Fever For The Forsytes

Posted on October 18, 2025 by The Anglophile Channel

Last summer, the ladies of The Anglophile Channel were extremely fortunate to be invited to visit the set of the upcoming mini-series The Forsytes. The Forsytes is brought to us by our beloved Poldark dream team, production company Mammoth Screen and writer Debbie Horsfield. We won’t give away any secrets, or spoilers, but we can tell you a few of the reasons why we are very excited about The Forsytes.

I will confess that only very recently I realized something that should have been obvious about the Forsytes, which is based on a series of books, The Forsyte Saga, written by John Galsworthy.

The name Forsyte…is, of course, a homophone of foresight.  Wow. That took me long enough!

This can’t be a coincidence. It makes sense because absolutely everyone should have seen the emotional train wreck coming to this upper middle class 19th century poster family for extreme dysfunction. Although, if everyone had, we’d all miss out on a very engaging tale. I decided that before the series airs, I must read at least the first book. Ambition took hold and I downloaded ALL the books of the Forsyte Saga and tore through them. I’m so glad I did, because I learned many things about this story which, despite already seeing a couple of adaptations, I thought I knew. 

My first discovery is that we should not be wary that the word “prequel” is attached to this upcoming series. Any scene we’ve ever watched in any adaptation which takes place before Irene and Soames are married is “prequel” material. The books begin by introducing the family at June’s engagement party, so it will be great to see the snippets of backstory we get in the books played out on screen. A wedding photo of Soames and Irene has been officially released. The wedding is skipped over entirely in the book, and this photo made me positively giddy. 

We were allowed to watch a fragment of a courtship scene that takes place before Irene and Soames are married so it looks like we will get lots of background, which will help us understand our lead characters a little better. The books also revealed a few shockers which I hope will be played out in this series. This production has the luxury of multiple episodes and perhaps, several seasons, to go into previously unexplored moments on film so I’m anxious to see what will be included. It was easy to picture some of the new cast members as I read through the books.

We were thrilled to see some familiar faces in the cast on the day we visited, as well as some faces we didn’t recognize. I had to play it cool because I was internally geeking out seeing Susan Hampshire (who played Fleur Forsyte in the 1967 through the early 1970’s adaptation) and Francesca Annis, both looking like the gorgeous legends they are. These ladies have acted in some of my most beloved period dramas. I didn’t speak to them. Not only were they busy focusing on filming a scene, but I was suffering the end of a cold which I didn’t want to share with my heroines. Besides, my stuffy nose made me sound absolutely ridiculous, so I gazed and admired from a distance. What a privilege it was to watch this cast at work.

Poldark fans will recognize Eleanor Tomlinson (Demelza) and Tristan Sturrock (Zacky Martin). Millie Gibson from Doctor Who, Stephen Moyer from True Blood, Tuppence Middleton from the Downton Abbey films, Jamie Flatters, Owen Igiehon, Jack Davenport, Joshua Orpin, Danny Griffin, and many new faces fill out this stellar cast. There is also a tiny, adorable dog actor who will melt your heart. 

We got to watch a complicated drawing room scene which was a real treat, as well as a gorgeous outdoor scene which was being filmed in between rain squalls. The actors were great sports about tramping through the wet grass over and over in an attempt to dodge the raindrops for a dry take while the costume lady closely monitored Millie Gibson’s gown as the hem would be “six inches deep in mud” in no time at all. We were shivering, but the actors looked elegant and sunny in their glorious summer wardrobe.

As to the stunning costumes, those we saw were perfectly luscious in their high Victorian splendour. We got to visit a few other corners of the Forsyte universe including the business offices and a formal dining room at the studio. The attention to every tiny detail of both the sets and costumes is astonishing. We cannot wait to see the finished episodes on screen. 

The Forsytes will be airing on Channel 5 in the UK Monday October 20th and on PBS Masterpiece in the USA in 2026.  We don’t have dates yet but we’re on the watch for them, as well as more information where some of our other friends around the globe can watch this stunning series. 

This was a dream of a set visit. Were we wishing we could squeeze into corseted silk confections and run amok through those sets to join the Forsyte’s circle for even a moment? You know we were. Visiting this world created by The Forsytes looked like it would be a real treat. We are anxious to get completely immersed in this Victorian drama. A second season of The Forsytes is already in the works…. and we are positively aflutter!

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress and Los Angeles Press Club Award winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows. She gives her opinions very decidedly.

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Downton Abbey Derangement Syndrome

Posted on August 31, 2025 by The Anglophile Channel

Without getting into anything specific, I shall assert that real life in 2025 has been …a challenge. When it’s all too much, there is only one place I go.

Downton Abbey.

Downton Abbey is my ultimate comfort watch. At any given moment, I can switch on the show or one of the films, and find myself right at home. The plotlines are no longer stressful because I know exactly what is going to happen. I have watched so many times, I can happily (and annoyingly) recite the dialogue along with the actors. I know when my favourite gowns will make their appearances on screen. I sit up a little straighter in readiness for when one of Dame Maggie Smith’s best lines is imminent. The moments that made me cry or laugh the first time still make me cry and laugh. I wallow in those emotions over and over again.

It is embarrassing to try to count how many times I’ve watched. The Downton Abbey theme is my alarm clock ringtone because I don’t get crabby when Downton wakes me at some unholy hour. I’ve made the pilgrimage to Highclere Castle three times. I have t-shirts, teacups, and ornaments.  Quotes spring into mind at more real life moments than I care to admit.  I try not to annoy everyone and speak them aloud in the presence of those who may not be nearly as obsessed. 

I’m a big, ridiculous, geeked out Downton Abbey fan. This is out of character for me. I enjoy many shows, but I’m seldom this emotionally engaged. I almost never buy…merch! Why a woman raised in the public housing projects of the American midwest is this crazy to spend time in this world of stately homes and aristocratic struggles may not be completely unexpected. Why Downton Abbey messes me up the way it does is something I can not logically explain. It wrecks me. It’s cathartic, though, and I keep going back for more. But now….it’s the end.

The trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has made me absolutely sob. It really hurts.The emotions elicited by this trailer are over the top, even for me.   Even the tagline “The time has come to say goodbye” makes me feel wobbly.

