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Has Rowan Atkinson ever let us down? From Mr. Bean to Black Adder to Netflix's 2022 comedy Man vs Bee, the funny man makes us laugh. He knows his trade well, and he plies it for our benefit. But he is also a long way from being done.

This includes the Netflix announcement that filming has begun on a follow-up to Man vs Bee called Man vs Baby. There is no release date set, but it will surely be sometime in 2025.

The format appears to somewhat follow the same as its 2022 predecessor. In Man vs Bee, Atkinson's character, Trevor Bingley, was tasked with house-sitting a wealthy couple's mansion. The issue was that Bingley wasn't alone. There was also a bee in the home and hilarity ensued. Sure, it's not Oscar-winning stuff, but that's not the point. The point is to have a fun watch.

Rowan Atkinson returns to Netflix in...

Netflix just dropped a new animated Christmas movie, That Christmas, adapted from a brilliant children’s book series by the director of one of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made. That Christmas is the directorial debut of veteran animator Simon Otto, who previously worked as Head of Character Animation on the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. Released on Netflix on December 4, That Christmas is a wonderful new entry in the Christmas movie canon, and a great holiday viewing choice for families.

When it comes to family-friendly animated entertainment, the first names are Disney and DreamWorks, and Illumination has quickly climbed the ranks with Despicable Me and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In recent years, Netflix has been making a name for itself in the realm of original animation. The streamer has released some great animated movies in the past few years, like Nimona, Spellbound, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

To celebrate an artform that continues to be an inexhaustible source of joy after more than 70 years of media omnipresence, we've looked over the history of sitcoms and compiled a ranking of the 30 greatest of all time — with rankings based on a combination of sheer craftsmanship, influence and innovation, cultural iconicity, and, of course, density of laughs.

To make our lives easier, we followed a few ground rules: Straight, unambiguous sitcoms only; English-language only; live-action only. Otherwise, all is fair game here, from the format-defining to the format-breaking to everything in between.

Read more: The 113 Best Comedy Movies Ever

The Jeffersons

Originally a spin-off of "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons" was developed by Norman Lear (one of the greatest TV producers of all time) and ran on CBS like its parent show, but didn't take long to become fully its own thing. In addition to being one of the funniest,...

Helicon Arts Cooperative, a cinematic arts foundation and production company dedicated to innovative storytelling, is pleased to announce ‘Star Trek: Picard’ actress Olivia Youngers has been cast in the mystery thriller ‘Contre-Coup’ feature film, due to begin filming in 2025. Youngers will star with actresses Rekha Sharma (Battlestar Galactica, Transplant, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and Nicola Bryant (Doctor Who). Actor Rico E. Anderson (Truth Be Told, Swat) is also attached.

Written by James Kerwin (Yesterday Was a Lie), who will also direct, ‘Contre-Coup’ tells the story of a brilliant but troubled particle theorist desperately searching for answers as to why the only life he knows — and the only woman he’s ever loved — are disappearing before his eyes.

“I’d been kicking around the idea for a spiritual successor to my last feature,‘ Yesterday Was a Lie, ’for a few years. ‘Contre-Coup’ is a sci-fi-leaning film that deals with some weighty and timely social issues.

For animation vet Simon Otto (the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise), directing Netflix’s “That Christmas” was like making the ultimate Richard Curtis film — with Richard Curtis. The fact that it was animated was a breakthrough for both; Otto had never directed a feature before and Curtis was new to the medium. Their collaboration resulted in a whimsical holiday treat.

“That Christmas” explores how a blizzard turns the holiday upside down in the hamlet of Wellington-on-Sea, with Brian Cox’s Santa as narrator. Curtis adapted his YA novels with Peter Souter, but worked closely with Otto in getting the most out of his story for animation. It was produced by Locksmith Animation, with Dneg doing the animation.

“It was a journey for both of us,” Otto told IndieWire. “The idea of ‘Love Actually’ for kids was thrown around. It has flavors of it, but it’s not ‘Love Actually.

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week: Take That's Happy Now, (co-)directed by Richard Curtis. Richard Curtis, who has written the screenplay to the new recent Netflix animation That Christmas, is a household name. He is the rare screenwriter whose name people actually could know, because of series like Mr. Bean and Blackadder, films like Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the self-directed Love Actually. Still, the sole music video he directed (co-directed with Tom Harper) might need some context for the non-Brits among us. The first thing that needs introduction is the band Take That, a british boy band of teen heartthrobs from the nineties that never made it...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

The BBC and ITV teamed up to launch the streaming service BritBox, with an extensive library of British television programming. BritBox is an absolute must-subscribe for any fan of British TV, with a catalog spanning numerous decades and genres. For those unfamiliar with television projects coming out of the United Kingdom, BritBox serves as a welcome introduction to plenty of prestige TV from Great Britain. Simply put, any anglophile or TV buff should look into subscribing to BritBox for its incredible breadth of television content.

