Actress Olivia Williams (1968)

HBO’s The Nevers (2021–2023), created by Joss Whedon, is an American science fiction drama set in Victorian London. The Touched, a group primarily consisting of women, are suddenly endowed with extraordinary abilities. Within this group are two intriguing figures: Amalia True, a quick-witted widow with a mysterious past, and her best friend Penance Adair, a brilliant inventor. This highly sought-after series was given a straight-to-series order by HBO in June 2018 after competing with other networks and streaming services such as Netflix. Laura Donnelly was the first actress announced for the project in April ...

Counterpart (2017–2019) is a science fiction thriller TV show featuring J.K. Simmons, created by Justin Marks and initially aired on the Starz network. Across two seasons totaling 20 episodes, viewers follow the story of Howard Silk, a quiet and meek employee at the Berlin-based Office of Interchange (OI). Despite his three decades with the United Nations agency, his low position prevents him from understanding his role in exchanging seemingly nonsensical messages. The OI oversees a checkpoint between parallel Earths (known as ‘Alpha’ and ‘Prime’) ...

The Crown (2016–2023), a historical drama series following Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, was created and principally written by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. Critics have praised its acting, directing, writing, cinematography, and production values, while some have noted its historical inaccuracies. The show has achieved multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series and two Golden Globes for Best Television Series – Drama. It chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s life from the 1940s to the present day, starting with her ascension ...

Sabotage (2014) is an American action thriller film, directed and written by David Ayer and Skip Woods, respectively. John ‘Breacher’ Wharton leads the DEA’s Special Operations Team (DEA SOT), consisting of James ‘Monster’ Murray, his wife Lizzy, Joe ‘Grinder’ Philips, Julius ‘Sugar’ Edmonds, Eddie ‘Neck’ Jordan, Tom ‘Pyro’ Roberts, Bryce ‘Tripod’ McNeely and their colleague known as ‘Smoke’ Jennings. During a successful raid on a cartel stronghold, Smoke is tragically ...

The historical romantic drama film, Anna Karenina (2012), directed by Joe Wright and adapted by Tom Stoppard from Leo Tolstoy’s novel of the same name, portrays the tragic story of Russian aristocrat and socialite Anna Karenina. Married to statesman Alexei Karenin, Anna engages in an affair with wealthy cavalry officer Count Vronsky. Meanwhile, in 1874 Russia, Princess Darya (known as ‘Dolly’) banishes her unfaithful husband Prince Stephan ‘Stiva’ Oblonsky. Upon hearing this news, Anna travels ...

Now Is Good (2012), a teen romantic drama film by Ol Parker, is based on the novel Before I Die by Jenny Downham. The story follows Tessa, a 17-year-old battling terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With help from her best friend Zoey, she works through an undisclosed bucket list before her impending death. Tessa’s father joins her on a radio talk show and together they use humor to cope with her diagnosis. Despite feeling guilty for taking attention away from her brother Cal, Tessa shows him love and care and dedicates special days just for him. Her ...

Hanna (2011), an action thriller directed by Joe Wright, follows the story of fifteen-year-old Hanna Heller and her ex-CIA operative father, Erik, who live in rural northern Finland. Raised and trained by her father since she was two, Hanna is a highly skilled assassin with expertise in hand-to-hand combat and target shooting. However, their peaceful life is disrupted when Marissa Wiegler, a senior CIA officer, seeks to eliminate Erik for knowing a dangerous secret. In response, Erik has taught Hanna everything she needs to know to kill Marissa. One night, after proving her readiness to face their enemies, Hanna ...

Wild Bill (2011), a British crime comedy drama film directed by Dexter Fletcher, follows the story of a recently paroled man. After serving an eight year sentence for drug offenses, he returns home to East London to find his two sons, Dean and Jimmy. However, their mother has abandoned them and Dean has been taking care of both himself and his younger brother. Despite this, Dean makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with Bill. As Bill tries to adjust to life on the outside, he is offered a chance to return to illegal activities by his former associates Dickie and Terry. Knowing the consequences of getting caught ...

Created by writer and director Joss Whedon under Mutant Enemy Productions, Dollhouse (2009–2010) is an American science fiction television series. It follows the journey of Echo, a ‘doll’ or ‘Active’ for the Los Angeles ‘Dollhouse’. This facility is part of a company that provides human beings to wealthy clients for various engagements, ranging from romantic interludes to high-risk criminal enterprises. The Actives, including Echo, have their memories wiped and live in a childlike state until new memories and personalities are inserted prior to each mission. These individuals have ...

The fantasy adventure film, Peter Pan (2003), was co-directed and written by P. J. Hogan and Michael Goldenberg. Set in Edwardian London, the story follows Wendy Darling as she tells her younger brothers, John and Michael, tales of Captain Hook and his pirates. One night, as Wendy shares her stories with her brothers, Peter Pan overhears from outside their nursery window. However, not everyone is impressed with Wendy’s imaginative tales. Concerned about her future prospects, Aunt Millicent urges the Darlings to focus on more practical matters. Meanwhile, at school, ...

The Sixth Sense (1999) is a psychological thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Set in Philadelphia, the story follows child psychologist Malcolm Crowe, who is haunted by his past failure with a former patient named Vincent Grey. After breaking into Malcolm’s home, Vincent shoots Malcolm before taking his own life, leaving the psychologist grappling with guilt and regret. Months later, Malcolm embarks on a new case with nine-year-old Cole Sear, who reminds him of Vincent. Desperate to make amends for his previous shortcomings, Malcolm is determined to help Cole overcome his struggles and find ...

The acclaimed American comedy film Rushmore (1998) centers around the unique story of Max Fischer, a spirited teenager. Max’s bond with wealthy industrialist Herman Blume and their mutual admiration for elementary school teacher Rosemary Cross is at the heart of the film. Despite being a brilliant student involved in numerous extracurricular activities at Houston’s prestigious Rushmore Academy, Max struggles to maintain his grades. His determination to rise above his middle-class upbringing amidst the elite students fuels his ambition. However, Headmaster Nelson Guggenheim has placed Max on academic probation with a strict warning – one more failed ...

The American epic post-apocalyptic adventure film, The Postman (1997), was produced and directed by Kevin Costner in which he also plays the lead role. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2013, an unidentified nomad roams the scattered communities of the Utah flatlands, trading performances of long-forgotten Shakespearean plays for food and water. After being held at gunpoint by the Holnists, a neo-feudalist militia, the nomad is forcefully recruited into their ranks and marked with their emblem, a figure 8, on his shoulder. Led by General Bethlehem, the Holnists hold control over the region and demand tribute and new ...