Entertainment

'Duck Dynasty' Returns: Phil Robertson Tributes & New Baby Joy Ahead

Last year, after years off the air, the Robertson crew came together for the debut of Duck Dynasty: The Revival. With the original series having concluded in 2017, The Revival picked back up in a new era for the Robertsons—with Willie, Korie and the rest of their crew taking on a new chapter that included […]

What’s ‘Faith & Forgiveness: A Duck Dynasty Love Story’ about?

Deadline recently reported that Lifetime would be rolling out a biographical film about the love story of Al Robertson and his wife, Lisa, who you may remember from Duck Dynasty. Al is the eldest Robertson son, and while he helped launch Duck Commander, the company that led the family to success, he actually stepped away from it for several years while he served as a pastor, as reported by Faith Driven Entrepreneur.  

Faith & Forgiveness: A Duck Dynasty Love Story will dive into Al’s relationship with his wife, Lisa. According to Deadline, this duo’s love story started out fast and furious. However, as time passed, betrayal and “unspoken pain” threatened to destroy what they’d built. “What began as a deep connection slowly fractures, leaving them both lost and searching for something more. When the truth finally comes to light, Lisa is forced to confront everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty and herself. With their marriage and faith hanging by a thread, both must decide if love is worth fighting for, and what it truly means to forgive.”

Lisa and Al have opened up about the marital struggles that plagued their past—most notably, Lisa’s extramarital affair that strained the trust and partnership between them. However, since overcoming this season of life, they’ve remained committed to one another and share what they’ve learned with other couples who may be struggling. 

When to watch ‘Faith & Forgiveness: A Duck Dynasty Love Story’

Faith & Forgiveness: A Duck Dynasty Love Story will star Haley Ramm, Luke Benward and Mary Hollis Inboden and premieres on Lifetime on May 16 at 8 p.m.

What’s ‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’ about?

All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong tells the story of Ronni, an empty nester who struggles with her daughter’s absence, her hours at her job being cut and the prospect of selling her home. While attending a school fundraiser, she comes to discover she’s rather good at teaching Mahjong—a game she and her friends often gather for—and so begins an exciting chapter in which she finds a new purpose and even a bit of romance. 

Hallmark responds to the ‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’ casting debate

As the premiere of this film approaches, many have taken to social media to share their thoughts and feelings regarding All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong. In May, viewers can purchase a Mahjong set inspired by Hallmark’s famed pansy design through Miss Mahjong or Hallmark.com, but many have questioned Hallmark on social media for not collaborating with an Asian-owned brand. Additionally, some people have highlighted what they feel is a lack of Asian representation in the cast. 

Hallmark said it approached the film with care and cultural respect. In a statement to Woman’s World, a Hallmark Media spokesperson shared that “All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong is a love story with connection at its core, highlighting family, friendship, and motherhood with warmth and humor” and added that “the movie honors the heritage of Mahjong by recognizing the game’s Chinese origin and its unique ability to connect cultures, generations and communities.”

Meet the ‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’ cast

As the film’s premiere approaches, we take a look at the cast bringing it to life. 

Fiona Gubelmann as Ronni

Fiona Gubelmann is known for her work both on and off of Hallmark, appearing in series like Wilfred and The Good Doctor. In All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong, she will play Ronni, the lead character who finds a new purpose teaching Mahjong. 

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe as Shelley

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe will portray Shelley, one of Ronni’s friends she often gathers with to play Mahjong. 

Tamera Mowry-Housley as Carly

Tamera Mowry-Housley, known by most for her work as a child star on the hit sitcom Sister, Sister, will also join the cast as one of Ronni’s close friends. 

Melissa Peterman as Melissa

Melissa Peterman is another fixture on the Hallmark Channel, and she is set to appear as one of Ronni’s friends, Melissa. 

Paul Campbell as Ben

Paul Campbell, who has starred in Hallmark favorites such as Three Wise Men & a Baby (2022), will portray Ben, a contractor with whom Ronni forms a connection. 

How to watch ‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’

All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong premieres Friday, May 9, on the Hallmark Channel.

• Watch live: Tune in on Hallmark Channel through your cable/satellite provider.
• Watch via streaming TV: You can also watch with live-TV services that carry Hallmark Channel (availability varies by provider and location).
• Set a reminder: Check your on-screen guide/listings for the exact airtime in your time zone and encore showings.

Brandon Sklenar 

Brandon Sklenar is an American actor best known for 1923 (2022 to 2025), It Ends with Us (2024), Drop (2025) and The Housemaid (2025). He’s 35 years old and has spoken openly about his love for Westerns in the past.

