Fans of Selena Gomez got a rare peek into her private life over the weekend when the star marked a special milestone for her husband, Benny Blanco.
The singer and actress took to Instagram to celebrate the producer’s birthday with a heartfelt tribute and a carousel of intimate photos.
The post featured romantic moments, throwback memories, and glimpses of their wedding day, giving followers a closer look at the couple’s life together since tying the knot last fall.
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Selena Gomez Celebrates Benny Blanco’s Birthday With Heartfelt Tribute
Selena Gomez marked her husband’s 38th birthday with a sentimental Instagram post that quickly caught fans’ attention.
The tribute included several personal photos and a loving caption as she celebrated his first birthday since their wedding.
Alongside the photo collection, Gomez kept the message simple but heartfelt, writing, “Happy birthday my love,” followed by celebratory and heart emojis. She added another affectionate note, “I love you with all my heart.”
The images included several black-and-white shots taken during their wedding ceremony and reception, offering fans a glimpse of the couple’s big day months after it happened.
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In the photos, Gomez and Blanco appeared relaxed and affectionate, sharing hugs, smiles, and quiet moments together.
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Other snapshots highlighted their chemistry outside of the wedding setting. One image showed the pair enjoying a sunny afternoon, with Blanco wrapping his arm around Gomez’s waist while leaning in to kiss her neck.
The “Wizards of Waverly Place” star beamed in the moment, capturing the playful and affectionate dynamic between the newlyweds.
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Gomez Shares Candid Moments From Everyday Life With Benny Blanco
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Beyond the romantic wedding photos, Selena Gomez also included more casual moments that reflected their everyday life together.
One candid photo captured the pair in relaxed denim outfits as they appeared to enjoy a late-night meal from Taco Bell.
The couple looked slightly exhausted but amused, pulling playful expressions for the camera while indulging in the fast-food feast.
Another throwback image showed a quieter moment in the kitchen. The singer leaned against Blanco’s shoulder while he prepared meatballs, offering a glimpse of the couple’s laid-back home life.
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The carousel also featured a snapshot of the lovebirds sharing a kiss during what appeared to be a small gathering with friends.
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Selena Gomez Includes Glam Date Night And Nostalgic Moments In Photo Carousel
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The final images in Gomez’s Instagram post offered fans an even broader look at her and Benny Blanco’s shared experiences.
One of the photos captured the two attending the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year.
Gomez appeared dressed for the occasion in a low-cut black blouse paired with a shimmering fringe skirt, while Blanco opted for a more laid-back style that included a trench coat layered over a plaid button-down shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots.
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Another image showed them posing in front of a fireplace inside their home as they exchanged playful air kisses.
Large candles and framed photographs decorated the background where they posed, giving the space a warm, personal feel.
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Among the frames in the background was a nostalgic photo of Gomez as a teenager alongside her longtime friend, Taylor Swift, hinting at memories that stretch back long before her marriage.
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Shortly after sharing the tribute, Blanco responded to the posts in the comments section of the post.
Showing appreciation for the sweet gesture, he wrote, “You are the best birffday present I could ever ask for.”
Fans Shower Gomez’s Husband With Birthday Wishes
Instagram Stories | Selena Gomez
Fans also trooped to the comments section to wish Blanco a happy birthday.
“Happiest birthday to this amazing man, hubby, friend and producer. Take care of my angel Sel. I hope you both will love each other endlessly. Love you both,” one fan wrote.
Another commented, “Happy birthday to the husband of my friend, my role model, my forever best in bests. @selenagomez You have been a light in many’s life secretly. I love you not today, not tomorrow but always. @itsbennyblanco continue to love our queen unconditionally. We love you both.”
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A third fan shared, “This is so sweet!!! It’s my birthday too today!!! Happy to share it with your sweet hubby,” while a fourth user added, “Happy b(earth) day to your hubby. May God keep you both happy, healthy, and together in this lifetime and the next. Ameen.”
Selena Gomez Slammed For Kissing Benny Blanco’s Feet
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Gomez and her man have been the center of attention in recent weeks for the wrong reasons.
A few days ago, the “Calm Down” crooner sparked online backlash after a surprising moment during an episode of “Friends Keep Secrets” hosted by Blanco.