With everything from intense crime thrillers to nonsensical period piece comedies, there is something for everybody on BritBox. For the North American market, BritBox is the only streaming service to carry some timeless television favorites. And with a library of series that expansive, it can be daunting to figure out which shows to check out first. 

With that in mind, here are the 12 best TV...

Blackadder is one of the most famous and certainly one of the funniest sitcoms to come out of the United Kingdom. It tells the story of the Blackadder clan, all of whom are played by Rowan Atkinson and named "Edmund," and their adventures through history. Unfortunately, none of the Blackadders are remotely nice people, which could be why all their cunning plans tend to fail.

Blackadder got off to a bad start. Its very first season had Blackadder as more of a buffoon, and his sidekick Baldrick (Tony Robinson) as the smart one. But the show was miraculously granted a second season, and this one changed the dynamic up completely. This was one of the wisest choices in the history of sitcoms, and Blackadder was a smash hit from then on.

"Private Plane" Featured a Reteaming of British Comedy Icons

Rik Mayall had been in Blackadder before, in the season...

Peeves the Poltergeist was a prominent character in the Harry Potter book series, so where was he in the movies? The mischievous poltergeist of Hogwarts appears in all seven novels as a disruptive force, but he was notably left out of the film franchise. Throughout the books, Peeves causes constant trouble for Hogwarts students and staff alike, blocking corridors with his hijinks and coming up with nasty songs. However, his exclusion from the Harry Potter films wasn't always the plan, with actor Rik Mayall filming never-seen scenes as the poltergeist for the first Harry Potter movie.

The Peeves Harry Potter movie's absence was glaring among fans. The character of Peeves was a constant trouble-making presence in the halls of Hogwarts throughout the books, teasing the students and often targeting Filch. He craved chaos and wasn't opposed to vandalism or throwing tangible objects. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Peeves fought to...

Hugh Laurie's performance as Dr. Greg House on the hit Fox show House ranks as one of the most impressive and immersive in network TV history, yet for all his skill, one scene still leaves me feeling like even Laurie is capable of surprising mistakes. Despite being British (and becoming famous for theatrically aristocratic roles like Prince George in Blackadder and Bertram Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster), Laurie was widely credited for his uncanny performance as the acerbic American diagnostician. However, as anyone who's had to put on an accent will tell you, consistency is never easy.

Aside from having a brilliant, Sherlock Holmes-like intellect, House's biggest calling card is his acid tongue and take-no-prisoners sense of humor. Throughout the series, he is horribly rude to just about everybody, to the point where even die-hard fans like myself have to admit that some aspects of House have aged pretty badly.

The Great Indoors, starring Joel McHale, faced cancellation for depicting millennials as easily offended. Critics panned the sitcom's premise, leading to low ratings and a one-season run before cancellation. Millennials' sensitivity towards the series ironically contributed to its lack of renewal for a second season.

One CBS sitcom series focused on millennial culture faced cancelation for the most ironic reason. The network aired The Great Indoors premiere in October 2016, and by 2017, the show was on the chopping block. The comedy series initially had a time slot leading into Thursday night's The Big Bang Theory, but the headliner didn't live up to its position in the 2016-2017 CBS lineup. As such, the show became another sitcom canceled after one season. Ultimately, the cancelation came down to the show's premise, which, ironically but perhaps not unintentionally, turned off some of its viewers.

The series starred Joel McHale as Jack Gordon, an adventure...

Earlier seasons of Blackadder were already popular. The scriptwriting was filled with pathos as well as humor. The last episode almost was a disaster, but saved by post-production.

British comedies have come to be known for their high standard of humor, while also filtering in pathos that can turn any comedic moment into a poignant one. Blackadder is perhaps one of the most striking examples that took audiences by surprise with a breathtaking ending. Rowan Atkinson's portrayal of the titular character isn't far short of being a defining moment in his career, albeit, Edmund Blackadder had a swift personality change after season 1 wasn't quite the success the creators had hoped for. Prior to becoming the dry, sarcastic lead that fans came to love, Blackadder was a bumbling fool who didn't get viewers on side. Baldrick had his wits about him, and it was down to him to provide guidance as a servant.

