#a discovery of witches fan cast

[asgoodeasgold]

Matthew Goode vs. A Black Panther

(🔊sound on)

A Goode fan on Twitter (layna_lane) attended one of the Blackbird Oracle promo tour events and reported back some of the lovely and interesting things Deborah Harkness said about Matthew Goode.

She said what drew her to casting Matthew was the way he moved - like a panther.

I agree, Matthew's way of moving and walking is very feline and in Discovery of Witches I thought it was breathtaking to see him portray an apex predator (vampire). I loved all these animalistic traits he gave his character, mesmerising to watch.

So this inspired me do make this video showcasing Matthew de Clermont/Roydon next to a beautiful black panther (I know deep doen MdC is a wolf lol).

This would not have been possible without the gorgeous footage from James Chandler on YT 🙏.

The other things Layna reported Deb said was that she was glad Matthew was cast, he has now become her MdC, and that he is kind, smart and funny (no surprise there but it's always nice to hear confirmation he is a wonderful human being).

🎶 Origins by Rob Lane (original soundtrack for A Discovery of Witches)

📷 My edit from Sky/Bad Wolf A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022) s1-3 and panther video by Jamie Chandler on YT (link below)

[pleasereadmeok]

Matthew Goode talking non-stop with his hands! Nearly done with posting prepped 'Hands' collages but some interviews are particularly 'Handsy' and this was one of them so it deserved some bonus collages.

Matthew on the set of 'A Discovery of Witches' for New York Comic Con Q & A in 2020

📷 screenshots from 'Behind the Magic' - thanks to Melissa-Ann for some of these.

The vid - he's a total goofball and completely naive about what fans will gif 😂 The cast Q and A starts at about 17:00

[welcometogrouchland]

i didnt come up with this headcanon ive just seen it around a bit (but not enough!!) which is that because he is part stonesleeper hunter is also weak to ear scritches lol

THIS??? GOOD SHIT RIGHT HERE!

I've always been a fan of the more subtle grimwalker biology headcanons like. Their eyes look slightly weird in photos/at night, their heartbeats are really subtle to the point of being inaudible, their skin is a bit duller and greyer than the average witch, etc. Small things that are Off, but not noticable.

There's so many options for How this revelation could come about and all of them are of equal hilarity to me. On the one hand, Luz knows about the stonesleepers ticklish spot, and is one of the most touchy feely in the cast w/ a curious personality. She is a PRIME candidate for unlocking the Hunter ticklish spot. Realistically it's Luz.

BUT if I were to be indulgent, then I'd also like to put forth Darius- (he's so used to giving Eberwolf affectionate ear scritches that once him and hunter have acclimated past the awkward phase of their relationship, he does it unconsciously one day, leading to the discovery)

-and Willow (that's his GF and she has special Hunter cuddle rights that few others have (HC hunter is VERY awkward about PDA but when he's alone w/ willow he's an absolute touch starved cuddlebug) and thus she is the only one who could have her hand in as weird of a place as the back of Hunters ear without him completely seizing up and going into fight or flight mode).

Either way once this fact is discovered Hunter will never know peace. Everyone he allows to be affectionate with him (Luz, Camilla, Gus, Amity and Eda after a time, King, etc) is gonna get their hands behind his poor, vulnerable little ears. It's just so surprising to people when they first hear it. Hunter?? Really??? He's got a ticklish spot like a big puppy????

And tbh it was a suprise to Hunter too! Nobody had ever been affectionate enough with him to discover this before </3

[mediamixs]

Harry Potter TV Series: what you need to know

The upcoming Harry Potter TV series is a highly anticipated project that will adapt J.K. Rowling's beloved book series for the small screen. The series is moving from the Max streaming service to HBO and is expected to premiere in 2026.

The series will feature a new cast and will adapt each of the seven Harry Potter books into a separate season, with the goal of providing a more faithful and in-depth retelling of the story compared to the film adaptations. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession, has been tapped as the showrunner, and Emmy-winning director Mark Mylod will helm multiple episodes as an executive producer.

J.K. Rowling will be involved in the project as an executive producer, and she has expressed excitement about the series' potential to delve deeper into the books' rich narrative and characters.The series aims to capture the magic of the Wizarding World while introducing it to a new generation of viewers.

While the original Harry Potter film cast, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have become iconic, the TV series will feature a completely new ensemble of actors.[3] This presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as the new cast will need to win over fans while also potentially bringing a fresh perspective to the characters.

Overall, the Harry Potter TV series is poised to be a major event for fans of the franchise, offering a chance to experience the Wizarding World in a new and potentially more expansive format. With a talented creative team and the full support of HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery, the series has the potential to become a new classic for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The upcoming Harry Potter TV series is expected to differ from the film adaptations in several key ways:

Faithfulness to the books: The series aims to provide a more faithful and in-depth adaptation of the Harry Potter books, with each of the seven novels being adapted into a separate season. This will allow the show to include more details, characters, and storylines that were omitted from the films.

Younger cast: Unlike the films, which aged up the characters, the TV series will feature a cast that is closer in age to the characters in the books. This means we'll see younger versions of characters like Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Severus Snape.

