Author Rachel Reid also signaled &34;some announcements&34; are coming this week &34;about some things that I think people will have been hoping for.&34; New Heated Rivalry book release delayed, author cites 'very busy' life and health issues Author Rachel Reid also signaled &34;some announcements&34; are coming this week &34;about some things that I think people will have been hoping for.&34; By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment.

Author Rachel Reid also signaled "some announcements" are coming this week "about some things that I think people will have been hoping for."

New Heated Rivalry book release delayed, author cites 'very busy' life and health issues

Author Rachel Reid also signaled "some announcements" are coming this week "about some things that I think people will have been hoping for."

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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February 24, 2026 11:22 a.m. ET

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Connor Storrie (left) as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander on 'Heated Rivalry'. Credit:

Courtesy Bell Media

- *Unrivaled*, the latest *Heated Rivalry *book from Rachel Reid, has been delayed to 2027.

- Reid cited her "very, very busy and overwhelming" reaction to the TV show taking up time, as well as her Parkinson's condition.

- The author signaled "some announcements" are coming later this week.

The ravenous *Heated Rivalry* fandom will have to wait a bit longer for the release of *Unrivaled*, the next book from author Rachel Reid in the Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander romance saga.

Reid shared a video on Instagram announcing that the book had officially moved from its planned Sept. 29 launch this year to June 1, 2027. Multiple reasons are involved, Reid explained in the video.

She describes the newfound *heat* the Canadian TV series adaptation cultivated as "beyond a dream come true," but added, "It's also been very, very busy and overwhelming. My life has gotten very different in the last couple of months, and although it's all good, it's also taken away my ability to have quality time to write. And there's nothing more important to me than *Unrivaled* being the best book it can possibly be."

Reid, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, also shared a health update, noting her symptoms "have gotten a bit worse and it's made it difficult physically to write." She clarified the writing process has been "going well." However, "I just need a little more time," she noted.

To "soften the blow," Reid signaled "some announcements" are coming later this week "about some things that I think people will have been hoping for."

At the very least, it gives newcomers to Reid's MM hockey romance world more time to catch up on the six other books in the *Game Changers* series: *Game Changer*, *Heated Rivalry*, *Tough Guy*, *Common Goal*, *Role Model*, and *The Long Game*.

*Unrivaled* will be the third Shane and Ilya book in the series, following 2022's *The Long Game*.

What's next for the Heated Rivalry breakout stars? Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie land new roles

'Heated Rivalry' stars get even hotter roles in 2026 Olympics

*Heated Rivalry*, the show created for Canada's Crave streamer and released in the U.S. on HBO Max, adapted the main events of Reid's second book, about two rival professional hockey players, Ilya (Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams), falling in love in secret off the ice. Season 1 also incorporated storylines from the first book that involved the love story of hockey pro Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and smoothie barista Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.), as well as the presence of Kyle Swift (Matthew Finlan), a main character from Reid's *Common Goal*.

While the TV series will continue to follow Shane and Ilya in season 2, showrunner Jacob Tierney also teased in recent press the arrival of Troy Barrett, another athlete whose narrative with social media guru Harris Drover is the center of Reid's *Role Model*.

Author Rachel Reid with the cover of 'Unrivaled'.

Caleb Latreille; Harlequin

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

As for *Unrivaled*, Harlequin released a plot synopsis for the next phase of Ilya and Shane's arc.

"A line has been drawn — and the hockey world is divided," it read. "For the first time in their professional hockey careers, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide. After more than a decade of keeping their love secret, they're out, married, and even playing on the same team. The support has been incredible. Most of the time. While fans celebrate them, others in the hockey world are still reeling from the reveal. A growing backlash—led by the popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement—is making its presence felt. Standing together in the light was everything Shane and Ilya ever wanted. Now, they may be facing their biggest challenge yet."**

And as for the show, season 2 will start filming later this year with a premiere planned for 2027.

- Romance Books

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From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life. God of War TV cast: See the actors sidebyside with their video game characters From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more. EW's editorial guidelines on February 24, 2026 1:54 p.m.

From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life.

God of War TV cast: See the actors side-by-side with their video game characters

From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

on February 24, 2026 1:54 p.m. ET

Ryan Hurst cast as Kratos in 'God of War' TV series. Credit:

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Amazon's live-action *God of War* TV series continues to forge its cast.

