James Hawe‘s gripping espionage thriller The Amateur captures the legendary Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a brilliant CIA operative with an increasingly tragic story. In an unlikely twist, Heller’s sharp intelligence becomes his ultimate weapon as he attempts a dangerous trek across the globe to capture a terrorist group that is responsible for the untimely murder of his wife. Despite the arguably seen-before premise, this edge-of-your-seat flick proves that a skilled cast keeps an unoriginal plot from folding in on itself. Aside from Malek at the helm, the Prime Video series features a star-studded support cast including, but not limited to, Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, and Lawrence Fishburne.

Rather than going for the brawny, brooding, machismo-infused action star trope, The Amateur takes a different approach. Heller is quite literally unraveling as the film persists. He’s vulnerable and at times appears genuinely irreparably broken. He’s not a muscle-bound action hero with a sob story that he occasionally seems to care about; rather, he is entirely consumed by it. Evidently, it informs all of his choices, making for a thrilling watch with incredibly moving performances. Critics and audiences alike have pointed to this quality as the film’s penultimate strength.

Why is Apple TV’s ‘The Amateur’ Getting an Overwhelming Second Wave of Praise?

Image via 20th Century Studios

The interesting part of the film is the fact that while it’s a spy thriller, the plot is not as mysterious as one might expect. Heller’s mission is as straightforward and clear as it could possibly be, and while there are enough twists and turns to keep an audience occupied, his objective is set in stone from the very beginning. Unlike other films of a similar ilk, take The Bourne Identity or Mission Impossible, for example, the plot is propelled primarily by Charles’ deteriorating mental state, and yet his unrelenting pursuit of revenge, rather than real action or mystery. He’s an extremely regular guy, trying to be a killer, plain and simple. And it’s the unraveling caused by that push and pull that makes for a truly thrilling watch.

Additionally, the moral conundrum Charles finds himself in is rather interesting. The men who killed his wife were hired to do so by a big bad guy. In some way, can’t it be argued that Heller, working as the brain for the CIA on its own, isn’t so different from the position of his antagonists? Doubly, now on a ruthless odyssey across the globe, in a state of true unadulterated blood thirst, isn’t Charles quite literally in the exact same moral standing? Critics and audiences have found Malek’s portrayal of the former desk jockey turned nerdy vigilante rather charming, and point to both his performance and the film’s commentary on the matter as the resounding reason to return to it.

At the time of its release, with a reported budget of $60 million, The Amateur grossed nearly $100 million worldwide. It was warmly embraced by audiences, and now holds an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, and more recently has surged on Prime Video, and jumped to the number two spot, just behind Masters of the Universe and slightly ahead of The Devil’s Mouth. The heavy lifting for the film’s success is rightfully in the hands of Malek. However, it can also be argued that it was given a slight push due to the popularity of streaming and the ability to unearth a sleeper hit when scrolling through Prime’s inventory. Whatever it may be, this film is undoubtedly gripping and certainly deserving of this second wave of popularity.

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Release Date

April 11, 2025

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Runtime

123 minutes

Director

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James Hawes

Writers

Robert Littell, Gary Spinelli, Ken Nolan

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Producers

Hutch Parker, Joel B. Michaels, Jonathan Hook, Rami Malek

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Hayden Panettiere‘s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, has broken his silence days after the actress’ sudden death on Sunday, August 16. Hickerson released a statement through his lawyer, Sloan Ellis, and asked people to look to investigators’ comments about her death. Earlier this year, Panettiere spoke about her tumultuous relationship with Hickerson and detailed his alleged domestic abuse.

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Ellis spoke with TMZ on Thursday, August 20, on Hickerson’s behalf and told the outlet that Panettiere’s tragic death is still under investigation and spoke about the importance of letting the legal process play out.

The statement continued, “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”

Elsewhere in the statement, Hickerson’s lawyer said that they would not release any further comment out of “respect” for Panettiere’s “loved ones” and friends.

Brian Hickerson Allegedly Beat Hayden Panettiere So Bad She Couldn’t Leave The House

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Panettiere detailed the challenges she had to overcome while dating Hickerson in 2019 and 2020. In her memoir, “This Is Me,” the “Remember the Titans” actress alleged that she was beaten so badly by Hickerson, an aspiring actor, that she couldn’t leave the house for weeks.

According to NBC News, Hickerson was arrested in May 2019 after police received a tip that he’d allegedly injured a spouse or girlfriend. He pleaded no contest in April 2020 and was sentenced to four years of probation.

Shortly after, Panettiere spoke with the media about why she was choosing to speak out about the alleged abuse and said that she wanted to put a spotlight on Hickerson so that other women can be aware.

“I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again,” she said.

Hayden Panettiere Died Of ‘Cardiac Arrest’ At 36 In August 2026

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Panettiere died at age 36 earlier this week after suffering a “cardiac arrest,” according to The Blast. In a statement to the media, her rep called Panettiere an “incredible light and a force of nature” before praising her for the “immeasurable love” and joy she brought to those in the world.

Panettiere’s partner, Hickerson, was present at the scene when the actress died. According to first responders, investigators spoke with Hickerson’s brother, Zach, who was “emotional” while emergency personnel were working on her. The report also stated that Hickerson wasn’t visibly emotional until she was pronounced dead.

