#Laura Beale

[jackbatchelor3]

Freddie Discovers Who His REAL Dad Is EastEnders

[vertigoartgore]

Frasier's series finale ("Goodbye, Seattle") aired 20 years ago today. Feel old yet ?

[girlonfilms]

Downton Abbey 3 is in production

Downton Abbey fans rejoice, the cast is back for a third film. Continue reading Downton Abbey 3 is in production

[chriscdcase95]

Loves Sacrifices update: "A Sight For Sore Eyes" three parter

Chapters 16 to 18 are up, and I've been waiting for over a year to post this.

This is a three part chapter, and I wanted to wait until all three were up before making this post. I had to split because all three parts put together is nearly five hours of reading. Almost as long as all three Pitch Perfect movies back to back.

I kept saying I wanted to finally get the baby shower done for over two years, and now it's finally finished. What else is that this chapter is meant to wrap up the Bailey Downs arc…which is why it took a while for me to get too.

This is also meant to be a siege chapter, much like I did with Unlife is Strange. Because of how long it took me to get these out, I'm also taking a little break from Love's Sacrifices, and going to be focusing on finishing Mission to Silas, and getting back to writing Unlife.

And since this is meant to wrap up the Bailey Downs storyline, think of it like a "Mid Season" finale.

Which also leads me to this content warning.

Like I said, this is meant to be a battle chapter, and it's probably where the story gets to its darkest points. You may even forget this is a Pitch Perfect crossover.

These chapters include: Blood, light gore and mutilation. Vampire related violence. Werewolf related violence. Demon related violence, curtesy of Lamashtu. Nudity and mild sexuality. Torture. Shooting and gun violence. Children being threatened.

And of course, character death; these three chapters will see two named characters, who were introduced in the first few chapters, being killed off.

...or you could read the TV Tropes page and see who bites it in advance. But what's the fun in that ?

Anyways, links to all three parts down below.

Part one

Part two

Part three

[thepopaddict]

Various Artists - Flashdance

Flashdance is the soundtrack album inspired by 1983 film “Flashdance” starring Jennifer Beals. The album was released in April 1983 spawning four singles including “Flashdance...  What A Feeling” by Irene Cara. The album contains 10 tracks from artists such as Donna Summer, Irene Cara, Michael Sembello, and more. The album topped several album charts including the US where it achieved a 6-time platinum status. In Canada, the album peaked #2 but achieved a 9-time platinum status.

Track Listing:

Flashdance... What A Feeling - Irene Cara

He’s A Dream - Shandi

Love Theme From Flashdance - Helen St. John

Manhunt - Karen Kamon

Lady, Lady, Lady - Joe Esposito

Imagination - Laura Branigan

Romeo - Donna Summer

Seduce Me Tonight - Cycle V

I’ll Be Here Where The Heart Is - Kim Carnes

Maniac - Michael Sembello

My Top Five Picks:

5th Place - He’s A Dream - Shandi

4th Place - Seduce Me Tonight - Cycle V

3rd Place - Lady, Lady, Lady - Joe Esposito

2nd Place - Maniac - Michael Sembello

1st Place - Flashdance... What A Feeling - Irene Cara

Picture Gallery:

[andythelemon]

✨ PRE-ORDERS NOW OPEN ✨

♥️ Beat of my Heart! ♥️ A Shojo Poster Collection

A nostalgic, sparkly and lovingly-rendered tribute to 32 shojo manga. After 2022’s Jump for the Stars! shonen anthology, we're excited to present its long-awaited counterpart. Every order comes with a shojoke sticker pack!

A5 | 40pg | saddle stitch

Artists: Andy – Jununy – Koi – Myst-A – Jokerita – Bailie – Jimmy – Xenia – Shazleen Khan – Deads – Prince – Vi – Sailor – Jou – Laura – Maobabie – Enorae – Lou-Anne – Sam C. – Amy Matsushita-Beal – Roll – Abi – Mei – Jacqueline Li – Karyn – Maya – April – Nice Day, Bucky! – Kogawa – CJ - Tia

Pre-orders close June 1st. Please contact the store if you have any questions not answered by the listings/FAQ. Thank you for the support! 🌸💖

[angel-princess-anna]

Hugh Bonneville promises 'new elements' and 'thrills and spills' in Downton Abbey 3

The actor tells Yahoo UK that he thinks the new film is the "best" of the franchise

Downton Abbey made some big changes on the big screen with 2022's A New Era, but Robert Crawley star Hugh Bonneville assures Yahoo UK that the upcoming third film will be even bigger and better than anything that has come before it.

Speaking with Yahoo UK for a Role Recall interview, the actor shares that the film feels like a "lovely coming together of people". Fans will be rivetted by what is to come for Robert and the Crawley family because the film is full of "spills and thrills" according to Bonneville, who took a break from production to promote his new ITV series Douglas is Cancelled.

"For my character, I think the usual [can be expected], which is that he's a sort of dinosaur trying to be led into the future reluctantly, and then eventually he stumbles forward a bit," Bonneville teases.

"So as always, there's that rhythm of things changing with glacial slowness, and Robert finally accepting that things [are changing] — it's time to move the story on, so to speak. It's got the usual tropes, if you like, of thrills and spills in a very Downtown [sic] way, which means spilling a tea cup pretty much!

"People who've watched the show over the years and have loved it will miss Maggie Smith's presence. She doesn't step out of the shower and it's all been a dream, she is gone.

"But, I think there's so much warmth and fun to enjoy, and new elements as well — which I won't spoil — that I think it'll certainly be the best iteration of the film versions yet."