The adaptation of the mega-popular PlayStation video game franchise brings the characters of Kratos, Atreus, Thor, Odin, and various figures from myth to live action. With a two-season order already in place, preproduction is currently underway in Vancouver ahead of a filming start later this year.

From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Ronald D. Moore, *God of War* will begin to adapt the storyline that began with 2018's game of the same name from Santa Monica Studio and continued with the 2022 follow-up *God of War Ragnarök*. Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye (S*hōgun*, *The Boys*) will helm the first two episodes.

Let's meet the cast.

Ryan Hurst, Kratos

Ryan Hurst will play Kratos in the 'God of War' TV series.

Justin Lubin/Prime

Ryan Hurst already has a connection to *God of War*. The veteran of *Sons of Anarchy* and *The Walking Dead* played the original Thor in *God of War Ragnarök*, released on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2022. Hurst will now play the lead role of Kratos in live-action form.

Though the show will begin with the events of 2018's *God of War*, the character arrives with a history that goes back to the original 2005 video game.

Kratos began as a Spartan warrior and a servant of Ares, the Greek god of war. After Ares tricked him into killing his family, earning him the nickname "the Ghost of Sparta," Kratos embarked on a mission to slay his tormenter and become the new war god. Across multiple games, he faced numerous figures — human, monster, and immortal alike — until he battled against Zeus himself and the full force of Mount Olympus.

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Meet the 'Mortal Kombat' cast and their video game characters

When we meet Kratos in the 2018 game, he's left the Greek world behind to live in Scandinavia with his new wife, Faye, and their son, Atreus. Upon Faye's death, the father and son set out to spread her ashes, a journey that will bring them into conflict with the Norse gods of Asgard, test Kratos' already strained relationship with Atreus, and dig up traumatic memories from his past.

Terrence C. Carson voiced Kratos in the games from 2005-2013, after which Christopher Judge took over, including *God of War* and *God of War* *Ragnarök.*

Callum Vinson, Atreus

Callum Vinson cast as Atreus in 'God of War' TV series.

Meg Vinson; PlayStation

Callum Vinson, the child actor who landed the role of young Jason Voorhees in Peacock's *Friday the 13th* prequel TV series *Crystal Lake*, will play the role of Atreus, Kratos' son, in *God of War*.

Atreus, 10, grew up in a remote forest cabin in Scandinavia, isolated from the rest of the world and raised almost entirely by his mother Faye. While Kratos is much more known for his brute strength, Atreus is a capable archer — a skill that comes in handy for players of the video games.

He also has an affinity for animals "and is intensely curious about what lies beyond the confines of his forest home," per a character description. "After his mother's death, Atreus is left with a cold, distant father who he barely knows and who knows little about him in return. Nonetheless, Atreus yearns for his father's approval and is desperate to prove he is strong enough to survive in a harsh and dangerous world."

*God of War* marks Vinson's third project for Sony Pictures Television after the upcoming third season of Netflix's *The Night Agent* and Peacock's *Long Bright River*.

Max Parker, Heimdall

Max Parker cast as Heimdall in 'God of War'.

David Reiss; Sony Interactive Entertainment

After the cancellation of Netflix's *Boots*, for which he delivered a standout performance as Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan, actor Max Parker joins *God of War* as the god Heimdall.

The deity and son of the All-Father, Odin, has the ability to anticipate what's about to happen, which makes him a formidable opponent. "Handsome and dynamic, he feels unappreciated by his father and underestimated by the rest of the family, and as a result, Heimdall is constantly looking for ways to improve his position in the hierarchy and increase his stature and power," a character description reads.

Heimdall appeared in *God of War Ragnarök*, in which Scott Porter (*Ginny and Georgia*, *Friday Night Lights*) played the part.

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Thor

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson cast as Thor in 'God of War'.

Eric Charbonneau/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Known internationally for roles in *Severence* and *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will succeed Hurst in the role of Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder.

The character featured prominently in *God of War Ragnarök*. He's described as "a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours."

The show's character summary continues: "Once the loyal soldier of Asgard and his father's right-hand man, Thor is now but a shadow of his former self as he drowns himself in alcohol and tries not to think of the price he paid. Keeping his wife and children at arm's length has only deepened his isolation, but the power (and danger) of the god of thunder is still there just beneath the surface."

Ólafsson previously tangoed in the world of Norse myth with the animated Netflix series *Twilight of the Gods*. He also has some gaming credits from lending his voice to *Assassin's Creed: Valhalla*, *The Last Worker*, and *Total War: Warhammer III*.