Expanded Wizarding World: The series will likely explore more of the Wizarding World beyond just Hogwarts, including introducing characters and settings from the other magical schools like Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

Voldemort's backstory: The show is expected to delve deeper into Voldemort's (also known as Tom Riddle) backstory and humanity, exploring his time at Borgin and Burkes and his potential for redemption.

Portrayal of witches: The series aims to give more prominent and nuanced roles to the female characters, such as Hermione, Fleur, and Tonks, who were sometimes sidelined in the films.

Overall, the Harry Potter TV series is poised to offer a fresh take on the beloved Wizarding World, providing fans with a more comprehensive and faithful adaptation of the source material.

[alexzalben]

Disney+ has greenlit a pilot for WITCH MOUNTAIN, a new take of the film franchise of yesteryear starring Bryce Dallas Howard (that also had an update featuring The Rock a while back).

Full cast list, and release (via Disney) below:

Disney+ announced today a pilot greenlight for “Witch Mountain,'' a reimagining of the successful film franchise. The series is a modern reinvention of the cult classic that takes place in the shadow of “Witch Mountain,” following two teens that develop strange abilities and discover their sleepy suburb may not be as idyllic as it seems. 

Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World: Dominion”) stars in the leading role as “Audrey,” Tia's devoted and loving mother.  Her husband died from a mental illness and she tries to reassure a fretful Tia that she shows no sign of following her father's dark spiral. A warm mama bear type, but like everyone in this town, not everything is as it seems. 

Howard is a multi-hyphenate creator who continues to work both on-screen and behind the camera. As an actor, she recently starred alongside Chris Pratt in Universal’s “Jurassic World” franchise and next stars in Matthew Vaughn’s spy thriller ”Argylle” for Apple TV+. Earlier this year, Howard lent her voice to the Star Wars character “Yaddle” in the animated Disney+ series “Tales of the Jedi.” Howard is represented by Entertainment 360, WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

Isabel Gravitt (“The Watcher”), Levi Miller (“Streamline”), Bianca “b” Norwood (“We Crashed”) and Jackson Kelly  (“Straight Man”) have been cast in the pilot. 

Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas co-wrote the pilot and are executive producers; Augustine Frizzell (“Euphoria”) will direct and is executive producer on the pilot.  John Fox and John Davis of Davis Entertainment are executive producing as well as Gary Marsh. The Disney Branded Television series is produced by ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios. 

Isabel Gravitt (series regular) as “Tia,” a straight-A student who's regarded by her classmates as “perfect,” although she regards herself as flawed. She's terrified of failure and is plagued by nightmares and fears that her late father's schizophrenia is starting to exhibit itself in her. Tia has “hallucinations” in which people around her step outside their living bodies and voice their deepest, darkest fears and desires and rages. Gravitt is known for her series regular role as “Ellie Brannock” in Netflix's hit limited series "The Watcher." She made her debut in CBS's pilot "The History of Us" and had recurring roles in ABC's "American Housewife" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere." Gravitt is represented by Buchwald and Randy James Management. 

Levi Miller (series regular) as “Ben,” a troubled teen who makes ends meet by writing papers for other students but he's got a hot temper and if he slugs another student, he'll be expelled. Ben is best friends with Corey, his co-worker at the diner. He’s recently made a troubling discovery about himself, he can force others in his vicinity to move according to his will and there's something drawing him inexplicably in the direction of Tia. Miller is best known for his roles in “Pan,” “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Better Watch Out.” Most recently, he was seen in the indie film “Streamline,” is also starring in Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter,” and attached to the upcoming British indie “Beach Boys.” Miller is repped by Verve, Rogue Management in the UK, Eaton Management in Australia and attorneys Fred Toczek and Jared Blo

Bianca “b” Norwood (series regular) as “Corey,” Ben's closest friend, an outsider with tattoos, Corey is a very mature teen who comes across older than they are. They are one step away from expulsion and puts more care into looking like a My Chemical Romance song that became an anime fan.  Corey works at the local diner alongside Ben and is in his circle of trust, but doesn't appreciate it when he tries to act as their protector. Norwood most recently starred in the New York Theatre Workshop production of "American (Tele)visions.'' Most recently, they can be seen in the AppleTV+ series “We Crashed,” as well as the Showtime series “Let the Right One In,” and can be heard voicing a lead role in the new QCODE fantasy podcast series “Birds of Empire.”  Norwood is represented by Innovative and Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

Jackson Kelly (series regular) as “Peter,” Tia's closest male friend. Peter is lovesick on the subject of Tia, but she's unaware of his charms, and equally unaware of his devotion. But when Tia expresses her concerns about the seemingly impossible happenings around them, she learns that Peter's observant, cautious nature might be an asset in figuring out the mystery around them. Jackson has a busy year ahead with the release of his major recurring role in the highly anticipated AMC series “Straight Man” and “Hard Miles.” He’s currently starring in the fifth installment of the cult-followed Shudder franchise “V/H/S/99.” Kelly is represented by Talent Works and 11:11 Entertainment. 

