Netflix Orders Kurt Sutter Western Drama ‘The Abandons’ to Series

There is a "direct link" between Scots struggling to pay fuel bills and rising food insecurity, a leading charity has warned.

A Scots cop who knocked a teenager off his bike in a case of mistaken identity during the hunt for a dangerous ‘kill kit’ criminal has been found guilty of careless driving. Constable Kayleigh Simpson was given three points on her licence and admonished after the sheriff expressed “considerable sympathy for the circumstances she finds herself in”.

Primark shoppers have rushed to defend the retailer's new range for older women that "break the stigma of menopause" after one social media user was left baffled by a new top.

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver opened up to fellow campmates on meeting her birth mother after a 'spooky' chance encounter. The soap actress, who was raised by her adoptive family as a child, had an emotional conversation with campmates on this evening's edition of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Fugitive sex offender Nicholas Rossi will be transferred to England for questioning over an alleged rape from 2017.

A Peter Kay fan was left in tears after splashing a whopping £377 on tickets to see the comedy icon - only to realise she'd bought briefs for the wrong show. Leah-Dionne Short, from West Yorkshire, had been waiting in a Ticketmaster queue "all morning" to snap up tickets to the Phoenix Nights star's comeback tour.

Strictly favourite Hamza Yassin has revealed the secret behind his dancefloor success – years spent tossing the caber in the tiny Scots village he calls home. The BBC wildlife presenter, whose stunning lifts have made him the stand-out star of this year’s show, said training for the traditional strongman event at his local Highland games has definitely given him an edge.

The White House was said to be “giddy and gleeful” in the wake of Election Night’s surprisingly strong showing by Democrats. But the administration has nothing on the mood of Bill Maher, as exhibited on Friday’s Real Time.

Mark Kelly has been elected to a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate for the state of Arizona. The incumbent’s close victory puts the Democrats one vital step closer to continuing to control the upper chamber.

Giving credit where it’s due! Jada Pinkett Smith recently wished stepson Trey a happy 30th birthday — and praised Will Smith and his ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, for how they raised him. 

Harrison Ford is celebrating his wife, Calista Flockhart's 58th birthday, in style by piloting one of his swanky private jets into Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.Moments after landing the longtime Hollywood leading man, and aviation enthusiast, could be seen sitting in the cockpit, with his headset on, getting directions from the air traffic controller for the final taxi across the runway.Once Ford drove the jet to its proper parking spot, he opened the cabin entry door and proceeded to help the birthday girl's mother Kay get down the five steps and off the plane. Taking the lead: Harrison Ford, 80, piloted one of his private jets into Los Angeles after picking up his mother-in-law in Tennessee after originally taking off from New York Family time: The longtime Hollywood leading man touched down in Los Angeles with a plan to celebrate his wife, Calista Flockhart's 58th birthdayFord was all smiles as he docked the $18.8 million Citation Sovereign jet, the largest of his prized collection with top speed of 525mph and a 3,200 nautical mile range, into a hangar.And then, after being the first of the family to step back on to the ground, the actor appeared to briefly check the exterior of the plane before opening the cabin door.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Temuera Morrison has joined Jason Momoa in the Apple limited series “Chief of War,” Variety has learned. The role reunites the pair, as they previously played father and son in the DCEU film “Aquaman.” Morrison will also appear alongside Momoa in the sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” due out in theaters in December 2023. “Chief of War” was first reported on in April. Per the official logline, the series “follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawaii from an indigenous point of view.” Morrison will play King Kahekili, the King of Maui.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter CBS has given full season orders to its three freshman dramas — “East New York,” “So Help Me Todd,” and “Fire Country.” “CBS is off to a tremendous start this season, said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment. “We are thrilled to have the three most watched new series, each with their own unique settings, characters and storylines.  These dramas are elevating our already successful lineup, resonating with diverse audiences both on-air and on streaming, and continuing to grow each week.” “We thank the talented casts, executive producers and their incredible writing and production teams for bringing these shows to life,” Kahl added. “Additional kudos to our CBS programming teams for shepherding these series to success.  We are delighted to give them well deserved full season orders.”