I can’t wait to see more Downton, but there is a foreboding sense of loss knowing this is the very end. But it’s not like all of us haven’t gone through this before. I should be used to it by now. When the series ended, my mascara was hitting my chin. Just remembering Mrs. Hughes singing “Auld Lang Syne” still breaks my heart. When the music swelled and the opening credits started rolling on the first film, there I went again, humiliating myself by turning into an absolute puddle of feels and mopping my face with the enormous wad of tissues I had in my purse. We didn’t know at the time there would be more films. Was it our final visit to the world of the Abbey? When the second film shamelessly turned into “Singin’ In The Rain”, I was okay with it. Maybe it was because I can quote that film, too, but it was far more likely because it was Lady Mary dubbing the lines in the library. It was, after all, more Downton. A plot from another adored film, “Mrs Miniver”, was recycled at the flower show in season one. That was a sweet callback and, because it’s Downton, that is okay by me. 

But I was not okay when the Dowager Countess died in Downton Abbey: A New Era. I was not okay when Dame Maggie Smith died last year on my birthday. The clip in the finale trailer of her portrait hanging prominently in the Abbey has me choking already. When the final credits roll on this film, I know I will not be okay. I’m blubbing just typing this. It’s pathetic, really.

What is the matter with me? I have Downton Abbey Derangement Syndrome! 

How did this happen? The Downton Dish was a real learning curve for all of us at The Anglophile Channel and will always be special as we remember the fun we had morphing from a polite, tea soaked discussion to a full on wacky recap of our favourite show. That is, no doubt, part of my attachment. Part of it is the characters who we’ve all watched grow and change over the years through the witty storytelling of Julian Fellowes. Part of it is the place. Highclere Castle is like a dream to me. It feels like a safe place where, with a very few exceptions, everyone cares. 

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be our last visit to this happy, safe world. Pondering the end brings up the same sort of emotions I felt when my grandparent’s home was sold. The house still exists, but there is no place for me or the people I loved there anymore. Years later it is still painful. Seeing Downton Abbey coming to an end is going to ache like that, in a similar, smaller way. Yet it’s a gift. It’s an opportunity to spend one last interlude in that imaginary space with the beloved characters I’ve spent so much time watching since the American premiere on PBS Masterpiece in 2011. Anticipation is mixed with dread. One last visit, a brand new story, our familiar faces, those sumptuous, swoon-worthy costumes and sets are all a very potent draw. But I don’t know if I can bear to be first in line at the cinema and have it over with all too quickly. Should I wait?  I did for Downton Abbey: A New Era, knowing we would be bidding goodbye to the Dowager Duchess Of Grantham. I wanted to keep the character of Violet alive as long as possible and do my weeping in the privacy of my own home. Dare I venture out to watch The Grand Finale in public? There is no doubt this film will leave me looking like a raccoon. 

Imagine what it was like for the cast and crew. It had to have been incredibly emotional to say farewell at the wrap. If the Downton grief hits hard for me…it must be nothing compared to their bittersweet experience of working on this last film. So, yes, I will summon my courage to support Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. They made it for us. The fans. 

I shall be there, bedecked in waterproof mascara —wearing a dress that can’t be tear stained.

But I can’t promise to be coherent by the time those final credits roll. If you hear a noise like a foghorn, it will be me blowing my nose. If you hear a woman wailing in the back row, please come over and give me a hug. This is going to be rough. By the end credits, I may feel like I need grief therapy, but I’ll probably just drown my sorrows in a very Downton Abbey cup of tea. Then I’ll start watching all over again…from the very beginning.

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress and Los Angeles Press Club Award winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows. She gives her opinions very decidedly.

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Saltburn. You’ve Been Warned.

Posted on November 14, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel
Emerald Fennell

Emerald Fennell, an exceptionally talented writer and actress, likes to make her audience uncomfortable. She admitted as much at an interview after a recent screening of her latest creation, Saltburn. Emerald Fennell gave us a very arch look and a little smirk as she gazed out from her seat on the stage after the screening. She spoke about her writing process and how she lives with the characters she creates and embroiders details of the story for years before she sits down and releases it all onto the page. This provocatrice knows exactly what she’s doing. She even admitted that at some of her suggestions, despite having a trusting, wonderful working relationship, lead actor Barry Keoghan told her to “f#@& off”.

We wondered, after watching the film, what exactly was so beyond the pale that he refused to do it? What’s left? Because, truly, Emerald Fennell wants us to squirm. 

She succeeded.

The audience groaned out loud, curled up in their seats, covered their faces, and talked back to the screen. It was an experience. It was nothing like I expected. Do I recommend it?

Well….very, very conditionally.

I was very excited to see Saltburn. Billed as a “cross between Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr. Ripley”, what’s not to love?

Hysterical, heartbreaking Rosamund Pike

 

 

The acting is absolutely brilliant. Salburn boasts a dazzling ensemble. The cast were immersed in a very specific world and looked like they were having the time of their lives. The dedication to their characters is extraordinary. The comic moments dripping with social satire are priceless. Despite all the twists and turns, reveals and surprises, the cast take us with them on this wild ride without hitting one false note. They are all unflinching in their dedication to telling this story. I marveled at the power of some of the scenes. Scintillating writing and exceptional actors doing what they do make Saltburn riveting. They create a world where under all the glamour, indulgence, and sexy excess one finds a vicious, unsettling ruthlessness. It’s not where you may expect it.

Barry Keoghan is fearless.

This story takes you to unexpected places. Startling places. Sometimes places where you REALLY did not see it coming and perhaps don’t want to go. Some places where you saw it coming but did not think you were going to witness it going there, Saltburn absolutely went there. Allegiances shift constantly from character to character. It’s never dull. I was captivated.

So why can’t I unequivocally tell you to rush out and see Saltburn?

Gentle reader, I gagged.

…And not in the good, RuPaul’s Drag Race sense of the word.

I literally gagged.

I don’t want to spoil it, but there is a big eww factor and at minimum one scene that can be viewed as rather… disturbing. Many bodily fluids and functions are featured. It was all very intentional. Was it necessary? I understand why these scenes were included, but still, I shuddered. Some will think Saltburn breaks taboos of obsession which can be groundbreaking and exhilarating. Putting something on screen which is shocking in these jaded times is a rare feat. Many, doubtless, will cheer aloud.  

eww

But I gagged.

