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Ellen DeGeneres mourns death of longtime producer Matthew Wright, 52

Ellen DeGeneres attends the premiere of Netflix's 'Green Eggs And Ham' at Hollywood American Legion, Nov. 3, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

Matthew Wright, a longtime executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died. He was 52.

Wright died Oct. 30 while working remotely in Los Angeles, according to a fundraising page created to support his family.

His death was described as an "unfathomable tragedy." No cause of death has been disclosed. ABC News has reached out to the fundraiser's organizer for comment.

Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to Wright in an emotional video on Instagram Monday, remembering Wright as a beloved member of her longtime talk show.

"He was an amazing guy," DeGeneres said in the video. "He was funny. God, he made me laugh. He would surprise me with things that he did all the time. He was smart. He was kind."

"Everyone loved him. I loved him. And it's just shocking — it's shocking," she added.

DeGeneres also described Wright as "the glue to our entire family" at The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Andy Lassner, a fellow executive producer on the show, also paid tribute to Wright in an Instagram post Sunday.

Lassner said Wright had recently visited him on the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show, where Lassner now works as an executive producer, during filming for the show's Halloween episode.

"These photos were taken Thursday, while we were taping our Halloween show. Matt came by to visit. A few hours later, he was gone," he wrote in the post's caption, alongside several photos of the two together. "We are all in shock. He was a brilliant producer and an even better human being. "

"My heart breaks for his husband, Justin, his family, and all of us who loved him," he continued. "I was so lucky to work beside Matt for so many years and to call him my friend. We should have had so much more time with him."

Wright served as a producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2006 to 2022, according to his IMDb page.

He previously reflected on his 16 years working on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in a 2022 Instagram post marking the end of the daytime talk show.

"How do I even begin to sum up 16 years of my life?" he wrote at the time. "I've made so many best friends, had so many amazing experiences, met so many heroes of mine and even fell in love thanks to this show."

He added, "I will forever be grateful to @theellenshow for taking a chance on me and changing my life!"

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Olivia Rodrigo announces first holiday song 'take me home (4 christmas)'

The artwork for Olivia Rodrigo's new holiday single 'take me home (4 christmas).' (Lizzie Klein)

It's tiiiime!

Olivia Rodrigo has an early Christmas present for all the livies on the nice list. The music superstar has announced the upcoming release of her first-ever holiday single, "take me home (4 christmas)." It arrives on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

It's not just the song, however. When the new single drops on Thursday, so will a brand-new music video featuring Rodrigo, Cynthia Nixon and Saturday Night Live's Ben Marshall.

Rodrigo took to Instagram to announce the news to her fans.

"my first Christmas song 'take me home (4 christmas)' is out this Thursday at 5 pm pt/ 8 pm ET!! you can preorder it now. im so excited!!" Rodrigo wrote alongside a Santa Claus emoji and red heart emoji.

Interested fans can also purchase the single on physical formats. An exclusive 7-inch vinyl and cassette are available for preorder on Rodrigo's website, with the vinyl also available for preorder at Target. It will be on Target shelves starting on Friday.

Rodrigo wrote the new holiday song alongside her frequent collaborators Dan Nigro and Amy Allen. Nigro also produced the new track.

This festive song arrives after the recently released remix of Rodrigo's song "expectations" featuring Chappell Roan. The original track appeared on Rodrigo's third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. It marked Roan's first-ever feature appearance on a song.

The remix became the highest peaking all-female collaboration on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. Its release also returned you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love to the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Rodrigo is currently on her The Unraveled Tour. The sold-out tour has sold over 1 million tickets worldwide and has broken several venue records, according to a press release.

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'You Can See Everything' wins Halloween weekend box office

Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes appear in this still from 'You Can See Everything.' (A24)

Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes were more than just a popular couples costume this Halloweekend.

The documentary You Can See Everything was the #1 film at the domestic box office, taking the top spot away from the DC Studios horror movie Clayface. A24 confirmed the news to ABC Audio on Monday.

You Can See Everything grossed more than $11.4 million over the weekend. This brings its North American total to $64.7 million.

The almost three-hour experimental documentary from Nathan For You star Fielder and the documentarian Lance Oppenheim debuted in theaters on Oct. 16.

The film follows Theranos founder Holmes and her partner, Billy Evans. The pair invited a film crew to document their lives in the weeks leading up to Holmes starting to serve her prison sentence for defrauding Theranos investors.

