunate Events is really about: Can a person be both noble and villainous? And if so, then where do you draw the line? When does doing something wicked for a noble reason just not cut it? He says, in a classic Snicket fashion, “People aren’t either wicked or noble. They’re like chef’s salads, with good things and bad things chopped up and mixed together in a vinaigrette of confusion and conflict.”
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Made the Baudelaires Question Themselves
The Baudelaires have also done wicked things for noble reasons, which is something they have to confront during the trial in “Penultimate Peril.” It seems like perhaps the Baudelaires have finally found a safe place where they can tell their side of the story after being unfairly persecuted at every turn by foolish adults who fall for Count Olaf’s schemes. But as Lemony Snicket tells us, there is no happiness in this story. When the Baudelaires call Count Olaf to the stand, he flippantly admits to all of his crimes. (Of course, we know later that he’s not worried because the man with a beard but no hair and the woman with hair but no beard are the two mysterious members of the court.) But unlike the Baudelaires, he says, he doesn’t pretend to be noble.
Suddenly, the tables are turned when Olaf reminds them of the wicked things they’ve done, like burning down Caligari Carnival or stealing Hal’s (David Alan Grier) key and breaking into the hospital’s Library of Records. Any viewer with a conscience knows the Baudelaires are victims, and they were forced to make difficult decisions in order to survive. But the Baudelaires are suddenly not so sure. They plead innocent “enough.” Now they have to face the very thing they accused Fernald of: When is it okay to do a wicked thing for a noble reason?
At the end of “Penultimate Peril,” the Baudelaires choose to set fire to the Hotel Dénouement so that the occupants (who are, again, completely useless) evacuate before Count Olaf can release the Medusoid Mycelium. Setting a fire in A Series of Unfortunate Events is the most unforgivable offense, but the Baudelaires are doing it for the noblest of reasons: to save innocents. Of course, every adult they try to warn about the fire acts like a complete fool, as expected. We can safely assume that everyone in that hotel perished in that fire that the Baudelaires themselves set in motion. Now that is dark for a kids’ series. As the Baudelaires escape with Count Olaf, they are plagued by guilt, wondering if it was right to fight fire with fire, literally and figuratively. Their moral compass says what they’ve done is wicked; but is it really that simple?
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Makes Us Question Our Prejudice Against Count Olaf
Count Olaf is one of the most wicked villains in any children’s series. He tries to marry Violet, a 14-year-old girl, so he can obtain her fortune; he threw Aunt Josephine (Alfre Woodard) to the leeches; he threw a very brave and noble librarian into a pit of lions. But even Count Olaf has brief moments of moral clarity. In “Penultimate Peril,” the Baudelaires step in front of Dewey Denouement (Max Greenfield) before Count Olaf can shoot him with his harpoon gun. As Olaf tentatively gives them to the count of ten to get out of his way, he wavers. The Baudelaires slowly walk toward him and remind him that he doesn’t have to do this. And then, in perhaps the first time in the whole series, Count Olaf appears conflicted, and maybe even a little defeated. He lowers his harpoon gun and, with a regretful slump of his shoulders, says, “It’s all I know how to do.”
Later, we learn that it isn’t in fact all he knows how to do since Olaf was originally on the “good” side of the schism — but after Beatrice (Morena Baccarin) accidentally kills his father with a poison dart, making him an orphan, he does what any person facing a tragic loss would do and decides to turn his back on the people who inflicted that loss. Having lost someone obviously doesn’t excuse any of Olaf’s treacherous deeds, but it does bring the concept of good and evil into focus in a way that many kids’ shows do not.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Gave Its Most Dastardly Villain Depth in a Brand New Way
In the final episode of the series, appropriately titled “The End,” Count Olaf performs one act of kindness before his demise and carries a pregnant Kit (Allison Williams), his lost love, to shore so that her baby will live. Before he dies, he does something shocking. Count Olaf, a proud anti-intellectual, starts to recite a poem to Kit, “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes.” They recite the poem together, and it’s a bittersweet reminder of the life Olaf used to have before the schism, a man who lived in a world that valued literature and art, who then felt betrayed by that world.
His final words — an excerpt from “This Be the Verse” by poet Philip Larkin — are, “Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, And don’t have any kids yourself.” It seems like strange parting words, but it makes perfect sense for Olaf, who was yet another person caught up in the cycle of violence, heartbreak, and death that comes with V.F.D. In the end, the Baudelaires are the ones who have the chance to finally break that cycle with Kit’s child, Beatrice II.