Hickerson reportedly showed first responders a “bag of medication” that the “Bring It On” actress was taking when she died.

Panettiere Felt ‘Groomed’ To Be A Child Star

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In addition to the alleged abuse she suffered during her relationship with Hickerson, Panettiere also said in early 2026 that she had a strained relationship with her mother, Lesley.

Panettiere went on to say that she felt “groomed” into being an actor by the elders in her life.

“No was never an option. It was just, ‘Here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do.’ I took my marching orders,” she said.

Panettiere Reflects On Making Her Mother Upset When She Was A Child Star

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In her book, the “Bring It On” star said her relationship with acting only got worse as she got older, revealing that her mother’s mood also depended on how well she performed.

“When she was irritated, she opened her mouth ever so slightly. When she was mad, she clenched her jaw. When she was so angry that my best option was to hide under my bed, her lower jaw migrated a few centimeters forward. I looked up and back at Mom, and there was that soul-shattering underbite,” she wrote.

RIP Hayden Panettiere.

Alan Ritchson had been working in Hollywood for years before Reacher, but the role of Jack Reacher completely changed his career. The actor’s commanding physical presence made him an obvious fit for Lee Child’s famous character, but the performance worked because the actor brought so much personality to it over just brute strength. It’s no surprise that the Prime Video series is a massive hit and has turned Ritchson into one of TV’s biggest action stars.

However, there is so much more to the actor than this one role. Ritchson has spent years proving that he can be far more versatile than his action-star image suggests. In fact, some of his best work remains underrated to this day. With Reacher Season 4’s recent premiere, now is the perfect time to look beyond the show and revisit six Ritchson movies and TV shows that are a 10/10.

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‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Alan Ritchson spends almost the entirety of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hidden beneath a seven-foot CGI turtle, but Raphael still feels like one of the most recognizable performances of his career. The 2014 reboot follows reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox), who is investigating a criminal organization called the Foot Clan when she discovers four mutant brothers secretly protecting New York City. Ritchson plays the physically strongest and most short-tempered member of the family. The stakes rise with the Foot Clan’s leader, Shredder (Tohoru Masamune), planning an attack on the city, and the brothers are forced to leave the sewers to fight alongside April.

It might seem unlikely, but the film fully captures the extent of Ritchson’s acting prowess. Not only does he provide some of the story’s emotionally strong moments, but the physicality he brings to Raphael even beneath the shell and visual effects also needs to be appreciated. His chemistry with the other three Ninja Turtles is the heart of the narrative, and even when the plot of the film occasionally slows down, their dynamic keeps the energy going. Anyone who only knows Ritchson as Jack Reacher might be surprised by how much personality and humanity he brings to an anthropomorphic turtle.

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‘Playdate’ (2025)

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Playdate is a ridiculous action comedy that would not have worked if it wasn’t for Ritchson. The Prime Video film follows Brian (Kevin James), a recently unemployed accountant who is struggling to adjust to life as a stay-at-home father. He agrees to spend the afternoon with another father named Jeff (Ritchson) and his unusually athletic son, CJ (Banks Pierce), in the hopes of helping his stepson socialize. However, the harmless playdate quickly turns into complete chaos when a team of armed mercenaries starts hunting them. Jeff initially seems like an overly enthusiastic suburban dad who takes everything a little too seriously.

But the audience and Brian soon realize that all of this has prepared him for every car chase, shootout, and near-death experience they encounter. Ritchson fully commits to the character’s strange combination of action-hero confidence and almost childlike friendliness, which allows him to make fun of the same hypermasculine image that made him famous in Reacher. The plot of the film becomes increasingly absurd, and the narrative unfolds with a very specific kind of humor that some might not understand. Even then, there’s no denying that Ritchson breathes life into Playdate with his chaotic, awkward, and exaggerated energy. That alone makes the film worth watching.

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‘Ghosts of War’ (2020)

Image via Vertical Entertainment

Ghosts of War combines two genres that don’t usually go together, but this World War II/haunted-house nightmare is pretty fascinating to watch. The film follows five American soldiers who are ordered to guard a large French château previously occupied by the Nazi high command. The assignment initially sounds like a rare opportunity to rest, but the soldiers they are replacing seem unusually desperate to leave. It doesn’t take long for strange noises, moving objects, and disturbing figures to reveal that something inside the house wants them there. Ritchson plays Butchie, who is, once again, the physically strongest member of the group and the person usually expected to handle any threat that requires brute force.

However, there is only so much strength can do against something no one can see or understand. That allows Ritchson to play a very different kind of fighter from Jack Reacher. The increasingly supernatural events inside the château leave him just as frightened and confused as everyone else. The story intentionally begins with familiar war-film archetypes before gradually venturing into much stranger territory. The final act of Ghosts of War delivers a twist that completely changes the audience’s understanding of everything that came before it. Ritchson might not be the central character in Ghosts of War, but he still holds his own overall engaging film with stellar performances.