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Fox has given out an early Season 2 renewal to the Jon Hamm-led animated comedy “Grimsburg” before the show has even premiered. The announcement was made by Michael Thorn, president of entertainment for Fox Entertainment, during a MIPCOM panel moderated by Variety‘s co-editor-in-chief, Cynthia Littleton. “’Grimsburg’ is yet another clear example of our strong commitment to, and intense focus on, upholding the high bar of standards any show must exceed in order to reside under the Animation Domination banner,” Thorn said. “Of course, having Jon Hamm’s talent and star power front and center is a great place to start. Equally important, everything we’re seeing with ‘Grimsburg’ – from the very first scripts and show bible to animatics and preliminary cuts – makes us believe we have a winner on our hands that beautifully complements our animation brand.”

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Peacock has shared a first look at Joe Pesci in Pete Davidson’s semi-autobiographical comedy series “Bupkis.” It was first reported that Pesci would be joining the series in August. He stars alongside Davidson as well as Edie Falco. The half-hour show is described as “a heightened, fictionalized version of Pete Davidson’s real life.” Pesci stars as Davidson’s grandfather, while Falco will play his mother. It was ordered to series at Peacock in April and is currently in production. “Bupkis” marks just the second regular television role of Pesci’s career. Prior to this, he starred in the short-lived NBC series “Half Nelson” in 1985. Pesci is best known for his film career, in particular his collaborations with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. The trio have worked together on seminal films like “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and “The Irishman.” Pesci won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his work in “Goodfellas” and was nominated in the same category for both “Raging Bull” and “The Irishman.” Pesci is also known for his roles in films like “My Cousin Vinny,” the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, the first two “Home Alone” films and “JFK.”

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series at Disney+ has added three new actors to its cast, Variety has learned exclusively. Adam Copeland, Suzanne Cryer, and Jessica Parker Kennedy are the latest additions to the cast of the series based on Rick Riordan Percy Jackson novels. The trio join previously announced series lead Walker Scobell and series regulars Aryan Simhadri and Leah Sava Jeffries. Copeland will appear in a recurring guest star role as Ares, the god of War. Ares is described as “handsome in a wicked way and arrogant, despite not always being the sharpest tool in the shed. He loves conflict and acts as an agent of chaos wherever he goes.”

Kurt Sutter has got the green light for his outlaw western series The Abandons.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Warner Bros. Television has promoted Parul Agrawal to the role of senior vice president and head of drama development, Variety has confirmed. Agrawal previously served as vice president of drama development. She tales over the role from Leigh London Redman, who exited the studio in July to join Berlanti Productions. Agrawal will report to Clancy Collins White, executive vice president and head of development. Agrawal originally joined WBTV in 2010, rising to vice president of drama development in 2019. During her tenure with the studio, she has helped develop shows like “Lovecraft Country” at HBO, “All American” and “All American: Homecoming” at The CW as well as “Batwoman,” “Black Lightning,” “Kung Fu” “Supergirl,” and the upcoming “Gotham Knights” at the broadcaster. Others include “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “Maid” at Netflix as well as “Castle Rock” at Hulu and many more.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Village Roadshow Television has acquired the rights to Lana Harper’s novel “Payback’s a Witch” with the intention of developing it onto a TV series, Variety has learned exclusively. The book is the first installment in Harper’s “Witches of Thistle Grove” novel series, with the planned show set to take that name as well. Per the official logline, “Witches of Thistle Grove” is “a show about Emmy Harlow, a young woman with big dreams who abandoned her charming but podunk hometown to prove herself in the big city. When she’s suddenly called home nine years later to fulfill a family obligation — which, okay, happens to be arbitrating a centuries-old gauntlet — she’s forced to confront family rifts, broken friendships, and Gareth Blackmoore — a detestable but Hot AF ex who broke her heart and, it turns out, also screwed her friends: Her childhood bestie Linden Thorn, and the sexy, dangerous Talia Avramov, a bad-ass that Emmy always crushed on from afar. Reframing old friendships, reconciling with family, and enacting revenge are things Emmy used to hide from. But if she can face her fears, she can take her power back. And that’s critical. Because Emmy Harlow is a witch.”