[pridepages]

eARC Review: Mortal Follies

A HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:  It is the year 1814 and life for a young lady of good breeding has many difficulties. There are balls to attend, fashions to follow, marriages to consider and, of course, the tiny complication of existing in a world swarming with fairy spirits, interfering deities, and actual straight-up sorcerers.  Miss Maelys Mitchelmore finds her entry into high society hindered by an irritating curse. However, as the curse progresses to more fatal proportions, Miss Mitchelmore must seek out aid, even if it means mixing with undesirable company. And there are few less desirable than Lady Georgianna Landrake—a brooding, alluring young woman sardonically nicknamed “the Duke of Annadale”—who may or may not have murdered her own father and brothers to inherit their fortune. If one is to believe the gossip, she might be some kind of malign enchantress. Then again, a malign enchantress might be exactly what Miss Mitchelmore needs.  But Miss Mitchelmore’s reputation is not the only thing at risk in spending time with her new ally. For the rumoured witch has her own secrets that may prove dangerous to Miss Mitchelmore’s heart—not to mention her life.

RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2023

See my full review under the cut!

Alexis Hall is back in the Regency, but this time it’s sapphics and sorcery! Fans of Hall, Austen, and Shakespeare will find something to love in this book.

Fans of A Lady for a Duke will appreciate how effortlessly Hall writes for the era in a style that is both credible but still readable. But be forewarned that this is decidedly a fantasy novel. All the action--and there is a lot--revolves around the magical lore. And there’s plenty of it! Luckily, we have a guide in our surprise narrator. Hall’s choice to have the story told by someone who (for the most part) is only an observer to the action rather than a party to it is bold. It gives the reader a wider perspective on events as well as providing some convenient deus ex plot device when required in an entertaining way. But it does create some narrative problems: the fame story is intriguing, but never really developed. Once the happily ever after is achieved, the narrator abandons our heroes. Consequently, the ending feels somewhat rushed and leaves a dissatisfied aftertaste.

Still, I wish there weren’t a ban on sharing snippets because Hall’s writing is packed with notable and quotable lines! And readers will positively adore the characters. I have been desperately waiting to see Hall turn their hands to a sapphic love match, and this one did not disappoint! Fans of Elizabeth and Darcy (or even Daphne and Simon) will find worthy successors in Maelys and Georgiana. But of the whole cast, I have to say that my heart belongs to the adorable ray of sunshine that is Lysistrata Bickle, who gives us a metaphor to say gay rights on par with David Rose’s now ubiquitous ‘I like the wine not the label.’ (Let’s just say I’ll never hear ‘make up the numbers’ the same way again!)

And that’s the real pleasure in a Hall novel. These books are pure queer joy. In these pages, gay people have gods to thwart and curses to break...but homophobia isn’t one of them. Here, queerness is only a source of self-discovery and growth instead of being the source of conflict. Whether they are fighting rogues, baking cakes, or dabbling in the occult, Hall characters are fully realized people and heroes not because of their queerness, but alongside it. And that’s the real magic.  

[mybookplacenet]

Featured Post: The Eagle Kidnapped by Peggy Chan

About The Eagle Kidnapped: Fate decided otherwise and dreams clashed with harsh realities Raised in a small village, Machieho, an eagle shifter, longed to soar beyond its boundaries, to an exciting unknown world. But Fate decided otherwise. Instead of soaring freely, Machieho was kidnapped, enslaved and sold to a Club. Trained as a dancer to entertain club clientele, Machieho’s dreams of freedom fade away until an enigmatic stranger appears, casting a spell over her. Tall and compelling, desire burning in his eyes, she finally surrenders to his irresistible charm. Her tiger shifter lover seals their love with the gift of the Tiger Eye Gem. Does he hold the key to the life she longs for? In a world where dreams clash with harsh realities, learn more about Machieho as she soars against adversity, a captivating tale of transformation and self-discovery. SCROLL UP AND GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY! Targeted Age Group: 18+ - 65 Written by: Peggy Chan Buy the ebook: Buy the Book On Amazon Author Bio: Peggy is a happy grandmother of four who loves creative writing. Writing has always been her first love. Romance is her main genre and she has books in its sub-categories, paranormal romance being one of them. She creates a fantasy world populated by vampires, witches, shape shifters and ghosts. Her published series include The Wild Heart, Dark Obsessions, Destinies Entwined, Love in the Shadows of Salem, Heartstrings and The Reckoning. Talons & Claws is her latest series. These paranormal romances will have your toes curling and your heart rooting for the spunky heroines, be they witches, vampires or shape shifters and even humans like us. She lives in the Land below the Wind in exotic Borneo Island in the Far East and when she’s not busy writing, she tends to her plants on the balcony. The leafy greens make the balcony come alive and yes, she does talk to her plants! Follow the author on social media: Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author's Website Facebook Fan Page Twitter Instagram Read the full article

[vinceviralfreak]

ROCKSTAR WITCHCRAFT: Once a revered rockstar, Hailey Nightshade reveled in the spotlight, her mesmerizing voice and commanding presence captivating audiences worldwide. Her fans worshipped her, unaware of the haunting secret that lurked in the depths of her past life.

Hidden away in the quaint English town of Blackthorn, a secret lay dormant, waiting for the moment to resurface. Hailey had once been a witch, a vessel of black magick, casting spells and cursing those around her. Long ago, she had thought those days were behind her, lost in the pages of history.

