Global Courant 2023-05-17 21:32:50
Meg Foster will appear on the Netflix animated series “Masters of the Universe: Revolution” in an all-new role, as the ancient sorceress of technology, Motherboard, Mattel announced Monday. Foster returns to the “He-Man” franchise after starring in the 1987 live-action film “Masters of the Universe” as Evil-Lyn.
“Revolution” picks up after the 2021 animated series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation,” chronicling the epic battle between He-Man and Skeletor’s ongoing rivalry for Eternia. Foster’s Motherboard is a nefarious AI sent to conquer Eternia by Hordak, the classic villain from the 1980s “She-Ra” animated series.
Foster joins Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Chris Wood as He-Man, Melissa Benoist as Teela and William Shatner in a still-to-be-announced role. Fred Soulie, Rob David, Christopher Keenan, Ted Biaselli and Kevin Smith serve as executive producers on the animated series.
“Masters of the Universe: Revolution” is set to launch on Netflix in 2024.
live
Roku launched Women’s Sports Zone just in time for the WNBA season tip-off on May 19. The Women’s Sports Zone is Roku’s new destination to stream women’s sports programming and will now round out Roku’s established Sports experience.
In addition to featuring women’s sporting events, the Women’s Sports Zone will also feature female-focused documentaries, movies and more from the platform’s supporting channels. Additionally, the Zone’s content will be curated based on Roku users’ viewing habits and favorite teams.
At launch, the new Zone will feature soccer, golf, professional and collegiate basketball, the programming will rotate on the seasonality of the sports.
“At a time when it is harder than ever to find what you want to watch, our new Women’s Sports Zone makes it easier for fans to get to the content they love,” Kelli Raftery, Roku VP, global communications.
dATE
HBO’s latest original stand-up comedy special “Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love” will premiere on Saturday, May 27 on Max and HBO, the network announced Tuesday.
“Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love” is Sarah Silverman’s first HBO comedy special since her 2013 “Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles.” The new program was filmed at the Wilbur Theater in Boston and will “feature the New England native showcasing her fearless chutzpah.”
Silverman is a two-time Emmy-winning comedian, actress, writer and producer who currently hosts “The Sarah Silverman Podcast” and can be seen in the upcoming Netflix film “Maestro.” Throughout her career, she has developed a number of acclaimed comedy specials, including the Netflix standup “A Speck of Dust.”
“Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love” is directed by Jonathan Krisel who also serves as an executive producer alongside Silverman, Amy Zvi, John Skidmore and Brooke Posch.
RENEWALS
“Pacific Heartbeat” has been renewed for a twelfth season and will debut four brand new episodes highlighting the diversity and complexity of Pacific Islander culture, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) has announced.
“Pacific Heartbeat” is also “documentary anthology series showcases the contemporary Pacific Islander experience through rich and impactful stories about the people, ecology and advancements from Hawai’i and Tahiti.”
Season 12 will be available to stream in August on WORLD Channel, carried by PBS stations nationwide.
“As we launch our 12th season of ‘Pacific Heartbeat,’ we look forward to sharing the beauty, intricacy and diversity of Pacific Islander people to the American public,” said Cheryl Hirasa, executive director of PIC. “We are honored to be able to connect this cultural diaspora to our community and neighbors across the country and slowly shift the narrative away from stereotypical tropes for Pacific Islanders in mainstream media.”
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Netflix has renewed its competition series “Outlast” for its second season. The first season of the survival series reached the streamer’s top 10 in 27 countries.
“(‘Outlast’ Season 1) is a raw survival competition series where 16 lone wolves must outlast each other in the Alaskan wilderness in an attempt to win one million dollars. There is only one rule in this cutthroat game: they must be a part of a team to win,” according to the press release.
Showrunner Mike Odair, Nomad Entertainment’s Grant Kahler and Aggregate Film’s Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Emma Ho serve as the series’ executive producers.