Don't overlook lesser-known British sitcoms - there are plenty of hilarious shows waiting to be discovered. British comedies may not have as many episodes as American ones, but they still offer unique and rewarding humor. From surreal adventures to heartwarming stories, British sitcoms like "The Mighty Boosh" and "Detectorists" offer a refreshing take on comedy.

Only a few British sitcoms make an impression in the United States, but there are plenty of hilarious shows which deserve bigger international audiences. While shows like Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and The Office have had plenty of success in America, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. British comedy doesn't always translate well overseas, so people don't often give lesser-known British sitcoms a chance.

Another reason that American audiences sometimes struggle to connect with British shows is that there are so few episodes. If someone is accustomed to sitcoms with upwards of 20 episodes per season,...

The Decameron is a medieval black comedy series created by Kathleen Jordan. Based on the 14th-century Italian short-story collection of the same name by author Giovanni Boccaccio, the Netflix series is set in 1348, when the Black Death was destroying Florence. It follows the story of a few nobles who lock themselves away with servants in a countryside villa. In the beginning, everything goes swimmingly but soon something turns their retreat into a fight for survival. The Decameron stars Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Tanya Reynolds, Amar Chadha-Patel, Leila Farzad, Lou Gala, Karan Gill, Tony Hale, Douggie McMeekin, and Jessica Plummer. So, if you love the wild comedy and historic setting in The Decameron, here are some similar shows you could watch next.

The Great (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Hulu

The Great is a historical dark comedy-drama series created by Tony McNamara. The Hulu series follows the story of a...

The first official trailer for Ridley Scott's long-awaited historical action epic Gladiator II has arrived online and it's every bit as epic as you'd expect as Paul Mescal (Normal People; Aftersun; The Lost Daughter) squares off against 3x Primetime Emmy-nominee Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian; Game of Thrones; Narcos) and Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington (Training Day; Fences; Malcolm X).

As per the official synopsis, "Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

For about as long as he has been writing, directing, and producing films and television programs, Richard Curtis has continually devoted his time and energy to charitable causes benefitting impoverished people all over the world. In acknowledgment of his tireless efforts, the British multihyphenate has been named the next recipient of the film academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Along with Quincy Jones, Juliet Taylor, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli, Curtis is set to be recognized at the 15th annual Governors Awards. In a press statement, academy president Janet Yang referred to Curtis as “a brilliant comedic storyteller whose tremendous charitable efforts embody the meaning of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.” Indeed, the New Zealand native and Oxford graduate has earned a reputation as one of the most compassionate and socially conscious figures in his industry.

Apart from his filmmaking career, Curtis is best known as the co-founder of Comic Relief,...

The actor on playing a Polish Holocaust survivor alongside Lena Dunham, what he likes about hip‑hop and why a boring Pm would be a relief

Stephen Fry, 66, is an actor, broadcaster, writer, presenter and director. As a teenager, he was expelled from school, went to prison for credit card fraud and failed his A-levels before retaking them, resulting in a scholarship to Cambridge University, where he joined the Footlights sketch troupe. He has since starred in more than 60 TV shows, at least 50 films and written 17 books. His latest film, Treasure, with Lena Dunham, is out now.

In Treasure, you play Edek, a Polish Holocaust survivor, reluctantly turning to his homeland with his journalist daughter (played by Dunham). It’s a long way from playing Jeeves and General Melchett in Blackadder.

It is! Casting directors, for all kinds of obvious reasons, think of me if they need a pompous lawyer or headmaster [laughs]. But just occasionally,...

House was a groundbreaking fusion of hospital procedural and murder mystery genres, but its legacy has evolved over the decades. Greg House is a reflection of a trend towards unpleasant TV antiheroes, rather than the trailblazer he initially appeared to be. The show's portrayal of drug addiction and its impact on the characters has become even more relevant in the context of the opioid crisis.

Like many people who grew up during the Golden Age of noughties network television, I loved House. Being British, I only knew star Hugh Laurie as the foppish Prince Regent from Blackadder and from old clips of his gleefully silly sketch show with Stephen Fry. Seeing him transformed into an irascible, foul-mouthed, cantankerous, and surprisingly authentic American doctor was as alarming as it was entertaining. It was largely thanks to Laurie's magnetic performance that House won critical acclaim and legions of fans, cementing its status as a TV classic.

