Sky Reveals Teaser for Prequel Series ‘Gomorrah - The Origins’

By Jon Donnis

Sky has released the first look at Gomorrah – The Origins, a six-part prequel to the acclaimed mob saga that first captured audiences worldwide. The series revisits Naples in 1977, peeling back the layers of Pietro Savastano's youth to reveal how he was drawn into a criminal underworld on the brink of change.

The story unfolds against a gritty backdrop of smuggling, poverty and shifting loyalties, as the city teeters between the cigarette trade of the old days and the emerging heroin market that would soon reshape its streets. At the centre is young Pietro, played by Luca Lubrano, a streetwise dreamer from Secondigliano whose hunger for power leads him deep into dangerous territory. His path crosses with Angelo "A Sirena" (Francesco Pellegrino), a reluctant gangster trapped by legacy, and Imma (Tullia Venezia), a musician whose talent offers a glimpse of a life beyond crime.

Produced by Sky Studios and Cattleya, part of ITV Studios, the series expands on Roberto Saviano's bestselling novel Gomorra, with a focus on the roots of Pietro's empire and the era that forged his ruthless ambition. Marco D'Amore, who directed several episodes of the original series, returns to helm the first four chapters and co-write alongside Leonardo Fasoli, Maddalena Ravagli and Saviano himself. Francesco Ghiaccio directs the concluding two episodes.

The supporting cast includes Flavio Furno as 'O Paisano', a prisoner bent on building a new Camorra; Fabiola Balestriere as a young Annalisa Magliocca, not yet the feared Scianel; and Antonio Buono, Ciro Burzo, Luigi Cardone, Antonio Del Duca, Mattia Francesco Cozzolino, Junior Rancel Rodriguez Arcia and Antonio Incalza in additional roles.

Set to premiere in early 2026 on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK, Gomorrah – The Origins promises to deliver a raw, atmospheric portrait of a city and a generation shaped by crime, loyalty and the fragile hope of redemption.

INTERVIEW: Monty Ben - Slow Horses

Former karate champion and rising French-Tunisian actor Monty Ben, who appears as 'Farouk' in Season 5 of the hit spy thriller Slow Horses, opens up about his shift from sport to screen, taking on darker roles, and what lies ahead in his career.

What was it like auditioning for the part?

I actually auditioned for three roles, not just Farouk. Even in the callback, they asked me to play all three. But something in me connected to Farouk on a personal level. There wasn't a written description; instead, I worked with Will Smith (the writer) to build his backstory. I'm really curious to see how audiences will connect with him.

How would you describe Farouk's character?

Farouk is ruthless, fearless, and completely determined. He will stop at nothing to reach his goal. His motivation comes from vengeance, born from everything he lived through during the war in Libya. He's a soldier who lost everything: the war, his country, his family, even his pregnant wife. He has nothing left to lose.

Were there any scenes that were particularly challenging, emotionally, physically, or technically?

Yes, there's one scene in Episode 6 when I have to make a very difficult decision. It was emotionally intense. It's always challenging when you have to show the humanity behind someone ruthless. That's where empathy comes in.

Did your background as an athlete help in shaping the character?

Definitely. Farouk is a soldier, so yes, my background as an athlete helped me physically. But it also helped mentally, the discipline, focus, and resilience.

In a way, Farouk is shaped by all sides of me: the athlete, the human being, and the scientist.

Tell us a bit about your sporting career.

I was a world championship medallist in karate, an eight-time continental champion, and a Mediterranean Games gold medallist. I later became a sports scientist with a PhD. I was part of the Rio 2016 Olympic delegation as a fitness coach and scientific expert for the fencing team that won the bronze medal. I was also honoured with the Golden Torch for Best Scientific Expert.

So, what first drew you to acting, and when did you realise it could become your career?

After retiring from professional karate, I went through a tough period. People advised me to try new things to find my path again. I tried other sports, dancing, but nothing touched me like theatre. The moment I stepped on stage, or got in front of the camera, something clicked. I didn't know why, but it felt like home. I began my acting career on stage with ACAD in Rouen, France. Later, I trained in screen acting with the Doha Film Institute, and then at the William Esper Studio in New York.

What was your break-through Internation role?

In 2024 I played 'The Taskmaster' in the Netflix docudrama series Testament: The Story of Moses. It was my first English-speaking role. The experience was both physically demanding and emotionally intense. I felt privileged to work on a production of that scale. The authenticity of the sets made it easy to step into that ancient world, and collaborating with such an international team was truly inspiring.

