Connect with us

EPIX Unveils Two New Original Series

Published

on

Premium TV network EPIX announced today that it is adding original, scripted series to its programming slate, beginning with series from its joint-venture studio partners Paramount, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Two of the series will begin production this fall for premiere autumn 2016. The series, “Graves” from Lionsgate Television and “Berlin Station” from Paramount Television, mark the first original series that will appear on EPIX across its channels, EPIX On Demand, EPIX.com and TV Everywhere platforms with its distribution partners. A third original series from MGM will be announced in the near future.

“’Graves’ is a perfect vehicle to usher EPIX into premium scripted programming, and we look forward to delivering high end quality content for years to come”

Commenting on the original series, Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX said, “Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM are great partners, investors and supporters of our network and are proven leaders in television entertainment. Tapping into the creative talents of these entertainment power-houses to deliver this kind of compelling programming is exactly what we had envisioned when we created this joint-venture and launched the channel. Our focus was on business success and profitability first and having established that firm business foundation, we are now in a position to launch our original series with these two great shows from Lionsgate and Paramount and a third on the way from MGM.”

Added Jocelyn Diaz, Executive Vice President for Original Programming, “Original series provide a platform to build our brand and distinguish our offering. We are proud of the level of quality and sophistication of these projects and are thrilled to announce them today with our partners.”

“Berlin Station” is an hour-long, 10-part espionage drama series that will be produced in partnership with Paramount Television. Academy Award nominee Michaël Roskam (“Bullhead,” “The Drop”) will executive produce the straight-to-series order and is set to direct the first two episodes. American spy novelist Olen Steinhauer (The Cairo Affair, All The Old Knives) will write and executive produce the series. Academy Award winner Eric Roth (“House of Cards,” “The Insider,” “Munich”) and Anonymous Content (“True Detective,” “The Knick”) will also serve as executive producers.

“Olen is among the most respected espionage voices of our time, and Michael has a seasoned and distinct command of noir. Together, they make the ideal creative team to collaborate with on this sophisticated and gritty modern day spy thriller,” said Amy Powell, President, Paramount Television. “We also take great pride in partnering with the distinguished and prolific storyteller Eric Roth and the talented team at EPIX on developing an inspired original series that is reflective of the network’s commitment to high quality entertainment.”

“Berlin Station” follows Daniel Meyer, a newly anointed case officer who has arrived at the CIA foreign station in Berlin, Germany. It with a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a now-famous whistleblower named “Thomas Shaw.” Guided by jaded veteran Hector DeJean, Daniel learns to contend with the rough-and-tumble world of the field agent—agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises. As he dives deeper into the German capital’s hall of mirrors and uncovers the threads of a conspiracy that leads back to Washington, Daniel wonders: Can anyone ever be the same after a posting to Berlin?

Michaël Roskum is represented by Anonymous Content’s Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett, and UTA and attorney Alan Wertheimer. Olen Steinhauer is represented by Jill Gillett and Sylvie Rabineau at RWSG. Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett from Anonymous Content will also be executive producers of the series.

“Graves” is a single camera, half-hour comedy starring Oscar-nominated Nick Nolte as a former President of the United States. Twenty years after his presidency, former President Richard Graves has the epiphany that his policies have damaged the country for decades and so, with his young assistant, he goes on a Don Quixote-like journey to right his administration’s wrongs just as his wife, the former First Lady, decides to follow her own political ambitions.

The 10-episode, straight-to-series order will be produced in partnership with Lionsgate TV. Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) created the project and will write, direct and executive produce the series. Oscar-winning producer Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker) will also be an executive producer.

“‘Graves’ is a perfect vehicle to usher EPIX into premium scripted programming, and we look forward to delivering high end quality content for years to come,” said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. “‘Graves’ is a provocative comedy featuring a terrific script from writer/director Joshua Michael Stern, a consummate producer in Greg Shapiro and the brilliant and charismatic Nick Nolte as a former U.S. President whose conscience catches up with him with tragic and comic results. It is perfectly timed to premiere in an election year and marks a new chapter in the successful evolution of EPIX as a leading premium cable platform.”

Nick Nolte is represented by CAA and Jackoway Tyerman. Joshua Michael Stern is represented by Paradigm and AJ Brandenstein at Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, LLP. Greg Shapiro is represented by Darren Trattner at Jackoway Tyerman.

EPIX and MGM are finalizing an agreement on an original series that will add to the network’s programming line-up. Specific details will be announced in the near future.

“We are working with EPIX to develop our next exciting series and look forward to bringing our signature style and storytelling to EPIX soon,” said Roma Khanna, President of MGM Television Group and Digital. “From Vikings to Fargo, MGM Television is the force behind some of the most exciting and award-winning series currently on television.”

In addition to the new scripted series, EPIX will continue to present original documentaries and docu-series (Deep Web, NHL Road to the Winter Classic and Stadium Series), comedy specials (Russell Brand, Jim Norton, Jim Breuer, Lisa Lampanelli) and music events (Katy Perry: Prismatic Tour), along with new movies (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Selma, Interstellar)and thousands of titles from partner studios and other sources.

Continue Reading

Streaming

The electric state

Published

on

“The Electric State,” now streaming on Netflix, is a science fiction adventure directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The screenplay, crafted by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, is loosely based on Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 illustrated novel of the same name. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle, Chris Pratt as Keats, and features voices from Anthony Mackie and Woody Harrelson. With a runtime of 128 minutes, the movie transports viewers to a retro-futuristic 1990s America, where a teenage girl embarks on a quest to find her missing brother amidst a landscape populated by sentient robots.