I closed my eyes a couple of times. A few moments which I saw building to a dreaded climax actually…did… come. Yes, I intended to say that. If you, like me, yell out, “don’t, don’t, NO DO NOT!” just know, Saltburn will do it. And afterwards, you can’t unsee it.

This is why I cannot exhort you to run to the cinema. 

Those who are unflappable and strong of stomach, who read this undeterred and are intrigued, by all means, go see Saltburn. 

I needed a drink, too.

Everybody else…. you are not pinning this one on me! You were warned.

For the curious but squeamish, perhaps wait until you can use the fast forward feature.

For those of delicate sensibilities, perhaps give it a miss. 

I know that, despite being “shook”, I cannot forget Emerald Fennell’s sly smirk —or this film.

And, after all, Saltburn does end with a dance number.

 

Jacob Elordi plays charmer Felix Cotton to perfection.

 

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress and Los Angeles Press Club Award winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows. She gives her opinions very decidedly.

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An American Anglophile Contemplates The Coronation

Posted on March 30, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel

The Anglophile Channel is planning a trip to cover the coronation of King Charles III. Because I am an American, and viewing the coronation as an outsider looking in, I hope you will forgive me for confessing I have some very mixed feelings and am pondering many questions. But, as my misgivings will not affect King Charles in any way whatsoever, sharing them might open up a discussion. Please know, that in these observations, no disrespect is intended. I do believe strongly in a representative government, but I also understand, after living in England, that the monarchy is a part of the fabric of Britain. Loved or hated, the monarchy is always there as an indelible part of its history and foreseeable future. Some of my British friends are great supporters of the monarchy, others wish it could be dismantled immediately. I listen to them all with respect. The concept of why a nation would want a figurehead, a role bestowed by birth and not by merit, suitability, or even desire, is something many an American might struggle to understand, not historically, but where it fits into the modern world.

It will be exciting, as to be in Britain for the coronation is an opportunity to bear witness to history. Because there is a lot of Shakespeare on my resume, I have immersed myself in British history. That’s not unusual. Many actors read up on what is true, what was dramatic license, and what was pure invention as a part of our research when preparing for these historically based roles. This research developed a craving that led me from one book to the next! Shakespeare was a man of strong opinions about the monarchs and surrounding characters as well as an intuitive writer who knew what might please the most powerful in the realm who were to be in his audience. He portrayed the British monarchs as human, imperfect, forging their own legacy through a combination of not only chance and opportunity, but talent, wisdom, conscience, bravery, compassion, or, for some, the glaring lack of these traits. They are flawed characters, blessed or cursed by the circumstances of their birth, destined to inhabit the Crown. It is an inherent cruelty in the institution of any monarchy that a familial death leads to the next monarch’s ascension. Grief and loss hang heavy in the air even as the next monarch is proclaimed. There is continuity but also emotional complexity for all involved. It is also the time when life-altering vows and decisions are being made…and fascinating to watch. The modern monarch steps up to duty, despite everything, to a life of unimaginable privilege but constantly in the spotlight with little power.

This perspective makes it interesting to see a man whose past has been scrutinized and judged by the world to take up his place upon the throne. I understand better why the British monarchy remained intensely private for so long. As with any sort of celebrity, when the public learns too much about human frailties, the luster vanishes. I wonder if this will be a fresh start? Will King Charles erase or soften the past of Prince Charles? Most of the world understands what it is to have a messy family life, but most of the world lives with the consequences of their choices in a very different way. Our private lives are not parsed by the world, but then again, neither are we taking vows of duty to the realm or to head the church. Our choices don’t reflect on a nation or its people as a whole. What exactly, then, is required of a modern monarch? It can no longer be to embody an ideal or stand as an irreproachable role model. It isn’t really to guide the nation. It’s… complicated. Expectations of the monarchy have changed dramatically even with the passing of the late Queen. King Charles can’t just “carry on” in exactly the same fashion. He’s already making carefully considered alterations.

I find it curious that the modern monarch is not supposed to share an opinion on issues or politics in a public way. Of course, that was the whole point of much earlier monarchs. History teaches us that it was, at times, a very wise policy that previous modern monarchs weren’t given their heads in political matters–I’m looking at you, King Edward VIII. What is the role of a monarch, though, if not permitted opinions, influence and a plan for the nation? The late Queen was generally discreet and subtle about politics. Prince Charles took on some global issues and worthy charitable causes, which he must now, as King, leave behind. As well as a new title and duties, his princely legacy is one of the many losses he contends with as he redefines himself as king.

Having a king instead of a queen makes a difference to me and I am still working out why. It makes me…warier. I can’t completely explain it except that it is probably a reflection of my own personal experiences. When I arrived in London in the 1980s, there was both a female head of state and a female prime minister. It was a new, incredibly empowering experience for a young girl. The politics weren’t mine but seeing women in positions of great respect was a revelation. I’m finding it difficult to warm to the idea of a king and of Charles as that king, and feelings don’t necessarily follow logic. His public persona has ranged from kind to cold, from caring to entitled. Maybe some of this is tarnished by the melancholy memory of Diana shadowing his reign. That pain of public heartache has not been forgotten. I know I would feel differently about King Charles and Queen Camilla taking their places in history if Diana were still here on earth and living her best life. The current family battles played out in the press make me grateful that my own family dramas aren’t in the public eye. No one emerges unscathed.

But despite every misgiving, I’m looking forward to the history, pageantry and overall experience of a coronation. I am determined to err on the side of positivity. The last few years have been a horribly difficult time not only for Britain, but for the world. We continue to grieve unspeakable losses. We continue to struggle. Everything has changed and many of these changes have left us adrift in a world seemingly gone mad. May this particular change, this new reign, go a long way toward making the world a better place. That is my hope for King Charles III. May this coronation be a turning point. May King Charles astonish us all.

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress and Los Angeles Press Club Award winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows. She gives her opinions very decidedly.

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Savoring Sanditon

Posted on March 26, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel

We’ve gone from the lean weeks of necessary pledge drives and musical crowd pleasing specials to an abundance of brand new television treats on Masterpiece and our local PBS stations. Last weekend saw season premieres for both Call The Midwife and Sanditon, as well as a new take on Marie Antoinette.

