Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Thursday 10 April 2025
AI’s rise, The Last of Us renewed, Cumberbatch’s drama lands U.S. deal, Netflix breaks ground in Nunavut, and Michelle Williams, A24, Cannes and Polley spotlight bold storytelling.
Today’s Highlights:
James Cameron and Donna Langley Speak Out on AI’s Growing Role in Film – James Cameron and Donna Langley weigh in on AI’s benefits and risks in filmmaking, calling for human-centred innovation and cautious integration.
The Last of Us Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of Season 2 Premiere – HBO renews The Last of Us for a third season before Season 2 airs, continuing Joel and Ellie’s post-apocalyptic journey.
Fremantle Launches Imaginae Studios to Explore Creative AI in Film & TV – Fremantle’s new label Imaginae Studios will focus on AI-driven storytelling and visual experimentation across genres.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘The Thing With Feathers’ Gets U.S. Release – Briarcliff Entertainment acquires Cumberbatch’s grief-themed drama for an October 2025 theatrical release in the U.S.
Netflix’s ‘North of North’ Builds Nunavut’s Film Ecosystem – Netflix’s first Canadian original series, shot in Nunavut, highlights Indigenous storytelling and overcame extreme production challenges.
Cosmo Jarvis Stars in Iraq War Thriller ‘Warfare’ from Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza – Cosmo Jarvis plays a traumatised Navy SEAL in a real-time Iraq War thriller based on true events, co-directed by Garland and Mendoza.
Michelle Williams Leads Hulu's ‘Dying for Sex’ Exploring Friendship and Illness – Michelle Williams stars as a woman with terminal cancer who rediscovers life through sexuality and friendship in Hulu’s drama based on Nikki Boyer’s podcast.
Cannes’ Frontières Platform Spotlights Drag Horror and Dark Fantasy in 2025 Lineup – The 2025 Cannes Frontières Platform will feature genre films, including drag queen horror, Indigenous folklore, and dark fantasy epics.
A24 Backs Raunchy Teen Comedy from Rising Writer Morgan Lehmann – A24 and Fruit Tree are producing a teen comedy about a secret fan fiction writer, showcasing Morgan Lehmann’s breakout script.
Sarah Polley Lampoons Herself in Seth Rogen’s Satirical Series ‘The Studio’ – Sarah Polley plays a fictionalised version of herself in a chaotic cameo for Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire The Studio.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with BBC, Channel 4, Paramount & WBD in London, LA & Madrid.
Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest TV, Film & Media updates in one bulletin.
Our subscribers include executives from:
Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL, TVNZ, SRF.
Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO, ShinAwiL, WildBrain, Nine Daughters, Amazon/MGM Studios, October Films.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media, Artists First, Grey Seal Media, Screenforce Finland.
