Diane Morgan: Celebs Rumors

Death in Paradise could see an unexpected star step into the role of lead detective as one of the stars of The Inbetweeners looks set to replace Ralf Little. After weeks of speculation about whether he would leave the BBC crime drama, Ralf bowed out at the end of season 13 as DI Neville Parker, leaving a spot open to join the cast who film the series in the Caribbean.

With DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) having exited Death in Paradise, fans have started to speculate who could replace him as the lead in the series. Viewers were left devastated when Neville sailed off into the sunset with love interest Florence in the series 13 finale, which aired on 24 March. Ralf, 44, had starred in the BBC One series for over four years, having taken over from actor Ardal O'Hanlon, who portrayed DI Jack Mooney, in 2020.

A hugely popular BBC sitcom has quietly been axed after three series. Hit show Motherland will not be returning with a fourth season, actress Diane Morgan has confirmed. Diane, 48, who played Liz in Motherland, shared the sad news in a new interview.

BBC's Death in Paradise is seemingly on the hunt for a new detective after Ralf Little was confirmed to be leaving the show after five years.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden lead the cast of science fiction movie “Rogue Trooper,” written and directed by Duncan Jones, whose credits include “Moon,” “Source Code,” “Warcraft” and “Mute.” The animated film, which is being created with Epic’s 3D tool Unreal Engine 5, was adapted by Jones from the comic book published by 2000 AD, home to “Judge Dredd,” “Halo Jones” and “Sláine.” “Rogue Trooper,” produced by Rebellion and Liberty Films, has wrapped principal photography at Rebellion Film Studios in the U.K. The film is set to be finished next year.

‘The Traitors’ Host Claudia Winkleman Wins Edinburgh Award

Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney has teased a possible Sister Michael spin-off – and we’d so be here for it. The actress, 43, played Sister George Michael in three series of the much-loved sitcom. Derry Girls follows teens growing up in Londonderry in the 1990s and was a sleeper hit that built a large and committed following.

EXCLUSIVE: Audible has revealed a new slate of UK comedy podcasts, including new series from comedians Daisy May Cooper, Lolly Adefope, Mo Gilligan and Dara Ó Briain.

ABC has confirmed a pilot order for Drop-Off (working title) a comedy based on the British series Motherland, with Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to star and executive produce. As we previously reported, Karan Soni (Deadpool franchise) also is set as a lead in the project, from writer Julieanne Smolinski, Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s Merman Television, Paul Feig’s Feigco Entertainment, Lionsgate and ABC Signature. Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) will direct.

ABC is in negotiations with Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to headline Motherland, a comedy pilot based on the British series. Karan Soni (Deadpool franchise) has been tapped for a lead in the project, from writer Julieanne Smolinski, Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s Merman Television, Paul Feig’s Feigco Entertainment, Lionsgate and ABC Signature. Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) has come on board to direct.

Ted Lasso‘s Nick Mohammed and After Life‘s Diane Morgan have struck scripted development deals with BBC Studios.

EXCLUSIVE: Brian Cox (Succession), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) and Emilio Villa-Muhammad (The Man Who Fell to Earth) are heading up the all-star cast of Audible Original title Oliver Twist, produced by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (1917). 

Ricky Gervais has taken aim at James Corden after the comedian was temporarily banned from a New York restaurant over his bad behaviour and abuse to staff.

Ricky Gervais has mocked James Corden over his restaurant ban row. The 61-year-old ‘Afterlife’ creator poked fun at ‘The Late Late Show’ host, 44, after Balthazar owner Keith McNally revealed online he had barred the actor for being abusive to staff in two incidents – before lifting it after he said James had “profusely apologised”. Ricky had a dig by sharing a scene from ‘Afterlife’ on Twitter in which its main character Tony mocks the idea of James Corden being a dream dinner guest.

Naman Ramachandran U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 was the big winner at the Edinburgh TV Awards, winning six of the 20 awards on offer, including Channel of the Year. The awards returned as an in-person event this year as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival, supported by Screen Scotland. Jodie Comer, who won the 2021 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, won the best TV actor in a drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 drama “Help.” Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan received the 2022 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland” and and her much loved character Philomena Cunk.

K.J. Yossman Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan was in her teens when she first tried her hand at improv, an experience which first gave the “very shy, very quiet” 15-year-old a chance to step out of her shell and play a different character. “I think my whole world opened up, basically,” says Morgan of that moment, ahead of receiving Variety and the Edinburgh TV Festival’s 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award. “I’d always been completely invisible and then, suddenly, I was the funny one.” So it was unsurprising when Morgan decided she would try to pursue it professionally, even if it wasn’t the most obvious choice for a girl from Bolton. “I always thought I’d make a career out of it, even though everyone was telling me I wouldn’t make a career out of it and that it was insane,” she recalls. “Because I was from Bolton, and, you know, [most] people wanted to be hairdressers.”