Lemony Snicket told us that this story has no happy endings, and it does seem that way in some respects. In the end, the Baudelaires are essentially alone, no guardian and no adults because they’ve all let them down. But the Baudelaires do get a happy ending with Beatrice. They will be her guardians, and they will break the cycle by teaching her that the world is not as simple as heroes and villains, nobility and treachery. The truth is somewhere in between.
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Called an “unrivaled cinematic spectacle” in Joe Schmidt‘s review for Collider, and earning near-perfect scores from both critics and audiences on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic The Odysseyhas risen to the huge expectations set by the master of the 21st century blockbuster. After a successful third weekend at the box office, The Odyssey has now hit an enormous $911 million worldwide, and is set to become the third billion-dollar film in Nolan’s catalog, after The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
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Sunglasses have a way of completing an outfit, and the Nader sisters know a thing or two about pulling out a look. So, we’re not surprised that Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane partnered with Quay to release a sunglasses collection that reflects each of them individually and as a family. You can shop the many styles now starting at $49.
This Made to Be Seen collection offers a range of colors and silhouettes — some new to Quay — so even if you’re a fan of the brand, you’ll find sunglasses you don’t already own. We love that there are familiar neutral colors, like black, tortoise and tonal finishes. But you’ll also find pops of pink and green for when your outfit needs a fun boost.
Get the Quay x Nader Sisters Eyewear Collection starting at $49 at Quay!
When it comes to silhouettes, there are oversized options like Nightfall Remix, No Comment, and Clock It. For more narrow picks, there are smaller styles like Nevermind, Hit Single and Aura Points. We know that it can be tricky to select sunglasses online, but Quay offers a “Try on Virtually” feature, so you can see what you’d look like in a particular pair.
“This collection is really a reflection of who we are individually and together,” said the Nader sisters in Quay materials.
“Each of us has such a different personal style, but sisterhood has always been at the center of everything we do. We wanted these frames to feel fun, confident, versatile and like the perfect finishing touch no matter your vibe.”
Whether you prefer square sunglasses or oval ones, these picks are all about being seen and feeling confident. The new styles are already getting a thumbs up for just how good they look.
“They’re so fashionable, comfortable and durable. They also don’t leave the imprint on your nose when you take them off. They’re so cute, I think I may purchase the brown-colored ones,” one five-star reviewer wrote about the No Comment style.
Quay is an Australian sunglasses brand known for its high-quality yet reasonably priced sunglasses, so you won’t find a single pair above $125 is the Nader sisters’ set.
Get the Quay x Nader Sisters Eyewear Collection starting at $49 at Quay!
Few sci-fi franchises have successfully reinvented themselves as dramatically as this acclaimed military space opera did back in the early 2000s. Reimagining a cult classic that had long divided fans and whose production company was sued by Star Wars‘ 20th Century Fox over alleged similarities, the reboot abandoned the original’s light-hearted space adventure in favor of a darker, post-apocalyptic drama. The result was a groundbreaking series that reshaped audiences’ expectations of sci-fi television through its exploration of religion, artificial intelligence, politics, and humanity’s fight for survival.
From Star Trek veteran Ronald D. Moore, the 95%-rated Battlestar Galactica premiered as a three-hour miniseries on the Sci Fi Channel in December 2003 before expanding into a four-season series that concluded on March 20, 2009. In the years following its dramatic 2009 finale, the genre-defining political drama has bounced between streaming services, making it difficult for new viewers to watch the complete saga in one place. However, now, fans have another opportunity to own the entire series.
According to MovieWeb, Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series returns on Blu-ray from Universal on August 11, 2026. The 21-disc collection includes the complete four-season series along with the original miniseries, totaling 4,171 minutes of content. While this is not a new 4K restoration, the set presents the series in 1080p high definition with its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles.
How Does ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Hold Up?
Starring Edward James Olmos as Commander (later Admiral) William Adama and Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin, Battlestar Galactica follows the last survivors of humanity after the robotic Cylons launch a devastating genocidal attack on the Twelve Colonies. Forced into exile aboard a ragtag fleet led by the older titular ship, apparently the only military capital ship that survived the Cylons’ attack, the survivors set out in search of the mythical Thirteenth Colony: Earth.