The third Downton Abbey film will see the original cast return including Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter and Laura Carmichael, while A New Era's Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter. They will be joined by a host of new characters played by Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Simon Russell Beale, and Alessandro Nivola.

Details of the story have not yet been revealed, but Bonneville's positivity about it seems like a good sign. The actor also spoke of how it still surprises him that the franchise has become as beloved as it has since the show first premiered in 2010 because it didn't originally seem like it would.

"It never ceases to amaze me, it did when it first started in 2010 and here we are, 14 years later, we're making a third movie," he explains. "At least one of our producers said, 'well, it's never gonna last beyond seven episodes anyway so don't lose too much sleep about this', and here we are all those years later still together.

"What's been really interesting is there's a whole new generation of people watching it and still finding it engaging, and also what's been rather touching, particularly over the pandemic, [was] when people were stuck at home and they revisited a show that had finished five years before.

"Each of us have had lots of letters from people saying: 'I used to watch it with my Gran', or 'my son who is now married', or 'my husband, who's now passed on', or whatever. It had an emotional resonance for the period of time that it was on, and people find comfort in it, and revisited it like a warm bath.

"I'm not complaining because it's been a wonderful part of my life and we're filming the third film at the moment, it's a lovely coming together of people I care deeply about, and that's just the fictional characters."

[shinyasahalo]

Top 100 AO3 Fem Ships (Aug. 21, 2024)

(F/F) Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor (Supergirl TV/DCU) 21,747 fics

(F/F) Original Female Character/Original Female Character (All Fandoms) 18,594 fics

(F/F) Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Emma Swan (Once Upon a Time TV) 16,359 fics

(F/F) Clarke Griffin/Lexa (The 100 TV) 13,283 fics

(F/F) Amity Blight/Luz Noceda (The Owl House TV) 12,932 fics

(F/F) Adora/Catra (She-Ra) 12,142 fics

(F/F) Marlene McKinnon/Dorcas Meadows (Marauders/Harry Potter) 9,073 fics

(F/F) Robin Buckley/Nancy Wheeler (Stranger Things TV) 8,694 fics

(F/F) Blake Belladonna/Yang Xiao Long (RWBY) 8,272 fics

(F/F) Korra/Asami Sato (Avatar Legend of Korra) 7,652 fics

(F/F) Caitlyn/Vi (Arcane League of Legends) 6,979 fics

(F/F) Jirou Kyouka/Yaoyorozu Momo (My Hero Academia) 6,826 fics

(F/F) Wednesday Addams/Enid Sinclair (Wednesday TV/Addams Family) 6,669 fics

(F/F) Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer (Supergirl TV/DCU) 6,532 fics

(F/F) Charlie Morningstar/Vaggie (Hazbin Hotel) 6,395 fics

(F/F) Waverly Earp/Nicole Haught (Wynonna Earp TV) 6,156 fics

(F/F) Ruby Rose/Weiss Schnee (RWBY) 5,972 fics

(F/F) Rose Lalonde/Kanaya Maryam (Homestuck) 5,528 fics

(F/F) Carmilla | Mircalla Countess Karnstein/Laura (Carmilla) 5,424 fics

(F/F) Chloe Beale/Beca Mitchell (Pitch Perfect) 5,410 fics

(F/F) Alphys/Undyne (Undertale) 4,848 fics

(F&F) Clarke Griffin & Lexa (The 100 TV) 4,695 fics

(F/F) Krista Lenz | Historia Reiss/Ymir of 104th (Attack on Titan) 4,483 fics

(F/F) Thirteenth Doctor/Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who TV) 4,482 fics

(F/F) Luna Lovegood/Ginny Weasley (Harry Potter) 3,979 fics

(F/F) Eve Polastri/Villanelle | Oksana Astankova (Killing Eve TV) 3,928 fics

(F/F) Maya Bishop/Carina DeLuca (Station 19 TV) 3,773 fics

(F/F) Santana Lopez/Brittany S. Pierce (Glee TV) 3,722 fics

(F/F) Sister Beatrice/Ava Silva (Warrior Nun TV) 3,714 fics

(F/F) Maxine "Max" Caulfield/Chloe Price (Life is Strange) 3,567 fics

(F/F) Asui Tsuyu/Uraraka Ochako (My Hero Academia) 3,407 fics

(F/F) Sara Lance/Ava Sharpe (Legends of Tomorrow TV/DCU) 3,394 fics

(F/F) Kara Danvers/Cat Grant (Supergirl TV/DCU) 3,391 fics

(F/F) Miranda Priestly/Andrea Sachs (Devil Wear Prada) 3,367 fics

(F/F) Mary MacDonald/Lily Evans Potter (Marauders/Harry Potter) 3,337 fics

(F/F) Root | Samantha Groves/Sameen Shaw (Person of Interest TV) 3,335 fics

(F/R) Natasha Romanov/Reader (Marvel) 3,299 fics

(F/F) Pamela Isley/Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn/DCU) 3,209 fics

(F/F) Beidou/Ningguang (Genshin Impact) 3,197 fics

(F/F) Raiden Ei | Baal/Yae Miko (Genshin Impact) 3,183 fics

(F&F) Alex Danvers & Kara Danvers (Supergirl TV/DCU) 3,135 fics

(F&F) Adora & Catra (She-Ra) 3,134 fics

(F/P) Edelgard von Hresvelg/My Unit | Byleth (Fire Emblem) 3,079 fics

(F&F) Kara Danvers & Lena Luthor (Supergirl TV/DCU) 2,969 fics

(F/F) Jennifer "JJ" Jareau/Emily Prentiss (Criminal Minds TV) 2,949 fics

(F/F) Rachel Berry/Quinn Fabray (Glee TV) 2,947 fics

(F/F) Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe (Holby City TV) 2,892 fics