As The Blast reported, the viral moment happened roughly halfway through the episode when Gomez sat on the floor beside Blanco while he rested his foot on a table during the conversation.
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Mid-discussion, Gomez suddenly leaned forward and kissed one of Blanco’s toes. The affectionate gesture came a few days after viewers had already criticized the producer for appearing barefoot with visibly dirty feet in an earlier episode.
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Blanco reacted playfully, asking those in the room, “You like that?” which prompted Gomez to quickly respond, “Oh, don’t make it a moment!”
Despite her comment, Blanco appeared amused and told the room he enjoyed it, saying the gesture “made me feel good” before adding that he loved her.
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However, the clip quickly went viral online, with many viewers calling the display “gross” and “disgusting,” while others questioned why such an intimate moment was shared publicly.
FX’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is widely considered to be one of the greatest television comedies of all time. Even though the screwball series began with a rag-tag crew of misfit twenty-somethings who could barely light a soundstage, the show has evolved to have some of the most jaw-dropping moments on television. While it’s been a blast watching the gang lie, cheat, steal, and double cross each other for the past 17 seasons, most fans agree that the show’s biggest draw is its growing rogues gallery of bystanders.
These wacky side characters, most of whom appear significantly worse for wear with each passing appearance on the show, include street urchin Rickety Cricket, Ben the soldier, and the bizarre, incestuous family known as the McPoyle clan. Thanks to a post from Guillermo del Toro on X, we now know that one of the most iconic McPoyles is coming back for Always Sunny‘s 18th season. The character, known as Pappy McPoyle, is a family patriarch, proud bird owner, and occasional eyeball snatcher, who last appeared on the show’s 11th season.
The Pap Is Back!
In case you missed it, legendary filmmaker and three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro is the decorated thespian responsible for bringing Pappy McPoyle to life. You might not recognize him under the billowing beard, Gandalf-length white hair, and dirt that covers his entire face. As the story goes, del Toro first raised the possibility of doing a cameo appearance in Always Sunny while he was working with series star and co-creator Charlie Day on the 2013 film Pacific Rim. As they discussed the role, the Oscar-winner became committed to the idea of playing the most depraved and disgusting character the Sunny crew could conjure, and Pappy was born.
To date, Pappy has made his way onto It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia just twice, though he’s made a big impact on fans even with his limited screen time. He first showed up disheveled and ornery during the events of season 8’s “The Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre,” and later took the witness stand in season 11’s “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century.” According to the show’s lore, the entire McPoyle crew sprang forth from his mighty loins, along with one unnamed McPoyle who attempted to devour him upon birth. Fear not, intrepid viewer: Pappy ate him first.
Over A Decade In The Making
Last time we saw Pappy McPoyle, he was sicking his Pocono swallow on a courtroom full of unsuspecting people, and demanding that the bird snatch the eyeball of everyone’s favorite Harvard-educated lawyer. The interaction concluded with sweeping pandemonium, leaving fans unsure if Pappy was arrested by the court bailiff, or if he slinked off into the night, content to feast upon his freshly-snatched peeper under the cover of darkness. It’s been over 10 years since that episode aired, so we’ll have a lot of catching up to do once Always Sunny‘s 18th season finally arrives.
Guillermo del Toro’s social media post is quite cryptic. It doesn’t provide much direct information, other than an overt confirmation that Pappy McPoyle will return. For now, we’ll just have to wait for new episodes of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia to release in order to find out where he’s been, where he’s headed, and what avian horrors await under his hat.
Rumors swirled for months that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s romance might not survive the intense scrutiny surrounding their relationship.
While the couple never officially split, insiders say their bond was seriously tested behind the scenes.
Now, new details reveal how close they came to walking away before quietly working through their challenges.
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Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Faced A Rough Patch Behind The Scenes
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Public sightings of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater were scarce for much of last year, sparking speculation that their relationship might be on shaky ground. While the pair never officially broke up, insiders say there was a period when the future of their romance looked uncertain.
“Ariana and Ethan hit a rough patch towards the end of last year,” a source close to Grande’s family told the Daily Mail. “They never broke up, but it was questionable at a point if they were going to continue moving forward.”
Despite the tension, the couple reportedly chose to work through their issues rather than call it quits.
