‘Better Call Saul’ EP Melissa Bernstein On ‘Legal Ethics’ Short-Form Series, “Sewing Up” Saul Goodman’s Story & Getting “Complicated Show” Back On Set Amidst Pandemic

EXCLUSIVE: Macro Television Studios has tapped Bad Boys For Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to direct the pilot episode of its action-adventure drama Cordoba. The filmmaking duo also will serve as executive producers of the potential series, which is currently being shopped.

Tyson Beckford gracefully bowed out of the modeling game in 2008. But a phone call from Beyoncé pulled him back in for a very special occasion. Ivy Park’s latest capsule collection, lovingly titled IVY HEART, is inspired by love and dropping just in time for Valentine’s Day.

US reality star Kat Von D has listed her LA mansion for sale which means it could be yours for a cool $15 million (£11million).The tattoo artist has announced that she will be leaving California and relocating to Indiana to be closer to her family. As a result, the 39-year-old is currently inviting prospective buyers to look inside which means a host of pictures are available to view.The home was purchased in 2016 for $6.5 million and was subsequently remodelled to Kat's distinctive taste. Let's take a look...

Holby City fans were devastated as one of the beloved characters on the soap, Jac Naylor, was revealed to have less than six months to live. Surgeon Jac has been battling brain cancer on the show and fans watched as she desperately tried to find someone to perform life-changing surgery on her. Jac, played by Rosie Marcel, was told that without this operation she would have less than six months to live.

Emmerdale actress Olivia Bromley has revealed the secrets behind her action-packed wedding day and hinted at some of the stunts on the show. Olivia’s character Dawn Taylor is set to marry Billy Fletcher, played by Jay Kontzle, on the soap next week, but it turns into a living nightmare when the Dales’ serial killer, Meena Jutla returns.The Mirror has reported that the killer kidnaps the couple on their big day and tortures them, before Billy has to decide whether Dawn or himself should get shot. In an interview with The Mirror, Olivia hinted at the extent of the explosive stunts as she had several wardrobe malfunctions and had to wear a harness underneath her wedding dress.

Rihanna has always wanted to be a mom; therefore, she enjoys her first pregnancy and serves unforgettable looks. The mom-to-be superstar chose a bold outfit to step out on her first public outing since announcing the news.RiRi, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, showcased her growing bare baby bump while grabbing dinner in Beverly Hills. The singer and beauty mogul wore a black lace-up top with major cleavage.

Joseph Baena grew up in Bakersfield, California, speaking Spanish with his siblings and cooking with his mother. Although the suburban community was labeled as the “armpit of California,” as reported by Men’s Health magazine, and Baena lived in “a humble home,” he lived a happy life as a kid immersed in the Guatemalan heritage and traditions. “That’s a huge part of me,” he told the publication.

Ethan Shanfeld A remake of Stephen King’s “Firestarter” starring Zac Efron debuted its official trailer and announced a day-and-date premiere on Peacock and in theaters on May 13.The film, based on King’s 1980 novel and the 1984 original movie, follows Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a young girl who develops pyrokinetic superpowers and is captured by a government agency who wishes to use her gift as a weapon. Sydney Lemmon will play Charlie’s mother, while Efron plays her father. Michael Greyeyes, Gloria Reuben, Kurtwood Smith and John Beasley also star.The explosive trailer sees Armstrong’s Charlie taking on bad guys with fire as her parents try to protect her.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorWelcome to this week’s “Just for Variety.”Add Hannah Waddingham to the list of actors who would love to be in a superhero movie. “Why do you think I’ve done sci-fi things in the past?” says the “Ted Lasso” star, whose credits include the television adaptation of “12 Monkeys” and “Krypton,” a Syfy series about Superman’s grandfather.

Snoop Dogg has discussed his forthcoming performance at this year’s Super Bowl, which will see him team up with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar for the prestigious Halftime Show.“For me, when performing, I never let the moment get bigger than me,” he told the Associated Press.“I’m not going to understand it until it happens,” he continued.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAward winning film director and historian Mark Cousins (“The Story of Film: A New Generation”) is at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios making a doc titled “March on Rome” that will explore the roots of fascism by analyzing films, photographs, and other documents found in Italian archives.The high-profile documentary — pegged to the centennial of the infamous late October 1922 insurrection by which Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy — will take its cue from the Fascist propaganda film “A Noi” by director Umberto Paradisi, produced in 1923 as an official Fascist party document celebrating the March on Rome.Italian writer and director Tony Saccucci (“The Duce’s Boxer”), who originated the project and did meticulous research for it, serves as a co-writer with Cousins. Saccuci cross-checked Paradisi’s film with other sources of the time to reveal details of the pic that provide a completely new take on the history of those dramatic days, according to the synopsis.