Reader, it’s the most wonderful television time of the year. It’s almost too much!

Finding happiness!

This is why I’ll be going all 1985 and watching these shows old school. One episode a week. I am resolved.

I learned my lesson years ago. A friend sent me a full season of Downton Abbey back when the UK would get the series months before the US. I binged the whole season on my computer. It was glorious while it lasted, but it left me feeling a bit hollow and sad when the last episode ended. Of course, I watched it all again when they aired later on PBS. I enjoyed it, but the excitement and anticipation weren’t the same. I missed that feeling.

Call The Midwife is easy to take an episode at a time because I only want to sob my heart out once a week. Marie Antoinette is something new so I’m still deciding how much I like it.

Sanditon, however, is a show I want to savor. Sanditon has been an emotional roller coaster. From watching the first episode yelling at the television about how “totally NOT Austen” moments are (a few WTHs may have been pronounced), to being drawn into the story, becoming fond of the characters, then furious over a season one ending that left us all dangling, I was, like many others, emotionally invested in Sanditon and bitterly disappointed when it was canceled.

This is how you do it! #SaveSanditon

We all know what happened next. Fan fury over the cancellation turned into a passionate campaign to bring us the rest of the story. I confess that I didn’t have much faith in the #SaveSanditon campaign as too many things had to fall into place to continue the series, but tumble neatly into line they did. We have two more seasons and are promised a proper ending. Skepticism vanquished, I curtsey gratefully to the #SanditonSisterhood for showing us how it’s done!

The second season of Sanditon did not disappoint. Bravo, writer Andrew Davies, for taking a few chapters of Jane Austen, fleshing out the characters and weaving them into a charming tale full of surprises.

PBS is now showing the third and very final season of Sanditon and I want to take it slow. One episode into the third season and although I think I might know where the story is heading, I know there will be unexpected twists along the way. I am so tempted to barrel through to the finale on PBSPassport or Prime, but the desire to make it last has won…at least for now. I don’t care if I see spoilers, because the journey itself is so delightful. I am resolved that after I have made these episodes last as long as I can, then and only then, will I stream Sanditon on a loop.

I think.

I’m pretty sure I can hold out.

I’m almost certain.

Time will tell.

I’m watching episode two of season three this evening. I’m excited, but so far, I remain in control. I’m already planning on how to ease the post Sanditon let-down. Because, you see, there is that final season of Endeavor coming up. Thank you Masterpiece and PBS!

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress, a voracious reader, a sometimes writer, an LA Press Club award-winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows, a shamelessly enthusiastic historical dancer, and a great lover of English literature, her degree in French Literature notwithstanding. She’s a big geeked out fan of Jane Austen and Regency culture.

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Stewart Pearce at Spring Place

Posted on February 26, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel

When Los Angelenos drive through a lashing rain storm to hear an author speak, you know that author must be someone incredibly special. Friday evening the British American Business Council hosted a fireside chat with celebrated vocal coach and best selling author Stewart Pearce at Spring Place in Beverly Hills.

James Desborough charmingly, ably moderated the evening, introduced the guest of honour, then gave us all a bit of background on Stewart Pearce and his rich list of accomplishments. The house was packed with an enraptured audience of soggy Californians eager to hear this mufti-talented, deeply mystical gentleman tell stories from his extraordinary life and give insights into his book, Diana: The Voice Of Change.

Stewart Pearce first captivated the audience with strategies on communicating with clarity, authenticity and purpose using examples from his distinguished career, then illustrated his points with positive, thought provoking anecdotes drawn from his own experiences working with a wide variety of public figures. He facilitates his clients in finding the power of their individual signature note. He stressed the necessity of changing our communication strategy until receiving the response we want. He detailed his communication work with the presentation to secure the London bid for the 2012 Olympics, vocal work sessions with Margaret Thatcher and Anthony Hopkins, even his childhood connections to royalty. Every anecdote was gracious.

The audience seemed determined to absorb every word. I noticed that no one was even checking their phone…yet another Los Angeles anomaly! Stewart Pearce is, indeed, the master of his subject.

The second portion of the evening Stewart Pearce spoke about his book, Diana: The Voice Of Change, This is not another biography or tell-all about Diana, Princess of Wales. This book’s purpose is very different. Pearce’s respect and love for his subject is apparent. His private experience of working with Diana was about empowerment, focus, and finding the strength of her unique voice. This message of grace, love and transformation is something he feels compelled to share with the world. He writes that it is Diana’s legacy, but it is also the message of Stewart Pearce.

The Anglophile Channel arrived early to possibly record an interview, but instead we indulged in a fascinating conversation. We hadn’t know anything about Stewart Pearce prior to this wonderful invitation from the British American Business Council and hadn’t had time yet to read his work. We were brimming with questions which Stewart Pearce kindly and generously answered.

We hope to have the opportunity to bring you an interview with this charismatic storyteller and master of voice in the near future when we travel to England for the upcoming coronation. In the meantime, pushing back against Hollywood stereotypes yet again, we plan to read his book. And yes, for Stewart Pearce, we will happily ride though the rain!

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress, a voracious reader, a sometimes writer, an LA Press Club award-winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows, a shamelessly enthusiastic historical dancer, and a great lover of English literature. She gives her opinions very decidedly.

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See Your Favorite Television Stars at PaleyFest LA 2023

Posted on January 23, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel

It’s that time of year again! Our opportunity to see our favorite television stars up close and personal! 

The Paley Center for Media has announced the full lineup for the 40th Annual PaleyFest LA, which will run from Friday, March 31 through Tuesday, April 4 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. PaleyFest LA returns for another year as the spring’s hottest television festival with exclusive behind-the-scenes conversations with leading stars from the most acclaimed and buzzworthy TV shows, screenings of special preview and premiere content, never-before-seen TV footage, and an interactive Q&A with festival attendees.   

PaleyFest LA selections for 2023 are the opening night event, Disney+’s The Mandalorian, ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Paramount Network’s Yellowstone, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden, Showtime’s Yellowjackets and the festival’s closing night selection Prime Video’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel….which we are particularly excited to see! SO many questions we have for Midge, like where does she get those marvelous fashions? Will we ever see Dr. Benjamin again (as played by the gorgeous Zachary Levi?) Will Susie Meyerson find love?  Those and so many more questions will be answered at PaleyFest LA.