(F/F) Wanda Maximoff/Natasha Romanov (Avengers/Marvel) 2,764 fics

(F/F) Fareeha "Pharah" Amari/Angela "Mercy" Ziegler (Overwatch) 2,760 fics

(F/F) Maria Hill/Natasha Romanov (Avengers/Marvel) 2,725 fics

(F/R) Wanda Maximoff/Reader (Marvel) 2,713 fics

(F/F) Hermione Granger/Pansy Parkinson (Harry Potter) 2,682 fics

(F/F) Anna/Elsa (Frozen/Disney Theatrical Universe) 2,680 fics

(F/F) Alicent Hightower/Rhaenyra Targaryen (House of the Dragon TV/Song of Ice and Fire) 2,673 fics

(F/F) Beauregard Lionett/Yasha (Critical Role) 2,669 fics

(F/F) Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb) 2,636 fics

(F/F) Jean/Lisa (Genshin Impact) 2,613 fics

(F/F) Hope Mikaelson/Josie Saltzman (Legacies TV/Vampire Diaries) 2,595 fics

(F/F) Cheryl Blossom/Toni Topaz (Riverdale TV/Archie Comics) 2,499 fics

(F/F) Yelena Belova/Kate Bishop (Hawkeye TV/Marvel) 2,478 fics

(F&F) Alya Cesaire | Rena Rouge & Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug (Miraculous Ladybug) 2,450 fics

(F/F) Peggy Carter/Angie Martinelli (Agent Carter TV/Marvel) 2,441 fics

(F/F) Lapis Lazuli/Peridot (Steven Universe) 2,434 fics

(F&F) Eda Clawthorne & Luz Noceda (The Owl House) 2,340 fics

(F/F) Hermione Granger/Bellatrix Black Lestrange (Harry Potter) 2,293 fics

(F/P) Shepard/Liara T'Soni (Mass Effect) 2,274 fics

(F/F) Maura Isles/Jane Rizzoli (Rizzoli & Isles TV) 2,266 fics

(F/F) Juleka Couffaine/Rose Lavillant (Miraculous Ladybug) 2,260 fics

(F/F) Gwen/Morgana (Merlin TV) 2,244 fics

(F&F) Maya Bishop & Carine DeLuca (Station 19 TV) 2,229 fics

(FGQ/F) Akiyama Mizuki/Shinonome Ena (Project SEKAI) 2,169 fics

(F/F) Toga Himiko/Uraraka Ochako (My Hero Academia) 2,095 fics

(F/F) Allison Argent/Lydia Martin (Teen Wolf TV) 2,073 fics

(F/F) Eleven | Jane Hopper/Maxine "Max" Mayfield (Stranger Things TV) 2,045 fics

(F/F) Diana Cavendish/Atsuko "Akko" Kagari (Little Witch Academia) 2,022 fics

(F/F) Shimizu Kiyoke/Yachi Hitoki (Haikyuu!) 1,923 fics

(F&F) Yelena Belova & Natasha Romanov (Black Widow/Marvel) 1,913 fics

(F&F) Original Female Character & Original Female Character (All Fandoms) 1,897 fics

(F/F) Jemma Simmons/Skye | Daisy Johnson (Agents of SHIELD TV/Marvel) 1,886 fics

(F/F) Myaka Bering/Helena "HG" Wells (Warehouse 13 TV) 1,870 fics

(F/F) Meredith Grey/Addison Montgomery (Grey's Anatomy TV) 1,861 fics

(F/P) Niijima Makoto/Persona 5 Protagonist (Persona) 1,860 fics

(F/F) Dina/Ellie (The Last of Us) 1,857 fics

(F&F) Wednesday Addams & Enid Sinclair (Wednesday TV/Addams Family) 1,842 fics

(F/F) Mikasa Ackerman/Annie Leonhart (Attack on Titan) 1,839 fics

(F/F) Tara Maclay/Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV) 1,825 fics

(F/F) Laudna/Imogen Temult (Critical Role) 1,814 fics

(F/F) Anne Boonchuy/Marcy Wu (Amphibia) 1,793 fics

(F/F) Kugisaki Nobara/Zenin Maki (Jujutsu Kaisen) 1,762 fics

(F/F) Clary Fray/Isabella Lightwood (Shadowhunters TV) 1,755 fics

(F&F) Anna & Elsa (Frozen/Disney Theatrical Universe) 1,742 fics

(F/F) Sansa Stark/Margery Tyrell (Game of Thrones TV/Song of Ice and Fire) 1,723 fics

(F/F) Azula/Ty Lee (Avatar Last Airbender) 1,712

(F/F) Kathryn Janeway/Seven of Nine (Star Trek Voyager TV) 1,697 fics

(F&P) Paimon & Traveler (Genshin Impact) 1,687 fics

(F/F) Faith Lehane/Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV) 1,679 fics

(F/F) Alex Danvers/Kelly Olson (Supergirl TV/DCU) 1,669 fics

(F/F) Azusawa Kohane/Shiraishi An (Project SEKAI) 1,645 fics

(F/F) Tobin Heath/Christen Press (Sports RPF) 1,643 fics

(F/F) Delphine Cormier/Niehaus (Orphan Black TV) 1,635 fics

[lilypoppy05]

Mary & George First Look Teaser-Trailer - Coming Soon.