However, as fate would have it, her past would come crashing into her present, shattering the illusion of a perfect life. Hailey's nightmares grew increasingly vivid and terrifying, displaying the echoes of her notorious past. She would wake drenched in cold sweat, her heart racing, unable to escape the clutches of those dark memories.

Determined to confront her demons, Hailey embarked on a journey to Blackthorn, the epicenter of her nightmarish past. The town had an eerie aura, like a forgotten nightmare waiting to be remembered. As she roamed the cobbled streets, faces whispered in hushed tones, recognizing her from a time long forgotten.

Haunted by her past life, Hailey sought the guidance of Madame Isabella, a wise and enigmatic figure who possessed ancient knowledge. The old witch lived on the outskirts of the town, hidden within the dense forest. She welcomed Hailey with a cryptic smile, as if she had been expecting her arrival.

Within the dimly lit interior of Madame Isabella's cabin, Hailey delved into her past, unearthing the long-buried secrets she had feared to confront. The old witch revealed that Hailey's powers had been sealed, her memory erased, and her soul reincarnated as a rockstar to atone for her past transgressions.

Torn between her love for music and the lingering guilt of her past, Hailey embarked on a perilous journey of self-discovery. She embraced her black magick heritage, seeking to understand the true nature of her powers and find redemption. With Madame Isabella as her guide, Hailey honed her skills, learning to channel her energy for good instead of evil.

As news of her transformation spread throughout the town, the people of Blackthorn were initially skeptical, fearing the return of the once malevolent witch. However, Hailey used her newfound abilities to heal, to bring joy, and to mend the wounds she had inflicted in her previous life. Slowly but surely, the townsfolk began to trust her, seeing the genuine remorse and change within her.

With time, Hailey's nightmares ceased, replaced by a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. She dedicated her life to promoting positivity, spreading love, and using her music as a conduit for healing. Hailey Nightshade, once feared for her dark arts, became a symbol of redemption, proof that even the darkest souls could find their way back to the light.

In the end, the witch and the rockstar merged into one, creating a harmonious tale of transformation. Hailey Nightshade would forever remain haunted by her past, but her journey had taught her that we all possess the power to rewrite our own stories and redeem ourselves from the depths of darkness.

[witches-unruly-heart]

I’m a big fan of picturing the faces of the different characters I have in my stories. But seeing as there are some de Clermont family members we don’t have a face for — here’s my fan cast 🥰

I am in no way saying that this choice is the only choice. You’re allowed to have your own fancasts, it’s just who I picture when I read the names of some character ❤️

First up, let’s look at all of Philippe’s children (who aren’t my beloved Baldwin):

Henry Cavill as Philippe’s eldest son, Hugh

Florence Pugh as his Philippe’s eldest daughter Stasia

Annabelle Wallis/Wallace as Freyja

Krysten Ritter as Philippe’s youngest daughter Verin

And Gwilym Lee as his youngest son Godfrey

Now we have a visual representation of two of Ysabeau’s three children, but even so, with the choice for Louis, I couldn’t not have a face for his twin sister Louisa 😅

So here’s Lucky Blue Smith as Louis

And Lucky’s sister Daisy Clementine Smith as Louisa

We know Hugh’s only son, Gallowglass, played by the incredible Steven Cree. But what about Baldwin’s only daughter

So here’s Minami Hamabe as Miyako

And lastly, because I’ve desperately wanted to include someone from Marcus’ past,