 “We are delighted to announce the exciting full lineup for this year’s PaleyFest LA, the can’t-miss spring festival celebrating creative excellence in television,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “We thank our friends at Citi, The William S. Paley Foundation, and our studio and network partners for their continued support in helping us bring Paley Members and devoted TV fans an unmatched experience with the stars and creative talent behind some of television’s biggest hits.” 

“We are thrilled to continue our support of this iconic festival as it enters its 40th anniversary of celebrating the best of television” said Tina Davis, Citi’s Interim Chief Marketing Officer. “The Paley Center for Media produces programs that explore the most critical issues and opportunities within the industry and PaleyFest LA is sure to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans and our cardmembers.”

Purchase your tickets here: paleyfest.org. 

And now for the lineup! Check out who will be in attendance at PaleyFest 2023* 

The Mandalorian (Friday, March 31, 7:30 pm PT): 

An epic opening night celebration featuring a special screening selected for this event by the producers followed by a conversation and Q&A with:  

Jon Favreau, Showrunner & Executive Producer, Dave Filoni, Executive Producer, Rick Famuyiwa, Executive Producer. Plus, additional participants to be announced 

 Abbott Elementary (Saturday, April 1, 2:00 pm PT): 

A hilarious celebration for one of TV’s best comedies! Special screening, conversation, and Q&A with:  

Quinta Brunson, “Janine Teagues,” Creator & Executive Producer , Tyler James Williams, “Gregory Eddie” , Lisa Ann Walter, “Melissa Schemmenti” , Chris Perfetti, “Jacob Hill” , William Stanford Davis, “Mr. Johnson”  , Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Barbara Howard”, Plus, additional guests to be announced 

Yellowstone (Saturday, April 1, 7:00 pm PT): 

The global phenomenon makes its PaleyFest debut!“We are honored to be invited to this year’s PaleyFest. It will be great seeing our incredible fans in person and talking all things Yellowstone,” said Yellowstone Executive Producer David Glasser.    

Featuring a special screening selected for this event by the producers followed by a conversation and Q&A with: 

Kevin Costner, Executive Producer, “John Dutton”, Kelly Reilly, “Beth Dutton”, Cole Hauser, “Rip Wheeler”, Luke Grimes, “Kayce Dutton”, Kelsey Asbille, “Monica Dutton”, Wes Bentley, “Jamie Dutton”Gil Birmingham, “Thomas Rainwater”Jacki Weaver, “Caroline Warner”. Plus additional Guests to be Announced.

Grey’s Anatomy (Sunday, April 2, 2:00 pm PT): 

Celebrating this PaleyFest favorite featuring a special screening selected for this event by the producers followed by a conversation and Q&A with:  

Krista Vernoff, Showrunner & Executive Producer , Debbie Allen, Executive Producer, “Catherine Fox” , Chandra Wilson, “Miranda Bailey” , James Pickens, Jr., “Richard Webber” , Kevin McKidd, “Owen Hunt” , Caterina Scorsone, “Amelia Shepherd”, Camilla Luddington, “Jo Wilson” , Kelly McCreary, “Maggie Pierce” , Kim Raver, “Teddy Altman” , Jake Borelli, “Levi Schmitt” , Anthony Hill, “Winston Ndugu” , Alexis Floyd, “Simone Griffith” , Harry Shum, Jr., “Benson ‘Blue’ Kwan” , Adelaide Kane, “Jules Millen”, Midori Francis, “Mika Yasuda” , Niko Terho, “Lucas Adams” 

 The Late Late Show with James Corden (Sunday, April 2, 7:00 pm PT): 

Our favorite British telly presenter, James Corden Corden, who has hosted “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on CBS since 2015, first announced in April that he plans to leave at the end of the 2023 season. “We couldn’t be more honored to kick off our last month of The Late Late Show with the fans at PaleyFest, who have supported us over the last eight years,” said Rob Crabbe, executive Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden.  “We are grateful to see you all one last time!” 

Featuring a special screening selected for this event by the Producers followed by a conversation and Q&A with:   James Corden, Host & Executive Producer , Ben Winston, Executive Producer , Rob Crabbe, Executive Producer 

 Yellowjackets (Monday, April 3, 7:30 pm PT): 

“Teen cannibals become messed up adults and then we all get invited to PaleyFest to unpack what the hell is happening. Talk about a dream (nightmare?) come true! We are thrilled and honored to be invited to this year’s festival to talk about our show with people as apparently demented as we are. We look forward to feeling not so alone!” said Yellowjackets showrunners, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson.

A special premiere screening selected for this event by the producers followed by a conversation and Q&A with:  Jonathan Lisco, Showrunner & Executive Producer Ashley Lyle, Showrunner & Executive Producer Bart Nickerson, Showrunner & Executive Producer Melanie Lynskey, “Shauna” Christina Ricci, “Misty” Juliette Lewis, “Natalie” Tawny Cypress, “Taissa” Simone Kessell, “Lottie” Lauren Ambrose, “Van” Sophie Nélisse, “Teen Shauna” Sophie Thatcher, “Teen Natalie” Samantha Hanratty, “Teen Misty” Courtney Eaton, “Teen Lottie” Liv Hewson, “Teen Van” Steven Krueger, “Ben Scott” Warren Kole, “Jeff Sadecki” Kevin Alves, “Teen Travis” 

 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel  (Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 pm PT): 

Featuring a Special Preview Selected for this Event followed by a conversation and Q&A with: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Creator, Writer, Director & Executive Producer , Daniel Palladino, Writer, Director & Executive Producer   Rachel Brosnahan, “Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel”  , Alex Borstein, “Susie Meyerson”  , Tony Shalhoub, “Abe Weissman”  , Marin Hinkle, “Rose Weissman”  , Michael Zegen, “Joel Maisel”  , Kevin Pollak, “Moishe Maisel”  Caroline Aaron, “Shirley Maisel”  

*Events & Participants Subject to Change. Talent Appear Schedule Permitting. 