“Both of my grandfathers loved Westerns. I grew up on them,” the actor told Behind the Blinds. “Once Upon a Time in the West is up there. The Man with No Name series from Sergio Leone. That’s a clear topper. Searchers. High Plains Drifter. Can’t really argue with Clint’s [Eastwood]  impact on the genre and what he embodied in those films.”

Currently, it’s believed that Sklenar will play the unnamed rodeo star in The Rescue, but that hasn’t been confirmed by him. 

Josh Lucas

Josh Lucas’ previous credits include Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1994 to 1995), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Glory Road (2006), The Mysteries of Laura (2014 to 2016), Ford v Ferrari (2019) and Yellowstone (2018 to 2022). Lucas is 54 years old and originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. His role in The Rescue has yet to be announced. 

Josh Duhamel

You may recognize Josh Duhamel from Las Vegas (2003 to 2008), Transformers (2007), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Ramona and Beezus (2010), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), All My Children (1999 to 2011), Love Simon (2018), The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2022) and Ransom Canyon (2025). Duhamel is 53 years old and was famously married to the singer Fergie from 2009 to 2019. He’s now with Audra Mari, and they live in a lakeside cabin in northern Minnesota. 

Entertainment

Ellyn Jameson Joins 'Yellowstone' Spinoff, 'Marshals'—See the Full Cast

Marshals (formerly known as Y: Marshals) officially aired this past Sunday, and while Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille) is dead, viewers do have several other new cast members that could potentially be just as smart and loyal. Below, we share who is who in the Marshals cast and detail where you have seen them before. Luke […]

Nick Searcy

Nick Searcy is an award-winning actor best known for his roles in American Gothic (1995 to 1998), From the Earth to the Moon (1998), Seven Days (1998 to 2001), Rodney (2004 to 2008), Easy Money (2008 to 2009), Justified (2010 to 2015) and The Perfect Couple (2024). He is 67 years old and has been married to Leslie Riley since 1986. 

Lorelei Olivia Mote

Lorelei Olivia is an up-and-coming child actor who has appeared in Daisy Jones & The Six (2023),The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) and Days of Our Lives (2026). Given how young Mote is, she will most likely play the missing daughter, but that hasn’t been confirmed by production or the actress. 

Austin Amelio

Austin Amelio is a skateboarder and actor best known for roles in The Walking Dead (2015 to 2018), Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) Hit Man (2023), Fear the Walking Dead (2019 to 2023) and Hokum (2026). He’s 37 years old and originally from Austin, Texas. 

Spencer Treat Clark

Spencer Treat Clark is a New York City native whose acting credits include Another World (1995 to 1999), The Babysitters (2007), The Last Exorcism Part II (2013), Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015 to 2018) and Animal Kingdom (2018 to 2019), He is 38 years old. 

Entertainment

Kurt Russell Gets Cast in the Upcoming ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff ‘The Madison’

It’s no secret that there are a lot of Yellowstone prequels and spin-off shows in the works. But the details on who would be involved in them have been kept under wraps—until now. The cast of The Madison—previously entitled 2024—has been announced, and we’ve got the scoop on the cast of the modern Western drama. […]

Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson is an award-winning actor best known for Holes (2003), Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Chaos (2011), Big Miracle (2012), Lincoln (2012), Fantastic Four (2015), Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and The Lowdown (2025). He is 61 years old and originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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Released in 1989, Star Trek V marked a unique turning point for the franchise, not least because it placed William Shatner in the director’s chair for the first—and only—time in his Star Trek career. Building on the lighter tone and commercial success of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the film attempted to blend humor with a more overtly philosophical premise, sending the crew of the Enterprise on a quest to literally meet God at the center of the galaxy. It was an ambitious concept, one that leaned heavily on character interplay while also requiring visual effects that could convincingly bring its cosmic ideas to life—an expectation that would ultimately prove difficult to meet under the film’s production constraints.

At the heart of the issue was the final act. As released, the confrontation at the center of the galaxy has long been criticized for feeling abrupt and underwhelming, particularly given the philosophical and emotional build-up that precedes it. But that ending, it turns out, wasn’t always meant to play that way. Earlier drafts of the script envisioned something far more elaborate—and far more dangerous—for Captain Kirk and his crew. What follows is a look at that abandoned climax, a “lost” version of Star Trek V that might have delivered the kind of spectacle and tension the finished film ultimately struggled to achieve.

Of lost endings…

As originally conceived, everything plays out exactly as it does in the finished film—right up until the moment the crew realizes that the being they’ve encountered is most certainly not God. From there, the story takes a far more action-driven turn.

“It would appear that the entity is trapped here,” Spock observes. “This volcanic crater is the power source that contains him.”

Kirk immediately grasps the danger: “And if he gets his hands on the ship, he’ll be able to spread himself across the galaxy.”

“Precisely his intention!”

