One can fully understand and respect Ben Barnes having a special place in his heart for The Chronicles Of Narnia. After all, his eponymous role in The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian was his big breakout and had a huge part in the career that he has built to this day. But does that mean he has any feelings of ill will toward the reboot of the franchise that is currently being developed by Greta Gerwig? Not at all. In fact, he's actually "thrilled."

Barnes latest project is a completely different adaptation – namely MGM+'s series based on Stephen King's novel The Institute – and during a recent interview on the show's press tour with Variety, he reflected on his experience with Chronicles Of Narnia and the future of C.S. Lewis' work in Hollywood. Discussing the fantasy epic, the actor explained that there is no one definitive way to adapt a beloved book, and he is excited to see Gerwig's vision, saying,

Ben Barnes made his debut as Prince Caspian in 2008, and he reprised the role two years later in The Chronicle s Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader. The blockbuster series ended following that film, but Greta Gerwig has been developing a new vision for Netflix since July 2023.

The new adaptation will reportedly be using The Magician's Nephew (the sixth of the seven books) as its primary source material, and the project has been building an all-star cast in the last few months. Emma Mackey will be playing the coveted role of the White Witch, and trades have announced Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig (linked to play Uncle Andrew) and Meryl Streep as also being attached. The movie is set to come out in time for Thanksgiving in 2026 (specifically on November 26), and the film won't be exclusively available for Netflix subscribers upon release: with the power afforded her by the billion-dollar success of Barbie, Greta Gerwig was able to negotiate a limited IMAX release for the blockbuster.

There will hopefully be more news very soon about the new Chronicles Of Narnia movie, so be on the look out for updates. And if you're curious about what the actor formally known as Prince Caspian is up to, you'll be able to see him star opposite Mary-Louise Parker in MGM+'s The Institute, which will make its premiere this Sunday, July 13.

Shadow and Bone was canceled in 2023, and yes, I’m still mad about it. This is all because one of my favorite books of all time is Six of Crows, and it was set up so well in the Season 2 finale of the Netflix series. However, sadly, that will never get to happen, which Ben Barnes just painfully reminded me as he reflected on the tragedy of the cancellation and gushed about what could have been.

In an alternate universe, Shadow and Bone wouldn’t have been one of the saddest cancellations of 2023, and we would have gotten to see the stories in the Grishaverse continue. More specifically, we would have seen the long-awaited Ice Court heist that happens in Six of Crows, as Barnes, who played the Darkling, reiterated while chatting with Mama’s Geeky:

For those who don’t know, it was widely reported before Shadow and Bone was canceled that a writers' room was working on a Six of Crows adaptation. It was happening, we could have gotten it, and then we didn’t…

The show got canceled with so much story left to tell, making it one of many Netflix originals to end without a proper ending. While the Darkling met his “deserved demise,” as Barnes put it, the Crows' story was only just beginning.

For those who don’t know, the book Six of Crows starts with Kaz, Inej, Nina, Jesper and Wylan taking on the Ice Court heist job and then breaking Matthias out of prison. Season 2 ended with that job getting proposed, and Matthias was still locked up. I could taste the heist; we were so close. So, having it taken away from us was extra painful.

Barnes made that clear too, as he said:

I also love a heist! And I love this heist! So, never seeing it put to screen sucks. We'll never get to see Kaz and Inej's relationship develop. We'll never get to see Nina and Matthias truly fall in love. We'll never watch Jesper and Wylan in all their sassy greatness. We'll also never get one of the most epic heists I've ever read.

Plus, Shadow and Bone is still one of the best fantasy shows on streaming. It ended far too soon, and hearing the Darkling actor sympathize with all of us proves just how painful this cancellation was and still is.

Now, I’m with you all; this still hurts a lot. However, thankfully, there’s plenty of Grishaverse content to consume. You can go back and watch the first two seasons of Shadow and Bone with a Netflix subscription. More importantly, you can read the Six of Crows duology and bask in its greatness as we continue to hope for and dream about a book-to-screen adaptation of it.

In the world of Stephen King adaptations, TV projects have slowed down in recent years compared to features. While Constant Readers have seen the release of four movies since 2022, there haven’t been any new shows or miniseries on the air since the first season of Chapelwaite in the summer of 2021. It’s been a noticeable drought for King fans, but it’s one that will soon end. Welcome To Derry, the prequel to IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two, is heading to Max in 2025, and now a small screen reworking of The Institute is finally moving forward.

After years of searching for a home, an adaptation of the 2019 Stephen King novel has gotten the greenlight for an eight-episode first season. To keep track of its progress through the various stages of production on the way to release, I’ve put together this handy guide. When is The Institute coming out? What filmmakers are involved? Who is starring? I’ll answer all of those questions and more to the best of my ability, and I’ll continue to make updates as more details about the show are revealed.

What Is The Institute Release Date?

I’d tell you to mark your calendars for the release of The Institute… but I sadly can’t do that at this stage. An official release date has not yet been announced. That being said, with the show set to go into production in late 2024 (more on that later), it’s not unreasonable to think that we will eventually see its MGM+ streaming premiere date set in 2025.

In addition to the aforementioned Welcome To Derry, another upcoming Stephen King adaptation targeting a 2025 release is Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey – but it’s also possible that the calendar year will also include Mike Flanagan’s The Life Of Chuck (which has completed production but hasn’t revealed distribution plans at the time of this article’s publication).

What The Institute Is About

From Carrie White in Carrie to Danny Torrance in The Shining to Charlie McGee in Firestarter, Stephen King has a long history of writing stories about young people with supernatural powers, and The Institute is one of his most recent additions to that particular category of his bibliography. The titular facility is a government-run institution that tracks young people with psychic abilities (specifically telepaths and telekinetics), and employees run experiments and tests to try and enhance those special skills.

The novel’s protagonist is 12-year-old Luke Ellis, who wakes up one morning in The Institute the night after home invaders abduct him and kill his parents. He’s able to glean some details about his circumstances from the cycling group of fellow inmates, but when he undergoes abusive treatment at the hands of his scientist captors and uses his ingenuity to uncover the truth behind lies that are being sold, he begins to formulate a plan for escape.

While all of this is happening, in what initially reads as a non-sequitur B-plot, a former police officer Tim Jamieson uproots his life in Florida and makes an impulsive decision to settle in a small town in South Carolina. He gets employment with the local cop shop doing night patrols, which proves to be a slow gig, but things get quite a bit more exciting when his life ends up intersecting with Luke Ellis’.

The Institute Cast Includes Mary-Louise Parker And Ben Barnes

When The Institute got the official green light, the announcement came with the additional news that the project already has two stars aboard. Ben Barnes is set to play Tim Jamieson, while Mary-Louise Parker is signed on to play Mrs. Sigsby, the director of The Institute and the story’s principal antagonist.

The show will mark the first time that Ben Barnes has starred in a Stephen King adaptation, but comes to the project with a long history of standout projects on his filmography. He first got a great deal of attention in 2008 playing the titular role in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and addition to starring in that film’s sequel (2010’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), his notable credits include the HBO series Westworld and the Netflix shows The Punisher and Shadow And Bone.

Unlike Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker does have some Stephen King experience, as she had a key supporting role in the first season of the Audience series Mr. Mercedes starring Brendan Gleeson (The Institute is being developed by one of that show’s executive producers). Parker is best known for her time playing the lead in the long-running Showtime series Weeds, and she recently completed work on the period drama series The Gray House.

The Filmmakers Involved With The Institute

The Institute is a show that is being made with a lot of Stephen King adaptation experience working behind the camera. The series is being developed by producers Jack Bender and Benjamin Cavell, who have never worked together before but each have King credits on their resumes.

Jack Bender is the filmmaker who has previously worked with Mary-Louise Parker, as he was not only an executive producer on Mr. Mercedes, but also directed 23 of the show’s 30 episodes. He was also a producer/director on the CBS series adaptation of Under The Dome and has a producer credit on two episodes of the HBO show The Outsider. In addition to The Institute, Bender is also working to bring Stephen King’s latest novel Holly to the small screen.

Benjamin Cavell is best known for his work as a writer/producer on the FX series Justified and CBS’s Seal Team, but he is also credited as one of the creators of The Stand remake for Paramount+ that was released in 2020.

The Institute Series Has Been In The Works Since The Day Stephen King’s Book Was Released

Here’s a fun bit of trivia for you: Stephen King’s The Institute first arrived on the shelves on bookstores on September 10, 2019… and it was on that very same day that it was announced that an adaptation was in the works. Deadline reported that Spyglass Media Group had optioned the rights to the book with Jack Bender and David E. Kelley as the guiding forces behind the project (Kelley having been credited as the creator of Mr. Mercedes).

Five years later, it would appear that David E. Kelley is no longer involved and Benjamin Cavell has taken over his creative role in the development of The Institute.

The Institute Has A Series Order At MGM+ And Will Go Into Production In Fall 2024

When it does finally arrive, The Institute will be available to stream as an MGM+ original, joining a catalogue that also includes the Jack Bender-produced sci-fi/horror series FROM. A specific start of production date has not been announced, but cameras will start rolling before the end of 2024 (as noted earlier), and the show has made plans to film in Nova Scotia.

Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about The Institute and all other Stephen King-related film and television projects. For a weekly fix of stories about the author and the adaptations of his works, check out my column The King Beat, which is published every Thursday.

Producer Jack Bender has been trying for years to make a TV series based on the Stephen King novel The Institute. The book was first published in 2019, and Bender has literally been working on an adaptation since the day that it hit stores. Needless to say, five years is a long time for a project to spend in development – but now, his faith in the project is being rewarded, as he getting his chance to actually make the show thanks to a deal that has be made with MGM+.

Via press release this morning, MGM+ has announced a series order for The Institute – and it's noted that it will be produced by Jack Bender and Benjamin Cavell (who has previous experience with Stephen King's work having had a part in developing the 2020 remake miniseries of The Stand). The first season will include eight episodes, and it has been announced that both Mary Louise-Parker and Ben Barnes have come aboard to star.

In the book, 12-year-old protagonist Luke Ellis finds himself kidnapped and brought to an eerie facility called The Institute that is full of special children who seem to possess psychic abilities (they are either TP, which stands for telepath, or TK, which stand for telekinetic). Various experiments are run on the kids with the promise that they will be returned home to their families when the work is done, but this is a lie, and Luke helps unite his fellow prisoners in trying to find a way to escape.

Mary-Louise Parker, who previously worked with Jack Bender on the Stephen King series Mr. Mercedes has been announced as Ms. Sigsby, who is described in the press release as "the charming but iron-willed director of the Institute and a true believer in its awful mission."