PaleyFest is the nation’s original and longest-running festival celebrating creative excellence in television. Throughout the decades, PaleyFest has celebrated the most acclaimed and impactful shows and stars including Lucille Ball, Barbra Streisand, George Lucas, Ava DuVernay, Norman Lear, and the casts and creative teams behind The Sopranos, The Simpsons, The West Wing, black-ish, Mad Men, Mary Tyler Moore, Parks and Recreation, Will & Grace, The Walking Dead, Outlander, and Stranger Things, among countless more.   

While television fans eagerly await the start of PaleyFest, they will have the opportunity to relive some of PaleyFest’s best moments on the Paley Center’s YouTube channel. Some memorable highlights include conversations with the casts from Lost, The Golden Girls, The Big Bang Theory, and many more.  

PaleyFest supports the Paley Center’s many initiatives including education workshops serving 10,000 youth annually, the PaleyImpact series featuring programs centered on today’s most pressing social issues and the role of media in our society, and the continued preservation of the Paley Archive, featuring more than 160,000 historically significant television and radio programs.  

For more updates, please visit paleyfest.org or follow @PaleyCenter on Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube, LinkedIn using the hashtag #PaleyFest   

LOCATION:  

DOLBY THEATRE  | 6801 Hollywood Blvd.  | Hollywood, CA 90028  

Paley Membership  

Become a Member today and receive advance ticket access and discounts to PaleyFest. For more information on the many benefits of Paley Center Membership, please visit paleycenter.org/join-us   

Tickets 

The general public can access tickets starting Friday, January 20, 2023 at 9:00 am PT until tickets sell out. To purchase tickets, please visit paleyfest.org 

Covid-19 Health and Safety Measures  

For updated COVID protocols, please visit: https://dolbytheatre.com/guest/covid-19-policies/  

About The Paley Center for Media   

The Paley Center for Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has proudly made its home in NYC for over 45 years and operates the iconic Paley Museum. Through its respected programming, the Paley Center leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of media, drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the media community. The general public can participate in Paley programs in both New York and Los Angeles that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the talent and the leaders who are shaping media. The public can also access the Paley Center’s permanent media collection, The Paley Archive, often referred to as a national treasure, containing over 160,000 television and radio programs and advertisements. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry.  

  For more information, please visit paleycenter.org. 

 

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Legendary American Comedian and BBC Television Star Kelly Monteith Passes Away at 80

Posted on January 3, 2023 by The Anglophile Channel

Legendary American Comedian and BBC Television Star, Kelly Monteith, Passes Away at 80.

[JAN 1, 2023 – LOS ANGELES]

It is with great sadness that The Anglophile Channel announces the passing of our dearest friend, teammate and creative collaborator, award-winning comedian/host, Kelly Monteith, who died on January 1, 2023 at the age of 80. 

Monteith was an integral part of The Anglophile Channel having Produced and co-hosted “Brit Flix with Kelly, Paul and Two-Buck Chuck” for which Monteith and Paul Boland were awarded the National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Award for Best Television Anchor/Host by the Los Angeles Press Club.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1942, Monteith made his stand-up comedy debut in 8th grade where he did five minutes in a talent show in front of his classmates. His jokes included material on the students, teachers and cafeteria. After that he got the comedy bug!

Monteith rose to fame after a few successful appearances on the “Des O’Connor Show” which led to Monteith starring in his own successful comedy series, “Kelly Monteith,” which ran on the BBC for six seasons. Monteith co-wrote his titular series with Neil Shand which included series regulars Gabrille Drake, Lisa Vanderpump and Sting’s wife, Trudie Styler. Monteith was the one of the first American comedians to get his own show on the BBC.

Monteith with co-star Gabrielle Drake

Trudie Styler was a series regular that Monteith remembers fondly in “BBC Memories”

BBC’s Kelly Monteith

Monteith later Produced and Hosted “Kelly Monteith’s BBC Memories” which featured a look back at his groundbreaking comedy series which was noted for breaking the fourth wall. A mix between sit-com and sketch show, it later became the inspiration for many network comedy series. 

Bravo’s Lisa Vanderpump played Kelly’s girlfriend on BBC’s Kelly Monteith.

Visit The Anglophile Channel on YouTube to watch KELLY MONTEITH’S BBC MEMORIES:  Kelly Monteith’s BBC Memories

One of the many appearances Monteith made on the Des O’Connor show which led to his own self-titled comedy series on the BBC.

With Des O’Connor

In America, Monteith starred in two series on CBS called, “The Kelly Monteith Show” and “The Hit Squad.” 

Freddie Prinze appears on Monteith’s CBS variety show.

Monteith also made 40+ appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and Jay Leno as well as “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON — Pictured: (l-t) Comedian Kelly Monteith during an interview with host Johnny Carson on December 3,1976 — (Photo by: Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Monteith often said that one of the highlights of his career was performing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance in 1983. Monteith’s time in England was also incredibly special to him as that is where he met his future wife Caroline. 

Monteith meets The Queen after The Royal Variety Performance in 1983

Caroline recalls that one of their favorite places to dine in London was the famed Mayfair eatery, Langan’s Brasserie, which was just around the corner from where they lived. “We would be at dinner and people would come up to our table to meet Kelly. He was always so kind to them and generous with his time. He loved meeting and interacting with his fans.” 

Monteith was also well-respected in the comedy world amongst peers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin and Jay Leno. Leno called Monteith a comedian who was “always extremely clever, extremely funny. One of the benchmarks. For those of us of a certain generation, Kelly was the guy.” Comedians Dennis Miller and Brian Regan also praised Monteith, often citing him as their inspiration for going into stand-up comedy.

On the road Kelly enjoyed a career working in Las Vegas opening for legendary entertainers Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin and many more. Kelly became a top headline entertainer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and was always much in demand. 

In February 2021, Monteith suffered a massive stroke and struggled to come back from his debilitating illness for almost two years. On New Years Day at 6:07pm Monteith passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by his family.

On a personal note, Kelly was more than a teammate to us, he was a dear friend who we considered family.

He will be greatly missed by The Anglophile Channel family including Executive Producers Marlise and Paul Boland, Creative Director/Writer/Editor Juliette Boland, Host/Writer Elyse Ashton, Music Composer Richard Allen and Social Media Admin Meghan McKillop, and by his fans and admirers around the world.