Hugh Laurie is famous on both sides of the pond for his phenomenal TV work. In the UK, hes most well-known for his turns in legendary comedies like A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Rowan Atkinsons Blackadder. In the US, Laurie is the gruff title character in House, a modern medical Sherlock Holmes. He shone yet again in last years World War II drama series All the Light We Cannot See. However, Laurie has also been turning in solid film work for decades, even if it doesnt rise to the heights of his small-screen appearances.

A good finale should live long in the memory, but there are also many TV show endings which have sparked endless discussion for all the wrong reasons. It's not an easy task to wrap up a long-running show in a way that pleases everyone. A few shows, like Blackadder and Schitt's Creek, deliver crowdpleasing finales, but it's far more common for a show to be memorable because of an ending that leaves fans disappointed.

It's human nature to want to discuss controversial topics more than those which people tend to agree on. This is why many of the most widely discussed TV show endings of all time are ones which split people's opinions. Some shows create intentionally ambiguous endings to feed into these debates, while others end in such a controversial way that fans can't help but offer their own opinions about what should have been done differently.

Related 26 Best...

Yesterday, all their troubles seemed so far away.

In 2022, Peter Rosza and Conor Woulfe sued Universal Pictures after they rented the 2019 movie “Yesterday” on Amazon Prime Video and subsequently felt they had been bamboozled by the trailer. The film, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, is a zany musical fantasy in which Himesh Patel, a struggling musician, is bonked on the head and wakes up in a world in which The Beatles Never Happened. As such, he starts playing their songs as if they are his own and the movie follows the expected Preston Sturges-like tropes you might expect.

The trailer for the movie featured quite a few glimpses of the alluring Cuban-born actress Ana de Armas, later Oscar-nominated for her leading turn in “Blonde,” who ended up not being in the movie at all. An early cut included her character, but that storyline was shaved down after the movie tested poorly.

Hugh Laurie has seen it all. The British star might have never hoped of pursuing acting as a profession in the long run. But a freak injury (and a fortuitous turn of events) saw him foray into acting. And what a journey has it been for real.

The Stuart Little star has scaled the heights of the Industry , with his shows in particular marking the peak of his career. For him, it has all been about going from strength to strength ever since. Receiving his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was all but obvious. But even he couldn’t wrap his head around the same.

Hugh Laurie was not always looking to be an actor

Hugh Laurie was looking to pursue rowing in his initial years

Hugh Laurie was always hoping that he would go on to compete in the Olympics, following up in the footsteps of his father.

Tuesday has never been the most exciting day, but at least we get new Connections to solve. Today's categories are a nice mix of niche topics that most people should be able to solve, but there's always a chance you could get stuck on some matches that just don't match-up.

One of the best strategies for playing Connections is to utilize the 'shuffle' button right away. Oftentimes the game will try to trick your brain by putting incorrect word groupings next to each other so you waste an attempt or two trying to make them work. The shuffle button will immediately remove those specifically-placed words and can help you avoid such situations.

Related 10 Best Connections Tips, Tricks, & Strategies Four categories with four words each sounds simple, but the daily challenge of the Connections game can prove difficult without a few tips to help. Today's Connections Category Hints April 2 #295

Before we...

While it may have been almost a decade and a half since the last film in the iconic Harry Potter franchise was released for the big screen, the legacy of the cinematic experiences as well as the literary excellence achieved by author J.K. Rowling will always be dearly remembered by the fans.

Even though many who grew up watching the movies or reading books may now be full-fledged adults, they still haven’t forgotten their experiences with these pieces of popular culture.

Daniel Radcliffe in a still from Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows- Part 2

However, according to film industry veteran Miriam Margolyes, the adults who still love either the films or the books should move on from them. In a recent interview, she claimed that the creative property is primarily for kids, which is why adults should move on from them and look for something else.

Miriam Margolyes...

Tony Robinson talks to his old friend and collaborator, screenwriter Richard Curtis in a special episode of Cunningcast dedicated to the lost Blackadder pilot. They share memories and secrets of making Blackadder from the early years to how it all ended. Along the way, Richard and Tony discuss Richard’s comedy roots and how he became a leading screenwriter: meeting Rowan Atkinson at Oxford Uni, working on Not The Nine O’Clock News, the influence of Fawlty Towers and plans for a Blackadder series set in the 1960s that never happened.