A24 notes that You Can See Everything has yet to be released overseas but will begin rolling out in other markets in the coming weeks.

Clayface earned just $200,000 less than You Can See Everything for the #2 spot with $11 million earned. Rounding out the rest of the top five were Wildwood and Wicker at #3 and #4, and the video game adaptation Street Fighter at #5.

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Druski and Netflix announce new original comedy series 'Collect & Praise'

Netflix announces deal with content creator Druski. (Netflix)

Druski is bringing his viral sketches to streaming.

The comedian just announced a multiyear deal with Netflix and his company 4LIFERS Entertainment, starting with his new semi-scripted comedy series Collect & Praise.

The series, set to premiere on Dec. 1, follows a money-hungry megachurch pastor (Druski) and his deacon (Mike Epps) as they run their church and prioritize fortune over faith. The series is built around his viral megachurch pastor character who appeared in a short-form sketch posted Jan. 12, which amassed over 9 million likes on TikTok.

“I’ve built my platform by creating characters and comedy that resonate with people,” Druski said in a press release. “This partnership with Netflix will give me the resources to build on that comedy foundation and bring my work to a new global audience. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our team at 4LIFERS Entertainment to expand our reach, develop original programming for the masses and take our creativity to new heights.”

On top of producing upcoming original projects, Netflix will license content from Druski’s existing catalog, including Coulda Been Love, Coulda Been Daddy, Coulda Been Records Auditions and his viral skits.

“Druski has a gift for building characters that people can’t stop talking about,” John Derderian, who oversees Next Gen Content at Netflix, said. “Collect & Praise is just the beginning, and we welcome Druski to Netflix.”

The news comes amid an exciting week for the content creator, who will make history as Saturday Night Live’s first digital creator host on Nov. 7.

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Martha Stewart apologizes for homeless person Halloween costume

Martha Stewart attends 2026 High Line Art Dinner at The High Line on Sept. 17, 2026, in New York City. (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Martha Stewart is apologizing after a photo she shared of herself dressed in costume as a homeless person for Halloween drew backlash on social media.

The businesswoman and lifestyle maven described her costume as "insensitive and not funny" in a statement Sunday.

"It's hard to admit when you've really screwed up," Stewart said in a statement posted on her Instagram feed and signed "Martha." "My earlier statement didn't go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."

Stewart was named in August as one of Forbes' 250 greatest self-made Americans. The entrepreneur built a media empire, and has launched multiple brands based on her lifestyle and entertaining expertise.

Stewart's since-deleted photo showed her wearing a tattered sweater and jeans with smeared makeup on her face while holding a sign that said, "I am hungry. Help me," according to screengrab of the photo shared online.

After the photo sparked backlash online, Stewart initially issued a statement to the New York Post's Page Six, saying her costume was "intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness."

"I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness, has offended people, which was never my intention," Stewart said at the time.

She continued, "Homelessness continues to remain one of America's greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic."

The 85-year-old then took to Instagram to post her second statement, which drew a mixed reaction from her followers.

"There's more people mad about your costume than people mad enough to actually help homeless people," one commenter wrote.

"The only thing that this brought awareness to was how disconnected wealthy people are from the majority of the population," wrote another.

ABC News has reached out to a representative for Stewart for comment.

More than 745,000 people were homeless in the United States on a single night in January 2025, according to the 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May.

According to the agency, homelessness in the United States increased 27% between 2013 and 2025, with unsheltered homelessness — those living on the street — increasing 36% during that same period.

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First tour dates announced for Freida McFadden’s 'The Housemaid' stage play

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in 'The Housemaid.' (Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate)

Grab your girls and hide your house keys!

Lionsgate recently announced the first tour dates for the world premiere of The Housemaid’s stage play adaptation. Based on the novel by Freida McFadden, Tony Award nominee Bekah Brunstetter will write the play, with Olivier Award nominee Matthew Dunster signed on to direct.

The highly anticipated production is set to open at London’s Richmond Theatre on Sept. 14, 2027. The physiological thriller is set to tour throughout the United Kingdom and end its run on April 29, 2028. There's no word yet on whether it will hop across the pond to the U.S.