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“They’ve really spent time working on their relationship and are in a much better place. It’s been hard for them with the way their relationship began and they’ve had a lot to work through, but they seem to really, truly love each other,” the insider added.
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The source also pointed to Slater’s presence during some of Grande’s major moments as proof that the relationship remained strong.
They shared, “That’s a huge reason why Ethan was at a lot of Ariana’s Saturday Night Live duties. They also spent the holidays together with her family. Things are strong between them again now.”
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How Grande And Slater First Crossed Paths
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Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s love story began in late 2022 while filming the two-part movie musical “Wicked” in the United Kingdom, directed by Jon M. Chu.
At the time, both actors were married. Grande had tied the knot with real estate agent Dalton Gomez in 2021, while Slater was married to singer Lilly Jay.
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Their personal lives shifted dramatically the following year. Court documents show Grande separated from Gomez in February 2023 after two years of marriage.
Around the same time, Slater filed for divorce from Jay in July 2023, shortly after news of his relationship with Grande became public. The Broadway star and his ex-wife share a young son.
The timeline surrounding their relationship drew intense attention online, placing the couple under a microscope from the start.
The insider also revealed an unexpected detail about what may have drawn Grande to Slater in the first place.
According to the source, the pop star has a pattern when it comes to her romantic choices.
“Ariana likes to date guys she knows she’s better looking than,” the insider said. “It’s due to her own insecurities.”
While the comment raised eyebrows, it was framed as part of the singer’s personal dynamics rather than a criticism of Slater.
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Slater’s Public Comments About Grande
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Ethan Slater has largely stayed quiet about the details of his relationship with Ariana Grande, though he has spoken publicly about her fans.
In September, the Broadway actor praised the singer’s supporters while speaking to PEOPLE after some fans struggled to secure tickets for her Eternal Sunshine tour.
“Ari’s fans are unbelievable and incredible and ferocious in their support of her – and it’s a beautiful thing,” he told the outlet. “And I really hope that there are other opportunities to see her perform.”
However, his reluctance to discuss their romance sparked fresh rumors in November when he appeared on the “Today show.”
When asked about the experience of “working with your girlfriend every day,” Slater avoided the question and instead focused on the film’s ensemble.
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He described the cast as “incredible” and praised Grande as “brilliant,” while also calling co-star Cynthia Erivo “remarkable.”
Slater added that watching the two performers work together “from such a high level up close” was a “pretty special” experience.
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Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Are Now In A Stronger Place
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Despite the speculation surrounding their relationship, insiders say Grande and Slater eventually found their footing.
“Ariana put Ethan on the back burner while she was promoting the movie,” another source told the Daily Mail.
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The insider said the pair are now enjoying a quieter and more stable chapter of their relationship.
They added, “But they’re in a solid place now. They’re like an old married couple at home. They’d rather hang out together and do simple things like play board games or binge watch shows rather than go out to fancy places.”
Although they tend to keep their romance private, Slater has shown support for Grande behind the scenes. In December, he was reportedly backstage at “Saturday Night Live” when the singer hosted the show’s holiday episode.
More recently, fans have noticed subtle hints of their relationship on social media. Shortly after Christmas, the couple posted photos from what appeared to be a small gathering with friends.
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Slater shared clips of Grande smiling and posing with her dog Toulouse while looking affectionately toward him behind the camera. Grande later reposted the clips on her own account, adding pink heart stickers.
The quiet gesture offered fans a rare glimpse into the couple’s personal life, suggesting that despite the turbulence they faced, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater may have come out the other side stronger than before.
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Paradise Season 2 Episode 5.
If Annie Clay’s (Shailene Woodley) death and Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) becoming her newborn daughter’s sworn protector left you shocked, devastated, or both, then hold on tight — Dan Fogelman‘s hit Hulu drama is just getting started on the heartbroken-and-disturbed front.Paradise Season 2’s fifth episode, “The Mailman,” keeps its focus outside the bunker for a second straight hour. This time, writer Katie French and director Liza Johnson shed light on Teri Rogers-Collins’ (Enuka Okuma) side of the story, albeit through someone else’s point of view: Gary Jones (Cameron Britton), the newcomer who self-identified as Teri’s “best friend” and “partner” right before Episode 4 cut to black. Instead of trying to repeat last week’s heightened tragedy, Episode 5 returns to Paradise‘s default atmosphere of restrained tension. French and Johnson set up action items for the last three episodes, resolve a pressing mystery, and present an unsettling variation on Season 2’s prevailing theme thus far: loneliness.
