This week, we say goodbye to March and hello to April. That means it’s time for the monthly content rotation that sees many of your favorite films and TV series jump from one platform to the next. April has some great TV series and movies streaming this month. Here’s a look at what’s hitting this week that you won’t want to miss.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - March 31 (Netflix)

Based on the box office, you probably didn’t go to the theater to see 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, but based on the critical response, you probably should have. Nia DaCosta reminds us why she’s so good with horror with her entry in the ever-growing franchise. The movie arrives this week with your Netflix subscription.

Alien Franchise April 1 HBO Max

There’s nothing worse than getting into a franchise on a streaming platform before discovering that not all movies in a series or episodes in a show are available in one place. Luckily, if you have an HBO Max subscription in April, you’ll be able to experience the entire Alien franchise, from Ridley Scott’s original through the recent Alien: Romulus, and even both Alien vs. Predator movies. Any movie that has a commercially available extended cut, which is most of them, will have that available as well.

Your Friends & Neighbors, Season 2 -April 3 (Apple TV)

While an Apple TV subscription doesn’t give one access to nearly the same volume of original material as other streaming platforms, the level of quality is hard to deny. The first season of Your Friends & Neighbors was something of a surprise hit, leading to a Season 2 renewal. The show sees Jon Hamm as an unemployed hedge fund manager who maintains his lifestyle through theft. Season 1 saw him reject a chance to return to his old life; what his new one has in store, we'll have to wait and see.

Pizza Movie - April 3 (Hulu)

Every generation needs a great stoner comedy, and Pizza Movie, available this week with a Hulu subscription, might just be it for this one. The film stars Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo and Sean Giambrone as college roommates who get high on an unusual and potent new drug, and then discover the only thing that will mellow the effect is pizza, which they’re now far too high to safely obtain.

Merrily We Roll Along - April 4 (Netflix)

Some of the greatest acting performances are found on the Broadway stage, but most of us don’t have an opportunity to see them. Luckily, the Tony Award-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along was given the professional filming treatment similar to Hamilton and Disney’s Frozen musical. You can check out Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and the rest of the incredible cast on Netflix this week.

From animated series based on Stranger Things and Star Wars’ Darth Maul to new seasons of The Boys to the return of Malcolm in the Middle, there is great stuff hitting streaming in April. Check back here every week to see what shows and movies are on the way so you don’t miss anything good.

Jonathan Groff is a Tony-winning star of screen and stage, first coming onto the scene for playing Melchior in the Original Broadway Cast of Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening. Since then, he's starred in both TV and film, while also regularly going back to his roots in the theater. There's plenty of Groff projects to stream, with the newest being a pro shot of Merrily We Roll Along, the show that earned him a Tony. While renting it, I got emotional about how much his projects have meant to me over the years.

I'm a theater kid who was obsessed with Spring Awakening when it debuted on Broadway back in 2006. The offbeat musical has a cult following, and it's been thrilling to see Jonathan Groff's career skyrocket over the last two decades. So as Merrily We Roll Along tells a story of friends across 20 years, I couldn't help but think about how long I've been watching Groff, and his projects that have made me feel seen.

Merrily Tells A Story Across Years, And I Got Emotional About How Much Jonathan Groff's Career Has Meant To Me

Merrily We Roll Along also starred Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez, and the show's narrative moves backwards across 20 years to show how a trio of friends' relationships were formed and ruined. This meditation about time and the entertainment industry admittedly made me misty about how long I've been following Groff's career-- both on the stage and screen.

While his acclaimed performance in Hamilton (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) helped make Jonathan Groff a household name, musical theater nerds had been watching his talents for years. That includes him in Spring Awakening, which was groundbreaking for its depiction of young people (and queer folks). I've also seen him in other musicals like Hair and A New Brain, although his full-time TV gig is one that I still love to this day. Namely, the queer dramedy Looking, which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription.

Looking ran for two season (and one movie) starting in 2014, and told a story about a group of gay friends living in San Francisco. The show was felt super authentic and made me feel seen long before we started talking about the importance of LGTBQ+ representation on screen.

I regularly re-watch Looking to this day, largely thanks to the epic love story between Jonathan Groff's character Patrick and Raúl Castillo's Richie. In the years since that show ended, Groff has continued booking big gigs like Netflix's Mindhunter, The Matrix Resurrections, as well a playing notable queer characters in A Nice Indian Boy and Knock at the Cabin. Coming out might have been difficult for him as a young person, but he continues to deliver authentic LGBTQ+ characters over the years across various genres.

While his character Franklin in Merrily fails to be there for his friends, Jonathan Groff's career has consistently moved me, as well as other queer fans. And although a Merrily We Roll Along movie is in the works by Richard Linklater, I doubt I'll be quite as moved. I just feel super thankful for Groff's career, and the ways he's shown up for gay folks throughout the years.

Merrily We Roll Along can be rented or purchased on Amazon and Apple TV.

Mindhunter, from producer and director David Fincher, was a brilliant show that you can watch with a Netflix subscription, which sadly only got two seasons to tell the fictionalized story of the creation of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. The real-life unit is charged with investigating serial killers, among other roles.

The show stars Holt McCallany as Bill Tench and Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford, two fictional FBI agents who interview incarcerated killers like Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, and Ed Kemper, among others. Sadly, the show got caught up in a bunch of behind-the-scenes business-related drama that led to it being one of many Netflix shows that were canceled too soon. It’s time to bring it back!

It’s The Perfect Time For The Show To Return

Two of the most popular shows on streaming right now are Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix and Devil In Diguise: John Wayne Gacy on Peacock, so it's clear the public has an appetite to watch fictionalized shows about real-life serial killers, which Mindhunter was. In fact, it’s that latter show that inspired this story. John Wayne Gacy was actually interviewed by the agent who Tench is loosely based on, Robert K. Ressler. It’s an interview you can see much of with a Peacock subscription in the docuseries John Wayne Gacy: Devil In Diguise. That docuseries is what the new drama is based on.

The most interesting aspect of Mindhunter was the kind of interviews we see in that docuseries, and Gacy would be perfect for a Season 3 subject. There are some other notorious serial killers who never appeared in the show, too. Ted Bundy, who was the subject of the Netflix movie called Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron as the killer, would be another fascinating subject. Ryan Murphy’s Monster series debuted in 2022 to great acclaim (and some well-deserved criticism as well) with a season about Jeffrey Dahmer, showing again just how much these horrifying subjects fascinate us.

There May Be A Little Hope For A Return

Netflix bringing back Mindhunter is complicated, I get it. The show was, by all accounts, very expensive to produce and, at least according to Fincher, didn’t attract enough viewers to justify Season 3. I’m not going to pretend to know all the behind-the-scenes ins and outs of the show; that’s between the show's producers, which include Charlize Theron in addition to Fincher, and Netflix. I do hope they can set aside their fiscal differences and find a way to film a third season.

Recently, there was a glimmer of hope. Holt McCallany was quoted as saying that he spoke with Fincher this year, and he indicated that there could still be another season. There are even writers working on potential scripts for Fincher’s approval, according to the actor. This is an exciting development, and I am one of many who hope it leads to at least one more season of the fantastic, yet terrifying, Netflix original.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Doctor Who episode "Wish World." Stream it with a Disney+ subscription, and read at your own risk!

"Wish World" was just about the wildest Doctor Who episode yet since the series' move to Disney+, and characters from the past popped back into the story for a twisted plot concocted by The Rani. Jonah Hauer-King's Conrad returned as he promised, and we even saw Millie Gibson again as Ruby Sunday, but the biggest cameo of the episode for me was a complete blindside that bummed me out a bit.

Jonathan Groff's Rogue was last seen saving The Doctor from being trapped in a hellish alternate dimension, not long after they shared a steamy kiss. There was a big setup hinting these two could be a romantic item should they cross paths again, and the penultimate episode of Season 2 on Disney+ reminded me that the chances of them seeing each other again might be slim.

Jonathan Groff's Rogue Made An Unexpected Appearance

The Doctor and Belinda awoke in a world where they were a married couple, and despite a bit of "doubt" that wasn't what their lives were supposed to be, they were largely oblivious to anything being wrong. While Doctor began to realize the world he was in wasn't quite right, it took Rogue intercepting Conrad's broadcast from his alternate dimension via television to drive the point home.

Thanks to his tip that tables don't just let objects slip through and break, The Doctor was able to figure out that something was wrong with the world. Unfortunately, his doubt was all a part of The Rani's plan, and it paved the way for the return of Omega, one of the first Time Lords who is one bad dude. If people thought Sutekh was a tough enemy, it won't hold a candle to this guy. Unfortunately, I wasn't really thinking about that as the episode ended.

If Ncuti Gatwa Leaves, This Will Be The Last Scene We See Of These Two

What I was most concerned with was the rumor that Ncuti Gatwa is leaving Doctor Who at the end of this season, which The BBC casually avoided talking about when they dismissed cancellation rumors. We don't know for sure whether the actor will go on for another season or not, but the fact that unexpected reshoots happened and there is no concrete season renewal at this time makes it feel more likely than not as far as I'm concerned.

If that is indeed the case, "Wish World" might be the last episode in which we'll see Gatwa's Doctor and Jonathan Groff's Rogue again. I guess he could swoop in and help save the day in the eleventh hour of next week's season finale, and now that I've written it, I do hope that's the case. We need some resolution to that storyline if Gatwa is leaving as The Doctor, because it just won't hit the same to have Groff start another romance with someone else.

All that said, nothing is set in stone and there is some chance that Russell T. Davies is feeding false speculation to tabloids that Ncuti Gatwa is leaving before a new season of Doctor Who. After all, if Doctor Who is guaranteed to be taking a year off should Disney walk away from its partnership with The BBC, it'll take a while for a new season to get made anyway. That will give Gatwa time to do that play he's been announced for, and maybe another project before he has to appear again as The Doctor.

We'll see what happens to The Doctor in the upcoming season finale of Doctor Who, which is set for Saturday, May 31st on Disney+. If The Doctor is able to get through this season finale without regenerating, I think there's a solid chance we'll see Gatwa survive for another season.

Escapism is the key to some of my favorite romantic comedies. They work because you are allowed to forget your troubles for about 90 minutes. We sit and enjoy the whimsical wonder of two people falling in love. The magic behind the best rom-coms is that everyday troubles melt away. However, I appreciate romantic films with a dose of cathartic reality. I love films that offer some introspection on love and romance. A Nice Indian Boy is one of these movies.

It follows Naveen (Karan Soni) as he introduces his boyfriend turned fiancé Jay (Jonathan Groff) to his strict Indian family. They’re shocked to discover that Naveen’s soon-to-be husband isn’t exactly a nice Indian boy. On the surface, A Nice Indian Boy may seem like a typical romantic comedy of boy meets boy, boy asks boy to marry him, but it’s more complex and deeper than expected, and that’s why I adored it.

Warning: A Nice Indian Boy spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Love How A Nice Indian Boy Focuses On How A Family Can Affect A Relationship

In A Nice Indian Boy, Naveen and Jay’s biggest conflict is Jay’s role and place in Naveen’s family. It’s about whether they can accept him, and if Naveen should even care about that. Naveen’s family knows he’s gay and accepts it. However, it’s not fully embraced. His father still shows some distance between them because of it. His mother tries her best but has a very misguided idea of how to support her gay son.

In addition to Naveen’s family not being quite aware of how to support him, due to his sexuality, they’re also very traditional. His sister, Arundhathi (Sunita Mani), had an arranged marriage with an Indian man. Her life seems happy that way. His family must adjust to finally meeting a serious male partner and the fact that he’s racially white (Jay was adopted and grew up with an Indian family).

This isn’t the first romantic movie where family plays a huge role in creating tension. It’s also not the first LGBTQ+ romantic comedy with this as a focus. However, it’s one of the few that doesn’t necessarily go the traditional route of someone hiding their identity from their family.

That’s part of the conflict, but it’s more about figuring out how Naveen and his family learn to understand each other. It’s also about navigating traditions when someone doesn’t fit the mold but also wants to not completely dismiss them.

It Made Me Think How Romance Doesn’t Happen In A Vacuum

Many great romantic comedies treat love and romance like they only exist between the two people in the relationship. However, that’s not necessarily true. The couple should hold the power over whether it works out. Someone should make their partner’s needs and wants a priority, but relationships don’t only exist between the couple. Families and friends play a major role in it.

How much or how little time someone spends with their partner’s family and friends depends on the level of closeness. If they’re not estranged from their family, this likely means someone significant other will have many interactions with their family and friends.

A family or friend can add unnecessary tension to a relationship or help elevate it. In A Nice Indian Boy, Naveen’s family adds stress to his relationship with Jay, but eventually helps execute an epic wedding. I think we don’t get enough movies that showcase that it’s you and your partner against the world, but the world is still there. Your relationship must tackle how to navigate certain figures in your life. If a family and a spouse don’t mix well, that could be enough to end one of the relationships.

A Nice Indian Boy showcases that true love is strong and can overcome the pressures of family. However, it doesn’t act like families and friends don’t have any influence on a relationship. That makes it more realistic than some romantic comedies.

I Grew To Adore This Complicated Family Because They Feel Realistic

A Nice Indian Boy depicts a hilarious Indian family and highlights another great romantic comedy with an Asian lead. The whole family has their brilliant quirks, but Naveen’s mother, Megha (Zarna Garg), is the standout. She’s effortlessly funny. Naveen’s father, Archit (Harish Patel), feels like many fathers. He kind of takes the backseat and seems emotionless, but has many emotions that he keeps in for the sake of his family. Arundhathi is quite mean to her brother at times. However, it’s the meanness that feels like many siblings. It’s harsh, but in the unfiltered way that siblings often are with one another.

Arundhathi and Naveen clearly love and respect each other, but also are siblings, so they can be casually cruel, but they also know how to make amends. Their try-hard mother also feels realistic. These are typical character archetypes in movies and TV shows. However, they’re such tried and true characters because we may have encountered similar figures in our lives.

Because I grew to understand this family and see how they could easily represent a real family, I adore them and want to spend more time with the Gavaskar family.

Jay And Naveen’s Romance Is Perfect Rom-Com Material, But I Thought The Family Elements Added More Depth

Jonathan Groff is another actor who I think is underrated as a romantic lead. He has so many great movies and TV shows, but I would like to see him do more romantic movies. That also added to the appeal of A Nice Indian Boy: it’s a charming romantic comedy that let’s Groff shine as a queer character. Groff and Karan Soni have captivating chemistry and suck you into their romance. The first half of A Nice Indian Boy focuses on their love story, but the second half leans more into how they deal with Naveen’s family.

The second half is what takes it beyond a typical romance movie by exploring the bonds of family and how they can grow or fall apart. I enjoyed A Nice Indian Boy so much, and even felt touched by it, because it’s as much about the family as it is about the romance.

I Commend A Nice Indian Boy For Balancing Naveen’s Desire To Please His Family With Following His Heart

Some movies end with a character completely picking their romantic relationship over their family. I never felt that Naveen would pick Jay over the Gavaskars. It always seemed like he just needed to find a middle ground. A Nice Indian Boy shows that family is important, but you need to figure out how to set boundaries and not give up everything you love for them.

Naveen finds that balance, and I think that’s something many can relate to: Loving their family but not letting them control their lives and decisions completely.

A Nice Indian Boy is the charismatic romantic comedy that you need to find at a theater near you or when it comes to streaming. It’s one of the best new 2025 movies.

A Nice Indian Boy is now playing in theaters nationwide.

If you ask me, there’s just not enough great rom-coms being made lately. When it comes to 2025 movies, I absolutely adore the new Bridget Jones (even though I’m bummed it didn’t go to U.S. theaters) and had a good time with Heart Eyes fusing the genre with horror. Still, it's worth pointing out there’s an under-the-radar movie coming out to theaters this weekend called A Nice Indian Boy starring Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni, and it really hit me in the feels.

A Nice Indian Boy is one of the few new LGBTQ+ movies hitting cinemas this year. Soni and his real-life partner Rothan Sethi actually took it to Sundance Film Festival after telling me about their plans to make A Nice Indian Boy back in 2022, but it’s so much more than a celebration of queer love. It also has sweet messages about familial love, marriage and acceptance, which all land it a big thumbs up from me.

The Love Story In A Nice Indian Boy Is Genuinely Adorable

Before I get to the element of A Nice Indian Boy that made me cry happy tears, I want to first highlight the romance in the film between Jonathan Groff’s Jay and Karan Soni’s Naveen. Obviously, there have been a lot of high-profile Jonathan Groff roles out there like, but it was a nice change-of-pace to see the Broadway star be the lead in a romantic comedy.

Jay is the adopted son of two Indian parents who’ve passed, making him technically and ironically the “nice Indian boy” the movie’s title is referring to. Naveen is a doctor who is terminally single until he runs into Jay, a freelance photographer who vapes at his temple and during work picture day. The couple soon become inseparable, but as things become more serious Naveen’s fear about having Jay meet his traditionally Indian parents becomes a real problem for the couple.

It’s got everything you want to see from the genre: meet-cutes, heartfelt dialogue, a dramatic falling out, and a fun song and dance sequence.

But, I Was Bawling Over The Storyline Between Naveen And His Parents

It was satisfying to see Naveen and Jay fall in love in A Nice Indian Boy, but what I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the movie is how the filmmakers handled the storyline regarding Naveen’s parents throughout the film. Whether it be through the depiction of immigrant parents and/or parents of gay children, there’s often this cliché “they don’t understand me” dialogue I personally think the Millennial and Gen-Z generation only perpetuate by shutting out from the narrative in some instances.

It’s easy to do, because yes, oftentimes there's a generational misunderstanding, and of course there are tons of people who have parents who actually don't even try to. I was really moved by how the movie decided to put some love and care into both Naveen’s well-meaning parents' plotlines (who hilariously put on the OUT network when he's over and watch Milk to try to understand him) and why they are struggling to accept Naveen. The movie gives them a journey I feel is just as meaningful as the romance.

I won’t get into the specifics about the ending that made me ugly cry since I want you to enjoy all the details of the film yourself. I will say this: I know having an immigrant parent of my own, and having conflicting messages from my parent’s interracial marriage as I’ve come into my adulthood and brought partners home has had its own struggles. What I’ve realized is those challenges have as much to do with my acceptance of myself and my cultural identity as they have to do with the generation gap.

Sure, I could try to be one person when facing the world and another person around my parent, but I've started to breathe easier when I've accepted that I can't be authentically both.

When A Nice Indian Boy reaches its ending, it feels like a warm hug that occurs when Naveen, Jay and Naveen’s family accept and heal together. It’s something I’ve rarely seen so genuinely communicated in a movie before, and it’s officially one of my favorite 2025 movies. A Nice Indian Boy hits theaters this Friday, April 4.

Doctor Who's new era is a blast, and that's thanks in large part to the bold swings the franchise took in its inaugural season on Disney+. As we await a new season hitting the 2025 TV schedule, the Christmas special on the horizon is set to hold us over, and this update on Alex Kingston's future in the franchise from Russell T. Davies should help as well.

I spoke to RTD and Steven Moffat ahead of the upcoming Christmas Special "Joy To The World," which will be available to stream with a Disney+ subscription on Christmas Day. While answers to questions about that special can't be released until after the episode is live, I did manage to squeeze in the annual asking of when Alex Kingston may return as The Doctor's wife, River Song.

Given The Doctor shared a passionate kiss with Jonathan Groff's "Rogue," I thought there'd be some drama in bringing her back. When I suggested to Davies that maybe the Doctor is polyamorous, his response said it all, sort of:

Hey, when you live for over a thousand years, your ideas on romance might just loosen a bit. I should note that Russell T. Davies' chuckling response was not an official endorsement of this suggestion, although fans are always free to believe what they want. If Steven Moffat's explanation about The Doctor's regenerations wasn't evidence enough, not even Doctor Who's showrunners have all the answers regarding the characters.

Could Alex Kingston's River Song Return?

Russell T. Davies was able to give us some insight into where things stand with River Song, and what her odds of returning to Doctor Who in the future might be. Here's what he had to say, which includes why Rogue was brought in:

River Song will not return in the new season, and no, she's not in Steven Moffat's latest Doctor Who episode, "Joy To The World." The episode will feature Bridgerton breakout star Nicola Coughlan and will once again bring in the longtime villainous organization Villengard into the story. I would say more about the special as someone who has seen it, but in honor of River Song, I'll avoid "spoilers."

I will be excited when Doctor Who brings back River Song, especially after she was not Ruby Sunday's mystery mother. I think I'd most like to see how she'd react to the news that her husband had a fling with Rogue, as short as that passionate kiss was. Will he be in the dog house for cheating, or will she reveal she's also had a few romances since we've last seen her? I think it's fair to say these two have a pretty complicated relationship, so I can't say anything would surprise me.

For now, we can sit back and wait for Christmas day to stream Doctor Who's "Joy To The World" on Disney+. I'm very excited to see what people think of the new special, and how it sets up the next adventure for The Doctor heading into next season.

While the modern era of Doctor Who has had many LGBTQ+ friendly moments, one in particular ruffled some feathers earlier this year. The latest season of Doctor Who, which one can watch with a Disney+ subscription outside of the United Kingdom, included the episode “Rogue,” which saw Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor meeting the title character, played by Jonathan Groff. With romantic chemistry soon sizzling between the two characters, they eventually kissed, which prompted viewer complaints that the BBC has responded to months later.

