When it comes to classic rock, there are a few names that rank as particularly legendary, with an influence that has endured through the decades. Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones are among those names, along with early trailblazers like Big Mama Thornton, Fats Domino, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. But within the realm of mid-century counterculture, one band stands out: The Doors.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, The Doors became synonymous with psychedelic rock. Their unique melding of electronic elements with blues instrumentals set them apart from their contemporaries, influencing future rock acts such as Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. And while, as with any band, it’s impossible to distill The Doors’ legacy into a single song, one track epitomizes their influence more than any other: “Light My Fire,” the second single off their first album.

“Light My Fire” Is an Anthem for Its Era

The Doors recorded their eponymous debut album in 1966, just a year after they formed, but it wasn’t released until 1967. With it came three singles that remain among the band’s most popular songs: “Break On Through (To the Other Side),” “Light My Fire,” and “People Are Strange.” The first, a hard rock track with mambo influences, was a moderate hit in the United States and United Kingdom. “Light My Fire,” however, truly put the band on the map, spending three weeks at number one on the United States’ Billboard Hot 100.

The Doors’ entire discography is original, departing from the conventions of hard rock, blues, and folk that previously dominated the industry. Throughout their brief career (cut short by lead singer Jim Morrison’s untimely 1971 death), they infused their work with literary, poetic, and philosophical themes, even taking their name from Aldous Huxley’s The Doors of Perception, a title that was, in turn, borrowed from the poetry of William Blake. In terms of their sound, The Doors borrowed from jazz, hard rock, blues, classical, flamenco, mambo, and more. In songs such as “Light My Fire,” they also experimented with the organ and snare drum, crafting a wholly unique sound that came to define psychedelic rock and acid rock.

But the musical composition of “Light My Fire” isn’t the only element that made the song so groundbreaking upon its release. Its lyrics are overtly sexual, with its insistent chorus of, “Come on, baby, light my fire/ Try to set the night on fire.” Furthermore, lines such as “the time to hesitate is through” and “out love become a funeral pyre” infuse the song with a desperate longing that was both taboo in its time and dripping with existentialist dread. Thus, in both its rebelliousness and its depth, “Light My Fire” became an anthem for the counterculture movement of the late 1960s.

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10 Popular Songs That Are Completely Different From the Band’s Usual Sound

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The Influence of “Light My Fire” Transcends Time and Genre

“Light My Fire” also transcended genre in its influence. Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano covered the track in 1968, transforming the anthem into a seductive acoustic ballad infused with Spanish flamenco guitar and subtle Caribbean rhythms. The cover earned Feliciano Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best New Artist, and the original version of “Light My Fire” re-entered the Hot 100, peaking at number 87.

In “Light My Fire,” one can also hear how The Doors’ distinctive sound led to the development of newer rock subgenres. In addition to ushering in the psychedelic and acid rock genres that are still going strong, the band helped inspire the punk, goth, and grunge genres that blossomed in the decades that followed. Punk icon Patti Smith, for instance, wrote in her memoir Just Kids that Morrison’s poetic nihilism had a profound effect on her own work. Decades later, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain would compare himself to Morrison as a “rock and roll poet” in a 1991 interview with music journalist Roy Trakin.

“Light My Fire” is more than just The Doors’ defining track, although it can arguably be called just that. It’s also considered one of the greatest songs of all time for its singular sound—one that’s still considered groundbreaking—and its impact on music as a whole. In crooning those iconic lyrics over and over, Morrison truly did light a fire, though it was far from the one he expected.

Travis Scott sparked online speculation after sharing a post following the Academy Awards that some fans believed was aimed at Timothée Chalamet, who lost the Best Actor award to Michael B. Jordan.

The moment added to an already eventful night for Chalamet, which also included jokes from host Conan O’Brien and renewed debate over the actor’s past comments about opera and ballet.

The resurfaced remarks drew criticism from figures in the classical arts community, who defended the cultural relevance of the art forms while slamming Timothée Chalamet.

Travis Scott Appears To Shade Timothée Chalamet Following Oscar Loss To Michael B. Jordan

Travis Scott seemingly took a subtle jab at his ex-partner’s current boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet.

The moment came after the Academy Awards, where Chalamet, 30, was nominated for Best Actor but ultimately lost the award to Michael B. Jordan. Jordan, 39, appeared visibly emotional as he accepted the honor for his dual performance in the film “Sinners.”

Shortly after the ceremony, Scott, 34, posted a photo to his Instagram Stories showing Jordan wiping away tears during his acceptance speech.

Although the rapper did not include a caption, the post quickly sparked debate online, with some fans suggesting it was less about celebrating Jordan’s win and more about highlighting Chalamet’s loss.

Scott shares two children with Jenner: Stormi, eight, and Aire, four. The pair was in an on-and-off relationship beginning in 2017 before separating a few years later. Jenner then later began dating Chalamet.

Travis Scott’s Instagram Post Fuels Fan Speculation About Subtle Jab At His Ex-Partner’s Beau

Fans have previously accused Scott of referencing the actor in his music. On his track “Meltdown,” Scott appeared to allude to Chalamet’s role in “Wonka,” leading some listeners to interpret the lyrics as a subtle dig.

