Ryan Coogler's The X-Files names its male lead
We found out last month that Rooster star Danielle Deadwyler would be one of the leads of Ryan Coogler’s The X-Files sequel series for Hulu. I was a bit odd that they didn’t hold that news until they could announce both leads at the same time.
I was very happy to see Deadwyler announced. She’s the best thing about Rooster and I recall liking her quite a bit in the pandemic-era HBO show Station Eleven.
Today we have been told who will be appearing opposite Deadwyler. It’ll be Himesh Patel, a guy who absolutely shined as one of the leads of the aforementioned Station Eleven, but has since gone on to roles in the Christopher Nolan film Tenet, along with Black Mirror, Avenue 5, and Greedy People.
You may also know him from the dopey Richard Curtis comedy Yesterday in which he plays a guy who wakes up one day to discover he is the only person who remembers The Beatles.
I’m a big Himesh Patel fan and have been since I saw him in Yesterday – a film I quietly enjoyed quite a bit, but would never admit to such a thing.
Great casting choice. Patel and Deadwyler are going to be dynamite on screen together. And all of a sudden, it feels crucial to give Station Eleven a rewatch. It was very good…
Jeopardy!: YouTube Edition…. Appropriately, I have some questions
In its latest effort to extend the Jeopardy! brand, a spin-off has been announced for the Jeopardy! YouTube channel.
The problem with this news story is that there was clearly a media release sent out that wasn’t entirely clear on what this is. So, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety seemingly just did a rewrite with no effort made to flesh it out with important details.
So, here I am with a bunch of questions that should have been answered in the original article:
The spin-off episode will be hosted by Ken Jennings. Will he be hosting further episodes of the spin-off?
Will there even be further episodes, or is this just a random special used to drive attention to the Jeopardy! YouTube channel which will soon have some other original content.
There will be three “initial contestants” in the form of Monét X Change, Rebecca Black, and Brennan Lee Mulligan. All big on YouTube. But will further episodes, should there be any, also be relying on YouTube talent?
Imagine being happy putting a byline on this…
News Desk
The date is set: April 23 will see Warner bros Discovery shareholders vote on the acquisition by Paramount Skydance. As we saw with the last planned shareholder meeting on a sale, a lot can happen in a month. Read: Variety
US Netflix subscribers are in for another price rise. Standard With Ads is up $1 to $8.99 per month, Standard now costs $2 a month more at $19.99 per month, and Premium is also up $2 at $26.99. At current exchange rates, I’m looking at this from Australia and noting US Netflix is over $10 more than we’re paying locally per month on that premium tier. Incredible.
Paramount reports 8m people watched The Madison on Paramount+ globally, making it the biggest launch to date for a Taylor Sheridan series. Read: Deadline
The 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS used in the pilot episode of Magnum PI is up for auction. It is one of 15 Ferrari 308’s used through the production of the series. It belongs in a museum (in my house). Read: Robb Report
When the Oscars makes its debut on YouTube in 2029, that won’t be the only change – the awards show is getting a new venue. Gone is the Dolby Theatre and instead it will be staged at the Peacock Theater at LA LIVE. Read: Variety
The BBC is warning that there’s a need for "radical reform" and that some "tough choices" will have to be made. Read: RadioTimes
Despite the White House denial, blowhard comic Bill Maher will receive the Kennedy Centre’s Mark Twain prize for American Humor. Read: The Guardian
HBO Max has now officially launched in the UK. It happened with a drone show and a celebrity-filled party. Read: THR
Trailer Park
Running Point is back on Netflix for season 2 April 23.
Australian comedy Bad Company debuts on ABC TV and ABC iView April 26.
A new CEO at the State Theatre Centre must confront its controlling Artistic Director to prevent the institution’s downfall.
Santita debuts on Netflix April 22.
The series tells the story of María José Cano (Dávila), a woman using a wheelchair after an accident, who abandons the love of her life (García Bernal) at the altar. Now, two decades later, she must face the consequences of her past when he unexpectedly reenters her life. Dubbed “Santita” despite being more sinner than saint, María José’s journey is a wickedly irreverent and unconventional love story.
Ranma1/2 returns to Netflix for season 3 in October.
The Testament of Ann Lee gets a streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu March 31.
Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 debuts on Netflix April 23.
Winter. Hawkins. 1985. Welcome back to a town crawling with secrets, where beloved heroes are facing fresh mysteries... and an all-new breed of strange.
Hive debuts on Tubi April 17.
The horror-thriller is about a strict, anxious teenager (Xochitl Gomez) who loses the child she's babysitting and must brave a sinister force hiding in plain sight among the children in the playground.
The Regular Show returns May 11 with The Lost Tapes on Cartoon Network.
The House of the Spirits debuts on Prime Video April 29.
Based on Isabel Allende’s internationally acclaimed novel, The House of the Spirits is an eight-episode family saga spanning half a century, centered on three generations of women—Clara, Blanca, and Alba—in a conservative South American country shaped by class struggle, political upheaval, and magic.
That’s the newsletter for the today.
Consider becoming a paid supporter of Always Be Watching.
Connect with Dan on Bluesky. Connect with Dan on Letterboxd. Connect with Dan on Linkedin. Challenge him on the NYT word game Crossplay. Email Dan @ alwaysbewatching.com or just reply to this email.