I pictured Ella Purnell as Marcus’ sister Patience

~~~

I’m curious to know who your fan cast are, if you have any 🥰❤️

[pleasereadmeok]

A Goode Year 2022

I’m doing this a bit early coz I won’t be around much over the holidays.  Every year I sit down to write these thinking - hmm - we didn’t see enough of Matthew Goode this year.  [NEVER enough]  But then each year I’m surprised by how busy he is. 

January was all about season 3 of A Discovery of Witches. 

[📷 Sky]

Sadly it was a shorter season due to Covid but we got to see Matthew Goode back in the suit and cashmere for Prof Clairmont once more.  And he held babies.  😁

Stop animation ‘The House’ was released on Netflix - 

[📷 Nexus]

...  and we all watched and wondered what the hell it was all about.  Matthew played this guy called Raymond - 

Coz you just look at Raymond’s felty face and your first thought is ‘Matthew Goode’? Nope.  Anyway this got quite a following from the stop animation fans and won some noms and awards so all goode. 

Also in January we got our very first glimpse of Matthew Goode in ‘The Offer’ when this little teaser dropped - 

[📷 Paramount +]

There he is - BOB!  

More promos appeared later in January including this gem - 

[📷 Miller Mobley]

February gave us more of Matthew Clairmont in his sharp jackets and cuddlesome cashmere. 🤤

We also got the amazing trailer for ‘The Offer’ and all of our hopes were fulfilled when we got our first look at Matthew’s awesome portrayal of Robert Evans. 

The best thing was that other people noticed it too and at last Matthew got some love for his acting skills from the critics.  

In other news - The Wine Show moved to it’s new home on AcornTV AND Matthew surprised us by attending the London Premiere of ‘The Duke’. 

He was obviously excited to be there and we loved seeing him in the flesh again. 

‘The Duke’ was just what Brits returning to the cinema needed - an old fashioned Brit comedy drama.  Matthew shone as ��star’ barrister Jeremy Hutchinson and he was so convincing that he’d definitely be the one I’d call if I needed representing in court - 

 In March we said a final farewell to ‘A Discovery of Witches’ 😢 but not before we got to see some adorable Matthew outtakes - 

Meanwhile Matthew was clearing out his wardrobe and putting a lot of goodies into the ‘Auction for Ukraine’.  It wasn’t until later that we found out that the idea and most of the organising had been started by Matthew and that he roped in some high profile friends to help. 👏 

April was wall to wall ‘The Offer’ promotion.  We haven’t seen Matthew do so much promotion for a project since 2014 so this was heaven for Goode fans -

 So many funny and engaging interviews to enjoy but I swear if I hear him say ‘timbre’, ‘cadence’, ‘YouTube’ and ‘wormholes’ ever again I might have to scream.  

Better still - Matthew attended the LA premiere for ‘The Offer’ so we got another red carpet interview and even more new pics of him - 

[📷my edit from Extra TV youtube]

When ‘The Offer’ premiered on the 28th April - OMG Matthew was incredible as Robert Evans.  A stunning performance in every way. 

The Bob show continued through May and we got more goode interviews and articles to enjoy.  Just going to highlight this one in the LA Times - https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-05-05/the-offer-paramount-cast-matthew-goode-robert-evans   coz of the gorgeous pictures by Dania Maxwell

[📷 Dania Maxwell/LA Times] 

Matthew and Sophie were also invited to the London premiere of ‘Top Gun’ - presumably by Miles Teller?  Anyway - he gave us a little wave on red carpet TV - 

[📷 screenshots from Red Carpet TV and Tristan Fewings]

At last we saw Matthew do another chat show!  In June he was a guest on NBC's ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ and joked about getting into American Football and trying to get X [R] rated movies from his local store as a kid ....  

Matthew attended the New York Premiere of ‘The Offer’ the next day - 

[📷Michael Loccisano/Getty Images]

Paramount + launched in the UK later in June and Matthew introduced ‘The Offer’ to the audience - 

[📷 Mike Marsland/Dave J Hogan] 

Matthew’s amazing work on the Auction for Ukraine was finally revealed in a fun guest appearance on The Chris Evans Radio Show.  We also got the first hint about his next project - with an acting hero 🤔  

[📷 Virgin Radio]   

One of the top auction lots was a lunch hosted by Matthew and friends at Hide restaurant - 

[📷 Hide Restaurant]

Before Matthew headed off for his summer holidays in July he found time to guest on ‘This Morning’ with Alison and Dermot.  

He talked about how he nearly missed out on getting the part of Robert Evans due to visa issues 😱 and he confirmed that acting hero he would be working with was indeed Anthony Hopkins!

Matthew headed off to Greece for a family holiday but found time to take a selfie with some fans - 

[📷 Paul and Kerry Hulme - cropped for privacy] 

July also brought us the official trailer for ‘Medieval’ and we got to see Matthew swaggering about in lavish cloaks and that glorious ginger hair - 

Matthew turned up with Hugh Bonneville at a Coldplay gig at Wembley arena in August - 

Medieval was released in September so we saw more of Matthew’s spectacular costumes and THAT hair - 

What happened in October?  Not a lot but in November we did get confirmation that Matthew would be working with Anthony Hopkins on the movie ‘Freud’s Last Session’.  

The movie will be based on the play by Mark St. Germain and Matthew will play C.S. Lewis.  

So I think that brings us up to date.  It’s been a Goode year for showcasing Matthew’s superb acting skills with his perfectly crafted role as Robert Evans in ‘The Offer’ and watching him actually enjoy promoting a show has been a highlight for me.   But if I have to choose the best part of the Goode year - Matthew’s work in getting together the Auction for Ukraine needs a special mention - coz he sure won’t mention it.  He obviously worked really hard on calling in favours and getting things moving and as a result the Auction raised £838,900!  So well done Matthew and all of your friends who helped! 👏

[xxskycrystalxx]

🎥 ADOW Blooper Reel (S1-S2)

💫 They finally gave the fans what they wanted, and I haven’t stopped smiling since :)