Teresa Palmer, Sif

Teresa Palmer cast as Sif in 'God of War' TV series.

Brendon Thorne/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Meet Thor's one and only.

Teresa Palmer, known for her work on *A Discovery of Witches*, will play Sif, a mortal woman who was raised to god status when she wed the god of thunder. The actress' casting was first reported by the Hollywood trades, and Amazon has since confirmed Palmer in the role.

"Sif still feels like an outsider among the other gods in Asgard," according to a character description. "She has three children, who she loves dearly, but she was unable to stop her husband's descent into self-loathing and misery following the tragic events of a war in the distant past. Above all, Sif is a survivor who has navigated the often cruel and capricious world of the gods through her own intelligence and confidence."

Mandy Patinkin, Odin

Mandy Patinkin cast as Odin on 'God of War'.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; PlayStation

Mandy Patinkin of *The Princess Bride* and *Homeland* fame will play the king of the Asgardian gods, known as the Aesir, on *God of War*.

Dubbed "the All-Father," Odin "is not physically imposing or particularly god-like, but looks can be deceiving," reads the character description. "He is the most powerful Aesir god, a patriarch who leads with an iron fist, and an unrivaled seeker of knowledge. When it comes to seeking out prophecy, Odin is paranoid, manipulative, and dangerous — he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days. He serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos."

Alastair Duncan, Mimir

Alastair Duncan will return as Mimir in 'God of War' TV series.

David LaPorte; Sony Interactive Entertainment

*God of War* video game actor Alastair Duncan will reprise his role of Mimir, companion to Kratos and Atreus, in the live-action TV series.

Known for his cheery disposition, expansive intellect, and quick wit, Mimir used to serve as the advisor to Odin but was banished to eternal confinement in the trunk of a tree. Self-described as the "Smartest Man in the World," Mimir seeks atonement for the terrible deeds he committed in the All-Father's name.

Duncan voiced Mimir starting in 2018's *God of War*, followed by *God of War Ragnarök* and the *God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla* DLC.

Jeff Gulka, Sindri

Jeff Gulka will play Sindri in 'God of War' TV series.

Kevin Clark; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Jeff Gulka, a character actor seen across TV shows like *The X-Files*, *Once Upon a Time*, and (most recently) *Laid*, will portray dwarf Sindri on *God of War*.

A blacksmith by trade, Sindri is known for forging incredible gear. "Neurotic, helpful, and extremely germaphobic, Sindri is the complete opposite of his cranky, foul-mouthed brother and business partner, Brok," Amazon's character description reads.

In the games, Sindri was played by actor Adam J. Harrington, and his shop serves as a weigh station for players to upgrade and buy new items.

Danny Woodburn, Brok

Danny Woodburn will play Brok in 'God of War' TV series.

Gregg DeGuire/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Speaking of Sindri's brother...

Danny Woodburn, who appears opposite Liam Hemsworth in the final two seasons of Netflix's *The Witcher*, will play Brok, the other dwarven blacksmith of great renown but who has a contentious relationship with his sibling.

Described as brash, irreverent, and gruff, Brok was alienated from his community when he helped build a super-weapon. Woodburn follows Robert Craighead, who voiced Brok in the games.

Ed Skrein, Baldur

'God of War' TV series casts Ed Skrein as Baldur.

Bob Wolfenson/NETFLIX; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Ed Skrein, who has appeared in big studio movies like *Jurassic World Rebirth*, *Deadpool*, and *Rebel Moon*, joins *God of War* as Baldur, the youngest son of Odin and a prime antagonist for Kratos and Atreus from the 2018 video game.

The character is touted as the All-Father's most dangerous weapon. "Charismatic, unpredictable, and armed with a razor-sharp tongue, Baldur lives by his own rules," a description reads. "As a boy, Baldur was cursed; this curse denied him the ability to feel pleasure and physical sensation. This fuels an insatiable anger and bloodlust in Baldur, who favors a brawling fighting style that blends his immense power with the raw impact of his fists. Above all else, he longs for an opponent that can truly match his prowess in battle. An opponent that can finally make him feel something."