After “Rogue” was released on June 8, two viewers took issue with the “inappropriate sexual innuendo” included in this Bridgerton-inspired story that also included Millie Gibson continuing her run as Ruby Sunday and Indira Varma guest-starring as the Duchess of Pemberton, among others. These viewers felt that the kiss between 15 and Rogue constituted content that was “unsuitable for children,” and one of them said it was “concerning” how quickly the two locked lips. Well, as reported by Deadline, the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit has dismissed these concerns, saying:

It is worth noting that this wasn’t the first time The Doctor in a male form has kissed another man, as John Barrowman’s Jack Harkness smooched Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor in the episode “The Parting of The Ways.” However, that was just a fleeting moment that occurred between the two shortly before they went to battle the Daleks, whereas what happened between 15 and Rogue was explicitly romantic. As far as the BBC’s ECU is concerned, there wasn’t anything wrong with showing the kiss on Doctor Who, namely because they don’t believe kids, or any other viewers, are going to walk away from “Rogue” think that a relationship should develop that quickly in real life.

Unfortunately. the Fifteenth Doctor and Rogue’s brief love story ended on a sad note. The latter took Ruby’s place in the seal that would send the shapeshifting Chuldur to another dimension, and before disappearing, Rogue asked 15 to find him. Watch what unfolded for yourself below.

While Ruby suggested at the end of episode that they should use the TARDIS to look for Rogue, between there being “as many dimensions as there are atoms in the universe” and not knowing his real name, finding Rogue seemed like an impossible feat. And yet, 15 put on the ring Rogue left behind, signifying not only how much this man he’d just met meant to him, but perhaps indicating he had some hope that he might find Jonathan Groff’s character again. Frankly, it’s probably safe to assume Groff will return to Doctor Who at some point since he wasn’t outright killed, though it may be a long time until that happens.

What isn’t a mystery is that Doctor Who will return to the 2024 TV schedule with the Christmas special “Joy to the World,” which will star Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan. The next Doctor Who season will then kick off sometime in 2025, with Varadu Sethu coming aboard as new companion Belinda Chandra following her outing in “Boom” as Mundy Flynn.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Doctor Who episode "Rogue." Watch the episode with a Disney+ subscription and read at your own risk!

It's been a long wait for Doctor Who fans, but finally, Jonathan Groff appeared as his character in full Bridgerton garb in the episode that just aired on the 2024 TV schedule. While I'd imagine few doubted his performance would be a dud, I'm not sure anyone saw this episode coming or expected how it would set up the actor to be a larger part of the story going forward. "Rogue" was awesome, but did anyone else feel heavy vibes that allude to the idea that the Broadway vet was playing a familiar character? 

As viewers continue to count the coincidences stacking up in this season, Doctor Who introduced someone who could be a major recurring character. So, what's up with The Doctor and that big kiss with Rogue, and does anyone else feel Captain Jack Harkness vibes coming from him? 

Jonathan Groff Crushed It As "Rogue", But Did Anyone Else Feel Like He's Captain Jack Harkness? 

Even before the passionate kiss shared between "Rogue" and The Doctor, I was already getting heavy Captain Jack Harkness vibes from the bounty hunter. Hell, some fans had suspected that before the episode even aired, and when Russell T. Davies didn't squash the speculation, we have to wonder. 

We never did learn the real name of "Rogue" before he sacrificed himself to an unknown fate to spare Ruby Sunday. Plus, with the time travel of it all, this could've been the first time The Doctor met Jack Harkness. 

Whatever the case may be, Jonathan Groff crushed it. To come into this series, share a passionate kiss with The Doctor, and then save the day is a boss move, and I think he's being set up to be the next River Song-like character in the best way. The question is: When we'll see him again, not if? 

Would Doctor Who Recast John Barrowman's Captain Jack?

Doctor Who viewers will likely be concerned with whether or not Russell T. Davies just recast the role of Captain Jack Harkness, and I'm not sure which side of the speculation I'm on. Original Jack actor John Barrowman was a huge part of Davies' run, and to cut him out of the character's story would feel pretty disrespectful.

At the same time, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room that Doctor Who essentially cut ties with Barrowman after resurfaced interviews talked about his flashing scandal in the early days of the show. While the series never officially parted ways with Barrowman, connections to the character were removed from Jodie Whittaker's run after his brief cameo appeared to tease new things for the character.

Barrowman publicly apologized for the scandal years prior to it resurfacing, though it hasn't seemed to sway Doctor Who into resuming its relationship with him. 

It's plausible that Jonathan Groff is playing Captain Jack Harkness, though I could also see a scenario in which "Rogue" is a spiritual successor to the character. What I mean by that is he's basically Captain Jack in terms of personality, but a new character without ties to Torchwood or other parts newcomers would have to learn about to understand the character. 

This season, so far, feels very much about showcasing new things for a potential new audience, which ultimately leads me to believe "Rogue" is not Captain Jack Harkness. I think he was intentionally written to evoke the same feelings, and I wouldn't be surprised if The Doctor makes a note of that. Ultimately, though, do you cast Jonathan Groff as a potential recurring star to play an already existing character? I don't think so, but we'll find out in time what his deal is.  

Doctor Who is still rolling along on Disney+, with new episodes arriving on Fridays at 7:00 p.m. ET. Next week's episode feels like one fans won't want to miss, so be sure to clear your schedule as we head into the final stories of the season. 

Doctor Who is a British institution, and while it’s made household names of the actors who take on the mantle of The Doctor, it’s also cast many stars in guest roles. So, with that in mind, we took a journey through the iconic modern era run of the beloved BBC show, and found 32 famous actors who played a minor role in this time lord’s journey. 

Jonathan Bailey

While we know and love Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton on one of Netflix’s best series, Bridgerton, and as Fiyero in the Wicked cast, you might not be aware that he was in Season 8 of Doctor Who in the episode “Time Heist.” He starred alongside Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor, playing the hacker Psi. 

Brett Goldstein

Brett Goldstein appeared in the Season 11 episode “The Tsuranga Conundrum '' alongside Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. During the episode that saw The Doctor and co. stuck on a spaceship while an enemy tries to destroy it, and the Emmy-winning actor played the head nurse Astos. Then, two years later, Goldstein became a household name when he joined the Ted Lasso cast as the beloved grouchy player-turned-coach Roy Kent. 

Carey Mulligan

Before Carey Mulligan starred in movies like Drive, Promising Young Woman and Maestro, she played the young Sally Sparrow in the Season 3 episode “Blink.” Not only is this episode one with some of Doctor Who’s best quotes, but it’s also one of the most iconic stories in the show’s history as David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor took on the Weeping Angels. 

Olivia Colman 

In one of Doctor Who’s best episodes, and Matt Smith’s first as the Eleventh iteration of the time lord, Olivia Colman played “Mother,” a woman who is taken over by Patient Zero in “The Eleventh Hour.” After that, the actress, of course, went on to win an Oscar for The Favourite, and she starred in various other successful projects including the film The Lost Daughter, and the series Broadchurch and The Crown. 

James Corden

Long before James Corden was hosting The Late Late Show, he guest starred in two of Matt Smith’s episodes as his pal and flatmate Craig, most notably in the Season 5 episode “The Lodger.” 

Andrew Garfield

He may be best known as The Amazing Spider-Man and for films like The Social Network and Tick, Tick…Boom! but before all that, Andrew Garfield starred alongside David Tennant in two Doctor Who episodes, “Daleks in Manhattan” and “Evolution of the Daleks.” He played Frank, a boy who gets the Doctor to help get rid of the Daleks. 

Bill Nighy 

In one of the most moving episodes of Doctor Who, “Vincent and The Doctor,” Bill Nighy plays Dr. Black, who works at the museum where Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait is held. Before starring in the emotional Matt Smith-led episode all about the aforementioned painter, Nighy was best known for movies like Love, Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean. Since then, he’s been in films including About Time, Emma. and Living, which he got an Oscar nomination for. 

Daniel Kaluuya

You know Daniel Kaluuya? That’s right, the star of Jordan Peele’s movies Get Out and Nope and the man who won an Oscar for Judas and The Black Messiah. Well, before all of that, he played Barclay in Season 4 of Doctor Who in the episode “Planet of the Dead,” where he helped the Tenth Doctor fix an engine after a double-decker bus they were on got stuck in a very sandy place.  

Felicity Jones

Before she entered a galaxy far, far away in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or received her Oscar nomination for The Theory of Everything, Felicity Jones guest starred on Doctor Who. In 2008, she played Robina Redmond opposite the Tenth Doctor in the episode “The Unicorn and the Wasp,” which was a fun take on Agatha Christie and her mysteries. 

Ian McKellen

While you don’t see Sir Ian McKellen in Doctor Who, his voice is undeniable, as he was the man behind The Great Intelligence in Matt Smith’s 2012 Christmas special  “The Snowmen.” This special appearance was just another feather in this iconic British actor’s cap in the world of genre as he’s best known for playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films as well as Magneto in the X-Men movies. 

Maisie Williams

Obviously, we know Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, an integral character in the Game of Thrones cast. However, she also starred in another series that’s considered a British institution when she appeared in four of Peter Capaldi’s Season 9 Doctor Who episodes – “The Girl Who Died,” “The Woman Who Lived,” “Face the Raven'' and “Hell Bent” – as Ashildr (AKA Me) the immortal Viking. 

Michael Gambon 

In Doctor Who’s 2010 Christmas special, “A Christmas Carol,” the Eleventh Doctor finds himself with a very Scrooge-like character named Kazran Sardick, played by the late Michael Gambon. The actor also played the antagonist’s father Elliot Sardick. Of course, before this, he also starred in another tentpole fantasy franchise by playing Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter movies. 

John Hurt 

In the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, John Hurt joined Matt Smith and David Tennant as a regeneration of the time lord named the War Doctor, who lived between the eighth and ninth versions of The Doctor. He was, of course, played by the late great John Hurt, who was known for iconic films like Alien and The Elephant Man. He was a legendary British actor, and he played a pivotal role in the long-running BBC series.

Gemma Chan

From the beloved and star-studded rom-com Crazy Rich Asians to Marvel’s The Eternals, Gemma Chan’s star has grown immensely over the last few years. However, before that, she played geologist Mia Bennett in the 2009 episode “The Waters of Mars” alongside David Tennant’s Doctor. 

Michael Sheen

David Tennant plays the demon to Michael Sheen’s angel in Good Omens, but before they shared the screen together, the Aziraphale actor voiced a House on the show that made his co-star a household name. During Matt Smith’s run as The Doctor during the episode “The Doctor’s Wife,” the actor known for Frost/Nixon and Masters of Sex voiced the evil entity that lived just outside the universe. 

Richard E. Grant

With over 140 credits to his name, including Gosford Park and Hudson Hawk, Richard E. Grant is a legendary British actor. In Doctor Who he played an equally iconic role as the antagonist Dr. Simeon in the Eleventh Doctor-led Christmas special “The Snowmen.” After that, the actor who played a variant of Loki in Marvel’s most timey-wimey show, returned to Dr. Simeon for the Season 7 episode “The Name of the Doctor.” 

Jonathan Groff

As one of the first big actors to guest star in Ncuti Gatwa’s run as the Fifteenth Doctor, Jonathan Groff joined the cast for a Regency-era episode. Before making a brief appearance on Doctor Who, Groff made a name for himself on Broadway in shows including Merrily We Roll Along and Hamilton. He also voiced Kristoff in both Frozen films, and starred in David Fincher’s series Mindhunter. Talk about range. 

Stephen Fry

During the Thirteenth Doctor’s run, Stephen Fry played a role in the Season 12 episode “Spyfall" as C, the head of MI6. An iconic character actor, Fry has over 190 credits to his name, and he is best known for films like Wilde and V for Vendetta. 

Simon Pegg

Long before he was choosing to accept missions with Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible movies and leading Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy – which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End – Simon Pegg guest starred on Doctor Who. He played The Editor in Season 1 of the modern era, and went up against Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth generation of the time lord. 

Kylie Minogue

Yes, you read that right, Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue, singer of “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and “Chiggy Wiggy,” did star in a 2007 episode of Doctor Who titled “Voyage of the Damned.” During Season 4, she was featured alongside Tennant’s Doctor as Astrid, an alien waitress. 

Helen McCrory

Helen McCrory played Rosanna in the 2010 Doctor Who episode “The Vampires of Venice.” The Peaky Blinders star joined Matt Smith’s Doctor as the leader of the Saturnyns. Along with the two iconic BBC shows, the actress also played Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies and starred in The Count of Monte Cristo. 

Toby Jones

In the episode “Amy’s Choice,” Toby Jones played the Dream Lord. This spooky villain that comes from the darker side of The Eleventh Doctor is another fun character in Jones’ cap, as he also voiced Dobby in the Harry Potter films and played Dr. Zola in the Captain America movies as well as Claudius Templesmith in The Hunger Games. 

Neil Patrick Harris

Joining the episode of the three-part 60th Anniversary special, Neil Patrick Harris played the Toymaker and witnessed the historic bi-generation. The How I Met Your Mother alum faced off against David Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor as well as Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. 

Timothy Dalton

Yep, you read that right, James Bond was in Doctor Who too. Timothy Dalton – who played 007 in License to Kill and The Living Daylights – guest starred in the Tenth Doctor’s 2009 episodes “End of Time” parts one and two where he played The Narrator and Lord President Rassilon, the founder and first leader of The Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. 

Brian Cox

In “End of Time,” Brian Cox wasn’t seen on screen with David Tennant, however, you can hear him, because he voiced Elder Ood, who is of an alien race the Doctor works to protect. While you don’t see Cox physically in the episode, you can see him as the patriarch of the Succession cast, Logan Roy, and you can check out movies of his, including Troy and Manhunter. 

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright’s future is as the Black Panther, but prior to playing Shuri in the MCU and starring in other fun projects, she appeared in the Season 9 episode “Face the Raven” with Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. In Doctor Who, she played Anahson, an orphan looking for her mother. 

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

While Gugu Mbatha-Raw is best known for travelling through time and space as Ravonna Renslayer in Loki, she also played Tish Jones in four episodes of Doctor Who’s fourth season alongside David Tennant. The actress who played Martha’s sister in these episodes then went on to star in many films, including Belle, and series like The Morning Show. 

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

You likely know Thomas Brodie-Sangster as the kid from Love, Actually or from his work in The Maze Runner movies and The Queen’s Gambit. However, he also starred in a pair of Doctor Who episodes in Season 3 alongside David Tennant as Tim Latimer, a schoolboy from 1913.  

Alan Cumming

The host of The Traitors and star of The Good Wife, Alan Cumming starred as King James I in the Season 11 episode “The Witchfinders.” In the episode featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, this star of stage and screen played the king of a nation that was in the midst of a witch trial when the time lord showed up. 

Iain Glen

Iain Glen played Octavian in the 2010 Doctor Who episodes titled “The Time of Angels” and “Flesh and Stone.” While the actor made a name for himself on Game of Thrones as Jorah, Daenerys’ protector, he was trying to protect his team and The Doctor from the Weeping Angels in this set of Matt Smith-led episodes. 

Anthony Head

Anthony Head played Rupert Giles in 123 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Uther Pendragon in 43 episodes of Merlin. He also portrayed the evil headmaster Lassar in one episode of Doctor Who – “School Reunion” – back in its second season alongside David Tennant. 

Jacob Anderson 

You likely remember Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm from Game of Thrones or Louis de Pointe du Lac in the series Interview with a Vampire. In the midst of all that, he joined Season 13 of Doctor Who for a recurring role as Vinder, a pilot and guardian who watches from Observation Outpost Rose and worked with the Thirteenth Doctor across seven episodes. 

As you can see, the list of actors who have made minor appearances on Doctor Who is long and wickedly impressive. From legendary actors like Ian McKellen and Olivia Colman and modern TV staples like Jonathan Bailey and Brett Goldstein, it’s hard to believe that all these folks aided (or tried to stop) The Doctor on their wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey journey through time and space, but they all did!

2023 moviegoers have already been privy to a host of theatrical and streaming features boasting A+ ensembles, and there are certainly more on the way, but let’s go ahead and pencil in Barbie as having the most perfect cast from end to end. (Using only the pinkest of pencils, natch.) From Margot Robbie as the lead namesake to America Ferrera as a stressed-out Mattel employee to the gaggles of Barbies and Kens populating the fantasy world. It sounds like it was a dream for the record-breaking blockbuster’s casting directors, but they revealed quite a few unfortunate instances where their original choices for certain roles inevitably had to drop out of filming, such as SNL breakout Bowen Yang.

As difficult as it is to picture anyone else filling the on-screen roles that were brought to vibrant and magnetic life by co-stars such as Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu and Scott Evans, there were indeed other actors in line to play various Kens alongside Ryan Gosling. Speaking with Vanity Fair, casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones discussed the frustration of COVID constraints requiring the cast to remain in London for the entire shoot, which meant that the following three actors were no longer available to potentially take part:

• Bowen Yang
• Dan Levy
• Ben Platt

That trio alone could have been a fabulous subsection of Kens who just sit around drinking — and you know they'd imbibe on classier potables than brewski-beers — while judging the rest of the Kens for being so oblivious. (My vote would be for The Other Two's Drew Tarver and Brandon Scott Jones to also join in.)

According to Allison Jones, the creative team weren't the only ones sad about the turn of events. As she put it:

It's indeed a bummer knowing what could have been. Not that it takes anything away from the Barbie that is now blowing box office predictions out of the water, but if there were ever a time for a Sliding Doors-style experiement...

The comedy's major casting swap-outs weren't only limited to just the Ken-tourage, either. Though Scott Pilgrim and Arrested Development vet Michael Cera was a low-key scene-stealer as the one-off Allan, he came into the role only after another big name had to bow out: Hamilton and Frozen star Jonathan Groff.  According to Allison Jones:

It's not clear if he was also unable to take part due to the filming restrictions, or other scheduling issues, but it's wild to think about how Allan would have come across with Groff in the role. Cera embraced the kind of affable, passive energy that he's known for, but I'd have to imagine Groff's version being slightly less of a wallflower. And the musical vet almost definitely would have earned at least one showstopping number, and still will in the fan-fic version of Barbie that I'll be scrawling into a stack of journals later.

So anyone who hasn't yet dressed up in pink for a theatrical Barbie experience needs to get on that, so that we can start up loud conversations about a sequel with Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, Ben Platt and Jonathan Groff jumping on board. 

Ncuti Gatwa will take over Doctor Who after the series celebrates its 60th anniversary, and the wait for his tenure won't be too long. With his inaugural episode set to air during the 2023 holiday season, we'll be getting Season 14 pretty quickly afterwards. We'll finally get to see the new Doctor in action, as well as the others that will make up his companions, villains and other supporting characters. 

If you're here for David Tennant and the cast appearing in the 60th anniversary, we've already covered that. This list is for Season 14 and all of the people who will make Ncuti Gatwa's opening season in the Whoniverse extra special. Let's get into who is involved, starting with the star himself. 

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa is an actor whose stardom is on the rise, going from the cast of the Barbie movie to Doctor Who. We haven't seen extensive footage of Gatwa as The Doctor yet, but we have seen him in plenty of iconic outfits. I don't think I'm alone believing he'll be the best-dressed Doctor the franchise has ever seen. As for what else he'll be the best at, we'll just have to wait and see. 

Millie Gibson

Millie Gibson joins Doctor Who as The Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday. She's got a killer name, but we don't known anything else about the character. Gibson previously starred in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. Here's hoping she ranks among the top companions this series has seen, though the bar is pretty high considering who we've seen since the show's reboot. 

Jemma Redgrave

There aren't a ton of familiar faces in Season 14 of Doctor Who, but this is one of them. Actress Jemma Redgrave will return to the series to reprise her role as Kate Stewart, the head of UNIT. The organization often works in tandem with The Doctor when it comes to alien threats that involve Earth, as we saw during Kate's return in Season 13. 

Bonnie Langford

Actress Bonnie Langford is also returning to the Doctor Who franchise, and it's a big deal considering her character, Melanie Bush, was a former companion of The Doctor. Granted, her days as a companion were during the Sixth and Seventh Doctors eras, which were during the mid-'80s, though she did cameo in "The Power of The Doctor," Jodie Whittaker's final episode as the Thirteenth Doctor. Regardless, we know her return will be more than a one-off thing, and Russell T. Davies stressed she'd be in the thick of the action to come in Season 14. 

Jonathan Groff

In what might be the biggest celebrity get yet for Doctor Who, actor Jonathan Groff is confirmed for an episode of Season 14. Suffice to say, there are a ton of people wanting to see what the Mindhunter and Hamilton alum will be up to in his appearance. We did get a look at him alongside the Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson in regal attire, which could be a clue this will be something tied to something to the Regency or Victorian era. We shall see. 

Jinkx Monsoon

Jinkx Monsoon is making their debut on Doctor Who, and we have absolutely no idea what to expect from their character. We did, however, get a cool look at a piano outfit they'll wear in the episode, which could be a clue about the character. I'm excited for whatever is going to happen, especially if this is potentially a musical episode. 

Aneurin Barnard

Actor Aneurin Barnard comes onto Doctor Who to play the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam. Really, that's all we know about the character right now, but with roles like 1899 under his belt, I'm excited to see what he'll bring to the table in Season 14. 

Michelle Greenidge

Actress Michelle Greenidge, who some might know from her role in Ricky Gervais' Netflix series After Life, is coming to Doctor Who. Greenidge has no shortage of impressive accolades on her resume, so I'm sure whatever role she'll be given in Season 14 will be a notable one. With that said we know absolutely nothing about her character and will need to wait for more details. 