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday actress Lindsay Duncan born in Edinburgh November 7th 1950.

Lindsay’s father had served in the army for 21 years before becoming a civil servant. Her parents moved to Leeds while she was still a child.

After studying drama in London she began working on Eighties TV productions such as Dead Head and Traffik.

She was awarded a Laurence Olivier award for best actress in a new play in 1987 for her portrayal as La Marquise de Merteuil in an RSC production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and from there her career went from strength to strength.

My favourite roles from Lindsay are playing the girlfriend in the excellent ITV series Travelling man opposite Leigh Lawson, and the bitchy Barbara Douglas in Alan Bleasdale’s GBH. In 2009 Lindsay played Margaret Thatcher in the BBC feature length drama Margaret, at the time she commented about the former prime minister that she loathed everything the former Thatcher stood for.

Other TV appearances included, A year in Provence, Reilly, Ace of Spies, Spooks, Doctor Who and more recently Churchill’s Secret, all quality dramas.  Her only role I know of with a Scottish accent was the 2003 film Afterlife which also starred Kevin McKidd and Isla Blair.

Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock might remember her as Lady Smallwood, she was also in the recent series A Discovery of Witches on Sky in 2018, appearing in 5 of the 8 episodes.

Lindsay cut her teeth in theatre and has always supported this genre with stage roles all through her career as well as starring in several films ranging from Star Wars: Episode I to Mansfield Park. Her latest roles have been in Inside No. 9,, a British black comedy anthology TV show and in the film  A Banquet,  a British horror film directed by Scottish filmmaker and writer Ruth Paxton

Next up for Lindsay is  Doctor Jekyll, yet another re-imagining of the infamous Dr. Jekyll from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.  Eddie Izzard has been cast as Jekyll. She has recently been touring theatres in The Dance of Death. 

Lindsay is married to fellow Scottish actor Hilton McRae, and the couple have a son, Cal, born in 1991.

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

Review: Fraternity by Andy Mientus Rating: 5/5

“How to make a Perfect Storm: 
    1. Take one budding homosexual. Add shame, self-loathing, and trauma. Let fester for sixteen years.     2. Beat until vengeful.     3. Combine with book of black magic.”

When Zooey Orson arrives at Blackfriars School for Boys in the fall of 1991, he just wants to be one of the guys. But he finds himself cast as the weirdo before he gets the chance to be anything different. Luckily, there's a place at Blackfriars for those who don't fit in - the Vicious Circle, where the liquor flows as free as the morals and no one cares what secrets you're keeping. But there's more to the Vicious Circle than clandestine parties - there's a dark side to this brotherhood that will end in blood if they don't stick together.

I've been following Andy's career since 2012, when I saw him in Smash and immediately fell in love. He's the artist whose work I adore, no matter what medium or genre or format. So when he announced he was writing a YA dark academia novel, I was thrilled. The 18-month wait for this book has been full of so much anticipation and I'm amazed by how much I loved it.

Zooey and Daniel and Leo are such vibrant viewpoint characters, with such well-developed voices and their journeys through the course of the novel were all beautiful. It was very emotional to read about three queer boys from very different backgrounds figuring out their queerness against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis and I loved the history that Andy peppered through the story. Zooey's journey to accepting his bisexuality was my favourite part of this aspect of the story, but Leo's discovery three-quarters through was a very close second.

And then shit got magical. There are a lot of YA novels out there about teenage witches at the moment but I haven't come across one that dabbles so much in dark magic. It was fascinating to read about these boys grappling with forces beyond their wildest imaginations and having to deal with the negative consequences of that - both magically and in their personal lives. It was exciting and chilling and haunting to read about.

If you're a fan of dark academia, David Levithan or are looking for a Dead Poets Society readalike, definitely track down a copy of Fraternity and pledge yourself to the brotherhood.

Warnings: homophobia (challenged), racism (challenged), violence and injury detail, some transphobia (challenged), drug use, references to sexual abuse, conversion therapy, cancer and parental death.

[staronastaff]

Why the Red Velvet/Pastry relationship is a metaphor for escaping religious trauma

TW: discussions of religious trauma, emotional manipulation/abuse and toxic relationships. SPOILERS FOR THE TOWER OF SWEET CHAOS EVENT.

I saw someone arguing that the popularity of the Red Velvet Cookie/Pastry Cookie ship from CR:K didn’t make any sense because the ship is literally just “a hetero couple who had a conversation,” and while this argument is understandable, seeing how a lot of the Korean artists tend to hype up the stereotypical (and lowkey toxic) male and female traits of both characters, I’d like to argue instead that the real appeal of the Red Velvet Cookie/Pastry Cookie relationship, romantic or otherwise, lies in the story event’s commentary on religious trauma, indoctrination, and the ship’s headcanon of escaping both. Fair warning, this is a bit of a long one, so without further ado, let’s dive into it.

I think it’s safe to say that even without THAT moment between Red Velvet and Pastry (”Chiffon! My dear Chiffon! Everything’s alright...”), this event would not have caused such an uproar of shippers if it weren’t for three pivotal scenes: Red Velvet’s offer to Pastry Cookie to join Dark Enchantress Cookie’s army, the final exchange between Reverend Mother and Pastry, and the reveal of Shadow Sister Cookie at the end of the event’s dialogue. Pastry Cookie is revealed to be a victim of religious trauma and emotional manipulation, and in the scene where she is being confronted by her reflection via Pomegranate Cookie’s magic, Pastry Cookie is shown to be aware of this, at least unconsciously. 