It won't be a spoiler then to say he becomes fixated on Kratos for that reason.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*This article will be as more casting is confirmed.*

- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shows

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&34;There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it,&34; producer Marc Beckman said. Melania producer reveals which music superstars stopped doc from using their songs &34;There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it,&34; producer Marc Beckman said. By Wesley Stenzel :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/WesleyStenzelauthorphoto32b61793a2784639af623f2ae091477e.jpg) Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at . He began writing for EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines February 24, 2026 2:58 p.m.

"There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it," producer Marc Beckman said.

Melania producer reveals which music superstars stopped doc from using their songs

"There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it," producer Marc Beckman said.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

February 24, 2026 2:58 p.m. ET

Melania Trump in 'Melania'. Credit:

Muse Films/Amazon MGM Studios

- *Melania *producer Marc Beckman said that members of Guns N' Roses are "split down the middle politically," which stopped the film from using the band's music.

- Beckman also said that Grace Jones "couldn't get over the political hurdle" of the first lady documentary.

- The producer also said that the Prince estate rejected a bid to license one of his songs.

*Melania*'s soundtrack has been the subject of some controversy — and now, one of the film's producers says that the project didn't land all of the songs that the creative team wanted.

Marc Beckman, who produced the documentary film and serves as an advisor to Melania Trump, told *Variety* that several prominent artists rejected requests to use their songs in the movie.

"There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it," the producer said. "For example, the guys from Guns N' Roses split down the middle politically. There was a beautiful song we wanted to use, and one of the guys — I don't want to name, it's not fair —said, 'You got it. Go.' And the other one was basically like, 'There's just no way.'"

Unfortunately for the film, the band required that every one of its members approve the request, so the split decision meant that the GNR song was a no-go. "So Guns N' Roses was definitely a disappointment for us; we all have a lot of respect for Guns N' Roses," Beckman said.

Representatives for Guns N' Roses did not immediately respond to **'s request for comment.

Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses in Indio, Calif., on Oct. 6, 2023.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The producer also said that another '80s icon turned down the soundtrack request for political reasons.

"There was a song that we wanted to use from Grace Jones; obviously, also a tremendous amount of respect for her," Beckman said. "She apparently couldn't get over the political hurdle, notwithstanding the fact that the film is not a political film. So that was disappointing, too. It's disappointing when people put politics so far ahead, and that happened a little bit with the film, for sure."

Representatives for Jones did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

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Amazon MGM defends 'Melania' box office as FLOTUS doc plunges in second weekend

Beckman also claimed that the film came close to landing the rights to a Prince track, but the late musician's estate swooped in and blocked the bid at the last minute.

"We were ready to go, and this lawyer that manages the estate was like, 'Prince would never want his song associated with Donald Trump,'" he recalled. "And we're like, 'But it's not a Donald Trump film! He comes into the movie once in a while, but this is all about Melania. It's not political.' And that guy blocked it. It's so ridiculous."

Representatives for Prince's estate did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

Grace Jones in London on Sept. 17, 2021; Prince in Los Angeles on May 24, 2006.

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty; Vince Bucci/Getty

*Melania*'s soundtrack previously made waves after Radiohead musician Jonny Greenwood and filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson released a statement condemning the documentary's use of a soundtrack cue from their 2017 film *Phantom Thread*.

Beckman responded to their statement (again) in his interview with *Variety*. "It's funny — Radiohead is one of my all-time favorite bands. For them to have come out publicly and distanced themselves, I think that's just part of the unfortunate time we're living in," he said. "We went out and created a nice film that doesn't get into any kind of political policy or anything like that. The music at that moment is so perfect, honestly, I was so thrilled to be able to use it."

He continued, "If they're trying to distance themselves from us, for political reasons, that's just unfortunate. But, honestly, I'll still remain a fan and listen to their music every single day."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*Melania* follows the First Lady in the 20 days leading up to her husband's second inauguration in early 2025. The film, which marks the first directorial work from Brett Ratner since multiple women accused him of sexual assault in 2017 (which Ratner has denied), has made approximately $16 million worldwide to date. Amazon MGM paid $75 million to acquire and promote the project.

- Documentary Movies

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The TV show &34;Jackass&34; premiered on MTV in 2000 and has spawned an entire franchise. Johnny Knoxville says Jackass 5 will be 'the last one,' teases 'a fing train wreck' The TV show &34;Jackass&34; premiered on MTV in 2000 and has spawned an entire franchise. By Raechal Shewfelt :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RaechalShewfeltauthorphotoc49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg) Raechal Shewfelt Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at . She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American Journalism Review and The Shreveport Times.