Despite its ambitious premise and substantial $320 million budget, “The Electric State” has garnered predominantly negative reviews from critics. Many have pointed out the film’s lack of emotional depth and coherence. For instance, The Guardian described it as a “bogglingly expensive dud,” criticizing its soulless storytelling and lack of artistic merit. Similarly, Vulture labeled the film a “$320 million piece of junk,” highlighting issues with direction, character development, and overall execution. 

The narrative follows Michelle, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, as she ventures into a dystopian version of the late 1990s, accompanied by Keats, a smuggler played by Chris Pratt. Their mission leads them into an exclusion zone inhabited by defeated robots, all in search of Michelle’s younger brother, Christopher. While the film’s special effects have been acknowledged for their quality, these visual achievements are overshadowed by a storyline that many found lacking in engagement and originality. 

Audience reactions have been mixed, with some viewers appreciating the visual spectacle and performances, while others echo the critics’ sentiments regarding the film’s shortcomings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critic score of 17%, reflecting the overall negative critical reception. 

In conclusion, “The Electric State” presents a visually impressive but narratively deficient experience. Despite the high-profile cast and substantial investment, the film struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive story. Based on the critical consensus and audience feedback, I would rate this film a 4 out of 10.

Continue Reading

Streaming

Renfield; A Fangtastic Time

Published

on

Nicholas Cage is not the Dracula we deserve, but the Dracula we need!

With Nosferatu dominating the box offices with all its gothic, avant-garde glory you may need something a little more light-hearted to cleanse the palette. 2023’s Renfield is a fantastic recipe of dark comedy, satire, and not a small amount of heart (beating or otherwise). Renfield has recently been added to Netflix UK’s menu; for us all to feast upon! 

Both Nick (Hoult and Cage respectively) give fantastic performances as master and long-suffering servant, proving that toxic relationships take many forms. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) has been in the service of Dracula (Nicolas Cage) for ninety years. Renfield does everything short of cleaning the count’s iconic cape (it’s dry-clean only apparently) and he’s quite frankly sick of it. 

After ninety years the duo’s options, and bank account, have become quite limited. This is why they are holed in an abandoned hospital in New Orleans. Renfield leaves most evenings to supply the ancient vampire with victims to drain blood, preferably of the pure variety. Hoult’s Renfield is a charming soft boy, a 6 ft 2 soft boy, who has some reservations about killing innocent people. He cleverly gets around this moral quandary by joining a support group for the victims of narcissistic abuse held in a local church and eh…dispatching the group members’ abusers to bring to his master. This works well until one night he gets tangled up with the criminal underworld on a ‘routine’ dispatching.

Awkwafina plays the pint-sized police officer with a foul mouth and a strict(ish) moral compass; Rebecca Quincy. Rebecca and Renfield cross paths and it’s up to them to save the city from both criminal and supernatural corruption. This results in many impressively choreographed fight scenes and not a small amount of blood, gore, and sarcasm! It’s strangely heartwarming to watch Renfield try to break the cycle of Dracula’s narcissistic abuse and create a place for himself in the world. As Rebecca states: sometimes you just fall under the thrall of a vampire for a few decades!

Nicholas Cage is every bit as fabulous and camp as you’d expect of a truly iconic Dracula performance. His delivery is as cutting and precise as his debonair velvet suits. One of the best things about the film is you can tell the cast is having fun with their characters, particularly Cage, I would bet my own soul that a lot of his lines were ad-libbed. Special shout-out goes to Brandon Scott Jones who played the painfully sincere narcissistic survivor group leader. Jones proves there is no part too small to make an impact!

Renfield takes the usual Dracula tropes and puts a hilarious spin on them. Asking the real questions like; do vampires need a verbal invite or will a ‘welcome’ mat suffice to enter a home? Quick someone page Buffy! 

Even with the gratuitous gore and violence Renfield manages to be touching at times and ironically breathes fresh life into the reanimated corpses of both Dracula and Renfield.

Three and a half stars.

Continue Reading

Events

Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s Upcoming Film Builds Massive Hype

Published

on

The much-anticipated film Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, produced by NTR Arts and Ashoka Creations, is all set to unveil its official teaser on March 17, 2025. Featuring Nandamuri Kalyan Ram in the lead role and veteran actress Vijayashanthi making a powerful comeback, the film is expected to deliver a gripping action-packed family drama.

The Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi teaser launch event is scheduled for:

Date: March 17, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM IST

Venue: AAA Cinemas (Screen 1), Hyderabad, India

Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the teaser across YouTube, Twitter (X), and other social media platforms, as it will be released online simultaneously.

Pre-Teaser Hints at High-Octane Action

Ahead of the teaser launch, the makers released a gripping pre-teaser, which showcased Kalyan Ram in an intense look—seated on a boat, shirt bloodied, signaling an impending storm of action. Complemented by Ajaneesh Loknath’s electrifying background score, the clip has already generated significant buzz online.

Directed by Pradeep Chilukuri, Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi promises to blend action, family drama, and strong emotional elements, making it a highly awaited release for Telugu cinema fans. With Vijayashanthi portraying a powerful IPS officer, the film is expected to bring a strong narrative backed by stellar performances.

Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s New Action Avatar Vijayashanthi’s Comeback in a Fierce Role High-Quality Production Backed by NTR Arts Intense Pre-Teaser That Has Raised Expectations

Stay Updated on Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi For the latest updates, teasers, trailers, and exclusive insights into Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, follow NTR Arts’ official pages and stay tuned for March 17!

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2012 - 2025 That's My Entertainment All Rights Reserved May not be used without permission