RIP Kelly Monteith. Our hearts will never be the same but we know your work will live on to entertain audiences and inspire comedy talent for generations to come.

Share your messages of condolence for Kelly here or how his work entertained/inspired you. All messages will be shared with the Monteith family. 

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First Impressions on Persuasion by Elyse Ashton

Posted on July 19, 2022 by The Anglophile Channel

 

Persuasion 2022 inspired a lot of criticism from the moment the first still photos were released. When the trailer dropped the reactions from the Jane Austen purists (of which I am one, in my own way) ranged from curiosity to downright anger. Some proclaimed vehemently that they would not watch. They shall not. They will not! Well, maybe….

I won’t be copying this look for the next Jane Austen Evening.

They shouldn’t.

They really, really shouldn’t.

They’ll hate it.

They will despise it with a seething, frothing, bonnet-topped indignation.

But all that moaning doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch Persuasion.

Henry Golding and Cosmo Jarvis

I confess that I, too, have suffered from More Austen Than Thou Syndrome while watching adaptations. Whenever a new Jane Austen adaptation emerges, I spend the first viewing comparing it to the book and being annoyed by the changes. It’s rare that I enjoy it the first time. I’m usually disappointed. Then I get over myself and go back to watch it again with different expectations. Every adaptation will contain something special, a new take, something unique that a particular actor brings to their role, maybe a scene that captures a specific emotion, but always, in every single film or tv adaptation, I find something to love. No one keeps me away from a new Austen adaptation. NO ONE.

Nikki Amuka-Bird as Lady Russell,

Not every Jane Austen adaptation has been made with me as their target audience. Persuasion 2022 certainly hasn’t but that doesn’t mean I’m not invited to the party…and I am here for that party! The beauty of this Persuasion is that it opens the doors wide for those who might not otherwise have felt a part of this world. I am standing on the table cheering for the beautifully done diversity in casting. It brings a little closer the ideal of loving each other for the content of our character. One cannot dismiss the importance of seeing one’s own reflection in a story. More people will feel welcomed into the literature loving, Jane Austen fandom, and just thinking about that makes me happy cry.

Persuasion shows me a well loved book through a different lens. That’s not a bad thing. Many people are loving Persuasion because of what it is and that’s a very good thing, indeed. It may well be a new generation’s introduction to Jane Austen. No, it’s not completely faithful to the book. But in its defense I put forth that my introduction to Jane Austen was the 1940 Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier Pride & Prejudice, which, I think we can all agree was a pretty far cry from the novel. My English teacher showed the class and explained the differences between the film and the book. It piqued my interest and I was off to the library. Persuasion 2022 is a fresh take on the story peppered with modern colloquialisms mixed in with Austen’s own words. Viewers might be inspired to pick up the books, like I did. Maybe they’ll check out more adaptations. Maybe we’ll find out we all love Jane Austen.

You just might love Persuasion 2022. You might loathe it. Like me, you might be shouting “WHAT?!?” at the television, smiling and cringing, laughing and groaning. Persuasion 2022 will never be my favourite version of the story, but I already have favourites. Watch it for the fun that it brings in not taking itself too seriously. Watch it for some original characterizations. Watch it so you can say you’ve given it a try. Watch it because no one can stop you from checking out a new Jane Austen adaptation.

But now that I’ve seen it once, no one can stop me from getting over myself and watching Persuasion all over again. I know I will find more to love.

Persuasion. (L to R) Lydia Rose Bewley as Penelope Clay, Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter Elliot, Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot, Yolanda Kettle as Elizabeth Elliot in Persuasion. Cr. Nick Wall/Netflix © 2022

Elyse Ashton, the author, is an actress, a voracious reader, a sometimes writer, an LA Press Club award-winning co-host of The Anglophile Channel’s Dish shows, a shamelessly enthusiastic historical dancer, and a great lover of English literature, her degree in French Literature notwithstanding. She’s a big geeked out fan of Jane Austen and Regency culture.

Posted in Bats In My Bonnet By Lady Elyse Ashton, British Telly, Home Page Posts, MOVIE REVIEWS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Supes Multiverse of Madness Experience: Marvel Camaraderie After Covid

Posted on May 18, 2022 by The Anglophile Channel

Supes Multiverse of Madness Experience:

Marvel Camaraderie After Covid 

By Juliette Boland 

Six years since the first Doctor Strange film comes one of the most highly anticipated Marvel movies of the year, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. Five years since my interview with Benedict Cumberbatch at the age of fifteen, I wish I could turn back the Eye of Agamotto to relive this moment with the sorcerer. Two years since the start of the life-altering COVID-19 pandemic, Marvel fans are no longer cooped up in their houses watching the non-stop Disney+ shows. Restless and hungry for adventure, the people were ready for some Doctor Strange magic, and the “Supes Multiverse of Madness Fan Experience” was the perfect charm. It’s time to Scooby Doo this crap. 

BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!

The Mad Experience

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Supes! A fan turned celebrity, Matt Ramos, referred to as Supes, is known for his love for all things superheroes, his complex theories and reviews, and his engagement with Marvel and DC fans alike, gaining millions of followers across all social media platforms. Whether you are loyal to the comics or the films, Ramos caters to everyone, with a superhero encyclopedia for a mind and unfeigned geekiness. 

Ramos started The Supes Experience with the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where the world’s most passionate Marvel fans gathered together to enjoy the long-awaited film. After a year and a half of what we’ll call “The Blip,” people were clambering to watch No Way Home with like-minded Spidey lovers, an experience that would leave any MCU fan drooling. After hearing the positive reviews of The Supes Spider-Man No Way Home Experience, I kept a keen eye out for the next Marvel film in line. 

Tickets for The Supes Multiverse of Madness Experience sold out in a few minutes, and I was one of the lucky winners. Donning my favorite Marvel sweater by Ashely Eckstein’s Her Universe, I eagerly arrived at the experience thirty minutes early to find a never-ending line occupied by hundreds of devoted Marvel fans wrapping around the AMC building, which had begun forming hours prior.

Dressed in Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Wanda Maximoff cosplays, attendees enthusiastically interacted with one another, exchanging out-of-this-world theories and chattering about the Marvel content creators and influencers that journeyed through the line to talk to ardent fans. The air was electric, and we hadn’t even entered the theater. 