Emily Longeretta SPOILER ALERT: This piece contains spoilers for “The Master Beta,” Episode 4 of “Pam & Tommy,” now streaming on Hulu.For Lake Bell, working on “Pam & Tommy” in the middle of a pandemic was a dream. “This was the job that gave me creative sustenance in a time where we were all locked down,” says the director and actor, who directed Episodes 4 and 7 of the Hulu show.More than that, she was moved by the traumatic experience that Pamela Anderson went through, and the way that “Pam & Tommy” respected that.

Courtney Howard When in a romantic relationship, it’s never a good time to break up, nor to be the one getting dumped. The hilarious cold open of director Jason Orley’s rom-com “I Want You Back” begins with much promise, highlighting the indignities of the separate but equally humiliating fracturing of our two protagonists’ long-term loves.

Generation Zero has added Soviet mechs to the game as the third anniversary of its release approaches.This free update, called the Landfall Update, introduces a new faction to Generation Zero, the Soviets. It’s a new faction that is hostile to both the Resistance (which are the players) and the FNIX machines.

K.J. Yossman Streamer BritBox has extended its production partnership with the Agatha Christie estate.BritBox, which is jointly owned by BBC Studios and ITV, has signed on for three more productions with Agatha Christie Limited and Mamoth Screen.The trio have already collaborated on an adaptation of Christie’s novel “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” (pictured above) starring Emma Thompson and Will Poulter, which will premiere on the platform in April.BritBox have not yet confirmed which of the author’s prolific output they will be working on next but they have said each of the three adaptations will be “steered by a distinctive voice – a director, a writer or auteur – bringing an entirely new perspective and style to Agatha Christie’s novels.” BritBox was set to make the announcement Wednesday during its portion of the Television Critics Association winter virtual press tour.

Jordan Moreau Dotdash Meredith is ending the monthly print publications for Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, EatingWell, Health, Parents and People en Español, Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel said in a Wednesday memo to staff, obtained by Variety.The publications will go digital-only effective today, and the transition is expected to terminate roughly 200 positions on the print side, Vogel said. The April editions of the print magazines will be the brands’ last, and the 200 eliminated jobs represent less than 5% of Dotdash Meredith’s total staff, according to Wall Street Journal, which broke the news.“This is an important step in the evolution of Dotdash Meredith, and I want to be clear with everyone about what we are doing and what is ahead,” Vogel’s memo says.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLiane Moriarty’s novel “Apples Never Fall” is being adapted into a limited series at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively.In a competitive situation, Peacock has won the rights to the book, which was published in September 2021, and given it a straight-to-series order. Since its debut, the book has sold over one million copies.The series centers on the Delaneys, who from the outside appear to be an enviably contented family.

K.J. Yossman Tara Reid is set to play an MI6 agent in upcoming espionage thriller “Cold Sun,” Variety can exclusively reveal.Reid will play an inexperienced British spy called Marsha Ravencourt in the film, which has been billed as “Cagney and Lacey with a difference.”Jason Figgis (“The Ecstasy of Isabel Mann”) will direct the feature, which is set to shoot this summer in the U.K.

Taylor Swift is set to feature on a new Record Store Day charity compilation titled ‘Portraits Of Her’.Launched back in 2008, RSD will return for its 15th anniversary event on April 23 after hosting two vinyl ‘drop’ dates in 2021.“For RSD 2022, we’re teaming up again with our friends at Vans for a compilation album,” organisers said of ‘Portraits Of Her’ in a statement, “and this one benefits WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE, an organization that supports female recording professionals, including audio engineers and producers.”In addition to Swift, the 16-track album will also feature Girl in Red, Julien Baker, Banks, Princess Nokia, Leyla Blue, Boyish, Bully, Alice Longyu Gao, Laura Jane Grace, Asiahn, Girl Ultra, K. Flay, Mariah The Scientist, Julia Michaels and Joy Oladokun.Whether Swift’s contribution will be a new track or not has yet to be confirmed.Featuring cover art by Sofia Enriquez, limited numbers of ‘Portraits Of Her’ will be available in participating record stores on Record Store Day (April 23).The news comes after Swift was announced last month as the first-ever global ambassador of Record Store Day.“I’m very proud to be this year’s Ambassador for Record Store Day.

The project has famously been through multiple iterations, but this is as far along as the casting has been at any stage.

EXCLUSIVE: Joe Pickett, the Michael Dorman-fronted drama series, is returning for season two.

A Scots teacher who had sex with an S6 pupil in his home has been struck off the teaching register.

Perth and Kinross youngsters have this week been enjoying free bus travel.

Serena Williams has her eyes on her future, and that doesn’t necessarily involve tennis. While Serena, 40, is one if not the most extraordinary talent ever to step foot on the court, her focus might shift from being a Grand Slam champion and being a mom to her husband Alexis Ohanian’s daughter, Olympia, 4. Serena also revealed to Entertainment Tonight that she wants to give Olympia, 4, a sibling. “I definitely want to have more kids, it’s just like, balance is key, you know, and just trying to find that balance,” she said. “I don’t know. It’s always like, ‘OK, are we ready?’ And I know the clock is ticking so I’m just like ‘OK, I need to figure out when that’s going to be,’ but hopefully soon when I will feel no pressure.”