The announcement comes a year after the book’s movie adaptation starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney hit theaters in December 2025. Shortly after the film’s release, Lionsgate confirmed that the box office hit would be getting a sequel based on McFadden’s book The Housemaid’s Secret, set to premiere in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

“With the stage play debuting next year and our sequel film in production, the momentum behind The Housemaid franchise continues to grow,” Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s president of Global Products & Experiences, said in a press release.

The Housemaid follows Millie, a convicted felon, who begins working as a maid for the wealthy Nina Winchester. Nina quickly outs herself as a demanding, irrational boss, and Millie starts to fall in love with Nina’s husband, Andrew. The story takes a sharp turn when Millie discovers both Nina and Andrew are not who they claim to be, leading to chaos, violence and ultimately, murder.

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In brief: 'The Uprising' gets streaming debut and more

If you missed Andrew Garfield's performance in The Uprising, you're in luck. The film from director Paul Greengrass is set to make its exclusive streaming debut on Peacock. It arrives on the platform Nov. 6. The film is based on the true events that inspired the legend of Robin Hood ...

It seems spooky season isn't over just yet. Haunted Hotel has been renewed for season 3 at Netflix. The animated series from Rick & Morty's Matt Roller features the voice talent of Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides and Jimmi Simpson. Season 2 of the show follows a single mother who tries to run the world's most haunted hotel with her ghost brother, kids and a demon trapped in a little boy's body ...

Raye is taking her talent to Benny Safdie's upcoming film. Deadline reports the Grammy winner will voice a character in the movie Lizard Music. She is also set to compose original music for the live-action and GCI hybrid film. Also set for the film's cast are Dwayne Johnson, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Regina Hall, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams and David Krumholtz. The movie releases in theaters on Dec. 25, 2027 ...

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'Dune' films to return to theaters with 'Dune: Part Three' sneak peek

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in 'Dune: Part Three.' (Warner Bros. Pictures)

It's time to return to Arrakis.

The first two films in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise are being rereleased in theaters in November. This return to theaters will include a sneak peek at the upcoming Dune: Part Three.

Both films will arrive as a double feature on IMAX screens on Nov. 13 only. Additional showtimes of each of the films individually will be available Nov. 14 through Nov. 18.

Dune: Part Three opens in theaters and on IMAX screens everywhere on Dec. 18.

Villeneuve directed and wrote the script alongside Brian K. Vaughan for the third and final film in his Dune trilogy, based on Frank Herbert's novel Dune Messiah.

Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul Atreides in the film, which also stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh and Isaach De Bankolé. Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy and Javier Bardem appear in the ensemble alongside newcomers Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke.

The new movie is set almost two decades after Paul Arteries took control of the Imperium.

"Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery," according to the film's official description. "As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most."

If you're headed to an AMC theater to see Dune: Part Three, you can get your hands on two brand-new popcorn bucket designs. The cinema chain has announced new buckets based on the viral sandworm-inspired one that went viral in 2024.

Called the Sandworm Thumper and the Double Sandworm, these collectable buckets include features like a working Thumper design, which is the device from the film used by Freman to pound the desert sand and attract giant sandworms, as well as multiple Shai-Hulud, which AMC says makes "it easier to share popcorn."

"An epic conclusion calls for legendary collectibles. See DUNE: PART THREE and seize control of your collection, including AMC Theatres exclusives," according to AMC's Instagram.

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Weekend Watchlist: What's new in theaters, on streaming

Ready, set, binge! Here's a look at some of the new movies and TV shows coming to theaters and streaming services this weekend:

Netflix
The One About Matthew Perry: This docuseries follows the life of the Friends actor Matthew Perry.

SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of: Watch this new documentary about the classic Canadian comedy series.

HBO
The Gilded Age: Season 4 of the New York-set drama series makes its premiere. 

Paramount+
Dexter: Resurrection: The second season of the Dexter sequel series stars Michael C. Hall as the titular serial killer.

Apple TV
Nocturne: Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz star in this new crime drama series about a town under attack by an imprisoned serial killer. 

Movie theaters
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York: John Turturro leads this film where he plays a pickpocket who supports his wife in New York City. 

That’s all for this week’s Weekend Watchlist – happy streaming!

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Harry Potter' HBO series casts Sorting Hat, Nearly Headless Nick and more

Dominic McLaughlin stars in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' (Aidan Monaghan/HBO)

HBO has revealed even more cast updates for its Harry Potter series just in time for Halloween.

