WARNING! There are major spoilers ahead for the first two seasons of Paradise in this story. If you’re not caught up, now’s your chance to use your Hulu subscription before diving into Season 3.

It’s always nice to finish what you start, and for Paradise, that means one more season to conclude the story of what started as a murder mystery but has evolved into a sprawling story about time, physics, and the importance of family. Season 2 ended dramatically with the self-sacrifice of Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson), locking herself in the bunker to prevent nuclear fallout after the power system went into meltdown. Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) and the rest of the people living in the bunker are on the outside now, with Xavier presumably headed to the second bunker, where Alex is, to save the world.

The good news is that Paradise has stuck to a pretty traditional time table, and it probably won’t be an extended wait before Season 3 is upon us. Here’s everything we know about the show's future, including when production is planned to start, and who will likely be back for the conclusion of creator Dan Fogelman’s story.

Paradise Season 3 Release Date

With production scheduled to start this month, we’re still a ways away from Season 3. There is currently no scheduled release date for Paradise Season 3. However, unlike the laborious waits necessary for some streaming shows (ahem, Stranger Things), there’s a good chance this sci-fi show will be back sometime in early 2027. Season 2's episodes hit the 2026 TV schedule on February 23, 13 months after Season 1 debuted, so there's good reason to expect the break will be about the same between Seasons 2 and 3.

In fact, in the last week of March 2026, just as the season finale hit both Hulu and Disney+ (yep, you can watch with a Disney+ subscription, too), Sterling K. Brown took to Instagram to celebrate not only the conclusion of the most recent season, but also to update fans on the filming of Season 3. Brown told his IG followers on March 31st, 2026:

That, of course, is great news. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for an official premiere date, but it’ll be a few months before anyone knows for sure.

Who Will Be In Season 3?

It’s still too early for an official cast list, but it’s pretty safe to assume that all (or many) of the surviving characters will be back. Here’s who we expect will return, and which characters, though no longer living, could return in flashbacks, or… well, who knows what kind of power the quantum computer Alex has.

Sterling K. Bown As Xavier Collins

We know Brown will be back, as he explained in his IG post. It would be pretty weird if he weren’t returning, as he’s the lead in the show and an executive producer of it, right? Season 2 ended with Sinatra explaining to Collins that it was up to him to get to the second bunker under the Denver airport and save the world using Alex. How he gets there, and what it means, well, who knows, but I can’t wait to find out.

Sarah Shahi As Gabriela Torabi

Dr. Gabriela Torabi (Sarah Shahi) survived the bunker’s destruction and had a pretty awkward moment with Xavier’s wife, Teri, on the outside. Torabi and Collins had been in a pretty steaming relationship prior to Xavier learning Teri was still alive. Where that leaves her on the outside is anyone’s guess, but as one of the smartest people in the bunker, she’ll likely play a big role in wherever the survivors end up.

Enuka Okuma As Teri Rogers-Collins

Season 2’s emotional high-water mark came when Xavier (after coming close to disaster) finally reunited with his wife Teri (Enuka Okuma) in Episodes 6 and 7. Along with Xavier, Teri made it back to the bunker, and the whole family reunited as chaos unfolded just before it all came crashing down. Teri and the kids made it out alive and are on the road with the other refugees.

Thomas Doherty As Link/Dylan

Link (or Dylan, maybe?), played by Thomas Doherty, was a key new character in Season 2, and his story is certain to continue in Season 3 of Paradise. He is the original inventor of the machine who eventually became Alex, so it’s likely he will help Xavier reach the second bunker and use Alex in some way to save the world.

Additionally, most of the kids will probably be back, like Aliyah Mastin as Presley Collins, Percy Daggs IV as James Collins, Charlie Evans as Jeremy Bradford, and Kate Godfrey as Hadley Redmond.

Deceased Characters Who We Could See Again

Of course, in a Dan Fogelman show, no character is really gone forever, even after they die. In Seasons 1 and 2, we saw quite a lot of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) despite his being murdered in the very first episode. That said, here is a list of deceased characters who I think we’ll see more of, either in flashbacks or possibly in alternate timelines (or both):

• Julianne Nicholson as Samantha "Sinatra" Redmond
• James Marsden as Cal Bradford
• Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Driscoll
• Krys Marshall as Nicole Robinson
• Jon Beavers as Billy Pace
• Shailene Woodley as Annie Clay
• Michael McGrady as Geiger

It would be wonderful see all of these characters at least one more time.

Dan Fogelman Will Continue As The Writer And Showrunner

Showrunner Dan Fogelman, who also created the Sterling K. Brown-starring This Is Us, will of course remain with the show to see out its conclusion. Since the beginning, Fogelman has said that he intends the show to have a three-season arc, and it looks like that’s what he’ll get. That is exciting news, as hopefully it means Paradise doesn’t suffer the same fate as Lost or Game of Thrones and ends strongly.

Could There Be A Season 4 After This?

The answer to this question is probably no; however, in that same IG post, Brown, perhaps jokingly, said:

Obviously, that opens up the door for a fourth season, but let’s be real, it’s pretty unlikely, and Brown was probably just joking around. One thing we know for sure is he (and Fogelman) are “gonna give us three,” so let’s celebrate that. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.

Spoilers ahead for the most recent episode of Paradise Season 2. Catch up on Hulu if you haven't seen!

The streaming wars are in full effect, and those with a Hulu subscription were recently treated to the start of Paradise Season 2. The apocalyptic drama is one of the best Hulu shows to watch, with its sophomore season greatly expanding its world and cast of characters. Actress Shailene Woodley has joined the ensemble as Annie Clay and gives what I think might be a career-best performance. And I'm going to need to see her get at least an Emmy nomination next Awards Season, if not a win.

Critical response to Paradise Season 2 has been positive, and I think Woodley's outstanding work is partly the reason for this. While she's offered a beautiful performance in film as well as TV in Big Little Lies (streaming with an HBO Max subscription). Still, I think that she's earned some award nominations based on her two episodes of Paradise.

Shailene Woodley Made Me Cry And Got Me More Invested In Paradise As A Result

Rather than jumping back into the action of the bunker, Paradise's Season 2 premiere put Woodley's Annie at the forefront. We got to see what the world-ending event looked like from outside the bunker, with Annie and her friend Gayle holding up in Elvis' old digs, Graceland. It was a meditation on survival and the strength of the human character, especially after Annie is left alone for 23 months. And despite her trauma and distrust of people, it was moving to see her eventually let her guard down and bond with Link and his group.

Shailene Woodley's performance is wildly captivating in this first episode, so much so that I forgot about the bunker entirely, as well as the lack of Sterling K. Brown's protagonist Collins for the majority of the episode. Although when she finds him in the final moments of the premiere, I was beyond ready to see these two characters interact.

Of course, Paradise kept us waiting, and we didn't catch up with this new character pairing until Episode 4, "A Holy Charge." And boy was the episode worth the wait. We watched as Collins and Annie formed an uneasy alliance before eventually becoming true friends. And when Woodley's character reveals she's been suffering from pre-eclampsia and eventually goes into labor, the drama and the stakes rise to a ten. Collins teaches her to trust people, and comes through with a group to help her through her labor.

After she gives birth, Annie realizes that the catastrophic postpartum bleeding, which she recognizes as a former nurse, will kill her. It's a truly heartbreaking scene, one that made me cry more than any TV episode in recent memory. Shailene Woodley was able to deliver an epic emotional arc in just two episodes, showing what a truly outstanding actress she is. And if she doesn't get an Emmy nomination, I am going to set fire to the rain.

Luckily, the first season of Paradise did get some nominations, namely Outstanding Drama, and acting nods for Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and Julianne Nicholson, so there is some precedent for the Divergent actress to be recognized. If Emmy voters have any sense, they'll continue this trend and recognize Woodley for her incredible work.

Paradise airs new episodes on Mondays on Hulu as part of the 2026 TV schedule. We'll just have to see if Shailene Woodley appears again; dead characters have a habit of coming back via flashbacks on the show.

The first season of Paradise took the TV world by storm with its twisty post-apocalyptic murder mystery. While the assassination of President Cal Bradford drove the story, it was always more about the bigger secrets surrounding the doomsday event — and what was really happening outside of their underground “paradise.” As Season 2 premieres on the 2026 TV schedule, we're about to find that out for ourselves. Critics have seen 7 of the 8 episodes, and they’re mostly in for more fun in (and out of) the bunker.

Last we saw Sterling K. Brown’s Xavier Collins, he was headed to the Earth’s surface in search of his wife, after Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) revealed there were survivors, and Teri was one of them. What will Xavier encounter outside of the bunker? Even more worrisome, what chaos will unfold inside of it? According to Cheryl Eddy of Gizmodo, Paradise Season 2 succeeds in following multiple characters (complete with flashbacks, of course) to bring us even more tension and thrills this time around. The critic writes:

Jonathan Wilson of Ready Steady Cut says the expanded scope of Season 2 plays to Dan Fogelman’s strength in weaving emotional storylines together This Is Us-style. It isn’t perfect, Wilson says, but the pluses outweigh the minuses for an overall “immensely satisfying” sophomore effort. The critic rates the season 4 out of 5 stars, writing:

Belen Edwards of Mashable notes how expanding the world beyond the Colorado bunker also leaves us without a strong “Who killed the president?”-esque mystery to center the drama, but that’s not Fogelman's only big Season 2 swing. The premiere episode focuses almost solely on a survivor we’ve never met before — Annie, as Shailene Woodley joins the Paradise cast — and surprises like that continue throughout. Critics don’t know how it ends, but this one has certainly enjoyed the ride either way. Edwards says:

For other critics, the ride alone may not be enough, as Angie Han on THR argues that bigger isn’t necessarily better in Paradise’s case. The series has always been more heart than head, Han says, and there’s definitely enough good in Season 2 to make you not want to sweat the small stuff. However, the inconsistencies, plot holes and dead-end narratives accumulate to eat away at the series’ already-shaky structure. The critic continues:

Clint Worthington of RogerEbert says Paradise loses the novelty that drew us to it in the first place, as Xavier splits off into his own storyline. The political intrigue and unsettling veneer of normalcy inside Sinatra’s “Paradise” are gone, and while “a few pulpy delights” still exist, according to Worthington, it’s all a bit too slow-moving for his taste. The critic says:

While the reviews are a little mixed, the critics all seem to agree there’s plenty to like here — especially if you’re a fan of Dan Fogelman’s timeline-jumping, heartstring-pulling, gasp-worthy, twisty storytelling. However, when you open the door to the bunker, things are going to change, and when you add more characters, others could get lost.

How much that bothers you will likely determine how you feel about Paradise Season 2, but the 30 critics reporting to Rotten Tomatoes have brought it to a Certified Fresh 90%. The first three episodes are available to stream now with a Hulu subscription, with episodes coming weekly on Mondays thereafter.

Ted Lasso won’t be the only show to come back from the dead after seemingly being done. After years of discussions and hope, Big Little Lies is finally making a comeback. The mystery dramedy aired for two seasons on HBO, with Season 2 wrapping up in 2019. The door wasn’t necessarily closed on a third season, but with the long wait it didn’t look like it was happening. However, the cast have remained hopeful about Season 3 of BLL, now, despite nearly turning down the show, Shailene Woodley is getting hyped for Season 3, as am I.

As one of several HBO shows that have the world talking, it’s not surprising that Season 3 is still being talked about, even six years after Season 2. Following Deadline's news that Big Little Lies’ third season is officially in development at HBO, with Francesca Sloane set to write the first episode, the excitement is being turned up a notch.

Woodley even celebrated on her Instagram Stories, sharing a fun photo of her reunion with co-stars Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz during New York Fashion Week. And just seeing a photo of the three of them has me ecstatic, as well as confirmation on Season 3:

Considering Big Little Lies Season 3 has been talked about for so long, it’s kind of hard to believe that it’s actually happening. Or at the very least, close to finally happening. The wait has been a long one, but the expensive HBO show has a good reason for taking so long, as HBO and HBO Max Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys previously said he wasn’t sure about another season. But then they told Variety in 2024 that he was optimistic it would move forward. Now getting Woodley’s confirmation that it is has me so incredibly excited.

That being said, just because the new season is finally moving forward doesn’t mean that HBO is only now working on it. Technically, Season 2 of Big Little Lies wasn’t the official final season, hence why Season 3 has always been in play. Bloys shared that it’s been hard to line up schedules, and with the show based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, he was waiting for her to write a follow-up. The wait has been worth it, and seeing the cast reunite and getting confirmation from them has me as pumped as ever.

Even though a third season is in development, it’s unknown how much longer it will take. It’s taken six years for the season to officially move forward, who knows how long it will be until production starts. Of course, fans have been waiting over five years already, so having to hold off for a little bit longer will be like nothing. At least the first two seasons of Big Little Lies are available with an HBO Max subscription.

Hot off of her latest return to the big screen with Freakier Friday in the 2025 movie schedule, Lindsay Lohan is on her way to the small screen as star of a new drama coming to Hulu. Suffice it to say that she has more to celebrate than just the Freaky Friday sequel's box office milestone, because she'll be joined in the streaming series by none other than an Emmy-nominated actress to go toe-to-toe with.

Count My Lies features a liar who works her way up to filling the role of nanny for Violet (Lindsay Lohan) and Jay Lockhart, but the role won't be a dream for the scammer. The household is full of secrets, and even without knowing the novel of the same name (penned by Sophie Stava), I feel comfortable predicting that there will be some sky-high stakes. According to Variety, Count My Lies has scored a series order from Hulu and Shailene Woodley of Big Little Lies will play the liar, named Sloane Caraway.

Lohan and Woodley make for an interesting pair of co-leads. Woodley has had multiple major TV roles over the past decade, and will be part of Paradise Season 2 alongside Sterling K. Brown on Hulu. In contrast, Lohan has never had a lead role in a scripted drama series despite a long list of film credits. Both actresses will also serve as executive producers on Count My Lies.

While no premiere date has been announced for when Count My Lies will be available with a Hulu subscription, there's a winning team behind the scenes of the drama. Former This Is Us showrunners Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger are on board as showrunners, writers, and executive producers. In a fun twist, there were already only a few degrees of separation between the new series and Shailene Woodley even before the casting was announced.

Woodley's arrival on Paradise teams her up with This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman as well as former star Sterling K. Brown, both of whom of course worked with Aptaker and Berger during the NBC hit's years in primetime. In addition to Big Little Lies (for which she earned her Emmy nomination) and upcoming role in Paradise Season 2, Woodley has had other main roles in shows including Secret Life of the American Teenager and Three Women. Longtime O.C. viewers may also remember her as the first actress to play Kaitlin Cooper, before then-future Arrow star Willa Holland took over the role.

As for Lindsay Lohan, coming to TV for a lead drama role for the first time isn't the only way that Count My Lies will take her in a different direction. Despite ranking as a rom-com queen and still holding a special place in the hearts of millennials everywhere for Mean Girls, Lohan shared how "nice" it will be to do a project where the culmination of the plot isn't a big kiss at the end.

Count My Lies is being billed as a limited series, so Lohan's first lead TV role isn't going to be an ongoing gig beyond a first season. Still, it should be interesting to see her flexing her acting muscles after many rom-coms and returning to the Freaky Friday world for the sequel opposite Jamie Lee Curtis.

For now, we can only wait for more updates on the rest of the cast of Count My Lies and when the limited series might be ready to premiere on Hulu. In the meantime, you can find plenty of other upcoming viewing options on our 2025 TV schedule.

Spoiler alert! Spoilers ahead for Paradise Season 1, so if you haven’t seen the series, please stream it with your Hulu subscription before continuing to read.

We’re still firmly in the first half of the year, but already Hulu’s Paradise has made a strong case for being among the best new series on the 2025 TV schedule. Fans were left in shock after an intense Season 1 finale, and Hulu didn’t waste any time in renewing it for a second run. I guess creator Dan Fogelman is trying to strike while the iron’s hot, because we’ve already gotten our first new character for the upcoming season, and I’m so excited about the rumored role.

Shailene Woodley has been announced as the first new cast member to join Paradise Season 2, Deadline reports. Woodley is likely best known for playing protective single mother Jane on the Big Little Lies adaptation and teen mom Amy on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, as well as one of George Clooney’s daughters in The Descendents.

The actress signed on for a major recurring role on the dystopian political thriller, and while no official information was released about the character she’ll play on Paradise Season 2, there are rumors that have me really hyped.

At the end of Season 1, it was revealed to Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) that natural and nuclear disaster did not wipe out humanity on the surface of the Earth. There were survivors — including Xavier’s wife Teri (Enuka Okuma) — and the Secret Service agent was headed out of their large underground bunker in search of survivors.

According to rumors, that’s where Shailene Woodley may come in. Deadline says Woodley’s arc is allegedly tied to Xavier’s mission, as she may play a prominent survivor.

The actress — who is also known for projects like The Fault in Our Stars, the Divergent series and Ferrari. — has such range that her character could go in so many directions, so there’s really no guessing how she will help (or hinder?) Xavier’s mission.

We also know that Shailene Woodley is able to carry an emotional storyline, and with Dan Fogelman running the show, you can bet Paradise hits This Is Us-esque emotional notes. I definitely don’t expect that to let up in Season 2. We already got the most heartbreaking scene between Xavier and Teri in the first season; I’m scared about what to expect now that we know she survived the initial disaster.

Speaking of things to be afraid of in Paradise’s second season, not only will we venture out to largely unknown territory for the first time, but what will happen inside the utopian bunker is just as fraught.

As Julianne Nicholson’s Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond watched things unravel in her manmade paradise, she became quite unhinged, but she appears to be nothing in comparison to secret assassin Jane Driscoll (Nicole Brydon Bloom). The new villain was willing to go on a bloody rampage for some Wii Tennis, so there are seemingly no limits to the evil she’s capable of.

I can't wait to find out more about Shailene Woodley's character and Season 2 in general, but in the meantime, the first season is available to stream on Hulu.

The ensemble that filled out Big Little Lies, HBO's hit series based on Liane Moriarty’s book of the same name, is arguably one of TV's best and went far beyond the world of the original source material. Each actress is as good as the last, and it’s hard to imagine that this cast could have looked quite different. Shailene Woodley, who played the young new mother in the two seasons of the series, nearly turned down the role until one of her costars convinced her to accept the part.

Woodley has been on a press tour for the new Starz series in the 2024 TV schedule, called Three Women, based on Lisa Taddeo’s book of the same name. She stopped in at Vanity Fair to participate in their popular "Scene Selection" segment to rewatch and share some stories of her most popular titles.

During the Big Little Lies segment, the 32-year-old revealed she was interested in finding herself and nearly turned down the hit HBO show even though she wanted to work with the show’s director. Woodley shared:

It’s no surprise that she wanted to take some time to soul search at the young age of 23. She already had a heavy-hitting resume with parts in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Descendants to name just a few. Woodley was fine to step away from Hollywood.

The Divergent alum then shared that if it weren’t for Laura Dern she would’ve been in India and we would’ve had someone else take on Jane Chapman. She revealed:

I think it’s safe to say, thank goodness for Laura Dern! If Woodley wasn’t a part of the coastal drama, it would have changed the tone of the show entirely. The relationship amongst the ensemble was key to both seasons, and the ensemble of course only got stronger with the addition of Meryl Streep.

It’s great to see the friendships among these women were there from the start. The Spectacular Now star praised Dern for her honesty and bravery in the pivotal moment:

Honestly, this bit of BLL behind-the-scenes information just makes me hope that Season 3 is coming someday, especially with the cast buzzing about why it's been taking so long. The passing of Jean-Marc Vallée may have something to do with it since it was heartbreaking for all involved, with many honoring his memory.

I’m very glad that Woodley ultimately listened to Dern, as it wouldn’t have been the same if the Three Women star had turned it down. You can watch Big Little Lies with a Max subscription and catch Three Women on Fridays with a Starz subscription.

Remember the Divergent movies? It was a decade ago this year when the dystopian franchise got its start on the big screen. At the time, Shailene Woodley had only been in a few films, and while working opposite Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, she received some very invaluable advice that she’ll never forget, even though in the movie itself, the two become sworn enemies.

Being a young woman in Hollywood isn’t necessarily the easiest thing, especially when it comes to tons of people sharing their opinions when one is still growing into themselves and their confidence. So, when Woodley met Winslet early in her career, it meant the world to her. In her words when asked if she was a good sounding board for her at the time:

Shailene Woodley spoke about Kate Winslet while talking to Drew Barrymore on her daytime show. During their sweet conversation, Barrymore quoted recent words from Winslet where the actress spoke about her early days post-Titanic where her sudden whirlwind fame meant a lot of people started commenting on her body and calling her fat.

