Marvel Studios has officially introduced the next generation of the X-Men.

During the studio’s massive D23 2026 presentation, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed the principal cast of the upcoming X-Men movie, confirming several long-rumored names while also delivering a few major surprises.

The new lineup will feature Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier/Professor X, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Ororo Munroe/Storm and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Essex/Mister Sinister.

The cast officially announced by Marvel Studios includes:

• Sadie Sink — Jean Grey
• Kit Connor — Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Christopher Abbott — Charles Xavier/Professor X
• Samara Weaving — Emma Frost
• Inde Navarrette — Rogue
• Maya Boyd — Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Adam Driver — Nathaniel Essex/Mister Sinister

The announcement confirms Sink and Connor as two of the central members of Marvel’s new mutant generation. Sink’s Jean Grey has already begun making her way into the larger MCU through Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while Connor will take over the role of Cyclops, the longtime field leader of the X-Men.

Abbott will become the MCU’s new Professor Charles Xavier, following the character’s previous live-action portrayals by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.

Weaving joins the franchise as Emma Frost, one of the most complicated characters in X-Men history. Also known as the White Queen, Frost has operated as both an adversary and ally of the X-Men throughout Marvel Comics and eventually became one of the team’s most prominent members.

Navarrette will take on Rogue, the powerful mutant capable of absorbing the memories, abilities and powers of others through physical contact. Boyd, meanwhile, will portray Storm, the weather-controlling mutant who has long been one of the most recognizable and important members of the X-Men.

Perhaps the biggest announcement is Driver, who will portray Mister Sinister.

The longtime X-Men villain, whose real name is Nathaniel Essex, is a brilliant geneticist obsessed with mutant evolution and experimentation. Mister Sinister has repeatedly manipulated the lives and genetics of the X-Men in Marvel Comics, with Cyclops and Jean Grey playing particularly important roles in many of his stories.

Driver’s casting also finally brings Mister Sinister properly to the big screen after years of teases during Fox’s X-Men era that never resulted in a full live-action appearance.

The new X-Men will be directed by Jake Schreier, who previously directed Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. The film represents a major step in Marvel’s plans for mutants following the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.

Marvel has spent the last several years gradually introducing mutants while simultaneously bringing back actors from Fox’s original X-Men movies. Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Alan Cumming and Kelsey Grammer are among the legacy X-Men stars appearing in Avengers: Doomsday.

Those returning characters could help close the door on the previous generation of X-Men before Marvel Studios fully moves forward with its newly assembled team.

With Jean Grey, Cyclops, Professor X, Emma Frost, Rogue and Storm now confirmed, Marvel has revealed a significant portion of its core X-Men roster. However, several major characters, including Wolverine, Beast, Nightcrawler and Magneto, have yet to be announced for the reboot.

Marvel Studios’ X-Men is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2028.

Errands may lead you to a tee and jeans, but Eva Mendes proved that the right dress can be just as easy. In fact, her flowy maxi style is even easier. It’s no wonder rich moms are rocking the look nonstop. At only $20, so are we!

A few days ago, Mendes strolled around Santa Monica wearing a loose brown dress, cushiony flip-flops and a sweater tied around her waist. She finished the outfit with a bucket hat and two roomy totes (for all of her goodies, we assume). Casual, yes, but this dress style made her relaxed getup appear polished and intentional.

Get the Anrabess Maxi Tank Dress for $20 (was $24) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Anrabess Maxi Tank Dress looks eerily similar to Mendes’, so it has the same effect. Laid-back, sleeveless and flowy in all the right places, it’s the definition of a throw-on-and-go dress. The coffee shade gives it that expensive-neutral appeal that pairs well with everything, from white sneakers to leather loafers.

Related: Nicole Kidman Wore the Rich Silky Dress Trend, but With a Fall Spin

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Silky fabrics are having a major moment this year, and clearly, Nicole Kidman is leaning in. She rocked an expensive-looking dress style that captured everything great about the trend: timeless, cooling and incredibly luxe. We can’t believe Kidman’s expensive look is only $30! Spotted in Portofino, Italy, Kidman wore a rust-colored satin dress with sandals. […]

Better yet, this wear-everywhere dress is buttery-soft and stretchy, thanks to the elastane-blend fabric. As such, it drapes in all the right places. One happy shopper said it “flows well over your body and does not show lumps and bumps,” which is exactly what you want in a piece you’ll wear 25/7.