Unlike most space operas, Battlestar Galactica features no alien civilizations. Instead, its central conflict revolves around humanity’s war against the Cylons, human-made sentient machines. The series also distinguishes itself with a grounded approach to combat, favoring ballistic weapons, rail guns, and missiles over the energy weapons commonly associated with the genre, like lasers. Beyond its military action, the space opera examines the moral choices survivors must make as they deal with the decline of the human race and their war with the Cylons.
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series arrives on August 11. Preorder yours here.
- Release Date
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2004 – 2009-00-00
- Directors
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Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles
- Writers
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Carla Robinson, Michael Taylor, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Jane Espenson, Mark Verheiden, Michael Angeli, Anne Cofell Saunders, Jeff Vlaming, Michael Rymer, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin, Seamus Kevin Fahey
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Whoopi Goldberg said it best: “I don’t want somebody in my house.”
Following one of the strongest debut seasons in Marvel Animation history, X-Men ’97 faced enormous expectations entering Season 2. Fortunately, the first three episodes prove the series hasn’t lost any momentum, delivering another thrilling blend of superhero action, emotional storytelling, and deep comic book lore.
Rather than easing viewers back into the world of the X-Men, Season 2 immediately picks up after the explosive finale of Season 1. With the team scattered across three different time periods, the opening episodes follow multiple storylines simultaneously while laying the groundwork for Apocalypse‘s rise.
It’s an ambitious approach, but one that largely succeeds.
Episode 1 centers on Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the future timeline, adapting elements from The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix. Their reunion with Nathan, better known as Cable, provides some of the strongest emotional moments of the season so far. The episode reminds viewers that beneath all of the time travel and mutant battles, X-Men ’97 continues to thrive because of its characters.
X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]
Episode 2 shifts gears with a fun, action-packed adventure featuring Cable, Jubilee, Sunspot, and the formation of a new X-Force. While the episode embraces the over-the-top style of the classic ’90s comics, it also explores the moral differences between Cable’s hardened worldview and Jubilee’s optimism. Their dynamic creates one of the season’s most entertaining character pairings.
The third episode may be the strongest of the bunch, taking audiences thousands of years into the past as Magnetoencounters a young En Sabah Nur, the mutant destined to become Apocalypse. Rather than presenting the iconic villain as a one-dimensional conqueror, the episode explores his origins in a surprisingly thoughtful way. The conversations between Magneto and En Sabah Nur are among the most compelling scenes in the series, adding emotional complexity to a character fans thought they already knew.
Visually, X-Men ’97 remains one of Marvel’s most impressive productions. The animation captures the spirit of the original 1990s series while elevating every action sequence with fluid movement, vibrant colors, and cinematic direction. Whether it’s mutant powers colliding on the battlefield or quieter emotional moments between teammates, every frame feels carefully crafted.
The voice cast also continues to shine, bringing authenticity and heart to these beloved characters. Even with multiple storylines unfolding simultaneously, each episode finds time for meaningful character moments that remind viewers why the X-Men have endured for generations.
The biggest criticism of these opening episodes is pacing. Episode 1 in particular moves through a significant amount of story in a short amount of time, and several of the timelines could have benefited from an extra episode to further develop their characters and emotional beats. It’s less a flaw in storytelling than a reminder that there’s simply so much happening at once.
X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]
Even so, those concerns do little to diminish what has been an outstanding start to Season 2. Marvel Animation has once again found the perfect balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling, honoring classic comic arcs while keeping longtime fans guessing about what’s coming next.
Three episodes in, X-Men ’97 is already shaping up to be one of the year’s best animated series. If the remaining episodes maintain this level of quality, Season 2 has every chance of surpassing its already exceptional predecessor.
Verdict
X-Men ’97 wastes no time reminding fans why it became one of Marvel’s biggest success stories. While the opening episodes occasionally move too quickly through their ambitious storylines, the outstanding animation, emotional character work, and faithful adaptation of beloved comic arcs make for an exceptional return. After three episodes, Season 2 is firing on all cylinders.
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Since Mia Thermopolis became a princess 25 years ago, Anne Hathaway has gone on to become the queen of Ithaca.