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‘Above the Shadows’ (2019)

Image via Gravitas Ventures

Above the Shadows has one of those strange premises that sounds ridiculous until the film fully commits to it. The film follows Holly (Olivia Thirlby), a young woman who literally becomes invisible after her mother dies. Her family gradually stops noticing her, and eventually, so does the rest of the world. Years later, she uses that invisibility to make a living as a celebrity photographer since she can enter private spaces and capture pictures no ordinary paparazzo could ever get. Things change when Holly meets Shayne Blackwell (Ritchson), a disgraced MMA fighter working as a nightclub bouncer who somehow manages to see her. The situation becomes even more complicated when she realizes that she played a major role in destroying his life by photographing him cheating on his famous girlfriend, Julianna (Megan Fox).

Now, Holly believes that helping him return to the ring might also make her visible again, and she sets out to do exactly that. Ritchson’s physical presence obviously makes him believable as a former MMA star. However, Above the Shadows is much more interested in what Shayne is like outside the cage. He begins the story as this angry, bitter man, but the audience slowly gets to see his vulnerable side as the story progresses. His chemistry with Thirlby keeps the film grounded whenever the fantasy logic starts becoming a little questionable, since the two are perfect reflections of each other. Above the Shadows proves that Ritchson does not need a traditional action-hero role to prove his acting chops. In fact, some of his most effective performances are the more human ones, just like in Above the Shadows.

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‘Blood Drive’ (2017)

Image via Ilze Kitshoff / ©Syfy / courtesy Everett Collection

Blood Drive might be the most completely unhinged project in Ritchson’s career. The one-season Syfy series is set in a dystopian version of 1999 where water is scarce, violence has become normal, and the police force is almost as corrupt as the criminals. Ritchson plays Arthur Bailey, one of the last genuinely decent cops in Los Angeles, who accidentally becomes trapped in an underground cross-country race hosted by the theatrical and deeply disturbing Julian Slink (Colin Cunningham). The rules are simple but brutal. The contestants have to reach every checkpoint on time or have the explosive implanted in their neck detonated, not to mention that the race also involves cars running on human blood. Arthur is forced to partner with Grace d’Argento (Christina Ochoa), a ruthless racer hoping to use the prize money to help her sister. She has no problem feeding people into the engine when they need fuel, while Arthur insists on maintaining his morals in this messed-up world.

That conflict gives the series its funniest moments, but it also allows the narrative to gradually test how long Arthur can remain a good man when almost every situation rewards him for becoming something worse. The great thing about the show is that it fully embraces its absurdity. It moves between science fiction, cannibal horror, prison movies, corporate satire, and post-apocalyptic action without ever worrying about whether the combination makes sense. Ritchson is perfectly cast because he has the physical presence to handle the action, but his horrified reactions to the world around him are often even more entertaining. Unfortunately, Blood Drive was cancelled after only 13 episodes, despite positive reviews and a passionate cult following. However, that short run also makes it perfect for a chaotic weekend binge.

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‘Blue Mountain State’ (2010–2011)

Image via Spike

It’s almost hard to believe that Ritchson was in Blue Mountain State before he became one of TV’s greatest action heroes. The sitcom follows players of a fictional college football powerhouse as they try to balance training, classes, and parties. The main narrative centers on backup quarterback Alex Moran (Darin Brooks), who wants all the benefits of being on the team without the pressure of becoming its star. However, almost everyone is eventually overshadowed by Ritchson’s Thad Castle, the captain of the Blue Mountain State Goats.

Thad is a physically dominant linebacker who treats college football like a sacred responsibility, but everything else about him is completely unpredictable. He can be aggressive, childish, sensitive, and just about everything under the sun. The character could have easily become exhausting, but Ritchson manages to pull it off. In Thad’s mind, every insane decision makes perfect sense, and that seriousness is exactly what makes the performance work. The show itself is crude and immature, with storylines that might feel a bit excessive at times. However, that lack of restraint is also why Blue Mountain State remains a cult classic after all these years.

“Summer House” stars Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard are better than ever years after ending their engagement. In a new interview, the Bravo personalities spoke about their new dynamic and spilled the beans on how they’re using it for each other’s benefit.

Radke and Hubbard have both starred on “Summer House” since season 1 aired in 2017. After a few years, the pair began dating and were later engaged. In September 2023, though, Radke broke off the engagement during an episode of the reality TV series. Following that, Radke and Hubbard bumped heads in later seasons of the show. Today, though, they’re better than ever.

In fact, Radke revealed to PEOPLE in a new interview that he and Hubbard show up for each other in the most surprising way. “We’re trying to help wingman [for each other] too,” he said, to which Hubbard agreed, “Yeah, a little bit.” According to Radke, helping each other is more about “celebrating each other’s singleness” than anything else.

Carl Radke Says He Wants Lindsay Hubbard To ‘Be Respected’ By New Partner

Radke went on to say that keeping an eye out for his ex-fiancée’s new partner isn’t awkward and that he has no ulterior motives either. It’s about making sure she ends up with the right person. “I want her to be respected and find someone and have fun and be treated well,” he said. “And, like, of course I care about whoever that is, so I’m going to be there to be supportive.”

And if Radke’s feelings about Hubbard aren’t already clear, he told the outlet that he and the rest of his “Summer House” co-stars would be waiting to “have some words with” her potential suitor should he “f–k up.” Hubbard loved the sound of that, replying, “Yeah, exactly. Don’t f—up.”