Another five-star reviewer called this chic dress “flattering in all the right places” and added, “I was able to pair it with a short-sleeve cardigan for work, and at home, I loved lounging in it with summer sandals or canvas sneakers.”

With stretchy fabric, zero structure and maximum ease, this chic maxi number is an outfit you’ll look forward to wearing. We love it with flip-flops for the warm months, then with a denim jacket and sneakers once the weather turns. No matter how you style it, you’re bound to look like a Santa Monica rich mom.

At only $20, we’re grabbing two!

Get the Anrabess Maxi Tank Dress for $20 (was $24) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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

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No other show is quite as crude, controversial, and consistently comedic as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Premiering during an era when sitcoms were often built around wholesome friendships and polished sets, IASIP emerged as television’s DIY bad boy, following the rude and reckless Gang—Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (Rob Mac), and Frank (Danny DeVito)—as they attempt to run and sustain their questionable establishment, Paddy’s Pub.

Taking inspiration from Seinfeld‘s classic “show about nothing” format, It’s Always Sunny takes the concept to outrageous extremes, creating absurd situations that expose the dysfunction of five hilariously flawed people who often seem incapable of functioning as respectable members of society. Yet, for all its politically incorrect humor—some of which understandably hasn’t aged well—there is a surprising level of comedic craft behind the chaos. From a musical built around personal trauma to elaborate fake suicides that spiral spectacularly out of control, here are It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes that are perfect from start to finish.

“Charlie Work”

Season 10, Episode 4

Image via FX

The day has come for Charlie to shine. With an episode title so fittingly on point for this often-underestimated character, “Charlie Work” is an intense, anxiety-inducing, and, dare we say, purely cinematic work of art by IASIP standards. A cross between the styles of Whiplash and Birdman, “Charlie Work” starts with a panicked Charlie after learning that Paddy’s Pub is due for a surprise health inspection. With the bar clearly unfit to operate, let alone earn a passing grade, the typically soft-spoken Charlie whips The Gang into mission mode. If they can’t fix Paddy’s Pub in time, the least they can do is make it look like it’s fixed.

Complete with an impressive 10-minute one-take sequence (which literally makes up half of the episode), “Charlie Work” is the character’s most notable redemption episode. He’s often portrayed as the clueless member of the bunch, literally on the verge of bursting into tears at the thought of having to make a decision. But “Charlie Work” proves that he’s always been the most reliable employee, as he orchestrates the gang’s charade for the inspector while tending to the filthy floors, killing rats, and managing the plumbing—all without the inspector noticing. Of course, said charade relies on Dennis, Dee, Mac, and Frank’s limitless imaginations, which, bafflingly, work.

“The Nightman Cometh”

Season 4, Episode 13

Image via FX

For one night only (or repeated plays on streaming), “The Nightman Cometh” is Charlie’s most inglorious directorial debut. It’s about a “Little Boy” who is loved by a princess and a sinister villain called the Nightman who steals his innocence. But there’s also a troll involved, along with a supposedly coming-of-age transformation in which Little Boy transforms into the Dayman. If none of that makes sense, that’s the point, because Charlie wrote this musical by himself, allegedly based on a traumatic incident involving his highly inappropriate uncle. It’s up to the Paddy’s gang to bring his vision to life, with all of them taking creative liberties to spice up the show a bit.

It wouldn’t be a musical without show tunes. “The Nightman Cometh” has not only one, but a whopping five main musical numbers. Fan favorites include “I’ve Got a Troll in My Hole,” which Frank enthusiastically sings, complete with the tongue-twisting lyric, “You gotta pay the troll toll if you want to get into this boy’s hole!” And not to mention the standout hit “Nightman,” which features the borderline-incestuous line, “It’s just two men like lovin’ brothers.” The best part about the episode is just how seriously everyone takes the play. Nobody is ill-intentioned enough to deliberately screw up the show, and if it does go haywire, it’s only because The Gang feels like they have better ideas than Charlie (Charlie would strongly disagree, though).

“The Gang Dines Out”

Season 8, Episode 9

IASIP can be outrageously fictional at times, but “The Gang Dines Out” is arguably the most relatable episode ever, if only because it brings up the good old-fashioned, painfully awkward experience of the “running into friends in public spaces” conundrum. At Guigino’s, Dennis and Mac enjoy their monthly dinner while Charlie and Frank celebrate their anniversary at another table, unaware that Dee is dining alone nearby. Refusing to acknowledge each other, the two pairs launch an increasingly petty battle of upstaging, using drinks, speeches, and eventually the entire restaurant to trade insults.