The network has announced that Leo Bill, Andrew Brooke, Daniel Fearn, Laura Smyth and David Threlfall have joined the season 1 cast of the upcoming series.

Bill will play Nearly Headless Nick, Brooke is taking on the role of the Bloody Baron, Fearn has been cast as the Fat Friar, Smyth will play the Fat Lady and Threlfall will take on the voice of the Sorting Hat.

"Who haunts these halls?" HBO Max captioned a casting announcement Instagram post.

Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron and the Fat Friar are ghosts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who, alongside the portrait of the Fat Lady, allow the Gryffindor students into their dormitory if given the correct password.

The Sorting Hat, of course, is the famous hat that when placed on the head of new students at Hogwarts decides which house they will be placed in.

The first season of the series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will air on HBO and debut on HBO Max on Christmas Day 2026.

HBO renewed its Harry Potter series for season 2 on May 6, months ahead of the debut of the show's first season.

Dominic McLaughlin leads the cast as Harry Potter. He stars alongside Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, who play Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The show is described as a faithful adaptation of the books by J.K. Rowling, who serves as an executive producer.

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Ian McKellen remembers Patrick Stewart, teases final 'Avengers: Doomsday' role

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen speak at John L. Tishman Auditorium at University Center on January 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for SAG Foundation)

Ian McKellen, who starred alongside Patrick Stewart in the X-Men films, paid an emotional tribute to his longtime friend and co-star Thursday, reflecting on their decadeslong friendship and shared love of theater.

In a lengthy Instagram post, McKellen recalled first meeting Stewart as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company more than 50 years ago and watching his career take off after he accepted a role in Star Trek.

"But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk—getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?" McKellen recalled asking Stewart at the time.

"Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did," McKellen wrote, praising Stewart's success across film, television and theater.

McKellen also remembered Stewart's Yorkshire roots and the qualities that made him a cherished friend.

"He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love," he wrote.

McKellen concluded his tribute by reflecting on Stewart's final film appearance.

"His farewell performance in 'Avengers: Doomsday' is yet to be seen," he added.

Stewart's spokesperson announced his death in a statement on social media Thursday, saying the actor died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles following a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. Stewart was 86.

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In brief: Donald Glover to write, star in live-action series 'PUBG'

The Glover brothers have a new project on the way. Donald Glover is attached to star in a new Netflix live-action series based on the video game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (“PUBG”). Variety reports he and his brother, Stephen Glover, will write and direct the show. Plot details have not been released, only that the show will be based on the battle royale game in which 100 players are dropped in a “shrinking battleground,” according to the game’s official description, fighting their opponents to become the lone survivor …

Bosch: Start of Watch will begin this winter. MGM+ is teasing the release of the new TV series with first-look photos of Cameron Monaghan in action as rookie cop Harry Bosch and Omari Hardwick as veteran officer Eli Bridges. The prequel series will explore the origin story of Michael Connelly’s legendary detective Harry Bosch, according to MGM+. He was first brought to the small screen for Prime Video’s Bosch drama series. Bosch: Start of Watch follows 26-year-old Harry Bosch during his earliest days as a rookie cop in Los Angeles. The series debuts Jan. 10 on MGM+ ...

The family is growing. Eight cast members have been added to Prime Video’s dark comedy series Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Variety reports. The cast additions include Patricia Clarkson, Elizabeth Marvel, Sean Astin, Annaleigh Ashford and Felix Solis. Penn Badgley was previously announced to star in the show as Ern Cunningham, a man who reluctantly agrees to attend a family reunion, only to get trapped with them in a snowstorm. The series is based on comedian Benjamin Stevenson’s novel of the same name. Also joining the cast are Chris Walley, Daniella Garcia and Eliza Bennett ...

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John Turturro says 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York' resonates with him on a 'different level'

John Turturro as Harry Lehman in ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.’ (Sony Pictures Classics)

John Turturro is an old-school analog hustler living in a fast-paced digital world in the new film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.

The actor has built a career of varied choices in celebrated independent films, including memorable performances in classics by Spike Lee and the Coen brothers. He's also well known for his work in TV shows like Monk and Severance.

But there's something different about his leading performance as Harry Lehman in director Noah Segan's latest film. The character is a native New Yorker living in a time gone by, who supports his disabled wife Rosie (Karina Arroyave) by pickpocketing. After a theft goes awry, Harry sets out on a mission to return the stolen goods.

The role found him at a "different level" of his life, Turturro told ABC Audio.

"I'm of a certain age where ... I know what it is to be married. I know what is to have children, to lose a lot of people — my parents and brother ... and also to be a guardian of someone," Turturro said.

These are all things that his character, Harry, also has to deal with. "It resonated to me so much," Turturro said, though he notes that it wasn't all similarities.

"Unlike me, he's struggling to survive in a world [where] everything has changed. Personally, professionally, the technological world around him, he has difficulty navigating. And he doesn't have a lot of resources either," Turturro said.

The actor called Segan's screenplay a gift, one "that is so well structured and full of propulsive action, and at the same time, there's a real tenderness and there's a sense of experience and life lived."

Segan is a fourth-generation New Yorker and set out to feature every borough in the film, all shot entirely on location. And while there are many films about New York, and many films that feature the city's name in its title, there aren't many films that can claim that feat. It was a challenge Segan and his crew gladly took on, eventually completing the shoot in 24 days.

"You don't wanna let your city down. You don't want to let your ancestors down. You don't want to let John Turturro down," Segan said. "The thing about New York and New Yorkers are that they will gas each other up. We will keep each other going. I think that when we got to New York and we were like, 'We're gonna do this. We're gonna shoot it here. We're gonna be on the street. We're going to go everywhere,' it became sort of a rallying cry for the movie and it became a challenge that we all got excited about."

After studying the art of pickpocketing, Turturro now walks those streets of New York a little differently. 

"I'm very aware of it. I was really aware of it during the movie when I was learning about it and practicing. But I am still aware it. Of seeing, like, 'Well there's a watch that would be very hard to take,'" Turturro said.

Segan said he got nervous that something would happen to Turturro after the stories he'd tell on set.

"He'd come into the office, he'd go, 'You know, I was on the subway on the way here, and I saw a lady, and, you know, her bag was open, and I really just thought for a minute,'" Segan said. "And we're thinking, 'Are we gonna have to bail John out as part of his rehearsal process?'"

Luckily, Turturro didn't go full method. "He behaved himself," Segan said.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York has expanded to wide release and is now available to watch in theaters everywhere.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Hollywood mourns Patrick Stewart after his death at 86

British actor Sir Patrick Stewart arrives at Westminster Abbey for a memorial service for theatre great Sir Peter Hall OBE on Sep. 11, 2018, in London, England. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Hollywood is remembering Patrick Stewart, the beloved actor known for his roles in Star Trek and the X-Men franchises, following the Thursday announcement of his death at age 86.

Stewart's family announced his death on Thursday, saying the actor died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles following a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige was among those paying tribute to Stewart, reflecting on their time working together on the X-Men films.

"I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men," Feige said in a statement. "After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas."

Feige also recalled Stewart's personality offscreen, describing him as "even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor."

"It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him," Feige continued. "His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed."

Marvel Studios and Marvel Entertainment also honored Stewart in a joint Instagram post Thursday, remembering his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, which started in 2000.

"All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart," the post read.

Marvel praised Stewart for bringing the character to life with grace, intelligence and humanity, leaving a lasting impression on generations of fans. He will appear as Xavier in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which comes to theaters on Dec. 18.

"He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman," the post continued. "Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art."

Wil Wheaton, who starred alongside Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation, also paid tribute to the late actor Thursday.

Wheaton shared a throwback photo of himself with Stewart on Instagram, accompanied by a broken heart emoji and the words, "Godspeed, Captain."

Jonathan Frakes, who played Cmdr. William Riker alongside Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation, also remembered his longtime co-star.

Frakes shared a photo of Stewart on his Instagram Story Thursday with the message, "Rest in peace my friend."

Terry Matalas, who served as showrunner of the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, also honored Stewart on his Instagram Story.

Sharing a photo of the late actor smiling, Matalas wrote, "Oh Captain, my Captain. This is how I’ll always remember you."

William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, also remembered Stewart in a heartfelt Instagram post Thursday.

Sharing a photo of the two together, Shatner described Stewart as a friend and colleague whom he deeply admired.

"Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor," Shatner wrote. "From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did."

Shatner also reflected on Stewart's portrayal of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, saying the character and the actor behind him represented the best of the franchise. The actors met as Kirk and Picard in the 1994 movie Star Trek: Generations.

"My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed," Shatner added of Stewart's wife, Sunny Ozell. 

Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News and Good Morning America.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Star Trek,' 'X-Men' star Sir Patrick Stewart dies at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart attends the premiere of 'Star Trek: Picard' at ArcLight Cinerama Dome on Jan. 13, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Sir Patrick Stewart, an actor known for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the X-Men film franchise, has died at the age of 86, his representative announced Thursday.

Stewart died "in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny" after a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, according to a statement shared on his social media by his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak.

"He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all," the statement continued. "We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace."

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, the loss of memory, problem-solving and thinking abilities. It is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss and ultimately has no cure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia that can cause complications with movement, behavior, thinking and mood, according to the CDC.

It is unclear when Stewart was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Hayden Panettiere's death ruled accidental, South Carolina police closing investigation

Hayden Panettiere attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's new film 'Blonde' at TCL Chinese Theatre on Sept. 13, 2022, in Hollywood, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Hayden Panettiere's death has been ruled accidental, according to police in South Carolina, who said Wednesday they are closing their investigation.

"Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental," the Greenville Police Department said in a statement, adding that the department has "concluded its investigation."

Panettiere, 36, died in August after she was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina.

ABC News has reached out to a representative for Panettiere's family for comment.

The police department's announcement comes more than a month after the Greenville County Coroner's Office in South Carolina ruled her death an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and other substances. Police had continued their investigation after the coroner released its findings.

In its Sept. 22 findings, the coroner's office identified the cause of death as the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine. The autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death.

4-ANPP is a byproduct of fentanyl production; alprazolam, known as Xanax, treats anxiety and panic disorders; methocarbamol, known as Robaxin, is a muscle relaxant; and quetiapine, known as Seroquel, is an antipsychotic medication.

Of the combination of medications, fentanyl is the most likely to result in an overdose death.

Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the apartment when officers responded, according to a police report obtained by ABC News.

Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures before Panettiere was pronounced dead, according to the report.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had also been assisting police with the investigation, sources familiar with the matter previously told ABC News.

The DEA’s investigation is believed to be ongoing and could be looking into street-level drug dealers who may have provided drugs to the late actress, sources said.

Prior to her death, Panettiere had spoken publicly about her experiences with addiction and recovery, as well as the challenges she faced growing up in the entertainment industry.

The actress, who was known for her roles in Ice Princess, Heroes and Nashville, released a memoir in May titled This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the book, she discussed postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and loss, according to its synopsis.

Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her ex-fiance, Wladimir Klitschko.

A memorial service for Panettiere was held in Malibu in September. It was attended by around 80 friends of the late actress, her representative told ABC News at the time.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'The Diplomat' renewed for fifth season

Keri Russell stars as Kate Wyler in ‘The Diplomat.’ (NICK WALL/NETFLIX)

(SPOILERS AHEAD) The Diplomat will serve another term.

Netflix confirmed Thursday the award-winning series has been renewed for a fifth season, following season 4’s shocking cliff-hanger.

The show’s latest season ends with hawkish American President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) threatening to attack any country that stands in the way of the United States. It’s the last straw for ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), who resigns from her diplomatic post. In a move of solidarity, White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah (Nana Mensah), Secretary of State Miguel Ganon (Miguel Sandoval) and Kate’s husband, Vice President Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), follow her lead moments before the screen cuts to black.

Creator and showrunner Debora Cahn tells Tudum of the jaw-dropping moves, “It is very important in terms of what we’re looking at, [to consider] what you can do as a group that you can’t do as an individual, or what will make a difference as a group that won’t make a difference as an individual.”

Plot details for the fifth season of the political drama are tightly under wraps; casting news and a release date have not been revealed.

The Diplomat is executive produced by Cahn, Russell, Alex Graves, Peter Noah and Eli Attie.

All four seasons of The Diplomat are now available to stream on Netflix.