Miriam Margolyes is widely recognized as a versatile actress. She initially gained fame for her work as a voice artist before transitioning into film and television. Her notable roles include Elephant Ethel in ‘Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers’ (1977), and various characters in ‘Blackadder’ alongside Rowan Atkinson. Margolyes received critical acclaim for her performances as Flora Finching in ‘Little Dorrit’ (1988) and Mrs. Mingott in ‘The Age of Innocence’ (1993), earning her a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Many younger audiences know Margolyes for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the ‘Harry Potter’ film series. Despite her extensive career, Margolyes remains active in the industry. Her creative ventures span across various roles and projects, which are too numerous to summarize fully. However, she shares insights into her career in her book ‘Oh Miriam!’, released in September 2023.

In her book, Margolyes reveals that Marvel Studios contacted her regarding a potential role in ‘Agatha,’ a...

Miriam Margolyes is one of the most versatile actresses you can come across. She initially gained fame as a voice artist until she eventually expanded into film and television in ‘Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers’ (1977), and various characters in ‘Blackadder’ alongside Rowan Atkinson. She won acclaim for her portrayal of Flora Finching in ‘Little Dorrit’ (1988), and Mrs. Mingott in ‘The Age of Innocence’ (1993), earning her a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Younger audiences will most certainly recognize Margolyes by her portrayal of Professor Sprout in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.’ She is still active in the community and her roles and creative ventures are truly too numerous to be summarized, but don’t worry she reminisced about her wild career in her upcoming book Oh Miriam! which was released back in September 2023.

In her book, Miriam claims she was...

Family Guy is a pop-culture phenomenon that launched Seth MacFarlane's successful career in TV series, films, and music. Seth MacFarlane's inventive voice acting brings iconic characters like Peter Griffin to life with humor and relatability. Characters like Dr. Hartman and Seamus are portrayed with unique voices that add depth and humor to the show's dynamics.

Few shows have enjoyed the same longevity as Family Guy. Despite two cancelations and its share of controversies, Family Guy is still going strong after 25 years. Not only has Family Guy been a success for Fox, it launched Seth MacFarlane's career, allowing him to create other popular projects like American Dad, The Orville, and Ted. Seth MacFarlane has become something of a household name over the past 25 years, with several successful TV series and films to his name, as well as a thriving music career.

Through it all, MacFarlane remains faithful to the series that launched his career.

Miriam Margolyes is telling adult Harry Potter fans it’s time to move in.

In a new interview, 82-year-old actress – who played Professor Sprout in the movie franchise – said that she’s “worried” for adult fans of the wizarding world series.

Keep reading to find out more…“Harry Potter — I worry about Harry Potter fans because they should be over that by now,” Miriam said on New Zealand’s 1News when asked to compare fans of the movie series to her 1980s BBC1 sitcom Blackadder.

“It was 25 years ago and it’s for children,” she added.

Miriam went on to admit that she’s confused as to why adults are still such big fans of Harry Potter even after all these years.

“They get stuck in it,” Miriam explained. “I do Cameos, and people say, ‘We’re having a Harry Potter-themed wedding, and I think, ‘Gosh, what’s their...

He’s the consummate actor, writer, renaissance man. What on earth wouldn’t you like to learn Stephen Fry’s take on?

There’s so much you could ask Stephen Fry. Maybe something about his TV career, from A Bit of Fry and Laurie to Jeeves and Wooster to Blackadder to Qi. Perhaps his books – the novels, the memoirs, the classics, how to write poetry.

Maybe something about his illustrious film career, with Wilde the obvious highlight, but which also includes Chariots of Fire, Gosford Park, The Hobbit, Love and Friendship, and Spice World.

Forget all about Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Rafe Spall and co. That lot are yesterday’s chip paper. The stars of the 2011 One Day film have been superseded by this new bunch, now bringing David Nicholls’ hit 2009 romance novel to life for a new 14-episodes Netflix series. Adapted by Wild Rose and Three Girls screenwriter Nicole Taylor, One Day is a bittersweet love story set across two decades. It’s the story of Emma and Dexter, whose first night together at their university graduation sparks almost two decades of will-they-won’t-they romance.

Read on to see cast members from This is Going to Hurt, White Lotus season two, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Poldark and more.

Ambika Mod as Emma Morley

Sketch and improv comedian Ambika Mod made her name in 2022 BBC One drama This is Going to Hurt. Mod played Shruti, a trainee doctor working on the obstetrics ward alongside...

American history-based comedies can draw big audiences if done well, as seen with the success of Ghosts on CBS. A US adaptation of Defending the Guilty, a courtroom comedy, would have more appeal to an American audience and could provide a refreshing change to non-stop legal dramas. An American remake of Friday Night Dinner could work with a cast that has similar chemistry, as the relatable and chaotic family dynamics are universally entertaining.

Adapting British TV shows for American audiences is notoriously hit-and-miss, but there are some British classics which could be perfect if they were handled well. American TV has always sought inspiration from across the Atlantic, although results have been mixed. Some British TV shows should never have US remakes, because they are too culturally specific and they wouldn't work in a different setting. Changing their location would mean changing a hundred other things about them until they are no longer recognizable.

Quick Links The Thick of It Is Peak Satire The Munsters Turned Universal Monsters Into a Family Sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun Cast Aliens as a Sitcom Family 'Allo 'Allo Took Historical Satire to a New Level Brooklyn Nine-Nine Fuses Comedy and Police Procedural The Last Man on Earth Brings the Sitcom to the Apocalypse Get Smart Was a Comedy For the Cold War Era Blackadder Takes Audiences on a Tour of British History Red Dwarf is a Star Trek-Inspired Sitcom Family Guy is a Little Bit of Everything

From Cheers to The Big Bang Theory, situation comedies (sitcoms) have been a vital part of television since I Love Lucy mastered the format in 1951. While most of these shows follow a standard, relatable theme of friends and family and normal lives, others have delved into other genres to capture a unique hook. These series have explored political drama,...

Exclusive: Stephen Fry has signed on to narrate Kayleigh-Paige Rees’ Ukraine war feature documentary We Are Home, which is about families and children displaced due to the ongoing war.

The feature-length film, from Sanditon actor and producer Rees’ Raspberry Films, was shot entirely in Skole, Ukraine. Anton Chystiakov is the director.

It looks at how the war in Ukraine has led many children to leave their hometowns due to the fear of Russian attacks and destruction, while shining a light on their resourcefulness. Stories from several children from different parts of the country chart their fears, losses and new challenges, while reminding viewers of the power of the human spirit.

Broadcaster, comedian and actor Fry, whose storied career has included roles in Blackadder, Gosford Park and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows among others, provides the narration.

“I am honestly speechless and beyond honoured that Stephen said yes to narrating our documentary,...

Legends like Rowan Atkinson, Gene Wilder, and Will Ferrell have redefined humor, leaving an indelible mark on the comedic landscape. These iconic leading men in comedy have elevated their craft, introducing new characters and themes that resonate with audiences worldwide. From physical comedy masters like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams to versatile actors like Eddie Murphy and Cary Grant, these icons have shaped the world of film humor and left a lasting legacy.

Throughout the history of cinema, a select group of lead actors has transcended the realm of mere performers to attain the revered status of comedy legends. With an eclectic array of talents, they've etched their unique mark, breathing life into uproarious characters, mastering physical comedy, and wielding razor-sharp wit. Their unparalleled contributions have not only shaped the landscape and given audiences some of the best comedy movies of all time but have also left an indelible influence on generations of actors,...

Adapted from Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Netflix’s limited series “All the Light We Cannot See” sets two unlikely kindred spirits on a collision course as World War II begins in France when Germany occupied the country. Shawn Levy directed all four episodes of Steven Knight’s scripts.

Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Aria Mia Loberti) and Werner Pfennig (Louis Hoffman) share curiosity and empathy, which translates across their opposing countries and positions in the war. Werner’s skill for fixing and translating radios leads him to a high position in the Nazi effort to decode secret broadcasts that their targets might send. Marie-Laure herself becomes a broadcaster after her father moves her to her uncle’s home in a small, seaside French town.

Here are the cast and characters of “All the Light We Cannot See”:

Aria Mia Loberti in “All the Light We Cannot See” (Netflix)

Marie-Laure LeBlanc...

Hugh Laurie is a man of many talents. He first rose to fame during the 1980s as one half of the comedy duo Fry and Laurie. After gaining further popularity in the British sitcom "Blackadder," Laurie achieved even greater recognition with leading roles in "House," "Veep," and "Avenue 5." Most recently, he's starring in the Netflix series "All the Light We Cannot See" alongside Aria Mia Loberti and Mark Ruffalo.

Outside of acting, Laurie is a devoted husband and father. According to The Sun, Laurie met his wife Jo Greene before he was famous. After falling in love, Laurie and Greene welcomed their first child together - a son named Charlie - in 1988. The following year, the couple officially tied the knot in June 1989. Laurie and Greene then welcomed their second son, Bill, in 1991, and their daughter Rebecca in 1992.

Over thirty years later, Laurie and Greene are still happily married.

Born in New Zealand, Richard Curtis is the director and/or writer of films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually, as well as the hit sitcoms Blackadder and Mr. Bean.