“The Gang Dines Out” is just pettiness on top of pettiness, primarily stemming from Dennis’ narcissistic need for attention. He becomes increasingly fidgety over minor inconveniences, like a wobbly chair and a seat right in front of the kitchen door, but these are really just excuses because Dennis isn’t getting the attention he wants from Frank and Charlie, which ultimately makes Mac annoyed. Surprisingly, it’s Mac who pushes Dennis to start thinking about someone other than himself, encouraging him to compliment Mac. Dennis eventually does, leading to a surprisingly heartfelt tribute featuring a quick riff on “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler.

“Mac & Charlie Die”

Season 4, Episodes 5 & 6

Image via FX

This classic IASIP two-parter is the epitome of Mac and Charlie’s friendship. When Mac’s newly released, treacherous father gets parole from jail, Mac proposes that they fake their deaths. But planning their fake suicide is a lot more complicated than they realize, and every attempt to erase their traces ends with them literally getting hurt. While all that’s happening, the rest of the gang discover a glory hole in the pub’s bathroom, Frank copes with his grief by getting a mannequin that looks like Charlie, and Dee realizes that Mac and Charlie are very much alive and living on the rooftop.

“Mac & Charlie Die” is a staple IASIP episode that goes completely haywire and literally off the rails. From Mac slamming the door on Dee and Charlie throwing not one but two chairs through the windows, to stealing Dee’s car and blowing it up, The Gang takes their increasingly ridiculous plan to absurd extremes. Mac even crashes the car into a brick wall, leaving himself bloodied, before they resort to buying a grenade from a pawn shop. Ironically, all these elaborate attempts to fake their deaths ultimately fail, making the payoff even funnier.

“The Gang Gets Analyzed”

Season 8, Episode 5

Image via FX

Nobody despises doing household chores more than the Paddy’s gang—so much so that they take their little dilemma to Dee’s therapist in “The Gang Gets Analyzed.” On her therapist’s advice, Dee holds a “cooperative” dinner with The Gang to talk things over in a more civil manner. Of course, things quickly go to shambles when it comes to who’s doing the dishes. Everyone has their own reason for not having to do said chore, most notably Charlie, who goes to all the trouble of getting a “fowl” for dinner, which, in actuality, is just a grocery trip to get pheasant. But because they believe in the therapist’s objectivity, they decide to let her choose who does the dishes—not without first taking a deep dive into their respective psyches.

If you’re new to the It’s Always Sunny lore, “The Gang Gets Analyzed” is the perfect episode for a hyper-specific, individual character study. Throughout the series, we constantly watch The Gang bounce off each other’s chaotic energy, but it’s a completely different story when they’re by themselves. It’s rare to see each member of the Paddy’s gang separated from the others in the same situation, let alone holed up in a room with a professional therapist, and it’s in this episode that everyone gets to show their true, ugly colors. Whether it’s Mac doing aggressive martial arts in the room to protect his fragile masculinity, Charlie smashing his head against the wall under all the pressure, Frank completely rejecting therapy because of childhood trauma, Dennis challenging the therapist’s intelligence, or Dee compulsively lying about her psoriasis, there’s really no predicting where each session will go.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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Release Date

August 4, 2005

Directors

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Matt Shakman, Fred Savage, Todd Biermann, Daniel Attias, Richie Keen, Randall Einhorn, Heath Cullens, Pete Chatmon, Jerry Levine, Kat Coiro, Megan Ganz, Jamie Babbit, John Fortenberry, Maurice Marable, Kimberly McCullough, Imani Hakim, LP, Tim Roche

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Y’all! Ray J may have gotten the result he wanted, but his latest boxing match has fans wondering what exactly went down in that ring. After stepping up against Orlando Brown on Saturday night, the singer walked away with a unanimous-decision victory—but the chaotic three-round showdown quickly became a social media spectacle for reasons that had little to do with the scorecards.