Entertainment

These ‘Star Trek’ Behind-the-Scenes Photos Are Sci-Fi Gold

There’s something magical about seeing behind-the-scenes photos from Star Trek—especially the original series. Sure, the show itself was groundbreaking, with its optimistic view of the future, unforgettable ensemble of characters and actors and imaginative, groundbreaking storytelling. But what makes these candid moments so special is how they pull back the curtain to reveal the real […]

What follows is a sequence that dramatically escalates the stakes. Sybok—Spock’s half-brother who has forced the Enterprise to follow his quest—leaps into the crater, disappearing along with the entity as fire fills the sky. Moments later, a horrifying shriek signals the emergence of numerous living gargoyles erupting from the pit. Kirk, Spock and McCoy flee for their lives, slowed when McCoy falls and breaks his leg—forcing Kirk to carry him back toward the shuttle.

Their escape is cut short when the creatures disable the shuttle’s thrusters. Scotty begins transporting them aboard the Enterprise one at a time, but disaster strikes when a gargoyle is accidentally beamed up along with Kirk’s communicator. In destroying the creature, Scotty inadvertently takes out the transporter controls as well—leaving Kirk stranded on the planet.

As the Klingon Bird-of-Prey enters the situation, Spock turns to General Korrd for help, pushing past resistance with a blunt, “Damn you, sir, you will try!”

Meanwhile, on the surface, Kirk makes a desperate stand—climbing a mountain and battling wave after wave of attacking creatures with hand phasers. Just as it appears he’s about to be overwhelmed, the Bird-of-Prey decloaks and unleashes heavy phaser fire, driving the gargoyles back into the crater.

“You want me, you Klingon bastards? Come and get me!” Kirk shouts, firing upward.

Entertainment

The 'Star Trek' Fan Stories That Defined Kirk and Spock’s Iconic Bond

For the past 60 years, Star Trek has given us starships, strange new worlds and plenty of pulse-pounding adventure. But if you ask longtime fans what keeps them coming back, many will tell you it isn’t the phasers or the warp drive—it’s the friendship at the heart of it all. From the very first season […]

From there, the story largely returns to the version audiences saw, though with a greater emphasis on the shared rescue of Klingon, Romulan and Federation hostages—hinting at a fragile new understanding between longtime enemies. In the aftermath, Kirk reflects on Sybok’s actions with a bit more nuance:

“He may have been misguided, but perhaps his cause has served a higher purpose. The Federation, the Romulans, the Klingons—none of us—will ever be able to see each other again in quite the same light. We have Sybok to thank for that.”

It’s a more expansive and visually dynamic ending—one that underscores just how much was lost in translation from page to screen.

‘Show me the money!’

Along with the challenges inherent in realizing what was already a flawed screenplay came a host of production problems, many of them centered on that very finale. The ambitious creature effects—gargoyles, energy bursts, and even a massive rock-like being Kirk would confront—proved too costly and too difficult to execute within the film’s limitations.

WILLIAM SHATNER (director; actor, “Captain James T. Kirk”): “I didn’t have the sense to hoard my money for the grand finale. I was very busy spending wonderful dollars fighting for effects in the opening. I’m not that much of a neophyte not to know that you need a good opening, but I hurt my finale by not having enough money. Nothing I could do to the studio would make them say, ‘Here’s another three million dollars for more gargoyles and special effects,’ which it needed.”

DAVID LOUGHERY (screenwriter): “When the torpedo came down and exploded the hole, it’s like the bottle is uncapped and the imps spill out, free, and chase our characters back to the shuttle. That was our original concept. A movie, especially a movie like this one, goes through so many transformations from original story to final film. Because of all the hands involved in the making of these movies, it sometimes starts to take on a committee atmosphere. Things don’t turn out exactly the way you originally wanted them to, but there are reasons for that.”

WILLIAM SHATNER: “I was required to reduce the budget, and I kept slicing away at the ending. I didn’t realize until we got there how much of the ending I had lost and what a disservice I had done to the film. That was lesson number one.”

RALPH WINTER (producer): “We never ran out of money. We ran out of good ideas and good execution. What we thought with the rock creature was just completely silly and we bagged it. It became obvious that it was just silly and it would have been more expensive. On some of these movies, the third act doesn’t get developed at the same pace.”

DAVID LOUGHERY: “We certainly wish we could have hung on to some of the concept. That sequence got lost when it became financially impossible for us to create the gargoyle creatures. You’re always sorry to see those things go, because your imagination is one thing and the budget is something else. In various places, we had to make certain cuts and rearrangements based on how much we could afford.”