Credit: Sky

CAST:

-Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers

-Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers

-Tony Curran as King James I

-Niamh Algar as Sandie

-Nicola Walker as Lady Hatton

-Trine Dyrholm as Queen Anne

-Sean Gilder as Sir Thomas Compton

-Adrian Rawlins as Sir Edward Coke

-Mark O’Halloran as Sir Francis Bacon

-Laurie Davidson as Somerset

-Samuel Blenkin as Prince Charles

-Jacob McCarthy as Kit Villiers

-Tom Victor as John Villiers

-Alice Grant as Susan Villiers

-Amelia Gething as Frances Coke

-Mirren Mack as Katherine Manners

-Rina Mahoney as Laura Ashcattle

-Simon Russell Beale as Sir George Villiers

[fundieshaderoom]

Major Fundie (and Adjacent) Birthdays in October

October 1-

Lydia Romeike and Trace Bates celebrate 2 years of marriage.

October 4-

Charles and Tammy Paine celebrate 40 years of marriage.

Jill Noyes and David Rodrigues celebrate 27 years of marriage.

October 5-

Katie Bates Clark turns 24.

Josie Bates and Kelton Balka celebrate 6 years of marriage.

Cade Foehner and Gabby Barrett celebrate 5 years of marriage.

October 7-

Matt Roloff turns 63.

October 8-

Mackynzie Duggar turns 15.

October 9-

Daxton King turns 5.

October 11-

Mark Driscoll turns 54.

John Luke Robertson turns 29.

Johannah Duggar turns 19.

Nehemiah Keller turns 3.

October 12-

Kirk Cameron turns 54.

Laura Lentz turns 45.

October 13-

Curtis Bowers turns 59.

October 14-

Esther Keyes Bates turns 27.

Bethany Baird and Dav Beal celebrate 6 years of marriage.

Emerson Wells and Jack Bates celebrate 1 year of marriage.

October 16-

Isaiah Bates turns 20.

October 17-

Kenna Bates turns 2.

October 19-

Phillip Waller turns 8.

October 21-

Isaac Plath turns 19.

[pxnsneverland]

Beauty and the Boss | austin!elvis x oc (part 6)

plot summary: Laura Jean Walker is the daughter to Louisiana’s most powerful mafia boss, but to her, he’s just her jail warden. When she sneaks out to the Louisiana Hayride with her friend she sees Elvis Presley perform and instantly knows something is special about this boy. Especially when he saves her from being assaulted by a townie. She thinks she’s on cloud 9 until she gets kidnapped in the middle of the night by the Memphis Mafia led by Elvis himself. Will Laura Jean try to free herself or will something hold her back from finding her way home?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

pairings: austin!elvis x oc

word count: 2169

warnings/notes: I said I would try to make another part by the end of the week and I was actually able to keep my promise! I'm glad I finally got to his part because this is my favorite scene in the movie to adapting it to my story was fun :) warning: some police brutality

Chapter 6

 The following day was the Russwood Park benefit performance. 10,000 people, perhaps more, crammed onto the baseball field to witness Elvis perform. Meanwhile, Elvis, I, Colonel, Gladys, and several Memphis Mafia members were traveling in two automobiles towards the location. Elvis, Colonel, and I were in the rear of the first car, which had two cops in the front. Colonel was opposed to me riding with Elvis, but Elvis persisted. I began to suspect it was more for his protection than mine. He appeared more apprehensive than ever for this performance after our night out at Club Handy. I knew he had something planned, but even I was unsure what it was. Elvis sat next to me, his eyes downcast, periodically staring out the car window while gripping my hand. I could see the Colonel frowning at me from time to time. My reactionary glance tempted him to say something about Elvis and me since I would have welcomed an opportunity to tell him how I felt about him.

As soon as we arrived to Russwood Park, the commotion erupted, as it usually did. Fans flocked to the car, with one even jumping on the hood before sliding down so she didn't get entirely run over. When the automobile slowly made its way through the gates to the field, cameras flashed and hands beat on the doors and windows.

Colonel broke the stillness in the car by saying to Elvis, “The mayor loved you on Steve Allen. All the important people did.” Elvis didn't turn to face him, but his grasp on my hand strengthened, and I gripped it back, placing my other hand on top of his. “What song are you going to sing tonight?” Colonel asked.

Elvis looked up at that point. “I’ve made no decision. I’ll feel it.”

I swallowed the knot that had formed in my throat. I assured Elvis that I would stand by him no matter what, even if it meant going against the Colonel and everyone else who wanted him to stop being himself. It didn't mean I wasn't terrified for him. With his black Beale Street suit, red tie, and eye makeup I did on him before leaving Graceland, he definitely looked like the old Elvis tonight. The car passed through the gate with the car behind us, with the rest of our company close after. I looked back as security locked the gates and attempted to halt the mob from scaling the walls. When we approached the stage, there were guards and cops everywhere, as if it were an execution trial rather than a concert. Everyone who wasn't a guard had a camera pointed towards the automobile, trying to capture that money moment. I had to hide my eyes from the harsh light.

“Pay no mind to all the cameras,” Colonel comforted, “Those are our friends in the vice squad. They don’t mean nothing. Ain’t that right, chief?”

The police chief swung around, disregarding Colonel, and staring directly at Elvis. “As long as you don’t so much as wiggle a finger.”

I locked my gaze on him. “Your wife must find you a ball of fun.”

“Does your Daddy know the kind of people you associate with, little girl?”

“You mean people with more manners than the chief of law enforcement around these parts? Yes, sir, he sure does.”

It was now his turn to frown at me. “Watch yourself, girly.”

Elvis gave me a little smile from the corner of my eye. Colonel rushed Elvis and me out of the vehicle before any more sneaky insults could be exchanged. The only individuals who didn't appear to be pleased to meet Elvis were the cops who stood in a line on both sides of us as we went. When we came closer, a member of Elvis' band gave him his guitar.