This will be Ben Barnes first time making a Stephen King adaptation, and he will be playing Tim Jamieson, a former police officer who moves to a small town to start a new life and ends up being embroiled in Luke Ellis' story.

Production on The Institute is scheduled to start in Nova Scotia later this year, but there is sadly no information available regarding a target series debut date. We'll have to wait and see what develops, but we'll keep fingers crossed that it will end up getting a 2025 premiere (joining Osgood Perkins' The Monkey as the second Stephen King adaptation of the year). Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the coming weeks and months for all of the latest updates about the new show – and you can learn about all of the projects that are presently in the works based on King's stories with my Upcoming Stephen King Movies and TV guide.

For more King-related goodness, you can also check out my weekly Stephen King series The King Beat (new columns every Thursday) and Adapting Stephen King, my deep dive into the long history of Stephen King adaptations.

Netflix famously has a track record for canceling shows without much of a send-off, which is what happened this week when the streamer decided to cancel the fantasy series Shadow and Bone. The show was based on a popular book series and grew an audience of passionate fans throughout its two-season run. So, it came as a shock to some that Netflix would not be moving forward with a third season. Now, the cast is paying tribute to their time on the show after its cancellation. 

Ben Barnes, who played General Kirigan on Shadow and Bone, gave the series its proper goodbye on Instagram. He shared some of his favorite memories from working with the cast and crew, along with some never-before-seen photos and videos. There seems to be a lot of love behind the scenes, and it will be a major loss for both fans and those who loved making the show. You can see Barnes’ nostalgic post below:

Freddy Carter, who played Kaz Brekker, also gave Shadow and Bone a farewell on Instagram. He posted a simple photo of his iconic gloves, and indicated to fans in the caption that although the show would not get a proper goodbye, he was thankful for his time with the series. You can see his post below:

Mal actor Archie Renaux seemed to echo the same sentiment as Carter, who posted about his time with the show on his Instagram Story:

Wylan actor Jack Wolfe also kept his goodbye short and sweet, posting a cute behind-the-scenes photo with some of his cast mates on his own Instagram Story. Jessie Mei Li, who was the star of Shadow and Bone, reposted the photo on her own story as well. You can see the adorable picture below:

Kit Young, who played Jesper, got real about his own emotional reaction to the series' cancellation on Instagram. He opened up about how much being on the show meant to him. He also thanked the fans for their undying support, noting how special being a part of the Shadow and Bone cast has been for him. 

Lastly, the author of the adapted book series, Leigh Bardugo, got candid about her own disappointment following the show’s cancellation. She also expressed her gratitude for having her work adapted in the first place, especially in a way so loyal to the source material as the Netflix adaptation. You can read her full statement in her Instagram post below:

While many books are adapted to the big screen, not many are done so with the same care that Netflix had for Shadow and Bone, which is why the series cancellation is so hard for fans, as well as the cast and crew. 

Audiences still had so many questions following season 2 of Shadow and Bone that unfortunately there will never be answers to. A major fantasy series with such a loyal fanbase seemed like a score for Netflix, which is why the decision to cancel is leaving many scratching their heads. Whether it was the budget or the 2023 Hollywood strikes that left many shows in a state of limbo, Shadow and Bone feels like a casualty of a much bigger streaming trend that we will continue to follow as we move into a new era of television in 2024. 

Fans can revisit the existing two seasons of Shadow and Bone now with a Netflix subscription. Thankfully, there will be more on-screen adaptations of fan-favorite written works coming soon, so make sure to check out our feature on upcoming book-to-screen adaptations heading to both the big and small screen very soon. 

Spoilers for Season 2 of Shadow and Bone ahead.

Most book-to-screen adaptations feature many changes of all sizes as a novel gets transformed into a movie or a series. Shadow and Bone features many moments directly from the books and stays very true to its characters. However, it’s also no stranger to major changes, as the show combines the plots and characters from the original Grishaverse trilogy and Six of Crows into one series. There are also more nuanced changes that allowed the actors to dive deeper into their characters' relationships, and that was very true for Daisy Head and Ben Barnes as they played out the complex relationship between Genya and General Kirigan in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone. 

Along with both characters developing their connections with Alina in Season 2, Genya and The Darkling’s relationship is central in the Netflix series. Since the books Seige and Storm and Ruin and Rising are told from Alina's first-person perspective there’s a lot we don’t get to see as a reader. However, in the show, there is no dominant perspective, and because of that Ben Barnes and Daisy Head got to explore and develop their characters' relationship. Head told CinemaBlend that while the characters’ dark relationship is depicted in the books, they were able to develop the tension between Genya and General Kirigan into something bigger for the show. Barnes agreed with her, and said:   

In the books, like in the show, the Grisha don’t know that General Kirigan is bad until it’s revealed that he created The Fold. When that happens it’s also revealed that Genya had been on The Darkling’s side, and she decided to stay with him after Alina finds out the truth, making her feel betrayed. In Siege and Storm, the Tailor continues to work for the General, but in Ruin and Rising, we learn that she was punished by him after sparing Alina, giving her scars across her face. 

Meanwhile, in the show, it’s very clear that Genya is quite conflicted about General Kirigan, and doesn’t really want to trust him, but he’s all she knows. Head elaborated on why her character decided to stay with Barnes’ villain, and how they were able to slightly change her motivations in the show, saying: 

Barnes agreed with this point, and he spoke about how they were able to show that the characters’ relationship and motives are not black and white, they're quite grey, which really helps show the toxicity of their relationship, and why Genya stays. He said: 

It’s fascinating to hear how these actors developed their characters and the relationships they have. Genya and General Kirigan have one of the darker storylines in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone, and to hear how the actors were able to really develop that relationship and make it more nuanced and complex makes it all the more meaningful. 

To see how General Kirigan and Genya’s complex and tormented relationship differs from the books, you can stream both seasons of Shadow and Bone with a Netflix subscription. Then check out the 2023 TV schedule to see what other fantasy shows will be making their way to the small screen soon.  

At the center of the first two seasons of Shadow and Bone is the complex relationship between Alina Starkov and General Kirigan (also known as The Darkling in the books). They start out with a generally positive relationship as the shadow summoner teaches the sun summoner how to harness her power. However, things go south when Alina learns that her mentor and short-lived love interest created the Shadow Fold. Now, in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone, Alina has become more confident in her power and is determined to destroy The Folds. However, she’s being tormented by Kirigan, but, he’s also tormented by her, and Ben Barnes explained why that's the case.

One of the most important things to remember about Season 1 of Shadow and Bone is how betrayed Alina felt when she learned Kirigan’s true colors. After learning that he was the mastermind behind the biggest problem Ravka has ever faced, she was livid, and she became determined to defeat him. However, as Ben Barnes explained to CinmeaBlend, Kirigan is just as tormented by this relationship, because he sees something in her that he sees in himself. The actor elaborated, saying:

Barnes explained to Deadline that his character really does have feelings for Alina, and when he loses her, his army, and his palace everything “brews into this storm.” Not only is he tormented, but he’s also angry about losing everything he had, and as the actor behind him said, The Darkling has “gone off” which is why he's a full-on villain in Season 2. 

Throughout the season General Kirigan’s issues and anger are personified through the Shadow Demons that emerge out of him. The prove to be dangerous for anyone caught in their path, however, they're also dangerous for The Darkling. Barnes told us about how those shadows impact The Darkling, and how it helps the audience understand everything this villain is going through, he said: 

So, it turns out, the sliver of humanity that The Darkling seems to have is based on his care for Alina. He’s lived for a very long time, and he’s never been able to confide in anyone or have anyone understand what it meant to have the power he had. However, it’s clear that Alina does not have feelings for him anymore, and she’s going to use her newfound power to destroy him, which bothers Kirigan throughout the entire season. 

It’s fascinating to hear that Barnes used mindful breathing to help ground his character and physically show the audience that The Darkling is also struggling this season. These physical performances to help show his character's struggle are similar to how Jessie Mei Li evolved her performance to show Alina’s new power. Throughout all of Season 2, it was clear that the two characters were constantly at odds with each other, and even though they weren’t ever physically in the same room, you could feel the mutual tension and torment between the two characters. 

To see everything Ben Barnes is talking about in action, you can check out Season 2 of Shadow and Bone with a Netflix subscription. Also, be sure to check out our 2023 TV schedule to see what other fantastic fantasy shows are coming up while we wait to see if we finally get a Six of Crows spin-off and what happens to Alina and co. next. 

When we met Alina Starkov she was a cartographer who had just found out she could summon the sun. That kind of power is intimidating, and hard to harness, so during Season 1 of Shadow and Bone Jessie Mei Li played this protagonist in a way that showed how unsure she was about her power. However, now, in Season 2 of Shadow and Bone the Sun Summoner is more comfortable with her power, and gaining more of it throughout the season, and Li explained how she changed her performance between seasons to show Alina’s newfound confidence. 

As the cast of Shadow and Bone returned to set for the second season, they all had to think about how the events of the first season impacted their characters, and how those moments in The Fold impacted them physically and mentally. For Alina specifically, Li worked on slightly altering her character’s voice to show her newfound power and confidence. The actress explained what she did to accomplish this to CinemaBlend: 

For context, Li is talking about one of the most important moments from Season 1 when her powers are amplified after getting the power of a stag. During Season 2, she gets two more amplifiers by way of the Sea Whip and the Firebird, and with each one she gets more power and her emotions are heightened. The actress continued to talk about how Alina changes between the end of Season 1, and when she is amplified by the Sea Whip, saying:

Alina really does change from the “wobbly,” confused girl in Season 1, into a powerful, rageful woman by the end of Season 2. Li spoke with Collider about how this transformation into a tenser, rage-filled, yet confident Alina physically affected her. She said the way she held Alina’s tension was totally different from her own, and she realized that this difference was what was causing her back pain. It’s fascinating to hear the actress’s process, especially when it comes to the physical evolution of the most powerful character in one of the best fantasy shows on TV right now.

Watching Season 2 I could feel the differences in Li’s performance, she carried herself differently as Alina post-amplifiers, and that helped emphasize the impact they were having on not only her body, but the entire story. To see how Jessie Mei Li evolved as Alina between Season 1 and Season 2 of Shadow and Bone, which just premiered on the 2023 TV schedule, you can stream the series with a Netflix subscription. 

