or


[01/19/06 - 12:00 AM]
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers to Star as Young Henry Viii in New Showtime Drama Series, the Tudors

[via press release from Showtime]

JONATHAN RHYS-MEYERS TO STAR AS YOUNG HENRY VIII IN NEW SHOWTIME DRAMA SERIES, THE TUDORS

'Desperate Housewives' Director Charles McDougall to Direct First Two Episodes

LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2006) � Hot on the heels of his Golden Globe�- winning, tour-de-force performance in the mini-series ELVIS, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has signed on to play a different King -- Henry VIII -- in SHOWTIME's new drama series THE TUDORS, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for SHOWTIME. Ten episodes have been ordered and Emmy�-winning television director Charles McDougall (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) will helm at least the first two episodes of the series, which will most likely air on the network in early 2007 after filming is completed in Ireland.

Currently wrapping MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 with Tom Cruise, Rhys-Meyers earned critical acclaim -- and an Emmy� nomination -- last fall for channeling 'The King' in CBS' four-hour mini-series ELVIS. He also just starred opposite Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen's new romantic thriller MATCH POINT. The Irish actor gained prominence with American film audiences with his performance as coach of the girl's soccer team in the 2002 breakout hit BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, and as a David Bowie-inspired glam rock star in 1998's VELVET GOLDMINE. He's appeared in a wide range of feature films (from VANITY FAIR to ALEXANDER), as well as the highly praised remake of SHOWTIME's THE LION IN WINTER, with Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart, playing Phillip, the King of France.

"Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is one of the hottest young movie stars working today and his incredible range as an actor playing everything from historical figures to Elvis Presley makes him an immensely thrilling choice to play this new younger incarnation of the most infamous King ever to rule Great Britain," said Greenblatt. "As a producer of ELVIS, I had the chance to get to know Jonathan and see him craft a performance of a character that many doubted could be honestly or sensitively portrayed. He is one of the most talented rising film stars working today and his desire to do this series in the midst of his movie career catching fire is indicative of that great U.K. tradition where actors sign on to projects that they fall in love with. In addition, English filmmaker Charles McDougall's incredible work on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and the original, British QUEER AS FOLK are evidence that this will be a newly imagined Henry the VIII with a seductive, modern sensibility."

Bypassing the typical costume drama for a more scandalous take on the times, THE TUDORS will focus on the rarely dramatized, tumultuous early years of King Henry VIII's nearly 40-year, omnipotent reign (1509-1547) of England. In addition to dalliances with famous female consorts Catherine of Aragon and the infamous Anne Boleyn, the series delves into Henry's most notable political relationships, including those with philosopher Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, head of the Catholic Church of England during its break with Rome.

Michael Hirst (ELIZABETH), series creator, writer, and executive producer, has written the first five hours of THE TUDORS, and most likely will pen much of the rest. Ben Silverman of Reveille and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title will also executive produce. The series will be produced by TM Productions and co-financed by SHOWTIME and Peace Arch Entertainment Group, Inc., which will distribute the series outside of the United States.





  [january 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· ELVIS (CBS)
· LION IN WINTER (SHOWTIME)
· QUEER AS FOLK (SHOWTIME)
· TUDORS, THE (SHOWTIME)





[03/27/24 - 01:43 PM]
FOX Entertainment Unveils New Structure with Three-Pillar Focus on Global Studio Operations, Linear & Streaming Platforms and Worldwide Sales & Licensing
The new FOX Entertainment will consist of three primary business segments, including FOX Entertainment Studios, the FOX Television Network and FOX Entertainment Global.

[03/27/24 - 01:03 PM]
Video: "Big Mood" - Official Trailer - A Tubi Original
Best friends Maggie and Eddie have lived in each other's pockets for ten years. But with the future looming, can their relationship survive?

[03/27/24 - 12:32 PM]
This April, Series "Mud Madness" Debuts on Discovery Channel, Alongside All-New Seasons of "Ghost Adventures: House Calls" and "Contraband: Seized at the Border"
"Mud Madness" is a brand-new series that follows the off-road subculture of extreme Big-Tire UTV mud racing and the passionate characters that drive the sport.

[03/27/24 - 12:25 PM]
Ten American Bakers Travel to Paris for Food Network's Ultimate Pastry Competition "Next Baking Master: Paris"
Premiering Monday, May 6, the series demands that competitors prove their mettle in the pillars of great baking and pastry: technique, artistry, flavor, innovation, and inspiration.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Teaser for "The Jinx - Part Two," Debuting April 21
In Part Two, the filmmakers continue their investigation for the next eight years, uncovering hidden material, Robert Durst's prison calls, and interviews with witnesses who had not come forward until now.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Backstabbery Is Back as E! Announces Conniving New Cast of "House of Villains" Season Two, Premiering This Fall
Season one cast member Tiffany "New York" Pollard returns for a chance at redemption.

[03/27/24 - 10:02 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights "Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story" Starring Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols
Kramer, who has openly spoken about domestic abuse, will film a new a PSA for Lifetime's Stop Violence Against Women initiative to align with the subject matter of this movie.

[03/27/24 - 10:00 AM]
"The Steve Wilkos Show" Renewed for 18th Season in National Syndication
The show is hosted by Steve Wilkos, the straightforward, tough-talking former Chicago police officer and United States Marine.

[03/27/24 - 09:59 AM]
Starz's Hit Drama Series "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Scores Early Season Five Renewal
The third installment in the "Power" franchise, "Raising Kanan" recently concluded its explosive third season and is currently filming season four in New York.

[03/27/24 - 09:30 AM]
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively Officially Reuniting for Paul Feig-Helmed Sequel, "A Simple Favor 2"
The highly anticipated sequel is a co-production with Lionsgate and follows the studio's 2018 release of "A Simple Favor," which was a critical and commercial success, earning more than $97 million at the worldwide box office and achieving Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes.

[03/27/24 - 09:17 AM]
FOX Nation Partners with Martin Scorsese for New Docudrama "Martin Scorsese Presents: THE SAINTS"
Slated for November, the series will encompass eight one-hour episodes exploring the remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait - faith.

[03/27/24 - 09:00 AM]
Academy Award Winner and Tony Award Nominee Ariana DeBose Returns to Host "The 77th Annual Tony Awards," Airing Live Sunday, June 16, on CBS and Paramount+
DeBose will also serve as producer and choreograph the opening number for this year's show.

[03/27/24 - 08:58 AM]
"NKOTB" Bandmate Jonathan Knight Returns for Season Three of Hit HGTV Series "Farmhouse Fixer" on Tuesday, April 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The series, which attracted more than 15 million viewers to its previous season, will follow Jon, best known as a member of the Grammy-nominated band New Kids on the Block, and his go-to designer Kristina Crestin, as they take on a slew of risky renovations.

[03/27/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Good Times" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this edgy, irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their heads above water in a Chicago housing project.

[03/27/24 - 06:01 AM]
Hulu on Disney+ Launches Today in the U.S. for Disney Bundle Subscribers
Bundle plans are available starting at $9.99/month, while Disney+ and Hulu each remain available as standalone offerings.