Winslet has shared that she did not stand up for herself at the time because she was “grateful” just to be able to afford her own apartment. Looking back now, as she told Variety earlier this year, she would say “Don’t you dare treat me like this. I’m a young woman, my body is changing, I’m figuring it out, I’m deeply insecure, I’m terrified, don’t make this any harder than it already is.’ That’s bullying”. Here’s how Woodley responded to Winslet’s commentary on her start with fame:

As Woodley shared during the interview, Winslet actually protected her and made sure she had the message she wished she heard at her age by sitting her down and giving her this advice. Check out the moment on YouTube:

The moment on the Divergent set in turn really affected Shailene Woodley, and it made sure she was in touch with herself rather than falling privy to what everyone else’s opinions were.

Following the Divergent movies, Woodley even took a break from acting to focus more on herself. Now, she's back on screen with her latest project, the STARZ miniseries called Three Women, based on the book of the same name.

And oddly enough, Kate Winslet can be seen in one of the 2024 movies currently out in theaters, Lee. You can check out CinemaBlend’s interview with Winslet about how portraying the war photojournalist affected her life next.

In Shailene Woodley’s best movies and shows, the Hollywood actress has played characters who’ve experienced tragic relationships such as in The Spectacular Now, Adrift, The Fault in Our Stars, Secret Life of the American Teenager, and more. In real life, the Emmy Award nominee has dealt with her own share of difficult relationships. Now, Woodley talks all about moving on and changing after her breakups with Aaron Rodgers and others.

Set to premiere on Starz, Three Women stars Shailene Woodley as Gia, a reporter who travels in her van to cover the sexual desires of three women while dealing with her own complex personal life. Not only did Woodley resonate with her character’s experiences on the road, but the talented actress has had complicated romances of her own. While speaking with Bustle, the Divergent actress spoke about what made her own personal happiness a priority over “performing for others.” Here was her explanation:

Shailene Woodley’s response truly speaks to me about loving intensely and trying not to overanalyze why things didn’t work out in relationships. As the Snowden actress says, we need to remember our love for life and the people we already have compared to centering on what’s broken.

In 2018, Shailene Woodley was in a relationship with rugby player Ben Volavola which reportedly ended after two years. During the time Woodley was filming Three Women, she and fiancé NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke up for the second time. After two years of being together, the alleged reason for the breakup was Woodley feeling “everything was on Aaron's terms and it wasn't making her happy.” Their first breakup was two months prior with reports claiming the New York Jets athlete “put football first.” After Woodley and Rodgers' relationship ended for good, the Ferrari actress wrote an endearing post about dealing with grief, viewing that tough emotion as “praise” for honoring what’s missed instead of shame.

Each breakup has the potential to give you a new perspective on your life and how you see yourself. Shailene Woodley certainly learned from her previous relationships how to view people and how much of yourself to give:

It’s true that we can’t waste so much time giving to people who aren’t worthy of affection. As Three Women deals with the theme of trauma, Shailene Woodley explained that the important way to love without trauma is to avoid making others “taste” that pain. In other words, each relationship is an opportunity to start new instead of bringing the pain from history onto the next person. Even though The Mauritanian actress is in her 30s, she said she places no expectations on her life living moment by moment while still holding onto her dreams like becoming a mom.

The Golden Globe nominee clearly has a good head on her shoulders in learning from her previous relationships. While Shailene Woodley admits she may not “love lightly,” she’s learned to walk away without questioning why things didn’t work out and not to give so much of herself to those who are undeserving. These are powerful lessons we all can learn. You can watch the film/television actress star Three Women with its 2024 TV premiere coming to Starz on September 13.

Do you have Three Women’s premiere circled? The STARZ series is on the 2024 TV schedule and premieres next Friday, September 13. As someone who has seen the show early, I can say it’s not a drama series to be missed. Based on the book by Lisa Taddeo, the series tells the true stories of multiple women from different sides of the United States and each of their unique connections with pleasure. When CinemaBlend spoke to Three Women’s Shailene Woodley, she shared with us just how the series related to her upbringing.

In the series that moved from Showtime to STARZ last year, Shailene Woodley plays a fictional stand-in for the book’s author Lisa Taddeo, who road tripped across the U.S. to formulate her 2019 New York Times bestseller. During my interview with Woodley and Three Women author, Woodley spoke about collaborating with Taddeo. The actress specifically discussed meshing her own experiences with the notes from the novelist:

Three Women tells the true stories of a trio of women: a mother living in Indiana, a high school student living in North Dakota and a restaurant owner residing in the Northeast. Lisa Taddeo protected two of the three's identities by changing their names. The third is known to be Maggie Wilken, who took her high school teacher to court for having a sexual relationship with her when she was 17.

The series delves deeply into each of the women’s lives, detailing their fears and desires. Shailene Woodley’s Gia is at the center of the story and is a writer who buys a van and travels all over on the hunt for a good story to tell. As mentioned above, Woodley could identify with the character because she has her own experience being on the road.

Back in 2014, the same year she was in Divergent, The Fault in Our Stars and was cut as Mary Jane Watson from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the A-lister spoke about her experiences on the road. She told USA Today that she had combined her things into a single suitcase and was homeless purposefully after she spent only 15 days at her home the year prior.

In 2016, Shailene Woodley also went on the road with her mom’s 17-year-old motorhome to lead a cross country road trip from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to the Democratic National Convention to support Bernie Sanders. She ultimately ended up keeping it going for two months. She previously revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she would often stop at Walmart parking lots and on the sides of the road. Aside from the roadie memories the show gave her, she also said this during our interview:

This is an upcoming book adaptation that’s totally worth your time, even if you have yet to read Lisa Taddeo’s novel. As the Descendants alum shared, she feels the series may encourage people to realize there’s a breadth of experiences occurring across America -- many that aren't typically examined but can allow audiences to see new perspectives. As she continued:

This is definitely one of the best Shailene Woodley performances I’ve seen, and the role fits the actress so well. If you’ve been waiting for Big Little Lies Season 3, you’ll enjoy this series. Except, rather than the drama focusing on residents of Monterey, California, there are several unique experiences at play here. Please do yourself a favor and check out STARZ's Three Women!

As one of the best shows on Max, Big Little Lies has slowly been making its way back to the surface for a pretty good reason. The hit HBO drama had its Season 2 finale in July 2019, and while there have been rumors of a third season and HBO never officially ended the show, nothing happened. However, in recent months, stars such as Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley have teased the highly-anticipated Season 3. Since it definitely seems to be coming, why has it taken so long?

Where We’re At With Big Little Lies Season 3

Earlier this month, Reese Witherspoon confirmed to Variety that she and Nicole Kidman “have been working on it a lot.” Kidman, meanwhile, has mostly kept her lips pretty tight when it comes to details, but was previously open to a Season 3 of Big Little Lies. The actress did tell the same outlet though that the two of them are “texting every day.” Not too many details have been released as of now regarding their conversations about the HBO show returning, but Kidman stresses something’s happening:

Meanwhile, Shailene Woodley also opened up about the third season, telling Harper’s Bazaar that it’s “been a dream” for them to do another installment. 

However, back in 2019, after Season 2 had aired, HBO and Max Content Chairman/CEO Casey Bloys wasn’t too sure about another season, noting that there was no “obvious story.” However, he was open to any and all possibilities. Fast forward almost five years, and his sentiments remain the same.

Why Big Little Lies Season 3 Has Taken So Long

Bloys told Variety in 2024 that he’s heard “a little bit about the idea," and he thinks "it could be great.” Considering it’s been so long since the expensive HBO series was last in production and everyone’s been busy with other projects, it may not be as easy as one would hope to get Season 3 going. However, Bloys is optimistic about the long-awaited season:

With the new season still being in its early stages, it probably won’t be happening for a while. Luckily, once it gets going and schedules start to line up, then hopefully, more information will be released. Even though interest in shows dies down the longer they’re on hiatus, with Big Little Lies’ characters and cast, it’s hard to not get excited about the thought of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and more reuniting once again.

It's hard to tell how long it will be until Season 3 is out, or at the very least, officially confirmed by HBO. They may be working on it, but things could always change in terms of story, interest, and the like. Five years is a long time to wait, but the fact that there seems to be new information coming out about Big Little Lies every so often builds that excitement back up. So you never know what could happen. 

For now, fans will want to watch the first two seasons of Big Little Lies with a Max subscription to prepare, just in case.

It is not unusual for an actor just starting out in the business to film scenes for a movie that, ultimately, never see the light of the day. In fact, it's not out of the ordinary for that same thing to happen to an established A-lister either. See for yourself by taking a look at some of the biggest stars you did not realize were almost in some of your favorite film, if not for the magic of editing.

Ana De Armas (Yesterday)

Yesterday is a universe-altering movie that takes place in a reality in which the Beatles never existed. Coincidentally, there exists an alternate cut of the film featuring Ana de Armas as a Late Late Show guest Himesh Patel’s Jack Malik romantically sings “Something” to. Per writer, Richard Curtis explained that the character was cut to avoid making Jack’s relationship with Ellie (Lily James) any more complicated. Though De Armas did appear in the trailer, and fans pursued legal action against Universal over the marketing.

Kevin Costner (The Big Chill) 

In one of the best movies of the ‘80s, The Big Chill, a group of friends reunite for the funeral of their friend, Alex, who was supposed to be played by the future Oscar-winning star and director of Dances with Wolves (pictured), Kevin Costner. Star Jeff Goldblum told Yahoo! that the Yellowstone cast member was “wonderful” in a flashback scene that was ultimately cut from the 1983 ensemble dramedy, in which his character finds himself reluctant to carve a Thanksgiving turkey and ruin its perfection.

Christopher Lee (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King)

One of the most important characters from the Lord of the Rings movies, Saruman, is not in the third installment, The Return of the King. Per Ain’t It Cool News, Peter Jackson felt his scene — which was originally shot for The Two Towers — served as more of a wrap-up to the previous film than a suitable beginning for this one. While appearing at University College Dublin, Saruman actor Christopher Lee shared how shocked he was to learn his scene from the Best Picture Oscar winner — in which he stands off against the Fellowship — was cut before recommending the crowd “buy the extended DVDs.”

Harrison Ford (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Steven Spielberg told EW that, as a favor to him and writer Melissa Mathison (also his then-girlfriend), Harrison Ford shot a scene for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as Elliot’s (Henry Thomas) school principal that can be found on YouTube today. It never made the final cut of the 1982 box office smash, but know that had it been included, the star of the Indiana Jones movies (pictured) still would have gone mostly unseen as the camera never shows his face.

Andy García (Dangerous Minds)

Andy García told BlogTalkRadio (via Express) that when he was approached to star in 1995’s Dangerous Minds as a love interest for Michelle Pfeiffer’s inner city teacher, Louanne Johnson, he openly expressed that he found the role unnecessary. Still, the star of Father of the Bride (pictured) shot the scenes that were written for him (but not included in the initial script). But they were indeed removed from the final cut.

James Gandolfini (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)

The late James Gandolfini shot scenes for 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close as a man Sandra Bullock’s widowed character meets at a 9/11 victims support group meeting. The Sopranos cast member (pictured) was even credited on the Oscar-nominated drama’s poster. According to the LA Times — his role was removed following a poor test audience reception.

Eric Stoltz (Back to the Future)

One of the most infamous examples of an actor cut from a movie — save one frame — is Eric Stoltz, who led the Back to the Future cast for about a month before director Robert Zemeckis and others realized his “intense” approach to the role was not working. As Collider recalls, Zemeckis got approval to reshoot most of the movie and replace Stoltz with their initial choice, Michael J. Fox, whose performance in the time travel movie classic as Marty McFly is iconic.

Ashley Judd (Natural Born Killers)

In a sequence cut from Natural Born Killers (which can be found on YouTube), Ashley Judd plays Grace Mulberry — the sole survivor of Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox’s (Juliette Lewis) mass teenager murder. She appears in court to be personally cross-examined by Mickey, who then stabs her to death with a pencil on the stand. In an interview for Metrograph, director Oliver Stone recalls removing it for its “length, and violence,” but now believes the “touching” scene belongs in the controversial 1994 satire.

Tobey Maguire (Life Of Pi)

In 2012’s adaptation of the novel, Life of Pi, the title character (portrayed as an older man by Irrfan Khan) recalls his unbelievable story of survival to a writer, played by English actor, Rafe Spall. However, according to USA Today, the role was originally played by Tobey Maguire until director Ang Lee decided the sSpider-Man star (pictured) was too distractingly recognizable and opted for reshoots. 

Chris Cooper (The Ring)

Anyone who ever wondered who Naomi Watts’ Rachel passes the curse tape along to at the end of The Ring should know it was Chris Cooper. The Oscar-winning star of Adaptation. (pictured) told Sci-Fi Wire (via MovieHole) that he shot bookend scenes for the 2002 horror movie classic. One establishes his character as a serial killer and the other shows him receiving the tape. Both were cut for disrupting the flow.

Shailene Woodley (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

The Amazing Spider-Man franchise was meant to introduce of Shailene Woodley as Mary-Jane Watson to Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker. Per MovieWeb, the Divergent star did shoot a cameo for TASM 2, which was later cut so she could officially debut in the next film — a plan ruined when the franchise was cancelled completely.

Robert Pattinson (Vanity Fair)

Before Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson played lovers in Water for Elephants, they played mother and son in the 2004 period drama, Vanity Fair. But the then-teenage actor — who went on to hit it big in Twilight (pictured) — was cut from the move, which he discovered while attending the premiere, according to his 2017 W Magazine interview.

Skeet Ulrich (Cursed)

The 2005 werewolf movie, Cursed, marked a reunion for director Wes Craven, writer Kevin Williamson, and original Scream cast member Skeet Ulrich that audiences never saw. According to MovieHole (via Killer Movies), Ulrich — also known for Riverdale (pictured) — was removed in lieu of studio-optioned rewrites and reshoots. But in 2022, the Scream fan site, Hello Sidney, revealed his role via stills from an unreleased director's cut.

Michael Biehn (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Despite Kyle Reese' death in 1984’s The Terminator, Michael Biehn reprised the role in the 1991 sequel, which is now regarded one of the greatest action movies of all time. However, according to ScreenRant, the sequence — in which he comes to Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) in a dream — was cut from Terminator 2: Judgment Day to maintain a tighter pace, but was later restored for an extended special edition. 

Angela Bassett (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)

Technically, Angela Bassett is in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but her part as Brad Pitt’s boss was originally meant to be more than an uncredited voice role. On YouTube, you can find deleted scenes from Doug Liman’s 2004 romantic action-comedy with the two-time Oscar nominee appearing in person alongside Keith David as Father.

Adrien Brody (The Thin Red Line)

Several major actors had their roles were either severely trimmed or completely removed from Terrence Malick’s 1998 war epic, The Thin Red Line, like including Mickey Rourke and George Clooney, as ScreenRant recalls. However, Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody’s character, Cpl. Fife, was the central lead of James Jones' original novel and had even done press for the film when he discovered right before the premiere that he was barely in it, per The Independent (via Eskimo).

Mick Jagger (Fitzcarraldo)

Mick Jagger’s underrated acting skills were praised by Werner Herzog (per Playboy, via The Local), who cast the rock star in his 1982 adventure film, Fitzcarraldo. Unfortunately, according to Far Out, multiple problems facing the production — including star Jason Robards’ dysyntery, as the New York Times reported — caused a delay that interfered with The Rolling Stone's touring schedule. Thus, Herzog was forced to recast Robards’ title role with Klaus Kinski and write Jagger’s character out entirely.

Matt Damon (Ocean's 8)

Ocean’s 8 had some fun cameos from members of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven cast — namely Elliott Gould’s Rueben and Shaobo Qin as Yen — but we almost saw more. In addition to the late Carl Reiner telling Vanity Fair he filmed a scene with Sandra Bullock, THR reports that Matt Damon's cameo as Linus Caldwell from the 2001 heist favorite (pictured) was taken out due to “editorial and storytelling reasons,” as director Gary Ross claimed. The article does, however, mention a petition to remove Damon following comments he made about the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Michelle Monaghan (Constantine, Syriana)

When Michelle Monaghan spoke to MovieHole to promote Mission: Impossible III, it was mentioned that she was removed from two different movies released in 2005: Constantine and Syriana. The fantasy comic book movie did preserve one of her scenes, but she's nowhere to be found in Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar-winning political drama, which already had many storylines to juggle, as Monaghan herself mentioned.

Tim Roth (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood)

Tim Roth is in many of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies — including Pulp Fiction (pictured) — and came very close to joining 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But Tarantino was orced to remove Roth's part to avoid a five-hour runtime. Roth did share in an interview with Uproxx that he appreciated, at least, being mentioned in the credits as “cut.”

Ellen Pompeo (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) 

As a video essay by Film Radar demonstrates, if Ellen Pompeo role’s in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind had not been removed, we would have seen Michel Gondry’s trippy romantic sci-fi dramedy in a whole different light. In deleted scenes, the Grey’s Anatomy star plays Naomi — the woman Jim Carrey’s Joel left for Clementine (Kate Winslet) and whom he reconciles with after his memory wipe. Though he leaves her again when he meets Clementine on the train, unaware he has done this before.

Paul Rudd (Bridesmaids)

The Bridesmaids cast included plenty of funny people, but did you know Paul Rudd was also part of it for a moment? Director Paul Feig told EW he “felt bad” cutting the Ant-Man actor’s darkly funny cameo as Annie’s (co-writer Kristen Wiig) deranged blind date, but did so to shave down the runtime and avoid distracting from Annie’s love triangle with Ted (Jon Hamm) and Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd).

Katherine Langford (Avengers: Endgame)

In a deleted scene from Avengers: Endgame, immediately after Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) “snaps” Thanos (Josh Brolin) away, he is given the chance to say one final goodbye to an older version of his daughter, Morgan (Katherine Langford), in the Soulworld. At least the sequence’s omission gives Langford a chance to play a different Marvel character at some point, hopefully.

Uma Thurman (Savages) 

The 2012 crime drama Savages could have been touted as a reunion between John Travolta and Uma Thurman, who first worked together on Pulp Fiction (pictured), had the latter’s role as Ophelia’s (Blake Lively) mother not been removed. Director Oliver Stone revealed to Huff Post that Paqu was actually one of several character from Don Winslow’s novel did not make it into the movie due to time constraints.

Amy Poehler (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy)

When mentioning her axed cameo as a bank teller in 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy with Vulture, Amy Poehler admits she correctly predicted the movie was already too long to keep her scene, which also featured fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph as a gang leader. Thankfully, the Parks and Rec cast member did appear in the 2013 sequel alongside her buddy, Tina Fey.

Rachel Weisz (To The Wonder)

In 2012, Rachel Weisz spoke to La Stampa (via EW) about how she had the pleasure of working with Terrence Malick on To the Wonder, but would “not have the pleasure of seeing [her] work.” For unknown reasons, the Oscar-winning star of The Constant Gardener (pictured) was removed from the romantic drama starring Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko. And she wasn't alone, as IndieWire later reported that Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen and Amanda Peet were also missing from the final cut.

Viggo Mortenson (The Purple Rose Of Cairo)

One of the first movies Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortenson worked on was Woody Allen’s 1985 fantasy rom-com, The Purple Rose of Cairo. The star of the Lord of the Rings movies (pictured) spoke to ABC News' Peter Travers about how his frustrating experience shooting the film turned out to be meaningless since he was edited out the movie after it was released.

Matthew Fox (World War Z)

The 2013 adaptation of Max Brooks’ World War Z was plagued by rewrites and reshoots that resulted in an entirely new third act from what was intended. As a result, Lost cast member Matthew Fox’s role as a paratrooper was scaled down to just one line of dialogue, which may have been disappointing for the self-proclaimed fan of the OG book, per Huff Post.

Jack Whitehall (Frozen)

In a clip shared to Jack Whitehall’s official YouTube channel, the British comedian shares with an audience how his one-line role as a troll in Disney’s Oscar-winning animated film, Frozen, was reduced to a non-speaking part. The Jungle Cruise cast member and star of Clifford the Big Red Dog (pictured) goes on to say that, after discovering his line was removed when he first saw the movie, a friend of his found a photo of him at a Frozen press junket and meme-ified it. 

James Van Der Beek (Storytelling)

Tom Solondz’s 2002 anthology dramedy, Storytelling, consists of two segments dealing with various challenging topics, but there were original three. As EW reported, the omitted third chapter starred James Van Der Beek — known for being part of the Dawson’s Creek cast and Varsity Blues (pictured) — as a high school football player discovering he's gay.

Sienna Miller (Black Mass)

Before the 2015 crime thriller released, it was already confirmed tha Sienna Miller had been cut from Black Mass. She was cast as Catherine Greig, who had a relationship infamous gangster, Whitey Bulger (played by Johnny Depp in the film). Director Scott Cooper admitted to The Boston Globe that it was a difficult decision to remove the English actor -- then best known for American Sniper (pictured) -- but it ultimately “came down to narrative choices.”