Ever since Shadow and Bone’s first season came to a close fans have been impatiently waiting for Season 2, and hoping that their favorite characters and moments from the Grishaverse would make their way into the Netflix fantasy series. Well, now the trailer for the second season is here, and obviously, fanatics of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows are watching it frame by frame, and let's just say they are hyped to see all these old and new characters coming to the show. 

As a massive fan of Shadow and Bone, I’ll be the first to tell you the ensemble of characters in both the books and the series are why it’s so good. So, naturally, when the trailer for Shadow and Bone Season 2 dropped fans were ecstatic to see characters like Kaz, Inej, Jesper and Zoya returning. They were also ecstatic to see beloved book characters like Nikolai and Wyland for the first time on screen. And they took to Twitter to share all their thoughts. 

It seems like the characters many fans are most excited to see, myself included, are the Crows. The group of thieves stole the show (literally and figuratively) in Season 1, and I know we’re all excited to hopefully see all six of them together in Season 2. Many fans were quick to pull the shots of the three Crows we really got to know from Season 1, and point out how charmed they are by them. Like Arthur, who posted this hilariously thirsty tweet in honor of the charming gun-slinger Jesper: 

Fans were equally as excited to see our swift and stealthy girl Inej back in action with her knives. Kanej couldn’t hold back their excitement about the return of Amita Suman as her iconic Crow. 

While we’re on the topic of Inej, fans were also quick to notice that the Crow and Zoya are going to have some scenes together. This fan tweeted about their excitement by way of a dream interaction between the two badass ladies: 

Obviously, I have to include some love for the leader of the Crows, because fans are so excited to see Kaz back in action, like this person who tweeted: 

Along with all the excitement for the return of beloved Season 1 characters, there are multiple people and moments from the books that viewers cannot wait to see. Specifically when it comes to the inclusion of Waylan and Nikolai in Season 2. 

By bringing in the explosion expert Waylan all six Crows are officially in the series, and fans like bru are especially excited to see this little guy in action come Season 2. 

The addition of the charismatic prince Nikolai Lantsov was also a jaw-dropping moment for fans. This charming man is someone we’ve all been waiting for, and getting our first look at the swashbuckling royal character was incredibly exciting. Sara said it best as she tweeted:  

As you can see, there is a lot of love and excitement for Season 2.  Being able to see all these fun characters from such a beloved book series come to life by way of the Shadow and Bone cast is truly incredible.

Along with many other book-to-screen adaptations, Season 2 of Shadow and Bone is coming soon on the 2023 TV schedule. You’ll be able to tune in and watch the Grishaverse expand by way of these amazing characters on March 16, and all you need to watch is a Netflix subscription. 

When it comes to some of the best horror movies or the best fantasy movies, who is one of the first people you think of? For me, it’s always been Guillermo del Toro, an Academy Award winning director and screenwriter who has created some of the best films of the last twenty years, like Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and so many more. And now, he’s returned to television with the release of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. 

This show features eight different horror stories written and directed by different people, and also features an entirely new cast in every episode. With that much talent, it might be hard to figure out exactly where you might have seen them before. If you’re wondering “where have I seen that actor before?”, this is Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities cast and why they look so familiar.

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Lot 36

“Lot 36” is written by Regina Corrado and is based on a story by del Toro himself, and directed by Guillermo Navarro. 

Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson has appeared in shows such as Watchmen, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidy, and the film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, where he starred. 

Elpidia Carrillo

Elpidia Carrillo has had a role on the popular TV series, Mayans M.C., but also had an appearance as Sonia on the hit teen drama, Euphoria, as well as a role in the original Predator film from 1987. 

Demetrius Grosse

Demetrius Grosse has appeared in The Walking Dead universe show, Fear the Walking Dead, for several episodes, and has popped up in many TV shows like The Rookie, Swagger, Frontier, and more. 

Sebastian Roché

Last for “Lot 36” is Sebastian Roché, an actor who is most known for his role in The Young Pope but has appeared in many big roles in shows such as The Man in the High Castle, Genius, The Originals, and more. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Graveyard Rats

“Graveyard Rats” is based on a short story by Henry Kuttner, and directed by Vincenzo Natali. 

David Hewlett

The only leading star of “Graveyard Rats” is David Hewlett, who has appeared in several movies and shows, such as The Shape of Water, SEE, and Stargate: Atlantis. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – The Autopsy

“The Autopsy” is based on a short story by Michael Shea and directed by David Prior. 

F. Murray Abraham

F. Murray Abraham won the Academy Award for his role in the film, Amadeus, but has appeared in many other movies, including several Wes Anderson films, as well as Star Trek: Insurrection, Inside Llewyn Davis, and currently stars in the Apple TV+ series, Mythic Quest. 

Glynn Turman

Glynn Turman has appeared in several movies and series. Most recently, in 2020, he had a role in Netflix’s film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and had had roles in shows such as Fargo and The Wire. 

Luke Roberts

Last but not least for “The Autopsy” is Luke Roberts, who had a lead role in the show Ransom, as well as appearing in many episodes of Black Sails on Starz. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – The Outside

“The Outside” is based on a short story by Emily Carroll, a comic-book author, and is directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. 

Kate Micucci

Kate Micucci has done a lot of voice roles for shows like Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? as well as American Dad!, and more. She also appeared in the film Flora & Ulysses, as well as the TV series, Mom. 

Martin Starr

Martin Starr first came to prominence with his role in Freaks and Geeks, but then appeared in shows like Silicon Valley, Roswell, Revelations, Party Down, and many more. He also had a minor appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

Dan Stevens

The last big name for “The Outside” is Dan Stevens, who has been in shows like Gaslit, High Maintenance, Legion, Downtown Abbey, and more. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Pickman’s Model

“Pickman’s Model” is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft and directed by Keith Thomas. 

Ben Barnes

Most recently, in 2021, Ben Barnes got lots of attention for his starring role as the Darkling in the fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, which is also going to be getting Season 2 very soon, but he's also appeared in shows such as Westworld and The Punisher. 

Crispin Glover

Crispin Glover has appeared in shows such as American Gods, Texas Rising, and more. He also was in the comedy film, Hot Tub Time Machine. 

Oriana Leman

Last for “Pickman’s Model” is Oriana Leman, who is mainly known for her role in the fantasy series, Locke & Key, where she plays Carly Miller. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Dreams In The Witch House

“Dreams in the Witch House” is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, and directed by Catherine Hardwicke. 

Rupert Grint

You might know Rupert Grint from his time as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, but he’s also currently starring on the Apple TV+ series, Servant. 

Ismael Cruz Cordova

Isamal Cruz Cordova has appeared in several TV shows, including the Amazon series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, as well as Berlin Station, The Undoing, The Catch, and so many more. 

DJ Qualls

DJ Qualls has had experience in television before, as he appeared in the popular CW show, Supernatural, as well as shows such as Z Nation, The Man in the High Castle, Fargo, and more. 

Nia Vardalos

Nia Vardalos got famous for writing and starring in one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but also has appeared on the cancelled Love, Victor, as well as the miniseries, Station 19. 

Tenika Davis

Last but not least for “Dreams in the Witch House” is Tenika Davis, who’s biggest work was having a role in Jupiter’s Legacy, as well as Titans in 2021. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – The Viewing

 “The Viewing,” features a stacked cast. The episode is written by Aaron Stewart-Ahn and Panos Cosmatos, who also directed. 

Peter Weller

Peter Weller has appeared in many TV shows before, including Longmire, MacGyver, The Last Ship, the popular FX drama, Sons of Anarchy, the Showtime series, Dexter, and many others. He also played the titular character in the original Robocop, and had a role in Star Trek Into Darkness. 

Eric Andre

Eric Andre actually has his own show, called The Eric Andre Show, but he’s been in other projects as well. He appeared in The Righteous Gemstones, and also voices one of my favorite cartoon characters, Luci, in the adult animated show on Netflix, Disenchantment. 

Sofia Boutella

Sofia Boutella is mainly known for her role in Kingsman: The Secret Service, but also appeared in Modern Love. She is set to premiere in the upcoming Rebel Moon. 

Charlyne Yi

Charlyne Yi has been in the business for some time and appeared in many movies and TV shows. Some of her biggest roles were in shows such as House M.D., Love, Jane the Virgin, We Bare Bears, Steven Universe, and more. She also appeared in movies like Always Be My Maybe, The Mitchells vs the Machines, and others. Most recently, she was in the film Block Party Juneteenth. 

Steve Agee

Steve Agee has had roles in many TV shows, such as D-Sides, New Girl, Fortune Rookie, Drunk History, American Princess, Twelve Forever and more. He also appeared in The Suicide Squad as John Economos, a role he reprised in the popular series, Peacemaker. He also portrayed Issac in Superstore. 

Michael Therrialt

If you want to talk about someone who has been in television for some time, Michael Therrialt is the person to bring up, as he has appeared in several TV shows. Some of his biggest roles have been in series such as Covert Affairs, Hemlock Grove, Heroes Reborn, The Girlfriend Experience, Damien, The Bagel and Becky Show, Reign, Alias Grace, and more. He also appeared in the horror film, Cult of Chucky. 

Saad Siddiqui

Last but not least for “The Viewing,” we take a look at Saad Siddiqui, who has been in many TV shows before, including The Art of More, Rogue, Incorporated, Slasher, October Faction, Coroner, The Hardy Boys, and more. He also had a minor role as Karan in Legends of Tomorrow. 

Cabinet Of Curiosities – The Murmuring

The last episode of Cabinet of Curiosities, called “The Murmuring,” is based on an original story by Guillermo del Toro and is directed by Jennifer Kent, known for her famed horror movie, The Babadook. 

Essie Davis

Essie Davis had a lead role in The Babadook, led the series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and also appeared in shows like Lambs of God. 

Andrew Lincoln

Primarily known as Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln has also appeared in movies such as the classic holiday film, Love, Actually, and the television series, Afterlife. 

Hannah Galway

Hannah Galway is mainly known for her role in the TV series, Sex/Life, which is getting a Season 2, but also had appearances in shows like Under the Banner of Heaven and Good Sam. 

This cast for every single episode is truly stacked to the brim and features so many talented actors that I can hardly believe it. With such a creative lineup and spooky stories, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities is sure to be one of the streaming platform’s best releases so far this year.

Former Westworld co-stars Ben Barnes and Evan Rachel Wood are teaming up once again, and this time it’s for something much different and much less deadly. The two actors, who are also musicians, collaborated for the music video to Barnes’ latest music single, titled “11:11,” and they've given fans lots of anticipation build-up via behind-the-scenes clips and images, and that including one particularly excellent reference to Friends.