From The Cookies of Darkness event, we learned that Pomegranate Cookie’s magic taps into a Cookie’s deepest thoughts and fears. Pastry Cookie is unconsciously afraid of her doubts of the institutionalized religion she’s been a part of for at least a good part of her life. Her ending exchange with the Reverend Mother ends with a note of finality: Pastry Cookie accepts that she must keep the faith-shattering secret of all Cookies' purpose to herself, unaware that if she were to even step out of line or demonstrate a single moment of rebelling against the Order’s rules, she would be taken out of the picture by the Order’s own members.

All this leads to Red Velvet’s part in her character arc: challenging her toxic mindset and helping her realize the depth of her trauma. (Because it’s not a matter of “I can fix her, ” but a matter of getting Pastry out of that situation.) Red Velvet Cookie represents to Pastry Cookie, and to their fans, a way out of her oppressive and toxic environment. Consider their opening exchange. Red Velvet Cookie notices that Pastry Cookie looks exhausted, and that she could use both “accommodations and sleep.” In Pastry Cookie’s loading screen and opening dialogue, we learned that she has a difficult time getting up in the morning, and when she’s praying in the chapel in order to make up for oversleeping, Reverend Mother Cookie praises her for her “diligence.” It’s already implied that Pastry Cookie is not getting enough sleep due to her duties, and Red Velvet Cookie notices her physical exhaustion. Already, he is offering her a way to healthily recover from this, an offer that may or may not have been made in jest.

We might also argue that White Lily’s Cookie rebirth into Dark Enchantress Cookie serves as a parallel to Pastry Cookie’s own self-discovery. The similarities between the two characters are uncanny; a Cookie who sees the Witches as divine and a subject for veneration goes to the origin of Cookies, the Oven, or in Dark Enchantress Cookie’s case, literal Walpurgisnacht, and realizes the true existential horror of all Cookies’ existence, to be eaten. This is where their paths diverge, and where Pastry Cookie’s arc ends: White Lily Cookie is reborn, and swears vengeance on the preordained structure of the Eaters (the Witches) and the Eaten (all Desserts, including Cakes and Cookies), while we’ve already covered how Pastry Cookie is left to struggle with the depth of her discovery under the cover of “maintaining” that order.

So what does this have to do with the actual ship of Red Velvet Cookie and Pastry Cookie itself? Consider the ending of that parallel; Dark Enchantress Cookie challenging her oppressors by full-on declaring war and rejecting her designated position as “the eaten.” Pastry Cookie’s personal arc ends halfway, and we are only teased with her struggle of how to deal with this realization. Red Velvet Cookie, with his physical connection to the Cake Hounds and his position as Dark Enchantress Cookie’s army’s general, represents the “other half” to the manipulative Order. His younger self’s reveal during that rebirth scene was no coincidence. The title of the episode detailing their first meeting, “Crimson and Ivory,” as well as the title screen of that month’s update, literally sets them apart as polar opposites. Because the actual canon ending of the event keep Pastry Cookie in such a isolated and unhealthy environment, surrounded by manipulative and straight-up abusive people, of course your first reaction is to think, “if only she could get out of that situation.”

By having Pastry Cookie cast off her connection to the Order and taking up Red Velvet Cookie’s offer on those accommodations and extra sleep, we complete drawing the parallel between her and Dark Enchantress Cookie. This is her own step out of an abusive environment and onto a path of recovery. Red Velvet is a key towards getting her out of that situation, and that is why the ship’s fanbase is as widespread as it is.

In conclusion, the romantic implications of Red Velvet Cookie and Pastry Cookie are more of a side effect of this event’s commentary on religious trauma and active rejection of indoctrination and manipulation. We could cover the actual grounds for the ship’s enemies-to-friends/lovers dynamic (how Red Velvet Cookie outright acknowledges Pastry Cookie’s strength by warning Pomegranate Cookie that the “puny being’s” (the use of quotes indicating his sarcasm rather than derision, implying that already he respects her) crossbow could become her undoing), but at the very least I wanted to get this breakdown off of my chest. It irks me to see a lot of people brushing off this ship as “the heteronormative” one when in reality it goes a lot deeper than that.

Thanks for reading!

[wardenparker]

A Discovery of Witches!!

I read the first book a couple years ago and never got to book two or beyond. Have you read the books, or watched the show? What do you love most about Diana?

Okay. Buckle up, kids. This is going to be a long one.

I picked up A Discovery of Witches in a bookstore near my place on a whim many years ago - maybe a year or so after it first came out. I devoured it. Read it twice through like it was nothing. And then waited with baited breath for Shadow of Night to come out. It continued to happen that way: with each new book I would completely absorb it and wait on the edge of my seat for the next. Back then I had no concept of how to be a part of a fandom, and I just watched for every article and press release I could. There was talk about a movie being made. Every time a new book came up it would be teased that it would be Matthew's story. As the world and the story grew, I sank further and further into loving it.

News of the movie deal turning into a tv show was the most exciting thing I had ever heard. A SHOW of my favourite books was too good to be true. Little by little, the casting news came through and my dream casts for Aunt Sarah and Phillipe came true! The tiniest photo or story from set was like a drug for me.

When Time's Convert (book 4) was announced a few years ago, I found the nearest stop on the book tour (the very first stop!) and bought myself a ticket. Deborah Harkness has the most amazing, welcoming, kindest energy of almost anyone I've ever met. Talking about her writing process and the show, reading an excerpt aloud, and answering our questions was the best hour and a half I could have asked for.