Anita Dobson

Actress Anita Dobson's career is packed with stage and screen work, so it's fair to say she's more than prepared for whatever role Doctor Who has in store for her in Season 14. One other point of interest is that Dobson is married to Queen guitarist Brian May, which I wouldn't even bring up beyond the fact I'm hoping we get a nod to the band because of her presence in the season. 

Jack Forsyth-Noble

Actor Jack Forsyth-Noble is coming to Doctor Who Season 14, but this isn't the first time he's been in the franchise. While this will be the actor's television debut, he's voiced various characters in audio dramas for Big Finish productions. I don't imagine he'll be reprising any of those roles for his upcoming stint in the series, but you never know!

Indira Varma

Indira Varma is an actress who needs no introduction. Even if you didn't know her from her various roles across Hollywood in shows like Game of Thrones and Obi-Wan Kenobi, she played Suzie Costello in the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood. In her return this time, she'll be playing a character called the Duchess. We have no idea what to expect from this role, but given Varma's performances on other shows, I have high hopes for her character. 

Lenny Rush

BAFTA-winning actor Lenny Rush has joined the cast of Doctor Who in the role of Morris. Much like most every other role in this cast list, we have absolutely no idea of what's to come with Rush's character, but they don't just hand out BAFTAs to child actors for no reason. I'm eager to see Morris cross paths with The Doctor, and what they'll be like working together. 

Bhav Joshi

Actor Bhav Joshi will join the Doctor Who cast in an undisclosed role. The Scottish actor is known for his roles in the series Wedding Season as well as The Baby. Those with a Max subscription can check him out in the latter series right now and maybe get an idea of the type of character he'll play.  

Eilidh Loan

Actress Elidh Loan is another actress signed on for Doctor Who Season 14, and is yet another actor joining the cast in an undisclosed role. Loan's notable credits include the TV shows Traces and Clique, so check her out there if you're looking to learn more!

Pete MacHale

Actor Pete MacHale is in Doctor Who Season 14, but that's about all we know in regard to his involvement in the series. MacHale was in the Netflix 2022 movie Choose Or Die, which is worth checking out for those with a Netflix subscription. 

Miles Yekinni

There's no shortage of television credits to actor Miles Yekinni's name, and he can add Doctor Who to his list of roles thanks to Season 14. Once again, however, we have no idea what to expect of his role, and can only look to his performances in shows like Cursed and Krypton for potential clues on how he may play his role. 

Hemi Yeroham

Actor Hemi Yeroham rounds out the list of Doctor Who Season 14 actors, but as we've said with many others, we don't know who he'll be playing. In either case, the actor has credits that include the beloved movie Mamma Mia!, so be excited for him and what he'll bring to the table when the season debuts. 

Doctor Who Season 14 will kick off with a holiday special, which will air after we see the cast of the 60th anniversary in their specials in November. Those in the United States should be ready to stream the series at its new home on Disney+ and get ready for what looks to be a new era of the beloved franchise. 

While Doctor Who fans are still half a year away from the show’s 60th anniversary being celebrated with the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate (with the twist being that the former is playing the current Fourteenth Doctor rather than the past Tenth incarnation), production is currently chugging along for Season 14, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, his new companion. Last month, we got some shagadelic looks at Gatwa and Gibson in sharp ‘60s attire, and now they’re back rocking some awesome Bridgerton-style costumes. This time though, they’re accompanied by Jonathan Groff.

It was announced last week that the Frozen and Hamilton star has joined Doctor Who in what’s being described as a “mysterious and exciting guest role.” This prompted speculation from a segment of the fanbase that Groff is taking over as the new Captain Jack Harkness from John Barrowman. While that has yet to be officially debunked, we now at least have our first taste of him alongside the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Tuesday in their episode together.

Yep, these three look like they were plucked straight out of the hit TV series Bridgerton, which can be viewed with a Netflix subscription, as can the limited series prequel tie-in, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Unfortunately, the only clue we have regarding the plot of this episode comes in the caption: “Dress to impress, and beware the Duchess…” No doubt the Duchess is this particular story’s villain, but working under the assumption that Jonathan Groff is playing a new character rather than Captain Jack, it’s unclear if he’ll be an ally or enemy to the adventuring Time Lord and his companion. Still, considering that a lot of Doctor Who episodes see The Doctor sticking with their usual outfit and companions wearing contemporary clothing, we have another example of how Season 14 will be making more use of period-appropriate fashion, and the actors look particularly good in these threads.

Jonathan Groff is the second actor from the United States to be announced for Doctor Who Season 14, the first being RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, whose own first look at in the series prompted some interesting fan theories. Like Groff, Monsoon also has a major role this season, but it hasn’t been clarified if we’ll see one of both of them in just one episode each (who knows, maybe even in the same one), or if they’re slated to appear in multiple episodes. In any case, Groff’s time on Doctor Who follows the actor keeping busy in 2022 on the TV front, having appeared in And Just Like That…, Life & Beth and Lost Ollie, as well as executive producing the HBO documentary film Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known.

Other actors we’ll in Doctor Who Season 14 include Jemma Redgrave reprising UNIT leader Kate Stewart and Aneurin Barnard as Roger ap Gwilliam, as well as Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge as yet-to-be-identified characters. Behind the scenes, Russell T. Davies, who was the revival’s showrunner from 2005-2010, will continue his head writer and executive producer duties following his return for the three 60th anniversary episodes. This will also be the first season to premiere exclusively to Disney+ subscribers outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and with that shift to the Mouse House’s streaming service will come an increased budget.

Doctor Who Season 14 will premiere sometime in 2024, but Ncuti Gatwa’s first full episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will drop “over the festive period in 2023.” When you’re done marveling at him, Millie Gibson and Jonathan Groff in those stellar costumes, take a look at our 2023 TV schedule to see what programming is currently on the airwaves or streaming.

The announcement Jonathan Groff's casting in upcoming episodes of Doctor Who was already plenty to get people's attention ahead of the series' return this fall, but the latest rumor might encourage many lapsed fans to check out the new run with their Disney+ subscription. There are a number of fans who think that Groff is coming into the Whoniverse to play the new Captain Jack, and returning showrunner Russell T. Davies isn't doing a lot to squash the speculation. 

What seemingly started as an acknowledgment that Jonathan Groff had the same basic hair and eyes as John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness has now spun into a theory that Groff is coming to Doctor Who to play a younger version of the time agent once known as "The Face Of Boe." At first, it just seemed like a fan wish that wasn't grounded in any actual information. Then, someone posted that Russell T. Davies liked their comment asking if Groff was the new Captain Jack, and suddenly, it's a thing (via Twitter): 

Doctor Who's official announcement about Jonathan Groff's casting didn't refer to him as anything other than a "mysterious and exciting guest role." If Russell T. Davies, or anyone else, wanted to directly announce he'd be playing Captain Jack Harkness, wouldn't they just say so? If that's the case, what's the point in all of the secrecy if he's just going to like a comment and get speculation rolling?

One possibility is that Russell T. Davies just likes a lot of comments without looking at them and doesn't even know what he's caused. I could also see a possibility that he's deliberately stirring chaos by liking comments like that, hoping to keep fans on their toes and wondering what is planned for the future of Doctor Who. Hey, it doesn't hurt to mix the pot between all the stylish looks of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor. 

Jonathan Groff debuting as Captain Jack would be a way to reintroduce the character, who hasn't been seen since John Barrowman's controversy linked to past inappropriate behavior on the Doctor Who set. Barrowman had a history of exposing himself on set, and while he apologized and addressed those allegations years ago, the franchise hasn't welcomed him back since the controversy resurfaced. 

And while Doctor Who never officially admonished John Barrowman, there were steps taken to remove Barrowman and Captain Jack from a number of Doctor Who projects. This included canceling a Torchwood audiobook Barrowman was featured in, as well as a book that was supposed to serve as a tie-in to a Season 13 episode. Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd defended Barrowman in light of the resurfaced allegations, but it didn't do much in putting the actor back in the good graces of the franchise. 

As of writing, we have no idea what role Jonathan Groff will play when he joins Doctor Who. With that said, he's just one reason for fans to get excited about this new era, which will reportedly have a bigger budget and more consistent seasons year-to-year. If the show can pull more guest stars like Groff, it should breathe new life into the franchise, and even bring in some fresh fans. 

Doctor Who will make its debut on Disney+ in November for the 60th-anniversary specials. After that, we'll get Ncuti Gatwa's official first episode as The Doctor in a holiday special, so get hype for the back half of 2023!

The stars of M. Night. Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin,” including Dave Bautista, Rupert Grint, Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge discuss their new thriller film in this interview with CinemaBlend's Mike Reyes. Watch as they dive into working with the iconic director, Bautista’s greatest struggles on set, Groff’s “daddy era” and more!

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Dave Bautista Raves About His Costars’ Performances
01:39 - Rupert Grint On What He Likes About Playing Unlikable Characters
02:33 - How Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge Prepared To Play Their LGBTQ Characters
04:01 - Dave Bautista And Rupert Grint Talk Struggles & Lessons On The M. Night Shyamalan Set
07:20 - Are Jonathan Groff & Ben Aldridge Entering Their ‘Daddy Era?’
07:54 - Dave Bautista Teases Weirdness & Politics in ‘Dune 2’

Horror audiences were treated to some truly disturbing offerings in 2022, and hopefully that trend will be continued this year, as M. Night Shyamalan’s latest project Knock at the Cabin is set to hit theaters February 3. Based on the novel The Cabin at the End of the World by acclaimed horror author Paul Tremblay, the film stars a great cast that includes Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge. First responses to Knock at the Cabin were overall positive, with some saying this is M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie in years. Now the reviews are in to tell us more about the thriller.

Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge play Eric and Andrew, parents who are vacationing at a remote cabin in the Pennsylvania woods with their daughter Wen (Kristen Cui) when strangers invade their getaway with the alarming announcement that one of them must be sacrificed to avoid the apocalypse. Let’s see what critics have to say about the movie, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Knock at the Cabin. Eric Eisenberg rates the film 2 stars out of 5, praising the performances — particularly Dave Bautista’s turn as the primary antagonist — but he says an assumed lack of imagination in its audience prevents it from getting near a satisfying conclusion. He continues: 

Jonathan Sim of ComingSoon.net rates the film a “Poor” 4 out of 10, noting that while there are some good performances and humorous dialogue, the loosely written screenplay and tonal inconsistencies contribute to the story not reaching its full potential. More from the review:  

Julian Roman of MovieWeb says the twisted premise of Knock at the Cabin doesn’t pay off, and the film stumbles as the predictable narrative plays out. The critic says: 

The reviews aren’t all bad, however, with Uproxx’s Mike Ryan saying this is one of M. Night Shyamalan’s best. The critic also praises Dave Bautista’s performance, saying he doesn’t know if the movie works as well without him. The review continues: 

Chris Evangelista of SlashFilm also thinks Knock at the Cabin is a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan, rating it 7 out of 10. While the critic wishes the script dived deeper into some of the issues it glosses over, this intense and disturbing movie proves he’s still one heck of a filmmaker. He says: 

If you are a fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies, or if you want to see how this apocalyptic thriller plays out, you’ll be able to do so starting Friday, February 3, when Knock at the Cabin makes its premiere in theaters. In the meantime, check out some of the best horror movies of all time, and use our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to start planning your next trip to the theater. 

Following the release of Old in July 2021, M. Night Shyamalan didn’t waste any time getting to work on his next thriller. Before the end of the year, it was revealed that the writer/director was already developing a secret new project titled Knock At The Cabin, and he had already found his star. Just a few months later, in April 2022, production on the mysterious movie started up, and now it’s just a few months away from arriving in theaters.

In the wake of the release of Knock At The Cabin’s first trailer, you may be wondering about the actors who populate the ensemble cast, and on that front we have you covered. The new M. Night Shyamalan film has seven principal stars, and in this feature we’ve highlighted their past credits and previewed their roles in the new movie.

Dave Bautista

Since his breakout role as Drax The Destroyer in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista has made clear efforts to try and work with some of the best and most interesting filmmakers working today – be it Sam Mendes (Spectre), Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Dune), Zack Snyder (Army Of The Dead), or Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery). With Knock At The Cabin, the wrestler-cum-actor has now added M. Night Shyamalan to that growing list, and it looks like he is set up with an intense role playing the leader of the home invaders in the thriller.

Jonathan Groff

Between Hamilton, Frozen, and The Matrix Resurrections, Jonathan Groff has been a part of some massive productions in the last decade, but Knock At The Cabin marks his entrance into the intimate thriller genre, and he’s in solid hands with M. Night Shyamalan at the helm. In the film he is playing Andrew, one half of a gay couple who decide to take a vacation with their daughter and go to a peaceful cabin in the woods. Unfortunately, the peace doesn’t last long thanks to the arrival of Dave Bautista’s Leonard and his cohorts.

Ben Aldridge

Ben Aldridge will be playing Jonathan Groff’s husband in Knock At The Cabin – the film being his feature follow up to Michael Showalter’s 2022 biographical drama Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies. Aldridge is best known for his work on the small screen, his credits including recurring roles on shows such as Our Girl, Reign, and Fleabag. Most recently he has been playing Thomas Wayne on the series Pennyworth and is the lead on the British crime series The Long Call.

Rupert Grint

It’s likely that Rupert Grint will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Ron Weasley in the beloved series of Harry Potter movies, but M. Night Shyamalan has been a key collaborator with the actor since his time in the Wizarding World. Since 2019, he has been playing one of the principal roles on the Apple TV+ original series Servant, which credits Shyamalan as an executive producer and a director. The show’s third season aired earlier this year, and it has been renewed for a fourth and final season. In Knock At The Cabin, he will be playing one of Leonard’s cohorts along with…

Nikki Amuka-Bird

Nikki Amuka-Bird is playing Adriane in Knock At The Cabin, who is another member of Leonard’s crew of home invaders. This will mark the second time that she has worked with M. Night Shyamalan, as she previously starred in 2021’s Old, but she is no stranger to working with talented filmmakers, having also worked with Steven Soderbergh, Armando Iannucci, and The Wachowskis. She has done a lot of television, including eight episodes of the Idris Elba series Luther, and she is part of the main cast of the HBO sci-fi comedy series Avenue 5.

Abby Quinn

Rounding out the group of antagonists in Knock At The Cabin is Abby Quinn as Sabrina. Younger than most of her costars, she doesn’t have as extensive a resume yet, but she has already been a part of some excellent movies and television shows. She has Greta Gerwig’s Little Women and Charlie Kaufman’s I’m Thinking Of Ending Things among her credited feature roles, and has been featured in episodes of Black Mirror and Better Call Saul. In 2019 she was a part of the Mad About You revival season playing the daughter of Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt’s characters.

Kristen Cui

Finally we have the youngest member of the Knock At The Cabin ensemble, and the film is actually her professional acting debut. In the thriller she will be playing Wen, who is the daughter of Ben Aldridge’s Eric and Jonathan Groff’s Andrew. We don’t really know much about her role in the story beyond that, but our instincts tell us that she will be a part of the mysterious choice at the center of the plot that Leonard & Co. force the family to make.

There is still a great deal about M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock At The Cabin that we don’t know, and that seems very intentional… which in turn makes us all the more excited to see the film and discover its secrets. Produced by Universal Pictures, the movie is set to come out in the early weeks of 2023 – specifically on February 3, 2023.

For more about the lineup of films that are set to be released next year, check out our 2023 Movie Release Calendar, and our Upcoming Horror Movies guide will keep you apprised of all spooky and scary features that are on the way in the coming months.

Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan is known for, among other things, the ability to land a good twist. If anyone had a reason to question that claim, it looks like there’s one less excuse to doubt that the man behind The Sixth Sense, and most recently the very divisive film Old, can shock an audience. That’s especially true at this moment, as Shyamalan has surprised us all by dropping the trailer for his entry into the 2023 new movie releases, Knock at the Cabin.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by author Paul G. Tremblay, M. Night Shyamalan’s latest starts off looking rather idyllic. Fathers Andrew (Jonathan Groff) and Eric (Ben Aldridge) are taking their young daughter Wen (Kristen Cui, in her first film role) on a trip to a cabin in the woods. Knock at the Cabin doesn’t take long to deal some threatening cards, as the mysterious Leonard (Dave Bautista) goes from kindly to quietly menacing. 

His reason seems valid though: Leonard and his group of fellow disciples have a quest. They’re trying to prevent the apocalypse, which somehow involves holding Knock at the Cabin’s central family captive, and forcing them to make what he calls “a horrible decision.” It’s pretty much said in the tagline for M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film, which you can see on the poster that was released alongside this trailer.

An even larger surprise than seeing this first footage to Knock at the Cabin is, perhaps, how quickly it came to be. Shyamalan started filming this past April, with production wrapping only a couple months later in June. Then again, the man behind The Village isn’t known to be a person who waits too long to get back to work. 

It also helps that M. Night Shyamalan noted Knock at the Cabin is one continuous take, or at least it’s supposed to play that way. That sort of enterprise could lead to a quicker editing process, which would nail the concept in place. A whole continuous stream of events, with Dave Bautista and Servant star Rupert Grint threatening a family into a terrible choice. That’s not anxiety inducing at all.

With lightning fast pacing, Unbreakable's writer/director has brought what looks like another tension filled movie to life. How this one will land with the world is anyone's guess, but Knock at the Cabin still seems to be hiding quite a bit of its story and twists up its sleeve. Which is perfect, because it wouldn't be an M. Night Shyamalan movie without some unexpected developments, and the fallout that washes over a crowd glued to the screen when it does.

Knock at the Cabin locks its audience into this horrific nightmare scenario, only in theaters, on February 3, 2023. However, you can still take a look at the film offerings still left in the list of upcoming movies in 2022. Or, if you haven't caught M. Night Shyamalan's previous film Old, anyone with an HBO Max subscription can do so, at the time of this writing.

When it comes to proper representation within the LGBTQ+ world, it can be hard to find those characters that truly stand out and are accurate portrayals. What’s even better is when you find an actor behind the character who is also a part of that community and shines in that role. That’s what we aim to talk about today.

There are so many actors we could point to in both movies and TV, from Owen Thiele in Adults, to some amazing films of the last few years, such as All of Us Are Strangers, Bombshell, and more. Let’s talk about some incredible performances of LGBTQ+ characters from the LGBTQ+ community in honor of Pride Month.

All Of Us Strangers – Andrew Scott As Adam

All Of Us Are Strangers released in late 2023 to rave reviews and while I personally don’t think it got nearly as much hype as it should have, the one thing I will comment on is Andrew Scott. While the LGBTQ+ actor has taken on roles such as this before, there’s just something so raw and real about his portrayal of Adam.

The story follows a lonely screenwriter who begins a romance with his mysterious neighbor while also experiencing a strange instance where he is able to see his parents again – the movie itself certainly feels like there’s a small layer of fantasy, but the themes itself make this film that much better, including the lovely portrayal from Scott, who has talked about beinga part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Love, Simon - Keiynan Lonsdale As Bram Greenfeld

Released in 2018, Love, Simon is a story about a closeted gay young adult who struggles to balance his life amongst the blackmailer that is threatening to out him at school – while also trying to identify the anonymous classmate that he has fallen in love with. The film became so popular that a Hulu spinoff, titled Love, Victor, premiered not that long after, but was canceled after Season 3

In Love, Simon, Keiynan Lonsdale portrays Bram Greenfeld, one of Simon’s classmates and an openly gay student, and Keiynan himself came out in 2017. The film made strides for having a gay protagonist, becoming one of the first mainstream film to showcase a gay teen romance.

Adults – Owen Theile As Anton

Hailing from FX on Hulu, Adults is a series about a group of twenty-somethings literally just trying to survive daily life in New York City and going through the motions of becoming a functioning adult. One character in it that I absolutely love is Anton, who is played by the fabulous Owen Theile.

While Thiele has appeared in various shows beforehand, 2025 has really shown just how talented he is with both lead roles in Adults and Overcompensating (but I kind of like Adults just a smidge more). Anton is a hilarious character, and Owen Thiele rocks it. Thiele is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and has even called for action to demand equal rights by donating to several charities (via Instagram).

Rustin – Colman Domingo As Bayard Rustin 

Rustin itself was more of an under-the-radar critical darling of 2023, as it was one of CinemaBlend’s best movies of 2023, but you want to know what wasn’t? Colman Domingo’s performance as Bayard Rustin. It follows the story of the real-life civil rights activist who worked with MLK Jr. to organize the iconic 1963 March on Washington for equal rights in America.

Colman Domingo shines in his portrayal of Bayard Rustin, and his performance was so critically acclaimed that he earned an Academy Award nomination. Colman Domingo has become a much bigger name the last few years with many of the roles he had portrayed, and he even spoke in an interview with Advocate in 2021 that he hopes he’s breaking new ground for young Black gay men in Hollywood:

Bombshell - Kate McKinnon As Jess Carr

Moving into the drama genre, we take a look at Kate McKinnon in Bombshell. You might recognize her name from her amazing performances on the classic late night television show Saturday Night Live, which she left in 2022, or maybe even from comedy movies such as the 2016 Ghostbusters or Office Christmas Party. But Kate McKinnon has an amazing range as an actress, and she showed that off when playing Jess Carr as part of the Bombshell cast.

While her character was fictional (set within a film that was based on true events), her role as the Fox News employee Jess Carr was impactful, and showed what it might be like for a closeted lesbian who works in a primarily conservative news space.