Netflix has surprised fans of The Sandman with an additional “bonus” episode of the popular series. The two-part animated/live-action hybrid episode, which was released at 12 AM PT, features favorite stories from Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels, “A Dream of A Thousand Cats” and “Calliope,” with guest stars Sandra Oh, James McAvoy, David Tennant and Michael Sheen.

Netflix has released a surprise bonus episode of The Sandman, available to stream now (August 19).Based on the series of comic books by Neil Gaiman, The Sandman stars Tom Sturridge as Morpheus/Dream, the personification of dreams and nightmares who sets out to restore order to his realm after being locked away for over 100 years.The two-part bonus episode is divided between animated story A Dream Of A Thousand Cats and the live-action Calliope. The former features a voice cast that includes Sandra Oh, Rosie Day, David Gyasi, Joe Lycett, Gaiman, James McAvoy, David Tennant, Georgia Tennant, Michael Sheen, Anna Lundberg, Nonso Anozie, Diane Morgan and Tom Wu.Speaking about the episode, director Hisko Hulsing said: “We endeavoured to make the animated version of A Dream Of A Thousand Cats as mesmerising and hypnotic as we could by utilising the magic of real oil paintings on canvas.“We combined the paintings with classically drawn 2D animation, based on realistic 3D animation of telepathic cats in order to create a trippy world that feels both grounded and dreamy at the same time.”Calliope, directed by Louise Hooper, stars Melissanthi Mahut, Arthur Darvill, Nina Wadia, Souad Faress, Dinita Gohil, Kevin Harvey, Amita Suman and Derek Jacobi.The Sandman showrunner Allan Heinberg previously told NME about plans to adapt the entirety of the comic series in potential future seasons.Asked how many seasons they’ve got planned, Heinberg said: “We’ve got as many as they’ll let us have.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterWhile Netflix has yet to renew Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman” for Season 2, it’s just given fans of the new hit TV series the next best thing by dropping a surprise “bonus” episode featuring guest stars Sandra Oh, James McAvoy, David Tennant and Michael Sheen.Dropping Friday at 12 a.m. PT, exactly two weeks after the first 10 episodes launched, the new installment of “The Sandman” Season 1 is a live-action/animated hybrid episode adapting two fan-favorite stories from Gaiman’s “Sandman” graphic novels from DC Comics: “A Dream of a Thousand Cats” and “Calliope.”“A Dream of a Thousand Cats” is the animated portion and stars Tom Sturridge in his leading “Sandman” role as Dream, as well as a guest voice cast members including Oh as The Prophet, Rosie Day as The Tabby Kitten, David Gyasi as The Grey Cat, Joe Lycett as The Black Cat, Gaiman himself as Crow/Skull Bird, McAvoy as Golden-Haired Man, David Tennant as Don, Georgia Tennant as Laura Lynn, Sheen as Paul, Anna Lundberg as Marion, Nonso Anozie as Wyvern, Diane Morgan as Gryphon, and Tom Wu as Hippogriff.

 fans are getting an extra treat! Netflix dropped a special two-part episode at midnight on Friday, featuring the stories of «A Dream of a Thousand Cats» and «Calliope.» The first half of the bonus episode is an animated feature with series star Tom Sturridge reprising his role as Morpheus, known as Dream and the titular Sandman. The voice cast also includes creator and executive producer Neil Gaiman as Crow/Skull Bird, Sandra Oh as The Prophet, Rosie Day as The Tabby Kitten, David Gyasi as The Grey Cat, Joe Lycett as The Black Cat, James McAvoy as Golden-Haired Man, David Tennant as Don, Georgia Tennant as Laura Lynn, Michael Sheen as Paul, Anna Lundberg as Marion, Nonso Anozie as Wyvern, Diane Morgan as Gryphon and Tom Wu as Hippogriff.Directed by Louise Hooper, «Calliope» is live-action and stars Melissanthi Mahut as the titular character. Arthur Darvill also stars as Richard Madoc, as well as Nina Wadia as Fate Mother, Souad Faress as Fate Crone, Dinita Gohil as Fate Maiden, Kevin Harvey as Larry, Amita Suman as Nora and Derek Jacobi as Erasmus Fry.Hisko Hulsing, director and product designer of «A Dream of a Thousand Cats,» said in a statement that the production team worked to make the animation «as mesmerizing and hypnotic as we could» through the use of real oil paintings on canvas.«We combined the paintings with classically drawn 2D animation, based on realistic 3D animation of telepathic cats in order to create a trippy world that feels both grounded and dreamy at the same time,» Hulsing explained. «Untold Studio’s in London created the breathtaking 3D animation of the cats.