The TV show "Jackass" premiered on MTV in 2000 and has spawned an entire franchise.

Johnny Knoxville says Jackass 5 will be 'the last one,' teases 'a f---ing train wreck'

The TV show "Jackass" premiered on MTV in 2000 and has spawned an entire franchise.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

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Johnny Knoxville stars in 'Jackass: The Movie' in 2002. Credit:

After more than a quarter century of *Jackass*, Johnny Knoxville says he's retiring the brand.

Now 54, Knoxville explained that the upcoming *Jackass 5 *"will be the last one" in a *Rolling Stone* interview published Tuesday.

"This is the natural place to end," Knoxville said. "So it's going to be absolutely awful."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

When the writer wished him well, the actor and stunt performer responded, "You hope it doesn't go well at all! Should be a f---ing train wreck. That's what you should hope for. I think we designed it that way."

The *Jackass *series was widely popular when it debuted on MTV in 2000, before spawning several movies, both documentaries and scripted films.

'Jackass' star Johnny Knoxville in 2023.

Phillip Faraone/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Knoxville, who's now the host of Fox's *Fear Factor: House of Fear*, confirmed in January that another movie was on the way, four years after *Jackass Forever*.

"Well a wang dang and hot damn doodle, we are starting the year off with a bang," he captioned images of the *Jackass* logo and himself. "We wanted to let you know that this summer *Jackass* is back!! We will see you in theaters June 26th."

Johnny Knoxville reveals stunts he can no longer do after announcing new 'Jackass' movie

Bam Margera says 'you couldn't offer me enough money' to return to 'Jackass'

In his conversation with *RS*, Knoxville was asked directly about one of his frequent costars, Bam Margera, who was infamously fired from *Jackass Forever*. Margera alleged in a subsequent lawsuit that he had been "coerced" into signing a "Wellness Agreement" ahead of production and that he was wrongfully terminated after failing for a drug test because of prescribed medication that he was taking. Eight months later, he dropped the lawsuit.**** "I hear he's doing a lot better and that makes me happy," Knoxville said, "because we've been through so much together and I love him. I'm happy he's doing well."

As ** reported in January, Margera is expected to appear in the new film, via archival footage collected on previous *Jackass* productions.

Knoxville's footage will be new, although he's said that following an injury he sustained while riding a bull in *Jackass Forever*, there will be limits on what he can do.**

"I can't do anything where I can get another concussion," Knoxville told Syndicate X Library, adding that he's had too many concussions. "I don't care about anything else. I just can't get hit in the head anymore."**

- Celebrities & Creators

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How "Scream 7" handles Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega&x27;s franchise exits Nick RomanoFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC 0 Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera in 'Scream VI'Credit: Philippe Bosse / Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection This article contains spoilers from Scream 7. If you're reading this article about specific plot points of the new Scream movie, then you have at least a general awareness of the franchise, including how the seventh entry was once upon a time going to be a very different movie.

How "Scream 7" handles Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega's franchise exits

Nick RomanoFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC

0

Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera in 'Scream VI'Credit: Philippe Bosse / Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

This article contains spoilers from Scream 7.

If you're reading this article about specific plot points of the new Scream movie, then you have at least a general awareness of the franchise, including how the seventh entry was once upon a time going to be a very different movie.

The original plan for Scream 7 involved director Christopher Landon taking the reins from the Radio Silence filmmaking collective after 2022's Scream (5) and 2023's Scream VI. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, established as the two primary stars of a new era for the meta slasher franchise, then both left in rapid succession; the former was fired over expressing her views about the Israel-Hamas war on social media, the latter self-ejected because "it was all kind of falling apart." Landon himself followed suit.

The Scream 7 that's now playing in theaters is a wholly new take without the presence of Barrera and Ortega's Carpenter sisters. Original Scream scribe Kevin Williamson crafted a story around Neve Campbell's Sidney Evans (formerly Prescott) and her family, teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May), and cop husband Mark (Joel McHale), in their new home of Pine Grove. And yet, because this franchise is still very self-aware, it does somewhat deal with the events of the past two movies — or at least comments on them.

In what could be interpreted as a salting-the-earth approach, Scream 7 does not mention the characters of Sam (Barrera) and Tara (Ortega) by name at all. The closest we get is a quip from Jasmin Savoy Brown's Mindy Meeks-Martin. Along with Mason Gooding's Chad, the Meeks-Martin twins are the only new characters from the Barrera era of Scream that return for this sequel.