INSIGHTS
‘Dying for Sex’ Explores Friendship, Sexuality, and Resilience
The Hulu series Dying for Sex, based on Nikki Boyer’s podcast, stars Michelle Williams as Molly, a woman with Stage IV breast cancer who leaves her marriage to explore her sexuality. Supported by her best friend, Nikki (played by Jenny Slate), Molly’s journey blends humor and heartbreak. Co-created by Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether, the eight-part drama debuted on April 4. Read More
Cosmo Jarvis Tackles a Gritty True Story in ‘Warfare’
Cosmo Jarvis plays former Navy SEAL Elliott Miller in Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare, a real-time Iraq War thriller. The film, featuring D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, and Noah Centineo, immerses audiences in the harrowing mission that Miller himself doesn’t fully remember. Read More
NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley Discusses AI and Industry Uncertainty at Changemakers Summit
NBCUniversal chief Donna Langley addressed the CNBC Changemakers Summit, urging leaders to embrace uncertainty in a shifting entertainment landscape. She emphasised that AI is just another technology, noting its potential impact while stressing the importance of keeping it human-centric. Langley also reflected on AI’s role in the 2023 writers and actors strikes, calling early industry panic premature. Read More
Netflix’s ‘North of North’ Built a Production Ecosystem in Nunavut
Netflix’s first original Canadian series, North of North, was filmed in Iqaluit, Nunavut, marking a milestone for the region’s film industry. Created by Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, the Inuk comedy follows a young mother forging her path. Co-commissioned by Netflix, CBC, and APTN, the production overcame logistical challenges, relying on community support to bring the series to life. Read More
Elisabeth Moss Navigates June’s Final Fight in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale continues June Osborne’s fight for survival, starring Elisabeth Moss, who recently became a mother. The gripping premiere sees June defending Serena on a dangerous train journey before finding refuge in Alaska—where she reunites with her presumed-dead mother. The show’s conclusion promises triumph and closure, bringing Moss’ eight-year journey in Gilead to an emotional end. Read More
Darren Aronofsky Criticizes Method Acting at Paris Masterclass
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, known for Black Swan, dismissed Method acting as “something to hide behind” during a French Cinémathèque masterclass. He stressed acting as make-believe, urging performers to prepare but stay flexible. While working with Austin Butler in Caught Stealing, Aronofsky acknowledged that some actors prefer staying in character but encouraged a more relaxed approach. Read More
Mugafi CEO Vipul Agarwal Aims to Build ‘Marvel of the East’ with AI
Indian entrepreneur Vipul Agarwal is investing $3 million to create a superhero universe rooted in regional mythology, challenging Hollywood’s dominance. His company, Mugafi, combines AI-driven storytelling with human creativity to reduce production time and costs while improving success rates. Mugafi’s AI writing platform, Ved, supports over 10,000 writers, helping craft compelling narratives. Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery Expands Kids’ Content in India with Homegrown Heroes
Warner Bros. Discovery is ramping up its kids entertainment slate in India, delivering 200 half-hours of fresh content across Pogo, Cartoon Network, and Discovery Kids in Q2. The lineup includes 71 new premieres on Pogo, featuring beloved Indian IPs like Chhota Bheem, Little Singham, and Jay Jagannath. The initiative aims to resonate across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Read More
YouTube Expands AI Protection Program to Top Creators
YouTube and CAA are broadening their AI protection initiative, originally designed for actors and athletes, to include popular creators like MrBeast, Mark Rober, Dr. Mike, Marques Brownlee, Estude Matematica, and Flow Podcast. The program, which helps identify and manage AI-generated content, will undergo testing this year before wider implementation. The tool also streamlines removal requests through YouTube’s privacy complaint process. Read More
James Cameron Talks AI’s Role in Filmmaking and Visual Effects
Oscar-winning director James Cameron sees AI as a tool that could cut blockbuster costs in half, particularly in visual effects. Speaking on Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth’s podcast, Cameron expressed concern over “in the style of” prompts, yet acknowledged the influence of great filmmakers on his work. He remains optimistic about AI’s potential in Hollywood while debating whether regulation should focus on model inputs or outputs. Read More
Sarah Polley Reflects on ‘The Studio’ Cameo and Her Filmmaking Legacy
Oscar-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley plays an exaggerated version of herself in Episode 2 of The Studio, a Hollywood satire by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Known for her indie films like Women Talking, Take This Waltz, and Away from Her, Polley has avoided studio interference throughout her career. In The Studio, she hilariously struggles to execute a complex shot while Rogen’s character disrupts the process. Read More
53 Degrees Global's Revolution
Alex Coffey and Nick Bullen, leaders of UK-based production company 53 Degrees Global, have successfully navigated the challenges of the 'squeezed middle' in the television industry by diversifying their portfolio. Their strategic approach includes expanding into various content genres and forming partnerships with emerging labels like Joy Peddlers, enhancing their market presence. Read More
'Your Friends & Neighbors' Cast Spill Secrets at Exclusive Preview Night
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Further&Better to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.