Jena Malone (Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Following previous rumors that she would play Robin, Jena Malone’s comic book movie debut in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice actually never made it to the big screen. Luckily, her role as head S.T.A.R. Labs scientist Jenet Klyburn — first revealed in leaked footage —  would be included in the 2016 DC movie’s three-hour “Ultimate Cut."

So if your friends ever quiz you about has or hasn't starred in major movies, this list should provide you with some interesting loopholes.

Moms always deserve more credit than they get, and that goes for the wonderful matriarchs who have graced our television screens over the years. Characters like Carol Brady and Clair Huxtable are names that easily come to mind when thinking about the best TV moms, but there are so many more that deserve to be mentioned.

Sometimes mothers make mistakes despite trying their best. Others show their love in more unconventional ways, and some just seem to always get outshined by other members of their family. For one reason or another, below are some fantastic TV moms who never got enough credit.

Ruth Fisher (Six Feet Under)

Ruth Fisher’s whole life changed when her husband was killed in a car accident in the Six Feet Under series premiere. Not only was she tasked with continuing to run her family’s funeral home business, and come to terms with her own guilt, loneliness and identity, she had to help guide her grown children through their own grief. Ruth (Frances Conroy) wasn’t perfect — no issue on the HBO drama was black-and-white — but there was no question that she had put her children’s needs first for her whole life. 

Beth Pearson (This Is Us) 

When your mother-in-law is the indomitable Rebecca Pearson, it’s pretty easy to get overshadowed as a mom, and that’s precisely why Beth Pearson (Susan Kelechi Watson) on This Is Us never got enough credit. Her husband Randall was definitely a good partner, but Beth was the real MVP of the parenting dynamic duo, often able to anticipate her family’s emotions and sniff out any scheming going on with their three daughters. She even became a mother figure to many more by opening her own dance studio. 

Sarah Braverman (Parenthood) 

Parenthood gave viewers plenty of different family dynamics to dissect, and Kristina Braverman was tough to beat as a mother, going so far as to open up a charter school for children with special needs. So it's no wonder that her sister-in-law, former wild child Sarah Braverman (Lauren Graham), was never given much credit. Sarah struggled to raise Amber and Drew as a single mother, and boy did they not make it easy on her. She may not have always had all the answers, but she loved her kids first, and in the end they figured it out together. 

Rainbow Johnson (black-ish) 

Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Johnson) on black-ish deserves all the flowers, serving as the model of a successful working mom. Rainbow juggled being a doctor and raising five children, whom she respected as individuals. She put their problems ahead of her own to make sure they had a better life than she did as a kid. 

Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) 

Lorelai Gilmore’s daughter Rory could always count on her mom for a snappy joke or pop culture reference, but Lorelai (Lauren Graham) certainly didn’t have it easy. Her relationship with her own parents was strained after getting pregnant at just 16 years old, making it all the more impressive when she made a life for her and Rory in Stars Hollow. She struggled at times to be patient with her own daughter’s mistakes, but she wasn’t too proud to accept her parents’ help when it benefited Rory. 

Marge Simpson (The Simpsons) 

Would the Simpson family even survive without Marge? Easily the most underappreciated of the family of five, Marge never got any help from Homer over the decades, as she raised three extremely different and never-aging children. In fact, Homer was more of a fourth child in that equation, and still Marge loved her husband and her kids. I don’t think there’s a person in the world who could blame her for the occasional frustrated grunt. 

Michonne (The Walking Dead) 

Despite her own trauma of losing a child in the walker outbreak, The Walking Dead’s Michonne (Danai Gurira) adopted Carl and Judith as her own (before going on have her own child with Rick Grimes), and she never hesitated to put her own life at risk to save them. 

Penelope Alvarez (One Day at a Time) 

Despite being a war veteran struggling with her own PTSD and depression, Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) was always able to give her children the attention they needed on One Day at a Time. She made the time, even while working as a nurse and living with her traditional Cuban mother. 

Morticia Addams (The Addams Family) 

Morticia Addams (portrayed in the 1964 sitcom The Addams Family by Carolyn Jones) was the epitome of unconventional, but was there ever a TV mom who encouraged her children to be themselves more than her? Never bending to the expectations and societal norms of those around her, Morticia was always loyal to and protective of her family, if not a bit macabre. 

Jane Villanueva (Jane the Virgin) 

Talk about life taking you in unexpected directions! Gina Rodriguez’s Jane Villanueva on Jane the Virgin had her own matriarchs to thank for being able to figure things out when she got pregnant by accidental artificial insemination. Such grace in the most unique of situations. 

Claire Dunphy (Modern Family) 

Nobody said you had to have everything together in order to be a good mom. Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) of Modern Family often struggled with how to approach the myriad hurdles of her blended and extended family, but fans found her relatable, and she deserved a lot more credit than she got. 

Gemma Teller Morrow (Sons of Anarchy) 

The characters in the world of Sons of Anarchy all knew one thing: Don’t mess with Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Sagal) or her family, including any of the members of SAMCRO. Gemma was willing to kill or die for her son Jax, and boy did she prove it.  

Laurel Park (The Summer I Turned Pretty) 

Often the less-fun mom in comparison to her BFF Susannah, Laurel Park (Jackie Chung) was undoubtedly more responsible of the two in the book-to-screen adaptation of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Even when grief drove her and Susannah’s kids to make some pretty bad decisions, she handled the teens with understanding and grace. 

Skyler White (Breaking Bad) 

Boy did people give Skyler White (Anna Gunn) grief during Breaking Bad’s run on AMC. Sure, she was complicit in some of Walter White’s money laundering, but it’s not like she was left with much of a choice. Always doing what she thought was best for her family, she was fiercely protective of her kids — even when that meant standing up to her husband when he was at his most dangerous. 

Peggy Bundy (Married… With Children) 

Peggy Bundy (Katey Sagal) had a lot of qualities you might not look for in a good TV mom on Married… with Children. She was lazy, obsessed with the television and didn’t exactly set the best example for the kids. She still deserves more credit than she gets, though, because she was unapologetically herself and nurturing in her own way. 

Roseanne Conner (Roseanne) 

Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) wasn’t perfect on her self-titled sitcom, but what family is? Her and Dan’s struggles to make ends meet while still wanting more for their kids was what made her relatable to so many. Her blunt and brutal honesty was what made her so funny.  

Chilli Heeler (Bluey) 

Chilli, better known as “Mum” to the Bluey viewing audience, definitely doesn’t get as much credit in the fun department as Bluey and Bingo’s dad Bandit, but somebody’s got to remember to pack the goggles, towels and sunscreen for a day at the pool, right? Chilli takes care of a lot of the “boring” stuff, which apparently is not just a thing for human moms. 

Harriette Winslow (Family Matters)  

Harriette Winslow (played by Jo Marie Payton until the middle of the final season) may not get brought up in the “Best TV Moms” conversation all that often, but she definitely should. If for no other reason, she kept her patience with Family Matters fan favorite Steve Urkel a lot longer than many would have. 

Linda Belcher (Bob’s Burgers) 

Sometimes when it comes to moms and their eccentric families, it’s hard to understand how they fit in. That’s not the case with Linda Belcher on Bob’s Burgers, who may be the matriarch, but she’s as big a mess as any of them, and I mean that in the best way. Linda is wild and funny while still being incredibly loving and supportive. 

Jean Weir (Freaks and Geeks) 

Helping your children navigate their formative years is not an easy task, and Jean Weir (Becky Ann Baker) on Freaks and Geeks definitely had her work cut out for her with her polar-opposite kiddos Lindsay and Sam. While her efforts were hit-and-miss, she wanted to connect with them so badly, and you just had to appreciate her goofy, sometimes-overbearing personality. 

Rebecca Donaldson Katsopolis (Full House) 

Of course Rebecca Donaldson (aka “Aunt Becky”) would go on to have twins with “Uncle Jesse” Katsopolis, but Lori Loughlin’s character on Full House was earning mom points years before that, as she gave motherly advice to Michelle, Stephanie and especially DJ after their own mom’s passing. The importance of her role to them can’t be overstated. 

Jessica Huang (Fresh Off The Boat) 

Jessica Huang (Constance Wu) may be the queen to her kids’ pawns in the chess game of life, but the high expectations the Fresh Off the Boat matriarch set for her children just showed how much she believed in them. She was firm but devoted, and sometimes we forget those tough moms have just as much love to give. 

Carol Foster-Lambert (Step By Step) 

Anybody who successfully blends families the way the Fosters and Lamberts did on Step by Step deserves some major mom snaps, especially given the spectrum of personalities Carol Foster-Lambert’s children and stepchildren exhibited. There were growing pains, of course, but it couldn’t have worked without the endless love and support of Suzanne Somers’ character. 

Jane Chapman (Big Little Lies) 

Given the trauma that Jane Chapman endured on Big Little Lies, there’s no wondering why she’s slow to trust people, or why she’s so protective of her son Ziggy. Never as perky or interesting or seemingly perfect as the other moms around her, her strength to survive and provide for Ziggy shouldn’t go unheralded. 

Kitty Forman (That ‘70s Show) 

We all know that one mom who unofficially adopts all of her kids’ friends as her own, and on That ‘70s Show, it was Eric and Laurie’s mother Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp). It speaks volumes that everybody always felt at home there, despite her husband Red’s eternally grouchy disposition. She may not get enough credit as a great TV mom, but she’s unrivaled in infectious laughter. 

Carmela Soprano (The Sopranos) 

All moms have a lot on their plates, and let's face it: Parenting is just plain hard. So Edie Falco's Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos probably deserves some extra credit for also being married to a mob boss. Even if she didn't deserve it, I'd give it to her anyway.

Annie Marks (Good Girls) 

Good Girls shows just how far moms will go when they’re desperate to provide for their children. Mae Whitman played young single mother Annie Marks, but despite Annie's dangerous lifestyle, she prioritized her child and was a beacon of support during an emotional coming out story. 

Christy Jolene Plunkett (Mom) 

A special shoutout to the moms who are figuring it out after not having a particularly good role model themselves. This was the case for Christy (Anna Faris) on Mom, who always did her best as she faced her own struggles with sobriety and the complex relationship with her mom Bonnie. 

Amy Sosa (Superstore) 

Amy Sosa’s kids may not have been the central focus of Superstore, but America Ferrera’s character gave a voice to many mothers out there through her storyline about having to return to work after 48 hours because the store didn’t offer maternity leave. 

Cindy Walsh (Beverly Hills, 90210) 

Good role models seemed to be severely lacking on Beverly Hills 90210, so that should have made Cindy Walsh (Carol Potter) stand out more as one of TV’s greatest moms. She kept Brandon and Brenda grounded, while providing support as needed to their friends. Cindy put her own pain aside, only rarely showing that she, too, had struggled with the move from Minnesota to the sunny West Coast. 

Samantha Stephens (Bewitched) 

It can’t be easy being a witch living in a non-magical world, but that’s the reality Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha Stephens was faced with on Bewitched. Both of her and Darrin’s children also had the nose-twitching powers, and while it’s debatable whether those abilities were best kept under wraps or not, it’s obvious that Samantha just wanted to keep her husband happy and do what was best for the kids. 

Sam Fox (Better Things) 

Loosely based on Pamela Adlon’s own life as a single mom of three daughters, Better Things’ Sam Fox was the perfect combination of protective but not overbearing. She was willing to lay down the law, but the lines of communication were always open for honest conversations about real — and sometimes tough — issues. 

Nora Walker (Brothers & Sisters) 

Nora Walker (Sally Field) isn't often mentioned in the same sentence as TV mom icons like June Cleaver or Clair Huxtable, but she should be. In the wake of her cheating husband's death, Nora didn't have just her own problems to deal with, but she took on those of her grown children as well. In addition to being graceful, honest and loving through all the ups and downs, Nora knew how to keep the wine flowing too.

This is really just a handful of TV moms who don't get enough credit, because if we're being honest, can we ever really show too much appreciation for the women who doled out life lessons from the television screen? I didn't think so. 

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a number of movies set at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes sense, given just how much happened during that time in history. The latest of these projects is director Craig Gillespie’s upcoming biographical dramedy Dumb Money, which is about the infamous WallStreetBets GameStop scandal. The movie’s cast is unreal, and actually made me interested in the stock market after being clueless about how that system works.

The Toronto International Film Festival is currently underway, and Dumb Money is one of the many upcoming projects that got its world premiere this year. The movie’s title refers to amateur traders who can sometimes lose their money to major money managers and hedge funds. The true story revolves around a reddit page titled r/WallStreetBets, which united in 2021 to purchase stocks at GameStop and squeeze hedge fund companies. 

While this might seem like an odd choice for a movie, the script by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo makes it a much more human story. This is done through a large ensemble cast, putting a face to the power players in the infamous controversy, as well as some of the everyday people who were galvanized by r/WallStreetBets and bought and held stocks in order to make money and stick it to the billionaires running the hedge funds. A bonafide class war happened as a result, highlighting the wealth disparity in the country. 

I have to admit that I was a little bit lost in the first 15 minutes or so of Dumb Money, mostly because I wasn’t familiar with the GameStop stock controversy from 2021. But the movie’s script provided enough exposition that I was eventually able to catch on. In the meantime, I instead focused on the large ensemble cast of characters, some of which were playing very real figures.

Paul Dano plays protagonist Keith Gill aka Roaring Kitty, the man behind the financial revolution surrounding GameStop’s stocks. It seems like a great impression of the real life figure, whose footage is revealed in the movie’s final moments. Big Little Lies’ Shailene Woodley plays his wife Caroline, and is arguably the heart of the movie. Pete Davidson plays his brother, and is unsurprisingly a scene stealer. And fresh off her iconic Barbie monologue, America Ferrera also shines as one of the casual traders who gets involved in the movement. More familiar faces include Hamilton’s Anthony Ramos, Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, Vincent D’Onofrio and Shondaland favorite Kate Burton. It’s remarkable that this ensemble cast was assembled, with each and every performance delivering and helping to make Dumb Money such a great moviegoing experience. 

Of course, Craig Gillespie’s direction also deserves a great deal of praise. Dumb Money’s 104-minute runtime flies by, thanks to excellent pacing, and strong edit. The movie’s soundtrack also perfectly captured the time period of the movie, including tracks like Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” and Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” The use of real-life news reports about WallStreetBets and TikToks /social media posts from the time also helped to make the movie consistently fascinating, despite how little I knew about the subject matter ahead of time.  

Luckily for moviegoers not attending TIFF, Dumb Money will get its wide theatrical release shortly on September 15th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Ferrari has been a long time coming for Michael Mann. The director reportedly started looking into adapting Brock Yates’ 1991 book Enzo Ferrari — The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine back at the turn of the 21st century, and not only did he lose Christian Bale as the lead in 2016, but his replacement Hugh Jackman dropped out in 2022. At long last Ferrari, starring Adam Driver, premiered on August 31 at Venice Film Festival, and those who were able to screen the movie are weighing in on Mann’s longtime passion project. 

As can be expected from Michael Mann, Ferrari features an A-list cast, and along with Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, we will see Penélope Cruz as his wife, Shailene Woodley as his longtime mistress, a white-haired Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Gadon, and Jack O'Connell. The critics seem split following the film’s Venice premiere, so let’s take a look at what they have to say. 

Critics Praise Michael Mann’s Ferrari As ‘High-Intensity’ And ‘Impactful’ 

David Rooney of THR says Adam Driver brings gravitas and intellect to his character, and Penélope Cruz provides passion in this “turbo-charged portrait.” The critic writes: 

Stephanie Zacharek of Time says Michael Mann’s first flick since 2015’s Black Hat zooms along with sleek energy, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from the “vigorous” filmmaker. Zacharek also notes the movie’s masculinity, writing: 

Siddhant Adlakha of Mashable calls the biopic “scattered but impactful,” creating a deft balance between the comedic and tragic. Adlakha commends Adam Driver’s performance, noting the subtlety he brings to character. In the critic’s words: 

Not all of the critics had such a positive experience with Michael Mann's Ferrari, however.

Others Call Ferrari ‘Unessential’ And Point Out Unauthentic Italian Accents 

Jane Crowther of GamesRadar rates the movie 3 stars out of 5, saying the film feels “unessential and uncharacteristic.” While still classically rendered, Crowther writes that Ferrari lacks a certain something under the hood to make it fly. In the critic’s words: 

Nicholas Barber of BBC says Ferrari is “stuck in the slow lane,” also noting that the Italian accents delivered by non-Italian actors is something that “probably should have been confined to a Super Mario Bros movie.” Barber continues: 

The critics can’t come to a consensus on this one, but it’s worth noting that the positive-leaning assessments admitted to Ferrari having faults, and the negative-leaning critics all found some good in the movie. If this Adam Driver-led biopic from Michael Mann is one you’re looking forward to, you’ve unfortunately still got a while before its December 25 release to theaters. In the meantime, take a look at our 2023 movie release schedule to see what else is coming to the big screen.

Top Gun: Maverick has become the pre-summer blockbuster to see. Moviegoers have been posting all over social media about their cinematic experiences. Of course, Hollywood stars were no exception. One star had a special connection to one of the film’s stars. After watching the high-flying blockbuster, Shailene Woodley had to gush about her former co-star Miles Teller and his “work.” But it wasn’t all praise as the Hollywood star jokingly shouted out Teller’s oiled-up abs in a funny and sweet post about the sequel.

Shailene Woodley couldn’t help but poke fun at her former co-star after his film had a record-setting Memorial Day opening weekend. But Woodley could call out Teller’s oiled-up abdominal muscles on Instagram after co-starring in Divergent films and the coming-of-age drama Spectacular Now with him. It wasn’t all jokes for the actress as she hyped up her friend’s box office success. If you want to see what Woodley had to say about the Maverick star and his blockbuster film, check out her Instagram post below.

If you can’t uplift and joke about your friends in the same breath, then, what’s the point? She gave little sister vibes by placing her finger close to his nostril. That’s a nice touch after pointing out her Spectacular Now co-star’s perfectly well-oiled abs, which could be praise rather than a joke after the amount of work he and his cast went through to achieve those beach bodies. But jokes aside, Woodley was proud of this milestone in Teller’s acting career as she praised his talent for grounding the big-budget movie.

There’s nothing like praising another actor for what they bring to a project. Of course, viewers have known about Teller’s capabilities with his performances in films like Whiplash, Bleed for This, and Only the Brave. But starring in a Tom Cruise-led action flick highlighted those skills on a larger scale.

Getting all this praise must have eased the Project X actor’s mind after he almost turned down the chance to play Rooster over fears of the attention and success a big movie like Maverick would bring. In the end, doing the film worked out for Teller, especially after that “cathartic” final scene he and Cruise shared. The fighter pilot blockbuster and its cast received high praise from critics and viewers alike with some saying the sequel improved on the original film in multiple ways.

You can see what all the hype is about by going to the theater to watch Top Gun: Maverick. If you want to see what other projects Miles Teller will appear in, just check out our 2022 movie schedule.

Much of the public has been enamored with Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers since the two went public with their relationship and engagement last year. The bliss seemingly ended earlier this year, though, when it was reported that the two had called out quits (and not due to Rodgers’ COVID situation). The breakup was soon followed by rumors of a reconciliation, which were proven to be true after it was reported this past week that the stars had parted ways a second time. Neither person has explicitly acknowledged the turn of events, though Woodley got candid about dealing with grief in a new post. 

Shailene Woodley shared her thoughts on her Instagram stories (via People). In the post, she quoted the words of author Martín Prechtel. The sweet words give a gentle and honest take on loss on how so many of us grapple with it:

That wasn’t the only passage the Big Little Lies alum shared, as she also dropped in another post that featured a quote from author Christine Cane. The writer's words read:

While Shailene Woodley did not explicitly mention Aaron Rodgers or their romance, her musings on loss at this point doesn’t seem coincidental. A breakup is rarely easy, especially when it involves someone you’ve been with for a while. Though Woodley’s exact feelings on the dissolved relationship can’t be pinpointed, it at least appears that she’s using this particular time in her life to be more reflective.

She and Aaron Rodgers confirmed their engagement in the spring of 2021. Around that time, the actress got candid about what it was like to be engaged to a man who “throws balls” for a living. While she definitely didn’t mind the athlete’s chosen profession, she seemed to dig his guest host stint on Jeopardy! a bit more. When the two originally broke up in February, reports claimed it was due to the Green Bay Packer putting his career before anything else. Afterwards, Rodgers expressed his gratitude to her in a social media post. When they split the second time, sources claimed that the Descendants alum was not happy with everything being on her beau’s terms. 

There’s no telling if the two could try for a third go-around on the carousel of love. But in the meantime, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get even more thoughtful anecdotes from Shailene Woodley, in between her work on her upcoming movies.