Every person on Gary’s (pre-apocalyptic) mail delivery route maintains their respective habits. The elderly woman greets him with polite small talk, the aggressive dog lunges at him while barking up a storm, and the viciously argumentative mother and father neglect their preteen son, Bean (Benjamin Mackey). Gary follows his routine, too: moving through work on a downcast, taciturn autopilot, then devoting his evenings to online multiplayer video games. A successful combat session with Ennis (Andy McQueen), an extroverted fellow gamer and a professional engineer, leads to their unexpected friendship.Gaining one genuine human connection brightens Gary’s demeanor from someone who seemed resolved to an eternity of emptiness to a happy, fulfilled man who willingly engages with his neighborhood.
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Since they chat about everything under the sun, Ennis loops Gary into a conspiracy theory that’s gathered steam after the thwarted assassination attempt on President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Ennis dismisses an underground bunker funded by billionaires, for billionaires, as internet nonsense, but Gary’s anxieties quietly mount; he studies disaster prepping podcasts, watches a detailed warning interview with Dr. Louge (Geoffrey Arend), and notices his post office’s sturdy interior walls for the first time. Upon discovering that it’s one of the 1,5000 USPS buildings designed to double as a fallout shelter, Gary pours his pension into stockpiling the basement. Meanwhile, Ennis recruits five people with apocalypse-friendly skills: carpenter Roberto (Alejandro Patiño), mechanic Jackie (Jojo T. Gibbs), gardener Ruth (Karly Rothenberg), survivalist Bob (Steven M. Gagnon), and Crystal (Connie Shi), the nurse Ennis has a crush on.
Gary’s Affection for Teri Has Violent Consequences in ‘Paradise’ Season 2 Episode 5
When The Day they’d hoped was an exaggeration actually strikes, Gary and Ennis speed through town in Gary’s mail van. The former can’t help himself from taking a deadly risk and detouring to check on Bean; finding the boy’s parents overdosed on heroin, Gary offers to take Bean somewhere safe. All hell is breaking loose by the time the trio make their final stop (grabbing as many egg cartons as they can carry), yet it’s Teri, standing alone in the street, phone pressed to her ear, stealing every second of Xavier’s voice she can, who catches Bean’s attention. Gary’s panicked shouts for Bean to return to the car instantly prompt Teri to shield Bean with her body and a comforting hand-hold, but his calmer explanation mollifies Teri into joining them at the post office. She’s far less content to spend three to five years separated from her family while the ash cloud reigns. Viewers know Teri would transform her despondency into action without outside prompting, but Gary’s quiet encouragement — he knows Teri can change people’s lives, whereas Ennis sees an extra mouth to feed — speeds up her timetable.
The rest of the group follows suit. Ennis’ influence makes them a well-oiled machine, while Teri reminds them to cultivate joy; surviving means nothing without communal warmth. For three years, nine people laugh, fall in love (Crystal accepts Jackie’s proposal, much to Ennis’ unrequited dismay), log Bean’s height spurts, and celebrate Christmas with fresh meals and a makeshift tree. Gary builds Teri a radio for that first winter holiday, a gift from which she’ll broadcast her messages for Xavier — and he almost ruins her gratitude by acting on his feelings through a failed kiss. Once Gary apologizes and Teri establishes her steadfast love for Xavier, the duo seal their platonic friendship with a handshake. By the third Christmas, Teri finds her radio smashed. Ennis denies her accusations, even though his frosty resentment makes him a likely culprit.
Woodley kick-started her acting career and a new era of teenage television.
The sun’s return ushers in welcome changes: a flourishing outside garden, Crystal and Jackie moving to their own space, and Teri and Bean mapping out their drive to Colorado, Xavier’s last known location. Ennis consoles Gary’s distress over Teri by championing the bittersweet flip side — at least losing both of their unattainable loves means they’ll return to lonely bachelorhood together. Privately, Ennis clears the air with Teri, apologizing for ruining her radio yet clarifying he’s never hated her. He admires her resilient warmth and even admits that the closest his career came to engineering was being an internet technician. He’d seen an opportunity to finally earn other people’s affection, and he built himself up with a lie rather than embrace vulnerable authenticity. Just as Gary’s favorite people acknowledge how much Teri’s imminent departure will harm him, Bean interrupts their sort of truce with news about a stopped train full of armed strangers.