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After the Instagram post circulated, users on platforms like X and Reddit weighed in with mixed reactions. Some found the move amusing, calling it “iconic,” while others criticized the rapper as being unnecessarily petty.

One commenter joked that Scott seemed unusually invested in the Oscars, while another argued the rapper should move on instead of targeting the man dating the mother of his children.

Others chimed in with remarks such as, “He’s so happy Timmy didn’t win,” and, “Last year he wanted Adrien Brody over Timmy, this year he’s supporting MBJ. Travis don’t f-ck with Timmy confirmed.”

Despite the speculation, the night could have led to an awkward encounter as Scott later attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where Jenner and Chalamet were also present and reportedly appeared affectionate throughout the evening.

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Timothée Chalamet’s ‘Marty Supreme’ Co-Star Kevin O’Leary Lost $1,000 Bet After Best Actor Upset At The Academy Awards

Meanwhile, Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme” co-star Kevin O’Leary revealed he had lost a $1,000 bet after the actor failed to take home the Best Actor prize.

O’Leary, 71, who plays Milton Rockwell in the upcoming film directed by Josh Safdie, said he had been confident Chalamet would win for his role as Marty Mauser. Instead, the award went to Jordan for “Sinners.”

Speaking to CNN on the red carpet, O’Leary said he had placed the wager shortly before entering the ceremony, explaining that he believed voting had already closed before controversy surrounding Chalamet’s comments about opera and ballet began circulating online.

“I just put 1000 bucks on Kalshi walking in here that he’s going to win,” he said, per the Daily Mail. “The kid is a great kid. He took a bum rap on that. And by the way, gave a lot of promo to opera houses and ballet.”

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Conan O’Brien Jokes About The Actor’s Opera Comments During Academy Awards Monologue

Chalamet’s remarks about the art forms had drawn criticism in the days leading up to the awards ceremony.

During the broadcast, host Conan O’Brien referenced the controversy in his opening monologue, joking that security was especially tight because of potential “attacks from the ballet and opera communities.” “They’re just mad you left out jazz,” he quipped.

The camera then cut to Chalamet and his girlfriend Jenner in the audience, where the actor appeared to laugh along with the joke.

Later in the proceedings, O’Brien seemed to lighten the moment by addressing Chalamet again, telling the audience the two were simply “vibing.” Turning toward the actor, he asked, “We’re vibing, right?”

Chalamet’s response wasn’t picked up by the microphones, prompting O’Brien to add with a grin, “He doesn’t think so.”

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Timothée Chalamet Faces Backlash Over Resurfaced Opera And Ballet Remarks As The Royal Ballet And Opera Responds

The controversy traces back to remarks Chalamet made during a conversation with his “Interstellar” co-star Matthew McConaughey for a Variety-produced Townhall, where the pair discussed shrinking attention spans and the challenges of keeping audiences engaged with slower-paced storytelling.

During the conversation, Chalamet joked that he wouldn’t want to be working in art forms like ballet or opera that struggle to maintain mainstream attention.

“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive even though no one cares about this anymore,” he said with a laugh, before adding that he meant “all respect” to those communities and joking that he had probably “lost 14 cents in viewership” by making the remark.

The comments quickly circulated online and drew criticism from members of the classical arts community.

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A spokesperson for The Royal Ballet and Opera in the United Kingdom responded in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, pushing back against the suggestion that the art forms have lost their relevance.

“Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation,” the organization said, adding that both disciplines have long influenced theater, film, contemporary music, and fashion.

The statement noted that millions of people around the world still engage with the art forms today.

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As the curtain closed on the 2026 Oscars, celebrities turned their sights on the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, led by Best Leading Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner.

Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow were among the first of many A-list couples who hit the red carpet at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Sunday, March 15. They showed off their chemistry and killer style wearing a black gown and black tuxedo, respectively. (Jessica Alba and boyfriend Danny Ramirez arrived even earlier, opting to walk the carpet solo before going inside.)

Jason Bateman and wife Amanda Anka turned heads as well when they hit the carpet for the annual post-Oscars bash hosted by Mark Guiducci on Sunday evening and there were plenty more hot couples to keep Us entertained throughout the evening.

Bateman and Anka also took the time to pose with their celeb friends Will Arnett, Jimmy Kimmel and his wife, Molly McNearney, before hitting the party.

Scroll down to see which duos turned up the heat on the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet:

Yep, you read that title correctly. This is a movie about a real estate agent who forms a connection with a ghost haunting a house she’s trying to sell. But the craziest thing about this premise? How well it works! It’s a charming mix of romance, mystery, and supernatural elements, set against the backdrop of a heartwarming story. Anna (Julie Gonzalo) is charming and delightfully headstrong as the agent tasked with selling a historic home that turns out to be haunted. The resident ghost Ruby (Madeleine Arthur), an old-fashioned and charming spirit from the 1920s, has no intention of leaving the beloved abode. As Anna endeavors to solve the ghost’s unfinished business from a bygone era, Ruby becomes determined to get Anna back together with her ex (Chris McNally). creating a narrative that touches on themes of love, closure, and the importance of letting go.

