Backstage - TV & Film

The superhero siblings are back for a second season of Umbrella Academy and everyone agrees it’s an improvement on the first series. Plus Claire’s been chatting to stars Tom Hopper and Robert Sheehan about cult-leader costumes and how they’re not really famous.Ramy also returns for a second series following creator and lead actor Ramy Youssef’s Golden Globe win. This time the show comes with some star power in the form of Mahershala Ali, and Ramy explains to Backstage how the Oscar-winner came to be in the show.Sky Atlantic’s new adaptation Little Birds is described as erotic, and while it may not be that sexy, it’s definitely a great watch, and Stevie reckons lead actress Juno Temple is one to watch at the moment.The Emmy nominations have been revealed – find out which Brits have been nominated and why Netflix is celebrating.Plus there’s a whole new Taylor Swift album to discuss – Katie thinks it’s a bit too cable-knit but if it’s good enough for Bon Iver, it’s good enough for Claire.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

This week’s episode kicks off with a discussion about new film Saint Frances which is actually coming out in cinemas – with Tenet getting pushed back indefinitely will smaller independent pictures be enough to tempt audiences back in to theatres? Plus hear an interview with the movie’s star and writer Kelly O’Sullivan.The BBC are breaking new ground with upcoming series A Suitable Boy – their first historical drama with no white characters. Claire thinks it’s perfect Sunday night viewing, and explains why that isn’t a bad thing.Prodigal Son is coming out on Sky One in the UK. The show about a police profiler and his serial killer Dad has already aired in the U.S and been given a second series, and while Katie’s doing her best to defend it, the team are divided on whether it warrants more episodes.The Kissing Booth is back and Stevie has got the full low-down on why the teen drama matters to Netflix, and why it might seem a little dated in the context of their other YA films.And Comic-Con returns – virtually at least. Hear why it’s much better that way for Stevie and get the story of when Katie and Stevie first met, long before Backstage was even a twinkle in their eye…Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

It’s not the biggest week for new releases but the Backstage crew rise to the challenge with this new episode that includes Idris Elba interview clips, an explanation of what’s going on with cinemas at the moment, and a discussion about sharks. Yes, really.Cursed is Netflix’s new re-telling of the sword in the stone legend, and while Stevie has a lot of love for its star Katherine Langford, the show itself isn’t getting such favourable reviews.Idris Elba’s semi-autobiographical comedy In The Long Run is back on Sky One and while Katie and Claire insist it’s a sweet, gentle rom-com, it’s the only show that Stevie has ever seemingly ditched after the first episode. Find out what Idris and his co-star Bill Bailey have to say about The Wire actor taking on the comedic role, plus there’s a little treat for fans of Luther.A celebration of all things shark is happening on National Geographic and the team ponder whether the over-the-top narration is strictly necessary and why sharks are seen as such villains on TV and in films.There’s rumblings from the United States that summer blockbuster Tenet will be pushed back again – find out why what’s going on in the U.S and China is very bad for the cinema industry here. Finally, there’s a little teaser for Palm Springs – a film so new it doesn’t have a UK release date yet, and Peacock – the new streaming service from NBC Universal that’s launched in America with a series that’s got Stevie all hot and bothered.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

This episode of Backstage kicks off with HBO and Sky Atlantic's new drama The Plot Against America. It shows us an alternative history of the US through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family, who see their country turn to fascism. It's got Winona Ryder and great costumes, so Katie's sold - but what about the rest of the gang?Light, fluffy, and incredibly earnest - the team discuss new Apple TV+ songwriter drama Little Voice. Is the music any good? And how exactly is the main character, Bess, able to afford a storage unit in New York on such a small salary?Also on Apple TV+, hero of the hour Tom Hanks' new war film Greyhound is available to watch. Stevie found the trailer incredibly intense, but could it be an Oscar winner?Over on Netflix, Charlize Theron is giving it her all in The Old Guard. It's got a great cast, a female director who doesn't usually do action movies, and an interest romantic storyline. But is it actually worth watching?And Claire chats to Jason Isaacs about his new role as Dick Dastardly in Scooby-Doo's new film, the creatively titled...Scoob (spoiler - the whole team really loved it!).Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

Stevie kicks off this week with a tough, but incredibly impressive documentary. Storyville’s Welcome To Chechnya on BBC 4 tells the true story of the purging of LGBT people in Chechnya, and the organisations striving to help. Hanna is back for a second season on Prime Video and Claire’s been chatting with the star Esme Creed-Miles and writer David Farr. The new series sees Hanna learning more about the other teenage girls who have been trained to be killing machines, but is this the last we’ll see of the show?Hamilton is perfect for now, and just about any time really. The team rave about the filmed version of the Broadway show which is out on Disney Plus. There’s a new comic-book based show on Netflix, and as Katie explains Warrior Nun does what it says on the tin. There’s a kick-ass young nun, loads of dodgy accents and more action than could possibly be expected. It’s definitely not boring, but it definitely is bizarre.Plus find out what the team are watching when they’re not watching TV for the podcast… it’s a diverse selection.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