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Ennis and Gary investigate, only to drop their rifles the moment they’re outnumbered by trigger-happy people carrying superior firepower. A stern woman (Rya Kihlstedt) decides the two interlopers pose no threat and invites them inside the train car for coffee. She promises they aren’t interested in causing trouble; they’ve paused en route to Colorado long enough to replenish the train’s supply of renewable diesel. Anyone’s welcome to hitch a free ride or join their larger initiative, overseen by a man called Link (Thomas Doherty), to “restart the world.” Walking back to the post office, Ennis advises his best friend to brace for the reality of losing Teri sooner than planned. Gary shoots Ennis dead with one shot — a terrified Bean witnessing the betrayal from afar.
Gary’s Lies Lead Xavier Toward Danger in ‘Paradise’ Episode 5
Picking up in the present, where Xavier holds Gary at gunpoint, the latter blames Ennis for Teri’s abduction, claiming the other man allied with unidentified strangers who proceeded to kidnap both her and “our boy,” Bean. Xavier assesses the train through binoculars and notes 16 armed guards, because there’s no doubt in his mind “they’re guarding something.” His rescue mission needs the biggest kind of distraction, and before then, the right supplies to create said bomb. Gary escorts Xavier to a local high school gym that the community has revamped into an active trading hub, where they bump into Jackie and Crystal. Furious about their friends’ abduction, the couple reminisce about Teri, secure Xavier the last component he needs, and promise to protect Annie’s daughter until Xavier returns.
Outside once more, Gary can’t keep himself from asking why Xavier rejected Gary’s offer to help with the baby, yet immediately entrusted her to people who aren’t Teri’s closest friends. When their children were young, Xavier explains, Teri refused to let anyone else, even her husband, tell them bedtime stories. The fact that Jackie and Crystal sometimes read aloud to Bean is a double-edged sword: it speaks to her absolute trust in them and confirms Xavier’s suspicions that Gary is withholding information. Gary confesses his unrequited love for Teri and vows to help Xavier rescue her. Unless Xavier’s instincts see through that lie of omission, only the audience knows that Gary murdered Ennis — and only Gary himself is aware of what else he intends to do to keep Teri by his side.
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Release Date
January 26, 2025
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Network
Hulu
Showrunner
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Dan Fogelman
Directors
Gandja Monteiro
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Writers
Jason Wilborn
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Pros & Cons
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Enuka Okuma continues to vibrantly bring Teri to life with the longest, most detailed dive into her character yet.
Cameron Britton makes his full series debut with a subtly tragic and chilling performance.
Billy Magnussen screaming in The AudacityImage via AMC+
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Despite not airing a single episode yet, AMC has The Audacity to return to Silicon Valley for more drama. Just days before its premiere at SXSW on March 14 and just over a month before its debut on AMC and AMC+ on April 12, the new series starring Billy Magnussen has received a rare early Season 2 order, reflecting a ton of confidence in what series creator Jonathan Glatzer has in store. Preliminary casting is already underway, too, with the sophomore outing also set to have eight episodes. With work ramping up fast, the goal appears to be to get new seasons of the satire out as fast as possible.
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Release Date
April 12, 2026
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Network
AMC
Directors
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Alexander Buono, Daniel Gray Longino, Daniel Sackheim, Lucy Forbes
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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Pablo Escobar Gaviria has almost become a mythical figure thanks to the vast media coverage of him since his death in 1993. Much has been explored about the infamous Colombian narco on many scripted shows, movies, and documentaries. It seems that everything to be said about Escobar has been exhausted, but Hulu‘s new series, Dear Killer Nannies, has another angle to explore. Collider can exclusively unveil the trailer for the series premiering on April 1. Dear Killer Nannies is told from the perspective of Escobar’s son, Juan Pablo “Juanmpi” Escobar, the surviving son of the drug kingpin.