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Radke explained that his position stems more from his genuine love and care for Hubbard. “I care a lot about this person,” he said. “She’s been in my life for a long time, and the fact that we’re where we are right now, it means a lot to me.”

How This Coming Season Of ‘Summer House’ Is Shaping Up For Carl Radke And Lindsay Hubbard

Radke and Hubbard’s newfound friendship will likely be shown during the upcoming season of “Summer House,” which is currently filming in the Hamptons.

In addition to the two of them, several familiar faces are returning, including Ciara Miller, Kyle Cooke, KJ Dillard, and Mia Calabrese. And that’s not all. It’s the first season where the entire cast is single.

“For the first time in the history of our group, we are all single, which is kind of crazy,” Radke said. “There’s always been someone who’s got something going on with a relationship, but it’s a new chapter.”

Radke Will Hopefully Showcase More Of His Life As A Business Owner

The new season of “Summer House” should also showcase Radke’s life as a business owner. For those who may be unfamiliar, the reality star opened his coffee and non-alcoholic establishment, Soft Bar, close to a year ago.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Radke expressed his gratitude for his business just days ago, calling it “cool” to see his vision come to life.

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Radke Said He’s ‘Made Mistakes’ As A Business Owner

And while Soft Bar has experienced many successes, Radke said things also haven’t been “smooth sailing.”

He added, “We’ve made mistakes. We’ve learned. We’ve had to adjust. We’ve had to evolve. But any new business is going to do that. But we are really listening to our customers. We’re trying to understand what they like, take all the feedback and become a better operation as a result. So I’m really happy and proud, but there’s still some work to do for sure.”

Perez Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, has been granted temporary custody of the blogger’s three children.

Us can confirm that Judge Laura Cruz granted Teresita the power to do “all things necessary for the care” of Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8, on Tuesday, August 18 in Miami-Dade County. The judge’s ruling specifies that Hilton (real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) is still the children’s legal parent but that Teresita is taking custody on a temporary basis.

Under the temporary arrangement, any “visitation with [Perez and his children] shall be supervised either with an agreed upon family member or a therapist until further order of the Court or agreement of the parties, so long as [Perez] has obtained psychiatric clearance.”

“[Teresita] shall have authority to consent to all necessary and reasonable medical and dental care for the children, including nonemergency surgery and psychiatric care,” Judge Cruz specified.

Related: Perez Hilton Was Hospitalized for ‘Severe Depression’ Before Self-Harm Incident

Perez Hilton’s sister, Barbara Lavandeira, revealed that he was hospitalized for “severe depression” weeks before his troubling livestream. “He told us that a few days earlier, he had felt empty, hopeless and like he was a burden on everyone,” Lavandeira said in an interview with Page Six published on Thursday, August 13. “He then admitted […]

The children’s grandmother has also received permission to “enroll the children in school and grant or withhold consent for the children to be tested or placed in special school programs.”

On August 12, Us reported that Teresita filed court papers to gain temporary custody of her grandchildren. In that initial filing, Teresita specified that Hilton, 48, “voluntarily consented” to the change in custody.

Hilton went live on TikTok on August 4 to allegedly stream himself performing dangerous acts of self-harm. (TikTok later banned his account for violating its terms of service while acknowledging human error allowed the stream to go on for several minutes.)

Later that day, a Miami-Dade police spokesperson told Us that law enforcement officials received calls “regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self-harm on social media” and were then sent to Hilton’s Florida home for what they suspected was a “possible suicide” attempt.

Hilton’s family disclosed in an August 6 statement that his sister, Barbara Lavandeira, and all three children “were inside the home” mere moments before the troubling livestream began. Barbara, 42, immediately “fled” with the children to “protect [them] from witnessing any further trauma,” Hilton’s family said.

The celebrity blogger was eventually hospitalized and had to undergo surgery due to the serious injuries he sustained during the stream. Reports suggest Hilton was also treated for an overdose while he was hospitalized.

While his family has said that Hilton can communicate, Barbara recently told Page Six that her brother has a “long road ahead of him” to recover “both physically and mentally.”

“[Perez] remains hospitalized and continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries. His physical and mental recovery is going to take a lot of time, but we remain hopeful,” Barbara told the outlet in an interview published on August 13. “He has no access to a cell phone, social media or the internet. Everyone’s focus is on helping him recover physically and making sure he receives the mental and emotional care and support he needs.”

On Sunday, August 16, Barbara clarified that Hilton “remains hospitalized and is receiving the medical care he needs” in an inpatient medical and mental health facility.

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“Whether you have followed Perez from the beginning or only recently started reading, we hope you will continue visiting, reading, and sharing the site. We deeply appreciate your support while Perez focuses on his health and recovery,” her statement read. “For now, Perez’s health remains the priority as his team keeps the site active and moving forward.”

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

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Silo Season 3, Episode 8.