RELATED: Never Giving Up? Ray J Shares 10-Year Wedding Anniversary Message To Princess Love Amid Apparent Separation (PHOTO)

Ray J Secures The W, But Orlando Brown Brought The Chaos

In case you missed it, Ray J and Orlando Brown went three rounds at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, with Ray ultimately taking the unanimous-decision win. The matchup was part of Zeus Network’s card for the Claressa Shields and Kaye Scott’s fight, giving Ray some redemption after his knockout loss to Supa Hot Fire earlier this year. But judging by the clips making the rounds, fans weren’t exactly calling either man the next boxing great. Brown caught plenty of jokes for his wild swings, while Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford appeared just as puzzled by the action. Mayweather, Crawford, and Shakur Stevenson later congratulated Ray on the win.

Of course, this wasn’t exactly a random matchup. Ray J and Brown have had their share of back-and-forths over the years, with Brown previously making claims about Ray and repeatedly calling him “Brandy’s brother.” After three chaotic rounds, Ray had he official W—but whether fans are ready to give him his flowers is a whole different story.

Social Media Is Having A Field Day

Fans ran straight to TSR’s Instagram comment section after watching Ray J and Orlando Brown’s chaotic matchup, and many admitted they didn’t know what to make of the whole thing. Some called the fight “a whole circus,” while others joked that Ray J was acting like he had just won the heavyweight championship. Meanwhile, plenty of folks questioned Zeus Network’s decision-making, with some wondering what made them think putting this matchup together was a good idea.

One Instagram user @the.shandawg said, “This man acting like he beat Sugar Ray Leonard”

This Instagram user @omoakin joked, “This is Pure Comedy,Ray J now thinks he’s the world greatest Boxer 😂😂😂😂”

And, Instagram user @beauty_court commented, “Who told Orlando that hunch fighting position was it 😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @richoffaifilms shared, “Doesn’t he have a heart…nevermind.”

While Instagram user @rowdyhiphop claimed, “A whole circus 😂”

Finally, Instagram user @benny_pitts added, “This something only Zues network would produce lol 😂”

Brandy Reacts To Ray J’s Win

Brandy was right by her brother Ray J’s side as he stepped into the ring against Orlando Brown, and she made it clear she was proud of him. In an interview with FightHype following the bout, Brandy said, “So proud. I mean, he did really good,” but when asked if she wanted to see Ray J fight again, she quickly shut it down with a simple, “no.” Ray J, however, apparently has other plans because just seconds later, he brought up Jake Paul. Sir, Brandy just said NO! Still, it was sweet to see Brandy show up and support her brother for the big moment.

RELATED: Sibling Love! Brandy And Ray J’s Reunion Has Fans In Their Feels (VIDEO)

Zara Larsson is pushing back against the assumption that artists are pocketing enormous profits from expensive concert tickets. The Swedish pop star addressed the cost of attending her ongoing “Midnight Sun Tour” after a fan accused wealthy performers of flourishing financially while ordinary people struggle to afford live shows. Although Larsson agreed that concert tickets should be more accessible, she claimed she is currently making little money from touring because her revenue goes directly toward keeping the production on the road.

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The discussion began after Larsson shared a video on Friday showing her performing choreography while promoting the final stop of her world tour. The 28-year-old singer is scheduled to perform in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1 and said she hopes to sell out the remaining concert. However, one follower used the comments section to raise concerns about the cost of attending live performances.

“I wish singers would advocate for cheaper ticket prices. The whole damn world would go to y’all shows, but sh-t is too expensive in this economy,” the user wrote. “While you guys flourish in money, you get to happily leave after singing and dancing on a stage. We have 9-5s that barely pay enough.”

Rather than dismissing the criticism, Larsson said she understood where the commenter was coming from and promised to investigate whether anything could be done. “I don’t want my tickets to be too pricey, and I will definitely see what I can do about that!” the “Lush Life” singer replied.

Singer Says She Is ‘Not Making Big Bucks’ From Touring

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Larsson then challenged the idea that her current tour has become a major personal payday. “But right now in my career I’m definitely not making big bucks on touring,” she claimed.

The singer explained that money generated by the tour must cover the extensive costs associated with bringing a large-scale production to cities around the world. Larsson’s show includes backup dancers, elaborate costumes, colorful sets and other production elements.

Touring also requires her to pay crew members while covering transportation and domestic and international travel expenses. “It’s basically a non-profit at this point everything that I make goes to paying people, transportation, production, etc.” Larsson wrote.

Her response explains the difference between gross ticket revenue and an artist’s actual profit. Even when a concert generates a substantial amount at the box office, that money does not go directly into the performer’s pocket. Venue costs, salaries, insurance, equipment, rehearsal expenses and transportation can all reduce what remains after a tour concludes.