Dear Killer Nannies explores Juan Pablo’s perspective as a young child and a teenager, exposed to danger as his father’s notoriety grows. This danger is shown through what his father called “nannies,” a group of men tasked with looking after the child in addition to their other, more nefarious duties. The character is played by three different actors: Janer Villareal (teenage Juan Pablo), Miguel Tamayo (young Juan Pablo), Miguel Ángel García (young Juan Pablo). And for the role of Escobar, the series enlists comedy and acting legend John Leguizamo. Other cast members include Laura Rodríguez (Victoria Henao), Juanita Molina (Angie), Julián Zuluaga (Rodri), Rafael Zea (El Dorado), Danharry Colorado (Tina), Julián Bustamante (Yerry), Julián Díaz (Lagaña), Melanie Dell’ Olmo (Andrea Ochoa), Andrés Delgado (Kiss), and Carmen Electra (Margarete).
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Juan Pablo Escobar Tells the Story of His ‘Dear Killer Nannies’
The trailer above previews the events in the series, narrated by Juan Pablo. While he acknowledges that a lot has been said about his father, his childhood in such a carefree world was different, and his nannies are the perfect examples. Other children play silly games with their nannies, but for Juan Pablo, his nannies were more like assassins who babysat as a side gig. As a result, Juan Pablo was exposed to various disturbing things that a child should never have experienced, including torture and gruesome murders. These were a precursor to what was coming.
Even though his mother tries to advocate for him, she can’t hold a candle to the powerful Pablo Escobar, whose empire’s growth shows no signs of slowing down. As he becomes a larger target, Juan Pablo is forced into his father’s war. As a child, living life on the edge both excited and scared Juan Pablo. He admired his father just as much as he feared him. Juan Pablo, now going by Sebastián Marroquín, has been on the front lines of correcting the media’s “heroic” portrayals of his father. Maybe with Dear Killer Nannies, viewers will see the legendary figure through his eyes.
Dear Killer Nannies premieres on April 1 on Hulu. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and watch our exclusive trailer above.
Elijah Wood does not want anyone else playing the iconic role he is most known for, Frodo Baggins, and says he would reprise it. However, the actor is keeping mum about whether he will appear in the upcoming “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” movie, leaving fans curious about the upcoming film.
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Elijah Wood Is Excited For Another LOTR Film
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It has been more than two decades since Wood appeared in the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy, and with a new film on the horizon, many are wondering whether the actor will be back to play Frodo once again.
In an interview with The Times, the 45-year-old actor shared his thoughts about the character, but was careful not to spill details about the new movie. When asked whether he’ll be back, Wood said, “I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film,” he shared.
Wood’s co-stars in LOTR, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom, who played Gandalf and Legolas, respectively, have both said they don’t want to see anyone else to play their characters, and Wood shares the sentiment.
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As he told the outlet, “I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I’m alive and able.”
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The Actor Went To Great Lengths To Audition For The Role
Wood was in his late teens when he auditioned for the role of Frodo Baggins, a role that he desperately wanted. LOTR director Peter Jackson revealed that initially, they wanted to find an English actor to play the hobbit, but after seeing hundreds of applicants in London, he had not found what he was looking for.
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He then received a VHS audition tape from Wood, whom he was not familiar with. Jackson realized that he had found his Frodo after viewing the tape, calling Wood “wonderful” and “absolutely great.”
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In 2021, Wood detailed what he did to prepare for the audition, revealing that he hired a vocal coach to help nail the dialect and even rented a hobbit costume. He then rallied a few friends to help him film a few scenes. “I got a call from Peter himself, which was amazing, totally mindblowing,” the actor gushed.
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Elijah Wood Appeared In Four LOTR Movies
Wood, as Frodo, was the main protagonist in the LOTR movies, appearing in all three films: “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001), “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002), and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003).
Frodo was the so-called “ring-bearer,” who went on a journey with his fellow hobbits Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan), and Peregrin “Pippin” Took (Billy Boyd), to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom.
Jackson later released “The Hobbit” trilogy, also set in Middle-Earth like “The Lord of the Rings.” Wood reprised his role as Frodo in the first movie, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (2012), though he only appeared onscreen for a few minutes.
Filming The Trilogy Made An Impact On Elijah Wood
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The LOTR trilogy was filmed simultaneously in New Zealand, and Wood was just 18 years old when shooting began. Filming wrapped up when he was 22 years old, and according to the actor, his time on set impacted him as a human:
“It was a huge period of my life, and a real kind of growing period, where one would typically go to university — a period of time where you’re expriencing your first independence, and you’re really growing as a human being.”