K.J. Yossman Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan is set to receive the Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, distributed in association with the Edinburgh TV Festival.The honor, which is awarded as part of the Festival’s prestigious TV awards, is being awarded to the BAFTA-nominated star in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland.” Morgan’s award will be paired with a wide-ranging conversation with Variety, taking place on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the festival.

Liam Gallagher praised her hit comedy series Motherland when the pair crossed paths at one of his recent shows.Co-written by Horgan, the BAFTA-winning sitcom follows a group of middle-class mums in west London as they attempt to navigate their chaotic lives and deal with primary school politics.It stars the likes of Anna Maxwell Martin (who plays Julia), Lucy Punch (Amanda) and Diane Morgan (Liz).During a new interview with NME, Horgan remembered receiving some unexpected love for the show while standing side-of-stage at Gallagher’s gig at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium this month.“I went to see Liam Gallagher play and as he was coming onstage, he came over to me and said, [imitating his northern accent] “‘Motherland! Fucking genius!” she explained.“And I thought: ‘What the fuck?!’ That was the last thing I expected. First of all, I never expect people to know me from Motherland, because I’m behind the scenes writing and secondly, I never thought Liam Gallagher would fit into its demographic.”Horgan continued: “I always thought it would be mums in Green Park who watched it, so I absolutely fucking loved that.”Motherland premiered on BBC Two back in 2016, and returned for its third and latest season in May 2021.

BBC comedy Motherland has won its first BAFTA for its final series in the Best Scripted Comedy category as the award was presented by new Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa.

Inside No.9 has been revealed – check it out below, along with details of a premiere date.Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s dark comedy anthology series began on the BBC in 2014, with its sixth series airing last year.A seventh series was confirmed by the BBC last year and its first episode will air on BBC Two and iPlayer on April 20.Confirmed guest stars include Daniel Mays, Jason Isaacs, Jessica Hynes, Sophie Okonedo, Diane Morgan, Daisy Haggard, Annette Badland, Siobhan Redmond and Ron Cook.Mark Gatiss, co-star and co-creator on The League Of Gentlemen, will also feature in the next series.Watch the creepy trailer for season seven, soundtracked by a brooding cover of ‘What A Wonderful World’, below.Speaking about the new series when it was announcement in September, Shearsmith and Pemberton said: “We hope you’ll join us and another incredible cast of actors for more surprises that will make your jaws drop and spines tingle.“Heads might even roll, and if not heads, definitely eyes.”Last year, Shearsmith told NME he believes the BBC anthology show could go on for another three series.“It just goes on,” he said. “It’s a brilliant thing but also horrific to try to keep coming up with the stories because there is such a high turnover of storytelling.

After Life still makes him cry even after watching it “70 times”.Created by and starring Gervais, After Life follows local newspaper journalist Tony who is dealing with intense grief following the death of his wife. The third and final season was released on Netflix earlier this month.The show’s finale has moved many viewers to tears, and now Gervais has shared that a scene involving his on-screen wife Lisa (played by Kerry Godliman) leaves him in tears every single time he watches it.“There’s one scene I’ve watched it 70 times and it still absolutely chokes me up,” he said during a press junket (via The Metro).

Be happy, be kind, be Tony.

UK comedian Diane Morgan’s beloved Philomena Cunk character is returning to the BBC and Netflix for a mockumentary unlocking the mystery of human civilization to discover humankind’s greatest achievements.

Netflix has confirmed that it will release Death To 2021, a TV special from Charlie Brooker’s production company, later in December.The follow-up to last year’s Death To 2020 will mix archival footage of real events from across the past year with commentary from fictitious characters.Returning cast members from last year’s special include Hugh Grant, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo and Diane Morgan.

Katie Song Netflix announced the comedy event “Death to 2021” will premiere Dec. 27.The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic.

Ben Caudell.“Death to 2021,” which will debut Dec. 27, stars Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and others.

Netflix is returning to the Death to 2021 comedy landmark special, with Lucy Liu, Stockard Channing and The Good Place‘s William Jackson Harper joining the cast.

Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s British production company Merman is teaming with Paul Feig and Lionsgate to remake the popular BBC Two comedy Motherland for an American audience.

Danielle Turchiano Senior Features Editor, TVSPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched “Death to 2020,” streaming now on Netflix.As “the most average person in the world,” Diane Morgan’s “Death to 2020” character sits on a couch in a comfy sweater during her talking-head interviews about the year that was 2020.

The year 2020 is finally getting the treatment it deserves.

The year 2020 is finally getting the treatment it deserves.

Death to 2020, a new comedy special from Black Mirror creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones.Jackson will be starring alongside Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Leslie Jones, Diane Morgan, Cristin Milioti and Joe Keery.