Hollywood has seen the emergence of many surprising couples over the past few years, but I’m not sure anyone could have foreseen the pairing of Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers. The public quickly became fascinated with the Big Little Lies alum and the Super Bowl-winning quarterback’s romance and engagement, which became official in 2021. Which is why the Internet was ablaze when reports of their breakup surfaced this past February. Rumors subsequently alleged that the two A-listers reconciled, though reports now confirm that the two have broken up again. And it seems like it could be permanent this time around. 

According to reports, Shailene Woodley was allegedly the one who initiated this recent split. Sources for People claim the actress “felt everything was on Aaron's terms and it wasn't making her happy.” The split has not been confirmed by reps for either of the stars. 

The pair of celebrities reportedly started dating back in 2020 and didn’t go public until the following year. After making things official, the Divergent alum shared sweet thoughts on her new beau while admitting that he never imagined that she’d date someone who “throws balls” for a living. She did, however, dig the NFL vet’s gig as a guest Jeopardy! host. Likewise, Aaron Rodgers gushed about the starlet on a number of occasions. 

When the original breakup rumors surfaced earlier this year, many assumed it might have something to do with the COVID controversy the future hall of famer became embroiled in. After testing positive for the virus during the 2021 and revealing he had not been vaccinated, Aaron Rodgers drew backlash for previously saying that he’d been “immunized” after being asked about his vaccination status. Yet the first breakup apparently had nothing to do with the COVID situation, as it was allegedly caused by Rodgers putting his career first, which lines up with this latest report.

In the immediate aftermath of that first split, it was also alleged that the Green Bay Packer was hoping to reconcile with Shailene Woodley. It’s reasonable to believe that this was the case, given that they did get back together and that the four-time NFL MVP shared “gratitude” for Woodley in a social media post following the breakup.

One would imagine that both stars will seek their privacy during this period of transition. While this news suggests that the romance is dead, there’s always a chance that they could find their way back to each other… again. I mean, hey, the third time’s the charm, right?

What you can definitely look forward to seeing, though, is Shailene Woodley’s upcoming projects, and the highly sought-after star has a lot of them. Also, football aficionados can see Aaron Rodgers back on the field when the NFL season starts up this fall.

With actor Shailene Woodley and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers apparently breaking up their engagement, the two never quite crossed into the endzone in their relationship. It’s only been a couple of days, but we’ve already seen the NFL player respond with heartfelt Instagram posts and more. However, a recent media appearance by Rodgers has people wondering if he and Woodley have somehow reconciled. So are they broken up, or what? 

You can thank Aaron Rodgers’ recent live appearance on The Pat McAfee Show for this torrent of speculation, as two huge hints apparently presented themselves during this interview. The first, and greatest indication was how Rodgers, also known for recently guest hosting Jeopardy, spoke about his relationship with Shailene Woodley very candidly and kindly. Talking about home life/work life balance with McAfee, Rodgers made the following observation: 

Here’s where things get even more interesting, as Aaron Rodgers’ words aren’t the only supposed evidence that he and his fianceé are back together. Allegedly, if you listen close enough to the audio from Rodgers’ appearance above, you can hear a woman laughing in the background. If the stans on Twitter stoking the fires for a reunion are to be believed, it’s Shailene Woodley herself that’s behind this supposed chuckle.

Look, even if the rumors were true, there could be plenty of reasons that Rodgers and Woodley might be hanging out with one another. They could still be friendly or one or more of the two of them could be trying for a reconciliation. Potentially, the pair could be standing down their relationship through a measured process of separation, so as not to just rip the band aid off after almost two years. 

The reason the two supposedly broke off their engagement was Aaron Rodgers’ reported devotion to football over his lady love. So, really, there doesn’t seem to be any ill will being harbored by either half of the couple. 

Then again, the man has clearly expressed he’s not done with football, and that apparently had a consequence for his personal life. Of course, if the fans are right in their assumptions, maybe Woodley’s supposed dissolution of their relationship has made Rodgers rethink life a bit. Maybe we've seen the beginnings of a triumphant reunion, or perhaps we've just seen two evolved adults supporting each other in the wake of a bittersweet parting. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. 

At the moment, you can see Shailene Woodley in the HBO Max original film The Fallout; which is one of many upcoming projects on her slate. Some of those films might even find themselves added to the ever expanding docket of upcoming movies set to debut in 2022.

Celebrity couples live their lives in the spotlight and that means that they often need to put on a happy face for the cameras that will invariably be around them. However, in the end celebrity couples are like all other pairs, and that means they have troubles just like the rest of us. While things looked lovely from the outside for actress Shailene Woodley and professional football player Aaron Rodgers, to the point that the couple were engaged, they ended their relationship recently. Though Rodgers for one is showing nothing but gratitude for the time he spent with the Big Little Lies star.

In a lengthy post on Instagram where Aaron Rodgers shows a lot of gratitude for many of the people in his life, Rodgers opens the post with gratitude for Shailene Woodley. He thanks her for the unconditional love and kindness that she showed him, and wants her to know that he will be grateful for it. The post reads in part.

Aaron Rodgers made seemingly just as many headlines recently for having an overall amazing season in the NFL, or hosting Jeopardy,  as he did for controversies surrounding Covid vaccinations. Most reports claim it was the former issues and not the latter that led to the end of the relationship. It seems that because of Rodgers focus on Football he and Woodley simply were spending much time together and neither were happy with the state of the relationship.

It was certainly being implied that the couple were on the same page about the break-up and were in as good a place as a pair who just ended their engagement could be. Aaron Rodgers' post here seems to back that up. Things just didn’t work out between the two of them, but he is focusing on the positive side of things and looking at what their time together meant to him. You can read Rodgers full gratitude post and see who else he is thankful for, below.

There isn’t really any way that the end of an engagement isn’t going to hurt both parties. If you believed you were going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, and then circumstances change to the point that you realize your future is going to be something else, that has to be tough. Still, hopefully the relationship changed both Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley for the better, and they’ll go forward in their lives both grateful for their time together. Rodgers will be focusing on next year’s Super Bowl, Shailene Woodley has a number of upcoming film projects she can focus on. 

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having an unexpected month. His NFL football team lost (at home) in the playoffs, costing them all a trip to the Super Bowl. Plenty of celebrities attended the big game. Rodgers wasn't one of them. Then, following the loss, Rodgers was named the MVP of the season – because that award is about the regular season, during which Rodgers was pretty spectacular. Now, adding to that roller coaster of emotions, it is being reported that Rodgers and his Hollywood fiancee Shailene Woodley are calling it quits, and the reasons have nothing to do with his stance on vaccinations. 

Insiders sharing the news of the celebrity breakup with In Touch Weekly placed a lot of the blame on Aaron Rodgers, saying he got “cold feet” as their impending nuptials approached. This source also told the magazine that Rodgers’ commitment to football just got to be too much, saying:

Relationships between celebrities can be very difficult, but they are not impossible. One needs to only look across the NFC to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who has been happily married to supermodel Gisele Bundchen for almost 13 years. Mind you, Brady just announced his retirement, and will now be able to focus on his family instead of football… something it sounds like Shailene Woodley wanted Aaron Rodgers to do. But it doesn't sound like she was willing to wait for him to retire. 

There are, of course, two sides to every story, and we may hear from Aaron Rodgers in the near future. As he has proven, he’s not opposed to showing up on a sports talk show of his choosing so he can vent about issues. But a second source did clarify to In Touch: 

Those obstacles could have included a number of things outside of Aaron Rodgers’ pro football career. The quarterback has expressed interest in becoming a host of the immensely popular game show Jeopardy, while Shailene Woodley has been actively signing up for interesting projects as of late, after taking an extended break from acting. She’s going to be in the TV series Three Women opposite Betty Gilpin and DeWanda Wise. She also signed on to Michael Mann’s Enzo Ferrari, which co-stars Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. We don’t know for certain if Aaron Rodgers plans to play football again next season, and if he does return, we don’t know where he might play. Woodley might have hated the Wisconsin cold, preferring Rodgers to remain in the hunt for the Jeopardy gig. Rodgers may have disliked the uncertainty that comes with marrying a globetrotting movie star. But for the moment, this couple has split, so the tabloids will have to find another pairing to religiously track.

Whether you know the actress best as the pregnant high schooler in ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the grieving, self-dependent young woman in The Descendants, the traumatized single mother in HBO's Big Little Lies, the smitten cancer-stricken 16-year-old in The Fault in Our Stars, or the freedom fighter in Divergent, there's a good chance that you've seen Shailene Woodley throughout the past decade.

On screens both big and small, the versatile performer has proven her talents many times over, and that will hopefully remain true in the years moving forward. If you love the Emmy-nominated actress and activist and you want to see some of her best work, you're in luck. Here are Shailene Woodley's best or most notable movies and TV shows.

Big Little Lies (HBO Max)

The well-to-do lives of affluent upper-class mothers start to unravel when a single mother (Shailene Woodley) moves to their quaint Californian suburban beach town.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: In what's easily the young actress' most acclaimed performance to date, Shailene Woodley deservedly got an Emmy nomination for her mesmerizing portrayal of Jane Chapman, a single mother living with the lasting trauma of her sexual assault, in Big Little Lies. Gently showcasing the deep-seated sadness and loneliness of her pain, Woodley gives one of her most empathetic and engaging performances, one that is given ample time to breathe and live through the expanded narrative. Even when she must act opposite Oscar-winning heavyweights like Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, Woodley holds her own quite spectacularly, demonstrating her quietly powerful ability to play tender characters trying to make peace with their torment and terror. While we've seen Woodley performances that are equally as soulful, HBO's prestigious drama really allows the actress to flourish.

Stream Big Little Lies on HBO Max.

Rent Big Little Lies on Amazon.

The Spectacular Now (Showtime/Kanopy)

A hard-drinking, hard-partying high schooler (Miles Teller) gets a new lease on life when he falls for a girl (Shailene Woodley).

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Most high school dramas crumple under their own artifice, their innate inability to connect with the emotional reality of their young protagonists. That's not the case for The Spectacular Now, an immensely perceptive, wistfully sensitive character piece that finds even more honesty through its extraordinary lead performances from Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. Though it's easy to celebrate Teller's bravado and charisma, it's ultimately Woodley's complex performance that takes the cake here. She provides so much raw, invigorated intimacy and integrity to this young role, bringing a wealth of depth and clarity to this teenager trying to find her own sense of self within a surely ill-fated and appropriately intoxicating relationship. Thanks to her compassion and conviction, this punch-drunk and hazy-eyed romance is given some clear and devastating bits of sobering realism.

Stream The Spectacular Now on Showtime.

Stream The Spectacular Now on Kanopy. 

Rent The Spectacular Now on Amazon.

The Fault in Our Stars

Two teenage cancer patients (Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort) travel to Amsterdam to visit a reclusive author.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Based on the best-selling weeper by John Green, The Fault in Our Stars provided Shailene Woodley with a moving and emotional character to embody with Hazel Lancaster, a 16-year-old cancer patient who finds unexpected love from a similarly affected teen boy (Ansel Elgort) in a love story that's, at once, traditional and unconventional. While the novel was quick to fall into some predictable tropes, Woodley's wise-beyond-her-years performance brings a lot of humane pathos to her ailing character, thus providing the actress with another great opportunity to shine at playing hard-pressed characters who shine through their struggles with their wit, dignity, and unsuspecting moments of bleeding tenderness. Her chemistry with her leading man is natural and reflexive, further showcasing the actress' naturalism and emotional intensity. It's a stunning performance, arguably among her best, and it's certainly one of her most celebrated to date as well.

Rent The Fault in Our Stars on Amazon.

The Mauritanian (Showtime)

A man (Tahar Rahim) fights for his freedom and sanity when he's detained and imprisoned without charge in Guantanamo Bay.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Though hindered by its conventional storytelling approach, one that sometimes robbed the movie of its affecting rawness that's core to the movie's devastating emotional core, The Mauritanian remains impactful through its strong central performances, especially from Tahar Rahim and Jodie Foster. Additionally, Shailene Woodley holds her own as Teri Duncan, a young, eager lawyer who wants to do what's right, even when she's left in doubt about the man she's been hired to protect. The weighted conscious that she brings to this mentally tormented character is well-suited for the actress, as she conveys the layers of insecurity and determination well to provide a complex look at this young law-abiding woman who wants to push back against oppression, even when she's not certain of who she's representing or what she needs to do in order to protect an incarcerated man's lost freedoms.

Stream The Mauritanian on Showtime.

Buy The Mauritanian on Amazon.

White Bird In A Blizzard (Tubi, Crackle And More)

The life of a teenage girl (Shailene Woodley) spirals when her mother (Eva Green) disappears.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Though it doesn't always gel with Eva Green's broader, campier performance, Shailene Woodley gives another acclaimed performance at the center of White Bird in a Blizzard, writer-director Gregg Araki's adaptation of Laura Kasischke's 1999 novel. Certainly, the actress and the arthouse director were a natural fit. The provocative, soul-searching filmmaker and the emotionally vulnerable and physically open actress are well-suited for each other's tastes, and its most well-liked moments come when their sensibilities are harmonious. Alas, while the narrative storytelling wasn't widely praised, White Bird in a Blizzard continued to showcase the depths of this dedicated actress.

White Bird In a Blizzard is streaming on several platforms: Stream it on Tubi, Crackle, PlutoTV, Kanopy, Plex, Vudu and Amazon Prime.

Adrift (Netflix)

A young, adventurous couple (Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin) face uncertain waters during one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: As a movie, Adrift sinks more than it swims. Its melodramatic approach doesn't play well to the inherent humanity of its story, and it can be lost at sea when it comes to navigating its true-life story into blockbuster mode. Nevertheless, the dramatic movie is often kept afloat through the undying commitment of its lead actress and producer, Shailene Woodley. In the role of Tami Oldman, Woodley gives yet another visceral, versatile lead performance, one that demonstrates her natural talents at commanding the screen — even when she must act opposite herself. It's an incredibly challenging role that Woodley tackles without fear or reservations, yet the tenderness that she brings to her character remains vibrantly on display. Though Adrift battles rocky waves and soggy sentimentalism, it's anchored by the shining empathy and invigoration that Woodley provides on both sides of the lens.

Stream Adrift on Netflix.

Rent Adrift on Amazon.

The Secret Life Of The American Teenager (Hulu)

Following a one-night stand at band camp, 15-year-old Amy (Shailene Woodley) winds up pregnant, throwing her life upside down.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Though it was hardly a critical sensation, The Secret Life of the American Teenager was a major hit for ABC Family (now Freeform), resulting in one of the station's most well-watched shows and paving the way for Shailene Woodley's career ascension. While the show was often derided for its corny sensibilities and its less-than-accurate writing, audiences were quick to notice Shailene Woodley's growing talent as a lead actress, and how she would fine-tune her skills in the seasons to follow. Certainly, as her profile grew and Woodley got even more opportunities to prove herself, this hit TV series developed with its star, becoming more challenging over time. It's not her finest hour, but it was an important one for Woodley.

Stream The Secret Life of the American Teenager on Hulu.

Rent The Secret Life of the American Teenager on Amazon.

The Last Letter From Your Lover (Netflix)

An ambitious modern-day journalist (Felicity Jones) attempts to discover the truth behind a trove of love letters dated back to 1965.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Shailene Woodley: Given a quiet Netflix release earlier this year, The Last Letter From Your Lover didn't make a big impression upon its release, but select critics and audiences were quick to praise the central performances, including another exceptional turn from Shailene Woodley as a young woman lost in her time and yearning for the affections of another man. The sentimental movie didn't appeal to everyone, but Woodley's performance had its fans.

Stream The Last Letter From Your Lover On Netflix.

The Descendants

A dysfunctional dad (George Clooney) struggles to reconnect with his daughters (Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller) after his wife is injured in a grave boating accident.

Why You Should Rent If You Loved Shailene Woodley: While ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager was the lead performance that made Shailene Woodley something of a household name, her emotional, exquisitely aching turn in Alexander Payne's The Descendants is the one that turned her into a critical darling. While some critics were quick to dismiss her work in the aforementioned show due to its hackneyed premise and hokey sensibilities, the assured balance of humor and heart in this darkly comedic dramedy demonstrated a bright young performer with range, depth, wit and cutting precision. It's not easy to stand toe-to-toe with George Clooney, but Woodley held her own, even from a young age, to be arguably the scene-stealing star of this Oscar-winning movie. While she's strictly in supporting character mode here, this is arguably the performance that turned the actress into the movie star that she is today.

Rent The Descendants On Amazon.

Divergent

In a futuristic world in which society is divided into five factions, a young woman chooses to be Dauntless — pursuing bravery above all else.

Why It's Worth Renting If You Love Shailene Woodley: Compared to other YA movie franchises like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games, Divergent doesn't stand out — especially with the less-than-stellar sequels to follow. Yet, despite its middling reviews and lackluster follow-ups, the first film isn't without its high points. Most notably, Shailene Woodley's headstrong performance as Tris Prior. Through her grounded performance, the up-and-coming actress demonstrated herself to be a dependable screen presence; she breathes some gravitas into this outlandish, teen-centric sci-fi world and brings more life to the screen than its rote screenplay might otherwise provide. She can only do so much, of course, but it's easy to see why this adaptation found an audience. Woodley has a wry assurance that's earthbound, providing a fine mix of assurance and vulnerability that makes it easy to see why she became a star.

Rent Divergent on Amazon.

Also, check out SXSW's award-winning favorite, The Fallout, whenever it premieres!

Felicity Jones knows a thing or two about literary adaptations. While many on this site likely know her best as Jyn Erso from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Jones has built her career around successful translations of Brideshead Revisited, The Diary of Anne Frank, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and Dan Brown’s Inferno. Her latest, screening on Netflix, is a lush adaptation of romance novelist Jojo Moyes’ The Last Letter From Your Lover, and it was while working on this feature that Jones finally got to use an acting trick she learned from none other than George Clooney. (Nice name drop!) Watch her tell the story in the video above.

The Last Letter From Your Lover takes place in two time frames, one contemporary and one set in the 1960s. Though you might assume that Felicity Jones holds down the flashback, that responsibility goes to her co-star Shailene Woodley (though they don’t share any scenes!). Instead, Jones plays a modern journalist working on a feature story and getting distracted by a personal mystery she is uncovering in a series of letters written between Jennifer Stirling (Woodley) and Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner). And because she’s playing a journalist who is working a story, Jones often has to stare at a laptop or at a monitor in a newsroom and make the information she’s absorbing seem… well, interesting.

It’s a harder challenge than you might think, but it’s an exercise some performers seem to relish. There’s a line you need to balance when “prop acting,” as Jones describes it, because the actor isn’t looking at anything on the screen, but they have to sell progress of the story, or emotion that’s delivered with news that is shared. In one scene, Jones’ journalist character has to go back and forth between her cell phone and her computer screen, and I knew, in that moment, that I needed to ask her about her process on this.

To my surprise, she shared that George Clooney, of all people, taught her how to really sell prop acting. The two collaborated on the sci-fi drama The Midnight Sky (also for Netflix), and she had this to say about the tricks that he taught her:

The audience can indeed follow Felicity Jones to The Last Letter From Your Lover, a surprising and absorbing romantic mystery that’s directed by Augustine Frizzell. It’s available on the streaming service as we speak.

On screens both big and small, Shailene Woodley has become quite an adept young actress, one who is capable of soulful emotional depth and vividly earnest sincerity. Whether she's leading giant blockbusters like the Divergent series, starring in weepy romantic dramas like The Fault in Our Stars, or stealing the spotlight in intimate indies like The Spectacular Now, the capable actress remains adaptable and expendable, particularly with her Emmy-nominated performance in HBO's acclaimed Big Little Lies. Therefore, it's not at all surprising that Woodley has many promising projects lined up.

If you love Shailene Woodley, here are the movies that you should look out for in the months and years ahead, including The Last Letter From Your Lover and The Fallout.

The Last Letter From Your Lover - July 23rd, 2021 (Completed)

Adapted from Jojo Moyes' 2012 novel, The Last Letter From Your Lover is an upcoming romantic drama starring Felicity Jones as a bright journalist who discovers a treasure trove of steamy London love letters. From there, we travel back to 1960, when a daring socialite (Shailene Woodley) enters into a zealous affair out of wedlock. Intensely drawn by these long-forgotten postings, our lead tracks down the smitten youths behind these passionate words. Also starring Callum Turner, Joe Alwyn, and Nabhaan Rizwan, the latest film from director Augustine Frizzell (Never Goin' Back) sounds like the type of familiar English-based melodrama that we can predictably expect from the best-selling novelist. Still, it boasts an exceptional cast, which should play in its favor.

In select regions, including the U.S., The Last Letter From Your Letter will drop on Netflix on July 23rd. In the U.K. and Ireland, meanwhile, it'll premiere theatrically on August 6th.