“Oh, yes, sir, good people!” said the emcee via the microphone, “A big thank you to Shorty Morgan’s Dixie Dolls! But I know some young people are very excited about this next act!”

Elvis draped his guitar strap across his back. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I want you in the front row. I wanna be able to see you.”

I nodded as I was dragged away by someone who pushed through the crowd until I was front and center on the 'White People' side, directly in front of the stage. As an ardent admirer pressed me in the back, I bit on my thumb nail, groaning. I was sweating profusely because I was so frightened. I offered a little prayer to God, pleading with him to let Elvis be alright. Gladys was caressing his face and whispering something in his ear when I discovered him on the side of the stage. He pointed to the front of the stage, obviously indicating where I was because I wasn't with her as usual.

“Elvis Presley!” exclaimed the emcee to the delight of the audience. Colonel shouted something to Elvis right before he stepped onstage, and I saw Elvis' forehead wrinkle in irritation. Elvis took his place on the stage. He had a strong, determined expression on his face. I'd only seen him wear it while he was doing mafia business. That was a commanding expression. That encouraged the audience while making me believe that the night's events had only just begun. His gaze scanned the throng until he spotted me. That reminded me of that first night at the Louisiana Hayride, when I was lost in the tide pools of his eyes, entranced by him. I blew him a kiss and nodded, which appeared to be all the assurance he needed as he approached the microphone.  

“There’s been a lot of talk about the new Elvis,” Elvis stated. The audience booed, not hesitant to express their displeasure with the Elvis society desired. “And of course, that other guy.” He raised his finger and wiggled it in the air while singing "Hound Dog." I laughed and grinned. This was my Elvis, the rebel, the boy who didn't have to be anything other than himself in order to be loved. I wished I could see the chief's expression from where I was.

“There’s a lot of people saying a lot of things,” he said, “Of course…you gotta listen to the people that you love.” He returned his gaze to the crowd after a quick glance at the Colonel. “But in the end…” He tracked me down again. “…you gotta listen to yourself.” While the crowd applauded, I smiled even brighter at him. “So, I want you to know those New York people ain’t gonna change me none.” He removed his instrument and spoke something to his band that made them smile. “I’m gonna show you what the real Elvis is like tonight!”

The band played the initial chords of “Trouble” and Elvis began to sing. He was more at ease and unconcerned than I had seen him since the Steve Allen performance. His body began to move as he felt the music go through him, and the audience went crazy, pressing against the security line to get closer to Elvis. I could see the Dixie Dolls struggling to get onto the stage, reaching for the man who was just out of reach. He suddenly let out a note and sank on his knees in front of me, singing directly to me. While the females around me clutched onto his jacket, he leaned out and grasped my face in one of his hands. He pressed a kiss on my lips without warning, and I sucked in a breath muffled by his mouth on mine. Yeah, I'd kissed other boys before, but nothing like this. For a split second, nothing could be heard except Elvis's breath mingled with mine. My heart was racing so rapidly that I thought I was going to pass out. Then he smiled and walked away, returning to his song with a wink. I could feel the envious stares, but I didn't mind. I couldn't take my gaze away from the mafia gangster who had captured my heart while I wasn't even looking.

The sound of shouts jolted me out of my trance. I cast a glance behind me. The barrier dividing the white and black youths had been broken down, and they were beginning to blend together while dancing and singing to the music. It sparked a commotion among the cops who were attempting to separate them once more. As batons were drawn and people were struck, there was yelling and screaming. While the commotion erupted, Elvis continued to play, crawling across the platform and nearly shouting into the microphone. I was trapped between the stage and the crowd, unable to move to escape the turmoil that was becoming worse by the second. Elvis had fallen to the ground, his jacket thrown away, soaking in the affection of his supporters who had been holding him aloft in the air. He was able to return to the stage and finish the song. Colonel attracted my attention from beneath the stage. He seemed disturbed and dissatisfied, and if I hadn't been striving to liberate myself, I would have been happier.

Officers stormed the stage, yanking Elvis off the ground. He threw down the mic and began shoving and cursing at them. Even his band was arguing with the authorities, pleading with them to let him go. I grabbed a wire and dragged myself out of the crowd and onto the stage. I didn't even think twice about it as I dashed up to Elvis, who was shoving up against the police.

“Let him go! Leave him alone!” I yelled.

I was grabbed and yanked away by one of the policemen. I was hurled down onto the stage almost as abruptly. My head slammed the hardwood, knocking the wind out of me and leaving me disoriented for a time. Still, I crawled back to Elvis. A baton struck me in the back, causing me to stop crawling.

“Laura Jean!” yelled Elvis.

He'd gotten away from the men who were attempting to pull him away. He pushed away the cop who had attacked me. “Get off her!” He drew me to my feet. He was sweaty, his clothing was ripped, and his makeup was smudged over his eyes, yet he was still the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen. “Laura Jean, baby, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” All of the adrenaline had dulled the agony in my back that I was certain I would experience later. The cop who had hit me regained his feet and was making his way towards us when he noticed something in Elvis's hand and came to a halt. Elvis placed his arm around my waist and drew me to him, without taking his gaze away from the officer. I followed the officer's attention to Elvis's unattached hand. His chest heaved up and down swiftly as he clutched a pocketknife in the other hand.

Elvis pressed my head into his shoulder as he slid his hand from my waist to my hair. He spoke in hushed tones that only I could hear. His voice was kind and soothing when he spoke to me. “Go find my mama.”

I shook my head while gripping his shirt. “No! I’m not leavin’ you!”

He kissed my brow and scratched my scalp like if he were comforting an animal. “Darlin’ if you stay…if they touch you again, I’m going to jail for more than just causin’ a riot.” Elvis tilted his head down to stare into my eyes. He really meant what he just said. He'd do anything to keep these men away from me. “Go find my mama…now.”