EVENTS
Judith Light received a Doctor of Fine Arts degree from her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University. At the 125th Commencement ceremony on May 14, the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress received the honorary degree. Light graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama in 1970.
Throughout 2022 and ahead of the 2023 commencement ceremony, Light starred in “The Menu,” “American Horror Stories,” “Julia” and “Shining Vale.”
The 125th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 15, 2023.
Carnegie Mellon University
EXECUTIVE NEWS
Dan Bragg has joined EarthxTV as its new executive vice president of marketing, creative and communications, CEO Dan Russell announced Tuesday.
Bragg joins EarthxTV where he will oversee the organizations marketing and brand awareness in addition to the global expansion of the company’s linear TV network.
For nearly three decades, Bragg has worked as part of the creative and strategic teams of brands including Discovery. Bragg administered creative for “Deadliest Catch,” “Planet Earth” and Shark Week all while working with Discovery.
“As we continue to expand distribution of EarthxTV, Dan’s proven track record building brand identity and creating award-winning campaigns that ignite audiences is crucial to our long-term success,” said Russell. “We’re thrilled to welcome Dan to EarthxTV.”
“Storytelling has the power to change the world, and I’m honored to be part of an organization dedicated to using entertainment to support environmental stewardship,” said Bragg. “Audiences are hungry to be part of improving our planet, whether within their communities or on a global scale. EarthxTV’s programming has compelling storytelling, unique characters, and awe-inspiring animals, making my job exciting and fun.”
EarthxTV is an entertainment network known for highlighting individuals and entities that are working to make the planet more sustainable.
AWARD SHOWS
IMDb has awarded Ashley Park with the “Breakout Star” STARmeter award for her strong presence of the IMDbPro STARmeter rankings, the company announced Tuesday.
“Park’s STARmeter award also celebrates Asian Heritage Month, for which IMDb features exclusive videos, editorial lists, and photo galleries recognizing Asian talent, storytellers and titles,” per IMDbPro’s official statement.
Park has amassed a consistent trend on the IMDbPro STARmeter chart for her role in “Emily in Paris.” Ahead of its release, Park is set to star in the Lionsgate film “Joy Ride,” projecting to highlight her presence on the chart further.
“I’m genuinely stunned and humbled to receive this STARmeter Award, which is especially meaningful to me because it comes from IMDb and fans around the world,” said Park. “IMDb and IMDbPro are my go-to sources for information about the entertainment industry, which has been essential to establishing and growing my career. Receiving this award during Asian Heritage Month is a beautiful reminder that I am part of an incredible community of storytellers, and to never underestimate my voice.”
PICKUPS
MGM+ has picked up a 10-episode order of “The Winter King,” an original series based on Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles series, the streamer announced on Wednesday.
“The Winter King” follows the story of Arthur Pendragon, an outcast turned warrior in the fifth century. Before Britain was united, “The Winter King” highlights the conflict of the “brutal land of warring factions and tribes, where lives were often fleeting.”
The series stars Iain De Caestecker as Arthur Pendragon, alongside Eddie Marsan as High King Uther, Ellie James as Nimue, Nathaniel Martello-White as Merlin, Stuart Campbell as Derfel, Daniel Ings as Owain, Valene Kane as Morgan, Jordan Alexandra as Guinevere and Simon Merrells nor Gundleus.
“‘The Winter King’ is a cinematic and imaginative reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Kate Brooke, Ed Whitmore and the magnificent cast take viewers on a fascinating and entertaining journey through this timeless tale told through a new lens.”
The series will premiere on August 20 via MGM+. Otto Bathurst serves as lead director and executive producer alongside Toby Leslie, Julie Gardner, Lachlan MacKinnon, Jane Tranter, Sherry Marsh, Shelley Browning and Kenneth L. Browning. Kate Brooke and Ed Whitmore adapted Cornwell’s Warlord trilogy series for “The Winter King” and also serve as executive producers.