Yellowjackets – Liv Hewson as Vanessa Palmer

While Liv Hewson has been around in the TV world for a while, I absolutely love them as teenage Vanessa Palmer in the hit Showtime series, Yellowjackets. Vanessa is a character that had both stakes in the flashbacks of the world as well as modern-day, and her story of resilience is one that I truly love.

Hewson in real life identifies as non-binary, and uses they/them pronouns, according to Teen Vogue. The actor says that they have “never been happier” since they received gender-affirming surgery:

The Normal Heart - Jim Parsons As Tommy Boatwright

Since starring as Shelden Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons continues to take on new and exciting roles in both film and television. Everyone knows who he is and how often he has spoken about his sexuality. That’s why his portrayal of Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart felt even more compelling than any other role he has done, at least in my opinion.

The Normal Heart, based on the Larry Kramer 1985 play of the same name, depicts the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City during the early eighties, and Parsons plays a gay activist fighting to address the issue. Parsons is a talented actor, so it’s no surprise that he absolutely rocked this role. The film gives interesting insights into what happened back in the eighties and the struggles that activists had to face every single day.

Everything Everywhere All At Once – Stephanie Hsu As Joy Wang

I think out of all the movies that released in 2022, Everything Everywhere All At Once was the one that touched fans’ hearts the most, even if some of it was just straight-up weird. However, the film tells a beautiful story of love, family, and acceptance of one's faults, mainly led by two fantastic performances from both Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu.

Hsu portrayed Joy Wang, the daughter of Evelyn Quan Wang and one of the primary characters of the movie. Joy has a girlfriend in the movie, but Hsu also identifies as queer in real-life, according to The Eagle Online.

Harlem – Jerrie Johnson as Tye Reynolds

Harlem is a great TV show, one I would recommend to anyone, and a great character in it is Tye Reynolds, whose stories in the show are always some of the best. Reynolds is a hilarious character, but the actor behind the screen is even better.

Jerrie Johnson is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and got engaged to their girlfriend, and their wedding dresses were even featured in the New York Times (via Instagram) in April 2025!

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Tituss Burgess As Titus Andromedon 

Few have truly made me laugh out loud as Titus Andromedon on the classic Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This show, which primarily followed a young woman learning to adapt to normal every-day life after spending more than a decade locked below ground by a reverend, has always brought the laughs and provided some hilarious inside jokes, usually because of Titus Andromedon. He’s sassy, talented, and the best gay friend that we all need in our lives that will be blunt with you no matter what.

Tituss Burgess has been active in television for some time, including guest spots on 30 Rock, performing in musicals like Annie, and more, but nothing has quite come close to the hilarious nature of Titus Andromedon and the impact he made on television as a whole. Truly, there is no one like him.

I Saw The TV Glow – Justice Smith As Owen

I Saw The TV Glow released in 2024 by A24, and while it certainly wasn’t a huge hit at the box office, it’s slowly picking up steam on the internet, mainly due to Justice Smith’s amazing role of Owen. The film tells the story of two friends whose lives begin to spiral when their favorite show is cancelled – because honestly, same.

Jokes aside, Smith’s performance of Owen is gutting and cuts straight to the core, without spoiling anything, and if you want an excellent psychological horror-drama, this is the film for you. Justice Smith came out in 2020 as a queer person, and ever since then he’s advocated for the support of Black queer and trans lives.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire - Adele Haenel As Heloise

Released in 2019, Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows Adele Haenel portrayed Heloise, a young 19th-century lesbian who fiercely opposes the arranged marriage set up for her, but later has a romance with a woman who was commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.

Adele Haenel publicly came out back in 2014 when she won a Cesar Award, and has since been very open about who she is. The film portrays what it’s like to have that kind of romance that changes you for the rest of your life, and that it doesn’t matter what gender that you are – love is love, and when you meet that one person that can change you, it sticks with you until the end.

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies – Amandla Stenberg As Sophie

Hands down, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is one of the best horror movies from A24, and tells a hilariously horrific story of a group of young adults who are staying in a mansion and play a murder-game that actually turns real, and soon it’s a whodunit as they try and stay alive. Amandla Stenberg plays Sophie, the main character, and while her queerness isn’t the main plotline of the film, it certainly plays an important role.

In 2016, Amandla Stenberg came out as bisexual, but she also said that “pansexual” was a good term to describe her as well, according to Elle. The actress has appeared in a variety of roles since then, but personally, I don’t think any of them have come as close as the craziness that is Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

Looking - Jonathan Groff As Patrick Murray

Jonathon Groff has an impressive resume for plenty of people to admire. From voicing Kristoff as part of the Frozen and Frozen II cast to portraying the king in Hamilton, he’s been around the block plenty of times, showing off his amazing acting and singing skills. But one show that you may or may not remember him from was in the HBO series Looking, where he portrayed Patrick Murray.

The series follows the story of three gay men living in San Francisco, and their lives and friendships. The series went on for two seasons, which were followed by a feature-length film in 2016. Looking may have only lasted for a short amount of time, but its impact on television is felt all the same. In an interview with the New York Times, Groff talked about the significance of the show. When asked how he'd feel if he were able to watch the show as a teenager, he said:

Bottoms – Ayo Edebiri As Josie 

Bottoms was the queer comedy of 2023 in my eyes. The movie tells the story of two teenagers in high school who start a female-only fight club in order to have sex with cheerleaders. Yes, this sounds exactly like a 2000s teen comedy and yes, it’s just as funny as you can expect it to be, especially with two leads like Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri as part of the Bottoms cast.

While Ayo Edibiri’s best roles include plenty of other shows and movies, like The Bear or Big Mouth, I freaking love her in Bottoms as Josie because she perfectly exemplifies what it’s like to be a young LGBTQ+ person in high school who is just trying to survive and be somehow cool. Even Ayo Edebiri said in an interview with Refinery 29 in September 2023 that it’s “radical” she gets to be a young Black queer person and do the crazy stuff she’s done in a movie in Hollywood nowadays.

Glee - Chris Colfer As Kurt Hummel

Glee, when it released, was an iconic show, becoming a huge hit for Fox. The series was all about misfits coming together in a high school glee club in order to find companionship when it felt there was no one there for them, and one of those characters that stuck around from the very first season was Kurt Hummel, a closeted gay student (at first) at William McKinley High School.

Chris Colfer played the character, and over time, Kurt became more sure of himself not only as a gay man but as a voice for his community, and showing that just because someone might not like your sparkle, that doesn’t mean you need to dim it for anyone else. His voice was always unique and made for some amazing covers. The Glee cast was so talented in so many ways, but Colfer stood out amongst the rest.

The Last Of Us – Bella Ramsey As Ellie

As someone who grew up playing The Last of Us, Ellie was a bit of a gay icon for me. She was a lead character (in a HUGE video game) that was openly lesbian and as someone who was struggling with her own bisexuality at the time, it was freaking fantastic to see the representation on screen. That’s why when I discovered that the young person also playing Ellie, Bella Ramsey, was non-binary in real-life, I knew it would be a perfect fit.

I just knew they would understand how Ellie was portrayed, and my favorite video game character suddenly turned into my favorite TV character. Ramsey is known for their portrayal of Lyanna Mormont as well as in the Game of Thrones cast, but her role in The Last of Us Season 2 has been a game-changer.

Hearts Beat Loud - Kiersey Clemons As Sam Fisher

Kiersey Clemons has had some awesome roles in the past, from her breakout role as a teen lesbian in the 2015 comedy-drama Dope to her role in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, or even her more recent role in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. However, one of her best roles from the films I have seen has to be Hearts Beat Loud, the musical comedy, where she stars as Sam Fisher.

Hearts Beat Loud is all about Sam Fisher and her father, played by Nick Offerman, who is a record store owner and tries to convince her to start a band with him after a song they recorded went viral. The story not only has some great music but captures what it’s like as a young gay teenager to try and develop a true relationship with their family when some of them don’t quite understand what you’re going through. It’s definitely one of the underrated picks on this list and deserves so much more praise.

Jennifer’s Body - Megan Fox As Jennifer

In Jennifer’s Body, the titular character, characterized as bisexual, is possessed by a demon, who goes on a rampage in school to fill its need for human flesh, whether that be boys or girls.

Megan Fox herself is bisexual, telling Esquire back in 2011 about her thoughts about her sexuality.

After seeing her star in several films for her beauty and talent as an actress, it’s empowering to hear Megan Fox speak so openly about who she is, and even more interesting to rewatch her portrayal of Jennifer years later. It’s awesome to see sexuality portrayed in something like a horror movie, but I’m here for it regardless.

Happiest Season - Kristen Stewart As Abby Holland

2020 was a year of few big film releases, with so many dates changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many viewers turned to streaming for their entertainment and Happiest Season was one of them, telling the story of a woman who is struggling to come out to her conservative family when she brings her girlfriend home for the holidays.

Kristen Stewart takes on the lead role as Abby Holland in the Happiest Season cast, the girlfriend of Harper, who comes home with her during the holidays. Kristen Stewart herself has come out as queer, and discussed in an interview with InStyle, how her journey of coming out helped her portray the character in the film. When asked if it was her own experiences that drew her to the role, she discussed the challenges of dating and fame during her early twenties, and being asked about her sexuality, stating:

When an actor goes through something so personal, it’s not a surprise that the character comes off so organically real, and that was the case with Happiest Season. Not only is it a great Christmas film, but it’s certainly a great portrayal of what coming out to a conservative family can be like.

Clean Slate – Laverne Cox as Desiree

While Laverne Cox has been in the business for a while, there are so many amazing roles we could point to that I knew I wanted to focus on a new one of hers. While everyone knows her as Sophia from Orange is the New Black, I wanted to focus on Desiree, a trans woman from Clean Slate who wishes to rebuild her relationship with her father.

Cox has identified as transgender for many years and is actively a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The show, which is on Amazon Prime, actively dives into modern-day complexities within the American family of learning to adjust to life changes and how people live their lives while also dealing with the topic of rights within the LGBTQ+ community – all while telling jokes that make you chuckle throughout it. Cox is a star, as always.

Schitt's Creek - Dan Levy As David Rose

Of course I had to put Schitt’s Creek on here. Schitt's Creek ended up becoming extremely popular in 2020, even going on to sweep the comedic awards at the 2020 Primetime Emmys for its final season. One of the stars of the show - as well as one of the creators - was Dan Levy, who played David Rose, the pansexual son of Moira and Johnny. And in my opinion, David Rose was one of the funniest characters that Schitt's Creek had, and I am going to miss him terribly now that the show is over.

Dan Levy, who is gay, did an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2022 about David's pansexuality, and how it affected Schitt's Creek as a whole.

All representation starts somewhere, and I believe that David Rose was the perfect step in the right direction. Besides, who else would have been able to pull off that character other than Dan Levy? And if you had another option, I'm very uninterested in that opinion.

I can’t wait to see who from this list appears in our 2025 movie schedule or what they might be doing next in the 2025 TV schedule. I’m champing at the bit for any new projects they might have coming – but maybe I could just rewatch some of these and enjoy the ride all over again.

Every few years a Broadway show opens and becomes a full-blown sensation. Years before Hamilton did that, Duncan Sheik’s Spring Awakening opened and became an anthem for young people everywhere. A new documentary about the musical called Those You’ve Known has recently been released, including one very intimate story shared by Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff (whose careers were launched by the show). And the film’s director spoke to CinemaBlend about that infamous vagina interview.

Prior to Those You’ve Known’s release, a story from the film started circulating around the internet. Namely the time that Lea Michele showed Jonathan Groff her genitals so he could properly understand the female anatomy. I recently had the privilege of speaking with director Michael John Warren about the Spring Awakening doc, where he explained how that viral interview moment happened with the two stars. As he told me,

He’s got a point. In Those You’ve Known, Jonathan Groff seems truly gobsmacked that Lea Michele shared such an intimate story about their friendship. It all makes for a truly hilarious sequence in the film, and shows how some aspects of Spring Awakening carried through to their relationship off stage. Indeed, Michael John Warren cited the “love story” shared between Groff and Michele as one of the movie’s biggest plot points during our chat.

Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff became lifelong friends after originating the roles of Wendla and Melchior in Spring Awakening’s original Broadway cast. The two have regularly shared intimate stories about how this friendship bloomed, and the ways it manifested into their adulthood. So in some ways Michael John Warren had to simply turn on the camera and let the pair speak about each other in order to find captivating footage.

Later in my same interview with Warren, he gave credit to Lea Michele for being such an open book during Those You’ve Known. He maintains that the (somewhat controversial) Glee star makes for a particularly great interview, thanks to how naturally open she is. As he told me,

These interviews are a large part of what makes Those You’ve Known such a great watch. The film tells the story of Spring Awakening’s original road to Broadway, as well as the rehearsal process that came before their 2021 reunion concert. And through it all Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff share their treasured memories from back in the day. 

Those You’ve Known is available to stream now on HBO Max. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Every few years a Broadway musical will arrive on the Great White Way that truly becomes a sensation. Years before Hamilton did just that, Duncan Sheik’s angsty rock show Spring Awakening blew up, launching the careers of actors like Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, and John Gallagher Jr.. The original Broadway cast reunited for a benefit concert in 2021, while also filming a documentary about the show with award winning filmmaker Michael John Warren. That project is titled Those You’ve Known, and Warren recently revealed the “brutal” process of cutting beloved Spring Awakening songs for the HBO documentary.

Ahead of the release of Those You’ve Known, I had the privilege of speaking with Michael John Warren about his process filming and editing the film. The documentary masterfully weaves together multiple stories, with Spring Awakening’s cast reflecting on its journey to the stage, intercut with footage of them rehearsing and eventually performing in the reunion concert. But a few songs didn’t make the cut, including gay love song “The Word Of Your Body (Reprise).” I asked Warren about whether Ersnt and Hanschen’s big duet was shot for the doc, and he responded with:

Well, there you have it. There simply isn’t enough time to include every single Spring Awakening song while also telling the non-sung story of Those You’ve Known. So in the end Michael John Warren and company had to say goodbye to certain tracks, and in record time. But perhaps the deleted scenes could end up being released sometime in the future? One can only hope. 

Of course, “The Word of Your Body (Reprise)" wasn’t the only beloved Spring Awakening song that was ultimately cut from Those You’ve Known. “The Mirror-Blue Night” is noticeably absent, as is Wendla’s Act II ballad “Whispering.”  In our same conversation about the doc, Michael John Warren mentioned the latter song’s absence, saying:

Deleted scenes are simply a part of the film world, and especially when two act Broadway musicals are shot for film. We saw this in recent movie musicals like Dear Evan Hansen and In The Heights, which cut fan favorite songs in order to make the story movie-length. It’s this concern that ultimately convinced Wicked movie director John M. Chu to make two different movies for the upcoming film adaptation. 

Those You’ve Known debuts on HBO Max tonight, May 3rd. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Disney is known for its iconic animated blockbusters, and one of the biggest in recent memory is definitely Frozen. The magical movie also broke new ground thanks to its full theatrical sequel, appropriately titled Frozen II. But could a threequel come? Jonathan Groff offered an update about that possible Disney project.

Film and theater star Jonathan Groff plays Kristoff in the Frozen franchise, and fans were delighted that he got more to sing in the 2019 sequel. His starpower has since grown thanks to the release of Hamilton and The Matrix Resurrections, although some fans are hoping he’ll end up getting a third movie as his character. While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Groff was asked if a threequel was possible. He answered honestly, saying:

Do you hear that sound? It’s countless Frozen fans out there singing “Let It Go” in excitement. While there’s currently no plans for Frozen III to come to fruition, it doesn’t sound like Jonathan Groff thinks it’s out of the question. And although the new movie Encanto has been super popular over the past year, Elsa and Anna continue to be adored by moviegoers young and old.

Jonathan Groff’s comments to host Jimmy Fallon will no doubt circulate online, as fans theorize about if/when Frozen III might actually come to fruition. Director Jennifer Lee didn’t rush to make the first sequel happen, instead taking the time to meditate on the characters and where their journey might go. As such, we probably shouldn’t hold our collective breath for news from Disney.

When Frozen first hit theaters in 2013, it basically broke the internet. And given the insane popularity of the movie (and its countless merchandise oppurtunities), there were immediately calls for a sequel to come together. But Frozen II wasn’t rushed together, and there was a great deal of time and effort put on its production. That work definitely paid off, as the sequel was another huge hit, and was nominated for a few Academy Awards.

As previously mentioned, Disney recently celebrated another massive animated success with the release of Encanto. While that movie performed well in theaters, the musical Madrigals got way more famous when the movie dropped on Disney+. Since then the songs have pierced the pop culture landscape, particularly “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” And just like with Frozen, fans are wondering if Encanto might get a big screen sequel sometime in the future.

Jonathan Groff stays busy with TV and film projects, although some are still waiting for news on either Frozen or Season 3 of Mindhunter. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Spoilers ahead for The Matrix Resurrections.

After a year of delays, movie theaters featured a number of exciting blockbusters for the holiday season. This includes Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, which offered a new take on the beloved science fiction franchise. And actor Jonathan Groff recently recalled sweaty Keanu Reeves, and why he was shocked he landed the role.

Jonathan Groff was one of many newcomers joining the Matrix franchise with Resurrections, but his character was one that fans know and love. The Hamilton alum took on the role of Agent Smith from the great Hugo Weaving, going toe-to-toe with Keanu Reeves in the movie’s dizzying fight scenes. He opened up about what it was like taking on such a beloved part in the franchise, saying:

There you have it. Jonathan Groff isn’t an actor known for taking on action-heavy roles, instead balancing musical gigs like Frozen and TV dramas like Mindhunter and Looking. But it seems that’s what attracted him to the role, along with the opportunity to work with the visionary Lana Wachowski.

Jonathan Groff’s comments come from a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show to promote The Matrix Resurrections. While his role was cloaked in secrecy leading up to the movie’s release, promotional material definitely hinted that he was the new Agent Smith. This made him Neo’s primary antagonist, requiring a ton of rehearsal and time spent with Keanu Reeves himself. And Groff was seemingly geeking out just like any of us would be.

In the theatrical cut of The Matrix Resurrections, Jonathan Groff definitely got to flex some new muscles, including playing a villain and doing intense action sequences. While Keanu Reeves is known for being the king of action thanks to ongoing roles like John Wick, Groff rose to the action and kept up with the 57 year-old icon. And things definitely got sweaty.

While Jonathan Groff was playing an established character in The Matrix Resurrections, his take on Smith brought something new to the table. He was a bit cheeky at times, especially when playing Neo’s business partner at the start of the movie. Additionally, Smith factors into the Act 3 conflict with the Analyst in a unique way. 

While some fans may be hoping to see more of Jonathan Groff’s Smith, it doesn’t appear that Lana Wachowski is interested in working on a sequel to The Matrix Resurrections. But given the movie’s thrilling ending, fan theories are likely going to continue.

The Matrix Resurrections is currently available in theaters and streaming on HBO Max. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Spoilers ahead for The Matrix Resurrections. 

Christmas is always a big time for new movies, and this season certainly didn’t disappoint. One of the latest releases is Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, which arrived in both theaters and streaming on HBO Max. While fans were thrilled to see a number of returning faces including Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, it turns out that the project could have included another iconic original actor.

The Matrix Resurrections was an interesting experience for the hardcore fandom, as a number of actors were recast for this new adaptation of the story– including Morpheus. But one of the movie’s twists revealed that Jonathan Groff’s character was actually Agent Smith, the antagonist made famous by Hugo Weaving in the original trilogy. It turns out that the OG was approached about returning to his role, as co-writer Aleksandar Hemon recently explained,

Well, my mind is blown. While Jonathan Groff did a killer job tormenting and battling Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Resurrections, original fans likely would have lost their collective minds seeing Hugo Weaves back as Agent Smith. Alas, that didn’t ultimately pan out.

Aleksandar Hemon’s comments to io9 help to show how much The Matrix Resurrections changed ahead of principal photography. He seems to believe the story of the new movie was actually helped by Jonathan Groff’s performance. Namely because it was far more emotional than Hugo Weaving’s version. And with the new Smith also having a dual role as Thomas Anderson’s business partner, Groff was able to have a major presence throughout the new blockbuster’s entire runtime.

Indeed, Jonathan Groff kicked some serious ass in The Matrix Resurrections, going toe to toe with Keanu Reeves’ Neo in the process. Groff previously admitted to being nervous about getting so physical with the John Wick star, and shared a funny story about thinking he’d peed himself in the midst of a scene. Don’t worry, the Hamilton actor didn’t actually urinate while fighting Reeves.

Given the twist ending of The Matrix Resurrection, some fans are already hoping that Lana Wachowski might craft another trilogy of movies. But the Sense8 director has denied any plans for more movies, instead jacking back in because she had some personal issues to work through via art. We’ll just have to see if anything changes from the powers that be at Warner Bros.

The Matrix Resurrections is streaming and in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

After the Netflix original Mindhunter went on an indefinite hiatus, fans lamented the loss of the hit crime series. Showrunner David Fincher expressed a desire to explore other ventures. But, after the release of The Matrix Resurrections, star Jonathan Groff has confirmed that the hope for a third season is alive and well - and yes, it has something to do with the Chicago Bulls. 