The Punisher vet and Shadow and Bone star Ben Barnes celebrated his buddy Evan Rachel Wood's recent birthday the only way he knew how: by posting a dubsmash on Twitter of the two of them delivering their A+ reference to Friends. (Why, do you celebrate your friends' birthdays differently?) In the video, the Westworld alums pay tribute to the iconic reveal of Monica and Chandler in bed together in London, just before Ross’ wedding. Check out Wood and Barnes also sharing a bed together for the video below:

Ben Barnes was only on Westworld through the end of the second season, while Evan Rachel Wood's Dolores Abernathy will presumably return to form in Season 4. Despite Barnes departing from the series back in 2018, it looks like his friendship with Wood has only grown in the years since. The music video seems to mark the first time they’ve worked together in three years, so I can only imagine what it was like putting together something that's quite unlike what fans are used to seeing from them. At least judging from the teases.

Even though their music video collaboration is temporary, maybe this could be the start of more projects for them to star in together, whether that’d be in music, film, or TV. Now I'm kinda into seeing a Friends parody with Barnes' Jigsaw and Wood's Dolores as Chandler and Monica, respectively. Or with reversed roles. I'm not picky.

Ben Barnes and Evan Rachel Wood aren’t the only ones recreating Friends moments on social media. Friends star Courteney Cox took to Instagram last year to give fans a little tender reminder to not send her more gifs of a turkey on her head from one of the many iconic Thanksgiving episodes the series did. Which obviously wasn't a legitimate warning, but rather a callback to one of the show's most memorable holiday moments. And Friends references have been especially plentiful in the months after HBO Max's reunion special turned heads and earned Emmy nods, and also re-sparked debates about Ross and Rachel, and about Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer themselves. Will we see any more nods in the actual video for "11:11" when it's released?

Although Ben Barnes doesn’t seem to be returning to Westworld any time soon, fans can still see him and Evan Rachel Wood together in the new music video for “11:11,” which will be released in the second week of September 2021. This will surely keep fans satisfied until the two share another project together that lasts longer than four minutes. But in the meantime, head to our 2021 Fall TV schedule to see what other new and returning shows are popping up soon, and keep your eyes and ears out for Barnes' first EP, Songs for You, when it releases on October 15.

Netflix, for the last several years, has been knocking it out of the park with some of their series that have popped up, especially those that combine elements of fantasy and dystopia. Just look at The Witcher, which literally took over the streaming service when it premiered back in 2019. It was one of the most viewed shows on Netflix ever. That’s why it’s not that much of a surprise that Shadow and Bone, an adaption of the books of the same name, has become so popular.

However, with an ensemble cast as big as the one in Shadow and Bone, you’re sure to have seen these familiar faces across the media atmosphere in the last couple of years – or maybe even the last twenty! From the star of the series, Jessie Mei Li, to some of the minor characters that have somehow stolen our hearts, this is where you might have seen the cast of Shadow and Bone before.

Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov)

With every fantasy series, there is always that one character that truly drives the story, and that responsibility falls into the hands of Alina Starkov, an orphan assistant cartographer of the Royal Corps of Surveyors in the First Army, who ends up discovering that she is in fact the legendary Sun Summoner. Jessie Mei Li is the young starlet behind the wonderful transition of this character from book to screen.

If you’re thinking that you haven’t seen her around that much in media, you’re certainly right. Shadow and Bone is surprisingly this talented actress’s first major television role where she is widely recognized. However, that doesn’t mean that Jessie Mei Lei hasn’t been around the block a couple of times. She’s had a couple of guest appearances on television shows like Strangers and Locked Up, but Mei Li’s main source of attention was having roles in National Theater Live, a cinema program that brings the best of British theatrics to movie screens, where she has had a role in All About Eve, playing Claudia Casswell.

Archie Renaux (Mal Oretsev)

I think all of us want a best friend like Mal in real life, especially one that sticks it out with us from childhood to where we are now. I have to admit that even I was jealous of him and Alina’s strong friendship throughout the first season, and I have a feeling that’s due to Archie Renaux’s great chemistry with Jessie Mei Li.

Prior to appearing in Shadow and Bone, Renaux had a couple of parts in short films, but it’s not his first time into the television world. Back in 2019, Archie Renaux had a main role in the miniseries Gold Digger, a thriller about family, betrayal, and all things in-between. In the future, Renaux has some movie roles lined, as he has a small role in the new film, Voyagers, as well as a part in the highly-anticipated Morbius coming out in 2022. So keep an eye out for this newcomer to the industry.

Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker)

If you’re a fan of the books as I was for some time, you were probably surprised when they combined the two worlds of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, but I think it was a welcome change and adaptation to the popular fantasy series and really paved the way for some characters to get some serious development. One of which was Kaz Brekker, the leader of the Crows in Shadow and Bone, played by Freddy Carter.

Freddy Carter has had a couple of roles prior to his spot in Shadow and Bone. While he's still building up his resume of film roles, with very minor roles and cameos in films like Wonder Woman and The Convent, Carter has had a lot of success on TV. Carter had a small recurring role in Pennyworth as Jason Ripper. He also played Peter “Pin” Hawthorne on the popular British drama Free Rein and had the main role in two Netflix movies based on the show, Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas, and Free Rein: Valentine’s Day.

Amita Suman (Inej Ghafa)

Every crew needs a compass, and that is exactly where the character of Inej Ghafa comes in handy as part of the Crows in Shadow and Bone. No matter what, she keeps on fighting, trying to keep as many of her friends safe as she can. She always believes in something better for the world and has hope when no one else does. This beautiful take on the classic character comes from the awesome acting skills of Amita Suman, who is relatively new to the acting world.

Amita Suman hasn’t been in much prior to her role in Shadow and Bone, with a small guest role in Doctor Who and a recurring role as Naya on the CW show The Outpost being some of her biggest parts. However, with how amazing she has been doing in Shadow and Bone, I would keep an eye out for more of her work in the future.

Kit Young (Jesper Fahey)

I mean, Jesper is lowkey a bit of a mess and adorkably amazing with his one-liners, but there’s no denying that he is fearsomely loyal to his friends and will follow them to the end of the earth. Besides, who wouldn’t love this charming gunslinger who can literally shoot through a coin without barely as much as a look? Now that is an amazing character. Kit Young brings that personality to the small screen, standing out individually among the rest of the Crows.

Young hasn’t had as many projects as some of the others on this list in regards to TV and film, but he has plenty of roles in famous plays like Julius Caesar and The Real Thing in the theater. He also appeared National Theater Live, playing Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With Shadow and Bone becoming so popular, it’s only a matter of time before we see him in more films and television, including The Origin and The School for Good and Evil, two upcoming films he has in the works.

Ben Barnes (General Kirigan)

General Kirigan is handsomely changed in the show for the better in my opinion, and really builds on the relationship that he and Alina develop over time that ends in a climatic story between the two. Ben Barnes, the actor behind General Kirigan, adds to this success through his portrayal of the classic character.

Ben Barnes has been around for quite some time and has had plenty of roles in big-time films and television shows. For example, he was the Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia movies. Barnes has also had roles in films such as Dorian Gray as the titular character, and in the comedy film The Big Wedding alongside stars like Robert De Niro, Amanda Seyfried and more.

In terms of television, Ben Barnes also had a role in Gold Digger as mentioned before, but also had main parts in Westworld as Logan Delos, and was a part of the main cast for The Punisher series on Netflix, playing Jigsaw. It seems like Shadow and Bone is something that is right up this actor’s alley, so I’m eager to witness what else he will bring to the table with General Kirigan.

Zoe Wanamaker (Baghra)

Everyone needs a trainer when they suddenly discover the power they have. With Harry Potter, that came in the form of Hogwarts. With Ciri from The Witcher, Geralt trained her. But with Alina Starkov, Baghra was her Grisha trainer to try and control her unimaginable powers. Zoe Wanamaker brings the fierceness of Baghra to life, while also being a great mentor to Alina at the same time.

Wanamaker is a name that you might not recognize off the top of your head, but once you see the roles she has been in, you’ll know exactly who this is. For example, she was Madame Hooch in the classic Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, as well as Paula Strasberg in My Week with Marilyn. However, Zoe Wanamaker has been in television for several decades and the theater as well, being nominated nine times for an Olivier Award (winning once for Once in a Lifetime) and nominated four times for Tony Awards.

For someone as experienced as her, I’m so happy to see her on a big-time TV show like this. While she does have main roles in shows like Britannia as Queen Antedia, it’s cool to see her returning back to the fantasy world.

Howard Charles (Arken)

With any show that’s adapted from books, there are usually characters that are added as original even though they never appeared in the novels. That is the case of Arken, otherwise known as the Conductor in Shadow and Bone, a character with plenty of twists and turns that keeps you on your feet during the whole first season.

Howard Charles, who plays Arken, has had some success in the industry. In film, he’s had a role in a direct-to-DVD film, called The Scorpion King: Book of Souls, playing Uruk. In television, Charles had a main role in the drama series The Musketeers, based on the novel of the same name, where he played Porthos du Vallon, for the whole series. Howard Charles has been in several other TV shows in guest appearances, but Shadow and Bone has shown off his abilities in a big way.

Julian Kostov (Fedyor)

With Grisha’s, there are plenty of different types of them, and Fedyor, a Heartrender, is one of the many that made Shadow and Bone so interesting and captivating to watch. Although not seen as much of the other characters on here, Fedyor had just as much of a role in Alina’s journey as anyone else did. Julian Kostov portrayed Fedyor in Shadow and Bone, and this isn’t his first time in fantasy. In fact, Kostov has a recurring role in the popular fantasy/magic show A Discovery of Witches, where he plays Timur. He also had a recurring role in the drama Berlin Station, playing Sergei Basarov.

While his new role in Shadow and Bone is exciting, I’m eager to see what he has coming up in the next couple of years. I want to see more of his awesome actor on my computer and in cinemas.

With how popular Shadow and Bone has become, it’s not a surprise that people are looking to see what other 2021 TV shows (and specifically, Netflix TV premieres) are coming out soon after the show ended. Hopefully, we won’t need to wait long for a confirmation that Season 2 is coming. Fingers crossed because I can’t wait to see more of these actors succeed as our favorite characters.

CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.

Ever drift off and think about going through your wardrobe to share some Turkish Delight and chill with Mr. Tumnus? The Chronicles of Narnia series certainly feels even more of a world away than it used to, since Disney’s movie franchise stopped midway through adapting its seven beloved books. The Narnia movies follow a troubling trend that the YA genre has battled with over the years – showing their great potential and then studios dropping the ball, leaving fans to say goodbye too soon. Let’s talk about what really happened to the rest C.S. Lewis’ fantasy movies and how it may return over a decade later.