“Put the knife away and I will.” I didn't want him to get into any more trouble.

He slid the knife closed and dropped it onto the stage. “Go.”

I nodded and let go of him, racing down the stage stairs and weaving between the wild mob until I saw Ms. Gladys outside the car, crying. She embraced me and expressed her concern that she couldn't locate me. She had obviously refused to go without me, despite the Colonel's urgings. We both looked to the opposite side of the stage, where Elvis was being taken to the vehicle in which we had come.

“Elvis!” Gladys screamed, terrified for her son.

“Mama, you get in the car! Laura Jean, Mama, get in the car!” he yelled back. The cops shoved him into the back seat, and slammed the door shut behind him. I noticed him peering out the back window at us.

Even though I was as anxious and afraid as Ms. Gladys, I grabbed her arm. “Let’s go, Ms. Gladys. We gotta go.”

She let me pull her into the backseat, which closed once the Colonel got in. I stared out the back window as the automobile began to drive away. As I watched the car with Elvis in it go in the opposite direction, I burst into tears.

Stay tuned for part 7!! Click HERE to view!

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Passenger Railway Services Bill (Public Ownership) Bill: Committee: Amendment 14

Ayes: 111 (95.5% Con, 4.5% DUP) Noes: 362 (97.0% Lab, 2.5% Ind, 0.6% SDLP) Absent: ~177

Day's business papers: 2024-9-3

Likely Referenced Bill: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: 3rd reading

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (106 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alex Burghart Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Ben Spencer Bernard Jenkin Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Chris Philp Claire Coutinho Damian Hinds Danny Kruger David Davis David Mundell David Reed David Simmonds Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Edward Leigh Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gavin Williamson Geoffrey Cox George Freeman Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Whately Iain Duncan Smith Jack Rankin James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Wild Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Wright Jerome Mayhew Jesse Norman Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont John Whittingdale Joy Morrissey Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Karen Bradley Katie Lam Kemi Badenoch Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Laura Trott Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Pritchard Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil Hudson Neil O'Brien Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Nigel Huddleston Oliver Dowden Patrick Spencer Peter Bedford Peter Fortune Priti Patel Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Fuller Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Jenrick Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Shivani Raja Simon Hoare Steve Barclay Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Suella Braverman Tom Tugendhat Victoria Atkins Wendy Morton

Democratic Unionist Party (5 votes)

Carla Lockhart Gavin Robinson Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Sammy Wilson

Noes

Labour (351 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Afzal Khan Al Carns Alan Campbell Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Hack Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Gwynne Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy McDonald Andy Slaughter Angela Eagle Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anna McMorrin Anna Turley Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Ashley Dalton Baggy Shanker Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Ward Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Connor Rand Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Carden Dan Jarvis Dan Norris Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Danny Beales Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor Dawn Butler Debbie Abrahams Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Elaine Stewart Ellie Reeves Elsie Blundell Emily Darlington Emily Thornberry Emma Foody Emma Lewell-Buck Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Fleur Anderson Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Gareth Snell Gareth Thomas Gen Kitchen Gerald Jones Gill Furniss Gill German Gordon McKee Graeme Downie Graham Stringer Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Singh Josan Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Frith James Naish Janet Daby Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Asato Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Healey John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Davies Jonathan Hinder Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Julia Buckley Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Karin Smyth Karl Turner Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Edwards Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Lillian Jones Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lizzi Collinge Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Louise Haigh Louise Jones Lucy Powell Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Margaret Mullane Marie Tidball Mark Ferguson Mark Hendrick Mark Sewards Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin Rhodes Mary Glindon Mary Kelly Foy Matt Bishop Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matt Western Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Amesbury Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Nadia Whittome Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Naushabah Khan Navendu Mishra Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nesil Caliskan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Nick Smith Nick Thomas-Symonds Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Dowd Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosie Duffield

Rupa Huq Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Owen Sarah Sackman Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stella Creasy Stephanie Peacock Stephen Kinnock Stephen Timms Steve Race Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Tahir Ali Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Vicky Foxcroft Warinder Juss Wes Streeting Will Stone Yasmin Qureshi Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (9 votes)

Apsana Begum Ayoub Khan Imran Hussain Jeremy Corbyn John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Shockat Adam Zarah Sultana

Social Democratic & Labour Party (2 votes)

Claire Hanna Colum Eastwood

[ffshipbracket]

ROUND ONE

Click each pairing to be taken to the poll to vote (All Round 1 polls posted as of June 3!)

*disclaimer- please don't send hate to this blog. I'm simply running the poll. If there is a offensive relationship included please message me and I will take it down. I tried to do my research but I'm not perfect.

Santana Lopez/Brittany Pierce (Brittana) VS Karolina Dean/Nico Minoru (Deanoru) [CLOSED]

Thirteenth Doctor/Yasmin (Thasmin) VS Peggy Carter/Angie Martinelli (Cartinelli) [CLOSED]

Eleven | Jane Hopper/Max (Elmax) VS Pearl/Rose Quartz (Pearlrose) [CLOSED]

Caitlyn Kiramman/Vi (Caitvi or Piltover's Finest) VS Maxine "Max" Caulfield/Chloe Price (Pricefield) [CLOSED]

Adora/Catra (Catradora) VS Beauregard Lionett/Yasha (Beauyasha)

Yelena Belova/Kate Bishop VS Root | Samantha Groves/Sameen Shaw (Shoot)

Korra/Asami Sato (Korrasami) VS Maria Hill/Natasha Romanoff (Blackhill)

Ruby/Sapphire (Rupphire) VS Tara Maclay/Willow Rosenberg (Tillow)

