| News Short | News Headline |
| Jamie Bell to play Duke Shelby in 'Peaky Blinders' sequel series | Billy Elliot, Fantastic Four and Turn: Washington's Spies alum Jamie Bell is set to play Duke Shelby in a new Peaky Blinders sequel series. Conrad Khan played the son of 20th-century Birmingham crime-lord Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in Season 6 of the flagship Peaky Blinders series. Barry Keoghan took over the role and portrayed him as an older man in last month's movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. "Here's your first look at Jamie Bell who will take the mantle as Duke Shelby in an all-new Peaky Blinders series," the streaming service posted on social media Friday. "Now in production. Also starring Charlie Heaton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski." No premiere date has been announced yet. |
| 'Spaceballs' sequel set for release on April 23, 2027 | The sequel to the 1987 Star Wars parody, Spaceballs, is set for release April 23, 2027. Returning for the follow-up are original stars Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner and Mel Brooks. Brooks -- who turns 100 in June -- also wrote and directed the first movie. The next chapter was penned by Brooks, Josh Gad, Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum helmed Space Balls 2, which will also co-star Gad, Pullman's son Lewis, and Keke Palmer. |
| Famous birthdays for April 4: Robert Downey Jr., Christine Lahti | Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: -- Social reformer Dorothea Dix in 1802 -- Inventor Linus Yale in 1821 -- Actor Bea Benaderet in 1906 -- Musician Muddy Waters in 1913 -- Writer Maya Angelou in 1928 -- Actor Anthony Perkins in 1932 -- Music producer Clive Davis in 1932 (age 94) -- Former baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in 1938 -- Musician Hugh Masekela in 1939 -- World Golf Hall of Fame member JoAnne Carner in 1939 (age 87) -- Writer Kitty Kelley in 1942 (age 84) -- Actor Craig T. Nelson in 1944 (age 82) -- Actor Christine Lahti in 1950 (age 76) -- Musician Steve Gatlin (Gatlin Brothers) in 1951 (age 75) -- Actor Mary-Margaret Humes in 1954 (age 72) -- TV writer/producer David E. |
| 'The Chosen' Season 6 to premiere on Prime Video in November | The Chosen will return for a sixth season in November. Prime Video announced in a press release Friday that Season 6 will have a three-episode premiere Nov. 15, with new episodes to follow weekly. The season finale will have a stand-alone release in theaters in spring 2027. The Chosen explores the life and teachings of the Christian religious figure Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie. Season 6 centers on Jesus' final day and the story of his crucifixion. "Everyone knows the basics of this part of the story, but not everyone knows the 'why' of the crucifixion and the extraordinary events of these 24 hours," series creator and executive producer Dallas Jenkins said. |
| BET to air HBCU Awarefest concert special Sunday | BET will air HBCU Awarefest, a benefit concert special for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, on Sunday. The star-studded event aims to increase awareness of HBCUs and raise funds "to address the $1.8 trillion student loan debt burden disproportionally incurred by their students," according to a press release. Filmed at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, HBCU Awarefest will feature performances by Jill Scott, Tems, Common, Jeezy, Yolanda Adams, Coco Jones, Kirk Franklin, BigXthaPlug and other artists. In addition, cultural and civic leaders including Robert F. Smith, Keith B. Shoates, Mayor Andre Dickens, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Jamal Bryant, Tyler Perry, Daymond John, Anthony Anderson and Kandi Burress will make appearances. |