While Jonathan Groff’s most recent project may have been a villainous turn in The Matrix Resurrections, one of his most memorable roles is, inevitably, FBI agent Holden Ford on Mindhunter. After two seasons, the criminal drama was shelved and producer David Fincher released the black and white film, Mank. While fans and critics alike were devastated by Mindhunter’s soft cancellation, Jonathan Groff has a slightly different outlook. He told The Hollywood Reporter: 

While Mindhunter and The Last Dance-era Chicago Bulls may not have a lot in common at first glance, both were overseen by respective industry giants. It’s impossible to divorce David Fincher’s influence from Mindhunter - not that one would want to. Without his direction and expertise, it’s entirely possible that Mindhunter would never have become such a sensation. Many shows and movies have degenerated after the original visionary departed, and it’s unlikely that fans would want to watch a third season of Mindhunter that didn’t live up to the show’s exemplary reputation. Thanks to Game of Thrones, fans know how a lackluster final season can depreciate the value of an entire series. 

And though David Fincher may not have signed on for a third season of Mindhunter, it’s clear that the cast is suitably enamored with the Oscar winner. In fact, according to Jonathan Groff, his fellow actors would be more than happy to return for another installment if David Fincher was behind the wheel. He said: 

While a third season of Mindhunter is still up in the air, fans can rest assured that, were it to ever materialize, it would be produced by the same team that originally made such a brilliant series. 

The first two seasons of Mindhunter are available to stream on Netflix. The Matrix Resurrections is now playing in theaters everywhere and is available to stream on HBO Max. 

In the making of Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Jonathan Groff were given some pretty damn huge shoes to fill. Respectively playing new versions of Morpheus and Smith, they were given the opportunity to be a part of one of modern pop culture’s standout franchises, but the parts came with the knowledge that fans would undoubtedly compare their performances to Laurence Fishburne’s and Hugo Weaving’s from the original trilogy.

Naturally, this built-in challenge had an influence on their individual approach to the roles, and what results in the finished film is the actors both working to match expectations and create something new.

As captured in the video above, I had the pleasure of interviewing Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Jonathan Groff earlier this month during the virtual press day for The Matrix Resurrections, and my first question was in regard to how they referenced the work of Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving in the previous movies. Answering first, Mateen II said that there wasn’t any kind of specific mannerism or physicality he tried to recreate in his own performance, but he did note that there was a certain familiar energy that was demanded for certain scenes in the film. Said the actor,

What’s key to acknowledge -- and minor spoilers -- however, is that the version of Morpheus in The Matrix Resurrections isn’t the same one as Laurence Fishburne’s in the Matrix trilogy – hence the recasting of the role. We get to see this incarnation’s “origins” start at the very beginning of the movie, and that fact created a special opportunity for Yahya Abdul Mateen II to make the character his own.

Continuing, he added that there are scenes in the sequel that are emotionally miles away from any scene with the character in The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded or The Matrix Revolutions, and he leaned into that aspect of the performance when he could:

Making The Matrix Resurrections was a similar experience for Jonathan Groff. Obviously there is a great deal of history with Smith, as the character is one of the most memorable villains in sci-fi history, and the actor found his moments when he could specifically play that side of the role. Said Groff,

For his performance, Jonathan Groff says that he used the original Matrix trilogy as important reference material, and then worked with Lana Wachowski to further evolve the role. He explained,

The Matrix Resurrections marks a new era for the beloved sci-fi franchise, and it is now widely available for your consumption. In addition to playing on the big screen around the world, the blockbuster is also available to stream at home with an HBO Max subscription.

Filming action movies provide a number of unique challenges. And while Keanu Reeves is definitely used to it, some of his Matrix Resurrections co-stars are less familiar. That includes Hamilton icon and Matrix newcomer Jonathan Groff, who thought he peed himself after filming an action scene with Reeves.

While The Matrix Resurrections will feature a number of returning stars from Lana Wachowski’s original trilogy, there are also a bevy of new actors. The trailers seem to hint that Jonathan Groff might be the new representation of Smith, facing off against Keanu Reeves in some wild fight scenes. And he recently shared a funny story, where he thought he accidentally urinated on himself mid-shooting. As he put it,

Well, that’s one way of pulling a muscle. Actor’s bodies are known for having unique reactions to action sequences, especially if there’s explosions of weapons being utilized. And it looks like for Jonathan Groff, that includes one very warm groin… and a pee scare.

Jonathan Groff shared this funny story about his experience in The Matrix Resurrections during a conversation with EW about the highly anticipated sequel. While the Mindhunter star will no doubt look super badass in the movie’s theatrical cut, actually filming is a different experience entirely. Especially when you’re coming face to face with Keanu Reeves as Neo.

The question many might be asking is: did Jonathan Groff actually wet himself in the midst of The Matrix Resurrections? The answer was no, although the warmth his body felt was definitely mystifying for the Tony and Emmy nominated actor. In the same interview, Carrie-Anne Moss shared how her body physically reacts to shooting guns. Additionally, she clarified the situation for her co-star, saying:

Glad we’re all clear on that. Although I doubt anyone would blame him for accidentally urinating. The idea of doing a fight scene opposite Keanu Reeves is enough to make most of us pee our pants. After all, we’ve seen how deadly he can be in the John Wick franchise.

The wait for The Matrix Resurrections is officially over, as the movie arrives today in both theaters and streaming on HBO Max. The reviews have been mixed to positive, with Lana Wachowski’s science fiction movie currently sitting at 69% percent on Rotten Tomatoes. We’ll just have to see how audiences react when jacking back into the Matrix for the first time in years.

The Matrix Resurrections is out now. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The Matrix Resurrections stars Keanu Reeves (Neo), Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Morpheus), Jessica Henwick (Bugs), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Sati) and Jonathan Groff (Smith) discuss The Matrix 4 in this spoiler-free interview with CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg.

Video Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro 
• 00:30 - How Keanu Reeves And Carrie-Anne Moss Prepared For The Most Insane Stunt In The Matrix Resurrections
• 01:48 - Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Jonathan Groff Praise Keanu Reeves' On-Set Behavior 
• 03:45 - Jessica Henwick Reveals The Cool Prop She Kept, And Teaches Priyanka Chopra A Lesson 
• 05:16 - Keanu Reeves And Carrie-Anne Moss On Revisiting The Original Matrix Trilogy Prior To Resurrections 
• 06:07 - Jessica Henwick & Priyanka Chopra Talk First-Day Jitters Joining The Matrix Franchise 
• 07:08 - How Yahya Abdul-Mateen II And Jonathan Groff Reflected On Laurence Fishburne And Hugo Weaving’s Work 
• 09:10 - Lana Wachowski Wanted Jessica Henwick’s Bugs To Give Clint Eastwood Energy 
• 09:53 - Priyanka Chopra Discusses Inspirations And Approaches To Playing Sati 
• 10:58 - How The Matrix Resurrections Came To Feature That Fun Chad Stahelski Cameo

It’s been over 20 years since The Matrix franchise kicked off and took the sci-fi genre by storm but, like many groundbreaking films, it doesn’t fit neatly into any one box. The franchise takes cues from a number of genres, though action is heavily present in the films. As a result, the movies house many epic fight scenes. Apparently, one of the stars of the upcoming The Matrix Resurrections, Jonathan Groff, takes part in a pretty intense scene with returning lea Keanu Reeves and had to “smash” the franchise vet’s face into a wall. And honestly, Groff makes it sound like a pretty magical moment. 

It seems the stunt team on set of the latest Matrix installment referred to Jonathan Groff as “The Savage,” and for good reason. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Groff spoke of the trust that is required between two actors to film an intense action sequence, saying he feels as though there are some strong emotions exchanged in scenes like the one between him and Keanu Reeves. Here is what the actor says, exactly:

In the same interview, the star compared filming an intense fight scene to the act of making love. Groff explains that after the sequence with his co-star was over, he felt as if he were “deeply connected to him”. 

Keanu Reeves is no stranger to fight scenes, as he is a major player in a number of action franchises. The John Wick star also performs most of his own stunts and is proficient in more than one fighting style. Acting opposite him in such a scene is most likely an ethereal learning experience, especially for someone like Jonathan Groff, who is younger and much less experienced in the action genre. Here’s what the Frozen star went on to say:

I can’t imagine fighting opposite an icon such as Keanu Reeves in such an intimate way, let alone smash his face into a wall. I find myself both envious of Jonathan Groff and content that I haven't ever been put in such a nerve-racking position. 

The Matrix Resurrections is set to arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22nd, and fans of the franchise can expect some gripping R-rated action, which makes a ton of sense considering how violent the film sounds. And if you need to prep yourself or want to relive some of the series' best moments, you can check out the first three films, which are available on the streamer now.

Mystery is a key portion of what makes The Matrix film series work as a mind-bending action blowout. Returning to that franchise for the first time in almost 20 years, co-writer/director Lana Wachowski still has that understanding in her work, thanks to the fact that aside from Keanu Reeves’ Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, we don’t know that much about the new cast involved. That’s about to change, as this winter’s The Matrix Resurrections may have confirmed three mysterious character identities, as well as given a huge hint to another actor’s potential role, and this could be massive.

Priyanka Chopra Is, In Fact, Playing Sati

The first huge confirmation we’ve gotten, thanks to Warner Bros. Korea’s Instagram marketing, is that Priyanka Chopra is in fact playing Sati. Why this is so important will be discussed in a moment, but let’s first look at what confirmed this casting. If you take a look at that Instagram post, it shows off a recent poster that depicted Ms. Chopra’s character. Translating the caption from Korean to English, here’s what this message roughly says:

A crucial character in the later installments of the Matrix trilogy, we last saw Sati as a young girl with promising power, resurrected after Neo’s final fight with Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). The path for her character is still unknown, with Enter The Matrix’s big message from The Oracle (Mary Alice) stating that she will be very important to the future of machines and humanity. Scratching one question off of The Matrix 4 wish list, we can now begin to look at the other characters being teased in a similar fashion.

Jessica Henwick’s Character Is Named Bugs

Looking further down the line of the posters that also gave us our best look at the new Morpheus, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, The Matrix Resurrections’ marketing campaign has also confirmed another figure that we've known about for roughly several months. Jessica Henwick’s mysterious character is part of this same marketing run, and quite fittingly, she’s named Bugs, which is a sort of double-edged name in this world of simulated freedom fighting. The most obvious facet is that, much like any digital system has bugs that fundamentally alter things, Henwick’s character is doing just that by aiding Neo. 

It wouldn’t be The Matrix if there wasn’t another level of meaning though, and “Bugs” is also a fitting name for this new figure because of an easter egg she possesses from the original films. Just as Thomas Anderson followed the white rabbit to become Neo, his newly reincarnated self will have to repeat that history, thanks to Bugs having that exact tattoo on her shoulder. As it turns out, Warner Bros.' brand synergy works outside of Space Jam legacy-quels and fighting games; and this new character seems to be on the same level of importance as Morpheus, seeing as we've known about the two of them for approximately the same amount of time.

Meet Neil Patrick Harris, A.K.A. Analyst

Here’s where things get a little murky, but still very much intriguing. Throughout the teases to Neil Patrick Harris’ piece to the Matrix puzzle, we’ve seen him operate as a therapist to Thomas Anderson/Neo in this new world. So the name “Analyst” shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it fits his job description to a tee. Thinking a little harder on that title, and the past history of The Matrix Resurrections’ predecessors, another theory starts to arise. What if all of these intimate scenes between “The Analyst” and Thomas reveal that this supposed therapist is really “The Architect 2.0”?

Introduced in The Matrix Reloaded, The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis) met Neo at a crucial phase in his journey as The One, and laid out the concept of The Matrix and his involvement in its inner workings. After which, The Architect gave Neo a choice: wipe the slate clean for a new round or potentially crash the entire Matrix and exterminate humanity. Maybe in his new form, which also seems to involve constantly sitting and moderating/monitoring Neo’s choices, The Analyst is the key to keeping both sides of the fence in line? 

There’s A Matrix Character Poster That’s Conspicuously Missing

All of the information that’s come from this new source of clues to The Matrix Resurrections has highlighted an interesting absence in the lineup. Most of this was already shared throughout international markets, as we’ve seen in the domestic campaign for the next adventure. Comparing the two sources however, one character is conspicuously missing from these revelations: the mysterious presence played by Jonathan Groff. Taking a look at the photo evidence below, there’s an obvious theory as to why he’s MIA: 

What kind of caption or character name to you use to accompany that poster that would even begin to hide the intent of Mr. Groff’s would-be antagonist? Though come to think of it, even with this poster giving off a serious vibe that we saw with Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith teaser poster for The Matrix Reloaded, there’s still room for argument. Seeing as this fresh man of mystery also gets to reenact a key moment in Neo’s Matrix journey, the path isn’t exactly clear. 

Why These Characters Could Be Massive Pieces In The Matrix Resurrections

While previous announcements have leaned heavily on 1999’s The Matrix as the key to this new saga, the sequels are clearly in play thanks to Sari’s presence. Also, seeing figures like Morpheus and The Merovingian either totally reskinned or altered tremendously means that we’re not just going back to relive that first movie. They weren’t kidding when they said this isn’t merely a sequel, as The Matrix Resurrections seems to be an upgraded version of the original. 

The Matrix is literally rebooted, with figures, events and even footage from the first installment playing a key part in whatever this new puzzle happens to spell out. Whatever happens next is taking into account the entire trilogy that came before it, which speaks to the changes that have been made. And for once, Neo might not be the key to the future, as Sati’s return and The Oracle’s cryptic prophecy of her importance might be fulfilled, should those potential sequels happen.

We’ve still got some time before The Matrix Resurrections hits theaters and HBO Max on December 22nd. That’s a lot of space to be filled with ads from all over the world, slowly revealing secrets in bite sized pieces that string together to make... something. What that is probably won’t be the entire truth, as much like a good Christmas gift, you should only give enough hints to get everyone sitting around the tree. 

Every few years a science fiction movie arrives in theaters and changes the film world as we know it. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s that was definitely The Wachowski’s Matrix trilogy. Luckily fans will be able to jack back into the property with The Matrix Resurrections, and Keanu Reeves with the rest of the cast recently reflected on the franchise’s legacy.

Moviegoers were delighted to learn that The Matrix was returning to the big screen for a fourth movie, with Lana Wachowski bringing a mysterious new story and a ton of new actors into the fold. The Matrix Resurrections cast recently spoke about how the original trilogy has remained part of the pop culture lexicon. Keanu Reeves himself addressed how it felt on the original movie’s set, saying:

The man wasn’t wrong. The cutting-edge technology used to film and edit The Matrix blew the collective mind of moviegoers. The Wachowskis’ style is one that countless projects emulated, with slow motion and bullet-time effects still being used to this day. So there’s no telling what new innovations will come with The Matrix Resurrections. 

Keanu Reeves and the rest of the cast of The Matrix Resurrections talked about the franchise’s ongoing legacy in a video promoting the upcoming sequel. While being careful not to actually reveal anything about the new sequel, it’s clear that the original trilogy meant a great deal to those involved in the newest installment. And that includes the myriad newcomers making their debut in the fourth installment.

One familiar face who will be debuting as a new player in The Matrix Resurrections is none other than Neil Patrick Harris. In the trailer he was seemingly a therapist for Neo, and fans are eager to see what the How I Met Your Mother icon will bring to the mysterious blockbuster. NPH spoke about how the sci-fi property changed the film world, saying:

When one stops and thinks about it, there are a ton of Matrix lines that have ended up being adopted as common colloquialisms. For instance, people will say “there’s a glitch in the Matrix” when something goes wrong. And that’s only one example of how the franchise has continued to have an influence on pop culture.

Hamilton star Jonathan Groff will also appear in The Matrix Resurrections, and in the trailer he also seems like he might be Neo’s therapist. The Mindhunter actor went so far as to say that he can barely remember what it was like before the first Matrix arrived in theaters back in 1999. As Groff put it,

Given this legacy, it should be fascinating to see exactly what Lana Wachowski has up her sleeves for The Matrix Resurrections. The world, our relationship with technology, and Wachowski herself have changed quite a bit, which should presumably change the way the material is approached. The first trailer rates more questions than it answered, you can check it out below,

Luckily for the generations of fans out there, The Matrix Resurrections is slowly approaching its release this winter. And as such, we should be treated to more footage and information about the movie ahead of its arrival in theaters. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out, and exactly how Neo and Trinity will continue despite their apparent deaths in the last movie.

The Matrix Resurrections will arrive December 22nd. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

The aspect of The Voice that has always made it stand out from other competitions is the concept of choosing its contestants blindly. And while this is an obvious bonus for artists who might have otherwise had trouble breaking into the business because they don’t look or perform a certain way, it also creates a unique opportunity for a different demographic — singers who may be recognized by their name or look because they have famous family members (not that Blake Shelton recognizes people anyway, but I digress). Let’s take a look at six contestants with celebrity relatives, including Candace Cameron Bure and Kaley Cuoco, who are out to prove there's more than one artist in the family.

Natasha Bure (Candace Cameron Bure’s Daughter)

In Season 11, an 18-year-old Natasha Bure turned joined Voice OG coach Adam Levine’s team after her dreamy rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Candace Cameron Bure was one proud mom, jumping around backstage at the Blind Auditions, surrounded by family, and yelling, “Shut up!” when Natasha earned the one-chair turn.

The Fuller House star, along with her husband, former NHL All-Star Valeri Bure, was again in the audience for her daughter’s Battle Round, bubbling with emotion during the duet of Michael Buble’s “Cry Me a River.” While Adam Levine chose to eliminate Natasha Bure, sending her duet partner Riley Elmore on to the next round, seeing Hallmark Movie master Candace Cameron Bure get to share this experience with her daughter warmed my heart as much as any of those sweet, sweet holiday movies. And while Natasha didn’t break through in the music business, she and her mother have continued to share snippets of their adorable relationship on social media, while also fending off trolls.

Briana Cuoco (Kaley Cuoco’s Sister)

In Season 5, Briana Cuoco was trying to break out on her own after spending the past few years working as her sister Kaley Cuoco’s assistant. The Big Bang Theory star and their parents accompanied Briana to the Blind Auditions, where she sang Lady Gaga’s song “You and I,” with Kaley Cuoco screaming and cheering wildly as Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green turned their chairs. Briana Cuoco joined Team Christina, but the former Voice coach declared Briana’s teammate Jacquie Lee the winner of the battle after they performed “House of the Rising Sun.”

Briana Cuoco’s haunting voice and impressive runs got Blake Shelton’s attention, however, and she advanced to the Knockouts as part of Team Blake. Unfortunately that’s where her journey ended, as Blake eliminated Briana in the next round after she performed “Don’t Speak,” a song made famous by, coincidentally, Blake’s future fiancee Gwen Stefani’s band No Doubt. Kaley Cuoco showed her sister support throughout her run on the show, and the two remain close, now working together on-screen, with Briana Cuoco picking up recurring roles in Kaley Cuoco’s animated series Harley Quinn and the HBO Max hit The Flight Attendant.

Jack Cassidy (Shirley Jones’ Grandson/David Cassidy’s Nephew)

A real-life member of the Partridge Family joined The Voice in Season 12. Jack Cassidy did his family’s name proud with a stripped-down version of “One of Us” by Joan Osborne and chose to join Alicia Keys’ team. Though he was eliminated in the Knockout Round after singing "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors, he was chosen as Team Alicia’s Comeback Artist and allowed to continue to the Live Playoffs, where he was ultimately eliminated in the first round after singing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John.

Jack Cassidy said though music was literally the family business, his generation was discouraged from performing. But a grandma is still a grandma, and Cassidy said at the time that Shirley Jones was a huge supporter of his stint on the show. Since being on The Voice, Jack Cassidy has continued to play Christian music, and he credits his faith with helping him overcome a drug addiction, something that has also plagued other members of his family.

Cali Tucker (Tanya Tucker’s Niece)

Cali Tucker brought a powerful, bluesy vibe to The Voice in Season 6. Her audition song choice, “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles, was perfect to showcase her gritty talent, and — as they do — Cali joined the team of country superstar Blake Shelton. Cali Tucker grew up touring and performing with her aunt Tanya Tucker, and she thought The Voice was the perfect way to step out of the country legend’s shadow. Cali Tucker was eliminated in the Battle Round after a duet of “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” but she accomplished her goal.

After The Voice, Cali Tucker moved from Nashville to Las Vegas and continued making music. Her days of singing on her aunt’s stage are over, as Cali has made a name for herself as a headliner and released a couple of albums — Cover Girl and Cali’s Christmas.

James Wolpert (Jonathan Groff’s Cousin)

Jonathan Groff may be the more well-known of these cousins, but there’s no family rivalry here. In fact, the Hamilton actor said he encouraged James Wolpert to audition for Season 5 of The Voice. Wolpert’s passionate rendition of Jack White’s “Love Interruption” earned him a Four-Chair Turn from Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton. He chose Team Adam and proceeded to slay his way through the competition (his Battle Round performance of “Radioactive” with teammate Will Champlin is one of my all-time favorite Voice performances). Wolpert made it to the Top 5 before he was eliminated in the Semifinals after a performance of “With or Without You.”

Jonathan Groff proudly supported his cousin while he was on the show — he said the eliminations made him “so stressed” — and after, as he encouraged people to buy James Wolpert’s album, The Entire City, which was released in 2015. Wolpert returned the social media love when Groff did things like win Tony Awards, no big deal.

Britton Buchanan (Link Neal’s Cousin)

Britton Buchanan broke into the music scene on Season 14 of The Voice. His audition of “Trouble” by Ray LaMontagne was beautifully soulful, and he chose Alicia Keys as his coach. Buchanan was a fan favorite and made it all the way to the finale with performances including “Thinking Out Loud,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and eventually came in second place to Season 14 winner Brynn Cartelli of Kelly Clarkson’s team.