Previously, we’ve broken down what happened to Fox’s Percy Jackson movies, which was sadly cancelled after two films, Lionsgate’s Divergent, which was axed just short of its conclusion, and Maze Runner, which spawned an entire successful trilogy, but left fans hanging on the spinoff front. Now let’s get into why we haven’t seen more Narnia movies:

How Many Narnia Movies Have We Seen?

Disney’s Narnia series started off with a bang when the studio released The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe back in 2005. The fantasy movie that set up C.S. Lewis’ world with Tilda Swinton’s White Witch, James McAvoy’s Mr. Tumnus, and Aslan, voiced by Liam Neeson, was an instant hit, garnering $745 million in box office dollars worldwide, becoming the third-highest grossing movie of that year, behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It also proved to be a worthy adaptation of the source material.

The struggle with a franchise like Narnia is how it leans on its young cast, who were growing rapidly as the film was being developed. In 2008, Prince Caspian was released to milder performance, at $419 million worldwide, with comparable quality to the first. Two years later, the fifth book was adapted with The Voyage of the Dawn Treader which made $415 million worldwide. All three Narnia movies are available to stream on Disney+, which you can sign up for using this link.

Were There Plans For More Narnia Movies?

After the Voyage of Dawn Treader, Disney had its sights set on going back to adapt the first book in the series The Magician’s Nephew. Since the cast was getting much older, maybe the studio felt like it was time to refresh the Narnia movies. However, the C.S. Lewis Company seemed to reject this plan when Walden Media soon lost its film rights to the franchise in 2011 and The Mark Gordon Company retained the rights instead to adapt the next book in the franchise, The Silver Chair (my personal favorite in the series).

The Silver Chair remained in slow development until 2016, when Sony got involved in the Narnia movies, hiring Captain America: The First Avenger and Jumanji director Joe Johnston to helm the movie. He had intended to bring a new vision to the franchise with his adaptation, including a new cast and begin a “an all-new trilogy” for Narnia. Life of Pi writer David Magee was on board to write the screenplay, which would focus on the Pevensies’ cousin Eustace Scrubb, who Will Poulter previously played, as Narnia’s timeline shifts to Prince Caspian’s reign as an old King, as Eustace and his friend Jill help him locate his heir.

Why We Haven't Seen More Narnia Movies

It’s still unclear exactly why Joe Johnston’s The Silver Chair movie never came together, but the director would instead go on to make The Nutcracker and the Four Realms for Disney. The other movie Johnston ended up doing was actually produced by the same company behind the next Narnia movies, The Mark Gordon Company, so the decision may have been connected somehow. What’s more telling is how the C.S. Lewis Company has since changed course once again with a new venture with Netflix.

It’s hard to say from the outside looking in, but it sounds like the right way forward for the Narnia movies was never properly carved out following its move from Disney. The first three movies certainly suffered in not shooting its vision more consecutively, like Harry Potter or Hunger Games, considering its young cast grew much older then intended with three movies in five years, and with a new director coming in for Dawn Treader. It’s also not an easy franchise to adapt, and the fact that it lost some steam midway through may have slowed down financial interest in the property, as well.

Will There Be Future Narnia Movies?

As I alluded to, Narnia is now in the hands of Netflix, as of 2018. The universe’s new home is with the streamer with the co-writer of Pixar’s Coco, Matthew Aldrich, serving as the showrunner as of a 2019 announcement. Aldrich has been named the “creative architect” for what could reportedly include films and shows, per an official Netflix Twitter account. The latest word we’ve seen regarding Narnia on Netflix came from France’s Netflix account in March 2021 when a fan asked for an update, it replied (in translation from French): “Narnia series and films are in the works!”

It sounds like Narnia could have a big future on Netflix between a series and films, whenever the studio pulls the trigger and makes an announcement about a specific project in active production. It sounds like Matthew Aldrich could be crafting a large plan for Narnia and that could take some time to develop. C.S. Lewis’ books are classics that deserve some love and care, and have the potential to be hugely popular, akin to Game of Thrones, if done right. We’ll keep you updated as developments arise, but what do you think? Would you be excited for more Narnia movies? Vote in our poll below.

This poll is no longer available.

SPOILERS are ahead for Shadow and Bone.

Netflix subscribers’ latest obsession is Shadow and Bone, an epic adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s YA book franchise. The series follows the story of Alina Starkov, a teen orphan who finds out she has powers that can change her home of Ravka as she knows it. She learns to harness her light through the help of Ben Barnes’ mysterious General Alexander Kirigan, later revealed as the Darkling. The series allowed for the complex character to be updated for TV in clever ways.

When Shadow and Bone hit streaming, book fans noticed the Darkling was going by another name than they knew him by. General Kirigan is not among the named characters in the expansive Grishaverse books, but adding this facade to the Darkling character did allow for Ben Barnes to deepen the character. Here’s what the actor told CinemaBlend:

One major change between the first Shadow and Bone book and the series is how much more compassionate viewers may feel toward the Darkling. In the series there’s a real sense that the Darkling cares for Alina, wants to undo the mistake he made with the Shadow Fold and do what’s best for his people, despite the twisted ways he goes about it as the season progresses.

And there is a large number of fans who root for a romance between Alina and Darkling… because of course, it was a great decision to flesh out a villain like the Darkling. Ben Barnes continued with these words:

It’s almost been ten years since the original Shadow and Bone book reached bookshelves and Leigh Bardugo has shared that some of the changes made in the series were welcome in hindsight. Fans were undoubtedly going to see the chemistry between the Sun Summoner and the Black Heretic in the series, so why not give their relationship a more palpable arc? The Netflix series chooses to take us with Alina as she becomes drawn to General Kirigan before learning of his dark history as the man behind her world’s great divide.

For Ben Barnes, having General Kirigan only helped his performance showcase the human elements of the Darkling. And when the season reaches its third act and he says those memorable words: “Fine, make me your villain,” there’s more tension within Alina’s heroic journey. What did you think of Ben Barnes’ Darkling? Vote in our poll below and get to know the Grishaverse more here on CinemaBlend, and check out Shadow and Bone on Netflix now.

This poll is no longer available.

When a beloved book is adapted, for its fans there’s always a combination of wild excitement and heart skipping. Over the years, there’s been some incredible movies and television shows based on fantasy book series and there have also been a share of big bummers. With Shadow and Bone on Netflix finally out after almost a decade of development, while there are a number of key differences between the 2012 book by Leigh Bardugo, readers of the Grishaverse can rejoice. Alina Starkov is in good hands at the streaming service.

Season 1 of Shadow And Bone adapts the story of the first book in the trilogy, with some creative liberties made to implement other characters from the wider Grishaverse. Whether you just finished off the series and are curious about how it measures up to the book, or are a fan wondering about the changes made, let’s dive into it. Warning! SPOILERS are ahead for Shadow and Bone. I highly recommend you grab the book or binge the series before proceeding!

Alina Starkov Is Half Shu

There’s one major difference on the surface level of Shadow and Bone that was made regarding the series’ main character, Alina Starkov. In the books, she is described as simply an orphan who is small, pale and mousy, with dull brown hair and eyes. As she grows in her Grisha power, she becomes more beautiful and healthy. For the series, it was decided to make Alina half-Shu, which means mixed-raced Asian in the Grishaverse. Alina having a more complicated background adds some depth to her character. The Shu are often thought of as the enemy, so there’s an added conflict within Alina of not feeling like she belongs even further and confronting racism alongside her journey. It’s actually a clever addition to Alina’s backstory, which only helps tell the protagonist’s established story.

The Darkling Goes By General Kirigan

In the Shadow and Bone book, Alina knows the Darkling as the Darkling right away. But, it’s not until later that she finds out that he is also the Black Heretic, aka the one who created the Shadow Fold. In the series, Ben Barnes is first known as General Kirigan before being called the Darkling and the Black Heretic. This was done in order to better conceal the character’s identity from viewers, especially those who will be going into the series blindly. We all like a good twist, and if the Netflix show can make a few people gasp at the revelation it makes for an even more entertaining arc for Barnes’ villain.

The Six Of Crows’ Origins Are In The Mix

The biggest change between the first book and the series is the addition of the Six of Crows storyline into Alina and the Darkling’s first of three stories. While the events of Shadow and Bone are taking place, the Netflix series is also introducing audiences to Inej Ghafa, Kaz Brekker, Jesper Fahey, Nina Zenik, and Matthias Helvar, the characters from Leigh Bardugo’s duology, Six of Crows. Since those novels take place chronologically after the first Shadow and Bone book, this aspect of the season is completely new to the Grishaverse. As much as the series is an adaptation, it’s also a Six of Crows prequel.

Alina Is Even More In The Dark About The Black Heretic’s Plan

Shadow and Bone books are from the perspective of Alina Starkov, and it is, therefore, up to her to figure out specific plotlines in the story in order for everything to move along as it needs to. But, in the Netflix show, there are a few changes made which allow for some scene variety, and don't always involve Alina being clued in. In this spirit, the series does not tell Alina about the Darkling’s plans to find the Stag to amplify her powers until much later in the story. In the book, Alina is told by the Darkling himself, but she believes it will be used only to amplify her powers, rather than be used as a collar to control her, until Baghra clues her in.

Alina And Mal Are Better Friends Than Lovers

In the Shadow and Bone book, Alina is straight up in love with her childhood friend, Mal. Leigh Bardugo’s novel spends a ton of time on Alina crushing and yearning to be reunited with him, and in the third act the plot is still driven by her love for him and her need to keep him alive at all costs. The couple have a few key romantic moments in the book and there’s some clear jealousy and tension between Mal and the Darkling. But, in the series, Mal is treated much more deeply and balanced than as a romantic interest. The series establishes why he's been important to Alina since childhood, and while it’s clear they care for each other and there’s love there, Mal is not driving the story, Alina is. It’s an improvement from the book that still respects the source material.

There’s A Deeper Connection Between The Darkling And Alina

Another improvement for Alina and her relationship to her romantic interests is through her arc with the Darkling in the series. In the books, Alina is attracted to him, and the pair begin to get physically involved before she learns of his plans to control her, after which she escapes him. As the book reaches its climax, the Darkling completes his plan to put the Stag collar on her and amplify her powers under his control. The book makes it seem like she was only a pawn in his game and the moments they shared were manipulation, though the pair do have electric chemistry. However, in the Netflix show the Darkling actually believes Alina to be his match; they seem to have mutual deep feelings for each other aside from the Darkling controlling her powers for his own plans.