As the actor noted, his experiences on set “shaped” his life as a person, and he’s grateful for being part of something “culturally significant.” Moreover, starring in the trilogy opened career opportunities for him that he otherwise wouldn’t have had, he told Parade in January.
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Inside The Next LOTR Movie
Not many details are known about “The Hunt for Gollum,” but it has been revealed that Andy Serkis, who played Gollum, will reprise his role. Moreover, he will be taking over the director’s chair, and Jackson will return to produce the film, as reported by People.
“It is an honor and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker — Gollum!” Jackson said in a statement.
McKellen, meanwhile, has confirmed that he will be returning as Gandalf. While he also teased that Frodo would appear in the film, Wood has chosen to keep quiet until an official announcement is made.
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“The Hunt for Gollum” is expected to be released in 2027.
Today is a great day for Ted fans, who were treated to the arrival of all eight episodes from the highly anticipated second season. Spun off the popular series of movies led by Mark Wahlberg, Peacock premiered the first season of Ted back in 2024, and it was an instant hit. Naturally, the streamer happily greenlit the series for another season, and after two years of waiting, Ted Season 2 is finally here. The show is a prequel set years before the events of Wahlberg’s films, and it stars writer and creator Seth MacFarlane as Ted, along with Max Burkholder as a young John Bennett.
Fans around the world are already sharing their early reactions to Ted Season 2, especially to the third episode, which features an unexpected Dungeons and Dragons crossover. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff recently participated in a roundtable interview with creator Seth MacFarlane and stars Max Burkholder and Giorgia Whigham, and she asked how the team even decided to put something like that in the show and how they executed the idea. MacFarlane stepped up to the plate first with his answer:
“Jesus Christ. Look, we had done a lot of shows that had taken place in the house, in the school, in this world that we had created. Only in Season 2 could you do something like this. I’m a huge fan of practical sets. I love walking around in cave sets, in forest sets. The forest in that episode was built entirely on a sound stage. The caves were built on a sound stage, the temple.”
Whigham then asked how many tons of dirt it took to make it all happen, and Burkholder said, “They flew in special dirt to coat the floor of the sound stage, which was wild to find out.” The two then went back and forth about whether the dirt was from Siberia or Michigan, and while they struggled to settle on one place, they collectively agreed that it was a massive undertaking to get everything together in one place to make it happen.
Daylight Saving Time starts this weekend. Before we surge an hour into the future, take a moment to check in with these time travel telecasts.
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Is Mark Wahlberg Involved in the ‘Ted’ Peacock Show?
Mark Wahlberg does not have a role in the show Ted on Peacock, and he is not involved in any capacity as writer or producer. Wahlberg has been tapped to return to the Ted franchise with a new animated project, but he remains completely unattached to the Peacock-backed spin-off series. MacFarlane has confirmed that Wahlberg has already been in the studio recording voice lines for the animated show, though it’s still unclear at this time when it will be released. Amanda Seyfried will also return in the animated series.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Ted Season 2, and watch all episodes now on Peacock.
Premiering on January 22, 2023, the debut of Accused, airing after NFL on Fox, scored a touchdown of its own with 11.3 million viewers over three days, with 8.4 million watching it the same day. Its premise was unique: Accused is a crime drama, but instead of the tried-and-true crime of the week format, solved by the same detectives and police officers every episode, the series is in an anthology format. Every week opens with a whole new set of actors, each with a different story to tell.
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The anthology aspect of the series isn’t all that unique unto itself, but the way each episode is structured definitely is. Each episode begins near the end of the story, in or around the courtroom where a defendant stands on trial. However, we have no idea who they are, what they’re on trial for, or, more importantly, how they even got there. Following the introduction, the story goes back to the beginning, tracing the journey from where it started to where it ends up, and only then do we learn their fate. Accused has little interest in the procedure — which serves as the basis for most crime dramas — but instead focuses on the human story behind the accused.