But Britton Buchanan isn’t the only entertainer in the family. He’s the cousin of Link Neal, of the comedy duo Rhett and Link, who host the popular YouTube series Good Mythical Morning. Buchanan continued making music after his time on The Voice, and he regularly tours with Rhett and Link, performing his original music.

It’s interesting to see the kind of talent that runs in some families, and the similar paths that these performers choose. Though the Blind Auditions likely weren’t intended to attract celebrities’ relatives for the purpose of their anonymity, I can definitely see how that platform would allow them to carve their own path. You can catch The Voice at 8 p.m. ET Mondays on Fox, and be sure to check out our 2021 spring TV premiere schedule.

I think it's safe to say that the multi-talented Jonathan Groff won over a lot more all-aged fans with his roles in popular projects such as the Frozen films and the epic musical Hamilton than he did with his hyper-dark role on Netflix's serial killer drama Mindhunter. Groff is returning to the streaming service for his next big TV project, but it won't be for Mindhunter Season 3, much to the dismay of fans. Rather, Groff is joining New Girl and Watchmen stars for the family-friendly limited series Lost Ollie.

Inspired by the children's book Ollie's Odyssey from author William Joyce, Lost Ollie will be a live-action/animated hybrid series about a lost toy (Jonathan Groff) in the midst of an epic journey in search of his owner, and also about a boy named Billy (Kesler Talbot) who lost not just his homemade stuffed rabbit, but also his best friend. The quest to reunite will put both Ollie and Billy in all kinds of dangerous situations, but I can't help but feel like everyone will pull through. That said, the show will consist of four 45-minute episodes, which implies things might be far more dramatic than happy-go-lucky with each installment's passing.

While the behind-the-scenes talent on Lost Ollie is also superb – more on that lower – let's talk about all the big names that will be joining Jonathan Groff. On the toy side of things, we have the Grammy-winning Mary J. Blige (Power Book II: Ghost) as a raggedy but fearless teddy bear named Rosy that befriends Ollie, while Watchmen's Tim Blake Nelson is set to voice a chivalrous and helpful old clown doll named Zozo.

On the human side, Lost Ollie will have Jane the Virgin vet Gina Rodriguez playing Billy's loving and inspirational mother Sharon, affectionately known as Momma. On the flip side, Jurassic World's Jake Johnson will play Billy's father James, a.k.a. Daddy, whose good intentions for Billy are sometimes upended by being overworked and stressed. And then there's Kesler Talbot as Billy, a creative young boy who aims to retrieve the beloved toy his mother made for him. This sounds like it has Brave Little Toaster vibes, and I am all about courageous, size-appropriate objects.

Interestingly, this is a cast that is already well familiar with Netflix TV projects. (As King George himself sang, "You'll be back.") Mentioned previously, Jonathan Groff headed up the first two seasons of David Fincher's Mindhunter, while Gina Rodriguez is the voice of the titular criminal in Carmen Sandiego and Jake Johnson lent his expletive-spewing skills for the adult-animated comedy Hoops. Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige was part of the first season of The Umbrella Academy, and Tim Blake Nelson starred in the docu-drama Wormwood some years back. Only Kesler Talbot hasn't worked with the streaming service before, but that'll change with Lost Ollie.

Bringing Lost Ollie to life will be creator, writer and executive producer Shannon Tindle, an artist and designer who worked on such projects as Coraline and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and who also penned the story for Laika's Kubo and the Two Strings. The director all four episodes will be Peter Ramsey, who worked with Jake Johnson in the absolutely stellar Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Stranger Things' Shawn Levy will be executive producing along with colleague Josh Barry. Another major creative plus for Lost Ollie is that Lucasfilm's Industrial Lights & Magic studio will be handling the character designs and animation.

So while it's not another season of Mindhunter for Jonathan Groff, and also isn't another Frozen film or another Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, Lost Ollie sounds like it could be an exciting and emotional project right up there with some of Disney's most memorable projects in recent years. And if Ollie, Rosy and Zozo end up crossing paths with a toaster, a lamp, a vacuum, an electric blanket and a radio, it will be the greatest crossover in human history. Or perhaps something slightly less hyperbolic.

Lost Ollie doesn't yet have a release date set on Netflix, and it might be a while before that happens, given how long it usually takes live-action/animated hybrids to come together. But here's hoping we haven't all outgrown our favorite toys by the time it gets released.

With his Walking Dead universe is currently going strong with three different shows, even with the flagship series destined to end in 2022, Robert Kirkman will soonishly branch out with another high-profile TV series based on his excellent comic book series Invincible. Not only did the adult-animation project reunite Kirkman with former Walking Dead star Steven Yeun as the teen superhero Mark Grayson, but the cast features a host of other TWD vets, as well as Mark Hamill, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh and more. And now we can celebrate The Flash's Ezra Miller joining future Blade lead Mahershala Ali and six other actors for Invincible's first season.

Invincible, which Robert Kirkman crafted with Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, follows Steven Yeun's Mark as he comes to terms with his superhero legacy as the son of Earth's most powerful superhero, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Of course, as Mark hones his powers and learns more about superhero life, he faces many complications that threaten his familial relationships. Without getting into too many details, let's take a look at all the new actors that have been added to Invincible's cast, which also includes Seth Rogen, Mae Whitman, Walton Goggins, Jason Mantzoukas, Zazie Beetz, Gillian Jacobs, Kevin Michael Richardson, Andrew Rannells, and more.

Mahershala Ali (Titan)

Having already played the villainous Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes for Netflix' and Marvel's Luke Cage, Mahershala Ali is gearing up to become more heroic for the MCU's Blade reboot. (Not to mention he'd also voiced The Prowler for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.) For Invincible, Ali will be portraying the pompous and over-confident mostly-villain Titan, whose claim to fame is the power to encase himself in rock. Don't expect him to be a big bad, though.

Clancy Brown (Damien Darkblood)

Clancy Brown has been winning over genre audiences since first popping up in Buckaroo Banzai and Highlander, and he's been in a slew of superhero TV shows over the years. He appeared in The Flash and both Daredevil and The Punisher for live-action, and has voiced Lex Luthor, Mr. Freeze, Bane, Rhino, Mister Sinister, General Zartok, Red Hulk, and many more characters in a wide variety of animated TV shows and direct-to-video features. For Invincible, Brown will voice the demon detective Damien Darkblood, who comes up from Hell every so often to investigate superhero-related matters.

Nicole Byer (Vanessa & Fiona)

Comedian Nicole Byer is perhaps best known as the host of Netflix's hilarious cooking competition Nailed It, but she's also a podcast queen and has appeared in a ton of different shows and movies in recent years. From Bad Hair to Brooklyn Nine-Nine to A Black Lady Sketch Show to The Unicorn, Byer covers the comedy gamut, and she'll presumably be just as hilarious when she shows up in Invincible as the characters Vanessa and Fiona.

Jeffrey Donovan (Machine Head)

Jeffrey Donovan has headed up various TV series in the past 15 years, from Burn Notice to Fargo to Shut Eye, and has also boosted his filmography with movies such as both Sicario flicks, Lucy in the Sky, and the upcoming Guy Ritchie actioner Wrath of Man. On the comic book front, Donovan voiced Steve Trevor for 2019's animated DC movie Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, but he'll be flipping to the villainous side for Invincible, in which he'll play Machine Head, the super-strong and logic-minded crime boss who rocks a robotic head.

Jonathan Groff (Rick Sheridan)

Only time will tell if Jonathan Groff ends up returning to Netflix for Mindhunter Season 3, but the Hamilton and Glee vet will be lending his celebrated voice to Invincible as a character that sadly probably won't have any singing scenes. (Yes, Groff also voiced Kristoff in all things Frozen.) He'll be voicing Rick Sheridan, a schoolmate of Mark's who was turned into a cyborg. Interestingly, Rick is one of two gay characters within Invincible, so it's a good sign that the producers found a proper actor to fit the bill.

Jon Hamm (Steve)

Jon Hamm is seemingly one of the only actors left in Hollywood that has yet to take on some kind of a major superhero comic book role, although I guess one could count him being the narrator for the Marvel series Legion. On top of being seen in Top Gun: Maverick and Steven Soderbergh's HBO Max crime drama No Sudden Move, Hamm will be playing "Steve" in Invincible. No further details were given, but it's possible this Steve is Steven Erickson, a villain within the Global Defense Angecy, though that's not confirmed.

Djimon Hounsou (Martian Emperor)

When it comes to comic book projects, Djimon Hounsou is definitely no slouch. He's portrayed Korath the Pursuer in Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, and the upcoming Disney+ animated series What If...?, and also appeared in the DC films Aquaman and Shazam! When he pops up in Invincible, Hounsou will be voicing the role of Martian Emperor, though it's not quite clear just yet if that is the Martian Man of the comic book, who was a member of the Guardians of the Globe, which would be a fun soundalike connection to his MCU role.

Ezra Miller (D.A. Sinclair)

Fans have been waiting ages to see Ezra Miller capitalize on his DC role as Barry Allen for The Flash, especially after he popped up in the Arrowverse's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover. He'll be seen soon enough for the Justice League Snyder Cut release on HBO Max, and he'll play a different kind of protagonist for Invincible, where he'll voice the hermitic Upstate University scientist D.A. Sinclair, who created a group of robotic zombies called the Reainimen. And yes, maybe he had something to do with Rick Sinclair's roboticized transition.

The eight-episode first season of Invincible will debut on Amazon Prime Video in 2021, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, head to our Fall 2020 TV premiere schedule and our Winter and Spring 2021 TV rundown to see what new and returning shows are on the way in the near future.

Jonathan Groff has a good-guy persona that usually translates well to his characters. Because even when he’s playing a character with a dark side, you still find yourself liking him. Groff even does this with mad King George III in Hamilton. The musical’s version of King George III is a little off his rockers, but you still kind of like the guy. This is all due to Groff’s natural likability.

Jonathan Groff has brought his likability and earnestness to many of his projects. Whether trying to destroy a glee club, hanging out with reindeer, or hunting killers, Groff makes his characters endearing and enjoyable to watch. Let’s take a look at some of Jonathan Groff’s major movie and TV projects and where you can stream them.

Hamilton - Disney+

Hamilton is the hit Broadway musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Through rap, show tunes, pop, and R&B music, it tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton. Groff appeared in the original Broadway production as King George III. He was the ruler of the United Kingdom when America won the American Revolutionary War.

Groff gets to play a wacky and crazy version of King George III, making him one of the comedic reliefs in Hamilton. It’s a playful part for Groff that allows him to show off his vocal talents and comedic timing.

Stream Hamilton on Disney+ here.

Glee - Netflix

Glee is a Fox series that aired from 2009 to 2015. It was produced by Ryan Murphy and starred Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Naya Rivera, and Darren Criss. It followed the New Directions glee club at McKinley High School as they dealt with typical teen issues, all while singing songs and preparing for competitions.

Jonathan Groff had a recurring role in Glee’s first season as Rachel (Lea Michele)’s love interest and leader of rival group Vocal Adrenaline. He then had guest appearances throughout the show and plays a major role in Glee’s final season.

Stream Glee on Netflix here.

Looking - HBO Max

Looking was an HBO original series that aired from 2014 to 2016. It followed the lives of gay men living in San Francisco. Looking’s cast included Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Lauren Weedman, Russell Tovey, and Raul Castillo.

Jonathan Groff played Patrick. In the first season, Patrick found himself in a love triangle with business savvy Kevin (Russell Tovey), who was in a relationship, and free-spirited Richie (Raul Castillo). Much of the first two seasons involved Patrick being drawn to both men but for different reasons. He also dealt with family issues and friendships. Looking is one of those underrated shows that didn’t get enough attention while it was on the air, but hopefully finds an audience through streaming. HBO thankfully gave Looking a made-for-tv movie to tie up all loose ends.

Stream Looking the TV show and movie on HBO Max (show) (movie)

The Frozen Series-Disney+

Frozen is Disney’s animated film about sisters Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel). Elsa becomes the Queen of Arendelle, but when her ice powers become too much for her to control, she heads off on her own. Her sister Anna sets off to find her.

Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) accompanied by his trusty reindeer Sven, helps Anna on her journey. The two fall in love, despite him being a bit of a fixer-upper. The Frozen gang return for a sequel, and other short films. Kristoff is the right amount of odd and endearing, which makes him a perfect match for Anna. Frozen II fans also were treated to some smooth Groff singing with “Lost in the Woods.”

Stream Frozen and Frozen II here (1, 2)

Mindhunter - Netflix

Joe Penhall, Charlize Theron, and David Fincher executive produce Mindhunter. Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they try to get inside the minds of murderers to develop murderer profiles.

Groff is the main character along with McCallany. Groff’s Holden is a bit more fascinated with what makes a serial killer tick than Tench. In many ways, his fascination and curiosity about them make the audience more invested in the mind of a serial killer. Groff has had lead roles before but this is one of his few serious drama ones, especially as the main protagonist.

Stream Mindhunter on Netflix here.

The Normal Heart - HBO Max

The Normal Heart is an HBO Original movie about gay men during the 1980s and the HIV-AIDS crisis. Mark Ruffalo is the main character, Ned Weeks. Ned is passionate about trying to stop the spread of HIV and saving gay men from dying. Ryan Murphy directed The Normal Heart and the cast includes Julia Roberts, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parson, Matt Bomer, and Jonathan Groff.

Groff plays Craig, Bruce (Taylor Kitsch)’s boyfriend and a close friend of Ned. Groff’s part is small but a vital one in it helps set up the high stakes and severity of these men’s situation. The Normal Heart is a powerful film that leaves you devastated and angry, mainly due to the cast’s moving performances, and because of the movie's real-life inspirations.

Stream The Normal Heart on HBO Max here.

Boss - Starz

Boss is a Starz original series that stars Kelsey Grammer as Tom Kane, a fictional mayor of Chicago. Kane is corrupt and all-powerful but faces his own mortality when he’s diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. The cast of Boss includes Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, and Kathleen Robertson.

Jonathan Groff is introduced in Boss in Season 2, and appears in ten episodes before it was canceled. Groff’s character Ian Todd starts the series as Kane’s assistant but quickly shows himself as an ambitious character trying to work his way up. He also forms a close bond with Kane’s daughter Emma (Hannah Ware), but keeps a major secret that doesn’t get to play out because of the series’ cancellation. Ian is a bit corrupt like Kane, but still has some humanity to him. It would have been interesting to see Ian in Season 3 with the big reveal at the end of Season 2 to watch how that storyline played out, and see Groff add more layers to this character.

Stream Boss on Starz here.

The Conspirator - Youtube

The Conspirator is directed by Robert Redford and stars an all-star cast lead by James McAvoy and Robin Wright. The Conspirator cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Alexis Bledel, and Justin Long. The film follows the events after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, including the trial to prosecute men and a woman accused of conspiring to kill Lincoln along with John Wilkes Booth.

Groff has a small role in The Conspirator, playing Louis J. Weichmann, a man who stayed with the accused Mary (Wright). Weichmann testifies against Mary and her missing son, but her lawyer Frederick Aiken (McAvoy) turns the tables on him, making him look guilty as well. It’s a small role for Groff, but the film is full of talented actors and Groff naturally fits into a period piece like The Conspirator.

Stream The Conspirator on Youtube here.

Taking Woodstock (Peacock)

Taking Woodstock is the story of Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin) and how he and his town help save the Woodstock concert. The first half of Taking Woodstock focuses on Tiber and his village trying to get everything ready for the concert, and the second half focuses on Tiber’s experience during it and how it helps him grow. The Taking Woodstock cast includes Martin, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Groff, Eugene Levy, and Liev Schreiber.

Groff plays co-creator and Woodstock organizer Michael Lang. It’s a supporting role for Groff, but his character is very interesting when compared to some of Groff’s other characters. He often plays a straight-laced, slightly nerdy or type-A character but Lang doesn’t fall into that category at all. It’s a nice departure from Groff’s character norms and it fits him well, even the long curly wig works.

Stream Taking Woodstock on Peacock here.

C.O.G (Tubi)

Jonathan Groff stars as David (who tells everyone that his name is Samuel). He takes a job as an apple picker to gain real-life experience after getting his Master’s Degree. C.O.G tells the story of the jobs David takes while on his journey, the people he meets, and coming to terms with his own identity. C.O.G’s cast includes Denis O’Hare, Casey Wilson, Corey Stoll, and Troian Bellisario.

C.O.G is based on an essay by David Sedaris that appears in his book Naked. Groff is the main character in C.O.G, so the film really relies on him to fail or succeed. Groff gives a strong performance as he makes David a sympathetic and frustrating character simultaneously. You understand David’s inner turmoil but you also know he can be a real jerk at times.

Stream C.O.G on Tubi here.

Jonathan Groff will appear alongside Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss, and many other new cast members in The Matrix 4. Groff’s will also team up with Kristen Bell again for a musical called Molly and the Moon. We can’t wait to see Groff in The Matrix 4 and Molly and the Moon, but for now, this list should provide plenty of Groff content.

If you mentioned Kristen Bell and Jonathan Groff in the same sentence right now, then the conversation in question almost certainly about the Frozen movies. Bell and Groff debuted as Anna and Kristoff in the original 2013 movie, and they reprised their characters in last year’s Frozen II. However, going forward, clarification will be necessary when talking about these two actors, as Bell and Groff are gearing up to do another movie musical together.

Kristen Bell and Jonathan Groff have signed onto Molly and the Moon, an original musical that How I Met Your Mother creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas wrote and will direct. Harvey Mason Jr. from Sing and the Pitch Perfect movies will be the executive music producer, The Get Down’s Stephanie Diaz-Matos will be the music supervisor and High Fidelity’s (the Hulu series, not the original movie) Nathan Larson will compose the movie.

So what can we expect from Molly and the Moon? Well, Craig Thomas delved into the musical origins with Deadline, recalling between the making How I Met Your Mother Seasons 2 and 3, he and his wife had their first child, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. As a result, Elliot needed open heart surgery after being just two weeks old, and also had to be in an incubator, meaning his parents couldn’t touch him for a long time.

With Carter Bays on hand to witness what Craig Thomas’ newborn son was going through, the two realized that there was a story they could tell about a a child struggling to go home with its parents and begin its life. Thomas also revealed that his wife sang a lullaby to Elliot about his name, and a similar lullaby with the same melody will be used in Molly and the Moon, albeit centered on the title character instead. Thomas then provided this tease for the musical:

Kristen Bell will play Kate, and Jonathan Groff has been cast as Brian, Molly’s dad. Carter Bays added that Molly and the Moon will be live-action, and it will chronicle Molly’s journey to get to the “moon,” which represents being alive and joining the world. Some of Bays and Thomas’ inspirations for Molly and the Moon included Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Where the Wild Things Are and Alice in Wonderland, and Molly’s fantastical journey will see her closing paths with things like a knight in shining armor, a talking bunny and a monster.

Kristen Bell’s recent credits include The Good Place, Central Park (though she’s vacated the lead role and will play another character going forward) and hosting Encore!. She’s also returning for HBO Max’s upcoming Gossip Girl series, once again voicing the eponymous character. As for Jonathan Groff, he starred in Netflix’s Mindhunter from 2017 to 2019, and a lot of people saw his King George III performance in Hamilton for the first time when the hit musical dropped on Disney+ over the summer. He’s also set to appear in The Matrix 4.

There’s no word yet on when Molly and the Moon will be released or start filming, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for that information. Learn what movies are heading to theaters next year with our 2021 release schedule.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical Hamilton is currently dominating pop culture, as countless Disney+ subscribers have streamed the filmed stage show. Hamilton was recorded over the course of a week in 2016, before the principal actors began departing their roles for new opportunities. This includes Mindhunter and Frozen star Jonathan Groff, who played King George to hilarious results. When Hamilton was released, Groff went viral for how much spit he projected while singing in his signature British accent. And it turns out that we could have gotten an alternate version where the spit was removed.

Jonathan Groff has had a long career on stage, notably his starring role in Spring Awakening. Hamilton earned the actor a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor, with every reprise of "You'll Be Back" putting the audience in stitches. That performance has now been immortalized thanks to Disney+'s Hamilton, including Groff's fierce diction... that often results in saliva. It turns out that it could have been edited out for Disney+. As producer Jon Kamen recently explained,

The theater is about capturing something authentic right in front of your eyes. Jonathan Groff certainly isn't the first Broadway actor to spit while belting out a song, and he won't be the last. And in the end, Disney+ and company decided to leave the spit takes in the final cut of Hamilton. What's more, they might actually add something to the performance.

Jon Kamen's comments to IndieWire help peel back the curtain (or as Burr says, "how the sausage gets made") on Hamilton's road to streaming. While Jonathan Groff quickly went viral for his mouth watering performance as Kind George, it sound like it was also the subject of conversation with the producers. And ultimately they kept it all in, adding an extra level to Groff's performance in the film.

Hamilton is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Personally, Jonathan Groff's spit only made me appreciate his Hamilton performance more. You could literally see how hard he was hitting his consonants, especially while using that utterly hilarious Queen's English accent. King George barely moves throughout the show, so there's no way for Groff to wipe the spittle away while staying in character. What's more, the juxtaposition between his Royal attitude and penchant for spitting is utterly delightful.

It's no wonder that Jonathan Groff was nominated for a Tony for his performance in Hamilton. That year Lin-Manuel Miranda's show dominated the ceremony, with Groff competing against George Washington aka Christopher Jackson and Lafayette/Jefferson actor Daveed Diggs. Diggs would end up taking the trophy home, which was still a victory for Hamilton in the end.