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Another TikTok user argued that wealthy artists should recognize how financially strained their audiences have become. “Ya see everyone is broke and barely making it by… if rich people could see that and lower the concert prices for people to still go while you still make your bag,” the person commented. “But until they see that, they will overprice their tickets and continue to not have sold-out shows.”

Larsson once again insisted that the perception did not match her “Midnight Sun Tour” experience. “I’m not making a bag on this tour truustt,” she replied, before clarifying that the tour has performed strongly despite tickets remaining available for its final date. “And everything is sold out except for Thailand! Which will be sold out! I’m manifesting and posting.”

The Bangkok performance will conclude the tour, which began in October of last year.

Resale Tickets Are Listed For Hundreds Of Dollars

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Larsson’s comments come as resale tickets for the Bangkok show appeared online at significantly elevated prices. Listings on StubHub reportedly included tickets priced at $340 and $419.

However, those figures reflect resale listings rather than necessarily representing the prices originally established by Larsson or the concert promoter. Third-party sellers can list tickets above their original face value, meaning an expensive resale seat does not automatically translate into additional income for the performing artist.

Larsson did not provide the face value of the tickets being discussed or disclose how much revenue she personally expects to earn from the Bangkok concert. She also did not detail what changes, if any, she could make to lower prices before the November 1 performance.

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The candid exchange comes months after Larsson made headlines for her blunt response to Chris Brown. As The Blast previously reported, Brown unexpectedly mentioned Larsson while responding to Pitchfork’s highly critical review of his album, “Brown,” which received a 1.3-out-of-10 score.

“If you not my fan, I don’t want you to listen to my sh-t. Go listen to motherf-ckin’ Zara Larsson or somebody,” Brown said during his social media rant.

Larsson responded to the unexpected name-drop with a pointed question: “Who the f-ck are you?”

The tension did not emerge from nowhere. Larsson had already made her position on Brown clear during a February interview with Cosmopolitan, when she discussed artists she prevents from appearing in her Spotify playlists. “There are so many artists I have blocked on Spotify, and all of them are, like, abusers,” she explained. “You certainly wouldn’t find, like, a Chris Brown song.”

But for now, she remains focused on filling the remaining seats in Bangkok, even if selling out the show does not result in the enormous payday some followers assume.

Season 17 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is nearly over, with two more parts of the reunion set to air on Bravo. Now, ahead of the second, Porsha Williams is opening up about her prenup and defending herself against both “RHOA” cast members and fans who criticized what she received in her divorce from Simon Guobadia.

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Entertainment Tonight’s Brice Sander interviewed Williams in August 2026 to promote both “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.” During the conversation, the reporter congratulated Williams on finalizing the divorce and the more recent resolution of the remaining marital property.

He then asked how she felt about her “RHOA” castmates saying her home was Guobadia’s after she received it in the divorce, and even the production team poking fun. The “RHOA” star responded, “I felt like if one person has a crummy prenup, you know, then they’re going to speak from a crummy prenup point of view.”

After that, she noted that the ladies from the show who have “never even had a prenup” are also ignorant, as they’ve never been in the same situation as she has. Regarding the producers inserting what has been called “the ghost of Simon Giubadia” in the background of the home, she said, “I thought it was entertaining on production’s part.”

Porsha Says Her Prenup ‘Withstood The Test Of Time’

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Williams continued discussing her prenup by admitting that had the comments from her co-stars happened “back in the day,” she would have “rode even harder about the whole ‘Simon’s house, Simon this, Simon that.’” She then said, “In real life, the prenup withstood the test of time and the courts prevailed, and it worked out in my favor.”

From there, Sander mentioned the most recent update: Williams received the home as well as a settlement, and asked how she felt about all of this being public knowledge. The “RHOA” star responded, “I feel like it’s par for the course. I feel like my ex-husband wanted a lot of things to be public throughout the entire divorce.”

Williams added, “Why not publicize what actually happened in the end?” Still, despite the drama between them following their divorce and public disagreements, Williams says she wishes Guobadia well. She added, “He says that he won; congratulations to him. I’m just going on with my real life. I’m gonna continue to flourish; I’m gonna continue to secure my future with my daughter.”

Porsha Williams Filed For Divorce From Simon Guobadia In 2024

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Williams and Guobadia tied the knot in November 2022 with two ceremonies, one in Nigeria and another in Atlanta the following day. This followed their May 2021 engagement after the couple dated for only one month. Sadly, according to PEOPLE, Williams filed for divorce in February 2024, just days after announcing her return to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” They were married for roughly 15 months.

After the two battled it out on social media, they finalized the divorce in June 2025. However, disputes over the prenup details lasted until August 2026, when TMZ reported that the “RHOA” star received a seven-figure settlement and the marital home.

Per the agreement, Williams is entitled to a $1,568,181.63 reimbursement for his interest in the home. She also has the right to either refinance or sell the home with Guobadia’s involvement. Additionally, he agreed to give her the title to a 2021 Rolls-Royce.

The ‘RHOA’ Star Defended Herself In The Season 17 Reunion

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According to Bravo, during the first part of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” season 17 reunion, cast member Kelli Ferrell was confronted for referring to Williams’ home as “Simon’s house,” with her being asked if she was jealous that she didn’t have as solid a prenuptial agreement as Williams.

Williams chimed in, stating that Ferrell shouldn’t be concerned with “Simon’s house” when she was forced to live with another of their co-stars due to her dispute with a neighbor. According to Williams, “She can’t worry about Simon’s house when she’s living in Shamea’s house.”

She went on, “By the way, the house that you’re calling Simon’s house, I have maintained and paid it very well,” before Ferrell clapped back, “I’m so glad that you are paying Simon’s bills.”

Toward the end, Williams told her castmate that she shouldn’t “discredit women” while also seeking support.

Porsha Also Confirmed ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ Season 18

Unconfirmed reports say that production on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” will begin in September. While promoting “Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” Williams confirmed to Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea that she will be returning for the upcoming season.

She said, “I’m just not privy to anybody else’s contract, you know.” Williams then said, “I’ll be back.” Notably, this came after Andy Cohen took to “Radio Andy” to say he and the network were happy with the current cast, hinting that everyone could return in some capacity. Additionally, friend of the show Cynthia Bailey confirmed recently that she will return for season 18.

Netflix couldn’t have picked a better year to keep Stranger Things alive. The original series is finished, but Hawkins isn’t going anywhere just yet. Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 will return for Season 2 later this year, and its timing is almost suspiciously good as Netflix has spent 2026 turning science fiction into one of its most reliable draws.

This is a useful position for a spinoff that had plenty working against it when it arrived. Tales From ’85 was animated, it recast the characters fans had spent years watching, and it jumped backward in the timeline to a period viewers already knew. The first season had to convince people that this was more than a side project, but Season 2 doesn’t have that problem anymore.

Netflix Has Made 2026 a Very Good Year for Sci-Fi

Image via Netflix

If there is one thing Netflix’s 2026 slate has made clear, it’s that the streamer hasn’t lost interest in science fiction. War Machine, starring Alan Ritchson, became one of Netflix’s biggest movies ever after pulling in more than 140 million views. After its performance, Netflix has already announced War Machine 2 and given Ritchson a first-look movie deal.

The genre has also found traction in less familiar territory. The Last House emerged as a major global hit, reaching No. 1 on Netflix’s global movie chart and trending in dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Stranger Things Season 5 remained one of the platform’s biggest television draws, collecting 55.6 million views during the first half of 2026.

Not every sci-fi gamble has worked. The Boroughs, another series produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, was canceled after one season despite positive reception and solid viewership. Netflix reportedly decided that its audience wasn’t large enough to justify the show’s considerable cost, but even that cancellation says something about where the streamer has been placing its bets.

‘Tales From ’85’ No Longer Has to Prove Itself

Via. Netflix

Netflix introduced Tales From ’85 on April 23 as the first television spinoff from one of its biggest franchises. Rather than continuing after the original series, the show went back to the winter of 1985, between the second and third seasons. Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max were back, but they sounded different because none of the original live-action actors returned to voice them.

For a franchise whose identity is so closely tied to its young cast, moving Stranger Things into an animated format could have been a tough sell. The Duffers and showrunner Eric Robles instead leaned into the idea, taking inspiration from the Saturday-morning cartoons of the 1980s and giving Hawkins a brighter, more exaggerated look. It worked well enough for Netflix to order another season just five days after the premiere.

The first season also gave Tales From ’85 its own identity. The Hawkins kids formed the Hawkins Investigators Club, met Nikki Baxter, fought a new collection of creatures, and uncovered another mystery connected to the Upside Down. It was finding out what Stranger Things looks like when it gets to play by the rules of an animated adventure.