You've just finished filming a short film in the UK. What can you tell us about it?

Harir is set against the backdrop of the Southport riots. It follows a teenage Muslim girl trying to make sense of her identity. I play her father, a man fighting to hold his family together while facing his own struggles with belonging. It's a very human story about faith, identity, and resilience.

Are you planning to work more in the UK?

Yes. In fact, I'll be working with Kthiri Nejib again, on a UK-produced feature film called TKALLAM. The film is still in early production, so I can't say much yet. What I can share is that the role is very different from anything I've done before. That's been my focus lately, to challenge myself and never repeat the same kind of character.

So, what does the future hold?

I'll be starring in GROTTO, a Canadian–Tunisian feature directed by Kays Mejri, which will start shooting in early 2026, and I have a series in development with a Netflix producer called TERRIBLE LOVE, This project is still in development, so I'd rather keep the details private for now. What I can say is that I'm developing this film as it's a very personal to me.

You can watch SLOW HORSES, Season 5 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/4913IUn

The Death of Bunny Munro trailer released by Sky

By Jon Donnis

Sky has unveiled the official trailer for its upcoming six-part limited series The Death of Bunny Munro, starring BAFTA and Emmy nominee Matt Smith in the lead role. The Sky Original series will debut on Sky and NOW from 20 November.

Written by BAFTA winner Pete Jackson (Somewhere Boy) and directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Isabella Eklöf (Industry, Holiday), the show is based on Nick Cave's acclaimed novel. It comes from Clerkenwell Films (Baby Reindeer, The End of the F**ing World*) in partnership with Sky Studios. Nick Cave also serves as Executive Producer, composing the score with his longtime collaborator Warren Ellis. Matt Smith joins him as a fellow Executive Producer.

After the death of his wife Libby, door-to-door beauty salesman and self-proclaimed lothario Bunny Munro (Matt Smith) is left caring for his young son, Bunny Junior, with little grasp of what fatherhood means. As grief consumes them both in different ways, Bunny drags Junior along on a chaotic sales trip across Brighton and the nearby coast.

While Bunny chases fleeting encounters and questionable conquests, Junior spends his time talking to his mother's ghost and slowly realising that his father's flaws run deep. As Bunny's life begins to spiral, he's forced to confront what kind of man and father he really is, before his son repeats the same mistakes.

A wild, tragic, and darkly funny exploration of masculinity and loss, The Death of Bunny Munro premieres on Sky and NOW on 20 November.

COMPETITION: Win Tales of the Walking Dead Blu-ray

Acorn Media International has announced that Tales of the Walking Dead is set to arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on 10 November 2025, following its transmission on Sky Max. All episodes are available on digital now, perfect for a post Halloween bingewatch.

And to celebrate we have a copy on Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:

This riveting collection of stories features an acclaimed ensemble cast including Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Expendables), Olivia Munn (The Newsroom, X-Men: Apocalypse), Parker Posey (The White Lotus, Dazed and Confused), Anthony Edwards (ER, Top Gun), Jessie T. Usher (The Boys, Smile), Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick, Captain America: Brave New World), Daniella Pineda (Jurassic World: Dominion), Jillian Bell (Workaholics, 22 Jump Street), Poppy Liu (Hacks) and Samantha Morton (The Serpent Queen, The Walking Dead), who each offer a different perspective into the apocalypse, capturing not just the monsters that roam the earth, but the ones that live within us. 

 

Set in the months and years following the outbreak, the series follows the unique lives of new and familiar survivors, each facing the undead world in their own way. We follow doomsday prepper Joe (Crews) as he leaves his bunker on a quest to find his online friend and meets an unlikely ally in Evie (Munn) as they embark on a roadtrip that helps them find what they’re really looking for. There’s a tale of two hostile co-workers (Posey and Bell) who try to escape Atlanta, and each other, but find themselves in a time loop, reliving the hours before their deaths over and over again. And the origin story of The Walking Dead character Alpha (Morton) is revealed when we meet her as a mother trying to protect her child Lydia in a refuge. 

 

Other stories involve a settler (Liu), who seeks to convince a scientist (Edwards), that humanity must reclaim the land from the dead; a man (Usher) who wakes with no memory and is accused of murder and a traumatised couple (Pineda and Ramirez) who take refuge in a secluded house where terror may already lurk inside.  