Jonathan Groff's star power will only continue to grow thanks to Hamilton, as well as his upcoming role in The Matrix 4. Additionally, fans are hoping that Mindhunter returns to Netflix for Season 3. And there's always the hopes of a third Frozen movie sometime in the future.

Hamilton is currently streaming in its entirety on Disney+. Be sure to check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

If you’ve watched Disney+’s Hamilton film, chances are you’ve had a few reactions: “Wow, I didn’t realize I could cry that much in one sitting,” and “Wow, I had no idea that much spit could come out of a person’s mouth at one time.” For all its purely emotional moments, one of the most talked about parts of Hamilton is Jonathan Groff’s inspired, hilarious portrayal of King George -- and the fact that he can’t stop spitting throughout his first song. Yes, by the way, Jonathan Groff knows he spits a lot, and he knows we can’t stop talking about it.

In “You’ll Be Back,” King George sings a hilarious Brit Pop breakup song to the soon-to-be United States, telling them he’ll “kill your friends and family to remind you of my love.” The lyrics are clever enough to keep you giggling but, after the Hamilton film hit Disney+ last weekend, fans found a whole new level of humor in the song, albeit one that maybe wasn’t entirely intentional.

Jonathan Groff, who originated the role on Broadway, gives an impassioned performance, and fans on Twitter were quick to point out that, well, he spits. Like, a lot. It’s become a bit of a thing online. Even Hamilton’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda got in on the fun, warning fans they needed to don their raincoats when his buddy Groffsauce was on stage.

Though the memeification could have been enough to make the actor spitting mad (I had to), he’s actually taking the whole thing in stride. He explained to Variety that even though this is the first time many of us are seeing his spittle in HD, this is sort-of what he does when he performs:

Variety notes that fans who saw Jonathan Groff on stage in Little Shop of Horrors also noticed his tendency to spit a lot. To be fair, until this point, many fans of Jonathan Groff have primarily known him for his voice. Though he starred in HBO’s Manhunter, the vast majority of us know him best as Frozen’s Kristoff and, even though we’re well-apprised of his vocal talents, it’s hard to see spittle via animation (maybe Disney can work that into Frozen 3?).

Jokes aside, this is really one of the coolest things about being able to see Hamilton up close. Live theater is amazing, but sometimes inaccessible to bigger audiences, especially these days. Even if we know every word to a Broadway show, thanks to cast recordings, we miss out on the big and small -- and wet -- details that occur during a live performance.

Did you laugh when King George’s spit went flying? What was your favorite hidden detail in Hamilton? Let us know in the comments!

There are only a few Broadways shows in its historic history that have reached the towering heights Hamilton has seen. In fact, Hamilton's success around the world might truly be unprecedented. The multi-award-winning musical smash hit from Lin-Manuel Miranda is a highly-acclaimed, incredibly high-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning musical smash. While the production has toured nationwide, people are finally able to get to a chance to see the musical for themselves now that Disney has released a filmed version of the original 2015-2016 Broadway production onto their streaming platform Disney+ on July 3, 2020. 

Though in the years since this hit musical's original Broadway run, the show's talented original Broadway cast has moved on to several exciting projects. Let's take a look at what they've done since their final bow.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)

As the writer of the book, music and lyrics, as well as the title star, of Hamilton, this incredibly successful musical is undoubtedly Lin-Manuel Miranda's baby. Having previously won the Tony Award for Best Musical with In the Heights, Miranda was already one of the most promising young music talents on Broadway, but Hamilton proved to be an unbelievable triumph, propelling the actor/writer into worldwide stardom. Miranda holds a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy Award, three Tonys, three Grammys, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a Kennedy Center Honor to his name. If he gets an Oscar (and he already has a nomination), he'll officially be an EGOT. That's undeniably impressive for the 40-year-old superstar, and he's continuing his ongoing career ascension. Since stepping away from performing Hamilton regularly on Broadway, Miranda has kept himself busy with a wide variety of new and exciting projects.

As an actor, Lin-Manuel Miranda starred in Mary Poppins Returns, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Curb Your Enthusiasm (as a variation of himself), Speech & Debate, His Dark Materials, Fosse/Verdon (which he helped executive produce), BoJack Horseman, and DuckTales. He also made an uncredited cameo in last year's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. He appeared as a guest and host on Saturday Night Live a couple times in the last few years. Additionally, Miranda provided music for 2016's Moana, for which he received his aforementioned Oscar nomination. 

Miranda has also been working hard to provide relief for those suffering in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. In 2018, the performer did a three-week run of his award-winning show in Puerto Rico to provide relief funds. The engagement was sold out in a matter of hours.

Outside of his acting work, Lin-Manuel Miranda published Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks For Me & You in 2018, featuring illustrations from Jonny Sun. Additionally, Miranda produced In the Heights, a movie adaptation of his musical of the same name, which was expected to be released this year, but was moved to June 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Miranda admits he's continuing to work on it. Additionally, Miranda will jump into the director's chair soon to make a Netflix adaptation of Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical, Tick, Tick... Boom. He previously played the lead role when it appeared on stage.

Miranda will produce Disney's The Little Mermaid live-action remake, and he'll make new music with Alan Menken. He'll also executive produce and compose The Kingkiller Chronicle and will provide songs for Sony Pictures Animation's Vivo. He's also making a documentary with Norman Lear about actress Rita Moreno.

Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton)

As Eliza Hamilton, Phillipa Soo played a prominent role as the female lead in Hamilton. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Tonys in 2016, and she continues to work hard on the stage and screen. As an actress, Soo starred in the CBS series, The Code, which aired for only one season. Shortly after Hamilton, Soo moved on to another Broadway production. Specifically, she appeared in Amelie, which played off and on Broadway in 2017, and The Parisian Woman, written by Beau Willimon (the creator of Netflix's House of Cards), which ran from 2017-2018. Recently, Soo appeared in Tumacho, which appeared for about a month off-broadway this year. She also provided voices for Moana and starred in Here and Now.

She'll next be seen in The Broken Heart Gallery. Soo also married actor Steven Pasquale (Rescue Me) in 2017.

Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr)

As Aaron Burr, the former Vice President who'd fatefully kill Alexander Hamilton (spoilers for those who fell asleep in history class!), Leslie Odom Jr. played a pivotal role in Hamilton. Sure enough, the accomplished theater actor found more fame since Hamilton's enormous success. He won Grammy and Tony Awards for his work in the sensational musical, and he's appeared in a number of movies and TV shows following his Broadway run, including The Good Wife, One Dollar, and Murder on the Orient Express. Most recently, Odom Jr. played another famous historical figure, William Still, in last year's Harriet, and he played a role in the post-apocalyptic romance movie, Only. As a musician, Odom Jr. released his second album in late 2016 with Simply Christmas. Also, this past November, he released his third album, titled Mr.

As a musician, Leslie Odom Jr. sang "America the Beautiful" during 2018's Super Bowl LII. In 2018, Odom Jr. released his first book, titled Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning. He also became a father with the birth of his daughter, Lucille Ruby, in 2017.

As an actor, Odom Jr. will star in The Many Saints of Newark, Regina King's One Night in Miami, Sia's Music, and Needle in the Timestack. Odom Jr. also lends his voice to the AppleTV animated series, Central Park, and he starred in a comedy pilot alongside Kerry Washington.

Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)

As Angelica Schuyler, Renee Elise Goldsberry played one of the main characters in Hamilton. She won a Grammy for her work in the musical and as well as the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. An accomplished actress who appeared on the stage and screen in several noteworthy projects, including the original Broadway run of The Color Purple, as well as Rent and The Lion King, Goldsberry established herself before Hamilton's famous run. 

Prior to Hamilton, Goldsberry was seen in The Good Wife and One Life to Live, for which she received two Emmy nominations. Since Hamilton, she starred in the title role of HBO's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. She's also a series regular on Altered Carbon and starred in The House with a Clock on Its Walls and A24's Waves.

Christopher Jackson (George Washington)

As George Washington, the first president of these United States of America, Christopher Jackson had an important role in Hamilton. An accomplished actor and musician, notably taking over the role of Simba during The Lion King's extended run on Broadway, while also playing parts in After Midnight and In the Heights' original run, it was his Tony-nominated role in Hamilton that became his biggest claim to fame — even with The Lion King's lead role on his resume. While he previously appeared in Oz, Gossip Girl, and The Good Wife prior to Hamilton, while also composing for Sesame Street, the Broadway sensation continued to open doors. Following Hamilton, Jackson notably starred in a lead role on CBS' Bull and he appeared in Netflix's When They See Us. He also starred and sang in Moana.

Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson)

In the dual role of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Daveed Diggs gave an electrifying pair of performances during Hamilton's original run. The stage/screen actor walked away with Grammy and Tony Awards for his work in the acclaimed musical, and Diggs became one of the award-winning show's biggest successes. Outside of Hamilton, Diggs appeared in The Great Down, Black-ish and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He also played parts in Wonder, Velvet Buzzsaw and Ferdinand. Most notably, Diggs co-wrote, produced and played the lead in the indie dramedy, Blindspotting. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for this passion project. He also provided music for Zootopia and the short-lived series, The Mayor, the latter of which he also produced. As a musician, he worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail in the freestyle rap group, Freestyle Love Supreme, a.k.a. FLS.

Soon, Daveed Diggs lends his voice to the upcoming Pixar movie, Soul, and he'll be seen in The Starling, with Melissa McCarthy and Timothy Olyphant. He also plays a character in the AppleTV+ animated show, Central Park, and he did voice work for animated shows like Green Eggs & Ham, Bob's Burgers, and Star Wars Resistance. Additionally, Diggs plays one of the lead roles in the TNT series, Snowpiercer, based on the 2013 film of the same name. He's also set to voice Sebastian in Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.

Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison)

In the dual role of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, Okieriete Onaodowan played a key pair of roles in Hamilton. Having established himself as an actor of the stage and screen, Onaodowan continued to expand his resume after the show's incredible success. On TV, Onaodowan appeared in Girls, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Get Down. He currently plays a main role in Station 19, a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy. Furthermore, on Broadway, Onaodowan appeared in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.

Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton)

In the dual role of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, Anthony Ramos is a young actor with lots of talent who boosted his acting/music career tremendously through Hamilton. Since then, Ramos has appeared in A Star is Born, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Will & Grace, Patti Cake$, Netflix's She's Gotta Have It, and, most recently, Trolls World Tour. He'll soon be seen in the Sundance film, Summertime, and he'll star in Honest Thief and in the lead role of In the Heights, which reconnects him with Lin-Manuel Miranda. He's also engaged to fellow Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones.

Jonathan Groff (King George III)

As King George III, Jonathan Groff played one of the central antagonists in Hamilton during its original Broadway run. While several actors played the role during its off-broadway run, and several more took over during its continued presence on Broadway, Groff might be the actor people most commonly associate to this deliciously nasty role. Prior to Hamilton, Groff played the lead in Spring Awakening, and he received a Tony nomination for this performance. He was also known for voicing Kristoff in Frozen and he played the lead in HBO's underrated Looking, as well as roles in Boss and Glee. Since Hamilton, Groff starred in Netflix's Mindhunter and reprised his role as Kristoff in Frozen II. Additionally, in 2017, Groff appeared in 36 Questions, one of the first musical podcasts. Coming up, he's starring in The Matrix 4.

Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds)

In the dual roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds, Jasmine Cephas Jones played in the Grammy-winning cast of Hamilton. Since the show's incredibly successful run, she continues to work on the stage and screen. In theater, Jones recently appeared in the off-broadway production of Cyrano last year. On television, she was seen on HBO's Girls and in a reoccurring role on Mrs. Fletcher. She has also appeared in movies like Marriage Story, Blindspotting, and, most recently, The Photograph, and she's set to be seen in Honest Thief and One Night in Miami. She's also star in the TV series #Freerayshawn. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, Jones is engaged to fellow Hamilton star Anthony Ramos.

Who is your favorite Hamilton performer? Tell us in the comments.

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Look, guys, Jonathan Groff is a spitter on stage. He knows it. You know it, and now tons of people watching Hamilton for the first time on Disney+ know it. It’s just a thing he does. Of course, that hasn’t stopped the many reaction tweets to focus on Jonathan Groff’s spit.

Right now, people on Twitter watching Hamilton are having a bit of a field day. While some are basking in the glow at getting a chance to witness the praised play, others are focusing on something else, notably how much Jonathan Groff spits when he acts on stage. For some, the amount of spit he projects is somewhat disturbing, as noted below.

Perhaps Jonathan Groff wasn’t aware his spit would be on display for the world to see up close? It’s more likely he just doesn’t care and is doing what he does because, well, he’s a professional. Still, as this next tweet hilariously alludes, there’s no way Groff could get away with this in a post-COVID world.

Earlier this year, it was announced, to the delight of many fans, that a Hamilton movie would indeed be coming our way. Originally the plan was for it to get a theatrical release in October 2021, but then that changed to it being thrown onto Disney+ right off the bat. The recorded play that just hit the streaming service has already been receiving rave reviews from critics. Cinema Blend’s own Sean O’Connell said, “You’ve never had a better seat at Hamilton.”

Of course, for people watching Jonathan Groff spit on the hit Broadway show, having the best seat in the house in the comfort of your own home might be a blessing and a curse. While not everyone finds it uncomfortable, some people are all for it.

In fact, some are so impressed by Jonathan Groff’s performance as King George that they go so far to say that he is “the moment” and that his spit is “royal.” Check it out:

Like any hard-working actor, Jonathan Groff wants to make sure he’s putting on the best possible performance. He’s become well-known for his roles as Kristoff in Frozen and FBI agent Holden Ford in Netflix’s Mindhunter. Though you can rest assured that there’s little spit to be seen in those movies. For some, it wasn't Jonathan Groff working in overtime, but rather, his spit.

There are numerous reasons to watch Hamilton on Disney+. The play won 11 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer and a Grammy, among numerous other accolades. It stars Lin-Manuel Miranda as the titular character. And, according to this Hamilton fan, it features Jonathan Groff’s spit in crisp 4K:

Kidding aside, not everyone is exactly happy so much attention is being given to Jonathan Groff’s abundant saliva. Some wish people would focus on his incredible talent instead.

If you’re ready to witness this for yourself, the only thing really stopping you is a Disney+ subscription. For those of you who have seen this in full display, what's your take on Hamilton and Jonathan Groff's excessive spitting? Let us know in the comments!

Did you hear the news? Hamilton is coming to the big screen in 2021. And to widespread cheer of die-hard fans of the musical, it will be a filmed performance of the original Broadway cast captured, as by Tommy Kail back in 2016. What many wouldn’t have given to see Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs and company throw the raps and rhymes of the production when the first cast assembled. They are the voices behind the bestselling cast album fans have played over and over in their cars. It’s just about the best version of a Hamilton movie that could happen.

Sure, Hamilton was a pop-culture phenomenon and 11-time Tony winner, but you may have skipped over it back when it became big. I get it. Without witnessing the magic of Hamilton on Broadway, it may have been difficult to understand the vision behind Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop musical about the Founding Fathers of America. Five years later, it’s still the hottest ticket in musical theater. If you’re curious about all the hype, the talent of Hamilton’s original cast will get you on the bandwagon for Disney’s latest acquisition.

For many of these actors, they were unknowns before Hamilton. Since they starred in the show, tons of incredible opportunities have flung their way. You know them better than you might realize. Check out the original cast of Hamilton and the roles they play in the upcoming theatrical experience:

Lin-Miranda Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)

If you’ve heard of Hamilton, you’ve heard the name Lin-Manuel Miranda. He is not only the star of the Broadway musical, Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for the visionary production as well. The musical is inspired by a 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton, written by Ron Chernow. The playwright had previously found success on the stage with In the Heights – a more traditional live-action musical from Crazy Rich Asians’ director Jon M. Chu is coming this summer. But when Hamilton exploded, so did Miranda.

The best introduction to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is through the time he decided to go to the White House Poetry Jam back in 2009 and experiment with his early work on the project after being asked to perform something from In the Heights. Check it out:

What’s crazy about this video is the audience laughed at his concept, not knowing it would become a well-respected piece of music. But hey, the Obamas dug it! His first performance gives a peek into the unique enchantment of his storytelling. Years later Hamilton would become a fully realized musical. Miranda’s portrayal of Alexander Hamilton follows his life, as he journeys to New York, falls in love and butts heads with other American founders.

Miranda left Hamilton as its main star in July 2016 and has since gained a continuing relationship with Disney on various projects. He wrote original songs for Moana – scoring him an Oscar nomination, and he’s working with Alan Menken on additional songs for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. He also composed the new cantina song in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and played Jack the Lamplighter in 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns.

Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr)

Also in the Hamilton original cast is Leslie Odom Jr, who plays Aaron Burr in the production, a.k.a the man who shot Alexander Hamilton. He was the third vice president of the United States during Thomas Jefferson’s first term. He meets Hamilton in the musical’s second song “Aaron Burr, Sir”, when a young Hamilton looks up, approaches him as his hero and asks for advice. Since starring in Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr has found success as a solo artist with three albums under his belt and a Christmas-themed one. His first movie was in 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and he played William Still in the Oscar-nominated Harriet.

Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson)

Daveed Diggs’ career certainly has Hamilton to thank for his skyrocketing career. In the last few years alone, the actor has found roles in The Get Down, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Black-ish and Star Wars Resistance on television, with a starring role in TNT’s television adaptation of Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer coming this summer. He’s done some voice work for Ferdinand, Netflix’s Green Eggs and Ham and soon for Pixar’s Soul, and he’ll reportedly be Sebastian in the live-action The Little Mermaid. Perhaps his most memorable role is in the critically-acclaimed Blindspotting. He plays President Jefferson and French aristocrat and military leader Marquis de Lafayette in the musical.

Jonathan Groff (King George III)

Playing the hilarious and villainous King George in Hamilton is none-other-than Jonathan Groff. The star is a well-known Broadway actor, known for being in the original cast for Spring Awakening, but he can count Hamilton too. Glee fans will remember his role as Jesse St. James on the music-themed series. And in Frozen, Groff is the voice of Princess Anna’s love-interest, Kristoff. His Disney character recently nabbed his own song in Frozen II with “Lost in the Woods”. Additionally, you’ve seen him in two seasons of Netflix’s gritty psychological thriller from David Fincher, Mindhunter and HBO’s Looking. King George has a small role in Hamilton but it's a memorable one.

Chris Jackson (George Washington)

Portraying the first President of the United States in the hip-hop musical is Chris Jackson, who actually filmed CBS court drama series Bull in between playing shows on Broadway at one point. In Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s character becomes an associate of Washington as detailed in “Right Hand Man”. He’s a central character in the musical and the actor continued to collaborate with Miranda in Moana as the singing voice of Moana’s father Chief Tui in his original song, “Where You Are”. He also has a voice role in The Lion Guard as a gorilla named Shujaa.

Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton)

Anthony Ramos will do the honors of being in two big screen adaptations of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s plays. This summer he’ll play the lead Usnavi de la Vega in In the Heights. Prior to landing this massive Hollywood role, Anthony Ramos played two roles in Hamilton that will be showcased in the upcoming movie. Ramos plays John Laurens, one of the statesman and soldiers of the time and Alexander Hamilton’s first son, Philip. You’ve also seen the actor in the Will & Grace reboot, She’s Gotta Have It television series, Lady Gaga’s friend Ramon in A Star is Born and as Corporal Martinez in Godzilla: King of Monsters.

Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)

The emotional core of Hamilton is Renée Elise Goldsberry’s Angelica Schuyler. She is the oldest of three wealthy sisters in the musical who are seeking husbands. Hamilton falls in love with her sister Eliza, when Angelica too has feelings for Miranda’s character. Her big song “Satisfied” is a standout moment in the musical. Along with her work in this play, she played the role of an African-American pioneer in Oprah’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, House with a Clock in its Walls and is a regular character of Quellcrist Falconer in Altered Carbon.

Phillipa Soo (Eliza Schuyler Hamilton)

Phillipa Soo plays the role of Eliza, who notably sings “Helpless” and “Burn” in Hamilton, marries the titular character and has a key arc in the musical. After leaving Hamilton in 2016 like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr, Soo went on to take on more roles on Broadway including playing the lead role in new musical Amelie and in The Parisian Woman. Right now, Soo plays Lieutenant Harper Li on the CBS series about members of the military in The Code.

Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds)

The Hamilton cast really sticks together! Jasmine Cephas Jones most notable role outside the musical is a role in Blindspotting with Daveed Diggs. She plays Ashley in the comedy and social commentary about two old best friends. The actress has the small role of the youngest Schuyler sister in the musical and Maria Reynolds, who Hamilton has a love affair with in the production. Jones has also guest-starred on Girls and can be spotted in the background in Marriage Story. She’s also in The Photograph with Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield.

Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison)

To round out the talented Hamilton cast is Okieriete Onaodowan, who has dabbled in television acting. He has guest starred on Grey’s Anatomy as Dean Miller – his regular firefighter role on Station 19 that he has played for three seasons so far. He was once a complete unknown before Hamilton came around. After Hamilton he also followed Josh Groban’s role in Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Hercules Mulligan is one of the first characters that Hamilton meets and James Madison is the fourth President of the United States and Founding Father.

Now that’s an impressive cast! Hamilton hits theaters on October 15, 2021. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first big-screen musical In the Heights is coming first on June 26, 2020.