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You’d think after staring at chic summer clothes all day — and successfully restraining ourselves — we’d be strong enough to resist Zara’s magnetic pull. Well, we’re not. But this time is different; after discovering Amazon’s late-summer selection, we’re ditching our Zara carts (well, for now at least). These summer-to-fall staples are just as polished, and start at only $6!
If you ask Us, you can’t tell the difference between the two elevated styles. These dresses, blouses, pants and more have all the signature signs of the cool-girl label. We’re talking about crisp fabrics, clean lines and billowy silhouettes. Boho and sophisticated, our favorites whisper ‘old money’ from across the room. Scroll on to see the 17 lookalike pieces that’ll make you do a double take!
17 Zara-Style Amazon Pieces — From $6
Zara-Style Dresses
1. Our Favorite: Nothing says ‘put together’ like a striped shirtdress. This midi number is a complete outfit with simple white sneakers and a tote.
2. Runner-Up: Polka dots are everywhere this season, and this mock-neck maxi dress nails the aesthetic.
3. Flattering Find: By balancing loose and structured elements, this button-front midi creates the illusion of an hourglass figure. No shapewear required!
4. Cottagecore Cute: Let this be your sign to snag a trendy gingham-print sundress. This Amazon Essentials find pairs equally well with summer flip-flops and fall booties.
5. Everyday Outfit: Calling comfort connoisseurs! This tank-style midi dress is made with stretchy fabric that truly feels like loungewear.
Jennifer Lawrence sure loves to wear airport-friendly loungewear, but the style can feel more relaxed than put together. At least, that’s what we thought until we saw the actress carrying around a luxe bag style while wearing a tee and sweatpants. The whole travel look appeared elevated and chic, so we went on a hunt […]
Zara-Style Tops
7. Our Favorite: Ruffles, pleats, crochet! This flowy babydoll top looks much more expensive than it is.
8. Runner-Up: This sleeveless sweater, otherwise known as a knit tank top, bridges the gap between warm and brisk weather like a champ.
6. Mock-Neck Maven: Sassy, stunning and secretly airy, this dressy mock-neck blouse checks every box and more.
9. Elevated Tee: Ribbed-knit material takes this comfy tee from casual to polished, so you can wear it with jeans, skirts and dress pants alike.
Zara-Style Pants and Skirts
10. Our Favorite: Silky satin fabric and polka dots come together in one epic skirt. This classy pick is a number one bestseller for a reason.
11. Runner-Up: Wide-leg pants has its merits, but rich moms reach for these straight-leg jeans for a more tailored look. We love that they come in petite sizes, too.
12. Secretly Stretchy: An elasticized back waistband makes these wide-leg dress pants as comfortable as they are professional.
13. Corporate Queen: Something between a skirt and trousers, this office-friendly pick belongs in any workwear rotation. It just dropped and is destined to sell out!
14. Trendy Trousers: When buttons feel like too much, opt for these breezy palazzo pants that deliver all of the style and none of the squeeze.
Zara-Style Cardigans and Layers
15. Our Favorite: Cool nights and chilly mornings call for this cropped utility jacket. It keeps you temperate without adding bulk.
16. Runner-Up: Swap your go-to cardigan for this classy blazer and feel like a CEO without even trying. According to shoppers, the fabric is exceptionally silky.
17. Nearly Half Off: This refined, ultra-lightweight cardigan is essential for grocery runs and in-office days. At only $20, we’re grabbing two colors.
As a fashion writer, this isn’t the first time I’ve covered the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. However, it is the first time my jaw dropped to the floor when I saw these dresses from Reformation, Farm Rio, Treasure & Bond and more marked down to Black Friday-level lows. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going strong with […]
Samantha Morton‘s journey to the top was not smooth sailing!
The actress recently recalled the rough paths she went through from her younger days, with experiences that shaped the strong woman she is today. Her journey, leading up to landing the hit role on “The Odyssey,” has been an experience of a lifetime.
Samantha Morton was not born with a silver spoon, but through hard work, dedication, and experience, she has made a name for herself despite her background.
Morton revealed that her childhood was far from a bed of roses. The actress got candid about her parents’ struggles with different vices, which in turn affected her life as a child. The entertainer’s mother, Pamela, who died in 2017 from lung cancer, struggled with mental health issues.
Her father, Peter, who, on the other hand, passed away last year, battled with alcoholism. The combined effect of her parents’ issues landed Morton in the system. “I went pillar to post with foster families, homeless hostels, sleeping by the bins at the back of the Co-op,” she disclosed.