Carpe diem! Amy Schneider is parlaying her historic Jeopardy! run into a new career! The 42-year-old former contestant revealed she has ditched her day job as a software engineer to begin the next stage in her life as a “public figure.” “Some of you may have heard, but I quit my day job yesterday!” she shared via Twitter on Tuesday (January 8). “It’s a bit nerve-wracking to pivot from software engineer to… public figure, I guess? But regardless of the outcome I’m so excited to spend the next couple years at least tackling this new challenge!”

As a former lettings manager and lover of all things home and interiors, you would expect Love Island star Faye Winter to live in a stunning abode. And so when the 26 year old and her co-star boyfriend Teddy Soares exclusively opened the doors to their new home, we certainly weren't disappointed.

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineBack in 2008, Scott Aukerman co-created Between Two Ferns, the rare short-form series that has maintained popularity over more than a decade.Hosted by Zach Galifianakis, the Funny or Die comedy plays with the ideas of celebrity image and the celebrity talk show appearance, watching as the comedian makes jokes at his A-list guests’ expense, and gets his fair share of barbs back.Earning two Emmys to date for the series, Aukerman elected last year to expand its world with the Netflix film, Between Two Ferns: The Movie.

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineFirst venturing into the world of Star Trek with J.J. Abrams’ 2009 film of the same name, Alex Kurtzman offered up his latest expansion of an iconic sci-fi universe with the short-form series, Star Trek: Short Treks.The CBS All Access series consists of live-action and animated shorts, which examine different corners of the ever-expanding Star Trek universe.

Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould has explained how season 6 will change how we see Breaking Bad forever.“I think by the time you finish watching Better Call Saul, you’re going to see Breaking Bad in a very different light,” Gould explained to The Hollywood Reporter.“I think we’re going to learn things about the characters in Breaking Bad that we didn’t know.

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineOn Netflix reality series Cheer, cinematographers Melissa Langer and Erynn Patrick enjoyed the privilege of intimate access to a fascinating, athletic world, aiming to showcase the beauty and grit of a sport that sometimes is underappreciated.Spotlighting the high-pressure world of competitive cheerleading, Greg Whiteley’s series follows the cheerleaders of Navarro College as they prepare for one of the biggest moments of their lives—the National Cheerleading Championship, held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida.A water-cooler phenomenon, Cheer earned six Emmy nominations last month.

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineOn #FreeRayshawn, Jasmine Cephas Jones threw herself into the emotional whirlwind of a nightmare scenario, working tirelessly to get to the truth of a story that is, unfortunately, all too common in America today.Created by Marc Maurino, the Quibi short-form series centers on Rayshawn (Stephan James), a young, Black veteran of the Iraq War, who finds himself in a standoff with a SWAT team, after an incident with undercover cops results in unintended, fatal consequences. Trapped in his apartment with his wife and child, Rayshawn looks to social media and a sympathetic police lieutenant, in an effort to clear his name, before he becomes yet another victim of a corrupt justice system.

Better Call Saul‘s co-creator has revealed it’s unlikely the show’s upcoming sixth and final season will start production this year.It was hoped that the Breaking Bad spin-off would begin filming towards the end of 2020, but Peter Gould has admitted those plans now seem off the cards.“We were hoping to go into production by the end of the year,” he said during Deadline’s Contenders Television: The Nominees event.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorEver since Jimmy McGill’s girlfriend Kim Wexler, played by Rhea Seehorn, was in a car accident a few seasons ago on AMC/Sony TV’s Better Call Saul, we’ve had the worst thoughts about her character, and that’s likely because she never shows up in the mothership series Breaking Bad. “It’s an interesting situation, because the show is a prequel to Breaking Bad and in some ways a sequel,” said the series’ Emmy-nominated co-creator/showrunner, executive producer, writer and director Peter Gould during Sony TV’s panel at Deadline’s Contenders Television: The Nominees all-day event.

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineWhen Jon Favreau set out to make The Mandalorian, the Star Wars franchise’s first-live-action series, he had a strong sense of the world he wanted to create: Intimate as well as grand, the series should harken to the vision of the original Star Wars trilogy, while taking the universe established by George Lucas in new and exciting directions.“This was an opportunity to prune everything back to the beginnings again,” the executive producer said during Deadline’s virtual Contenders Television: The Nominees. “And having new characters allowed us to do that.”The central character for Favreau would be Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter who chases down criminals in the outer reaches

Matt Grobar Assistant Editor, AwardslineOn Disney+ short-form series Forky Asks a Question, Bob Peterson seized the chance to work with a beloved new character from the Toy Story franchise, which was introduced to him before the rest of the world, creating stories at the same time for characters that had never gotten much screen time in the Pixar films.A spastic, plastic spork voiced by Tony Hale, who knows nothing of the world, Forky was brought to life by toddler Bonnie in Toy Story 4. In Peterson’s series, Forky asks a series of questions about such topics as time, love and cheese, to learn a bit about how the world works.