FOX’s ‘Accused’ Challenged Viewers in the Best Way
Accused‘s method of storytelling makes it so that the viewer is no longer passive, but rather is engaged as both judge and jury. As the tale unfolds and more is revealed, those watching get a first-hand view of the circumstances, motivations, and choices that lead to the arrest of the defendant. Does the fact that one understands why the defendant comes to be in court change whether they should be found guilty? It’s a luxury that is rarely afforded to the accused in typical police procedurals, and even if it is, the time devoted to exploring their motivations is secondary to showcasing how the leads put the pieces together to catch them.
In the Accused, these cases are never black and white. These are normal people — schoolteachers, limo drivers, teenagers — who often face contemporary moral dilemmas that make the easy choice difficult. The premiere episode is a perfect example. In it, neurosurgeon Scott Harmon (Michael Chiklis) is seen walking through a throng of people as cries of “Murderer!” ring out. Then, there’s a flashback to Scott’s son being suspended for threatening another student. Scott fears that this might just be the beginning, and is afraid his son may be planning a school shooting after finding a diary riddled with dark thoughts and revenge fantasies. To prevent it, Scott takes his son out for a camping trip, where he seriously considers pushing him off a cliff and staging it as an accident.
Will the network greenlight another season of this crime thriller?
Accused assembled an impressive cast, with names like Rachel Bilson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Felicity Huffman, and William H. Macytaking on challenging defendant roles. Michael Chiklis, Billy Porter, and Marlee Matlin directed episodes, with Season 1’s “Ava’s Story” serving as Matlin’s directorial debut. But while ratings were high for Season 1, Season 2 didn’t reach the same level of acclaim, and paired with having lost the momentum of that first season due to the writer’s strike of 2023 (forcing a year-and-a-half gap), the series was cancelled.
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That cancellation, however, was simply too soon. The second season, which was delayed by a week for the vice-president debate, was only given eight episodes to try and win back its viewers, a tall order for any series after an almost two-year hiatus. Although it’s odd to say for a series that premiered only three years ago, Accused, arguably, was ahead of its time, especially for network television where safe and formulaic rules the roost. However, FOX Television president Michael Thorn did suggest that there could be an opportunity to “eventize a return” down the line. Whether or not that becomes a reality remains to be seen, but thankfully, this unique and powerful series is available to stream for free on Tubi.
Taylor Sheridan’s TV empire has trained viewers to expect sprawling seasons, slow-burn family conflict, and enough room for a Western saga to really breathe. That is a big part of why any new series even loosely tied to Yellowstone tends to arrive with a certain built-in expectation: big stars, big emotions, and a lot of episodes to sink into. That last part, at least, is not what The Madison is doing.
When The Madison premieres on March 14, 2026, it will do so with only six episodes in its entire first season, with the first three dropping on March 14 and the final three arriving on March 21. That makes it the shortest season yet for any show connected to the broader Yellowstone orbit. Whether this is because Paramount+ are unsure about it, or they want to get it out of the way is another question. However, a second season has already finished shooting, so there must be some faith in the show. Perhaps this is a way to get both seasons released in one year without feeling like overkill?
That is especially striking because Paramount is rolling it out at the same time as Marshals, which is taking the exact opposite route. The CBS series premiered on March 1, 2026, airs weekly on Sundays, and its first season runs 13 episodes, stretching all the way across the spring.
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What makes the six-episode run feel especially abrupt is the franchise context around it. Yellowstone itself settled into 10-episode seasons for Seasons 2 through 4, 1883 also ran 10 episodes, while 1923 came in at 8 episodes for Season 1 and 7for Season 2. By comparison, The Madison is the most abbreviated season of the bunch.
What Is ‘The Madison’ About?
Created and written by Sheridan, The Madison stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell as Stacy and Preston Clyburn, a married couple from New York who relocate to Montana’s Madison River Valley after a family tragedy. Paramount+ and recent coverage describe the show as “a drama about grief, healing, and human connection”, with the family trying to adapt to a totally different life in rural Montana.
The cast also includes Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh, Elle Chapman as Paige McIntosh, Matthew Fox as Paul Clyburn, Beau Garrett as Abigail Reese, Amiah Miller as Bridgette Reese, Ben Schnetzer as Van Davis, Kevin Zegers as Cade Harris, Rebecca Spence as Liliana Weeks, Alaina Pollack as Macy, Danielle Vasinova as Kestrel Harris, and Will Arnettappearing as Dr. Phil Yorn.