Alina’s Finale Moment Is A More Empowering One

One last difference between the book and TV show to touch on is how Alina comes into her power and has her big finale moment in Shadow and Bone. In the novel, it takes seeing Mal fall off the ship in the Shadow Fold for her to realize that she has control of her power, even with the collar around her neck, when she uses it to save Mal and defeat the Darkling (for now). As I’ve mentioned, her actions are reactionary because of her love for Mal, where in the show Alina breaking into her power for her final moment is empowering to her journey as the Sun Summoner. The series creates a bigger moment for its hero which is hers, while still giving Mal a major part to play in wrapping up the first season.

As you can tell, I was very much impressed with the differences between the book and Netflix series for Shadow and Bone. There will always be some changes that need to be made between the mediums, but in this case, the story was not sacrificed in the process. What did you think about the changes? Vote in our poll below!

This poll is no longer available.

CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.

The days are numbered until Netflix’s next fantasy series Shadow and Bone drops on the streaming platform, are you ready for it? In the vein of the streamer’s last big hit from the genre, The Witcher, this Netflix TV show also comes with a legacy found in the bestselling Shadow and Bone books from Leigh Bardugo. Ahead of watching the series, if you’re new to the Grishaverse, welcome and let’s get you acquainted with the basics.

Season 1 of Shadow and Bone will be coming to Netflix this April for your binging pleasure. The season is eight episodes and packed with adventure and introductions to the unique fantasy world being explored within its storyline. Take it from someone who's seen Season 1 already: you won’t be completely lost if you go in blind, but if you want to sit back and enjoy it a bit more, read on. Here’s what you need to know about Leigh Bardugo’s series before hitting play:

How Many Shadow And Bone Books There Are

The first Shadow and Bone novel came out back in 2012 and became a New York Times bestseller. The book is the one of three books from the Grisha trilogy, which also consists of 2013’s Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising. The Shadow and Bone books center on a teenage orphan named Alina Starkov who finds out she has incredible powers that could mend her war-torn world that is split in two by a large stretch of impenetrable darkness called The Shadow Fold.

Leigh Bardugo has since continued to tell stories within what’s called the “Grishaverse” with two duologies from the same world. The Six of Crows duology consists of 2015's Six of Crows and 2016’s Crooked Kingdom instead follows five different characters (switching back and forth between their viewpoints) who are part of a thieving crew who take part in a heist. Additionally, there is the most recent King of Scars duology, made up of 2019’s King of Scars and Rule of Wolves, which centers on one young king of Ravka, Nikolai. But wait… there’s even more! Bardugo has also published a number of short stories about the folklore of her fantasy world as well. 

You can start reading with the Shadow and Bone trilogy boxed set on Amazon. Or, if you want to purchase the books individually:

Get Shadow and Bone (Book 1) on Amazon.

Get Siege and Storm (Shadow and Bone Book 2) on Amazon. 

Get Ruin and Rising (Shadow and Bone Book 3) on Amazon. 

Get Six of Crows on Amazon. 

Get Crooked Kingdom on Amazon.

Get King of Scars on Amazon. 

Get Rule of Wolves on Amazon.

What Is The Grishaverse?

From the outside looking in, Shadow and Bone’s universe being called the Grishaverse can be quite confusing, so let’s clear that right up. Grishaverse is derived from the word “Grisha,” which are a people in Shadow and Bone and the world of Leigh Bardugo’s books. To put in simple terms, the Grisha are like the wizards or benders of the Harry Potter and Avatar and the Last Airbender worlds respectively. They are a class of people who have powers that set them apart from the rest of the humans who live there.

There are many different types of Grisha, and they are typically determined through a test as children. If a child is determined Grisha, they are mostly separated from humans and taken off with other Grisha to learn how to hone their “Small Science” skills. There are three main types or “orders” of Grisha: Corporalki, whose power lies in the human body (such as a healer), Materialki, whose power lies in materials (such as an alchemist) and Etherealki, whose power lies in the natural elements. Shadow and Bone’s protagonist Alina falls into the Etherealki category, since she can summon light. The Grishaverse explores these people and their stories through different lenses.

The Geography Of Shadow And Bone

The events of Shadow and Bone are more easily understood through a quick geographic tour. There are three nations you should know for the series: Ravka, Fjerda and Shu Han. Ravka is the central land that most of Shadow and Bone takes place on and includes the Shadow Fold (which some also refer to as The Unsea). It is a monarchy that has two borders to defend considering it is between Fjerda and Shu Han, which often become threats to the country of Ravka.

Shadow and Bone mainly takes place on the east side of the Shadow Fold in Ravka where its capital Os Alta is located. When we first meet Alina, she will be on the east side with plans to cross The Shadow Fold into the west with the First Army, a military regiment consisting of non-Grisha people. The Second Army is made up of only Grisha people and is based in the Little Palace, close to the King. The Shadow Fold is an incredibly dangerous rift in Ravka that is a huge risk to cross and contains terrifying creatures with long claws, leathery wings and rows of razor-sharp teeth called Volcra.

The Netflix Series Is Also A Six Of Crows Prequel

Netflix’s Shadow and Bone series predominantly adapts Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone novel, but there’s also another element to keep in mind. The series will also set up the thieves from the Six of Crows duology as well. While Alina is going on her hero's journey, the season also begins to tell the story of Inej, Kaz, Jesper, Nina and Matthias before their written story arc in the novels. Therefore, the Shadow and Bone series operates as an adaptation of Shadow and Bone and a prequel to Six of Crows. Cool, right?

This will allow fans of the Grishaverse to interact with characters they know and love already in a way they’ve never seen them before. The Six of Crows books takes place two years after the events of the third Shadow and Bone book, so this decision allows these characters to be developed at the same time as Alina, and perhaps build out into their stories from the novels in future seasons.

If you’re new to Shadow and Bone, this might feel like a lot to take in, but I assure you don’t have to read all the books to enjoy the Netflix show. The season does a great job of introducing the Grishaverse. But, it most certainly does enrich the experience if you do know a bit about it going in. Now you have a primer, but there's a lot left to explore and learn. You’re all set to binge Shadow and Bone starting April 23.

2019 started off splendidly enough for The Punisher, which dropped its action-packed Season 2 on Netflix for users to stream the bullet-whizzing chaos in its entirety. While not overwhelmingly beloved by critics, the season still gave fans a jolt in the end by appearing to set up a future where Frank Castle embraced his anti-hero persona in full. But then the cancellation was announced, and everyone was bummed out...except for star Ben Barnes, apparently.

Within The Punisher, the Chronicles of Narnia vet Ben Barnes starred as Frank Castle's friend-turned-enemy Billy Russo, who took things to purely psychotic levels with his scar-covered Jigsaw alter ego. When the smoke cleared at the end of the season, Billy's ticket had seemingly been punched for good, and for Barnes, that close-out justifies his contentedness with the fact that The Punisher ended. Here's how he explained it:

Can you guys imagine if The Punisher had lasted for 27 seasons on Netflix? I can't imagine that there would be anyone left alive for Frank to destroy. By that point, he'd probably be fighting robot clones and aliens. (Which brings up this Rick and Morty + Punisher fan fiction that I've been working on.)

Had Netflix halted its Marvel TV exodus by renewing The Punisher for Season 3, it's highly likely that the series would have ventured off into a new storyline direction that allowed Billy Russo to stay dead (although I wouldn't put it past anyone to have found a way to explain why he survived Frank's point-blank shooting). And while additional episodes likely wouldn't have taken anything away from fans' enjoyment of Ben Barnes performance as the militant egotist, there's is something enjoyable about The Punisher ending without a plethora of loose ends hanging, which is closer to how Daredevil bowed out with Season 3.

All The Netflix Shows That Have Been Cancelled In 2019 So Far

Of course, the show wasn't called Jigsaw or The Billy Russo Variety Hour, so the villain's presence took a back seat to Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle at all times, and Bernthal deserves the right to play the character for the rest of his career. Whether he'd be fighting comic book villains on a streaming service, or trying to present a flawless meal on Top Chef, or making audiences laugh as the host of his own late night talk show, Bernthal's Frank can always make TV better if he's got the chance to do it. And if Giorgia Whigham's Amy was also around, that'd be cool, too.

The Punisher's fully expected cancellation news in February was combined with the reveal that Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones would also be ending, though that drama's critically meh third season didn't even get released until June. Ritter's post-release interviews made it seem like she was happy to hang up JJ's denim and bourbon glass in order to move on to new roles, though Jon Bernthal has made it clear that he would probably jump right back into Frank Castle's boots if the call came in. But judging from what he told Digital Spy, maybe don't expect Ben Barnes to get involved for another 25 seasons.

With possible appearances on the way in Westworld Season 3, Ben Barnes is currently hard at work on Netflix's upcoming fantasy series Shadow and Bone, based on author Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology. While staying tuned for that, remember that you can still stream both seasons of The Punisher on Netflix right now.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for The Punisher Season 2. If you have not yet finished watching the episodes, read on at your own risk!

Over the course of two seasons of The Punisher, Ben Barnes took Billy Russo on a pretty crazy and substantial arc. After being best friends with Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle during their time in the Marines, Billy winds up being responsible for the death of Frank's family, and revenge arrives in the form of a savage beat down, resulting in a fractured memory and serious scars. Trying to put the pieces back together (like a jigsaw puzzle) he spends most of Season 2 working on his own version of a selfish and brutal redemption -- and this was something that Barnes wanted to emphasize in his performance, all the way to his final words.

To that end, in fact, the actor actually took it upon himself to change Billy Russo's last lines in the finale himself, right up until the character gets cut off by a fatal bullet from Frank Castle's gun. I learned this while recently sitting down with Ben Barnes and his Punisher co-star Amber Rose Revah, the subject coming up during a discussion of Billy's subjective view of himself as a protagonist and his final moments. Barnes explained,

Billy's final words are significant in part because you can barely make out an "I'm sorry" before Frank ends his life with a final gun shot. Given everything that happens leading up to that moment, it has an impact on the way that you ultimately see the character, because you the audience has to make a decision whether or not that apology should be taken as truth.