The Fallout - TBA (Completed)

Having won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's unconventional SXSW, there's no denying that The Fallout is an urgent and intensely relevant high school drama, particularly with Jenna Ortega giving her best, most devastating performance. Following the traumatic aftermath of a school shooting, which fundamentally warps the life of a once-carefree teenager, this coming-of-age drama isn't lighthearted in its stark approach, but first-time writer-director Megan Park finds the tender humanity of her youthful lead characters, while also giving proven performers like Shailene Woodley time to shine in key scenes.

Also starring Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen, and John Ortiz, The Fallout has the potential to be quite a controversial lightning rod when it premieres. That said, it'll unfortunately skip theaters, as HBO Max acquired the festival favorite for a planned fall release. While that might hinder its awards chances, it'll hopefully allow the standout debut to discover a wider audience, most notably with teenage viewers. Be on the lookout for The Fallout.

Misanthrope - TBA (Post-Production)

Centered around a troubled-yet-talented cop (Shailene Woodley) who's recruited by the FBI in order to track down a malicious murderer, Misanthrope admittedly doesn't have the most original logline. That said, the talent involved (in front and behind the camera) does inspire confidence. Alongside our lead actress, the serious-minded movie will star Ben Mendelsohn, Ralph Ineson (The Witch), and Jovan Adepo (Overlord). Additionally, Misanthrope comes from co-writer/director Damian Szifron, best known for his Oscar-nominated anthology film, Wild Tales. Furthermore, Woodley will also produce this upcoming thriller, demonstrating the actress's assurance in this suspenseful material.

Production wrapped on Misanthrope in Montreal earlier this year. Now, the forthcoming thriller is in post-production and, more likely than not, it'll premiere in 2022 — though it's possible that the movie will make its way into the fall festival circuits, particularly if Shailene Woodley's fellow producers want her brooding performance to receive awards consideration. We'll have a better idea of Misanthrope's planned rollout later this year.

The Fence - TBA (Pre-Production)

Certainly, Shailene Woodley isn't shy about her political beliefs. The outspoken actress has been transparent about her policy opinions; Woodley has even been vocal about pursuing a career in politics. Likewise, the award-nominated actress is unafraid to push her views into her work — even in a farcical fashion. Certainly, that appears to be the case with The Fence, a high-minded send-up from director Grímur Hákonarson (Rams).

Reuniting with The Spectacular Now's Miles Teller, The Fence follows two liberal newlyweds who become increasingly at odds with their extremely conservative neighbor (William Hurt), an ex-marine with a nine-foot-tall fence that he insists on building to safeguard himself from the threat of potential terrorists — much to the distress of the people around him (per Deadline). Not much else is known about this social satire otherwise, though it's the type of premise that could prove to be a bit controversial, whether successful or not. Filming was expected to start in March, but that ship has now sailed. Therefore, it's unclear where this project sits in development.

Robots - TBA (Pre-Production)

In what could prove to be a clever concept if it's done right, Jack Whitehall and Shailene Woodley will star in Robots, an intriguing dark comedy centered around "a womanizer and a gold digger who learn humanity when forced to team up and pursue robot doubles of themselves, who have fallen in love and run away together," per Deadline. From two-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter Anthony Hines (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), who will co-direct alongside Casper Christensen (Klown), there's a chance that this movie leans heavily on the raunch, especially with its enjoyably wacky premise.

In today's comedy landscape, it's becoming increasingly rare for high-concept farces to thrive on the big screen. So, there's something admirable about Robots' worthwhile desire to tell a high-tech story in such a goofy genre. Hopefully, the writers and stars make the most of it, particularly as production is expected to start in August. There are no other updates available, but here's hoping that something fun becomes of this one.

Girl Named Sue - TBA (Announced)

Reuniting with Big Little Lies' Jean-Marc Vallée, who'll produce through his Crazyrose label alongside Nathan Ross, Shailene Woodley is signed on to lead Girl Named Sue, a drama-thriller centered around DEA agent Sue Webber-Brown, who played a major part in creating the Drug Endangered Child (DEC) protocol. Written by husband and wife team Lisa Cole and Mark Monroe, who worked on documentaries like The Cove, this biopic will follow Webber-Brown's prolific work throughout the '90s, particularly as she saved thousands of kids' lives through her guidance — even if it comes at the cost of her own home life, notably as she risks her career and her family's safety, per Deadline.

Directed by Fernando Coimbra (Sand Castles), Girl Named Sue could prove to be an involving film and an extremely demanding role for its central star, but also one that showcases her proven dramatic prowess. It's unclear where the upcoming film is in development presently, but if it comes together soon, we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Panopticon - TBA (Announced)

From executive producer Ridley Scott, Panopticon is expected to be a livewire thriller with a star-studded cast and heavy tension, based on early reports. Alongside Shailene Woodley, the movie will also star Anthony Mackie and Jacob Latimore (The Chi) and it'll be directed by Andrés Baiz (Narcos), working from a script by Emily Jerome. As for the story, it follows Chase (Woodley), an ambitious Wall Street trader who seizes on a hot investment opportunity in a private prison group known as PPC Correctional. In the process, Chase uncovers a big operation with potentially devastating consequences. Caught between doing the right thing and following the money, Chase teams up with a prison guard (Mackie) to take on a culture that's rife with corruption and contemptible individuals, in order to dismantle the system that turned her into a corporate superstar.

According to Deadline, production was expected to start sometime this month, but those plans have apparently been dashed. It's possible that this upcoming movie is gearing up silently, but Panopticon is ultimately stuck in limbo at the present moment.

After Exile - TBA (Announced)

Following his release from prison after an innocent man is killed in a violent robbery, ex-convict Mike Delaney (Shia LaBeouf) must attempt to re-enter his old life, where he and his ex-criminal father (Robert DeNiro) attempt to save Mike's younger brother from a future that's driven by drugs and crime. That's the story at the center of After Exile, an upcoming drama set to be directed by Joshua Michael Stern (Jobs) from a screenplay written by Anthony Thorne and Michael Tovo. Based on the latter's involvement, this project could prove to be an uplifting and personal redemption tale, as the script is based on Tovo's life story. That said, it's unclear where the movie is in development.

Announced in 2019 via Deadline, After Exile has been stalled, most likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If it comes together, it'll likely see some casting changes, notably with Shia LaBeouf's well-publicized troubles. In any case, After Exile is also expected to feature Shailene Woodley as Dana, who paved the way for Mike's difficult life of crime.

This poll is no longer available.

A few days ago, headlines were busy sharing a feel-good trip between pals and former Spectacular Now co-stars Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller and their respective partners Aaron Rodgers and Keleigh Sperry. In the middle of this trip; however, reports broke that Miles Teller had been punched in the face. Now further details are breaking about why he got punched in the face and some information isn’t totally lining up.

After reports broke indicating Miles Teller had, in fact, been punched in the face while on vacation with his wife in Hawaii, a story from TMZ claimed Teller may have been punched in the face over money. Specifically, that outlet made a connection between one of the men who reportedly punched Teller and a wedding planner who had worked with Teller and Keleigh Sperry to plan their dream wedding in Hawaii back in 2019.

That report claims there was a dispute over money allegedly not paid on the tab when the famous couples said their “I do’s” a couple of years ago. A lawyer related to the incident told the outlet:

But not so fast.

What Miles Teller’s Wife Says Happened During Punching Incident In Maui

After the money-related report broke, Miles Tellers’ wife took to her social media (as did pal Shailene Woodley, who shared the same message) to note that the story rolling around about money is not an accurate reflection of what happened.

The Top Gun: Maverick star actually shared his take about what he says happened after a viral tweet from announcer and analyst Pat McAfee poked fun at the incident.

So, according to the famous couple, what other outlets broke is not accurate to exactly what happened. Police are currently investigating the incident, but we do know some facts related to the case.

What We Do Know About Miles Teller’s Punching Incident

On Wednesday, Miles Teller was at Monkeypod Kitchen in Maui with his wife when he headed to the bathroom. An exchange of some sort took place in the bathroom in which Teller was punched in the face. The exchange moved out of the bathroom afterward and there is footage of Teller chirping while being held back at the establishment. Why the punching happened currently seems to be unclear, with a police officer telling People:

Outside of the punching incident, the two famous couples seemed to be having a fun time. In fact, Sperry had several other posts from activities the couples were doing together on their Hawaii trip.

In general, Miles Teller has said life is a lot “less stressful” since he married partner Keleigh Sperry in Hawaii. He told Men’s Health in 2020 that Sperry kept him calm, also noting that having a partner who is there all the time has been great for his mental health.

Hopefully, now that it’s all over, they can get back to chillaxing before the industry really gets back on a roll again. Miles Teller hasn't had much coming together over the last year (his new movie Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise got pushed back until the fall). But he's already filmed the upcoming Flag Day and he has a slew of other projects in the works right now, so life will likely be getting really busy really fast. In the meantime, we'll keep you updated if any more news related to this particular story breaks.

As Jeopardy! is in the midst of rotating celebrity guest hosts, there is one that had already caught Shailene Woodley’s eyes: Aaron Rodgers. While the actress may not be a diehard football fan who fell for her fiancé due to his prowess on the field "throwing balls," she apparently doesn't mind that he's hosting a longtime game show in the least.

Shailene Woodley opened up about her fiancé, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, on The Tonight Show in February, saying she never imagined being with a guy who “throws balls" for a living. Now, the Big Little Lies actress posted a video on her Instagram Story, which has since expired, of her and the quarterback/Jeopardy! guest host in the car together. They said:

Rodgers is the latest in a series of celebrity guest hosts who have taken the podium following the death of longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek last November. His hosting stint on the series will only last two weeks, but it could be possible it won’t be the last time he’s seen on the game show.

Recently, Aaron Rodgers revealed how he was preparing for the trivia show, watching it on mute and understanding what the answer is in case none of the contestants got it right. And while he’s been a fan since his childhood, his football experience definitely helped him prepare. The NFL star even asked the executive producer about every possible Jeopardy! scenario. He was as prepared as he could be and the studying was worth it.

The guest hosts for Jeopardy! have been rotating ever since Alex Trebek’s final episodes aired, starting with Ken Jennings, then continuing with Katie Couric, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and upcoming there’s Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie, Mayim Bialik, Bill Whitaker, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Alex Trebek’s final episode aired in January, and the following week was when 74-time winner and Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings started hosting. Although hosting the long-running trivia show is no easy feat, seeing so many take up the mantle after a legendary host has passed makes it all the better.

Aaron Rodgers’ episodes of Jeopardy! will be airing over the next two weeks so make sure you watch him host while you can! Hopefully this won’t be the last time fans see him, as football season doesn’t start for another few months. Maybe even Shailene Woodley will take a page out of her fiancé’s book and take up hosting duties for a little bit later down the line? It’s fun seeing Rodgers do something other than “throwing balls” for a living, but it will be nice when football season is back!

We’ve sensed a troubling pattern in Hollywood, concerning our favorite YA series. For every massively successful movie franchise formed, there’s a not so delicately handled one that always seems to follow. For the Harry Potter franchise, it was the Percy Jackson movies – which we just delved into previously. For Hunger Games it was the Divergent movies. As the blockbusters starring Jennifer Lawrence began to wrap up on the big screen, Lionsgate pursued Veronica Roth’s book trilogy for the big screen with Shailene Woodley. But what happened?

Remember being left on that cliffhanger in 2016’s Allegiant, and then just never hearing about the Divergent movies again? There’s a few reasons why the sci-fi franchise never reached the heights of Katniss Everdeen’s resistance or at the very least wrapped up its planned four-film arc. Let’s break down why we didn’t see more from Divergent:

How Many Divergent Movies Have We Seen

The Divergent series tracks the journey of Tris Prior, a young woman living in a dystopian society that divides its society into five factions. Tris learns she is “Divergent,” someone who has attributes aligning to multiple factions, but chooses to join the Dauntless or “brave” faction and hide her identity. The movie franchise started on a fairly high note with 2014’s release and made relatively good money at the box office. But following Harry Potter and Hunger Games, the series didn’t exactly distinguish itself on the big screen with some familiar concepts about being sorted in houses and secret revolutions and such. But otherwise, Neil Burger’s Divergent was solid.

For the second and third films, 2015’s Insurgent and 2016’s Allegiant, the franchise was taken over by director Robert Schwentke of RED and R.I.P.D. The films were shot back to back, but Insurgent made about the same money as the previous film and left many audiences walking out without much interest in seeing the franchise continue. Everything that worked in Divergent, just about falls apart in Insurgent. And Allegiant was proof, given its box office numbers fell over $100 million in the matter of a year.

Were There Plans More Divergent Movies?

Like many franchise closers before it, Divergent was set to split the third and final book Allegiant into a two-part movie. The first part was delivered to fans back in 2016 but the second part set to be called Ascendant fell through. One major setback was Robert Schwentke’s decision to hand off his director keys after shooting the other two films back to back and Age of Adaline helmer Lee Toland Krieger going to take over the project. When Allegiant bombed at the box office, plans shifted regarding Ascendent and it was announced the series would end with a made-for-television movie that would lead-in into a spinoff series.

Of course the idea of a previously intended blockbuster franchise being downgraded to a TV movie, was a major red flag that fans caught on fast to. Woodley also openly expressed her disinterested feelings on the matter with these words:

As the project remained in limbo, the cast including Zoe Kravitz, Angel Elgort and Miles Teller started to move on to other projects, and Woodley officially passed on starring on the TV project in early 2017. Even without Tris, the rest of the cast involved didn’t seem happy or interested with the series by the time it ended. Miles Teller shared that he found out about Lionsgate’s intended shift to TV a mere 20 minutes before the news broke a year before confirming he’d passed as well.

Why We Haven't Seen More Divergent Movies

Low box office and the ill fate of Ascendent that led the cast to bow out of the franchise isn’t all there is to talk about when it comes to the abrupt end to the Divergent franchise either. There’s a deeper seated issue here, subsequently made clear by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer admitted back in 2016 during a Wall Street conference call. In his words:

There you have it, if it’s not clear already by viewing the actual movies. Earlier this year, Zoë Kravitz echoed this statements while on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast as well:

The care that needed to be put into a complex sci-fi franchise like Divergent with a lot of moving parts just was not put into the series from start to finish and this led to it being shortchanged. Veronica Roth’s world is not a simple one for a filmmaker to work with and if one doesn’t have their heart and a large stake into it, you get what we got. It doesn’t help that Veronica Roth’s final novel does not have a strong conclusion as is. The source material in some aspects does sadly fall apart in the Allegiant novel, especially with the series’ controversial conclusion that kills off its lead, Tris.

Are There Any Plans For Future Divergent Movies?

Whereas Percy Jackson is finally getting its due with a Disney+ TV show in the works after its movie series was cancelled, there’s not much hopeful news to discuss about the future of Divergent on the big screen. The movies were not handled with love and care and I don’t imagine the series will see a resurgence in the near future unless Veronica Roth decides to write more books about the dystopian world and sparks a new interest in the novel series. We can at least rest easy knowing the first Divergent movie can give fans their movie fix on the trilogy and seeing each member of the cast go on to do some incredible projects (sometimes together) has been a joy.

What do you think about what happened to the Divergent movie series? Vote in our poll below.

This poll is no longer available.

Much like many young actresses, when 28-year-old Shailene Woodley got her start in Hollywood, it skyrocketed into years of contractual obligations and lighting the candle at both ends. On the heels of finishing her five-season run on teen soap The Secret Life of the American Teenager, she was flung into the spotlight as the lead of two beloved YA adaptations in the same year: The Fault in Our Stars and Divergent.

The latter sci-fi movie franchise didn’t reach its intended conclusion, but for three years, Shailene Woodley gave her all to Tris Prior in a whirlwind upbringing to widespread fame with Ansel Elgort, Zoe Kravitz and Miles Teller. The actress understandably didn’t jump further into a slew of roles after the Divergent franchise ended, but now she’s explaining why exactly she did take a break. In her words:

Shailene Woodley details a time in her life when her physical body was “literally shutting down” and she needed to actively seek help. The actress decided to finally face her inner demons that had been eating at her long before she signed on to the Divergent movies. Woodley explains to Harper’s Bazaar how her high-profile schedule contributed to her putting off focusing on her mental health:

Shailene Woodley has since centered herself with therapy, making it a top priority. Although the actress did take a break from regularly acting, you almost wouldn’t know it. Woodley has since starred in Snowden with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Adrift with Sam Chaflin, as well as had a pivotal role in Big Little Lies. She hasn’t particularly taken on more tentpole films, although she doesn’t prefer one experience over the other. Woodley continued to open up about her time off:

That's true. If Shailene Woodley didn’t receive the exposure Divergent afforded her, she may not have had the luxury of taking a step back. Woodley has been lucky enough to be able to let certain opportunities go and come back at her own pace to her career, though she has been blunt about being given more roles in romance movies than anything else.

Shailene Woodley created her own non-profit organization with her mom called All It Takes, which focuses on providing social-emotional literacy to young people. She recently starred with Sebastian Stan and Jamie Dornan in indie flick Endings, Beginnings, which is now on VOD.

During most her acting career, Shailene Woodley has mostly partaken in TV shows and movies that highlight various elements of American life with the Divergent series being a major outlier. From The Secret Life of the American Teenager to The Fault in Our Stars, romance has played a heavy role in Woodley's career, with her usually taking center stage in the projects.

Now, Shailene Woodley is at it again, playing the love interest in Endings, Beginnings, potentially one of her most mature roles in the romance genre yet. Recently, the actress was asked why she does so many romance films, and the actress gave some brutally honest thoughts. Here’s what she said:

Shailene Woodley gavve an incredibly open and honest answer to Wired, and she makes a fair point. Historically, Hollywood hasn't always been the best when it comes to giving women leading roles, especially those outside the romance genre. In recent years, however, there have been signs that those ways are slowly changing, with films like Wonder Woman 1984 and the Black Widow standalone movie on the way.

Believe it or not, back in 2014, Shailene Woodley expressed interest in playing Captain Marvel, saying she appreciates the MCU and loves the escapism Marvel has to offer. Of course, Captain Marvel eventually went to Brie Larson. Still, one wonders what Shailene Woodley's Captain Marvel might have been like.

Still, when choosing roles, Shailene Woodley has stated she never takes on a project thinking of how they’ll be perceived. She takes on the role because she loves them and loves the people she’ll get to work with.

Perhaps the largest tentpole movie series Shailene Woodley has been a part of is the Divergent movies, a dystopian series with a strong start that only saw diminished returns with each release and eventually ended up going direct to television. And when the series was set to conclude on TV, Shailene Woodley ultimately bowed out.

In Endings, Beginnings, Woodley plays Daphne, a 30-something woman who ends one relationship only to find herself wrapped up in another one. During that time, she’s also feeling restless and trying to figure out who she is. Woodley co-stars with Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan, whose characters also turn out to be friends in the movie.

Endings, Beginnings is now available to rent and own on VOD.

The dystopian young adult novel series genre has given birth to a number of big stars and Divergent is no exception. Based on the trilogy of books by Veronica Roth, the film and its sequels, about a teen whose condition makes her unfit to live in any of the five separate factions her post-apocalyptic society is divided into, made household names out of stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, to name a few, who have since diverged relatively far from their franchise counterparts.

What about the rest of the cast? Of course, Kate Winslet and Ashley Judd were already big-time, award-winning stars before starring in Divergent and Zoë Kravitz is everywhere now, but I cannot recall, for instance, the last place I saw Theo James. Not to mention, it has been a while since Jai Courtney has shown up in five movies a year. What’s happening there?

For those who have not been keeping up with the cast of your other favorite YA Novel movie adaptation, I think I can help fill in the gaps. The following is a rundown of the Divergent actors’ careers since they went factionless.

Shailene Woodley (Tris Prior)

After making waves on the teen drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager and 2011 film The Descendants, Shailene Woodley led the cast of Divergent as Tris Prior, a teen born with the titular affliction that makes her a threat to her dystopian society. She has remained a major threat in Hollywood since, playing Edward Snowden's lover in Oliver Stone's biopic, earning her second Golden Globe nomination for HBO hit Big Little Lies, and braving the desolate ocean in the 2018's Adrift.

In addition to being brave for the ocean in collaboration with Greenpeace and helping victims of anxiety with her own charity, Woodley has a number of exciting acting projects in the works, including the 1960s London-set romance Last Letter from Your Lover and voicing her first animated character as the lead in ScaryGirl, alongside Divergent alum Jai Courtney.

Theo James (Four)

English actor Theo James became known to American audiences as Tobias "Four" Eaton in Divergent and, yet he never had a role quite as big as the Dauntless member with a serious crush on Tris Prior. Despite this, he has been a part of numerous high-profile projects, including many Netflix original properties such as post-apocalyptic action film How It Ends and a trio of fantasy series: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Witcher, and Castlevania. Additionally, in 2018, he starred in a musical audio drama adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, landed the male lead role of a 2019 Masterpiece Theater rendition of Jane Austen's Sandition, and recently wrapped filming on Archive, scheduled to release in 2021, in which he plays an engineer developing a human-like AI.