Rachel Berry/Quinn Fabray (Faberry) VS Adora/Glimmer (Glimadora)

Waverly Earp/Nicole Haught (Wayhaught) VS Gwen/Morgana (Morgwen)

Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor (Supercorp) VS Sara Lance/Ava Sharpe (Avalance)

Xena/Gabrielle VS Rhaenyra Targaryen/Alicent Hightower (Rhaenicent)

Shauna Shipman/Jackie Taylor (JackieShauna) VS Alina Starkov/Zoya Nazyalensky (Zoyalina)

Emily Dickinson/Sue Gilbert (Emisue) VS Bella Swan/Alice Cullen (Belice)

Amity Blight/Luz Noceda (Lumity) VS Akemi Homura/Kaname Madoka (Madohomu)

Ava Silva/Sister Beatrice (Avatrice) VS Dina/Ellie Williams

Dani Clayton/Jamie Taylor (Daime) VS Rose Lalonde/Kanaya Maryam (Rosemary)

Perfuma/Scorpia VS Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus

Robin Buckley/Nancy Wheeler (Ronance) VS Delphine Cormier/Cosima Niehaus (Cophine)

Eve Polastri/Villanelle | Oksana Astankova (Villaneve) VS Blake Belladonna/Yang Xiao Long (Bumbleby)

Shelby Goodkind/Toni Shalifoe (Shoni) VS Tara Jones/Darcy Olsen (Tarcy)

Faith Lehane/Buffy Summers (Fuffy) VS Jennifer "JJ" Jareau/Emily Prentiss (Jemily)

Princess Bubblegum/Marceline (Bubbline) VS Cheryl Blossom/Toni Topaz (Choni)

Regina Mills/Emma Swan (Swanqueen) VS Chloe Beale/Beca Mitchell (Bechloe)

Calliope Burns/Juliette Fairmont (Calliette) VS Maura Isles/Jane Rizzoli (Rizzles)

Alphys/Undyne (Alphyne) VS Laura Hollis/Carmilla Karnstein (Hollstein)

Pamela Isley/Harleen Quinzel (Harlivy) VS Sansa Stark/Margaery Tyrell (Sansaery)

Azula/Ty Lee (Tyzula) VS Betty Cooper/Veronica Lodge (Beronica)

Vanessa "Van" Palmer/Taissa Turner VS Bella Swan/Rosalie Cullen (Rosella)

Jade West/Tori Vega (Jori) VS Raven |Rachel Roth/Starfire |Princess Koriand'r (StarRae)

Wednesday Addams/Enid Sinclair (Wenclair) VS Clary Fray/Isabelle Lightwood (Clizzy)

 Lexa/Clarke Griffin (Clexa) VS Lapis Lazuli/Peridot (Lapidot)

[ofallingstar]

List of books I read this year

The Summer Children by Dot Hutchison

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Kink: Stories by R.O. Kwon

Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle by Vladimir Nabokov

Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

Nana by Émile Zola

Poesía completa by Alejandra Pizarnik

Hija de la fortuna by Isabel Allende

The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles' Philoctetes by Seamus Heaney

The Complete Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde

The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe

The Dalkey Archive by Flann O'Brien

The Likeness by Tana French

The Gathering by Anne Enright

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Plague by Albert Camus

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

Book of Mercy by Leonard Cohen

Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Dale

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Água Viva by Clarice Lispector

Graveyard Clay: Cré na Cille by Máirtín Ó Cadhain

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

New and Collected Poems: 1931-2001 by Czeslaw Milosz

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Close Range: Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories by Annie Proulx

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Lunch Poems by Frank O'Hara

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

As Normal as Possible: Negotiating Sexuality and Gender in Mainland China and Hong Kong by Yau Ching

The Black Phone by Joe Hill

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Firelight of a Different Colour: The Life and Times of Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing by Nigel Collett

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin

Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963 by Susan Sontag

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

How Now, Butterfly?: A Memoir of Murder, Survival and Transformation by Charity Lee

Santa by Federico Gamboa

Farewell My Concubine by Lilian Lee

Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Temprada de huracanes by Fernanda Melchor

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror by Joyce Carol Oates

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Kissing Carrion by Gemma Files

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche

Sybil: The Classic True Story of a Woman Possessed by Sixteen Personalities by Flora Rheta Schreiber

The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin

Columbine by Dave Cullen

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende

Posion for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Díaz

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties: Translations and Considerations by Rainer Maria Rilke

You can follow me or add me as a friend on Goodreads.

[pers-books]

Nicola Walker's appearing in another historical (for the first time in what seems like ages!)

Everything We Know About Mary & George

BY EMILY BURACK PUBLISHED: NOV 16, 2023

Mary & George, a new period drama which will chronicle the affair between King James I and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, promises to be one of the most highly anticipated shows of 2024.

In fact, the romance between the two is referenced in Casey McQuiston's Red, White, & Royal Blue novel, wherein the fictional Prince Henry writes, "I feel that James I, who fell madly in love with a very fit and exceptionally dim knight at a tilting match and immediately made him a gentleman of the bedchamber (a real title), would take mercy upon my particular plight." In a fun turn of events, actor Nicholas Galitzine stars as both Henry in Red, White, and Royal Blue and as the "very fit knight," a.k.a. George, Duke of Buckingham.

Here's everything we know about Mary & George so far:

It's based on a true story.

Mary & George is adapted from The King's Assassin by Benjamin Woolley, a nonfiction book that details "the conspiracy to kill King James I by his handsome lover, the Duke of Buckingham."

