Mary Elizabeth Winstead joins Star Wars: Ahsoka

In a yet-to-be-revealed role, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Braindead, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Fargo) is joining the cast of the hotly anticipated Star Wars show Ahsoka. The series will star Rosario Dawson in the titular role playing 'Star Wars'. *ahem*

Also starring in the show will be Hayden Christiansen, reprising the role of Anakin Skywalker - a character who is already dead by the time this series begins.

Production begins in just a few months time in California.

Fans of Ana de Armas sue Universal

A pair of Ana de Armas fans are suing Universal over deceptive marketing practices. They assert that they rented the movie Yesterday because she was featured in the trailer. But the film itself had cut the small role that Armas played in the film.

It's obviously a silly lawsuit, but it does speak to the dodgy practices in cutting together trailers that aren't reflective of the films and TV shows they are seeking to promote.

Everyone except Jon Hamm

To love Jon Hamm is to be human. But Jon Hamm isn't feeling that love, or so goes the premise of a new Apple TV+ ad that he is starring in. The conceit of the ad is that every big name star is on the streaming service except Jon Hamm. It's funny.

Paramount+ beyond the US borders

Last night I was flipping around on Paramount+ trying to delay going to bed. It was apparent that the streaming service is now starting to show its promise.

Outside of the US, Paramount+ is completely ad-free, but its library is different. The library of movies includes licensed titles from Warner Bros, and the TV library is smaller than the US with fewer Viacom titles dumped into the catalogue and far fewer classic TV titles. But what it does have is the Showtime content. Not all Showtime series, mind you. Anything that debuted in the past five years is still streaming on competitor Stan (such as Billions). But all of the new shows are on Paramount+.

Which is where the promise of the streamer lies. The more new Showtime titles that debut, the richer that Paramount+ library is starting to feel.

Last night I was there for Yellowjackets and Yellowstone: 1883, but last night I noticed new additions The Envoys, The Panthers (a New Zealand drama), Nova Vita, Buried, Good Sam, and Paradise Lost. These aren't exactly primo titles, but bundle them in with new Showtime series and other acquisitions and Paramount+ is starting to look a lot more substantial than the bare bones service that launched a few months ago.

This week it adds the very buzzy, hot new title The Gilded Age from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes (which is fantastic - expect a review on Always Be Watching later today). Is it an essential service? Maybe not just yet. But it is certainly shaping up to be one.

TeeVee Snacks

Sean Astin (Toy Soldiers) and Tommy Dewey (Casual) are among the cast added to the new season of Perry Mason. Remember that was a show? Read: TV Insider
Google isn't going to be left behind in the AV/VR/XR race. It is building its own set of goggles. Google, of course, dipped its own toes into the water of augmented reality with the ill-fated Google Glass - a product about a decade ahead of its time. Read: The Verge
Season 6 of Billions opens with its own Peloton bike-related heart attack. It's the hottest trend of the season. Read: Deadline
If, like most of us, you spend quite a bit of your day wondering where Julian McMahon is these days, the answer was FBI: Most Wanted. But he's leaving the show now after close to three seasons. The hunt begins anew. Read: Deadline
Has Black Monday quietly been cancelled by Showtime? Read: Spoiler TV
There might be ewoks appearing in The Book of Boba Fett. Read: /Film
RIP comedian Louie Anderson. The star of Baskets and Life With Louie was 68. Read: THR

Trailer Park

Star Trek: Picard returns March 3 on Paramount+ in the US and on Amazon Prime Video internationally.

Joe vs Carole is a Tiger King inspired series. It debuts March 4 on Peacock in the US (here in Australia we will get the show on the same day via streamer Stan).

The Endgame debuts on NBC Feb 21.

A criminal mastermind squares off against a principled FBI agent in this heist drama.

Finding Ola debuts on Netflix Feb 3.

After a life-altering event, Ola embarks on a journey of self-discovery while dealing with the challenges of raising two children and making ends meet.

Sweet Magnolias returns to Netflix Feb 4 for season 2.