Kate Winslet (Jeanine Matthews)

When she joined the cast of Divergent, Kate Winslet was, essentially, the biggest name attached to the project, mostly due to her unforgettable role in one of the biggest cinematic hits of all time, Titanic. After her character, the ruthless Erudite leader Jeanine Matthews, met a bitter end in the 2015 sequel Insurgent, the Oscar-winner received her seventh nod from the Academy as Johanna Howard in Steve Jobs, tried to help Will Smith get over his grief in 2016's Collateral Beauty, and struggled to survive the wildness with Idris Elba in The Mountain Between Us, to name a few. In the future, the English actor will be seen in a 19th Century romance with Saoirse Ronan in Ammonite, provide the voice of the equestrian title character of a Black Beauty reboot, and is reuniting with James Cameron for Avatar 2.

Ansel Elgort (Caleb Prior)

While he played Shailene Woodley's brother in the Divergent films, Ansel Elgort's biggest claim to fame at time would be playing her lover in The Fault in Our Stars the following year. Yet, the 26-year-old has since grown out of young adult novel adaptations (mostly), especially after playing the lead of Edgar Wright's dazzling action thriller Baby Driver: a role that also allowed him to show off his lesser-known musicianship, which director Steven Spielberg put to the ultimate test in his remake of West Side Story, which is set to come in December 2020. Other than continuing to moonlight as a rapper, Elgort is preparing for his first television role as the lead in the drama series Tokyo Vice and starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Zendaya in the crime thriller Finest Kind.

Miles Teller (Peter Hayes)

Another actor who has been romantically involved with Shailene Woodley (onscreen, that is) is Miles Teller, whose relationship with her character in 2013's The Spectacular Now is a far cry from Tris Prior's relationship with Peter Hayes, a hot-headed Dauntless transfer and one of Divergent's main antagonists. At least it was a role that the Whiplash star could have channeled his own personal distaste for the material into and would pave the way for more grounded projects, such as boxer Vinny Pazienza in sports biopic Bleed for This, a solider suffering from PTSD in Thank You for Your Service, and a first responder taking on a historic wildfire in Only the Brave. Teller will appear in, arguably, his biggest role to date as the son of Goose in Top Gun: Maverick and reunite with Woodley in After Exile, playing a man guilty of manslaughter who seeks redemption.

Zoë Kravitz (Christina)

Like Peter Hayes, Christina (played Zoë Kravitz) also transferred from the Candor faction to Dauntless, but, unlike Peter, she happened to get along very well with Tris Prior. The daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, who has also dabbled in making music as the frontwoman of two bands in the past decade, has only gotten bigger since starring in Divergent, from playing a refugee slave wife in Mad Max: Fury Road, Leta Lestrange in the Fantastic Beasts series, and sharing the screen once again with Shailene Woodley in the scandalous HBO drama Big Little Lies. Other than starring as the gender-flipped lead of the Hulu original series adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity, Kravitz recently followed in her step-father, Jason Momoa's, footsteps by being cast as an iconic DC character, Catwoman, in Matt Reeves' highly anticipated reboot, The Batman.

Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Will)

Christina’s love interest, who actually sacrificed his own life for Tris Prior's benefit, was a former Erudite transfer name Will, played by Ben Lloyd-Hughes. Divergent is easily the British actor's biggest role to date, particularly to American audiences, despite a plentiful filmography following the dystopian hit, such starring alongside Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin in the charming romantic drama Me Before You, playing Florence Pugh's brother in the Netflix exclusive horror thriller Malevolent, and appearing as various characters in the made-for-TV Oscar Wilde biopic The Importance of Being Oscar. Lloyd-Hughes recently wrapped filming The King's Daughter, also staring Pierce Brosnan and his Skins co-star Kaya Scodelario, and is preparing for a role in a miniseries called Industry, which is set during the aftermath of the 2008 economic collapse.

Maggie Q (Tori)

The first person to learn of Tris’ divergence is Tori, played by Maggie Q, who was certified badass long before Divergent, from her amusing henchwoman role in Live Free or Die Hard and playing the titular assassin of TV series Nikita. The Hawaiian actress moved on to play characters less involved with physical combat (in live action projects, specifically), such as on the ABC political drama Designated Survivor and Blumhouse's reboot of Fantasy Island, but she kicks plenty of butt from the comfort of a recording studio as the voice of Wonder Woman on the beloved animated series Young Justice. She will explore various kinds of genres in future films, including horror thriller Death of Me, a comedy about a couple's obsessed with settling their dispute called The Argument, and Long Gone Heroes, a war film also set to star Guy Pearce and Sir Ben Kingsley.

Jai Courtney (Eric)

Since and (even before) playing the sadistic Dauntless inductee trainer Eric in the Divergent series until his demise in the second chapter, Jai Courtney has seemingly been on a steadily committed journey to join the legacy of as many film franchises as possible, playing John McClane's secret agent son in A Good Day to Die Hard, landing a small role opposite Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, and filling the role of Kyle Reese in Terminator Genisys along the way. In what is arguably his most fitting role to date, the Aussie actor will reprise DC villain Captain Boomerang in The Suicide Squad, which director James Gunn has described as neither a sequel nor a reboot, and will voice Dr. Maybee in the Shailene Woodley led animated film Scarygirl.

Are you now eager to revisit Divergent again, or are you just eager to seek out the cast’s further endeavors? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for more information on the sci-fi series and updates on actors from your favorite movies and TV shows here on CinemaBlend.

Not all actors can afford to be choosy when it comes to their movie roles. However, Shailene Woodley can -- and throughout her career, she’s chosen a variety of films, both big and small. She recently spoke to the difference between studio films like Divergent and indie films and explained why she’s comfortable doing both.

Shailene Woodley has been acting since she was a teenager -- and to date, she’s starred in more than a dozen films as well as several big TV shows. While she really made a name for herself on the indie circuit with movies like The Descendants and The Spectacular Now, her fame didn’t really explode until she took the lead role of Tris Prior in the Divergent franchise.

It goes without saying that there’s a big difference between an indie drama and a sci-fi action thriller, but that wasn’t Shailene Woodley’s top concern. She recently told The Hollywood Reporter how she approaches choosing roles -- and it sounds like she’s got a pretty logical way of going about it:

That love of a story has led Shailene Woodley to a successful career. In the same year she did Divergent, she also starred in the hit teen romance The Fault in Our Stars, which wasn’t exactly an indie film, but it also didn’t exactly involve tons of CGI and stunt work. That film’s success in particular helped solidify the actress as a sought-after talent.

In the years since, she’s gone back and forth between bigger and smaller budget fare. She filmed scenes as Mary Jane Watson for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but they didn’t make the final cut of the movie. Most notably, she’s starred in the HBO prestige drama Big Little Lies, which definitely wasn’t an indie production.

Shailene Woodley seemingly had to learn the hard way that it’s best to follow her heart when it comes to picking roles. She recently revealed that she was less than thrilled with her time on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, because she felt the series didn’t reflect her values at all. Since she earned the right to be a bit more selective, Divergent and the two follow-up films are definitely the most tentpole-y productions she’s been a part of, at least in the traditional sense. It’s hard to say when or if another big budget film will strike her fancy but, if it does, her fans can be sure she chose it for a good reason.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager ended in 2013, but it helped launch Shailene Woodley’s career. The actress eventually took on roles in other coming-of-age stories like The Spectacular Now and The Fault in Our Stars before moving on to more mature content like HBO’s award-winning Big Little Lies. Looking back on her time on the show, Woodley shared some blunt thoughts about why she felt “stuck” on The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

The Freeform series, which was created by 7th Heaven’s Brenda Hampton, centered Shailene Woodley’s Amy Juergens, a teenager who had to contend with an unexpected pregnancy and its impact on not only her, but the lives of her family and close friends. The series was popular in its heyday and ran for five seasons before it was cancelled. However, when thinking about the show and its message about sex, Woodley recalled her displeasure with certain episode scripts, specifically in later seasons, and how the show pushed ideologies she didn’t agree with. Here’s what Woodley told Bustle about it:

Shailene Woodley went on to joke that she’d lost her virginity several times onscreen simply due to the fact that the characters she was playing were at that point in their lives. At the time, playing characters in coming-of-age stories proved to be “therapeutic” for Woodley.

The actress also revealed that she spent years in an open relationship that taught her a lot about her own emotional connection with sex. Whereas The Secret Life of the American Teenager promoted abstinence later on in its five-season run, exemplified by characters wearing promise rings. Shailene Woodley revealed that she has a healthy relationship with her sexuality and enjoys sex. In her words:

The American Life of the American Teenager had a good run when it aired on Freeform, but it definitely sounds like Shailene Woodley has moved on from that point in her life and the show. The network has since gone on to produce a number of other youth-centered shows like Pretty Little Liars and its spin-off show The Perfectionists, The Bold Type, and Shadowhunters among several others.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates and other TV news. For more on what to watch in the coming weeks, be sure to check out our guide to all the big TV finales airing soon, as well as our 2020 summer premiere schedule.

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

Jamie Dornan majorly broke onto the scene in Fifty Shades of Grey, though he actually played a popular character with a fanbase on ABC’s Once Upon A Time first. Since then, however, he hasn’t sought higher profile projects on either the big or small screen, recently revealing that after playing Christian Grey he’d rather stick to indies and there’s a big reason why.

Dornan’s been busy lately promoting his latest moving Endings, Beginnings, which puts his character in a love triangle with Sebastian Stan and Shailene Woodley’s characters. All three have had experience with major franchises – Fifty Shades, The MCU, Divergent – but as Jamie Dornan told THR, it’s the independent film scene he really craves.

While playing Christian Grey opposite Dakota Johnson’s Anastasia Steele, there was really a big spotlight on the actor as E.L. James’ rabid fanbase and a slew of people into the movies as well read up on the movies. The franchise as a whole ended up making over a billion dollars for parent studio Universal and that studio has already bid for the movie rights to James’ next release The Mister.

Obviously, the appetite for those types of works is very large. Some actors, like Dwayne Johnson or Ryan Reynolds, seem to relish working in big movies, while others prefer to take a step back and do indie work after being in huge gigs, like Robert Pattinson was doing, at least in the years between Twilight and his recent The Batman gig. Some actors, like Scarlett Johansson or Emma Watson, have found a balance between both types of roles.

As for Jamie Dornan, a lot of people are still interested in the actor, whether or not he’s filming sex scenes in the Red Room. However, he has been asked about whether or not he could ever return to playing Christian Grey again, particularly given the fact that E.L. James has a whole separate set of books written from Christian’s POV.

Unsurprisingly given the quote above, he’s said he has struggled with fans only seeing him as Christian Grey and also said he “probably won’t” ever take even a similar gig again. (Though he does seem grateful for the experience.)

Besides, Endings, Beginnings actually sounds fairly steamy, as it follows Shailene Woodley’s Daphne as she explores romances with two very different men she could see two different futures with. So, it may be an indie, but it’s fairly on brand for the Irish actor, after all. If you haven’t already, you can check out the trailer below.

Endings, Beginnings released on VOD on April 17. You can order it now.

As Hollywood attempts to adapt to the changing times, many productions have implemented new policies and tools to help cast and crew members feel more comfortable on sets. One of these new elements comes in the form of intimacy coordinators, who provide support to actors when they must perform sex scenes. Though the intent of the new position can be viewed as positive, Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley brings up an interesting counterpoint.

Shailene Woodley explained that she would rather not work with an intimacy coordinator, as she doesn’t like the notion of having another set of eyes watching her on set. While Woodley can see the benefits of having one, she would prefer a director to work directly with an actor to gauge their level of comfortability:

In the era of the #MeToo movement, having an intimacy coordinator is a way to help ensure an actor’s safety and comfort during a love scene. Shailene Woodley made a valid point while speaking to The New York Times, though. Performing a sex scene in front of regular crew members can be difficult enough, but the idea of shooting it in front of an intimacy coordinator -- whose sole job is to pay attention to how you do it – is somewhat daunting.

Intimacy coordinators may be relatively new, but they’re already becoming commonplace in both the television and film industries. One of the first high-profile projects to hire one was HBO’s The Deuce. The producers of the now-canceled show, which was set to the backdrop of the 1970s porn industry, believed it would be beneficial to bring one in to help manage a number of the series’ graphic sequences.

The 007 franchise has helped lead this charge in the film world, as the latest installment, No Time to Die, hired an intimacy coordinator. It’s no secret that sex is a major component of the storied film series, so bringing someone in to assist is understandable.

Hollywood will likely continue to make strides in providing safety and comfort for people during production, but it may also be wise to consider the thoughts and feelings of actors like Shailene Woodley when developing new ideas. For more on the latest news from Hollywood, be sure to keep it here at CinemaBlend.

Shailene Woodley has made a lot of interesting choices in her transition from teenaged to adult actress. Among these choices have been some romantic films, but her latest Endings, Beginnings will be her most adult yet. And it will feature her appearing onscreen opposite Marvel's Sebastian Stan and Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan to boot.

In fact, the first look at Endings, Beginnings has Shailene Woodley’s character navigating the end of one relationship and the beginning of another as she also seemingly tackles another issue: feeling restless, wanting to travel and not knowing exactly who she is or what she wants to do with her life. She’s in fact a bit of a disaster, as you can see below:

Unlike The Fault in Our Stars or The Spectacular Now, Endings, Beginnings will follow Shailene Woodley as a young woman who after a break up becomes involved with two men, played by Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan, who also happen to be characters who are friends. If you want to see the three actors making a sexy mess out of things, this is definitely a trailer you want to watch.

In fact, the first look at the new movie is very clear on a love triangle between Jamie Dornan’s Jack, Sebastian Stan’s Frank and Shailene Woodley’s Daphne but is not clear on much else. It’s prettily shot, however, and it’s very clear that Woodley is super proud of how the movie ultimately came out, as she noted on Instagram:

After spending a year playing different journalists after Fifty Shades Freed, the actor is back to his romantic movie roots (albeit seemingly with less BDSM) and I personally can't get enough. While the eye candy is not a bad reason to tune in for this movie, I like that Drake Doremus' take isn't really silly or meant to be totally reliant on Daphne being self-centered. It feels more like Daphne will be going on a journey to find herself and will simply have the company of two good-looking dudes (and great actors!) while that happens. Sign me up.

Endings, Beginnings actually officially premiered last year and was part of the Toronto International Film Festival. It will officially be hitting theaters later this year on Friday, May 1, just before the wave of summer movie season starts to get underway. It's a small release, so fans will be able to catch the film On Demand the same day. It honestly sounds like a pretty big passion project for Shailene Woodleym, who also noted on social media:

So, if you are a fan of romance or finding yourself, it may just be worth checking out. For now, you can see what else is coming this May with our full movies schedule.

Every actor has their own methods. It's a craft with many different possibilities and sensibilities, often fluctuating based on the project, the fellow collaborators and what is required for the role. There is no simple style when it comes to acting. Everyone has their process, and that's certainly true for Shailene Woodley. The young actress has proven herself in a variety of film and TV projects in her early career, and the ways through which she gets into character — be it Jane Chapman in Big Little Lies, Alexandra King in The Descendants or Tris in The Divergent Series — are... peculiar.

More specifically, Shailene Woodley gets herself into character through astrology. While normally, people might use astrology to get a sense of their own fates or their own personalities, Woodley uses this pseudoscience to garner a lasting understanding of her characters and how she can relate to them on a psychological level. Clearly the results speak for themselves when it comes to the number of terrific performances from Woodley's rising career, but it's certainly intriguing, to say the least, to know that she relies on this method to get in-tune with the characters she plays on-screen.

As she explained to Vulture, Shailene Woodley told a crowd at 92nd Street Y that she often connected to her characters, including Big Little Lies' Jane Chapman, through astrology, and The Fault in Our Stars actress builds an entire star chart for her characters. Woodley claims that this process allows her to understand the psychology of these characters, whether real or fictional, and she gains an understanding of how, for instance, they're shy, outspoken or anything else. Thankfully, it sounds like this process has found few faults when it comes to aligning the stars and providing great work.

While she didn't disclose the chart for all of her popular characters, Shailene Woodley revealed that Jane Chapman is a "Taurus with a touch of Sagittarius and Aquarius." In the conversation, here's how Woodley described the process of finding out Jane's chart and learning to become her:

Admittedly, Shailene Woodley knows there are people who aren't going to understand why she does what she does. It's an unusual method, even for the typically kooky folks in Hollywood, but Woodley doesn't mind those poking fun at her methods. Whether people understand it or not, she loves it. As she put it:

In addition to helping the actress find her process through her characters, astrology has helped Shailene Woodley through bouts of depression and times of personal struggle. Clearly even if some folks don't really understand it, it is a meaningful and lasting part of the actress' life and well-being.

Meanwhile, Shailene Woodley continues to impress audiences and critics alike through her performances. Most recently, Big Little Lies Season 2 garnered a mixed reception as a continuation of the acclaimed HBO series, but Woodley's performance was once again acclaimed for his vulnerability and emotional rawness. Additionally, Woodley received good notices for her lead performance in the real-life survival drama, Adrift, released last year.

And hopefully, we can count out lucky stars that Shailene Woodley will continue to impress audiences with her impressive and daring on-screen work.

Before the show investigated its last crime in 2015, CSI defined a whole new millennium of hit television. In the years after the CBS crime drama first premiered back in October 2000, CSI blew up into an extremely popular TV franchise, the likes of which will rarely — if ever — be seen on broadcast TV again. That highly syndicated empire eventually expanded with spinoff shows like CSI: Miami and CSI: New York, as well as the more short-lived CSI: Cyber.

CSI was practically an institution of television until the flagship drama and its spinoffs came to their respective ends. There are approximately 797 episodes of CSI out there, which adds up to nearly 25 days of forensics bliss. (Well, not for the victims.) And when each of the CSI series were on the air, they welcomed a treasure trove of talent. It's hard to fathom how many eventually famous faces made their way onto these crime investigation shows — more often than not, these cameos were made before the stars were famous.

Therefore, let's take a moment to highlight just a few of the most noteworthy cameos and surprising guest star appearances, celebrating the insane talent that's been seen on both CSI and its localized spinoffs. There are, of course, a lot of cameos that get overlooked here, for brevity's sake. But be sure to let us know in the comments which are your favorite cameos.

Justin Bieber As Jason McCann (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

In 2010, Justin Bieber was quickly becoming one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. The young, boyish musician was known for his radio-friendly tunes, earning no shortage of fans with his bubblegum hits. The singer decided to take a break from music-making, though, to flex his acting skills (or, perhaps, the lack thereof) in the Season 11 premiere of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Clearly, in the world of television, this guest star appearance was a big get.

In what was only his second TV acting job, Justin Bieber played Jason McCann, a dangerous young man who was pretty far removed from the squeaky-clean image the young star had built up. Specifically, McCann was both a serial killer and a serial bomber, and was certainly a dangerous opposition for the crimefighters to face.

Justin Bieber's Jason McCann appeared in two episodes, and was killed in a hail of bullets, though not before he'd killed five different people and attempted to slay ten (or more) throughout his time on the show. It was certainly a darker turn than some fans might have expected from the young musician, although acting isn't really something The Biebs returns to all-too-often.

Channing Tatum As Bob Davenport (CSI: Miami)

Channing Tatum broke out big with 2006's Step Up before making an even bigger splash with critically acclaimed movies like Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, Foxcatcher, Logan Lucky, Hail, Caesar!, Side Effects, The Hateful Eight, The Lego Movie and more. Before all that, though, Channing Tatum was an up-and-coming model and stripper working his way into the acting field with brief appearances in film, music videos and television shows.

One of Channing Tatum's very first acting gigs was an appearance in season three of CSI: Miami, where he played Bob Davenport, a wannabe rapper who said he found a crime scene. There is a point in Tatum's episode where the character of Bob Davenport is suspected to be the murderer, but it's later revealed that he wasn't the one behind the killings. TWIST! That was Channing Tatum's only CSI appearance, for better or worse, and we thankfully know that things really picked up for the actor after that fact.

Taylor Swift As Haley Jones (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

Much like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift was making quite an impression on the Billboard Top 100 in 2009, and it was clear that she was a major star in the making. CBS and the producers of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation wanted to capitalize on that growing fame by having Swift appear on the hit program. But unlike Bieber, Swift didn't play a murderer. Instead, she played a murder victim named Haley Jones, who is portrayed through flashbacks.

The role was Taylor Swift's first ever acting appearance, and while it meant playing a corpse, Taylor Swift was ecstatic about it. Here's what Taylor Swift told MTV about this opportunity to play a cadaver on the popular TV series.

Certainly, there aren't too many people to be happy to play a dead person. But count Taylor Swift contentedly among them.