McNally and Gonzalo are a real-life couple, which might be why their chemistry shines through so clearly in this romantic, surreal movie. In addition to the romance, the friendship between Anna and Ruby is really fun to watch develop. The dialogue is engaging, the scenarios are funny and there’s still that cozy Hallmark vibe despite the supernatural setting. It’s perfect for viewers seeking a cozy escape into a world where romance and history intermingle seamlessly.

We love denim, but come spring, our closet craves fresh florals, looser fits and pieces that feel as breezy as the season itself. Loose spring pants are the perfect way to make the seasonal shift without losing style along the way, and there’s no better place to shop for them than on Amazon. The go-to retailer has a plethora of stylish spring picks that are perfect for easy, everyday wear, relaxed weekends, elevated workdays and everything in between.

From wide-leg linen pants to trendy barrel leg styles and even girly cargo pants, we curated 17 flowy spring pants that will have you embracing the breezy, beautiful season in no time at all. Shop our top picks below and meet your new spring go‑to.

Loose Spring Pants to Wear Instead of Jeans

Easy Everyday Picks 

1. Our Favorite: These bestselling linen pants are an easy yes. They’re light, airy and made for spring. The hardest part is choosing a favorite color, with everything from soft baby blue to warm beige up for grabs.

2. Easy Breezy: Flowy meets feminine in these floral wide‑leg pants, which look just as striking with a simple white tee as they do with a crisp button‑up.

3. Of-The-Moment: Animal print is having a major moment, so it’s no surprise we instinctively added these stretchy cheetah pants to our carts. Nearly 1,000 other shoppers did the same this month.

4. Versatility Achieved: Whether for beachside lounging or elevating your errand run, these flowy, cropped pants bring an easy, polished vibe to any spring routine.

5. Laid-Back Luse: Not too roomy, not too tight, these loose cargo pants bring a dose of fashion and femininity to the classic utility style.

6. Make It Your Own: What could be a simple, comfy pair of pants instantly becomes chic with the addition of a lace‑trimmed hem. Go timeless with a solid color or lean into a playful vibe with a geometric print.

Related: 17 Pretty Spring Guest Dresses on Amazon — All Under $50

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Spring wedding invitations start arriving, and suddenly nothing in your closet feels right. That dress you wore last June? Already in everyone’s photos. Shopping in stores means fighting picked-over racks and limited sizes, especially for those of Us who want something polished without looking like they raided a junior department. Thankfully, Amazon has quietly become […]

Lounge-Worthy Options 

7. Every Destination: Pack away those heavy winter pants and slip into these springy Gym People joggers. The stretchy, buttery‑soft fabric makes them perfect for lounging on the sofa or even hitting the treadmill.

8. Boho Chic: It’s the details, like the colorful crochet panel, that sell Us on these loose lounge pants. That pop of texture makes them feel thoughtfully designed, not just purely comfy.

9. Go Out Or Stay In: We’re getting Barbie‑girl energy from these breezy pink sweatpants. The barrel‑leg shape and colorblock piping give them a feminine twist that’s anything but predictable.

10. Any Assignment: If the day calls for hectic household chores or catching up on reading, these cropped harem pants are exactly what you’ll want to slip into.

11. Early Aughts Style: Get the athletic look without doing a single sprint in these sporty lounge pants. The contrasting side stripes give a nod to those vintage Adidas track styles.

Work‑Smart Styles

12. Our Favorite: There’s something timeless about polka dots, and these stretchy high-waist pants bring the print into the office with a modern-girl twist.

13. Petite Fits: You’ll be well on your way to a style promotion in these colorful tie‑waist pants, perfectly tailored for petite frames.

14. Spring-Centric Print: Sorry ahead of time for how often we’ll be wearing these loose gingham pants this spring and beyond. They’re equal parts relaxed and refined, making them an office essential.

15. Leg-Lengthening: Add extra visual height with these loose, striped pants, which look absolutely stunning paired with sleek black pumps.

16. Denim Lookalike: Get the look of denim without the stiffness or simplicity in these elastic‑waist linen pants. They’re practically begging to be styled with your favorite babydoll blouse.

17. Dress Code-Approved: No matter the dress code, you’ll look spring‑ready in these wide‑leg dress pants, available in a range of seasonal shades from petal pink to vibrant green.

Related: Gisele Bundchen‘s Office Trousers Look Is So Chic — And Like Sweats

If squeezing into dress pants has you dreading it the night before, same. But Gisele Bündchen‘s latest trouser style is honestly a life hack. It makes you look professional while feeling like you’re in loungewear . . . because you basically are. These pants are something between polished slacks and comfy sweats, making them the workwear […]

While Whovians eagerly await the next chapter of Doctor Who‘s storied on-screen history, longtime fans can expect to also be seeing new-old adventures of one of Doctor Who’s most popular Time Lord regenerations. David Tennant is an embodiment of Doctor Who, with his decades-long presence with the franchise. He first appeared as the Tenth Doctor alongside Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler. Later, he would become the Fourteenth Doctor, returning to the face once again after the regeneration of Jodie Whittaker‘s Thirteenth Doctor. He would lead the 60th Anniversary Specials as The Fourteenth Doctor alongside returning companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).

Now, Big Finish Productions, as it has in years past, brought beloved characters to life that may no longer be the focal point of the current iteration of Doctor Who, the same is being done with Tennant’s Tenth Doctor (try saying that five times past.) The production company says there will be 15 brand-new, hour-long, full-cast audio adventures with the Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, beginning next year. According to Big Finish, the first 12 episodes of Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor Adventures, are set to be released bimonthly beginning summer of 2027. There will also be a three-episode box set where Ten teams up with some of his other incaranations. A release date on that box-set is not yet confirmed. Upon returning to the TARDIS, Tennant says:

“Big Finish makes it dangerously easy – you turn up, have a lovely time, and suddenly you’ve saved the universe again.”

‘Doctor Who’ and Big Finish, What the Deal?

During a panel moderated by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, some former companions shared their experience returning to their beloved Doctor Who characters in the recording booth. The Tenth Doctor’s most strongly associated companion, Rose Tyler, has had a fair share of audio dramas published. Piper shared her experience, saying, “At first I think I get really nervous about how I’m gonna revert to, you know, my 21-year-old self. When you’re in the room with everyone, it’s… it’s… it’s just a sort of weird muscle memory that comes back. It’s just a nice way to connect with everyone, you know, I’m really grateful for them.”

While not much more is known about what these Tenth Doctor advetnures will entail, or if any former companions will be coming along with the Doctor for them, with Big Finish anything is possible. Nicholas Briggs, Big Finish’s creative director says of bringing Tennant back:

“We’re always on the look-out for David to return. He is such a busy, in-demand actor, sometimes it’s just not possible for him to find the time to come to the studio. But we’re always ready and waiting with new stories to tell and now he’s back and we’re loving every minute of it. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride during these new adventures. They’re fast, funny, scary audio dramas with surprises from the very first episode.”

The next batch of Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor Adventures is now available for pre-order through Big Finish. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.

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Release Date

2005 – 2021-00-00

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Network

BBC

Directors

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Graeme Harper, Euros Lyn, Douglas Mackinnon, Jamie Magnus Stone, Charles Palmer, Rachel Talalay, Joe Ahearne, James Strong, Jamie Childs, Saul Metzstein, Toby Haynes, Wayne Che Yip, Nick Hurran, Richard Clark, James Hawes, Daniel Nettheim, Colin Teague, Keith Boak, Azhur Saleem, Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Nida Manzoor, Lawrence Gough, Paul Murphy

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Hollywood’s biggest night delivered a career-defining moment for Michael B. Jordan. The actor secured his first-ever win at the Academy Awards, taking home Best Actor for his performance in the supernatural thriller “Sinners.”

Instead of heading to an exclusive Hollywood party or a luxury restaurant, the star made an unexpected stop that quickly caught fans’ attention. 

Still dressed in his formal wear and carrying his golden statue, Jordan was spotted pulling up to one of California’s fast-food favorites, In-N-Out, to show off his trophy. 

Michael B. Jordan Celebrates His Oscar Win In An Unexpected Way

Michael B. Jordan was just spotted at In-N-Out Burger showing love to workers and fans while holding his Oscar after winning Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Sinners” at the 98th Academy Awards.pic.twitter.com/5nREg6zgf9

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) March 16, 2026

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Michael B. Jordan had plenty of options after taking home his first Academy Award, but the actor chose a celebration that was far more relatable than extravagant. 

Shortly after leaving the ceremony and the usual string of after-parties, Jordan stopped at In-N-Out Burger. A viral video shared on X showed the “Creed” actor in his black suit, holding his Oscar.

Jordan stood in front of the counter as he placed his order for a burger and fries. Beaming with excitement, numerous workers from the establishment came out to catch a glimpse of the actor.

Other customers in the restaurant also couldn’t take their eyes of Jordan, as they had their cameras out. At some point in the clip, the actor, overwhelmed with emotions, couldn’t hold back his smile. 

He posed for pictures, signed autographs for the excited workers, before expressing appreciation for the show of love. 

Fans Praise Jordan For His Humble Celebration 

Shortly after the video was shared, many fans trooped to the comments section to air their thoughts. 

Some users praised Michael B. Jordan for keeping his celebration simple and relatable.

“Michael B. Jordan keeping it real at In-N-Out with his Oscar? That’s how you celebrate a win. Humble, relatable, and inspiring at the same time!” one person commented.

Another fan wrote, “Not gonna lie, that’s a pretty wholesome sight…Big win, golden statue in hand, but still keeping it simple with burgers and good vibes. Moments like that make the victory feel even more real.”

A third user added, “A true champ move! Celebrating an Oscar win with an In-N-Out burger is as legendary as his performance in Sinners.”

Netizens Say Michael B. Jordan Didn’t Deserve The Win

Despite the significance of the emotional moment, not all the comments were positive. Some fans maintained that while Jordan was a great actor, he didn’t deserve the Oscar win.

“So damn crazy that movie won an Oscar. It’s just a regular decent movie. Before Hollywood went completely insane this movie wouldn’t have even been on any nomination lists,” one disappointed fan wrote.

Another user shared, “Before Hollywood turned to garbage, this movie would have been a B movie, sad.”

A third person shared, “DEi Award. The movie was okay/good. But nowhere near Oscar worthy. But then again movies are complete sh-t these days so maybe they did win legit.”

Other users didn’t believe Jordan was genuinely celebrating at In-N-Out. According to them, it was an advert for the restaurant, which they thought was “cringe.”

Jordan Bags His First Historic Oscar Win For ‘Sinners’

Michael B. Jordan’s performance in “Sinners” placed him at the center of one of the year’s most ambitious projects. 

In the film, set during the 1930s, he portrays twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return to the American South after World War I and open a juke joint, only for supernatural forces to descend on the town.

The role earned Jordan his first Academy Award nomination and ultimately his first win in the Best Actor category.

“I stand here because of the people that came before me,” he said during his speech per Variety, referencing pioneers including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith, along with Halle Berry.

He added, “To be amongst those giants, those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guides… Thank you everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career.”

Jordan also expressed gratitude to audiences who have followed his journey over the years, adding, “I feel it. I know you guys want me to do well, and I want to do that because you guys bet on me. So thank you for keeping betting on me.”

Michael B. Jordan Reflects On Career Journey After Oscar Victory

Jordan’s win followed a competitive awards race against fellow nominees, including Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Wagner Moura.

Momentum shifted in Jordan’s favor late in the season after he won at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, previously known as the Actor Awards.

Taking the stage, Jordan reflected on the personal significance of the moment. “Man, God is good. God is good,” he said before acknowledging family members who were present for the milestone.

“Momma, what’s up? You know how I feel about my mother. And my father is here. Pops, where you at? My dad came from Ghana to be here.”

He also praised longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, who directed him in several films, including “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed,” “Black Panther,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

“You’re an amazing, amazing person,” Jordan said. “I’m so honored to call you a collaborator and a friend. You gave me the opportunity and space for me to be seen. I love you too, bro.”

The actor closed by thanking moviegoers who helped turn “Sinners” into a major success.

“Everybody at home who supported ‘Sinners’ and went to see the movie once, twice, three, four times… thank you,” Jordan concluded. “You made this movie what it is.”

[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Marshals.]

Director Greg Yaitanes has entered the Yellowstone universe by putting his stamp on episodes of the CBS series Marshals, which has already been picked up for Season 2, and the upcoming Paramount+ series Dutton Ranch. In Marshals, a widowed Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, headed by his former Navy SEAL buddy Cal (Logan Marshall-Green), combining his tactical training with his cowboy skills in bringing range justice to Montana. While over on Dutton Ranch, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) will continue their journey of survival, no doubt with plenty of chaos and drama surrounding them.

Collider recently got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Yaitanes (Presumed Innocent, House of the Dragon, House) about coming into the world of Yellowstone as a big fan, and how the spin-offs/sequels are most similar and different from not just the original series but each other. During the interview, he talked about reuniting with Quarry star Marshall-Green while directing the first two episodes of Marshals, why he’s drawn to the character of Kayce Dutton, how he felt about the way Monica’s death was handled, the challenges of shooting the big action sequence in episode two of Marshals, why Dutton Ranch felt like a season of Yellowstone, and whether there could be crossovers with the Dutton family in the future.

We also got to discuss how far into Season 2 development they’d gotten on Quarry before the plug was pulled on the series, his time on Banshee, what most impressed him about working with Anya Taylor-Joy on her upcoming Apple TV series Lucky, and why working with Nicolas Cage on the Spider-Noir TV series was a dream come true that he hopes to repeat if there’s a second season.

‘Marshals’ Marked a Reunion for Actor Logan Marshall-Green and Director Greg Yaitanes, After Making ‘Quarry’ Together

“We would all do another season in a heartbeat.”

Image via Cinemax

Collider: I love that you’re reuniting with Logan Marshall-Green by directing episodes of Marshals, but it also reminds me of how salty I am that we never got more episodes of Quarry. Have you gotten over that fact?

GREG YAITANES: We wrote Season 2, and we were on track for Season 2. For a variety of reasons, it didn’t move forward, which was gut-wrenching. We had the scripts. We had a great arc. We just lost Tom Noonan a few weeks ago. The great thing is that it’s a show you could pick up 10 years later with that character. There’s no expiration date. The novels actually are around now, in terms of Logan’s age. Now, Logan’s on a smash TV show, so getting him would be impossible. I had lunch with (co-creator) Michael Fuller, yesterday, actually. It was supposed to be me and (co-creator) Graham [Gordy] and Michael, and Graham’s travel changed, so we didn’t get to have lunch with them. But we’re still in touch. We would all do another season in a heartbeat. It would be perfect. Every single person involved would do it. That said, it was really lovely to see Logan on Marshals and be able to get the opportunity to work with him again.

You said that the scripts were written for Season 2 of Quarry. Were there things that you had been looking forward to getting to do with the second season?

YAITANES: Oh, my God, it was a great season. It was going to be great. The specifics, I don’t remember all the details, but we did have a writers’ room, we wrote the scripts, and we had versions of all the scripts for the season. And then, right in the middle of the process, that’s when we got word that we weren’t moving forward. It was disappointing. But what’s nice is that, 10 years later, I’m on Zooms and people still bring it up. It is meaningful that it had an impact.

Was Season 2 going to have the same tone and vibe, or was it going to be bigger in any way?

YAITANES: It was going to be a pretty direct continuation of where we were. I think we were going to pick up a year later. There was a great story to be had.

It makes me feel lucky that I got a complete four-season story for Banshee. I wonder if that could even happen now.

YAITANES: It was a great time to tell that story the way we told it and how we cast it and a number of things that we did would be almost impossible today. There was a great article written about everything that conspired to have Cinemax not quite work out. It really bummed us all out because I really thought that could have been a great network for high and elevated pulp. I don’t know how it would have survived all the various things that are going on in the industry today. But back then, when they were making The Knick and Quarry and Banshee and Outcast and Strike Back, I just kept imagining that this would be a seven-day-a-week, two-shows-a-night of incredible programming. That would have been something I would have died to have had as a network when I was a teenager.

Even Warrior.

YAITANES: Can’t forget Warrior.

All those shows were so good. It felt like a channel that was just invented for my taste.

YAITANES: Someone someday will talk about it. It will be like ‘70s cinema for TV when they look back on all the great stuff that was on Cinemax at one time.

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‘Marshals’ Review: A Bold New Dutton Spin-Off Officially Rewrites Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Yellowstone’

Luke Grimes leads the charge in this Dutton-verse sequel that is full of network potential.

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How did you end up directing Marshals? Was it because of Logan Marshall-Green, or was that a coincidence?

YAITANES: No. It was a long process. I met (executive producer) David Glasser at 101 about three years earlier, and we had wanted to work together. They wanted me to come do some of their shows, and I really wanted to do something from the ground up with them. And then, I was watching MobLand and realized that was also being produced by 101. I wrote David, and I think I just happened to be in his head at the right moment, at the right time, and I got the call to take a look at Marshals and see if I’d be interested. I was an insane fan of Yellowstone. I had watched all the prequels and I had watched the other series, all in real time, week to week, so I knew the world. I got the material and showed up for a meeting relatively quickly. Spencer Hudnut was really great to collaborate with. Everything just vibed on the call. It was three years in the making.

‘Marshals’ Director Greg Yaitanes Was Drawn to the Soulful Nature of Kayce Dutton

“I loved working with Luke [Grimes].”

What do you find most interesting about Kayce Dutton as a character at the center of this story?

YAITANES: I also did a block of Dutton Ranch, right after I finished Marshals. When I read it, I didn’t know it was a broadcast pilot. That’s how good I thought the material was. It had such humanity and breathing and just the room to explore themes. I felt like it was a great father-son story when I read the script, and that’s what brought me to it. I thought, wherever Yellowstone was going, this was the continuation because it played like that. When I found out it was broadcast, I hadn’t done broadcast TV for 15 years, since House, so I thought this was a great way to reenter that space again, to a place where I cut my teeth and built things. Kayce is such a soulful character. I don’t know or remember what season and episode it was, but his walkabout episode sold me, as a man trying to work through what he’s carrying. I was really interested.

My first question when I got the scripts, as I was reading them, was, “How are they going to undo Kayce’s happy ending?” He really had a beautiful finish at the end of Yellowstone proper. And I was really moved to see, “Okay, life has gone in another direction.” I almost feel like [episode two] is really the pilot, and [the pilot] was the bridge between Yellowstone and Marshals. [Episode two] is really the show you’re going to be watching. I directed that episode, as well. I loved working with Luke [Grimes]. And then, to have Logan as your wingman, there’s such a deep bench with the cast. Tatanka [Means], I brought from Banshee. He was on Banshee when his dad passed, who was also on Banshee. It was great. I loved working with Spencer, and we had a lovely shorthand.

Fans of Yellowstone definitely seem to feel a certain way about Monica’s death. Were there conversations about how to handle that?

YAITANES: This is why it didn’t strike me as a pilot. There was no exposition about Monica’s death in the pilot. It was exactly what it would be like a year or two after the death of the character. You would be talking about the circumstances around it versus talking about the thing. What was really important was that we had her picture for the protest, and she was lovely to give us permission for that. That was a really critical piece to that scene. That’s what I thought that scene was about.

It feels like there could have been an episode that included Monica and would have shown us what happened to her. It was interesting to see that it was not handled that way.

YAITANES: Yeah, that’s all Spencer. Those conversations definitely preceded me. Immediately, being a single dad to a son, which was something I could personally connect to, having been a single dad at various times in my life, I felt that the way it was handled and the humanity in which it was handled was really beautiful, and I wanted to be part of it.

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Have you thought about the parallels between Quarry and Marshals? You have these characters at the center of both stories that have been to war, they’ve had to kill people, they’ve had violence affect and ripple through their lives, and they’re also more likely to be quiet and internal. They seem like kindred spirits in a lot of ways. Is that something that was even on your mind?

YAITANES: There’s definitely a theme and a pattern to the things that I’m attracted to, which is quiet, internal men, carrying a lot and trying to navigate things with the tools they were given, and always striving for better.

Something that runs through Banshee and Marshals are these intertwined communities. With Banshee, we had the Amish community, and with Marshals, you have the reservation. What do you find most interesting about that aspect of the story?

YAITANES: We’re not pandering to anybody. That’s just what makes the world lived-in. If you watched all six seasons, or Season 5A and 5B, of Yellowstone, then you’re going to come loaded with a certain amount of information. And if you’re not, you’re going to catch up. You can enter this show having never watched one Taylor Sheridan show. And if you have, it will be a richer experience, but you will not be dinged for not having been there. In fact, what’s exciting is that this is an entry point for people to then go discover Yellowstone, which makes me thrilled. If they like this enough to want to know more about Kayce, then you have six seasons of a prequel waiting for you.

Real Navy SEAL Consultants Work as Advisors for the Story and the Action Sequences in ‘Marshals’

“At every point, you have a guide for how to do things.”

Image via CBS

You’ve shot action sequences and violence for the screen, and particularly in Quarry and Banshee, the action had a very realistic feel to it, as far as the toll it can take. How different was it to do action sequences for Marshals, for a broadcast network TV series? You have a very complex action sequence in episode two.

YAITANES: I loved planning that. Michael Friedman was my second unit director on that, and he’s intimately familiar with the Sheridan universe, in terms of Lioness and Landman, and every other thing he touches. So, having him in my corner was a great collaboration on that. I really studied Yellowstone and the studio has a really helpful document of the pillars of the things that make Yellowstone, Yellowstone, that they kept for the prequels and they branched out. At every point, you have a guide for how to do things. What I always appreciate about the violence and the action is that it’s grounded. It’s not overly stylized.

Banshee was highly stylized and pulpy. Everything in Yellowstone is grounded and comes from a real place. People get punched and hurt. My favorite part of the action is that we get to tap into the Navy SEAL background to Kayce. That allows for all this tactical work. We have real Navy SEALs there. Ryan Sangster was our advisor, and he’s great. I would just say, “What would they do? How would they come up on the trailer or the zone of death? How would they go about it?” We would approach it like, “Okay, this is really happening. Where would your guys be?” And he’d be like, “Well, I’d have a person there, and I’d have a thing here, and I’d make sure of this.” And I was like, “Great, that’s what we’re doing.”

That scene goes from horses to a big shootout and then back to Kayce being back on a horse.

YAITANES: That was so fun. I wanted it to be like Raiders of the Lost Ark. When I was showing people what I wanted it to be, that sequence had to be as fun as something out of Raiders. I definitely got out of the grounded and made it a little more pop and fun for that sequence because it had to be. You can’t have Kayce chasing an SUV [on a horse] and not have a good time with it. It was so cool.

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Did you feel like you had the time you needed to shoot all of that?

YAITANES: Nope. One of the shocks was just coming from my streaming schedule back to my broadcast schedule. That said, because of shows like Banshee, I’m really good at being able to matrix the units and the work so that the sum of the parts is greater than you could expect. We were incredibly strategic. Anytime Luke wasn’t in the zone of death scene, he was on horseback with the other unit. We were trading him and moving around and had blocked out the day in a very strategic way. It was two days, that whole sequence. Everything you saw was shot over two days, sunup to sundown.

It was so interesting to have that sequence end with him shooting the guy that’s already dying. It’s a moment that brings you back to the reality of what Kayce is dealing with, after the exciting action sequence ends.

YAITANES: Yeah, it gets real. He’s a complicated character. He’s got a badge, but he’s still exacting his own form of justice. It keeps the audience perfectly destabilized for what Kayce might do. You can’t fully understand him, which I appreciate. That moment particularly grabbed me. When I read these scripts – I read the first two when I took my meetings – those were the kinds of things that pulled me right in.

‘Marshals’ and ‘Dutton Ranch’ Each Draw From ‘Yellowstone’ in Completely Different Ways

“[‘Dutton Ranch’] has the best parts of what I loved about ‘Yellowstone.’”

Image via Paramount Network

You talked about also directing episodes of Dutton Ranch. Are you just all-in on the world of Yellowstone now?

YAITANES: I was halfway through shooting on Marshals, and Glasser was like, “Hey, you’ve done the down and dirty, scrappy version of Yellowstone. Come do our other show.” That was a completely different, but equally rewarding experience. I loved Kelly [Reilly] and Cole [Hauser] and Annette [Bening] and Ed [Harris] and everybody. That cast is just so terrific. I had time. It’s artful. It’s just a different kind of show. It’s much more of a drama and a soap. It has the best parts of what I loved about Yellowstone. Each one was Yellowstone in completely different ways, but each completely honest to the original series. My entry point into the Sheridan universe was starting with Yellowstone and then branching out. I really appreciate David Glasser’s taste. I watched The Agency. I watched MobLand. I watched them all. I’m interested in working with people of good taste.

What did you see as the biggest similarities and differences between the two shows, Marshals and Dutton Ranch?

YAITANES: The biggest similarity is that I’m following each of the surviving siblings of the original series. When you get into the ranch portion of each show, you’re on common ground. That’s what they have in common. And then, how we’re dealing with the human drama and the vulnerability is Yellowstone in both shows. The themes that everybody’s working with, like how everybody deals with their inner torment and how they exorcise it is different for Beth than it is for Kayce. They’re equally compelling offshoots of the original.

