‘The Undoing’ Makes Bigger Debut Than ‘Game of Thrones’ for Sky Atlantic - Variety

HBO series “The Undoing,” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, has proven to be a success for Comcast’s U.K. pay TV operation Sky Atlantic, with the opening episode reaching a cumulative 28-day audience of over 2.78 million viewers, marking a bigger launch than “Game of Thrones” in 2011.

The first three episodes have recorded audiences of more than 2.5 million viewers. Once the six-parter is complete, “The Undoing” is on track to become the biggest U.S. series to ever launch on Sky Atlantic, having overtaken “Watchmen,” “True Detective” and ”Big Little Lies.”

The psychological drama, written and produced by David E. Kelley, and directed by Susanne Bier, follows a woman as she is forced to question her entire life in the aftermath of a violent death, a missing husband and a suspicious affair. The cast also includes Donald Sutherland, Edgar Ramirez and Lily Rabe.

Managing director of content at Sky, Zai Bennett, said: “ ‘The Undoing’ has kept us all guessing and is on track to be the biggest U.S. series to ever launch on Sky Atlantic.”

“The Undoing” is produced by HBO Original Programming, Blossom Films, David. E. Kelley Productions and Made Up Stories.

Building on the success of Sky originals like “Chernobyl,” “I Hate Suzie” and “Brassic,” Sky is doubling investment in original content by 2024 through Sky Studios.

Sky is also developing a new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which is expected to lead to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion ($4 billion) of production investment in the U.K. creative sector in its first five years.

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Darth Vader actor David Prowse reportedly died from COVID-19 - New York Post

David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, was suffering from the coronavirus before dying Sunday at age 85, his daughter said in a report.

“It’s horrible that COVID restrictions meant we did not get to see him and say goodbye,” the late actor’s daughter Rachel, 50, told the Sun.

“But when we went to collect his stuff from the hospital, the nurse said what a cool guy he was. He was such a larger-than-life character. He would have loved to see himself trending on Twitter,” she added.

Rachel also confirmed that her dad — a 6-foot-6 former bodybuilder — had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and spent two weeks in a London hospital with COVID-19, according to the news outlet.

“He might have looked quite scary but as a person he was a sweet, kind and generous man,” his daughter said. “He really was a gentle giant. And to us he was our dad.”

Meanwhile, actor Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the space saga, took to Twitter to remember Prowse.

“So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man and much more than Darth Vader,” Hamill wrote. “Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire – 3 time British Weightlifting Champion and Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him.”

Dave Prowse and Darth Vader won Spirit of Hammer Award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards at Indigo2 at O2 Arena.

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David Prowse attends Magic City Comic Con

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David Prowse as Darth Vader

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Creator George Lucas also posted a touching tribute to the late actor on StarWars.com.

“David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character,” Lucas wrote.

“He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence,” he continued.

“David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable, tragic figure. May he rest in peace,” Lucas added.

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Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ needs to be labeled ‘fiction,’ says British culture minister - Fox News

Season 4 of 'The Crown' has sparked the most debate and headlines. (Netflix)

Britain’s culture minister is adamant that the royal drama “The Crown” is a work of fiction.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that the hit Netflix series should include a disclaimer amid criticism of the historical liberties that have been taken about the real-life British royal family.

“It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction,” he explained to the outlet. “So as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that. Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”

Dowden is expected to write to Netflix this week to express his view. The streaming service did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press. However, a spokesperson pointed out to The Hollywood Reporter that it had already been reported that “The Crown” is a drama based on actual events.

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Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin star as Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 'The Crown.' (Netflix)

The show, which first premiered in 2016, traces the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, 94, which began in 1952. While “The Crown” has been dissected over the years for its dramatic interpretations of the royal family, Season 4 has sparked the most debates and headlines so far. 

The current season, set in the ‘80s, focuses on the widely publicized marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as the 11-year tenure of Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which transformed and divided Britain.

Diana passed away in 1997 at age 36 from injuries she sustained in a Paris car crash. Thatcher died in 2013 at age 87.