Per Sky Atlantic, "Mary & George is inspired by the unbelievable true story of Mary Villiers, who moulded her beautiful and charismatic son, George, to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England and become his all-powerful lover. Through outrageous scheming, the pair rose from humble beginnings to become the richest, most titled and influential players the English court had ever seen, and the King’s most trusted advisors. And with England’s place on the world stage under threat from a Spanish invasion and rioters taking to the streets to denounce the King, the stakes could not have been higher."

Galitzine is also set to star in Red, White, and Royal Blue this year.SKY AND AMC

The plot continues: "Prepared to stop at nothing and armed with her ruthless political steel, Mary married her way up the ranks, bribed politicians, colluded with criminals and clawed her way into the heart of the Establishment, making it her own.  Mary & George is a dangerously daring historical psychodrama about an outrageous mother and son who schemed, seduced, and killed to conquer the court of England and the bed of King James."

Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine lead the cast.

Moore and Galitzine as the mother-son duo.SKY AND AMC

Julianne Moore stars as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham

Nicholas Galitzine stars as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

Tony Curran as King James I

Laurie Davidson as Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset

Trine Dyrholm as Queen Anne

Tom Victor as John Villers, 1st Viscount Purbeck

Amelia Gething as Frances Coke, Viscountess Purbeck

Sean Gilder as Sir Thomas Compton

Jacob McCarthy as Christopher "Kit" Villers, 1st Earl of Anglese

Alice Grant as Susan Villers, a.k.a Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh

Niamh Algar as Sandie

Nicola Walker as Elizabeth Hatton

Samuel Blenkin as King Charles I

Mirren Mack as Katherine Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham

Rina Mahoney as Laura Ashcattle

Adrian Rawlins as Sir Edward Coke

Simon Russell Beale as Sir George Villiers

There will be seven episodes in the limited series.

Davidson as Earl Somerset, Curran as King James, and Dyrholm as Queen Anne.SKY AND AMC

No premiere date has been set yet, but it will air in 2024 on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Starz in the US. Watch a teaser trailer here:

It was originally supposed to air on AMC Networks, but now it will air on Starz.

[home-from-hogwarts]

Book Recommendations for Gryffindor

I'm just making these for fun! I'm looking for adventure books, or stories with a high emphasis on courage/chivalry/honor.

Nonfiction/Memoir:

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The story of Louis Zamperini, who was an Olympic runner prior to WWII. He was later drafted and survived both being on a raft for over 40 days at sea, and then being held in horrible conditions by the Japanese as a prisoner of war. In light of Gryffindor specifically- his childhood antics and pranks are hilarious, and might remind you a bit of Fred and George. But more than that, he showed incredible bravery throughout the course of world war two.

Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford. I actually read this because JK Rowling said it was one of her favorite books! She's a socialite who rejected her (largely fascist) family in favor of communist politics, and ran away to marry her second cousin Esmond Romilly- who had himself left the family to join the Spanish Civil War. Basically everything about this book is hilarious, and I've read it multiple times. Bits of it will make you cringe, but it's absolutely worthwhile. After the book ends Jessica became a muckraker and worked in a civil rights organization. The story of a socialite running away and standing up against fascism (while at the same time being a bit young and immature) might remind you of Sirius Black, ngl.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Being real... it's his mother's story, almost more than his. But she's definitely a woman to admire in my book! The book follows Trevor's life growing up as a mixed-race child under apartheid, as well as living in the shadow of an abusive stepfather. It's written in a very episodic way, and things aren't necessarily recounted consecutively. As you'd expect from a comedian, it's written in a very humorous and exaggerated way.

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. She was one of the Little Rock Nine, and her endurance during her years at Central High is amazing. I think on a conceptual level I understood the facts of what had happened before reading this, but I never really imagined what it would be like to sacrifice your high school years (and what should have been a happy time of your life!) to a cause greater than yourself like this. Her classmates treated her horribly, and reading this book makes you admire the entire group's commitment.

Fiction- Classic Lit + Modern:

Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green. Ok, the book was targeted at kids... But the charm of it is really in how old-fashioned the writing and sentiments are. It has a lot of emphasis on chivalry and courage, and both Robin Hood and Marian are the types of "paragon" characters who give you warm fuzzies to read about. Maybe try the Howard Pyle version if you want something that feels a little more adult- I've only read the L. Green edition, so that's what I'm recommending. (I'll add on that if you like this to try reading a version of King Arthur- it's the same Gryffindor feeling with its emphasis on chivalry and honor. I didn't want to recommend it because I haven't read it all the way through since middle school!).

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. Full disclosure- this is the only book in this list that I haven't finished. I'm reading it rn and I'm only a few chapters in, but I love it! This introduced the idea of a "masked hero" to literature, and the vibe of it- rebelling to stand up for the lives of other people- is very Gryffindor.

The Martian by Andy Weir. Wonderful story about an astronaut who gets left alone on Mars, and uses his ingenuity to survive. It could be a Ravenclaw book for that reason, but I think that the adventurous feeling will probably appeal most to Gryffindor type personalities.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I read this a few years ago, but I read it in just one day (which is a high recommendation!). The main theme is basically the intense rivalry between the greasers and the socs, and the fallout as a result of it. If I remember correctly the boys in it were all very loyal to each other, and I think the drama in it will probably appeal to those in Gryffindor house. You'll also understand this reference: "stay gold!"

Bonus: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Included for three reasons- a) another of JKR's favorite authors is apparently Jane Austen, b) the romance kind of reminds me of Jily, and c) Elizabeth is definitely a Gryffindor. I think this manifests mainly in her clear self-respect, particularly her commitment to only marrying for love even in the face of potential poverty. She doesn't try to be something she's not. This is a "bonus" because Jane Austen's subtle wit means that it could very easily be a Ravenclaw book.