With just two more episodes to go this season, Silo’s latest chapter marks a turning point for Congressman Daniel Keene, played by Ashley Zukerman. The conspiracy he’s been chasing across eight episodes is finally coming into focus and becoming much darker than he thought. Faced with billionaire Per Stensen’s (Colin Hanks) explanation for the silo project and the looming threat of nanotechnology, Daniel now finds himself caught between two futures: one built on duty and survival, and another shaped by the people he loves, including intrepid reporter Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick).

While Zukerman tells Collider exclusively that Per’s argument is “very compelling” to Daniel, everything the politician has witnessed through Helen and his sister Charlotte (Jessica Brown Findlay) means he has no choice but to make “a different decision there.” That internal conflict becomes the emotional backbone of Episode 8’s “Gray Goo.” Though the revelation behind the silos fundamentally changes his character’s understanding of the world, it also forces Daniel to ask a question he has never really considered before.

After a lifetime spent in service to others, the antepenultimate episode is the first time Daniel chooses for himself. “He’s always put himself in a place of service,” Zukerman explains. “For the first time in his life, he’s really able to ask what it is he wants… ‘I want Helen. I want this life. I want this experience.’” In the Collider Signature Q&A below, the actor breaks down why Per’s logic is harder to dismiss than audiences might expect and why Daniel’s latest decision to talk away from everything he once believed in now marks the end of that era.

Ashley Zukerman Understands Why Daniel Is Tempted by the Silo Project

“… if this invitation came to him 10 episodes ago, he probably would have joined the project.”

Image via Apple TV

COLLIDER: Episode 8 completely changes what we thought the silos were. Up until now, viewers could debate whether this was about control, survival, or even something darker. When Daniel hears Per explain the truth about the nanotech and the end of the world, what did you think was actually breaking inside of him at that moment?

ASHLEY ZUKERMAN: I think his argument’s very compelling. I think he makes good points. Us preparing in some way for what is imminent, that makes sense to Daniel. But at the same time, I think if this invitation came to him 10 episodes ago, he probably would have joined the project. But I think over the last 10 episodes, via Charlotte’s experience and Helen’s experience, he’s learned a lot, and he makes a different decision there.

One thing I do love is that Silo never really gives you simple villains. Everybody is very layered, and it comes from a baseline of humanity and what they think is the best thing to do. Per genuinely believes he’s saving humanity and saving the world. Did you find yourself understanding his logic, even if Daniel really couldn’t accept it with the decision he makes at the end of the episode?

ZUKERMAN: Yeah. I could understand it, and Daniel could understand it. I can’t fault the logic. Something’s coming, and we need to prepare. I can’t fault that. But I guess where I am is still a place where, in our world, it feels like the solutions aren’t the problem. We know how to fix these things. All the solutions are simple. They’re all there if we want them. We don’t need to brute-force some technological answer to this question.

All the things being proposed, which are basically just extensions of what we have been doing, we know what we need to do. We can just go and do it. There seem to be some people in the world who believe that, rather than think about the way that we’re behaving and change that, we would rather keep behaving the way we are. For me personally, that’s where I am. That being said, there are no clear villains, and his logic is sound.

‘Silo’s “Gray Goo” Officially Marks the End of an Era for Daniel Keene

Daniel’s Episode 8 decision ends a lifetime of putting duty, service, and his sister’s needs ahead of his own.

Daniel choosing Helen over the project kind of surprised me, but it also feels like he is somebody who always chooses from love, and I thought that was very sweet. He’s walking away from the future of humanity just to be with Helen, and I thought that was so cute. Why do you think that choice becomes so obvious to him, especially with everything he’s been through with her?

ZUKERMAN: I think it paralleled the experience with Charlotte. We get these little bits of information about his upbringing and about his and Charlotte’s experience. They were orphaned very young; he took on this carer position. He was sort of a surrogate father to Charlotte, and so he never stopped caring for Charlotte, and he put himself in that position. I think there’s a straight line between that and then joining the military. He’s always put himself in a place of service, even in Congress, which he was never really happy in. Charlotte’s injury, however tragic now, seems to be exposing something else.

Strangely, in Episode 8, we start to see a respect growing between them. He finally lets her be her own person and make her own choices, and in that separation, it allows him to start to think: what does he want from life for the first time? And I think it’s that that makes him go, “I want this. I want Helen. I want this life. I want this experience.” But you’re right, there is ambivalence, and I mean that in the sense of not apathy, but genuine ambivalence that this is also an incredible project. He’s an engineer. He thinks pragmatically about solutions. So, I think he is drawn to this project, but for the first time in his life, he’s really able to ask what it is he wants, and he chooses Helen.

A lot of shows that are not Silo use that type of relationship as a subplot, but this feels like the emotional heart of the entire origin story we eventually find out. At what point did you realize this wasn’t really a political thriller anymore? At the core, this is Silo’s love story.

ZUKERMAN: I was very surprised because what I had read of Season 3 before we shot that Episode 2 scene, I expected Daniel, for sure, and maybe Helen to be involved in some way in the building of the silo. I thought that’s what we were setting up, that we were actually watching two people as they affected this project. At first, I was a little dismayed, and then I was like, “Oh, wait. No. These are just two people that got sucked into this vortex of this project and then spat out.” It took me a while to understand this origin story is told through a prism of just these two people. We’re not actually looking at the origin story. We’re just looking at two people.