HARVE BENNETT (executive producer): “Basically, I was called in to control Bill’s appetites. They were extravagant because he didn’t know anything. He had spent all those years in front of the camera, and believed because he had directed T.J. Hooker and Leonard had done it, he could too. Bill would come in and present a concept and he thought he was discovering the wheel. It’s funny how first-time directors try to be pioneers in the craft.”

WILLIAM SHATNER: “A first-time director knows no boundaries, and it’s not knowing them that you shatter them. Rather than accepting the status quo, I tried to break boundaries… But there came a point where I had to compromise.”

In the end, Star Trek V stands as a fascinating example of how even a fully produced installment of the franchise can, in its own way, feel like a “lost” chapter. Not because it was never made, but because what audiences saw was only a partial realization of what had been imagined. Like Star Trek: Phase II, the unproduced films of the 1970s, or even alternate versions of familiar episodes, The Final Frontier exists in two forms: the one that reached theaters, and the one that lives on in scripts, interviews and recollections from those who tried to bring it to life.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: quick facts

• Released in 1989, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier marked the directorial debut of William Shatner, who also returned as Captain Kirk alongside franchise mainstays.
• The film centers on Kirk, Spock and McCoy—played by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy (Spock Leonard to fans) and DeForest Kelley—as they confront a renegade Vulcan named Sybok.
• One of the film’s most beloved sequences is the campfire scene set in Yosemite National Park, offering a rare, emotional look at the friendship between the trio during shore leave.
• The story sends the Enterprise on a mission to the center of the galaxy, where Sybok believes he will encounter God, setting up one of the franchise’s most controversial storylines.
• Leonard Nimoy returned not only as Spock but also as a key creative collaborator, having previously directed Star Trek III and IV.
• Despite ambitious ideas—including philosophical themes and large-scale effects—the film was hampered by budget constraints, particularly impacting its original ending.

“People have been asking me when I’m going to play something other than Fonzie,” he shared at the time. “Well, this is it.”

That “something” was Heroes, a very different kind of film that traded catchphrases for vulnerability, and confidence for emotional uncertainty. In it, Winkler plays Jack Dunne, a troubled Vietnam veteran recently released from a psychiatric hospital, struggling to reconnect with the world while clinging to a fragile dream of starting a worm farm in California with fellow soldiers he hasn’t seen in years.

Jack is talkative, hopeful and at times disarmingly earnest—but there’s an instability beneath the surface. His plans feel both sincere and illusory, and as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that he’s struggling to reconcile his past with any kind of stable future. Winkler leans into that emotional uncertainty, allowing Jack’s vulnerability to emerge in ways that are often uncomfortable and even heartbreaking. As such, it was a deliberate risk.  “I did the Fonz. He’s done, and I still do him,” he noted. “So when I go outside, hopefully there are other characters inside me.”

Entertainment

Inside Henry Winkler and Bob Odenkirk’s Beautiful Friendship

With the theatrical release of Henry Winkler’s new film Normal approaching, there’s growing curiosity about what audiences can expect. What is the film about, who joins Winkler on screen and what was the experience like behind the scenes? Here’s a closer look at the story, the cast and what those involved have said about working […]

That search for something beyond the Fonzie persona wasn’t just theoretical. It was right there on screen in Jack Dunne, a character constantly reaching for connection even as he seems in danger of losing his grip on reality.

The irony, of course, is that Winkler’s success as Fonzie is what made Heroes possible in the first place. “He gave me that film, actually,” shared Winkler.

By 1977, success for the actor had already proven to be something of a double-edged sword. Happy Days had turned him into a star, opened doors and provided opportunities most actors could only dream of. But it also created an expectation—one that threatened to define him long-term.

Sally Field was already transforming

If Winkler was trying to break free of Fonzie, co-star Sally Field was already in the midst of proving herself an acting escape artist. For years, she had been closely associated with light television roles like Gidget and The Flying Nun, performances that made her instantly recognizable but didn’t necessarily reflect the depth she was capable of as an actress. By the mid-1970s, however, she had begun actively pushing against those limitations.

The turning point came with the 1976 television film Sybil, in which Field delivered a raw, emotionally complex performance as a young woman suffering from dissociative identity disorder. The role stunned audiences and critics alike, earning her an Emmy Award and, more importantly, forcing Hollywood to reassess what she could do. By the time she stepped into Heroes, that shift was already underway.

In the film, Field plays Carol Bell, a woman traveling cross-country to reunite with her fiancé, only to find herself drawn into the orbit of Winkler’s Jack Dunne. Carol is grounded, observant, and quietly conflicted—someone who begins to question the life she thought she wanted as she connects with Jack’s vulnerability and unpredictability.

What makes the performance so effective is its restraint. Field doesn’t overplay Carol’s emotional journey; instead, she lets it unfold gradually, revealing layers of doubt and self-awareness that mirror her own career trajectory at the time.