 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


In brief: John Goodman joins 'The Beast in Me' and more

John Goodman is joining Claire Danes in the cast of Netflix’s The Beast in Me. The actor will play Aggie’s father, Jack, in season 2 of the thriller series. Season 1 starred Danes opposite Matthew Rhys, who won an Emmy for his role as a billionaire suspected of murder …

Melanie Lynskey has found her next role. The Yellowjackets actress will star in the new limited series Mushroom Murders, based on the true story of an Australian woman convicted of killing three of her family members by serving them poison mushrooms. The series has been greenlit for Paramount+ …

The Reba McEntire series Happy’s Place is paying tribute to Dolly Parton with a special dedication in its Oct. 30 episode. “We were filming this episode on the day she passed, and it just felt like the right thing to do as our way of honoring her,” McEntire says in a statement. “The episode is all about remembering those we love who have passed on, and we will always love and remember Dolly.” Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC …

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Jamie Dornan feels 'pressure' replacing Viggo Mortensen in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'

Jamie Dornan attends the Dior Homme Menswear Fall/Winter 2026-2027 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 21, 2026, in Paris, France. (Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)

Jamie Dornan is opening up about the pressure he feels stepping into Viggo Mortensen's shoes.

The actor is taking on the role of Aragorn in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film The Hunt for Gollum. He replaces Mortensen, who portrayed the character that is also known as Strider in director Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Because this new film takes place in between those films and The Hobbit movies, Mortensen, who is 68, was replaced with the younger Dornan, who is 44. Dornan spoke to L’Officiel Italia in a recent interview about the pressure he feels in taking this on.

"There’s pressure when you try to follow in those footsteps," Dornan said, translated from Italian to English. "I’ve been asked to take on a super iconic role, and I’ll do my absolute best. But for me, Aragorn will always be Viggo, and only Viggo. His performance is one of my all-time favorites, and I feel honored to try and capture even a little bit of the energy he originally brought to the character."

Dornan also said "there isn’t a single part of me that’s trying to do it better than he did."

Also joining The Lord of the Rings universe is Leo Woodall, who will play the Dúnedain ranger Halvard. He told the outlet he was impressed by Dornan's performance in the new film.

"I can honestly say that, for me, Aragorn is now Jamie Dornan," Woodall said.

Andy Serkis directs the upcoming film that he also stars in as Gollum and his alter ego, Sméagol. Several other original Lord of the Rings cast members are reprising their celebrated performances in the upcoming film. Ian McKellen will return as the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Elijah Wood will play the hobbit Frodo Baggins and Lee Pace will reprise his part as Thrandruil.

Other additions to the franchise are Kate Winslet and Anya Taylor-Joy, who play Marigol and Seren.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum arrives in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Netflix bewitches Jane Austen fans with 'Pride and Prejudice' trailer

Emma Corrin stars in 'Pride and Prejudice.' (Justin Downing/Netflix)

Austenites, rejoice: Netflix is too generous to trifle with you or make you wait any longer for a Pride and Prejudice trailer.

After months of teasing, Netflix on Wednesday released the first full trailer for the new miniseries based on Jane Austen’s beloved novel.

We get our first look inside Longbourn, glimpses of the Bennet sisters’ rowdy antics, a peek at Pemberley, and flashes of yearning in the slow-burn romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

The new adaptation, written by Dolly Alderton, stars Emma Corrin as protagonist Lizzy Bennet opposite Jack Lowden’s Fitzwilliam Darcy. Freya Mavor plays Lizzy’s older sister and confidant, Jane, with Hollie Avery, Rhea Norwood and Hopey Parish joining as the lively Bennet sisters Kitty, Lydia and Mary, respectively.

We also see Olivia Colman as the girls’ “animated mother,” as Lizzy so aptly describes her, and Rufus Sewell quite at his leisure as the family patriarch, Mr. Bennet. Rounding out the star-studded cast are Daryl McCormack as Mr. Bingley, Louis Partridge as Mr. Wickham and Jamie Demetriou as Mr. Collins.

Alderton tells Netflix’s Tudum her adaptation remains faithful to Austen’s original text, but the format of a miniseries allows for a deeper look into overlooked plotlines and characters.

“Pride and Prejudice is such a timeless story because of the emotions in the book; they are as pertinent now as they were in 1812,” Alderton says. “Embarrassment of your family, fear that you’re going to get left behind, fear that the world is not going to be a safe place for your children as it was for you, mortification that you judged someone incorrectly or that you had been misjudged. We go to that book to see our hearts reflected in it.”

All six episodes of the series were written by Alderton and directed by Euros Lyn, who also directed the Netflix series Heartstopper and Wayward.

Pride and Prejudice will begin streaming on Netflix Dec. 3.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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