The Matrix franchise is quintessential late '90s early '00s, and broke new ground as far as movie visuals go. The sci-fi property will return to theaters with the untitled Matrix 4, with Lana Wachowski returning to the director's chair to continue the story. Wachowski has been assembling a cast for the upcoming sequel, with newcomers joining familiar faces Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss. And another name has been added to that cast list, Frozen's Jonathan Groff.

Jonathan Groff has had a great career on the stage and screen, but landing a part in The Matrix will no doubt help him become a household name. Groff is perhaps best known for voicing the role of Kristoff in the Frozen franchise, as well as his leading role in Netflix's Mindhunter. But his next movie project will bring him into an apocalyptic future, and one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises of all time.

Exactly what role Jonathan Groff has remains a mystery according Collider's report. And that will probably continue until the upcoming blockbuster wraps production. But he joins a stellar cast of fellow newcomers and returning cast members. Other new faces include Neil Patrick Harris, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Iron Fist's Jessica Henwick. Jada Pinkett Smith is also reportedly reprising her role as Niobe.

Jonathan Groff's career started on Broadway, with theater roles continuing as he got film work. Groff was in the original cast of Spring Awakening and Hamilton, receiving a Tony nomination for each. After appearing in a handful of Glee episodes, Groff got his first starring TV role in HBO's Looking. And in addition to voicing Kristoff in Frozen, he went on to play the lead in Mindhunter for Netflix.

It should be interesting to see what Lana Wachowski has in store for the Matrix franchise with the fourth movie. Wachowski has continued to push boundaries as a filmmaker, recently helming the massive ambitious Netflix series Sense8, and its finale movie. While that show was one of the first to be cancelled by the streaming service, she grappled with some complex stories that should hopefully aid her creative process with The Matrix 4.

Related: The Matrix 4 Actor Describes The New Script

As Lana Wachowski continues to assemble the cast of the fourth Matrix movie, I have to wonder if any of the cluster from Sense8 will get a call. She worked heavily with that group across multiple countries during filming, so it would stand to reason if she wanted to further collaborate. But we'll just have to wait and see as the cast list continues growing.

Details about The Matrix 4 are slim, but the movie will reportedly feature younger version of the franchise's heroes. Lana Wachowski and the Matrix franchise have been known for wild and unexpected plot twists, so seemingly anything can happen with the highly anticipated fourth entry.

The Matrix 4 is currently expected to arrive in theaters in 2022. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The following contains minor spoilers for Frozen II**.**

The first Frozen was a remarkable movie for a lot of reasons, but the killer soundtrack was a big one. In addition to the forever-on-repeat tune that was "Let it Go," every other song in the film was also a worthy one to become somebody's favorite. However, while nearly every character gets a great song in the movie, one character got left out.

Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, is only given a brief moment to sing his "Reindeers are Better than People" ditty in the first Frozen, and that's it. The actor is finally given time to show off his powerful voice in Frozen II, but it seems Groff was worried that his big chance might get away from him, because he thought his song in the new movie "Lost in the Woods" had a good chance of being cut.

If you've seen Frozen II then you probably understand exactly why Jonathan Groff wasn't sure the song would make it. It's not exactly your traditional Disney musical number. It's a soft rock love song right out of the middle of the 1980s. Groff thought the wild idea would eventually be too wild for Frozen II. According to the actor...

As Jonathan Groff points out to EW, it isn't just the song itself that's a bit outside the norm. Within the film, the song is given the full 80s music video treatment. The song turns completely into the skid and embraces what it is. Younger viewers won't get the joke, but their parents will.

Animated movies go through a lot more change than live-action films during their production. Frequently, songs end up getting cut simply because they no longer fit in the movie after the plot has taken a drastic change, as happened with at least one song in the movie.

You can listen to the song below, though if you haven't seen Frozen II, I'd recommend waiting until you see the film, seeing and hearing the song cold in context is extra special.

Frozen II easily won the weekend box office, and with the long Thanksgiving weekend still on the way, the film will only be adding to that total. This means a lot more people will be getting "Lost in the Woods" themselves with Jonathan Groff. Then, during the closing credits, you can hear the song again, as performed by Weezer.

David Fincher’s put a lot of heart and soul into making Mindhunter, a Netflix series about the beginnings of the BAU within the 1970s bureaucracy of the FBI. The well-reviewed show has Fincher as a producer and the director of multiple episodes each season. He’s also apparently why Mindhunter Season 3 is currently on hold.

Recently, Mindhunter Jonathan Groff has been doing some press for Disney’s latest animated feature Frozen II, but a lot of people want to know about Mindhunter, particularly given Netflix hasn’t actually greenlighted the show for Season 3 yet. Yes, really. However, what’s putting everything Mindhunter related on hold at the moment is the fact David Fincher has been drawn elsewhere, as he’s set to make another movie.

We learned a few months ago that David Fincher is set to direct a biopic about Herman Mankiewicz, a Hollywood name cinephiles may know but average theatergoers these days may not know, and who is famous for writing Citizen Kane along with other famous screenplays like The Pride of St. Louis. That movie, Mank, is currently in the works and we learned about the cast – which will include Gary Oldman as Mankiewicz and Tom Burke as Orson Welles-about a month ago. So, that project seems to be moving forward sooner rather than later, for what it's worth.

It will be the first movie David Fincher has helmed since 2014 when he put Gone Girl out into the universe. Still, even though it is moving forward at a quick clip, it will also take the director out of commission for many months before talk about Mindhunter Season 3 can even resume, according to a THR report. (Although Jonathon Groff also told Collider he’s “ready to jump” whenever Fincher is.)

Presumably, the question is really one of “when” and not of “if” given Netflix hasn’t made an actual announcement for Season 3 of Mindhunter yet. It is worth pointing out that the first season of Mindhunter aired in 2017 and then Season 2 didn’t drop until 2019. So, it’s not as if this show has had a consistent yearly release. Fans will presumably wait as long as needed for new episodes.

After Mindhunter Season 2 was released, we heard from series lead Holt McCallany that David Fincher has a firm idea in mind in regards to how many seasons he would like the Netflix series to run in order to tell the optimal story. That number was five. Therefore, we aren’t even at the halfway point for the drama yet, should Netflix continue greenlighting Mindhunter. In addition, there are some theories that Season 2 definitely set up for more story in Season 3 via Easter eggs.

Once Season 3 moves forward, it will likely take some months to shoot. For example, Season 2 reportedly filmed between April and December of 2018 before going into post-production.

Mank is seemingly in the way of getting the ball rolling on Mindhunter, but at least we aren’t having a conversation about another Netflix series ending too soon right now. That said, there may be more than a two-year gap this time around.

Early in its run, Netflix was key to bringing dead shows back to life and let a lot of programs go on for multiple seasons before they wrapped their runs. A lot of shows on the streaming platform are getting cancelled after one or two seasons now, including the surprise shock of The OA’s cancellation earlier this year. Fingers crossed Mindhunter doesn't surprise us in this way, and we'll be sure to keep you updated regarding both Mank and Mindhunter in the coming months.

While it’s been a whole six years since Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen hit the big screen, actor Josh Gad didn’t exactly get a huge reprieve from voicing Olaf during that time period. Between short films, television specials, theme park attractions and more, the character has become a consistent presence in pop culture, and Gad’s voice can be heard for every iteration.

This in mind, you might think that slipping back into the goofy snowman’s personality would be tremendously easy for Josh Gad in the making of Frozen II, but as I recently learned from the actor, that really wasn’t the case. Instead, the sequel was something for which he required a different kind of energy than all of those supplementary projects, and needed a different kind of preparation.

Sitting down with Josh Gad and his Frozen II co-star Jonathan Groff at the movie’s Los Angeles press day earlier this month, I asked about the experience they had bringing their respective characters back for the new film, and in his response Gad explained why he couldn’t just approach the recording sessions like those he has been doing since post-November 2013. He said,

It’s an interesting perspective coming from a performers point of view, as it is interesting that Olaf can be alternatively defined depending on what projects he is appearing in. Taking Josh Gad’s point, the character’s role on a theme park ride isn’t to add dramatic weight and depth to the experience, but instead is there more to purely entertain.

That’s not the case for Frozen II, as the new movie actually features Olaf going through a significant evolution. In the time since we last saw the characters, the snowman has not only gotten a layer of permafrost that allows him to stay alive in all seasons, but he has also learned to read, and it’s given him a different perspective on life. Namely, he is happily experiencing a kind of existential crisis where he realizes that the universe is full of questions to which he has zero answers.

In order to better capture this character growth and deliver an authentic performance, Josh Gad actually had a particular method when he was in the recording booth for Frozen II:

And it wasn’t only Josh Gad who initially felt that things were a bit different in the making of Frozen II than the material released in the last six years. Jonathan Groff, who returns as Kristoff in the animated sequel, found that he was actually quite a bit nervous returning to the character and the world of Arendelle at the start of work on the project – though he did eventually find comfort in the fact that he was surrounded by familiar faces. Said Groff,

In Frozen II, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff are reunited with stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, and you’ll be able to hear all of their lovely voices playing through theater speakers nationwide this weekend. Also starring Sterling K. Brown and Evan Rachel Wood, the new Disney animated blockbuster will be released this Friday – and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for a whole lot more from my interviews with the cast and filmmakers!

It isn’t hyperbole to say that the first Frozen was a phenomenon. The 2013 Disney film from directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee was a critically acclaimed box office behemoth that remains hugely popular to this day. So with Frozen II finally arriving in about a month, the obvious question becomes, can it possibly live up to the original? If Kristoff voice actor Jonathan Groff’s opinion is anything to go off of, it very well might because according to him, Frozen II is ‘Earth-shatteringly great.’ Take a look:

Wow, way to manage expectations Kristoff. Jonathan Groff didn’t attend the cast screening for Frozen II with co-star Josh Gad, but got to see the film beforehand and he even took his mom with him. After seeing it, he sent in a video response to his fellow cast-mates, prior to their own cast screening of the movie and if they weren’t already excited to watch Frozen II, they surely were after this.

Jonathan Groff apparently doesn’t have social media (probably smart), but thankfully, Josh Gad felt that this video response should be shared with the world and he did so on Twitter. The actor who voices Kristoff in the film is positively effusive with praise here, barely able to contain his excitement and love for Frozen II. You can see him somewhat struggling to find the words to express his feelings about the film but the words that come are highly encouraging.

Jonathan Groff is in the movie, so he probably wouldn’t admit it publicly if he didn’t like Frozen II. However, he seems to be genuinely thrilled here and if he didn’t love the movie, he’s really, really overselling it in this video.

The actor, who also recently starred in Season two of Netflix’s Mindhunter (where his character never displayed one-tenth of the emotion seen here), calls Frozen II “freaking incredible and mature and complex.” He also highlights the film’s humor and says how emotional it is. We probably could have guessed on that latter part given the first film and the trailers for Frozen II, but this basically confirms that the sequel will probably pull at your heartstrings and elicit a few tears.

Jonathan Groff believes that this sequel is the tree that the seed of the first film blossomed into. That’s interesting because it seems to mean that this sequel is much bigger and feels like a natural and necessary extension of the story. We know that the world of the film will be opening up in Frozen II and Jonathan Groff’s words indicate that it does just that while telling a compelling story that has a lot to it.

That’s exciting to hear because, as is the case with all sequels to beloved films, living up to the original is hard to do. It sounds like Frozen II does just that and will give audiences plenty to talk about when they leave the theater. Jonathan Groff admits that he expected Frozen II to be great, as I imagine most of us do, but it surpassed his expectations and he found it to be “Earth-shatteringly great.”

We can all remember movies that disappointed after incredible hype and massive anticipation and what a bummer they are. But the movies that manage to exceed even the wildest expectations are something special and if Jonathan Groff’s comments are anywhere near the mark, Frozen II could very well start the Frozen phenomenon anew.

Frozen II arrives in theaters to dominate the box office on November 22. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of all the big movies coming this fall.

Warning: mild spoilers ahead for Netflix's Mindhunter!

Even in the face of its overwhelming darkness and brooding atmosphere, Netflix's Mindhunter has managed to resonate with many fans. The David Fincher series explores some of the most demented aspects of serial killer pathology, but it also features almost no on-screen violence. I recently had the chance to sit down with Mindhunter's Jonathan Groff at a Netflix press day in Los Angeles, to ask him about why that omission of gore works for the show. And he explained that part of David Fincher's MO involves letting the audience members use their imagination for the brutality. Groff explained:

Film and television are predominately visual mediums, but that doesn't mean that everything needs to be shown on the screen. As Jonathan Groff laid out in our discussion; implying violence has helped the Mindhunter audience use its collective imagination to conjure up disturbing imagery that's arguably more effective than anything they could show you. Asking the audience to lean in and think about the murders instead of passively consuming them was a gamble, but it appears to be one that has paid off.

This idea is something that David Fincher has generally used well over the course of his career as a filmmaker. In particular, his work on 1995's Se7en similarly employed this technique -- as the victims of John Doe are almost always found long after their deaths. We almost never see anyone die on-screen in that particular film, but it has developed a reputation as one of the more disturbing and brutal films of the 1990s (if not of all time).

That's not to say that Mindhunter doesn't have its fair share of violence and brutality. The show opens with a brutal suicide by a deranged, gun-wielding criminal, and we see several crime scene photos that are nothing if not gory. However, the show leans far more on long dialogue sequences to build its tension and atmosphere (something that probably wouldn't be possible on a traditional network), and it has helped endow Mindhunter with an almost literary sensibility.

Mindhunter is currently streaming on Netflix, but you can check out CinemaBlend's fall premiere guide to see what else is on the horizon for the next few months! Beyond that, make sure to keep up with The Cord Cutter Podcast to listen to everything we here at CinemaBlend have to say about the world of streamable content!

Over the past few years, TV had quickly become a hub for exciting new stories, with major players from the film world transitioning over to the small screen. This includes The Social Network director David Fincher, who recently produced and directed Mindhunters on Netflix, in addition to his work developing House of Cards. Mindhunters is a crime drama that revolves around two members of the FBI's infant Behavioral Science Unit in the late 1970s. In typical Fincher style, the series is a slow burn that mostly revolves around dialogue heavy scenes and relatable characters. And its for this reason that series lead Jonathan Groff (Looking, Glee) thinks that it wouldn't fit in a conventional network or cable TV network.

CinemaBlend's Conner Schwerdtfeger spoke to the cast of Mindhunter at Netflix's recent press junket. It's here where Jonathan Groff revealed why Netflix is the perfect home for the series, saying:

Jonathan Groff certainly seems to be singing Netflix's praises, especially the control given to directors. This has been a common part of the conversation revolving around Netlix's original programming. The streaming service produces a ton of content, and is free from the logistical restraints that come with traditional TV. With no advertisers needed and the shows void of commercial breaks, directors can use their time more liberally. And for Mindhunters, its allowing the audience and characters to find themselves organically.

Holt McCallany is the other series lead, and spoke to the difference between Mindhunters and network TV as well. Specifically, that the pacing can be slowed and scenes can be longer and more exploratory.

This is another perk of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. Because acts don't need to be cut in order to facilitate advertising, moments don't need to be as rushed. Mindhunters is mostly made up of longer scenes, especially when it comes down to Holden and Bill's interviews with various psychopaths.

Mindhunters' complete first season is now available on Netflix. The series has also been renewed for a second season, so expect more long scenes and slow burns in the future. In the meantime, check out our fall premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

Warning: spoilers ahead for Mindhunter Season 1! Read forward at your own risk!

Between 1995's Se7en, 2007's Zodiac, and now the new series, Mindhunter, it's pretty clear that David Fincher knows how to get into a killer's head. The freshman Netflix series took Jonathan Groff's increasingly cocky agent Holden Ford to some dark places in its first season, culminating in an Ed Kemper-induced panic attack that closed out the current arc. Holden's progression into darkness has led some viewers to theorize that he could become a killer himself, but Groff sat down with me at a recent Netflix press event and admitted that he's confused by those fan theories. The Frozen star explained:

The rationale for this fan theory stems from a few specific pieces of "evidence" that have popped up over the course of the Mindhunter's first season. Some have argued that Holden Ford meets many of the clinical requirements of a psychopath, as far as what's laid out by the show. His lack of empathy (coupled with his possibly troubled relationship with his mother) may suggest that he's not nearly as far away from a guy like Ed Kemper as he would want to admit.

That said, the progression of Holden's character and psyche is rooted in the trauma faced by real-life FBI profiler John Douglas. It's meant to show the dark ways that this experience affects Holden -- not necessarily to telegraph him eventually becoming a serial killer himself. Considering how many TV shows embrace plot-altering twists like that, it's perfectly reasonable for people to make such assumptions.

Beyond feeling baffled by the theories that Holden Ford could become a serial killer in Mindhunter Season 2 (which is reportedly in the works) or beyond, Jonathan Groff also told me that he doesn't think the FBI profiler has descended nearly as far as some have suggested.

In the end, it might be for the best that Holden isn't going as dark as some fans have assumed. For him to become a full-blown killer at some point during Mindhunter's run might read a little too close to the ending of Se7en -- which similarly sees Brad Pitt's Detective David Mills becoming the monster he was investigating by murdering serial killer John Doe. Holden's experiences with these killers is messing him up pretty badly, but we will have to wait and see exactly how this pans out as the show progresses.

Mindhunter is currently available to stream on Netflix, but if you're looking for more information on upcoming television content, make sure to take a look at CinemaBlend's fall TV premiere guide to keep yourself in the loop on everything set to debut this season!

Right from the start, HBO’s Looking was up against unfair categorization. ‘Oh, it’s just the gay version of Girls,’ they said. “They” being that mythical group of Internetters looking for a pithy logline to grab onto for opinion formulation purposes; but from second one of the series’ premiere, the comparisons rang hollow. If HBO was looking for a gay version of the Lena Dunham series, this was not it. And thank goodness for that.

Listen: I’m a fan of Dunham, and of Girls. But I’m an even bigger fan of HBO’s drive to create programming that’s different, nuanced, and not simply pre-fab versions of the things they (and other networks) have already done or attempted to emulate. They tell stories. Interesting ones that often rub up against people’s comfort zones. But to delineate something as a ‘gay’ show is insipidly one-dimensional and a disservice to the actors, writers, directors, and everyone else involved.

Think about it: wouldn’t it piss you right the fuck off if someone tried to distill something you created through hard work and with a thoughtful vision with a hackneyed, lazy categorization? Of course you would. So don’t be that way. Be informed by making your own opinion (Not even everyone on this site feels the same about this series.) To get you started, here are a few ways in which the series’ premiere episode, “Looking For Now,” proved itself to be anything but a gay version of that Greenpoint world.

Patrick is No Hannah

Jonathan Groff’s Patrick is quite naïve — a trait he shares with Hannah — but the two of them handle their naïveté very differently. Hannah, essentially, tries to monetize it, throwing herself into situations in the name of sourcing material for her book in hopes that she’ll make herself seem and feel more interesting. Patrick may be rash in his decision-making, but he tows a much more straight-and-narrow line. There’s a reason his roommate Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez) called him a sweet boy, with all that ho-hummy knowing in his voice. I doubt if Agustín and Hannah were to meet, he’d say the same about her. Hannah wants a story, Patrick just wants to feel.

It’s Subtle

Like I said before, I really do enjoy Girls, but no one would ever accuse the show of being all that subtle in its execution. Nuanced? Sure, at times. Looking approaches scenarios with a gentle touch, a warm smile accompanies most of the laughs involved — even the more audacious ones. Andrew Haigh, the series’ director (who also directed the film Weekend) has a far quieter point of view, one that works especially well in the series’ quieter moments, quick glances, and emotional touch points, matched wonderfully by Michael Lannan’s words.

It’s Not Looking for Laughs

The show is definitely funny. From the quippy beats while Patrick and his coworker debate emoji usage to Dom (Murray Bartlett)’s hilariously frank and hard-worn opinions on sex and relations, the show fires on all cylinders but doesn’t go hunting for laughs just for the sake of it. In fact, the series opening moments, where we see Patrick getting a handy-j in the park like he’s living out a George Michael fever dream, is an emotionally evocative jumble upon first encounter. The viewer is made to feel the myriad of emotions that Patrick exhibits in his face as he apprehensively clamors into the bush to get his rocks off.

It’s Way More Unrealistic

One thing that may be considered a negative is the fact that there’s hardly anything realistic about the highly attractive and perma-hard bodied world that Looking inhabits. This is a series that is far more, well, fancy — and the show is conscious of that fact. You won’t find a glossier-looking bunch of boys on TV.

It’s Older

At 29 years old, Patrick is the baby of the bunch, which puts him and his series compatriots in entirely different life stages than the girls on Dunham’s show. People that are between 30 and 40 are not dealing with the same shit that 23 year olds are: that’s just science.

It’s About Relationships, Not People

Listen if you’re one of those types of people that needs to relate to the characters on screen in order to enjoy something, allow me to let you in on a little secret: gay or not, these three men are all searching for the same things as the rest of us: Love, happiness, a sense of self, security. Sure, it is an entirely different world for gay folks than it is for us straighties out there — they are, after all, have only really started to get the respect the rest of us have been afforded for eons simply because we’re interested in the opposite sex. And wherein the focus on Girls is slightly more millenialy bent, Looking focuses more on the subject matter than the kooky tropes and outlandish character beats of Dunham’s series. Love, relationships, social and personal interactions are all highlighted here. That lost feeling we all experience as we muddle, grope, and fondle our way towards some sort of collective sameness or sense of compatibility in another person. And that is something that’s both incredibly heartwarming and universal.