In Ben Barnes' opinion, it should, and a lot of the reasoning is tied up in the serious brain damage Billy Russo sustained during his bloody confrontation with Frank Castle at the end of Season 1. While Amber Rose Revah's Dinah Madani refuses to believe in his amnesia, Billy legitimately doesn't remember a lot of the horrible things he's done, and the subjective perspective offers the possibility that it's a reset button. Of course, as the actor noted, he still has some terrible instincts that he must try and calm if he wants to be a "hero," and a not-so-great motivator in the form of Floriana Lima's Dr. Krista Dumont. Said Barnes,

Continuing, Barnes acknowledged that before that point in the show other characters have told Billy what he has done and why Frank wants to kill him, but in those moments he has been in pure denial. That all changes in the final scene when The Punisher walks into the basement where Billy is bleeding, as the villain known as Jigsaw has a moment of clarity:

So what was the original line going to be? I followed up with that question, and while Ben Barnes didn't fully elaborate, the impression that I walked away with was that the character's final moments were going to be much more brief, and not give Billy a real chance to express himself. The actor said,

Looking at the scene from another perspective, obviously it's a big moment for Frank Castle, as he finally gets real revenge, but Ben Barnes also made a point of noting the important role that Dinah Madani played in his death. Like Frank, Dinah has her own vendetta against Billy -- given that he manipulated her and then shot her in the head -- and she is basically the one to kill Jigsaw before Frank delivers the final blow.

The scene where Dinah and Billy battle for the final time was another sequence that came together through a lot of deliberation and script changes, with the actors and filmmakers going as far as to actively try to fool the audience. Originally the throw-down was going to conclude with the two choking each other out at the same time, but Ben Barnes explained that changes were made so that there could be a little bit of a double reverse in the finale:

Whether or not there is a Punisher Season 3, we obviously won't be seeing Billy Russo again -- but he definitely went out with a bang. Of course, fans will still always be able to rewatch his story play out opposite Frank Castle as the episodes continue to live on Netflix.

At the end of The Punisher Season 1, Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle did some serious damage to the face of Ben Barnes' Billy Russo. Doing battle on a carousel, the titular anti-hero made creative use of some mirrors, and seriously sliced the man responsible for the death of his family. As seen in Season 2, Russo survived the incident with numerous scars, but if you're curious why the makeup team didn't make the damage more intense, there is a good reason, as I recently learned from the actor:

Billy Russo a.k.a. Jigsaw is a character recognized in the pages of Marvel Comics for having large, disfiguring facial scars, and after recently watching The Punisher Season 2 I was left wondering about the show's decision to tone down that element of the character. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Barnes and Amber Rose Revah earlier this week, and I used part of my time during the interview to discuss Jigsaw's look. Barnes admitted that at first he personally wanted the makeup to go further, but eventually understood why it was a situation where less would be more.

Those who watched the first season of The Punisher know that Billy Russo isn't quite right in the head, and it was eventually understood that the facial scars needed to strike a balance with that inner turmoil. Basically, as bad as he may look on the outside, psychologically things are a lot worse -- and that was something that Ben Barnes connected with the experience of wounded veterans returning home from war. He continued,

Deciding how much scarring Billy walked away with was very much influenced by the narrative direction in which The Punisher wanted to take him in Season 2, but also playing a role were avenues taken by previous adaptations of the character. Played by Dominic West, Jigsaw is the central villain in Lexi Alexander's Punisher: War Zone, and not only does he have much more extreme makeup, but he is also totally different than the version of Billy Russo played by Ben Barnes. This in mind, there was some freedom to try and do something different, as Barnes explained,

As was also discussed, however, Billy Russo's scars aren't the only new feature to adorn his face in the second year of the show. When the new season starts, Billy is confined to a hospital room under constant surveillance -- his memory fractured and needing to be put back together like a jigsaw puzzle -- and part of his therapy is that he wears a self-painted mask. Barnes told me that he didn't actually do the designs himself, but did get to choose from multiple presented options, and had specific reasons for the one he picked:

The Punisher is internationally recognized for the giant white skull on his chest, and while Billy can't remember who attacked him at the end of Punisher Season 1 when we rejoin him in Season 2, what he does remember (and seriously fears) is a giant white skill. He has regular nightmares featuring the image, and so Ben Barnes thought it would be appropriate that the mask externalize the character' internal horrors.

Going further, though, Barnes also noted that the skull-like mask deepens the connection between Billy Russo and Frank Castle, who he describes as "two sides of the same coin in a lot of ways." Not only do they match a bit in their aesthetics, but with his memories missing Billy also has a completely different vision of himself in his head -- a vision not unlike how Frank felt in Season 1. Said Barnes,

These are all ingredients that combine to create arguably the best arc in The Punisher Season 2 -- and audiences will be able to experience it for themselves very soon. New episodes of the Marvel Studios/Netflix show will be available to stream on Friday, January 18th starting at midnight PST.

Warning: spoilers ahead for The Punisher! Read on at your own risk!

Frank Castle is back with a (literal) vengeance in The Punisher, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe has never looked meaner. That is partly due to the inclusion of Ben Barnes as Billy Russo, who has already turned into one of Marvel's most intense and downright fascinating villains. Barnes recently sat down with CinemaBlend's own Nick Venable to discuss his preparation for the role, and the process of getting into character sounds just as crazy as Billy himself. Specifically, it involved roaming around New York in the middle of the night after his workouts. Barnes explained:

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure people who go wandering around Brooklyn at 1 a.m. are either going to be rescued by Frank Castle or become his prey at some point. Nevertheless, Ben Barnes would simply walk around New York in the middle of the night after his intense training sessions to help him inhabit the mind space of someone who feels powerful and at home in a dark, urban environment. He could've just looked to the comics to get into Jigsaw's head, but it was more a matter of trying to craft something realistic.

So it was less about trying to become one of Frank's absurd and outlandish villains (although he does eventually become Jigsaw in brutal fashion) than it was about becoming a down-to-earth badass/psychopath. Elsewhere in his conversation with CinemaBlend, Barnes explained that choice by highlighting The Punisher's more realistic and grounded sensibilities in which fights are won by skill and weapons, rather than by superpowers. The actor told us:

That emphasis on a grounded and gritty corner of the Netflix Defenders universe is something that many people associated with The Punisher have focused on while talking about the series. In fact, Karen Page actress Deborah Ann Woll opened up about the series to CinemaBlend and similarly highlighted the lack of superpowers or supernatural storytelling devices as a significant asset for the show. It has helped set the series apart, and that has led to some serious praise from critics.

The Punisher is now streaming on Netflix. If you have already read our in-depth review of the show and binge-watched all thirteen episodes, then you can take a look at our Netflix premiere schedule to see what else the streaming service has to offer this year.

Major spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet watched all 13 episodes of Netflix's The Punisher.

While comic book fans likely suspected The Punisher's end game would involve an epic faceoff between Frank Castle and Billy Russo, the latter wasn't even revealed to be a villain until that mid-season twist. But the carousel brawl became immediately inevitable after that reveal, and it was indeed one for the ages. The most horrifyingly violent moment came when Frank dragged Billy's lovely face through all the glass shards of that broken mirror, but there's actually a funny story behind it. Here's what Punisher star Ben Barnes told CinemaBlend after I'd asked him more about that crazy moment.

Ha! It appears Ben Barnes should have been paying more attention to Col. Morty Bennett's S&M habits with his mistress, since both of them could have maybe explained to the actor that safe words sometimes work better when they're out of context and aren't as simple as "Stop." But then it would have been kind of hard to understand anything that Barnes would have been saying in that moment, considering his screams were nearly as jagged as the glass shards going into his face-mask. Based on that scene alone, he should be allowed in as an honorary Scream Queen.

I'd love to know what was going on in Jon Bernthal's head just then, too. His headspace was clearly on Frank Castle getting another slice of long-awaited retribution, and everything about that scene was incredibly intense. So I wonder how much of his attention span was focused on listening in for Ben Barnes' ragged howls to get "real" on the off chance that he'd actually be hurt. Anybody who's watched The Punisher knows just how fully Bernthal inhabits Frank during hectic sequences, so while I do wonder what he was thinking, I'm just glad nothing actually went wrong and that he didn't misinterpret Barnes' screams.

That finale battle was as good as it got in The Punisher -- check out our ranked list of fight scenes -- but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park to make it happen. Plus, Ben Barnes told me the fight was somewhat bittersweet, because as an actor, he'd really wanted to work more with Jon Bernthal over the course of the season, though he definitely understood how difficult it is to have two enemies in the same room without them trying to kill each other. But Barnes at least got to train with Bernthal for the brawl, and he said that was a one-of-a-kind experience. Here's what else the Westworld vet told me.

I think I'll be okay with going the rest of my life without that particular experience, but it does sound like a special one. The Punisher Season 1 is currently available to stream in full on Netflix. Stay tuned for more exclusive stories from Ben Barnes and other Punisher stars. For those already finished the binge-watch and are looking to dive into more TV shows, head to our 2017 Netflix schedule, as well as our fall TV premiere schedule, to see what's left to debut this year.

Superheroes are all the rage nowadays, and a whole new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has developed over on Netflix. The Netflix Marvel lineup is currently comprised of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, with The Defenders due later this month. The next character to get a solo series will be Frank Castle in The Punisher. Ben Barnes of Westworld landed a role in The Punisher, and he revealed some of what sets the show apart from the rest of the Marvel shows, saying this:

When Frank Castle made his debut in Daredevil Season 2, he was a man with a thirst for vengeance and the tactical skills to shed a whole lot of blood. He was a skilled marksman and hand-to-hand combatant who sometimes seemed to feel no pain, despite the various beatings he'd suffer from his opponents. Frank was a force to be reckoned with, and he definitely didn't have any superpowers, which does set him apart from the other heroes of the Marvel series on Netflix. Matt Murdock has his enhanced senses, Jessica Jones has her super strength, Luke Cage has his unbreakable skin, and Iron Fist has his... well, fist. No powers for Frank Castle, but can anybody who watched Daredevil Season 2 really say that he needs them?

Ben Barnes' comments to Da Man indicate that we're in for a new kind of superhero series, and it doesn't sound like it'll be anything especially joyous. Frank Castle's tragic story as related in Daredevil Season 2 was absolutely heartbreaking. While he did get a certain amount of catharsis out of the end of the second season, it wasn't so much that he was going to suit up and become a hero who would join the Defenders. He'll probably be more of an antihero than a hero, which should help set the series apart from the other Marvel installments even further.

Fans are still waiting for footage to give us a good look at the Punisher characters in action, but we do know a little bit about what's to come. Ben Barnes will have an important part to play in The Punisher Season 1, although it's too early to say how much he'll appear. Barnes landed the role of Billy Russo, a.k.a. Frank Castle's best friend from when they were in the Special Forces together. Billy runs a private military corporation by the time the Punisher action picks up.