And in an interesting bit of timing, Smokey and the Bandit arrived the same year, reintroducing Field to mainstream audiences in a more familiar, accessible light. The contrast between the two films is striking and together they underscore just how wide her range truly was. If Sybil proved what she was capable of, and Smokey and the Bandit reaffirmed her popularity, Heroes sits right between them—a film that captures Sally Field in transition, already breaking free, but still in the process of redefining how the world saw her.

A film about reinvention

Seen through that lens, Heroes becomes a moment in time when two actors, both widely known and yet not fully understood, stepped into roles that challenged perception. And for Winkler, it was deeply personal. And when he finally saw the film with an audience, the experience hit him harder than he expected: “I was so blown away by the emotionality of the experience that I missed my name up on the screen.”

Despite its unconventional nature and the fact that it has largely been forgotten over the decades, Heroes was far from a failure. In fact, it was a commercial success, earning roughly $33 million against a modest $3 million budget—a strong return by any standard, particularly for a character-driven film. And yet, success at the box office didn’t necessarily translate into a complete shift in perception—at least not immediately.

Winkler had taken the risk and delivered the performance. But audiences—and perhaps more importantly, the industry—weren’t quite ready to let go of the image of the Fonz they had already embraced. That tension is something he seemed to understand even as it was happening. “The challenge is hard,” he said, “but lovely. I mean, that’s one of the reasons I’m an actor, I think.”

Looking back today, Heroes occupies an interesting place in both actors’ careers. It isn’t the film most commonly associated with either of them, yet it may be one of the most revealing. In the years that followed, both Winkler and Field would continue to evolve—Field achieving critical acclaim and Oscar recognition, Winkler gradually reshaping his career in ways that would ultimately allow audiences to see him in a very different light.

But Heroes remains a turning point. Not because it changed everything overnight—but because it proved that change was possible. And for Winkler, that was always the point. “Every time you make a film, if you don’t put your neck on the block, then don’t make the film,” he mused. “And one of my credos is that life is filled with risks, you take them or you don’t. So you have to go all out. You can’t live in the middle. I sometimes think, and without being mushy, that the characters are my paintings on the wall. I can’t paint and I can’t draw, so I make them. I want to create the perfect character. That is one of my dreams in my life.”

What we know so far about ‘The Rescue’ 

The Rescue was initially announced in 2025 while 1923 was still on the air. At the time, Sklenar was announced as one of the cast members, but because of the Taylor Sheridan series, the news was largely overlooked by Western fans. 

The plot of The Rescue centers on a popular rodeo cowboy whose world is turned upside down when his daughter goes missing. Described as a high-stakes adventure thriller, the film is also notable for being among the first projects greenlit by Skydance–Paramount, the newly formed production partnership between Skydance and Paramount.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to help lead this iconic brand into its next chapter. My experience at Skydance and across all levels of production has shown me what it takes to bring great stories to life—and just how powerful it is when visionary creators are supported by strong leadership and a clear mission,” David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount said of the merger in April 2025. 

Entertainment

Josh Duhamel’s New Netflix Western ‘Ransom Canyon’ Looks So Good!

Ever since Yellowstone and the shows that fall within the Dutton universe revived the western genre, there’s been no shortage of hunky cowboys, ranch romances and cattleman conflicts filling the airwaves—and Ransom Canyon is another one joining the western ranks you won’t want to miss. Starring familiar faces like James Brolin, Josh Duhamel and Minka […]

Who’s going to be in ‘The Rescue’? 

Along with Sklenar, Josh Lucas, Nick Searcy, Lorelei Olivia Mote, Austin Amelio, Spencer Treat Clark, Tim Blake Nelson and Josh Duhamel will star in The Rescue. The film will be directed by Potsy Ponciroli, written by John Fusco and produced by Shannon Houchins and Cliff Roberts. 

“I didn’t realize I was as big a fan until I started getting into it,” Ponciroli told The Hollywood Reporter of the Western film genre in September 2021. “I grew up on Westerns like Young Guns and Tombstone and of course I loved Deadwood the show, but once I started [directing] I really did a deep dive into the old Westerns, like McCabe & Mrs Miller, which is fantastic.” 

And he’s not the only Western lover. In an interview with Behind the Blinds, Skelnar opened up about what the genre means to him and his family.  “Both of my grandfathers loved Westerns. I grew up on them,” the actor said. “Once Upon a Time in the West is up there. The Man with No Name series from Sergio Leone. That’s a clear topper. Searchers. High Plains Drifter. Can’t really argue with Clint’s [Eastwood]  impact on the genre and what he embodied in those films.” 