 

The highly anticipated Tales of the Walking Dead is jam packed with gripping performances, cinematic storytelling and the much loved franchises’ trademark blend of adventure, survival, gore and heart. With a mix of dread, suspense and unexpected wit, each self-contained saga dives deep into the psyche of its characters – this is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike.  

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4nCPnRA

Enter now for a chance to win.

Can you name the 6 big name actors that feature on the cover of the Tales of the Walking Dead Blu-ray?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 17-11-25

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

BBC Unveils Remembrance Week 2025 Line-up

By Jon Donnis

The BBC is set to honour Remembrance Week 2025 with a broad range of special programming across TV, radio and digital platforms. Highlights include live coverage of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, attended by senior members of the Royal Family, and the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. There will also be a variety of commemorative content designed for viewers and listeners of all ages.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: "It is always a privilege for the BBC to help the nation reflect on the bravery of those who served in the armed forces and those who gave their lives. Throughout this period of remembrance, we will celebrate their legacy with dedicated programmes and meaningful storytelling for audiences across the UK."

Audio described commentary for the live events will be available through the Red Button and BBC iPlayer, with commentary-free coverage from The Cenotaph also accessible on iPlayer.

Kevin McCloud Embarks on a Grand Tour in Scenic Drives in Stunning Cars

By Jon Donnis

BriteSpark East, part of the Argonon group, has teamed up with Channel 4 for a new six-part series, Kevin McCloud: Scenic Drives in Stunning Cars (working title). The series will follow the acclaimed designer and presenter as he takes to Europe's open roads in some of the most elegant and historically significant cars ever made, exploring both the vehicles and the countries that shaped them.

Across six visually rich episodes, McCloud swaps the building sites of Grand Designs for a set of classic wheels, each one symbolising a different era and culture. With a nostalgic nod to the golden age of motoring, before the dominance of low-cost flights and endless tarmac, he sets out to rediscover the romance of the journey itself.

In France, McCloud glides from Cannes to Monaco in a stylish French icon, soaking up the Riviera's art and architecture. In Sweden, he takes to the road in the legendary Volvo P1800, tracing the car's Scandinavian roots through serene archipelagos and coastal towns. Italy brings the thrill of the Maserati 3500 GT, as he winds through sunlit piazzas and ancient hilltop villages. The adventure continues through England's Peak District in a Jaguar Mk2, Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal Route in a DeLorean MC12, and Germany's Baden-Württemberg region in a classic Mercedes SL, home to modernist design and engineering brilliance.

Along the way, McCloud immerses himself in each region's culture, food, and artistry, uncovering the connections between the cars and the landscapes that inspired them. Reflecting on the series, McCloud said, "This is an exciting new venture for me. Old cars connect us to our collective past, and each one tells a story about a place and its people. They demand more from us and, in return, give more back than any modern motor. It's a genuine privilege to explore these fabled machines and the worlds they come from."

Tom Porter, Creative Director of BriteSpark Films, called it "a pan-European ride in some of history's most exciting cars," praising McCloud's "deep knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm" as key to the show's charm. Channel 4's Commissioning Editor Ian Dunkley added that the series "combines iconic cars, extraordinary landscapes and Kevin's indelible curiosity, for a programme that feels both nostalgic and fresh."

Kevin McCloud: Scenic Drives in Stunning Cars (6 x 60') is produced by BriteSpark East for Channel 4. It is executive produced by Tom Porter, series produced by Chris Richards, and directed by Salvatore Assenza. The series has already been pre-sold to ABC Australia and will be distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus.

Taskmaster Doubles the Festive Fun

By Jon Donnis

Taskmaster is turning up the holiday spirit this year, with Taskmaster's New Year Treat confirmed to air not one but two episodes over the festive season. It's the first time fans will get double the mischief, with Greg Davies and Alex Horne setting a fresh batch of famous faces a string of ridiculous, joyfully pointless tasks in the name of festive fun. The celebrity line-up is still under wraps, but expect an unpredictable mix of personalities ready to make fools of themselves for glory.

Adding to the excitement, Champion of Champions returns for another showdown. This time, Sam Campbell, John Robins, Andy Zaltzman, and Mathew Baynton are back to compete for Greg Davies's most coveted prize – his buff golden torso. They'll be joined by the winner of Series 20, which continues every Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4 and at 10pm globally on the Official Taskmaster YouTube channel.