Then, as we got stuck into it and as we worked on it more, I just fell in love with that idea more and more. Because it’s also a better parallel, as well, to what’s happening inside the silo. These are all just the individuals who are stuck in this experience. It would be a little arc to actually explore the Per Stensen version of this origin story. It is a different story that’s also equally fascinating, but it’s not necessarily the story we’re telling. We’re telling the story of people inside a system and the choices they make within it. So, I actually started to love it. I love that, that’s what we were doing.

Was there ever a scene, from Episodes 1–8, where you remember thinking, “This is probably the moment that Daniel can never go back to who he was”? I feel like he’s evolving in every episode, too, and that was something that I really liked seeing because it’s not just a stagnant arc. It’s very much like he’s going through different emotions in every episode, and you can see that also in your performance.

ZUKERMAN: It’s very nice of you to say. For me, I’d say Episode 4 as a whole for Daniel. I think that’s the one that seems really key. It’s in that episode that, while he’s fighting everyone else, he stops fighting himself, and this time we really see him. He’s not tormented anymore. He’s actually outwardly free to express himself. Helen has no issues expressing herself from the beginning of the show. It’s sort of like that is what he has gotten from her. She makes him feel like he can be honest and himself, and he wants to be that. I think that is what opens up for him in that episode. That’s, I think, where we see that shift.

It’s funny that you say that; I feel like Episode 8 is the point where we see Daniel before and after innocence. He is so grown up in how he understands the world from a different standpoint. The politician we met earlier in the season, he’s not the same at the end of this hour. How much did you, as a performer, subconsciously change him to expand that understanding of the world for your character? There’s a lot of work you put in as an actor to give those layers, because what is on the paper is not exact. You’re going to have to put in more.

ZUKERMAN: Because we shot all 10 episodes at once, we had to plot that out and make sure we were across that. I felt that there were a few things happening at play. One, Daniel enters this crucible at the beginning of the show, where I think Episodes 1–8 for their story happened within a four-day span. So this was quick. For me, while the focus was on making sure we felt that we didn’t go too far too soon, that we actually made it feel like four days that these were happening, that the tension kept mounting.

I did spend a lot of time making sure I was tracking at what level the tension that he was under revealed his true self, I guess. And I think you’re right, that by the end of Episode 8, he has grown because of it. Someone else might have maybe been crushed under the pressure, but Daniel was able to see beyond what was happening and stay close to himself and learn. I think maybe that’s what I was trying to think about. He could be under a lot of pressure and still learn something. I think he learned so much from Charlotte, especially in [Episode] 8. There’s that moment where they talk about their family, and he actually kind of sees, and he makes a decision. Because he’s not just saying goodbye to the project, he’s saying goodbye to his sister. For him to be able to have that be not a reaction to their situation, but actually an internalized decision he makes, you are right that that has to show an incredible amount of growth.

‘Silo’s Writers “Bury the Genre” to Keep the Story Human

Zukerman explains how the series keeps its mythology grounded by focusing on people trapped inside systems.

When we’re watching as viewers, I think we don’t really see that, because when you have an arc of four days, for us, when we’re watching movies and stuff, sometimes it’s very abrupt, and you can’t see the character. The character just goes from A to Z very quickly. But for this show, I think that’s a testament to the writing that I wanted to ask you about, too. What is it about this writing that you think is so different than so many other shows? Because, yes, you guys put in so much work as actors — you’re filling in the blanks of that writing — but the writing is the baseline of everything that has been so good about this show. I feel like there’s nothing else on Apple right now that is like Silo.

ZUKERMAN: I think the writing is surprisingly subtle in how effective it is. It buries its story really well. It buries what is happening for the characters really well, and invites us to just live it. As much as we can just engage with what’s happening right there, honestly, the writing really does so much for us. It actually asks us to not oversell things, not to do anything except live it.

I think in a genre show, that’s really rare. In genre shows, there’s usually such an onus on the exposition, selling the world in the writing, but I think what Silo does really well, and what Graham [Yost] and the team do really well, is make sure that this whole thing is always just about people within a system, and they bury the genre.

You and Jessica [Henwick] have amazing chemistry. What was it like building that relationship, especially since we see it happen so quickly, that sort of dynamic? In the beginning, there is a little push-and-pull, and it’s very fun to see that, but then it becomes very genuine, and you see that sincerity between the two of them.

ZUKERMAN: It wasn’t hard to build. We had that between us from the beginning. Because some of the writers were writing Season 4 while we were shooting Season 3, and they would listen to us bickering in between takes to kind of get a sense of how these characters interact for fuel. And for some reason, it’s a combination of, like, who knows how these things happen, but very lucky casting and also insightful casting that the two of us were just placed very well that our on-screen and off-screen chemistry just felt very effortless. That’s one thing.

I’ll say, as well, you can have that with another actor, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you share the same taste and that you can work together and challenge each other, because some of the work is really difficult. You don’t always have a partner that you can kind of nut scenes out with and try to figure things out with, and Jess and I were really able to do that. I think that was another gift that, while we were navigating the story, we were really able to constantly question, “Where are we? Is this working? What are we doing here?” And that was a very special partnership trying to figure out this storyline together.