Netflix’s Sci-Fi Boom Could Give the Spinoff a Second Wind

Via. Netflix

Tales From ’85 managed to spend two weeks on Netflix’s global Top 10 TV chart after its debut, which is respectable, especially for a spinoff that arrived with a very different format from its predecessor, but it didn’t come close to the cultural earthquake created by the live-action series. Season 2 has an opportunity to close some of that gap.

Netflix has spent the year reminding subscribers that science fiction isn’t something they need to wait for Stranger Things to watch. New movies have pulled huge numbers, original series have continued to experiment with the genre, and the franchise itself remains one of the most recognizable pieces of Netflix IP. Tales From ’85 doesn’t need to become the next Stranger Things; it doesn’t even need to replicate the original show’s numbers, but it should give people who already like science fiction a reason to press play, and it has a much easier pitch than most new shows: it’s Stranger Things, but animated, set in 1985, with the Hawkins kids facing another supernatural mess.

There’s also no shortage of curiosity surrounding the wider Stranger Things universe. The original series ended its five-season run in December 2025, but Netflix moved almost immediately into the next phase with Tales From ’85. The franchise has already demonstrated that it can survive outside the main story, and Season 2 gives Netflix another chance to keep that audience engaged. Considering how much sci-fi has delivered for the streamer this year, Tales From ’85 could hardly ask for a better time to come back.

Sandra Oh hasn’t appeared on Grey’s Anatomy in over a decade, so why is there speculation she could reprise the role of Cristina Yang in season 23?

ABC caused fans to question a potential return when the official account for the network shared a photo of Oh, 55, on Wednesday, August 12, writing, “Heavy on the Yang.” Social media users took to the comments section to share their theories on what the cryptic post meant.

Many suggested that resurfacing a photo with Oh meant she was filming scenes in the upcoming season. Others were quick to point out that with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Nick (Scott Speedman) engaged, it would make sense for some OG stars to return for an episode or two as the couple celebrates their nuptials — though Meredith stated she didn’t want a traditional wedding.

Oh originally starred on Grey’s Anatomy from its debut in 2005 until 2014. The actress received many nominations for her portrayal of Cristina and even won a Golden Globe for the role in 2005.

Since her exit, Oh has previously made it clear she has no plans to reprise the role.

“No,” she said about a possible return during The LA Times’ “Asian Enough” podcast in 2021. “I love it, though, and this is also why I really appreciate the show … that I still get asked this.”

Oh continued: “It’s very rare, I would say, to be able to see in such a way the impact of a character. In some ways, you do your work as a bubble and you let it go. I left that show, my God, seven years ago, almost. So in my mind, it’s gone. But for a lot of people, it’s still very much alive. And while I understand and I love it, I have moved on.”

More recently, Oh made a rare comment about her decision to exit Grey’s Anatomy amid salary renegotiations.

“At the end of season 8, [creator Shonda Rhimes] took me aside because we were all renegotiating and she goes, ‘What do you want to do?’” Oh said on a July episode of the “Dinner’s on Me” podcast. “I said, ‘Let me think about it.’”

Oh, who played Cristina Yang since season 1, took the time to consider her future.

Related: Grey’s Anatomy’s Biggest Exits Over the Years

Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, Justin Chambers and more stars have left Grey’s Anatomy — for various reasons. Created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Ellen Pompeo, Grey’s Anatomy debuted on ABC in 2005. Pompeo (Meredith Grey) left the show as a series regular following season 19 but continued to provide voiceover narration and make special guest […]

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“The creative being will dictate and you have to follow it,” she noted. “You’ve gotta ask, ‘What do you want to do? What should I do?”

The actress ultimately returned for one more season, adding, “I felt very much like I did my job. I feel like I created a whole character. I grew the character in 10 years time — where it’s a believable growth. People do grow in 10 years and I think she really did grow.”

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Oh concluded: “The privilege was to actually plan an exit and for all the writers to be able to support that. It’s extremely rare to have that. So that was a real, real gift.”

Grey’s Anatomy has weathered a multitude of cast departures over the years including lead Ellen Pompeo. After hinting at a departure, Pompeo, 56, confirmed in September 2022 that she would have a reduced role for season 19.

Pompeo starred in eight episodes that season before exiting the show as a series regular in 2023. Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd later departed the show, but it remains unclear whether there will be more characters who won’t return in season 23.