The state of affairs also had a personal effect on the English actress, shaping how she viewed life. “I have made choices that have always been about survival, because I watched my mum trying to survive and I watched my dad trying to survive,” Morton told The Sunday Times.
The 49-year-old movie star shared that she was described as “resilient” when she was younger, an attribute she gained from her life. To Morton, it was a no-brainer: you had to be resilient “because if you are not, you’re dead.”
The Actress Spent Her Teenage Years Being The Life Of The Party
Over a decade ago, the actress who plays the sorceress Circe in “The Odyssey” got candid about her upbringing, sharing that she lived between her parents’ separate homes until the age of eight, when she was placed as a “ward of court.” Her mom was a factory worker while her dad was a coal miner.
Being a ward of court means that a person is placed under the legal guardianship of the U.K. Court of Protection. Morton shared that she was abused as a child “by various people,” which made her form the view that “violence is irrational.”
The TV personality told The Guardian at the time that she moved between several foster parents and care homes before leaving school at the age of 13 to lead a different lifestyle.
The actress disclosed that she spent most of her early teenage years “raving, taking ecstasy and hallucinogenics with older children and young adults, lawless and lost.”
Morton revealed that she was homeless for almost a year as a young teen. She got by spending nights in bus shelters or at friends’ houses.
Samantha Morton Said Landing Circe In ‘The Odyssey’ Was A ‘Dream Job’
Morton is no newbie to screens and acting, but she has rarely been offered projects on the scale of the 2026 action-fantasy hit. She previously disclosed the surge of emotions she experienced when Christopher Nolan reached out to her about the part. “I got a phone call saying that Sir Christopher Nolan wanted to meet and I actually wept,” she shared.
After landing the role, the English actress decided not to research what Homer scholars have written about Circe over the years, but rather to get into character by living in the moment on set. Morton drew inspiration from the filming location and her Scottish roots.
Another key aspect of her personal life that seeped into the role was her experience with magic. Raised in the English foster-care system, Morton joined a drama group for working-class teens and even spent a summer as a magician’s assistant.
According to the Central Oregon Daily News, she was excited when she learned that Nolan would use practical effects such as puppetry and prosthetics during Circe’s spellbinding sequence. “It’s proper movie magic. It’s all in camera; what you see is real. So this was a dream job for me; I got to do all the things that I love,” Morton explained.
The TV Personality Continues To Work On Her Craft
Morton, in a recent interview with PEOPLE, shared that the opportunity to work with one of Hollywood’s giants changed her life. She praised Nolan for being a master of his craft, adding that even at her age, she feels privileged to learn from him and improve at her job.
“It was incredible, and for Christopher to give me that opportunity; I’m 49, and you don’t know that those roles are ever going to come your way again,” she said, expressing gratitude to the director for giving her the part. The iconic actress also added that the whole experience has become one stamped in her mind, which she would hold on to for the rest of her life.
For Nolan, Morton was not a choice but the choice. It was a classic case of opportunity meeting talent. The Oscar-winning filmmaker previously disclosed that he wanted Morton because of her talents and limitless performance. To ensure she was part of the project, he even built a filming schedule around her availability.
Inside Samantha Morton’s Trail To ‘The Odyssey’
The mom of three joined the Central Junior Television Workshop at 13 and made her first TV appearance in the 1991 series “Soldier Soldier”. She continued acting in a number of television series, such as “Band of Gold,” in which she starred as Tracy Richards from 1995 to 1996, and the miniseries “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling.”
Morton voiced Ruby on the series “Max and Ruby” for over a decade, from 2002 to 2013, and has starred in several movies. She played the leading role, Iris, in the independent drama “Under the Skin,” which was on the list of British Best Films from 1984 to 2009.
The actress made her directorial debut in 2009 with “The Unloved” and won a BAFTA TV Award. She won a Golden Globe Award in 2008 and has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Having started as a young homeless teenager, Morton has risen to success and now has a net worth of $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially cemented its place in the history books.
After a record-breaking opening day, the latest Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures collaboration has delivered an astonishing $355 million domestic opening weekend, making it the second biggest opening weekend of all time, trailing only Avengers: Endgame‘s $357 million debut. Worldwide, the film has already soared to an incredible $927 million, instantly becoming the biggest launch of 2026.