The Punisher will likely debut in November, although no official premiere date has yet been set. Check out our breakdown of what we know so far about the new series, and don't forget to swing by our fall TV premiere schedule and our 2017 Netflix premiere guide.

Fans will go to great lengths to prove their love for their obsessions, but celebrity and young-adult franchise fans might be the craziest of them all. Well, crazy might be too demeaning of a word. How about, overly enthusiastic? For Ben Barnes, the star of this week’s fantasy film release Seventh Son, he knows this to be true from firsthand experience.

Barnes attracted a number of fans over the years, through his time on films like The Chronicles of Narnia, Dorian Gray and The Big Wedding, and even the HISTORY channel miniseries Sons of Liberty. When I first met Barnes, he told a story about how a girl he met at a screening event who was by far the most memorable. While he described her as "very lovely" and "gentle and normal," he said he found a photo she posted during a recent Facebook chat.

A little Internet snooping revealed the photo was attached to a Facebook Q&A thread on Entertainment Weekly’s page. After scrolling through a few fan questions for the actor, we came across a post that read, "I got your face tattooed on me last month. If you had to have someone’s portray linked on you, who would it be?" And then she showed the tattoo in the Facebook chat:

Barnes didn’t answer the question, as he was taken aback. He responded with, "Is that true?!?!!!" before posting a cartoon of a panda pounding its head against an "OMG" sign. We’re not quite sure what he meant by that, but it seems like an appropriate reaction.

Elsewhere, he said he encountered some highly critical fans of Seventh Son, even when the trailer was the only piece of released content. Some people, he notes, will review a film based on a trailer, which he calls insane.

Both fans and haters will finally get to see Seventh Son in theaters on Feb. 6. Directed by Sergei Bodrov and co-starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore, it was originally supposed to hit theaters in 2014, but kept getting pushed back into 2015. The cast shot the film all the way back in 2013, and some of the cast, including Bridges and Barnes, even came out to San Diego Comic-Con that year to promote the film and show off some footage.

However, the extended delay, critical reviews and a dwindling promotion campaign have experts projecting only a $7-$10 million opening weekend. That’s not a good thing, considering Seventh Son was made on a $95 million budget with extra expenses used to promote it.

Has the end of the Harry Potter film series left you in movie magic withdrawal? Well, that's a craving that Legendary Pictures is looking to cash in on with The Seventh Son, a family-friendly fantasy adventure based on Orson Scott Card's magic-packed YA novel that centers on the seventh son of a seventh son who is destined for sorcery. Looking to build a possible money-printing franchise of their own, the film's producers have been carefully selecting a solid cast that includes Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Jeff Bridges, and Julianne Moore. Now Deadline reports that the lovely Olivia Williams is the latest to sign on to The Seventh Son.

Williams, best known for her role as the central figure in Rushmore's May-December-squared love triangle, will make a major mark at the movies this year. She's just wrapped on Hyde Park on Hudson, in which she portayed Eleanor Roosevelt opposite her Rushmore paramour Bill Murray, and will also appear in Joe Wright's highly anticipated adaptation of Anna Karenina, playing Countess Vronskaya. Unfortunately, there's no word on what role Williams will tackle in Seventh Son, but we do know Moore will play Mother Malkin, while Bridges will play Master Gregory and Barnes will take on Tom. Who will play the feature's title role is still a mystery.

Notably, The Seventh Son is the first book of The Tales of Alvin Maker, a six books series that is still growing. At this stage in the film's development, it's not entirely clear to us how the filmmakers will break down the Alvin's arc for the movie adaptation. However, the 1700s setting and promise of ghosts, witches and binding boggarts, is sure to attract fantasy fans, while the ever-improving cast inspires hope for something sensational.

It's still a bit of a mystery as to when the next Star Trek movie will get going, but Karl Urban seems to be doing just fine in the interim. In addition to landing the title role in the upcoming Judge Dredd remake, Dredd, he is also starring in Erik Van Looy's remake of Loft, is set to reprise his role as Lord Vaako in the untitled Chronicles of Riddick sequel and has now secured yet another new gig.

THR has learned that Urban and Chronicles of Narnia star Ben Barnes are attached to a new action film Overdrive. Directed by Antonio Negret and written by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt (Wanted, 2 Fast 2 Furious) the movie is about two brothers who work stealing cars in the South of France. The project has been in development for a long time and has previously had names like Alex Pettyfer, Matthew Goode and Garrett Hedlund attached to star. What's more, Emilia Clarke, who broke out playing Daenerys Targaryen in the first season of HBO's Game of Thrones, is currently in talks for the female lead.

What I find kind of funny about this story is that all three actors have connections to major fantasy franchises, with Urban representing The Lord of the Rings, Barnes having The Chronicles of Narnia, and Clarke starring on Game of Thrones. Obviously it doesn't sound like this will be a movie filled with dragons and sorcerers, but it's still a nice bit of trivia just in case you ever end up playing the world's weirdest version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Growing up is hard enough as it is; imagine going through the transition twice. That’s kind of what Skandar Keynes experienced. Not only did he have to mature himself, but through his character Edmund Pevensie, too. It all started about seven years ago when Keynes first joined his onscreen siblings Georgie Henley, Anna Popplewell and William Moseley on the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Keynes is Edmund, the younger brother and the Pevensie suffering from a case of middle child syndrome. In the first film he wasn’t the nicest of the bunch and that attitude made him vulnerable to the White Witch. With a little help from Aslan, Edmund learns his lesson and emerges as a young man worthy of the title King Edmund the Just of Narnia. Edmund wears that attitude proudly throughout the second film, Prince Caspian, and continues to do so in the franchise’s latest installment, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The stakes are far higher this time around because he makes his return to Narnia without his big brother and now assumes the role of High King.

So what’s it like for Keynes when he’s not decked out in knight-like attire and wielding magical swords? Life is actually quite normal. Keynes enjoys the action and adventure involved in making the Narnia films, but also values his privacy and his opportunity to study at a university. Read on to learn about Keynes’ experience in Narnia and beyond.

How old were you when you first started making these movies?

I was 12.

Do you think you've picked up any of Edmund's characteristics having grown up playing this character?

No, not really. I’m 19 now and it’s been nearly seven years, but it’s really not seven years. People very quickly jump and characterize me as being Edmund, but I’ve really only worked and been filming for a year and a half out of seven years and for the rest of the time having a normal life.

Your character is basically the only element that remains constant this time around. You've got a new director, two primary characters aren't really involved and the action takes place out to see. How was it dealing with all of these changes?

The second film was also a big change. Each time what effects our experience making these films are where we were and who we were with and in that respect, each film was drastically different. A lot of the crew were actually similar throughout the three films and even though you’ve got the different director and different cast, there were the crew that worked on all three films and appreciated them.

How was it working with Michael Apted and not Andrew Adamson?

Michael was great. He really helped me out when mapping out my character in the final film. I had a great time working with him. He really knew what he was doing and we can be friends.

Andrew was still around as a producer though, right?

Yeah. He wasn’t on set everyday. He’d give a lot of advice and call up the producers and Michael from a far and he’d watch the dailies and what was filmed at the end of everyday, but he wasn’t necessarily on the set physically.

What’s it like seeing this film finally hit theaters? Just a few years ago, the whole distributor/budget battle was taking place. Was there ever a point when you thought this really might be the end?

Yeah, there was definitely days of uncertainty and we weren’t sure what was happening, but fortunately it did happen and so many people stayed dedicated and we’re glad that we did it because we made a great film and it would have been a shame not to have done it.

There are seven books in the series. Is there any plan to go on to the fourth book, The Silver Chair?

My character isn’t in any more, but they may. If this film is a success then they’ll probably make some more, but they’re really going to see what happens and how it goes. And even when I was in them I was the last person to know any of the news, so I’m really not going to know about if they’re making the film, which I’m not even in.

Did you have to go through a lot of training because there was such a wide gap between the second and third films?

The main thing with training that we had to do was get our PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) licenses so that we can film the underwater stuff, but otherwise there was nothing we needed to be training for.

Your character gets into some pretty physically demanding situations. Was there anything you found particularly tough to get done? Maybe the underwater stunts?

No, the underwater stuff was really quite fun. Towards the end of the film, this battle with the sea serpent, that was quite physically draining. Day after day of being soaked head to toe then to run on these things and climb up different bits was very exhausting. I’d say that was definitely the biggest challenge.

What was your experience making a 3D film? I know the extra dimension was added in post, but was that a major consideration while you were shooting?

No, we didn’t even know it was going to be in 3D when we were making it at all. We just shot in 2D just as a normal film. I was really glad after that they chose to do it because the new technology meant that they could do that and it really added quite a lot to the film and to the experience of watching a film.

So, you’ve seen the film. What do you think of the 3D? Does it really enhance the film?

Oh, absolutely. I was watching it the other night; I really had no issues at all with the 3D. I thought it really worked, I was really feeling it through the whole film and all of the special effects. Lots of films are now being made in 3D and I know there were these issues about people thinking that you shouldn’t make them in 3D after, they should be shot in 3D, but as I found today, James Cameron is making Titanic in 3D so I think that doing it works and it’s a little better.

So what's your plan post-Narnia? Do you want to continue acting?

I’m actually going to university now.

What are you studying?

I’m studying Arabic and Islamic history.

That’s a big leap from acting. What compelled you to go to school for that?

It’s what I’m really interested in and I’m really enjoying it and I really want to get my degree. I’m feeling happy right now and I’ll see what happens.

Do you find that these films have had a Harry Potter effect? The kids that grew up on that set are always in the spotlight and being looked at under a microscope now. Do you have any issues involving crazy fans or paparazzi?

No, it’s definitely not like how the Harry Potter kids have it. I am able to slip away from it and go about a normal life and I’m really grateful for that.

What about on set? I know you shot some portion of the film in some more populated areas.

Yeah, there was one set where it was in a public place and when people are just taking photos it’s alright, but you did feel a bit annoyed when they start taking pictures of you going to the bathroom and washing your hands and stuff. Otherwise we were generally alright.

The first trailer for Dorian Gray has been floating around the internet for a couple of days. It’s actually an international version and even though it’s not getting much buzz, it deserves some. There’s potential here, as there always is, whenever Colin Firth is involved.

It stars Ben Barnes, whom you probably know from the last Narnia movie, as Dorian Gray, a man who will never age. He retains his youthful beauty while everyone ages around him, and from the outside he’s the perfect man. But his inner ugliness is visible only in a painting which gradually shows his true nature.

Watch the first trailer below: