EastEnders line up shocking gay rape storyline with fan favourite tackling difficult scenes

What’s old is new again. After opening the door to streaming qualification during the pandemic, the Academy announced today that films attempting to qualify for the Oscars must once again be released in theaters.

While Netflix is canceling a bunch of projects to curb overspending, there are some originals that keep chugging along thanks to their massive popularity. One of those shows is “Squid Game” which became the most talked-about genre series of 2021 and helped cement that foreign-made originals can compete with western genre stories like “Stranger Things.” The massive hit that hails from South Korea is indeed getting a second season but don’t expect them to rush it.

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Wynonna and Ashley Judd thanked fans who stood by their mom, Naomi Judd, at CMT's "Naomi Judd: A River of Time" memorial special on Sunday — and have spoken out a few times to honor the late country music star since she died in April.  Over the weekend, the Judd daughters referred to their late mother as "a salty single mama" before thanking their family therapist for making the ceremony "a little lighter." The memorial was held at the Rynman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Robin Roberts. Wynonna and Ashley sat beside Naomi’s husband, Larry Strickland, who spoke out about her death for the first time.  Ashley Judd, Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd during Wynonna Judd Press Event at The Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, CA, United States.

William Earl Variety and Sony Pictures Television return with their month-long immersive experience, the Variety / Sony Pictures Television Virtual FYC House, aimed to capture the attention of TV awards voters. The interactive, 3D experience kicks off with a special preview night for a select audience and then will open to a wider audience on June 2 through June 27.The virtual event features original content, keynote conversations and panels with top contending talent from the studio.

K.J. Yossman HanWay Films have unveiled a first look image from Paul Schrader’s “Master Gardener,” starring Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver.“Master Gardener” tells the story of horticulturist Narvel Roth (played by Edgerton), who tends to a beautiful and historic estate owned by wealthy dowager Mrs Haverhill (Weaver).

Tom Cruise fans – many of whom weren’t born when the original “Top Gun” movie came out in 1986 – were out in force in Cannes on Wednesday evening for a special screening of “Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise’s hotly anticipated sequel to 1986 hit “Top Gun.”The crowd outside the Palais des Festivals convention center, where the screening was set to take place, ran 20-people deep in some places, while the street opposite the red carpet was also crowded to the point that passers by were struggling to squeeze through. Meanwhile onlookers were also gathering on the balconies in the apartment block above the street, which faces the Palais, camera phones ready to catch a glimpse of Monsieur Cruise.

Top Gun: Maverick” unspooled at the film’s Cannes premiere on Wednesday night, festival-goers made it clear that they think Tom Cruise is magnifique.The actor received a thunderous ovation after he was presented with a “surprise” Palme d’Or, one that genuinely seemed to take him off guard. He had received another ovation after making some spirited introductory remarks.It was an extravaganza that included the appearance of eight fighter jets bellowing red, white and blue smoke behind them as Cruise and other members of the film’s cast looked on from the red carpet below. Those colors are featured prominently in both the French and American flags, in a fitting piece of symmetry.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe NBC drama pilot “Found” has cast Kelli Williams, Variety has learned exclusively.Williams joins previously announced series lead Shanola Hampton in the project along with fellow cast member Mark-Paul Gosselaar.The show is built around the fact that, in any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosley (Hampton) — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people.

Rangers fans are in full-on party mode ahead of tonight's fateful Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Eintracht Frankfurt fans have unveiled a jaw-dropping tifo featuring the grim reaper ahead of the Europa League Final with Rangers.

Drivers have been left furious after being hit with fines from a seaside town car park - that they haven't even used.

MORE heartbreaking events are in store for Ben Mitchell as he will be involved in a male rape storyline. However, EastEnders viewers are fuming as they believe soap bosses have turned to Weatherfield for inspiration.

EastEnders stars Max Bowden, Jake Wood and Matt Lapinskas reunited at a celebrity football match on Sunday. The actors, as well as a range of other famous faces, played against Northampton Town for the Sellebrity Soccer match at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton.

EastEnders is set to reveal a heartbreaking rape storyline involving troubled character Ben Mitchell. BBC soap bosses are set to tackle a new storyline where Ben (who's played by Max Bowden) is sexually assaulted by The Albert's new barman to tackle the sensitive issue of male rape.The upcoming storyline will begin airing later this Spring and will see fan favourite Ben become a victim of sexual assault by Lewis (played by Aidan O’Callaghan).

EASTENDERS' Max Bowden and ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle have revealed they're having a baby boy. Insurance executive Roisin announced the happy news at a gender reveal party.

EastEnders will tackle the issue of male rape when fan favourite Ben Mitchell is attacked.The new manager of The Prince Albert bar, Lewis Butler , played by Aidan O’Callaghan, has befriended Ben in recent weeks.Ben has been struggling recently after his husband Callum was violently beaten up at new year. Ben has since attacked homophobes in retaliation.However, Ben will then be raped by Lewis in an episode set to air next month.

EastEnders star Max Bowden is reportedly set to become a first-time dad as his ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle has revealed she is pregnant.The 27 year old soap star who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap, split from the insurance executive, 36, earlier this year after a short romance that first saw them go Instagram official in October. And now it has been claimed that Roisin is expecting her first child with Max - and despite the pair having gone their separate ways, they will reportedly raise the youngster together. "Max and Roisin are delighted they're expecting a baby – even if they are no longer together," a source revealed.

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy looked a far cry from her iconic character Sonia Fowler during a night out with her friends and work pals recently.The 38 year old actress, who recently shared a rare insight into her life with fiance Marc Humphreys and children on a holiday, opted to dress up in full glam as she hit the town for drinks and dancing with a group of other women. Posting a series of snaps on her social media, the star beamed as she posed in the bar and sipped wine. In one full-length image, the star grinned as she showed off her svelte figure in a pair of light blue denim jeans, a black fitted top and lacy bra.

The Sun, a source said: "Max and Roisin are delighted they're expecting a baby – even if they are no longer together."They broke up earlier this year, there was no one else involved, it just simply didn't work out."They went on to add that insurance broker Roisin was "thrilled" when she found out she was pregnant, and that her and Max have remained good friends."Although they have kept the news low key until now, they have told friends and family," the source continued to the media outlet.The Sun went on to report: "Those who know Max and Roisin could not be more excited."It has been a tough year for Max so he was delighted when he found out he is going to be a dad."The couple had been together since October 2021 and frequently shared romantic snaps to Max's Instagram page over the course of their relationship.Max joined the cast of EastEnders as Phil Mitchell's son in 2019, where he's married to policeman Callum Highway and dad to ex-girlfriend Lola Pearce.Despite Max bagging buckets of success on the screen in recent years, he tragically lost three of his close pals last year.This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly for the latest news, pictures and video.You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest celeb stories straight to your inbox bysigning up for our showbiz newsletter.Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on the day’s top showbiz stories by following Daily Star every time you see our name.