Ashley Zukerman Wanted To Bring “All of [Himself]” to ‘Silo’s Daniel

“That was challenging at times, because it was so surprising…”

Image via Apple TV

You’ve worked across different genres over the years, and I will say, Fear Street was one of my favorites. You were so good in it. Political dramas you’ve done, too, but Episode 8 asks you to play all three genres at once — science fiction, fantasy, political drama. What was the biggest challenge for you this season in grounding Daniel emotionally while the show redefines its own mythology?

ZUKERMAN: Because of what happens later, there’s a great answer to that. [Laughs] I don’t know if this is a challenge, but I guess challenges and interests are often very well-connected — from the beginning, this origin story, although this is sort of an obvious thing to say for any acting work, but I felt we had a mandate to make it feel as much like right now as possible, make it as loose and as close to 2025, 2026 as we could, and fill it with the nuance and microgestures in microlife of our time.

In doing that, I just felt like I connected so much to Daniel that I just wanted to play him as much for myself as possible. Other than those other projects you’re talking about, which I think were departures from myself, I really wanted to just bring all of myself to Daniel. Then, in doing that, what I found surprising was that what popped up were the things about his history with Charlotte. There was something about his sadness, his innate sadness, that I hadn’t read into in the script, but there is something lost about him, and I hadn’t read that. That was challenging at times, because it was so surprising, but it was also interesting, and I’m happy for it.

If Episode 8 completely changes how we look at Daniel, what can you tease about where that leaves him heading into the last two episodes?

ZUKERMAN: [Laughs] If I get really cheesy, I’d say that his work with the silo project’s not exactly finished. I feel a little sick doing it that tease-y. The other thing I’d say is just that I think there’s something that we’ve learned about Daniel that is so under the surface, that’s so buried, that ends up being the key to what was wrong.

New episodes of Silo Season 3 stream Fridays on Apple TV.

Elijah Blue Allman’s wife, Marieangela King, filed new court documents objecting to Cher’s appointment of a probate conservator for her drug-addled son — and now King is nominating herself and wants the court to appoint her as his conservator, claiming the iconic singer has been estranged from her son for years, his famous mother’s involvement is against his wishes, and the singer’s petition is an intrusion into their marriage.

King, 39, also claims in the docs filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 18, that Cher, 80, has shown a pattern of “hostility” and “gatekeeping” towards her by intentionally keeping her out of any discussions involving Elijah’s care.

But Cher’s legal team questions whether the reconciliation between Elijah, 50, and his once estranged wife is genuine, or whether their apparent union is only a “ruse.”

In the newly filed docs, King claims that Elijah‘s estranged relatives have repeatedly attempted to impose a conservatorship or some similar restraints on Elijah without her knowledge.

Related: Judge Denies Cher’s 2nd Conservatorship Request for Son Elijah Blue Allman

A Los Angeles judge has denied Cher‘s request for her son Elijah Blue Allman to be placed under a temporary conservatorship. During a court hearing on Friday, April 24, the court rejected the pop star’s bid to appoint a conservator of Allman’s estate, citing a lack of “sufficient urgency” despite the singer’s concerns that he […]

King alleges that when the case was filed in 2023 Cher did not serve Elijah or herself, claiming that they were missing when King claims they were in regular contact with the star via her staff and regularly visited her home to collect their mail. She claims Cher knew how to reach them.

She claims that while the conservator petition has been pending in California, Elijah’s estranged siblings Devon Allman and Chaz Bono filed to be appointed Elijah‘s guardians in a New Hampshire court without her knowledge.

King is asking that the court dismiss or stay that petition because she claims Elijah doesn’t live in California. She claims he has no permanent ties or home in California and that he has no intention of returning to the state.

According to her documents, Elijah is currently under long-term, involuntary institutional care and is in the custody of the state of New Hampshire. He is also facing ongoing criminal and mental competency court proceedings amid his institutionalized treatment. She claims the New Hampshire State Hospital has already started oversight and initiated guardianship proceedings, arguing that as a result legal jurisdiction is in New Hampshire, not California.

King claims that Elijah never filed an answer in her recently filed divorce case, which she then filed to dismiss in June for the second time.

She alleges that Elijah is confined to a secure, locked psychiatric facility.

“Elijah‘s primary source of income other than gifts from [his mother] and payments from her trusts… include payments from one or more family trusts created by his late father… and because he’s currently confined and under state supervision… there’s no risk that he will miss us or mismanage” any funds, as stated in the docs.

She claims that at Elijah’s “urging” she dismissed her most recent divorce petition as well as a court order for $70,000 and unpaid spousal support so that she “could stand in support of my spouse … ensure his well-being and be there for him and his care plan.”

“I strongly believe that Elijah needs a robust, long-term treatment plan to deal with these issues, an appointment of a conservator selected by his mother, from whom he has been estranged for years … her removing his autonomy against his wishes would demoralize him … jeopardizing his recovery,” the docs read.

King cites court documents from April 2024 filed by Elijah, in which he stated that he objected to Cher’s appointment as his conservator and one of the reasons was because he claimed she’s not entitled to priority because he was married and he stated Cher was “unfit to serve.”