The film’s massive debut is another milestone for Tom Holland, whose fourth solo Spider-Man outing has exceeded even the phenomenal opening of Spider-Man: No Way Home. It also reinforces Spider-Man’s status as one of Hollywood’s most reliable box office franchises during a time when many recent superhero films have struggled to attract audiences.
Credit : Brianna Bryson/WireImage
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Brand New Day picks up after the events of No Way Home, following Peter Parker as he embraces life as a truly anonymous, street-level Spider-Man. The film also stars Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Mando, and Tramell Tillman.
Internationally, the film has proven just as dominant. It earned $572 million overseas, including an impressive $121 million in China, where it posted the country’s biggest superhero opening in years.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day [credit: Marvel Studios]
The historic opening is especially significant given recent questions surrounding the superhero genre’s staying power. While several comic book films have underperformed over the past few years, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has demonstrated that audiences will still turn out in massive numbers when excitement, strong word of mouth, and a beloved character come together.
With overwhelmingly positive audience reactions and one of the strongest starts in cinematic history, the film is now positioned to become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time if it maintains momentum over the coming weeks.
Ethan Slater’s breakup with Ariana Grande will not lead him back to his ex-wife, Lilly Jay, despite recent speculation surrounding their relationship. A source close to Jay has shut down rumors that the former spouses could be heading toward a romantic reconciliation following Slater’s split from his “Wicked” co-star. While Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay remain connected through their child, the insider emphasized that their current relationship is focused entirely on raising their family.
A source close to Jay told TMZ that she and Slater are “absolutely not” getting back together. The insider also denied that Slater is attempting to revive his marriage to the clinical psychologist following the end of his nearly three-year relationship with Grande. Instead, the former couple’s relationship is reportedly “strictly about coparenting.”
Slater and Jay were together for 11 years and married for nearly five before their relationship ended. Their divorce attracted considerable public attention after news of his romance with Grande emerged. The Broadway actor and pop star met while working together on the movie adaptation of “Wicked” in 2022.
Their relationship became public in July 2023, shortly after both stars separated from their respective spouses. Grande had previously been married to real estate agent Dalton Gomez.
Ariana Grande Reportedly Reconciles With Ricky Alvarez
The denial surrounding Slater and Jay comes shortly after reports that Grande has rekindled her romance with former boyfriend Ricky Alvarez.
Grande and Alvarez initially began dating after meeting in 2015, when he was working as a backup dancer during her Honeymoon Tour. Their original relationship lasted approximately one year.
The singer reportedly revealed that they had reconnected by changing lyrics and giving Alvarez affectionate shoutouts during performances of “Thank U, Next” on her current concert tour.
Ariana Grande Has Pushed Back Against Public Scrutiny
Grande’s relationships have remained the subject of intense interest throughout her career, something she directly confronted through her 2024 single “Yes, And?” In the song, the former Nickelodeon star pushed back against strangers commenting on her body and questioning her private relationships.
Grande has repeatedly made it clear that she does not believe the public is entitled to speculate about her appearance, health, or romantic choices simply because she has spent much of her life in the spotlight. That scrutiny intensified following the July 31 release of “Petal” and its accompanying music video.
Although the project generated attention for Grande’s music, some of the online conversation shifted toward her appearance and prompted unsupported speculation about her health. No diagnosis or medical information supporting those theories has been publicly disclosed.
Some social media users made extreme comparisons between Grande and deceased musicians Amy Winehouse and Karen Carpenter.
Meghan McCain joined the discussion on X by comparing the public reaction surrounding Grande to the scrutiny Winehouse received before her death in 2011. Another user shared an image of Carpenter alongside Grande and wrote, “This is singer Karen Carpenter, a month before she DIED of anorexia at only 32 years old.”
Carpenter died in 1983 at age 32 following complications associated with anorexia nervosa. However, comparing Grande’s appearance to Carpenter’s does not establish anything about Grande’s health.
Ariana Grande Plans To Step Away From The Spotlight
As the comments continue, one of Grande’s representatives told PEOPLE that the singer intends to reduce her public presence after completing her “Eternal Sunshine Tour.” Grande’s team framed the decision as a response to years of relentless attention surrounding her appearance and personal life. The “Wicked” star will be “taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” her representative said.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” the rep added. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
The statement did not disclose any health diagnosis or indicate that Grande’s planned break was caused by a medical issue.
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