John Krasinski As Lyle Davis (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

Before John Krasinski found his big break on television with the über-popular comedy The Office, he was a working actor trying to find roles wherever they could be found. Sure enough, in addition to appearing on the NBC spinoff  Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Krasinski made an appearance on the fifth season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In the early career role, Krasinski played the part of Lyle Davis, a suspect questioned about a very mysterious death.

While John Krasinski is known for his lovable antics on The Office, his character on CSI wasn't quite so nice and affable and worthy of Pam's love. While Lyle didn't murder anyone, he did leave a man to die, and robbed that person to boot. Not exactly an outstanding citizen. In the world of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, he may not have been the worst person to interact with, but he certainly wasn't nearly as endearing and ultimately sweet as Jim. [Grins into camera]

Chris Pine As Tommy Chandler (CSI: Miami)

Before Chris Pine made a big impression on moviegoers as the new Captain Kirk in Star Trek (2009), and even before becoming the love interest in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, he was an up-and-coming actor trying to carve a name for himself in the business. It seems like that's a common trend for actors, since Chris Pine is yet another performer who gained acting experience working on CSI. Pine took on the part of Tommy Chandler.

In season two of CSI: Miami, Chris Pine's Tommy Chandler winds up in the wrong hands, so to speak, and winds up a corpse who died through a fatal bit of erotic asphyxiation. The kinky sex games turned into an accidental murder, and Pine's character wound up in a body bag before the end of the episode. Alas, this is probably not the role that Chris Pine wants to be remembered for the most. But hey, work is work, and this was certainly a high-profile resume builder.

Shailene Woodley As Evie Pierpont (CSI: NY)

One year before Shailene Woodley would find herself in the lead role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and several years before she would wow audiences and critics alike through her powerful performance in The Descendants (and eventually Big Little Lies), Shailene Woodley made an appearance on CSI: NY.

In the Season 3 episode, 15-year-old Shailene Woodley played Evie Pierpont, an actress who gets caught in a twisted situation during a reenactment of Marie Antoinette's life when a mock guillotine takes a bad turn. The role is notably a pretty dark one, as one would expect for CSI or its spin-off, but it did help the young actress get on television. Just one year later is when she found a captivated audience with her own hit TV show.

Michael B. Jordan As Morris Calvin (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

Before he was launched into the acting stratosphere in major movies like Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther – though less so with the ill-fated 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four – Michael B. Jordan was acquiring TV roles in hit shows like The Wire and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. On CSI, Jordan played Morris Calvin, a member of a rap crew who took his fandom a little too far, resulting in the Crime Scene Investigation crew trying to figure out who murdered three people.

While the episode's guest appearances by Method Man, Obie Trice, Akon and Blink-182's Travis Barker were perhaps a little more noteworthy at the time of the original airing, Michael B. Jordan's appearance in CSI will no doubt become one of the most prolific in the show's extensive run on TV. Within the MCU and beyond, Jordan is quickly becoming one of the biggest movie stars working today, and this early appearance was a brief glimpse at the actor's rise.

There are many other noteworthy cameos and guest appearances from the CSI franchise, including those from Jeremy Renner, Dakota Fanning, Zachary Quinto, Amanda Seyfried, Jason Segel, Josh Groban, Adam Scott, Diddy and even Kim Kardashian West. However, it's important to note that CSI and its spinoffs were on the air for literally 15-plus years, so it might take a team of professionals to cover every single cameo. Nevertheless, CSI has amassed an incredible run of famous stars.

While the show's forensic team has solved its last case (at least, until the time comes for the inevitable reboot), it's clear that CSI and its spinoffs were fertile grounds for young actors and famous musicians to make big impressions during the early days of their acting careers. But if you have more famous cameos worth mentioning, be sure to comment below. This particular case is far from closed.

Big Little Lies is switching some things up in Season 2, and while the high-profile casting of Meryl Streep has captured a fair few headlines, there are other changes worth mentioning. The latest of which was spotted in an Instagram post by Reese Witherspoon, which appeared to reveal Shailene Woodley's Jane is rocking a new look in the upcoming season:

Jane Chapman is sporting some bangs and some longer hair in the first and second photo of Reese Witherspoon's photo collage, which would appear to indicate she's got a new hairdo for Big Little Lies Season 2. It's not 100% confirmed, however, as the second photo appears to be at a bowling party separate from filming and features Nicole Kidman not sporting Celeste's red hair. That said, the first picture certainly looks to be a set photo with Witherspoon and Zoë Kravitz dressed up as Madeline and Bonnie, so it seems more likely than not Jane's got a new look for Season 2. Additionally, Shailene Woodley's social media is chock full of pictures of her sporting the hairstyle throughout the production of Season 2, which leaves us little doubt the new hairstyle isn't just a fluke.

It's certainly a change of pace for Jane, who in Season 1 of Big Little Lies kept her hair quite a bit shorter. Perhaps the character's new hairstyle is her further adapting to the Monterey lifestyle, or something to distract her from the fact that she's harboring a dark secret and possibly a suspect in an investigation. Then again, one would imagine Jane's not losing any sleep over the death of Perry, as her fear of her attacker and quest for revenge was a significant plot point in the first season. The new hairstyle might represent a fresh start for her character, as Jane is free from fear and can move forward with her life for the first time in a long time.

The freedom from fear might be temporary, unfortunately, as Jane and the rest of the girls aren't entirely out of the woods yet. Big Little Lies Season 2 will see Perry's mother, played by Meryl Streep, come to town. She'll no doubt want some answers regarding her son's death, and with Detective Quinlan not buying the girls' story at the end of Season 1, she might be willing to do some more digging to get to the bottom of what really happened that night.

Fans will get to see the fallout and how Jane's hair comes into play when Big Little Lies comes to HBO in 2019. For a look at shows that will be arriving on television before then, head on over to our summer and fall premiere guides.

Adapting a true story to the screen is a feat that takes a lot of guts. By that fact alone director Baltasar Kormakur is made of steel, as he's back in theaters this week with Adrift, a film based on the real life struggle of recreational sailors Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp, during a trip gone awry. Much like his previous Hollywood film, Everest, Kormakur tackles the survival instinct and the hardships that sometimes go with humanity's interaction with the elements; and it's an improvement from his prior effort.

Tami (Shailene Woodley) and Richard (Sam Claflin) are two souls drifting through the world of sailing, who find each other one random day in 1983. That chance encounter will lead them to five months of love, and the biggest disaster of their lives, as they cross paths with the infamous Hurricane Raymond. What starts as a dire situation turns into a determined drive to live, as the couple will do all they can in the name of survival for an extended period of time.

Adrift is a captivating story of true-life survival, and it succeeds mostly thanks to the the intense performances given by Woodley and Claflin. While the film's story is mostly focused on the disaster survival aspect of their ill-fated voyage, it's the moments where Woodley and Claflin are falling in love that really shine. Their chemistry on the screen, both dramatically and romantically, is undeniable, and their efforts lift this film up in pieces that don't particularly hold up. Even in the worst of times, Tami and Richard are a couple you believe could stick with each other through thick and thin, and it helps to sell the swift two hour drama through any obstacles it encounters.

One such obstacle that drags down Adrift's otherwise stellar efforts is the editing of the film, which jumps erratically between the flashbacks of Tami and Richard's courtship before the storm and Tami's efforts to save herself and Richard post-shipwreck. If the film had started with the wreck that strands our sailors on the seas, and jumped between both halves of their lives, the narrative would have been more cohesive. However, even then, there would still be moments that cut too quickly between both halves of the story. Not to mention, there's a reveal in Adrift that is a pretty effective twist, that ultimately trips over itself by spelling everything out in a painfully detailed fashion.

None of that is enough to totally sink Adrift, as the film had me glued to the screen throughout its running time, even during the pieces that weren't so smartly edited. That's in great part to having frequent Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese collaborator Robert Richardson serving as the film's cinematographer. The images on display throughout are so skillfully crafted that your eyes can't help but drink it all in. Your eyes won't move from the screen, even during some of the more intense moments of bodily and ship-based disaster Adrift has to offer.

Balthasar Kormakur's fascination with nature-versus-man dramas brings the age old conflict on display to life in such harrowing detail. There are moments in Adrift that make you wonder how this film didn't get a release in a more immersive format. While there's some issues with the editing that disrupt the flow of Adrift's narrative, the luminary performances from Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin keep the audience invested in a thrilling tale of life and death on the high seas.

It's been an absolutely fantastic year for TV, as the current television renaissance is in full swing. Between streaming services, cable, and premium channels, there is a wealth of great content being produced. One of the biggest hits of this year was HBO's Big Little Lies, which cleaned house at the Emmys in the limited series categories. But now that the show has been renewed for a second season, there are some haters saying that they've been categorized incorrectly for Awards Season. HBO has just responded to these critics in an official statement. Check it out.

It looks like HBO is taking its critics to task, and they certainly have a point. Big Little Lies was a seven episode miniseries that was originally intended to end with its fantastic finale episode. But after the show became so massively popular and acclaimed, things changed. Author Liane Moriarty began formulating future narratives for her beloved characters, and there's certainly a wealth of material to be mined within the community of Monterey.

These criticism about gaming the system likely were inspired by some of the ways the actors were nominated for the show's first season. For instance, Shailene Woodley is competing in the supporting actress categories, which is objectively inaccurate. Jane is just as much a lead character as Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), perhaps more so than the latter character. Yet she's competing alongside Laura Dern's Renata, who is actually a supporting character.

But with a second season officially on the way, HBO does seem open to being considered in a different category for Season 2. In the same statement (via THR), the network revealed how open it is to entertaining this conversation when the time comes, saying:

This certainly seems like a great way to appeal to the critics, while being steadfast in the current Awards Season. After all, Big Little Lies already won a slew of Emmys, so this entire conversation is more or less null.

We'll be sure to update you on Big Little Lies Season 2 as more details become public. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

This year's Emmy Awards was an exciting one, after a year full of new and innovative television. The two big winners of the night were female-centric stories The Handmaid's Tale and Big Little Lies, the latter of which was produced over at HBO. BLL was nominated for a whopping 16 awards this season, taking home eight for the miniseries categories. Rumors quickly began to swirl that a second season might be happening, despite urges against it by director Jean-Marc Vallée. But the statues speak for themselves, and it would be no surprise to see the show return for a second season. Now we know when it may begin production.

It appears that Big Little Lies may begin production on Season 2 in the Spring of 2018. This report by TV Line indicates the haste to bring us back to Monterey, and the bonkers and complicated cast of women who make up the town. No official word has been given from the camps over at HBO, but the network has made its interest in a second season clear. And filming this spring would allow the show to return in time for fall TV, which would be a difference from its March premiere date during Season 1.

Shortly after Season 1 premiered on the network, author Liane Moriarty began formulating ideas for a possible second season. Her original novel of the same name did not have a sequel, so there was a lack of precedence in returning to the story. But Moriarty no doubt knows the characters better than any of us, and could help logically and creatively fill in the blanks.

After all, Big Little Lies did leave quite a few doors open for another season. While the cast of women were seen happily enjoying the beach and Celeste was free from Perry's abuse, they'd all lied to the police. They weren't exactly friends before the Trivia Night incident, so it's unclear how this motley crew will be able to keep this secret. Additionally, the final shots showed someone eyeing the ladies down, no doubt Detective Quinlan. She wasn't buying their story about Perry's fall, especially after what the other parents and the teachers said about them.

Additionally, there was a major plot point regarding Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) in the Big Little Lies novel that wasn't included during the miniseries. We'll no doubt see this addressed if the show returns for Season 2, allowing Kravitz to have a more substantial role. Of course, scheduling would likely be a challenge for BLL in its second season. The cast is chock full of Hollywood's busiest actresses, so it may take some creative scheduling to get them all on board. But the cast has also unanimously expressed interest in reprising their roles, so they'll likely make it a priority.

We'll update you on Big Little Lies' possible Season 2 once details become public. In the meantime, check out our fall premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

As the DCEU continues to expand, an army of classic heroes will gradually enter the fold. Hot off the heels of the announcement of a Nightwing movie last month, we recently learned that the silver screen Bat Family would continue to grow with the announcement of a Batgirl film as well. The character has never taken center stage in her own live-action solo movie, so all eyes are on director, writer, and producer Joss Whedon to break new ground with this comic book icon.

Of course, the announcement of a Batgirl film raises distinct casting questions. Barbara Gordon is one of the most beloved characters in DC Comics, so everyone has his or her own idea as to who should take on the role. As that question continues to loom, we have compiled a list of actresses that we think are perfect to take on the role of Babs. Check out our choices, and let us know who you want to see don the cape and cowl when the Batgirl movie finally debuts. We have many options to get to, so let's kick this list off with arguably the most obvious of the bunch.

Emma Stone

When it comes to fan-casting the role of Barbara Gordon, Emma Stone is probably the most common suggestion that people throw out -- and it's not hard to understand why. Between her trademark red hair and her offbeat sense of humor, the 28-year-old actress is a dead ringer for the comic book icon. More important than her looks, she's also one of the most talented actors working today, and she recently took home an Oscar for her work on La La Land to prove it. That's the type of prestige that any superhero universe would want to lock down. Besides, we cannot allow her comic book movie legacy to be defined by her work as Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man franchise, can we?

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

At 32, Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the oldest entry on this list, but we think that could potentially be a huge asset towards establishing a version of Barbara Gordon with a longer history in Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin, and Nightwing. It also helps that Winstead has definitively proven her strength as a badass heroine through her work on films like The Thing, two Die Hard movies, and (most recently) 10 Cloverfield Lane. Besides, much like Emma Stone and The Amazing Spider-Man franchise, we cannot allow 2005's Sky High to be the last superhero movie that Mary Elizabeth Winstead took part in. She is tailor-made for the role of Barbara Gordon, so it is time for Hollywood to take notice.

Lili Reinhart

Although Lili Reinhart's Riverdale co-star, Madelaine "Cheryl Blossom" Petsch, arguably looks more like Barbara Gordon, the Betty Cooper actress has made a serious impression on audiences and proven herself worthy of the Batgirl role. She strikes a perfect balance between her girl next door persona (literally, in the case of Riverdale) and her hidden dark side that would perfectly compliment the established Bat universe in the DCEU. Most importantly, she now has a wealth of experience playing an iconic comic book character with decades of literary history, so she would perfectly understand the weight of the Batgirl role if afforded the opportunity to enter the silver screen DC universe. She may be young, but we think that she could nail this part if given the chance.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley was originally supposed to enter The Amazing Spider-Man franchise as Mary Jane Watson back in 2014 with a quick cameo in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but she ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor to allow more time to mourn Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy. While we're sure that she would've made a great Mary Jane, she could be an even better Barbara Gordon in the DCEU. Her work in projects like The Spectacular Now and Big Little Lies has established her ability to deliver the goods when it comes to drama, and her time as part of the ill-fated Divergent series (which she was easily the highlight of) proved that she could hold her own as the lead of a big-budget action franchise.

Zoë Kravitz

While former X-Men: First Class star Zoe Kravitz may not look like the most traditional comic book version of Barbara Gordon, she has proven herself entirely worthy of the role over the course of her career as an actress. With an eclectic resume that nicely balances blockbuster epics like Mad Max: Fury Road and indie darlings like Dope, she has a very definite knack for bombastic action sequences, as well as quieter and more dramatic moments. On top of that, Ms. Kravitz was already cheated out of a previous opportunity to audition for a role in the Batman universe when she was told she was "too urban" for The Dark Knight Rises. For her to return as Barbara Gordon would be some seriously poetic justice.

Hailee Steinfeld

Although Hailee Steinfeld is one of the younger actresses on this list, she still has a long Hollywood resume that dates back to the role of Mattie Ross in The Coen Brothers' True Grit remake. Since then, she has refused to pigeon-hole herself into any particular genre or role, and she most recently became a household name with her standout performance as Nadine in The Edge of Seventeen. Not only can the 20-year-old actress deliver the drama, but she also has impeccable comedic timing that could serve her well as a more lighthearted protector of Gotham City and its inhabitants. Babs is a fundamentally more optimistic member of The Bat Family, and Hailee Steinfeld could be a perfect counterpoint to Ben Affleck's brooding Caped Crusader.

Lindsey Morgan

Lindsey Morgan holds a special place on this list, because her name has already reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to play Batgirl in Joss Whedon's upcoming Batgirl movie. It's not necessarily hard to understand why, as the 27-year-old star of The CW's The 100 has continuously impressed us with her signature small screen role over the course of the last few years. If she can bring all of the scrappy badassery that she brings to Raven Reyes to Barbara Gordon, then we can rest assured knowing that we will have a Batgirl who is faithful to the comics. Not only is she mentally tough, and fierce in a fight, but (perhaps most importantly) she's an infinitely intelligent superhero with the ability to outthink her opponents.

Jane Levy

Success in the horror genre is often a reliable indicator that a filmmaker can be successful in the blockbuster superhero genre, so there's no reason to believe that such a formula cannot also be applied to an actor. Between her work on the Evil Dead remake and Don't Breathe, Jane Levy has continuously proven herself as THE horror scream queen for the modern age. She routinely portrays heroines who are scrappy, smart, and strong in all of the ways that make her ideally suited to portray Barbara Gordon in the DCEU. After all of the punishment that horror movies have put her through in recent years, I think that it's safe to say that she has earned this iconic role.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Between her work on films like The Witch and Split, Anya-Taylor Joy has slowly but surely established herself as one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood. Even when she has taken part in mediocre films (Morgan comes to mind) she has routinely stood out as one of the most talented young actresses in the film industry. Her performances are often characterized by a silent intensity that would naturally translate to Barbara Gordon, and (perhaps most importantly) she can expertly convey a perfect balance between quiet intelligence and visceral action when she needs to. A major blockbuster franchise is going to pick up Ms. Joy at some point; DC would be wise to beat the competition to the punch.

Those are our picks, but what do you think? Let us know who you want to play Barbara Gordon in the DCEU below to keep this conversation going!

There's been a ton of drama surrounding The Divergent Series: Ascendant, which was supposed to close out the Divergent film franchise on the big screen. However, due to increasingly poor box office reception, Ascendant is now going to be a TV movie, which only created more problems and questions for this franchise currently trapped in the longest plane crash ever. And the biggest question for most was whether the cast return to end the series if it were on television. Appropriately leading the pack is Shailene Woodley, lead star and face of the franchise, who has given a blunt and definitive answer.

Shailene Woodley spoke with Vanity Fair at the premiere of her new HBO miniseries Big Little Lies where she was asked about her involvement with the planned Ascendant TV movie. Woodley spoke plainly and left very little to the imagination with her answer. It's possible that Woodley could be referring to the reported spin-off TV show, but since nothing official has been stated about the TV movie, we have to assume that she's finished with Divergent entirely. It seems like she's moving on from the franchise, and what the series now plans to do without her is unclear.

This news really isn't surprising, as most have seen the writing on the wall since it was first announced that Ascendant would be becoming a TV movie. Woodley had previously been surprised by the news of Ascendant's switch up, but had not flat out given an answer on whether she would star until now. She and other co-stars like Miles Teller were contracted to appear in one more film, and it was unclear if a TV movie still applied. If not, the contracts would have to be renegotiated, and it would allow the actors a chance to jump ship. Perhaps Woodley worked out a deal to be excused from her contract, but I'd imagine we'll be hearing similar news of actors bailing on the YA series soon enough.

There's been no word from Lionsgate about Shailene Woodley or any other actors departure so far, but one would imagine that their reaction must be at least similar to this:

It's unknown what Liongate's plans will be moving forward from this, but it's likely that they will look to recast Woodley's role as Tris, the Divergent hero of the whole franchise. This is just getting juicier and juicier, and you can bet that there will be a lot more developments in the near future, so stick with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

Allegiant, the third chapter in the ongoing Divergent series, was a terrible movie. On that, we should all be able to agree. It was poorly reviewed. It earned less than half of the U.S. take of the first movie. And it had many questioning whether or not the fourth and final movie in the series, Ascendant, should even happen. Well, it turns out there was a reason why Allegiant was so bad. The studio rushed on it, so they could hit a release date.

This bombshell of a reveal comes from Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, who was speaking on a conference call and admitted, via The Wrap:

I mean, that’s one excuse for the abysmal "special" effects and nonsensical plotting of Divergent: Allegiant, a story that found Tris (Shailene Woodley) breaking free of her native Chicago with a small band of rebels to see what was waiting for them on the opposite side of the wall. What they found was David (Jeff Daniels), a dangerous adversary who has been tracking Tris’ progress in Chicago, and who has a much bigger plan in play for her than she ever realized.

There are so many things that I don’t understand about Feltheimer’s statement, though. Seeing as how Allegiant is the third series in a four-part movie franchise – and was GOING to be a four-part movie franchise almost from the beginning – why wasn’t Team Divergent doing pre-production on parts three and four during Divergent: Insurgent, which came out in 2015? The existence of Allegiant wasn’t a surprise. It was part of the plan all along. Also, while the movie needed a script, it’s being based on an existing novel, so the beats of the story should already have been worked out. Why did they need to rush?