The troubled relationship of Charles and Diana, played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin, is a major storyline in the series. Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter has called “The Crown” a “hatchet job” on Charles, 72, who is the heir to the British throne, as well as Diana.

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Gillian Anderson stars as Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 'The Crown.' (Netflix)

Arbiter has also accused the series of "stretching dramatic license to the extreme,” The Hollywood Reporter shared.

Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, a year before her death. The prince remarried in 2005 to Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now the Duchess of Cornwall. Arbiter told the BBC that “The Crown” has depicted Charles and Camilla, 73, as “villains.”

Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has also said the show should carry a notice that “this isn’t true but it is based around some real events.”

“I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair,” the 56-year-old told broadcaster ITV.

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Emerald Fennell plays Camilla Parker Bowles in 'The Crown.' (Netflix)

Some Conservatives have also criticized the program’s depiction of Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson. Britain’s first female prime minister is portrayed as clashing with Olivia Colman’s Elizabeth to an extent that some say is exaggerated.

“The Crown” creator Peter Morgan, whose work also includes recent-history dramas “The Queen” and “Frost/Nixon,” has defended his work, saying it is thoroughly researched and true in spirit.

In a 2017 discussion of “The Crown,” Morgan said, “you sometimes have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth.”

Steven Fielding, a professor of political history at the University of Nottingham, said the suggestion that “The Crown” carry a disclaimer was “reasonable and yet pointless.”

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Nicole Kidman sees your 'The Undoing' theories - CNN

"The Undoing" is the latest "hurry up and binge it so we can talk about it" limited series and theories abound.

Nicole Kidman stars in the HBO thriller (HBO is owned by CNN's parent company) as Grace Fraser, a successful therapist married to oncologist Jonathan (played by Hugh Grant) with whom she shares a young son who attends an elite private school in New York City.

"A chasm opens in Grace's seemingly perfect life: a violent death, a missing spouse, and a chain of terrible revelations," is how HBO describes what happens.

Kidman hopped on her verified Instagram account stories to share some famous fans theories and comments including rapper Travis Scott, reality star/entrepreneur Kourtney Kardashian and actresses Issa Rae and Kerry Washington.

Bravo host and executive Andy Cohen even got in on the conversation.

When former Real Housewives of New York cast member Carole Radziwill shared on social media what she thought happened, Kidman reposted it and used as an opportunity to ask Cohen if he thought her character "would make a good Real Housewife."

"Grace might be too secretive and bottled up to be a good real housewife!" Cohen wrote on his Instagram story.

"The Undoing" reunites Kidman with writer David E. Kelley who worked with her on another HBO limited series which captured viewers attention, "Big Little Lies."

Both of those series are based on novels: Jean Hanff Korelitz's book "You Should Have Known" inspired "The Undoing" and the book "Big Little Lies" was written by Liane Moriarty.

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Disney honors Chadwick Boseman's birthday with tribute - CNN

Boseman, who died in August after a private battle with colon cancer, starred as T'Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel superhero franchise.

On Saturday, Disney chairman Bob Iger tweeted to alert that something was coming.

"To all fans of #BlackPanther: watch the film on #DisneyPlus late tonight, for a special tribute to someone that was and will always be near and dear to our hearts," the tweet read.

That turned out to be a new opening credit for the "Black Panther" film currently streaming on Disney+.

The slightly more than 30 second tribute shows clips of Boseman and was shared by Marvel Studios' official Twitter account.

No announcement has been made as of yet for how the studio plans to handle casting for "Black Panther 2," which is scheduled to begin filming in 2021.

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Halsey slams 'elusive' Grammy nomination process after snub, says it's not always about 'music or quality' - Fox News

Halsey isn't holding back after she and The Weeknd were left off of this year's list of nominees for the Grammy Awards.

The singer, 26, shared a statement on her Instagram Story on Saturday noting that she "wanted to choose my words carefully."

In the statement, she claimed it takes "knowing the right people" at the Recording Academy to snag a nomination and it's not based on "quality."