Which episodes did you direct for Dutton Ranch?

YAITANES: I did the second block. I did episodes three and four. Christina Voros did the opening two and the end two. It was really fun. It was a lovely invitation. Dutton Ranch has more continuity of crew from the original series. There was something fun about trying to create Yellowstone without a lot of the same craftspeople. Michael, David, and some other people came in to really give us a boot camp on what Yellowstone is and how to execute on it.

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I spoke to Luke Grimes recently, and we were talked about how it would be cool to see Kayce and Beth together again at some point, and he said that he didn’t know if it would work better to bring her into Marshals or to send him over to Dutton Ranch.

YAITANES: That’s a really good question. We talked about that a lot because each wanted to be on the other show. I feel like Kayce should go to Dutton Ranch. That feels like something that I would lose my shit over as a fan. That would be pretty cool. I just don’t know, in the world of what Marshals is, if Beth coming in would fit into that quite as well. Kayce would just naturally fold into Dutton Ranch because there’s a tonal similarity to the original Yellowstone. A lot of the people involved with Dutton Ranch really felt like they were making Yellowstone Season 6. Marshals is much more genre and guns-forward and those kinds of cool things.

Director Greg Yaitanes Is Excited for Viewers To See the Upcoming Apple TV Series ‘Lucky,’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy

“When I got the call about that, I was all over it.”

Image via Apple TV

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With what I’ve seen of Lucky, that’s another project that looks badass, but this time with a woman, with Anya Taylor-Joy, at the center of it. What drew you to that? What do you love about that character and what she brings to the role?

YAITANES: I’ve wanted to work with Anya since I saw The Witch, and it was Jonathan Tropper again, so when I got the call about that, I was all over it. I got to meet Cassie Pappas, who was showrunning with Jonathan. It was just a great character. And then, my daughter is obsessed with Drew Starkey, from watching Outer Banks. It was Annette [Bening] again and Clifton Collins, and our collaboration was 30 years in the making. And it was Timothy Olyphant and Aunjanue [Ellis-Taylor]. It was a deep bench of great actors in an L.A. crime story. The bench is so deep on that show. It was very similar to how I felt on Presumed Innocent. I’d just go to work every day and look at who was going to be working with who, and it was just exciting to know what I was going to get to do with these pairings. Everybody on the callsheet was a great actor, so watching them work together was a pleasure.

What most impressed you about Anya Taylor-Joy and the work that she does in the series?

YAITANES: It’s really good. I directed episodes two and three of Lucky, which was almost like doing part two of the pilot. It’s a very continuous, interesting story that has got a lot of complexity to it. Anya is great at bringing that kind of nuance and humanity. There’s also something other and unknowable about her that makes me always lean into what she’s doing and what she might be thinking. Just to get to see her every day and be able to craft that performance with her was such a treat.

Her face and her eyes are just incredible. I feel like they do so much work.

YAITANES: Anytime, anywhere that she ever does something else, I’m there.

Directing Episodes of the Prime Video Series ‘Spider-Noir’ Was a Dream Come True for Greg Yaitanes

“I am such a noir nut.”

Image via Prime Video

It’s interesting that you did episodes of Spider-Noir because that feels like a bit different of a project for you. What were the challenges specific to doing that series?

YAITANES: I am such a noir nut that when it came up to the plate, my film school self was all over it. I just ate up noir and it heavily influenced my early work. To be able to dial into and be able to create something that was in the spirit of that was awesome. And then, Nic [Cage] is incredible. I collected comic books from 13 to 18, and then a bit in my 20s. Comic books were truly my escape. There were four different Spider-Man comics, and every week I could get a Spider-Man fix. To imagine that I, who went as Spider-Man for Halloween or played Spider-Man when we would do imaginary play, could go back in time to my 14-year-old comic book-reading self that I would be directing a Spider-Man TV show, I’d think that I was a pretty lucky guy at that point. I really won.

Nic Cage seems like somebody who is just a big kid who doesn’t know how to not have fun.

YAITANES: He’s a big kid. He brought that energy. He was off-book for every episode. He was the first to set. He was the kindest to everybody. He was just terrific. He would just give you great ideas. He could take direction beautifully. He was just a dream. I have literally been watching him since before high school. I had to fangirl him at the beginning. I showed him that my wife has the original painting that became the poster for Valley Girl. I got my fangirling out of the way at the beginning.

He seems totally down for that, though.

YAITANES: He’s down. He’s so funny. We were between takes, and I was like, “Did you ever go to Japan to make commercials?” And he was like, “Oh, my God!” and he got his phone to show them to us and was cracking up with us. He’s in on all of it.

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Do you feel like you’ve gotten your fill of noir, or do you feel like you need to do more now because of that?

YAITANES: Oh, my God, if that show has a second season, I’m going to be the first to raise my hand and go back. Every day, I had a great time. I came home from work so excited. I did the final two episodes, so they’re pretty spectacular. I cannot wait for everybody to see it.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026

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Showrunner

Spencer Hudnut

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Writers

Spencer Hudnut, Tom Mularz, Dana Greenblatt

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Marshals airs on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+.