Elijah says that his wife is entitled to that priority as his conservator.

“My mother’s petition raises dual concerns that I suffer from some mental illness and that I live hand to mouth using my trust distributions to buy drugs and place myself in immortal danger,” Elijah says per the docs. “As I have mentioned in previous pleadings, I have struggled with addiction, but I’m not mentally ill.”

Elijah continues, “I know that my mother’s objectives are not nefarious: she is a wealthy and famous entertainer who does not need the comparatively small sums that I received from my late father’s trust. I know that my mother’s actions are meant to help me, but I do not need this help. My mother seems to believe that controlling these quarterly trust distributions will prevent me from engaging in self-destructive behaviors. She is misguided.”

Related: Elijah Blue Allman’s Wife Reveals Why She Dismissed Divorce for 2nd Time

Marieangela King is opening up about her decision to remain married to husband Elijah Blue Allman after previously filing for divorce a second time — noting his ongoing conservatorship battle has played a role in her divorce dismissal. “Elijah and I have experienced challenges within our marriage, many of which were related to his struggles […]

Elijah adds that if he is “inclined to engage in self-destructive behaviors” he does “not need” his “trust distributions to do so.”

“The world is full of addicts and mentally ill persons who do not have a trust distribution from which to draw,” he says. “The only person who can save me for my demons is me.”

Shortly after, Elijah and his mother settled the case, only for the singer to revive the conservatorship petition in April of this year after he was arrested in February and March following two separate incidents in New Hampshire at a private boarding school and residential home and is facing charges including simple assault, criminal trespassing, criminal threatening, and burglary.

In new docs, King is objecting to any conservator nominated by Cher “as an unwarranted intrusion into the marital relationship.”

She claims that Elijah already objected to his mother‘s prior petition in 2024. “He did not wish for [her] to act as his conservator.”

King states she’s “ready, willing, and able“ to be his conservator and “will do what is right by Elijah to stabilize the expenditures and address the outstanding financial issues.”

Elijah has been estranged from Cher for many years, King claims in her paperwork stating, “Elijah and [Cher] notoriously have an extremely poor relationship, and many unresolved trust issues.”

That said, she alleges there is a conflict of interest. King claims that Cher has “repeatedly attempted to confine Elijah against his will.“

“[Cher] … refused to work, or cooperate, with me, as Elijah’s spouse, and developing a long-term care plan for his recovery and care,“ claiming that Elijah‘s relatives have rejected or ignored her requests.

She alleges that Elijah’s brother Devon told her that the family “has no interest in getting Elijah into treatment.”

King claims that appointing a conservator selected by Cher is not in Elijah‘s best interest. She alleged that his mother, family members and other associates have attempted to manipulate medical providers in charge of Elijah‘s care.

“[Cher] and her associates have history of using [Cher’s] money, fame, and resources to manipulate doctors, social workers, and other professionals to interfere in the marital relationship, confine Elijah, and or act in a manner, contrary to his best interest and against his will,” King says per the docs.

King continues, “[Cher’s] conduct throughout these proceedings … reveals a calculated pattern of intentional, prejudice, hostility, and bad faith aimed at dismantling the marital unit. For years, [she] has systematically excluded me from all discussions, medical assessments, decisions, and proposed care planning regarding Elijah, contrary to my role, rights and responsibilities as his spouse. She has done so contrary to his stated desire to have me involved due to his deep distrust for [his mother].”

King claims that Cher’s “failure and refusal to cooperate with me, paired with her clandestine coordination with treatment, facilities, and other professionals, without my knowledge and against Elijah’s will, has, in my view, substantially impeded his ability to get effective treatment.”

Related: Cher Must Clear ‘High Legal Standard’ for Conservatorship of Elijah Blue

This week on Legally Us, Rachael Bennett, a certified family law specialist and senior attorney at Sullivan Law & Associates, breaks down Cher filing for a conservatorship of son Elijah Blue Allman following several legal troubles. On April 17, the legendary singer requested that fiduciary Jason Rubin take charge of her 49-year-old son’s finances. “To […]

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“It demonstrates that this action is not a protective intervention, but part of an adversarial campaign of stripping me of my role as Elijah‘s spouse and ability to fulfill that role and attempting to dictate the care and estate of Elijah, her adult child, through intentional insulation and familial gatekeeping,” King says in the docs.

King continues, “I’m extremely concerned that appointment of a conservator hand selected by [her] is equally not in Elijah‘s best interests and will be viewed by Elijah as further punishment and an effort to interfere with his autonomy, rather than an attempt to help him. And Elijah‘s fragile mental state, this would jeopardize his chances of a hopeful recovery.“

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Cher’s legal team is arguing in its own docs filed in July that the court’s jurisdiction should stay in California. Her legal team states that Elijah is involuntarily incarcerated in New Hampshire and has never had an address in New Hampshire, and his family and friends are in California, including his wife.

The Grammy winner’s legal team also argues that “given his apparent reconciliation with his wife, if he claims not to intend to return to California, does that mean he intends to remain separated from his wife? Either he has reconciled and intends to return to live with his spouse in California or her sudden reappearance and convenient reconciliation is a ruse.”

Us has reached out to Cher’s attorneys for comment.