"I've been thinking and wanted to choose my words carefully because a lot of people have extended sympathy and apology to me since the Grammy nominations," Halsey stated. "The Grammys are an elusive process. It can often be about behind the scenes private performances, knowing the right people, campaigning through the grapevine, with the right handshakes and 'bribes' that can be just ambiguous enough to pass as 'not-bribes.'"

THE WEEKND SLAMS THE GRAMMYS, CALLS THEM 'CORRUPT' AFTER LACK OF NOMINATIONS

Halsey pictured at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. She is now slamming the Recording Academy's nomination process, saying it isn't based on 'quality.' (Reuters)

The "Without Me" singer added that even if you "get that far, it's about committing to exclusive TV performances and making sure you help the Academy make their millions in advertising on the night of the show."

She concluded: "Perhaps sometimes it is (!!) but it's not always about the music or quality or culture. Just wanted to get that off my chest. [The Weeknd] deserves better, and Manic did too, perhaps it's unbecoming of me to say so but I can't care anymore."

The previously two-time nominated musician said that she is "thrilled" for this year's nominees but asks that moving forward there is "more transparency or reform" in the process.

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She noted that her post will "blacklist me anyway."

The Recording Academy did not immediately return Fox News' request for comment.

Halsey's comments come after The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, tweeted last week: "The Grammys remain corrupt."

The Weeknd called the Grammys 'corrupt' on Twitter. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

He added that the Recording Academy "owes" him, his fans as well as the music industry "transparency."

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According to Vulture, The Weeknd's album, "After Hours," which was released in March, spent four weeks on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum four times. In addition, his "Blinding Lights" single off of the 2019 record of the same name sat at No. 1 in March and broke the record for most weeks in Billboard Hot 100's top five, the outlet reported. 

As for The Weeknd's lack of nominations, Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., told Fox News in a statement on Tuesday: "We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration.

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"We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the GRAMMY stage the weekend before," added Mason Jr. "Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists.  But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community."

In addition to The Weeknd, other artists including Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber also aired their frustrations with the Recording Academy.

Fox News' Mariah Haas contributed to this report.

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U.K. culture secretary says "The Crown" should warn viewers the show is fictional - CBS News

Britain's culture secretary said Sunday that the popular Netflix series "The Crown" should include a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode explaining it is not "fact." The show is based on the lives of the British royal family, but the latest season is set during the 1980s, and many of the main characters are still alive. 

"It's a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that," culture secretary Oliver Dowden told the Mail on Sunday. "Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact."

Dowden said he plans to write a letter to Netflix. The latest season of "The Crown" has shown a warning before certain episodes about its portrayal of eating disorders.

Dowden is not the only person to call for a disclaimer on "The Crown." Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, told British broadcaster ITV the show should warn viewers that it takes artistic license with actual events.

"I think it would help 'The Crown' an enormous amount if, at the beginning of each episode, it stated that: 'This isn't true but it is based around some real events,'" he said.  

Others in royal circles have gone further, saying the show does not accurately portray reality and royal sources told Britain's Daily Telegraph that Prince Charles refuses to watch the latest season. 

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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said she feared some viewers might treat the show "as a documentary."

"The difficulty is knowing which is the truth and which isn't — particularly for the younger generation who haven't lived through this," she said. "They're going to believe what they see, they're going to see this as a documentary. We have to remember it's a drama."  

Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter told the BBC the latest season is "stretching dramatic license to the extreme."

"It's a hatchet job on Prince Charles and a bit of a hatchet job on Diana," Arbiter told the BBC. "You have to ask, is it necessary?"  

The fourth season captures not just Charles and Diana's tumultuous marriage, but also Margaret Thatcher's time as prime minister. Authorized Thatcher biographer Charles Moore told CBS News' Jeff Glor that the show does not accurately portray Thatcher's relationship with Queen Elizabeth.

"In personal terms, it gets it wrong with Mrs. Thatcher and the Queen," Moore said. "Because it shows something that never happened, which is rudeness."  

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