When they opened up the floor for questions, everyone got quiet and nervous so I said *fuck it* and got up. I asked her about her process of getting to know her characters and if they tell their own stories that she might sometimes just feel like a scribe for. In her answer she talked about having full conversations with Matthew and Gallowglass and Diana - Aunt Sarah and Marcus always being opinionated about their stories. She talked about loving Anne Rice, fan art, and especially fanfic. I repeat, DEB LOVES FANFIC.

When I went up to get my book signed (I ended up near the very end of the line), she called me "my brave one" and gave me a giant hug for being the first person to ask a question - chatted with me and had her assistant take a bunch of pictures of us on my phone for me. We talked about our chronic illnesses and I told her how ADOW was my hospital book when I was constantly in and out of the ER after my diagnosis. She encouraged me to work through my writer's block, giggled at the fact that I had named my father/son characters Matthew and Marcus, and hugged me tight again before I left.

This series is so much more for me that just a fun world to romp around in. It is where I go for comfort. For love. Diana's strength has gotten me through so many of my own hard times. Her determination in the face of her crazy world has given me so much hope and drive of my own.

I'm honestly surprised I don't write for it. Maybe I'll have to change that.

[weclassybouquetfun]

S3 of THE BOYS is here and it is still as unhinged, unapologetically depraved and unyielding in its humor and depravity.

Joining the cast this season is Jensen Ackles, late of CW's SUPERNATURAL, which was created by THE BOYS' creator/showrunner Eric Kripke.

Sadly Ackles won't let the show die. He's a producer on the prequel series for THE CW focusing on the parents of Sam and Dean Winchester.

This season Tomer Capone is being credited with his actual surname Capone, whereas in previous years he's worked as either Tomer Kapon or Tomer Capon (S1 and S2 of THE BOYS).

He follows with other actors who have gone back to their roots like Thandie Newton who now goes by her real name Thandiwe, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES Greg Chilling who now acts under his real surname Chillingrian and A MILLION LITTLE THING and PSYCHE's James Roday who added his real surname Rodriguez to his stage name.

I'm just waiting for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES Paul Wesley to see the light and return to acting as Paul Wasilewski.

The first three episodes have dropped and what nonsense did THE BOYS bring to the yard?

SPOILERS

-While we have to wait until episode six to get the fabled "Herogasm" episode, episode 1 was likely a teaser of the insanity that will unfold in that episode. The first episode finds Frenchie and Kimiko after an Atom/Ant-Man-esque Supe named Termite who, in uses his body as a sounding device to give pleasure to his hook-up. Nostrils smarting from the lines he was snorting he sneezes while inside his partner effectively exploding him.

The Ant-Man v. Thanos fans got their wish.

There were other things that were cribbed from fan culture like -

-The Bourke Cut with DAWN OF THE SEVEN director Adam Bourke having fans hashtagging his crap, which is a direct nod to JUSTICE LEAGUE's SnyderCut fan campaign. Which was so annoying, but I do doff my cap to the SynderCut zealots who rigged the Oscars' Favorite Moment campaign and got a Flash scene from JUSTICE LEAGUE to best SPIDERMAN: NO WAY HOME. Not all heroes wear capes. Literally. Barry doesn't wear a cape.

-The line from Allison telling Bourke that Tony Gilroy's reshoots saved his film is a nod to Tony Gilroy having to step in to save Star Wars' ROGUE ONE. It could be a nod to Joss Whedon having to step in to finish JL, but c'mon, he didn't save that film.

-Jensen Ackles being cast as the show's version of Captain America is, to me, a nod to how Ackles (and his fans) swears up and down that he was up for Captain America but couldn't do the film because of his SUPERNATURAL schedule.

-Sean Patrick Flanery playing Gunpower when Flanery played the titular character Powder in the 1995 film.

-Homelander with the suicidal girl is a popular panel from a Superman comic. Of course, it ends waaaaaay differently.

Other things I liked about the first three episodes:

- The brief return of Simon Pegg as Hughie's dad.

-The before and after of Hughie's life when he realized the truth about Victoria Neuman. One day he's making smoothies, fixing the perfect breakfast; the next smoothie's splattered in the sink, food's rubbish.

-Characters letting their freak flag fly. The Deep drawing an octopus (the ill-fated Timothy??) into his sex life. Confirmation from what fans gathered from S2 that Frenchie is not just for people sexually open but he is, as well. Vincent Cassel as a safe word is a sexy choice.

-I love when a Nazi decides to k-word themselves but it's funny that Stormfront put up with giving Homelander handy js because she still had hopes that he was on the same Aryan wave she was but when she realized that he's only focused on himself that's what pushed her over the edge.

-Just when I thought Homelander couldn't be any worse of a person he does something nastier and meaner and cruel beyond comprehension. Antony Starr is remarkable because Homelander is truly frightening and almost stomach turning but I can't look away because Starr is so incredible as this character.

-If Hughie and Starlight break up it will be for the best. I'm not 100% convinced that her ex Supersonic is truly there to have her back, but if they got back together that would make perfect sense. She and Hughie are on different paths and as much as she was down for vengeance last season she's easing off it because - while she knows the inherent risks of trying to tangle with Homelander - she's not willing to lose her soul for the cause. Hughie is, though.

-What I didn't like is that Nate Mitchell who plays Black Noir didn't play the young Black Noir. We will never see this poor man onscreen.

Nate next to Karl Urban.