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Will the '1923' Cast Return for '1944'? Stars Share Their Hopes

Ever since Paramount+ announced the brand new Yellowstone prequel 1944, fans have been wondering if any of the 1923 cast would appear in it. And while we don’t have any official casting news, several stars—including Harrison Ford—have said that they would love to make an appearance if given the chance. Below, we share everything we […]

When will ‘The Rescue’ release 

The Rescue is expected to be released on January 27, 2027. It’s currently in pre-production, which means they haven’t started filming yet.

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Entertainment

From Snaps to Ayyyy! Relive The Fonz’s Coolest 'Happy Days' Moments

Being cool is… well, cool. That life lesson was instilled on a generation of TV watchers by Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli, aka “The Fonz” or “Fonzie” from the 1950s-set ABC sitcom Happy Days. Wearing his leather jacket and oftentimes on his motorcycle (even in his apartment), he helped turn the Ron Howard series into […]

What to know about the ‘Normal’ movie

Normal is a new neo-Western thriller that follows a small town sheriff named Ulysses Richardson (Bob Odenkirk) after he decides to investigate a local bank robbery. Along the way, though, he discovers that some of the town’s residents—including its mayor Kibner (Winkler)—might be the most suspicious of all. 

The film, written by Odenkirk and Derek Kolstad (writer/creator of John Wick) and directed by Ben Wheatley, was originally released in 2025, but after finding success online, producers decided it deserved a theatrical run as well.

“There are funny characters in there, squabbling and being stupid. Then it turns into this action film and then it has horror elements in it in the later part of the film,” Odenkirk told Moviefone earlier this month. “Unlike a lot of action stories, it had texture and it had character and some depth to the characters. That’s just different. I mean, that’s not actually something you see in a lot of action films, outlines or scripts.” 

Entertainment

Henry Winkler Talks Ron Howard Friendship and How Fonz’s Fame Hurt Him

Ask any Happy Days fan and they’ll tell you—Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (played by Henry Winkler) was the heartthrob of the series. But in a new interview, Winkler shared how his skyrocketing fame as Fonzie affected co-star Ron Howard—who admitted the shift in focus from Richie to Fonzie “hurt” his feelings. Scroll on to read Winkler’s […]

Get to know the ‘Normal’ cast 

Along with Odenkirk and Winkler, Normal stars Game of Thrones star Lena Headey, who plays Moria, a resident that Sheriff Ulysses befriends. 

“I love Moira. She’s kind of a little weird. She’s a little eaten by life and when Bob’s character rolls up, there’s a recognition between the two of them and suspicion,” Headey told Moviefone. “Yet, a kind of emotional deficit where they don’t discuss anything they truly like to discuss. So, they kind of skirt around like two snakes a little bit, figuring out who the other is.” 

Does the ‘Normal’ cast get along? 

While their characters may be keeping secrets from one another, that wasn’t the case behind the scenes. In fact, Winkler says of Odenkirk, “Bob is a friend.”

“We have had pasta together. He called me up, he said, ‘Henry, I’m doing a movie. Would you be part of it?’ I didn’t have to read the script. I just said yes,” the Happy Days actor continued. “I went up to Winnipeg, where I played the wonderful mayor of the town. He is the interim sheriff. Little does he know there is chaos below the surface. He said, ‘We’re going to have a confrontation. I’m going to put you in the most comfortable position to have that confrontation. I’m going to put you in a blizzard.’ That’s how it goes.” 

And Winkler and Odenkirk aren’t the only ones that get along. Odenkirk says that Headey is a “master class in acting.” 

“She always brings it, you can be sure of that and nobody else could have played this character, Moira, like Lena did,” Odenkirk continued.  “I mean, the depth and the texture and the smile in her performance, and the smile for the audience. They know the purpose of her character right away, which is to cut open the story and lay it bare for you.” 

When does the ‘Normal’ movie come out? 

The Normal movie releases in theaters nationwide on Friday, April 17 and according to Odenkirk, no matter how much you think you know about the film, you don’t know it all. 

“This movie is analog. Even some scenes that you think aren’t are. There are scenes that you would watch and think, ‘Oh, that’s CGI.’ But they’re not CGI. And you wouldn’t think it because it looks like CGI,” Odenkirk told New Film City earlier this month. “You’d think it because you go, ‘Well, you can’t do that’  But he knows how to do it. Being out on Ben Wheatley’s set is a place of invention and humor. He’s always joking, throwing in lines, throwing in funny moments.”

Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

Great American Media has announced an all-star, family-friendly cast for the upcoming original movie Silver Bells at Christmas, which is currently in production.

Already buzzing with holiday spirit, the new film promises a cozy blend of music, romance and small-town charm. Read on for our exclusive first look at Silver Bells at Christmas!

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Great American Family Unveils Starter Lineup of 2026 Christmas Movies

Every holiday season, our favorite cozy networks get in on the Christmas fun with an original lineup of exciting and heartwarming family flicks—and Great American Family has been rolling out fan-favorites for years now. While it might seem a little early to start looking ahead to the season of mistletoe and merriment, folks are already […]

Who will star in the movie?

The cast of Silver Bells at Christmas brings together a mix of familiar Great American Family faces and standout talent. Broadway favorite Laura Osnes (Broadway’s Cinderella, Bonnie & Clyde, and television films, A Little Women’s Christmas, Just In Time) leads the feel-good film as Ginny Nolan, starring opposite country musician Chuck Wicks as Tyler Benton. The ensemble also features Ryan McPartlin as Nick Day, Julia Reilly as Tyler’s agent Andi, along with Taylor Kalupa, Tanya Christiansen and D. B. Sweeney.

“I am having the best time on set with this incredible cast—the dreamy Ryan McPartlin, who I feel like I’ve known for years, plus so many old friends: Chuck Wicks, Julia Reilly, DB Sweeney, Tanya Christiansen and Taylor Kalupa. It’s been the most joyful reunion, bringing this heartfelt story to life on location in Kentucky,” Osnes told Woman’s World. “Audiences are craving stories of hope and faith, and Great American Christmas does just that. Silver Bells at Christmas is full of music (yes, we get to sing!), laughter and of course romance. I cannot wait for fans and viewers to see it this holiday season.”

“One of the benefits of Great American Media’s success is the incredible level of talent that is now drawn to us,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO. “These stars will not only delight audiences during the 6th Annual Great American Christmas, but they enhance the quality of our library, which grows stronger every day and fuels all of our platforms.”

What is Silver Bells at Christmas about?

The official synopsis teases a heartfelt holiday story set in small-town Ohio: “In the town of Comfort, Ginny Nolan (Osnes) is determined to save her late mother’s beloved Christmas shop, Silver Bells, before costly repairs force it to close. When her former music partner—and almost first love—Tyler Benton (Wicks) returns home to host a Christmas songwriting contest, old feelings begin to resurface.

As Tyler’s agent, Andi (Reilly), puts on the pressure, he turns to Ginny for help writing the next great holiday hit. Meanwhile, ambitious entrepreneur Nick Day (McPartlin) sets his sights on buying the shop—forcing Ginny to choose between holding on to the past she cherishes or opening her heart to a future that could change everything.”

When will Silver Bells at Christmas be released?

Silver Bells at Christmas will premiere during the Great American Christmas 2026 lineup, and we can’t wait!

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‘One More Christmas’—Candace Cameron Bure takes the lead in 2026

Candace Cameron Bure has become a fixture on Great American Family, and she’s already slated to play a big role in the upcoming holiday lineup. Bure stars as Anna in One More Christmas opposite Jonathan Scarfe, who brings to life James. In the film, Bure and Scarfe play a former married couple who are forced to put on a happy face when their daughter invites them to meet her boyfriend. While Anna heads out to the cabin they’re staying in a day early to steer clear of a dicey encounter with her former husband, James does so as well with the same intention. Their plans are soon shaken, however, when a serious storm strands them both and they’re forced to truly reflect on their past. See the film this holiday season on GAF!

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Candace Cameron Bure Opens up about Faith, Fitness and Age 50 (EXCL)

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‘A Very Evergreen Christmas’—Honor your roots this holiday season

When Abby’s aunt leaves her her Christmas tree farm, she lays out some terms that state she must first spend two weeks working on it to truly grasp its significance. With the help of her former best friend and the farm’s caretaker, Ethan, she comes to discover all that the farm truly represents and what matters most around the holiday season. 

‘An Accidental Arctic Christmas’—Two beloved TV stars shine!

Each holiday season, Jim (Cameron Mathison) and his daughter Isla (Maya Rose Skabar) take turns deciding what their Christmas plans will be. When Isla proposes an arctic cruise, her dad gives in only with the reassurance that he’ll make it back in time for his annual Times Square Christmas Eve broadcast, which he hosts. Things get complicated, however, when a timing mix-up strands them in an arctic town with no way of getting back home for his gig. When Jane (Jill Wagner), a wildlife conservationist, steps in to help, they embark on an adventure none of them saw coming. 

‘The Trouble With Mistletoe’—Reflect on the past this holiday season

Jillian Murray stars as an acquisitions executive heading back to her hometown for the holidays, where she happens to cross paths with her former fiancé—and being back in a familiar place with familiar faces leaves her questioning her future. Catch this film this holiday season on Great American Family. 

How (and where) to watch Great American Christmas 2026

All of the movies in Great American Family’s Great American Christmas 2026 lineup will premiere on Great American Family (GAF) as they roll out during the holiday season. To watch live, tune in through your cable, satellite or live TV streaming provider that carries the channel; you can also keep tabs on premiere dates and the full holiday schedule on GreatAmericanFamily.com. If you miss a premiere, check your provider’s on-demand options and GAF’s rerun schedule throughout the season.

Watch the ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ trailer 

Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova, an aquarium worker who befriends an octopus named Marcellus. It’s based on Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 bestselling novel, and you can watch the trailer below. 

“This movie has so much heart,” Van Pelt told People magazine in February 2026. “Like the book, it’s a story that will make you both laugh and cry. Plus, the film version has even more Marcellus the octopus, and everyone loves Marcellus.”

Get to know the ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ cast

From Sally Field to Lewis Pullman, here are the main Remarkably Bright Creatures cast members. 

Sally Field as Tova

 There are few performers who can move effortlessly between comedy, drama and pure emotional truth quite like Sally Field—and that’s exactly what she brings to Remarkably Bright Creatures.

An Oscar-winning actress whose career stretches from television favorites like Gidget (1965–1966) and The Flying Nun (1967–1970) to acclaimed film performances in Steel Magnolias (1989), Forrest Gump (1994) and Lincoln (2012), Field has long had a gift for grounding even the most heightened material in something real. Along the way, she’s also left her mark on projects as varied as Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), ER (2000–2006), Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011) and The Amazing Spider-Man films (2012, 2014).

In Remarkably Bright Creatures, she takes on the role of Tova, an elderly cleaning woman at a local aquarium—a character whose quiet routine masks a deeper emotional journey. It’s the kind of role that plays directly to Field’s strengths: layered, compassionate and filled with the kind of lived-in authenticity that has defined her work for decades, 

“The whole book is surprising and life-affirming, and it’s an homage to life, to creatures, and the connection that human beings have to creatures,” Field told People. “We worked on it relentlessly just to get that screenplay. Even when we were shooting we were constantly noodling and fixing and letting it breathe and have its own existence outside of the book. It was a long journey.”

Field is 79 years old and has three children. 

Lewis Pullman as Cameron

Lewis Pullman may be the son of Bill Pullman, but in recent years he’s been steadily carving out a screen presence all his own. With roles in films like Battle of the Sexes (2017) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022), along with television work in Outer Range (2022–2024) and Lessons in Chemistry (2023), Pullman has shown a knack for characters who feel grounded and relatable, even in heightened circumstances. His appearance in Thunderbolts* (2025) further signaled a career on the rise.

In Remarkably Bright Creatures, he plays Cameron, Tova’s long-lost grandson. It’s a part that plays directly into his strengths, allowing him to bring a sense of vulnerability and quiet intensity to a character searching for where he belongs.

“I had read with a couple of other young actors, but the minute Lewis walked in, the minute I saw him, I just knew, ‘Here he is,’” Field told People. “Not only is he just a dazzlingly wonderful actor and funny and talented in every way … to me, he just was this character. We just started improvising instantly and having fun with it and laughing. And we were almost uncontainable. He’s just so easy to be with and work with.” 

Pullman is 33 years old and originally from Los Angeles, California. 

Alfred Molina as Marcellus 

Alfred Molina has spent decades building a truly versatile career in both film and television, moving effortlessly between drama, comedy and larger-than-life characters. From his early appearance in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) to memorable turns in Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999) and Frida (2002), the actor has consistently brought depth and dimension to every role he takes on.

He’s equally at home in mainstream fare—whether voicing characters in animated hits like Monsters University (2013) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), or stepping into the Marvel universe as Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). On television, his work has ranged from sitcoms like Ladies Man (1999–2001) to dramas such as Law & Order: LA (2010–2011), showcasing a truly incredible range.

In Remarkably Bright Creatures, Molina lends his voice to Marcellus, an octopus living in the aquarium where Tova works. It’s a role that may be unexpected, but one that seems tailor-made for Molina’s ability to infuse even the most unconventional characters with intelligence and personality.

Molina is 71 years old and originally from Paddington, London, United Kingdom. He has one daughter. 

Colm Meaney as Ethan

Colm Meaney has long been one of those actors whose presence immediately lends credibility to a project. With a career that spans decades, he’s become a familiar face across both television and film.

Many viewers know him best from his time in the Star Trek universe—first on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) and then on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999) as Chief O’Brien—but his work extends far beyond that. From films like Under Siege (1992) and Con Air (1997) to later projects such as Layer Cake (2004), Stargate: Atlantis (2004–2006) and Hell on Wheels (2011–2016), Meaney has built a reputation for portraying characters who feel lived-in and real. In Remarkably Bright Creatures, he plays Ethan, a friend of Tova’s.

Meaney is 71 years old and originally from Dublin, Ireland. He has two children.

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