He is a founder of both Comic Relief and Make Poverty History and organised the Live 8 concerts with Bob Geldof to publicise poverty, particularly in Africa, and pressure G8 leaders to adopt his proposals for ending it.

Charities & foundations supported

Richard Curtis has supported the following charities:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Americacharity:waterComic ReliefGlobal GoalsLive 8Make Poverty HistoryMo Farah FoundationUNICEFUnited Nations Development Programme Read more about Richard Curtis's charity work and events. Related articles The Spy Who Loved Me For CharityRed Nose Day TV Special Breaks RecordsEddie Izzard Completes 43 Marathons For CharityBritish Celebrity Show Benefits Malaria No MoreBritish Stars Back Robin Hood Tax For Charity

Explore celebrities by social reach, cause, location, field and more...

She’s been nominated for seven BAFTAs (winning one), seven Golden Globes (winning two), a couple of Oscars and an Emmy. She’s worked with armfuls of top directors including Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and David Cronenberg. And 40 years ago, she created one of sitcom’s best-loved characters as the capricious Queen Elizabeth (Queenie to her pals) in Blackadder.

And now Miranda Richardson has proven herself so good she’s been cast not once but twice in Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens, first playing Madame Tracy in series one, and now taking on the tailor-made role of Shax, who becomes Hell’s representative on Earth after Crowley (David Tennant) gets fired.

What better time to revisit some of Miranda Richardson’s most memorable performances, from her impressive film debut in Dance With a Stranger to her more recent appearances in Harry Potter and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None?...

Warning: This contains spoilers for Not Going Out

Back in 2015, during a BBC Breakfast interview about series seven of Not Going Out, presenter Bill Turnbull asked Lee Mack: “Did you ever imagine when you first got that pilot that you’d get seven series?”

“I didn’t think we’d even get a series,” Mack answers incredulously, explaining that even going from script to a pilot episode felt like “the biggest hurdle”.

And yet, eight years later (17 since the show began in 2006), Not Going Out has now almost doubled its series from seven to 13, still regularly pulling in audiences of over four million, with the newest series arriving on BBC One on Friday 23rd June at 9pm. As ever, the show will focus on Lee Mack as a fictionalised version of himself, alongside his landlady-turned-wife and sparring partner Lucy, and their eventful and often farcical life together.

Series 13 will...

Sitcoms have long been one of the biggest drivers in viewer traffic when it comes to the weekly TV format. The episodic look at the lives of funny, eccentric, and exasperated characters and their mishaps makes for a relatable yet exaggerated look at life. Casts of actors make a long-term commitment to their roles, and viewers themselves follow suit, and many people grew up with a consistent series to brighten bad days.

Related: 20 Sitcoms That Should've Been Hits But Had Impossible Competition

Comedy series are one of the best ways of bringing people together as they bond over what is often a decade-long commitment to a series. However, modern sitcoms have had to navigate a much-changed landscape in entertainment, with things like streaming and social changes making things tough. There are plenty of great modern sitcoms, but there are just as many harsh realities that come with them.

Britain Lost...

A cliffhanger is a contentious way to end a TV show or season. Cliffhanger endings can feel like a cheap cop-out, or even like a betrayal of the audience. Having invested time and energy into a show and its characters, the audience wants to know how they end up. However, a cliffhanger ending can also be the perfect way to end a series.

Related: 10 Worst TV Final Episodes Of All Time

Whether it ties well into a program's story and themes, leaves audiences wanting more, or simply leaves them wishing for the best, a cliffhanger can create memorable and poignant endings that live on long after their airing. Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and The Walking Dead have used the cliffhanger conclusion to great effect.

"Not Fade Away" (Angel) Season 5, Episode 22

Angel doesn't suit happy endings. It's a much grimmer affair than its parent show Buffy the Vampire Slayer that showcases...

Richard Curtis does not plan to write any more films.The 66-year-old screenwriter is famous for penning romantic comedies such as 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Love Actually' but has ruled out writing another movie as he finds his work repetitive.Richard told Jon Snow on the Snowcast: "I'm not sure I'll ever write another film because I like other people's films more than mine now."I remember the shock when I saw 'Notting Hill'. I thought, 'Oh my God it's exactly the same film as 'Four Weddings!'"Curtis – who also had TV hits with 'Blackadder' and 'The Vicar of Dibley' – admits that he was left exasperated by the way his films were marketed.He said: "When I see trailers for my movies, everything's in the wrong order, they give away the plots, they use shots that aren't in the film.

Kim Kardashian has made the surprise announcement that she will appear in the next season of American Horror Story, alongside returning alum Emma Roberts.

Kardashian shared the news on Instagram on Monday (10 April), posting an official teaser video featuring the anthology series’ signature eerie music.

According to the video, the 12th season, titled “Delicate”, will premiere this summer, with Roberts rejoining the series, following her departure in 2019.

Minutes later, Roberts posted the same video on her Instagram, alongside the caption: “This summer... Kim and I are Delicate.”

No other information regarding Kardashian’s role or the season’s plot have yet been revealed.

Roberts joined the show – created by Glee’s Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk – as a series regular in 2013, before eventually exiting after its ninth season.

This forthcoming series will mark Kardashian’s most prominent on-screen acting role to date.

Amidst her time starring on the 20-season reality...

Blackadder star Tony Robinson has teased the show’s potential return for a special episode to mark its 40th anniversary.

Robinson played Baldrick in the BBC comedy series, which aired from 1983 to 1989.

The historical comedy was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson and starred Atkinson and Robinson in every series, with comic actors including Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson and Rik Mayall appearing intermittently in other series.

With the show marking its 40th anniversary this year, fans have questioned whether a reunion could be on the cards.

Appearing on Lorraine on Monday (10 April), Robinson was asked if the group were planning to get back together by guest host Christine Lampard.

“All I’m gonna say is, everybody likes to celebrate a 40th anniversary, don’t they?

“So there must be some fresh way we can celebrate our 40th birthday, wouldn’t you think?” he responded.

Last month,...

Zinc Media, the award-winning TV and content creation company, has launched the group’s first self-financed podcast - Tony Robinson’s Cunningcast.

The much-loved actor - famous for playing the hapless Baldrick in Blackadder who always had a ‘cunning plan’ - is given free-reign to cover topics from Knighthoods to pies and cancer to the Coronation in his uniquely mischievous, indomitable and witty style.

To be published weekly from Thursday (23rd March) on all major podcast platforms, the launch of Cunningcast is part of Zinc Media’s continued expansion in the audio space, building on an investment in production facilities and creative talent and adding to its proud history of audio successes.

Tony Robinson’s Cunningcast series producer, Melissa FitzGerald was recently appointed to the role of Head of Podcast Production at the Group with Ahmad El-Darsh joining the team as Creative Head. Both report to Dominic de Terville, Director...

David Walliams was among those vying for Britain’s spot at the next Eurovision Song Contest in a comedy sketch for the BBC’s Comic Relief broadcast.

After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.

Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.

“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.

“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.

It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...

Dawn French was unrecognisable (sort of) as Claudia Winkleman in BBC One’s parody of The Traitors for Comic Relief.

The Vicar of Dibley star donned Winkleman’s trademark black fringe for the sketch as well as one of the star’s giant roll-neck jumpers that gradually enveloped her whole face.

“I’m actually Claudia Winkleman: half woman, half fringe,” French tells the contestants.

“It feels like it’s time to have a discussion,” she continues. “And during that discussion I will be walking round this table incessantly saying creepy stuff and looking absolutely gorgeous.”

In one scene, French parts her fringe using a curtain pulley.

The “contestants” included Alison Hammond, who was just confirmed as Matt Lucas’s replacement on The Great British Bake Off, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mary Berry, Stephen Merchant, Danny Dyer, Jennifer Saunders and two actual Traitors contestants from season one.

One of the...

David Walliams was among those vying for Britain’s spot at the next Eurovision Song Contest in a comedy sketch for the BBC’s Comic Relief broadcast.

After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.

Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.

“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.

“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.

It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...

Sir Tony Robinson reprised his Blackadder role of Baldrick for a Red Nose Day 2023 sketch in aid of Comic Relief on Friday (17 March).

The special appearance marked the first time Blackadder has returned to our screens in 20 years. Sadly, Rowan Atkinson – who plays the titular Edmund Blackadder – was not involved in the sketch.

During the BBC’s broadcast, Robinson told a special “Grown-up Bedtime Story”, produced by the CBeebies Bedtime Stories team.

“This is a lovely story called Balder-ella,” Robinson’s dimwitted Baldrick told viewers in the sketch written by Blackadder co-creator Richard Curtis.

“Once upon a time, there was a nice little fella and his name was Baldrick. And he lived in a house with a very nasty man called Edmund Blackadder. And often Blackadder would say ‘Baldrick, you are as stupid as Stuart McStupid who won the stupidest man in Britain award 17 years in a row, which...