This, too, is puzzling. The same director, Robert Schwentke, transitioned from Insurgent to Allegiant. The same cast transitioned, as well. Some of the same Chicago sets were used, so if anything, Allegiant should have had a leg up on its predecessors. Lionsgate should have had PLENTY of time to deliver a suitable sequel. Really, I want to know why the franchise had to rush on this one. I’m deeply confused.

Part of this speaks to the problem that is caused when studios announce release dates for sequels long before they have the parts in place to produce said film. There is a growing need for studios to piss on a date ad scare off any potential rivals… but then it creates a ticking clock that in the head of a director, which tends to produce unsatisfactory results.

Schwentke, for his part, walked away from the Divergent series after Allegiant, and while Lee Toland Krieger agreed to helm Ascendant, we haven’t heard much as we get closer to the June 9, 2017 release date. Will it actually happen? Your guess is as good as mine.

It’s commonplace, in today’s competitive marketplace, for studios to announce release dates years in advance. Marvel has mapped out its release strategy through 2019. The Star Wars universe theoretically is planned through 2020. And DC plans to make movies until June of 2020, so long as audiences enjoy Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But what happens when you announce a film that will be the fourth entry in a franchise, yet all indicators point to the audience giving up on your series and having no real interest in its conclusion?  

This is a harsh reality facing The Divergent Series after the third film in the franchise Allegiant, suffered a disappointing weekend. The third Divergent film opened to roughly $29 million, which is far behind the opening-weekend numbers for the first Divergent ($54 million) and its follow up, Insurgent ($52.2M). Allegiant couldn’t unseat Zootopia from the top of the box office charts, and the Disney animated movie – as good as it is – was in its third weekend. On top of that, the CinemaScore for Allegiant, according to Deadline, was a B, down from the A- that Insurgent earned, and the A that Divergent notched.

Of all the problems the Divergent Series, faces, fan apathy has to be the biggest. Critics have been piling on these films from the beginning. Yes, Allegiant posted a humiliating 10% Fresh grade on Rotten Tomatoes, but Insurgent nabbed a 29% and the original film posted a 40%. These films have never been critical darlings, but for the previous two movies, the fans turned out. This time, the fan base seems to have determined that Allegiant was a stinker, and they stopped handing over their money to see the latest chapter in a disappointing series.

What’s worse, The Divergent Series seems to be in a state of creative turmoil. In February, Allegiant helmer Robert Schwentke, who was on the hook to direct The Divergent Series: Ascendant, left the project citing the fact that he "just needed a break." Schwentke eventually was replaced by director Lee Toland Krieger, whose credits include The Age of Adaline with Blake Lively. So, not exactly a sci-fi and action background, and yet Krieger is tasked with sticking the landing for a franchise that has been floundering and lacks strong direction.

In a column analyzing the future prospects of The Divergent Series: Ascendant, Forbes notes that new director Krieger likely will be faced with a smaller budget, having seen the dwindling returns Lionsgate posted on Allegiant. But anyone who saw Allegiant knows that one of its chief drawbacks was the fact that it looked cheap, with low-budget special effects inadequate green-screen work detracting from an already nonsensical plot.

Is that what you want, Divergent fans, from the conclusion to your franchise? A cheaper version of Allegiant, that has to come in under a tighter budget because the studio doesn’t want to throw any more money at a series fans have grown tired of? Sometimes, I think it’s better for a studio to admit defeat. There’s no need to plow ahead on a franchise that the fanbase lost interest in. It’s OK to wash your hands of a series, and put Divergent on a shelf next to The Mortal Instruments or Beautiful Creatures. There’s no shame in not finishing the race. There’s more shame, in my opinion, in finishing with a string of movies that makes a laughing stock of the brand you once celebrated.

This poll is no longer available.

The Hunger Games may be over and done with, at least until Hollywood starts churning out proposed sequels, but there’s still plenty of dystopian young adult action to keep you occupied. The 5th Wave hopes to make a splash at the box office this weekend, but later this year we’ll get a new installment from another ongoing franchise, The Divergent Series: Allegiant, the first part in a two-film finale, and a new trailer just hit the airwaves.

Over the course of the saga, the world of the movies, adapted from the trilogy of novels by Veronica Roth, keeps opening wider and wider, and from the look of this trailer, things are changing in this post-apocalyptic setting like never before.

A key part of the narrative of The Divergent Series is the wall that surrounds a futuristic Chicago, keeping the last remnants of humanity safe and alive, and keeping, well, some mysterious threat on the other side. Allegiant, however, tears down that wall, and what heroine Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley), her hunky boyfriend Four (Theo James), and her other tattooed friends find on the other side is not what they expected at all.

I bet in their wildest dreams they didn’t think they'd run into Jeff Daniels hanging out over there. But there he is, another in a long line of fantastic actors who appear in this saga. Out of all of the YA movies out there, The Divergent Series has consistently managed to put together an impressive array of actors.

After the huge revelations at the end of The Divergent Series: Insurgent—that the wall was really keeping them in, and that the whole faction sorting system they had was just an experiment—it’s time to venture outside and see what’s what. The action finds Tris, Four, and their pals experiencing a brave new world that none of them are prepared for, having never left the city where they were born. In this new environment, fraught will all manner of threats and mysteries, they must decide where their loyalties lie. Eventually a battle ignites that could destroy all of humanity, and Tris will have to make some tough choices about life, love, and many other things.

This installment looks to continue the striking visuals of the last two chapters—though while most of the crazy stuff was confined to dreams or those hallucinatory inner journey things, it looks like Allegiant ramps up things in the real world. They’re cranking up the hard sci-fi vibe quite a bit here, with all kinds of futuristic crafts, those weird bubble things the characters float in, and more. If nothing else, this should be a spectacle to behold

The Divergent Series: Allegiant hits theaters opens March 18, and the saga wraps up with The Divergent Series: Ascendant next year on June 9, 2017. Now let's get to know the cast a little better.

Shailene Woodley

Though she’s only 24-years-old, Shailene Woodley has already been acting professionally since 1999, though it wasn’t until her role in 2011’s The Descendants that she began to break through to a wider audience. Holding her own on screen with George Clooney, she earned a Golden Globe nomination. However, it’s her role as Beatrice "Tris" Prior in The Divergent Series that has been her highest profile part to date, though, outside of that, she fills the time in smaller indie films and more left of center projects.

Theo James

Hunky Brit Theo James is set to return for The Divergent Series: Allegiant and reprise his role as the swoony love interest slash dreamy badass Tobias Eaton, though he goes the by the self-imposed moniker Four. He’s appeared on TV in the likes of Downton Abbey, and though the Divergent movies are his biggest gigs to date, he’s got a lot on his plate, including a return trip to the Underworld movies—he had a small part in the last one and will be back for the upcoming Underworld: Next Generation. And, of course, he’ll show up in the final Divergent movie, Ascendant, next year.

Miles Teller

When you’re putting together a cast of talented young actors on the rise these days, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll want to include Miles Teller on the call sheet. Sure, he fronted the disaster that was the most recent Fantastic Four, but his performances in the likes of The Spectacular Now and, especially, Whiplash, marked him as an actor we need to keep and eye on. He’ll be back as the antagonist-turned-ally Peter, and you just know he’ll have some smart ass quips to deliver in the first part of the final chapter of The Divergent Series.

Jeff Daniels

By far the biggest addition to the cast for The Divergent Series: Allegiant is Jeff Daniels. Any time you add an Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor to your film, it’s a notable occasion. The 61-year-old plays David, who is the head of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare and, in the world outside of the walled-off Chicago, he represents Tris’ greatest enemy. He was also in love with Tris’ mother, played by Ashley Judd, and you just know that he has a personal vendetta that he’s going to use to justify why a powerful older man might go to war with a teenage girl and a bunch of her friends. Daniels is just the latest acclaimed actor to join this saga, as Academy Award winner, and current nominee, Kate Winslet has already shown up to cause a ruckus.

Zoe Kravitz

The daughter of rock star Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet, Zoe Kravitz has been carving out her own bit of stardom thanks to roles in movies like X-Men: First Class and Mad Max: Fury Road. In The Divergent Series, she plays Tris’ bestest friend, Christina (What’s a young adult heroine without a BFF?) and she reprises that role in Allegiant. Christina may not be the biggest part in the saga, but she serves a key grounding function.

Naomi Watts

Parents always complicate young love, at least in the movies, and Four’s mom, Evelyn, played by Naomi Watts, is no exception. The leader of the Factionless, she used her son and his girlfriend as pawns to further her own plans and schemes. She didn’t show up until the second movie, but looks to play an even bigger part in The Divergent Series moving forward, and you just know that her manipulative tendencies are sure to kick into overdrive now that the truth of what lies beyond the wall is out.

The Internet Movie Database is the global depository of all things movie related in the known galaxy. Everything you ever wanted to know about movies that have been made, are being made, or will be made is there.

One of the site’s big features is their STARmeter, which they use to rank who’s hot in Hollywood. Over the course of the year a number of lovely ladies, and one dude, have consistently remained at the top of this list. Here are IMDB.com’s top 10 stars of 2015.

10. Lily James

Lily James was already a major star as a resident of Downton Abbey but she proved she could carry a big screen movie on her shoulders as well this year when she took on the lead in Disney’s live-action remake of the classic Cinderella, which is currently one of the top grossing movies this year. In 2016 she’ll be combining her big screen and period English experience in the lead of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

9. Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike started 2015 on a high note thanks to her role at the end of 2014 in Gone Girl. She spent 2015 on the summer thriller Return to Sender and voice acting on the series Thunderbirds Are Go. She has a couple films slated for 2016 including the WWII historical film HHHH with Jack O’Connell and Mia Wasikowska.

8. Bryce Dallas Howard

Unless you spent 2015 under a rock hiding from a T. Rex, you don’t need a lot of explanation why Bryce Dallas Howard is on this list. As one of the leads in this year’s biggest film, Jurassic World, everybody now knows who this actress is. Next year you’ll see her in Disney’s Pete’s Dragon remake. After that, you’ll see her in as many Jurassic sequels as they can figure out how to make.

7. Rebecca Ferguson

2015 was the year we realized that the Mission:impossible franchise was not slowing down anytime soon. While Rogue Nation’s star, Tom Cruise, is not on this list, his co-star, Rebecca Ferguson, is. If you didn’t know her before this past summer, don’t worry, she’s not going anywhere. She’ll be co-starring with Emily Blunt and Luke Evans next year in The Girl on the Train.

6. Shailene Woodley

With end of the biggest "young woman in a dystopian hellscape" series -- The Hunger Games -- coming to an end in 2015, Shailene Woodley’s star is only looking to rise that much more. The second chapter of the Divergent series came out in 2015 with two more set to release in 2016 and 2017. Woodley is not resting on her blockbuster laurels, however. She’ll also be seen next year in Oliver Stone and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s new film about Edward Snowden.

5. Dakota Johnson

The daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith has no fewer than six projects listed on her IMDB page for this year. Five of them don’t matter. She spent Valentine’s Day of this year in the much anticipated film adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey. She’ll spend next year taking a much lighter look at sex in the comedy How to be Single.

4. Alexandra Daddario

While it’s been a few years since Alexandra Daddario joined the blockbuster movie club with her role in the two Percy Jackson movies, she was back in the summer movie spotlight with role as the daughter of The Rock in the epic disaster movie San Andreas (we’re talking about the earthquake, not the movie). There’s another reason she may be on this list, however, as 2015 was also the year that it was announced she’d be taking on the famous orange one-piece in the upcoming Baywatch movie.

3. Margot Robbie

While Margot Robbie did act opposite of Will Smith this year, it was in the already forgotten con man movie Focus. The reason Robbie is one of the hottest actors of the year is not because of what she’s done, but rather what she’s about to do. From the moment we got the first glimpse of her as Harley Quinn when the first trailer for Suicide Squad hit this past summer, the entire movie-going public became very interested in her. We can’t wait to see what she does when the movie finally hits next year.

2. Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke would have likely made this list solely on the strength of her ongoing role as the Mother of Dragons on HBO’s Game of Thrones. However, 2015 was an even bigger year for the actress. She wasn’t just riding dragons through the skies this year, she was also fighting Terminators as the new Sarah Connor in the reboot/sequel Terminator: Genisys. While the future of the Terminator franchise is still up in the air, we know we’ll see her again next year as part of Thrones Season 6.

1. Tom Hardy

While the return of the Mad Max franchise with this summer’s Fury Road was expected to be big, nobody quite expected it to be as big as it was. The new Mad Max move received near universal praise and Tom Hardy was received by fans as a worthy successor to the iconic role. His year isn’t quite finished yet, however, as he’ll also be seen opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Oscar contender The Revenant.

What do you do after you’ve successfully escaped from your post apocalyptic dystopia? Well, you run back, of course. The trailer for the next film in the Divergent series has been released and it turns out there’s a lot more going on in the world than everybody thought. Check out Allegiant below.

In Allegiant our heros will finally leave their walled up remnants of Chicago to find out what's on the other side of the wall. The world on the other side is significantly different from the one they are accustomed to living in. It gives the new movie a very different look than its predecessors. The trailer shifts from dystopia to a fairly hardcore science fiction look.Of course, finding out the truth is not the same thing as finding safety. It turns out the world they have entered is actually even more dangerous than the one they left, in fact Chicago was designed to be a safe haven for people in the world. Now it appears that the experiment is being terminated and now all the people left back in Chicago are in danger.

While Allegiant shares it’s title with the final book of the Divergent series don’t let the name fool you. This is actually only "part one" of the final book. As with every other young adult book series that’s been mined for a movie franchise in recent years the last book is being split into two movies, however, rather than simply putting a part one and part two in the title, they have chosen to give the fourth film an original title, Ascendent.

The Divergent films follow Shailene Woodley as Tris, a woman who grows up in a society that divides it’s citizens up by character traits. Tris is considered divergent because she embodies several of these traits at the same time. Since these people upset the balance of the society they do not find a place. Allegiant will delve more into where this society came from and why it exists. The will also co-stars, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, and Theo James.

The first two films in the series were solid box office successes and this one willlikely be no different. Are you excited for the next chapter in the Divergent series?

When it comes to action films, Jai Courtney is definitely becoming a more and more recognizable name. The 29-year-old Australian actor has been on an upwards trajectory ever since he impressed American audiences in the hit Starz series, Spartacus: War of the Damned, and as luck would have it, Courtney wasn’t just recognized for his rock hard abs. The 29-year-old actor continued to hone his acting skills and started to land bigger and better roles.

Only recently has Jai Courtney popped into the Hollywood film scene and while his resume may be short, it is far from lacking. First working with Tom Cruise in 2012’s Jack Reacher, Courtney quickly went on to score the role of Bruce Willis’ son in the fifth installment to the Die Hard franchise, A Good Day to Die Hard, followed by the big bad in the YA Divergent series. And only a year later, Courtney stars in Terminator Genisys due out July 1, and will soon play the comic book villain, Captain Boomerang in DC’s 2016 Suicide Squad. All this in less than four years. The young actor’s name may not be A-list quite yet, but it sure is on the way. So now’s your chance to get to know Jai Courtney with 8 facts you probably never knew about the Aussie action star.

He Head-Butted Shailene Woodley On Set of Insurgent

Apparently, Jai Courtney got a little to into his bad-boy persona on set of Insurgent. Courtney who portrayed Eric Coulter had it out with plenty of stars on camera, but most of it does come down to stunt doubles and you know, acting. But, while filming with co-star Shailene Woodley, Courtney accidentally head-butted the actress. And considering their size differences, that must’ve hurt. Luckily, Woodley is one tough cookie, Courtney told ET:

He Smoked A Joint With Russell Crowe

As a fellow Australian, one of the actors Jai Courtney most looks up to is Russell Crowe. So when the 29-year-old actor first his idol at an industry party, Courtney was more than excited. It was a quick introduction and exchange, and Crowe moved on, but quickly afterwards, their meeting would become even more memorable. Courtney tells Esquire the story about what happened after the initial introduction, which we're sure happened plenty more when the two worked together on Crowe's directorial debut The Water Diviner:

He Had To Lose Weight For His Terminator Role

Jai Courtney is a big guy. He jokes that he has the build of an action star, and it can be quite limiting. But in a recent interview with Elle Magazine, he admitted that his action star build was a bit too buff for his upcoming role in Terminator: Genysis. When asked if he would ever go down the Christian Bale in The Machinist route, Courtney answered:

He Failed His College Ballet Course

Jai Courtney wanted to become an actor from a young age, but it wasn’t until he was older that he decided to take it a little more seriously as a career choice. That’s when he went to study acting, and in college took a ballet course. Well turns out, Courtney wasn’t so graceful on his feet. He told Entertainment Weekly that he failed the course. When asked what the problem was, he told the publication:

Good to know he’s still practicing, though.

He Trained In Martial Arts For His Suicide Squad Role

Jai Courtney was already pretty fit for his upcoming role in DC’s Suicide Squad, but he had to go through some intense martial arts training to really encompass Captain Boomerang. He told Variety that he had been training for three months in different martial arts, and though he’s had his fair share of action roles, this was definitely most intensive. Courtney, who will be portraying an Australian superhero also joked to Access Hollywood that he has been practicing his boomerang skills since he was a young kid. He told the publication that he was surely “wrestling crocodiles and all of the above”.

He Can Sing And Play Guitar

As it turns out, Jai Courtney isn’t just a talented actor, he’s a musician as well. And from the sound of it, he’s pretty good too. Courtney has previously noted his passion for the musical arts, and in an interview with Da Man, even claimed that if he wasn’t an actor, that would have probably been his career path. He admitted to the magazine:

He Was A Serious Rugby Player

Jai Courtney was quite the athlete growing up, which plays a major part in the actor’s athletic build. He has always been very engaged in rugby and the outdoors, and still enjoys watching the National Rugby League, but, he unfortunately has left his rugby days behind him. Now, Courtney sticks to a strict diet, and serious workout regime to maintain his action star bod, but it was some time ago that rugby was his preferred workout. The actor told Men’s Fitness that unfortunately, after playing rugby for nearly 10 years, he had to stop:

His Goddaughter Drew Him His Skull Tattoo

If there’s one similarity Jai Courtney shares with his Divergent character it’s that he has a bunch of tattoos. But there’s one in particular that has such an adorable story to it, it’s worth the explanation. Courtney told Elle magazine about one tattoo in particular that his goddaughter drew, and she sounds like quite the creative genius.

Apparently Shailene Woodley hasn’t been keeping up with the latest superhero movie news because she had no idea that Sony and Marvel announced a new take on Spider-Man for the MCU. When she was finally told the news recently, she was intrigued. The Insurgent star was originally cast as Peter Parker’s redhead love interest Mary Jane Watson in The Amazing Spider-Man series of films, but was later cut from Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Could she somehow play a role in the next standalone Spider-Man movie from this joint venture?

Clevver Movies caught up with the star at a recent Insurgent press event and asked her if she was interested in finally getting to play Mary Jane on the big screen. After getting over the initial shock there being a new Spider-Man coming our way, she expressed her interest in returning.

We’re still trying to figure out how one of the biggest young Hollywood actresses didn’t know about this major superhero deal. But I guess it’s expected from Woodley, who admitted to being somewhat of a couch-surfing vagabond a few years ago on Late Night With Seth Meyers. She also likely was heavily involved in Insurgent filming. But we digress.

Woodley was originally supposed to appear as Mary Jane in Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man 2. She even filmed her scenes and appeared briefly in the trailers. (It was a back shot, so you could’ve easily missed her.) Unfortunately, there was a lot going on in the sequel already: Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man continued his search for answers surrounding his parents’ disappearance; Paul Giamatti’s Rhino was rampaging for a hot second; Jamie Foxx’s Electro was going haywire; Dane DeHaan was transforming into the demonic Green Goblin; and, of course, that thing that happened to Emma Stone’ Gwen Stacy at the end. Given all these factors, the producers thought it best to save Shailene Woodley’s debut for a later time. Now that Sony has completely changed its plan of action for the franchise in teaming up with Marvel Studios, the next Spider-Man movie probably won’t feature her.

As Clevver Movie points out, Marvel and Sony are trying to forget that the Amazing Spider-Man films even happened. For one, they’re looking to replace Garfield with a teen star, and The Maze Runner’s Dylan O’Brien is one of the more talked about contenders. Before the first Spider-Man film from Marvel and Sony hits theaters on July 28, 2017, the web-slinger is presumed to make his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War, the events of which will no doubt have a hand in the plot for this solo outing. Even though the odds don’t seem to be in Woodley’s favor, she doesn’t really need Spider-Man. She’s friggin Tris, for crying out loud.