Will Ferrell’s take on Eurovision has arrived with new Netflix film ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’. It’s got the songs, performances and costumes you’d expect but will it appeal to people who aren’t fans of the competition? There’s a new political comedy movie available on demand – ‘Irresistible’ stars Steve Carell and Rose Byrne as political nemeses vying to get their candidate elected in a small-town mayoral race. It’s from comedian Jon Stewart and it’s definitely got some interesting things to say about American politics, but Stevie wonders if it could have had some more detail. Plus hear from Rose Byrne about what it was like licking Steve Carell’s face.New Hulu show Love Victor (only available in the US at the moment – boo) is set in the same Universe as the cult film Love Simon but Victor’s experience is very different to Simon’s. It’s a great teen story and gets the thumbs up from the team.Dark is back on Netflix for a third series and it’s completely beyond Claire. Hear Stevie desperately try and explain it to a totally vacant response.Katie and Claire have got the Glastonbury blues but at least there’s going to be highlights from previous years shown on the BBC. If we drink some warm cider and put our wellies on it will be just like being there, right?And what does the shift in the timings of next year’s big ceremonies mean for awards season? Stevie and Claire discuss the possible impacts for 2021 and beyond, and what Venice Film Festival will be like with social distancing in place.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

Brace yourself - it’s a raunchy old week for the Backstage podcast this time around.Katie, Stevie and Bethany step back into 18th century Russia with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult for miniseries The Great.Written by The Favourite co-creator Tony McNamara, the anti-historical romp through the court of Catherine the Great is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.The Politician gets a second season on Netflix, as Ben Platt and Gwyneth Paltrow are joined by Bette Midler and Judith Light in the latest outing of the musical comedy.Perry Mason steps back onto our screens in yet another reincarnation, this time with Matthew Rhys at the helm.The legendary criminal defence lawyer takes on a gruesome case in Hollywood’s Golden era in the dark and brooding Sky Atlantic drama.There’s a change of gear as Jurassic Park actress Bryce Dallas Howard steps behind the camera for Apple TV + Father’s Day documentary Dads.With celebrity contributors including Jimmy Fallon, Will Smith and Jimmy Kimmel, it celebrates parenting in today’s world and asks the question, what is fatherhood?Even if there is no definitive answer, you will learn a few new parenting terms to beef up your childcare vocabulary.And in an X-rated finale, the team end on the Polish film 365 DNI (or 365 Days), which has fast become the most watched film on Netflix.With a morally troubling storyline, questionable acting and laugh out loud scoreboard – it’s so bad it’s… bad.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we’d love to know what your think!

In a crazy week for new releases, the team pack in as many shows as possible, and invite Bethany Minelle back to help spread the entertainment love.They kick-off with Spike Lee’s prescient Netflix movie Da 5 Bloods, about four Vietnam veterans returning to the field to exorcise some memories and while they’re at it, dig up some treasure too.Stevie’s been catching up with tattooed Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson, and finds out how he’s doing after making the very personal movie The King Of Staten Island with director Judd Apatow, streaming now.Katie isn’t convinced by David Tennant and Michael Sheen’s latest show – lockdown project Staged on the BBC iPlayer – despite the hair extensions and peek into their private lives it offers.Bethany catches up with Frozen star Josh Gad in her kitchen (she’s in her kitchen, he’s not) and finds out all about the Disney adaptation of much-loved kids book Artemis Fowl. She also does her best to find out if we can expect Frozen 3 soon… With limited success.There’s a rare moment of agreement as Michaela Coel’s latest BBC drama, I May Destroy You, blows everyone’s socks off, and in lieu of actually escaping abroad this year there’s a bit of time to chat about Polish language Harlan Coben adaptation The Woods, on Netflix.The BBC’s Salisbury Poisonings bring back distant memories of a time when Hazmat suits on TV were uncommon, and then a complete gear change to the supernatural spoofing of BBC Two’s latest series of What We Do In The Shadows.Phew, we told you it was packed.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

It’s a strong week for new releases, but the team start by chatting about a movie which has been dominating the U.S box office for weeks – sure there might not be a lot of competition at the moment, but Stevie reckons The Wretched is well worth a watch and he’s been chatting to its directors Brett and Drew Pierce.Claire is loving new teen spy drama Alex Rider on Prime Video, and it turns out that it’s not just aimed at a youth audience, so that’s a relief.It may not sound like their usual cup of tea, but everyone is liking a show about the Fifa-gate scandal – it helps that El Presidente, which is also on Prime Video, is very funny, even if the subtitles are a bit of a minefield.Queer Eye is back on Netflix… Need we say more? You know the format by now and the fab five are perfect viewing for when you need a pick me up. Stevie reckons he should be on the next series but Claire and Katie aren’t so sure.HBO Max is confusing, though Katie’s a fan of Anna Kendrick’s new show on there, Cannes definitely isn’t happening, but we knew that, right? And the TV Bafta nominations are out – find out whether the ‘Must See Moments’ were seen by the Backstage team or not.Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!

In what seems like an excellent bit of planning, but could well have been total coincidence, the team are reviewing three comedies on this week’s show…New Netflix series Space Force seems great on paper with an all-star cast led by Steve Carrell, but it seems to have a problem living up to its description as a comedy.BBC Two’s The First Team is the latest offering from the creators of The Inbetweeners and definitely has the lad bants that you would expect from the creators of the bus w*&ker.Hannah Gadsby’s new stand-up show on Netflix is named after her dog Douglas but is about so much more, it’s very funny and Hannah gets the dubious honour of being Stevie’s Unicorn for this week.Claire’s been chatting to the cast of Universal’s new rom-com The High Note and not only did she broach the subject of famous parentage with Tracee Ellis Ross but also managed to get Dakota Johnson to reveal her biggest diva demands… If you don’t stan Dakota after this week’s episode, you never will.There’s a sequel in the works to Labyrinth and Katie’s worried that the infamous tights may not be brought back and Stevie’s filling us in on all things Chromatica as Lady Gaga prepares to finally drop her latest album. Please do subscribe if you like what you hear and do get in touch using backstage@sky.uk – we love emails!