Once people found their seats, which were covered in complimentary Multiverse of Madness t-shirts, Supes began a special interview with none other than America Chavez herself, Xochitl Gomez, one of Marvel’s new up-and-coming stars.  

Following Supes’ famous, “LET’S GOOO,” the entire room exploded with screaming and applause, especially as the Marvel intro projected images of Wanda and Doctor Strange within the logo. This initial surprise set the tone for the rest of the evening, pure electricity. 

(Can you see me?)

We cheered for almost every moment. Doctor Strange maneuvered his cape onto his back whilst jumping off the side of a building, and we screamed. A subtle reference to Spider-Man, and we hollered. The theme to WandaVision played, and we cried. John Krasinski, Hayley Atwell, Anson Mount, Lashana Lynch, and Sir Patrick Stewart appeared as The Illuminati, and we fell out of our chairs. Captain Carter said, “I could do this all day,” and I slapped my neighbor’s arm with screeching only dogs could hear. This was a fantastic movie to watch with fellow Marvel geeks, and it was well worth the time in line.

The night could only be compared to the feeling of stumbling through universe after universe after universe; it was a whirlwind of emotions. If you long for an immersive viewing experience, buy tickets for the next Supes Fan Experience. The energy in that room is unparalleled.

After sitting through the credits and post-credits scenes, fans could gather in the lobby, meet Supes, and take a photo with him in front of a step-and-repeat, which only goes to show Ramos’ kindness and willingness to greet his fans. A true superhero. Thank you, Supes, for bringing MCU fans together. I look forward to the next experience. 

The Mind-Blowing Mania in Multiverse of Madness

Phase 4 is defying the filmmaking traditions set by past Marvel films, venturing into different, unprecedented dimensions of storytelling. Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness is no exception. Evil Dead director Sam Raimi unapologetically leans into his horror roots to craft a madly hallucinatory film that will leave Marvel fans bewildered yet exhilarated. 

The tone is clear and unique to Raimi’s directing style, and the horror elements were not too startling for the typically family-friendly Marvel genre. The film dips into the right amount of darkness, jump scares, and uneasiness to justify the eerily abstract world Raimi intended to create. A return to the Inception and kaleidoscopic nature of the first Doctor Strange film, Multiverse of Madness revels in its mind-bending trips. You will never not be on the edge of your seat. 

The horror approach was strategically implemented but at times overwhelmed the already disjointed character development. As the film crams in all-encompassing CGI, arguably implausible, out-of-character moments, and brief expositions, the heart of the story gets lost in the chaos and does not flow as easily as previous stand-alone Marvel films such as Black Widow or Spider-Man: No Way Home, both better examples of economically balancing action and character. 

The time and space provided by the new Disney+ shows are unmatched.  With an episodic format, the elevated, Marvel-produced series offer greater insight into our beloved superheroes, as well as antiheroes, delving into these characters’ intricate psyches and exploring traumatic, emotional, and deeply therapeutic storylines, all praise-worthy features of Marvel’s Phase 4. The storytelling is less grandiose and is given the time to be more thoughtful, whereas Multiverse of Madness is allotted a mere two hours to cover three separate character arcs jammed in with a cosmic budget for special effects. 

Elizabeth Olsen unveils every ounce of her soul for each performance as The Scarlet Witch. Showcasing a wide range, Olsen was granted the opportunity to display all her talents in the Emmy Award winning miniseries WandaVision, where her grounded performance was able to breathe and blossom into the powerhouse lioness Wanda Maximoff became. Marvel fans traveled beside Wanda on her journey through anger, grief, and acceptance and fell in love with her incredibly relatable character, so the year-long wait only increased the anticipation for Multiverse of Madness. 

Relegated to portray the traditional horror monster for a substantial portion of the film, Wanda’s character arc is not as layered and her motives not as cleverly dealt with as in WandaVision. Nonetheless, despite the predictability of the script, Elizabeth Olsen delivers another engrossingly humane and heartbreaking performance that saves the messiness of the film and shows the extent at which a mother will go to retrieve her lost children. 

Multiverse of Madness introduces a new essential player to the MCU, universe-hopping teenager America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez. Although hastily introduced with little backstory, Gomez brings life to the dark film and harkens back to that familiar, youthful Peter Parker flare that Marvel fans want to see more of. Perhaps America Chavez will receive her own Disney+ show that explains her origins? Gomez is instantly likable and overcomes the absurd controversy surrounding her LGBTQIA+ identifying character. Bravo, Gomez! 

Benedict Cumberbatch is one of this generation’s most esteemed actors, and his talent is unforgivably wasted as Doctor Strange. Charismatic and a quintessential leading man, Cumberbatch has tackled a myriad of roles every aspiring male actor vies for, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which I was fortunate enough to see in person, to sociopathic and equally lovable Sherlock Holmes to mathematics genius Alan Turing. Cumberbatch will go down in history as an acting giant, and six years in, Marvel has still failed to give him his moment as Doctor Strange, unlike some of his MCU counterparts: Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), and newly recruited member of the team Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight). 

Cumberbatch’s acting is always fascinating to study, but similar to Hiddleston, he is a classically trained actor with the capacity to deliver a polished and nuanced performance as Doctor Strange, if given the time and a longer format, instead of popping in random Marvel films. The Oscar nominated actor is one of my favorite performers of today’s age; he deserves a true heroic moment in the spotlight. (Note to Marvel: Please don’t wait another six years before we see the next Doctor Strange movie.) 

Multiverse of Madness is undeniably a fun watch, especially accompanied by a large room full of avid Marvel-heads. The acting is wonderful, the production design is alluring, the cameos are worthy surprises, and certain directorial choices are risky but successfully creative. In my opinion, the main issue was the rushed script, which would benefit from a thorough revision and a fine tooth comb. Nevertheless, the film is doing exceptionally well in the box office and is perceived as a win for Marvel Studios. 

There are enough fan service and crowd-pleasing scenes for faithful Marvel-goers to enjoy the film. If you adore Doctor Strange and WandaVision as much as I do, you will love watching this movie full of cheeky references and all its twists and turns. 

Juliette Boland is an award-winning host, filmmaker, and writer and is currently a rising junior at USC School of Cinematic Arts.

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