Ghostface in 'Scream 7'Credit: Jessica Miglio/Paramount

During a bar scene in which the teens theorize who the new Ghostface killer or killers could be, Mindy remarks, "Billy Loomis had a secret love child, so who the f--- knows?" as a nod to Sam, the daughter of the now-deceased Ghostface of the first movie, played by Skeet Ulrich.

There are numerous other mentions to what happened in New York City and the events of Scream VI, like when Asa Germann's Lucas, the son of Anna Camp's Jessica and next-door neighbor to Sidney in Pine Grove, mentions watching both the old Dateline coverage and the Netflix documentary on the NYC attack. Courteney Cox's Gale Weathers, now a reporter for NY's Channel 7, also suffers from nerve damage in her hand caused by the Ghostface attack in her Manhattan apartment in the previous film.

But for the most part, Scream 7's meta commentary seems to poke fun at Scream VI a bit. Gale, in a particularly pointed quip, comments to Sid of past events, "You're lucky you sat this one out. It was brutal." One of the other two Ghostfaces, Jessica, then shouts at Sid in the ending climax, "A Ghostface attack doesn't count if you're not there."

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However, there's the added layer of Campbell sitting out Scream VI because of a pay dispute, when considering the commentary. The actress recently told CBS Mornings of that period in her career, "When I made that decision, I just didn't think I could live with myself walking on set. It just didn't feel right. I just knew that my value to this franchise was bigger than what had been offered."

And yet, both Mindy and Chad are back for Scream 7, so there are some nods to those previous movies. Together with Sam and Tara, the characters make up the "Core Four," the leads of what was supposed to be a trilogy led by Barrera's Sam. At one point, Isabel May's Tatum exclaims to the Meeks-Martins, "Why are you here?" Good question. The twins now work for Gale as part of her camera crew, though Mindy says she has aspirations to surpass her mentor as a newswoman. Chad also acknowledges that they serve as representations of the "Woodsboro legacy."

Mason Good and Jasmin Savoy Brown in 'Scream 7'Credit: Jessica Miglio

Swaths of the fandom still take issue with Barrera's firing. In 2023, the actress's comments on the Israel-Hamas war were seen as "antisemitic" by production company Spyglass, though she later clarified her comments and denounced antisemitism. A "Boycott Scream 7" movement emerged, fueled by a recent show of force by pro-Palestine protestors outside the Paramount Studios lot during the film's global premiere in Los Angeles.

On the flip side, there are also legions of Scream fans who are coming out to support Campbell's return as a lead of the franchise, Williamson's chance to take the director's seat for one of these films, and overall excitement for a new slasher-whodunnit.

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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gooding spoke about "taking my time to grieve" the work of Scream and Scream VI while "trying to find a way to relate to the work that had been done."

"The creatives behind it, in this case Kevin and Neve," he said, "finding a way to create their collaborative effort after taking so long away from it, getting their recompense, and having the return of their influence on the franchise, hopefully, is just done in a way that you can support that and be respectful to that."

"Melissa, Jenna, Mason, and I all remain close," Brown told press on the red carpet for the Scream 7 premiere. "We're really good friends. We love each other, we support each other's work. Of course, we miss them because we came up in this franchise together, and I'm just so grateful to be back because Mindy means a lot to me. To play a queer, Black character in a franchise like this, visibility matters, and I'm really proud to play Mindy."

on Entertainment Weekly

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Published: February 27, 2026 at 07:45PM on Source: MANUEL MAG

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Ariana Grande Won&x27;t Be Attending This Sunday&x27;s Actor Awards Despite Nomination: Here&x27;s Why Benjamin VanHooseFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:03 PM UTC 0 Ariana Grande on March 2, 2025Credit: Arturo Holmes/WireImag Ariana Grande won't be attending this Sunday's Actor Awards in person, a source tells PEOPLE The star is nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Wicked: For Good Grande is currently preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which kicks off in June Ariana Grande won't be attending this year's Actor Awards, despite her Wicked: For Good nominat...

Ariana Grande Won't Be Attending This Sunday's Actor Awards Despite Nomination: Here's Why

Benjamin VanHooseFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:03 PM UTC

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Ariana Grande on March 2, 2025Credit: Arturo Holmes/WireImag -

Ariana Grande won't be attending this Sunday's Actor Awards in person, a source tells PEOPLE

The star is nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Wicked: For Good

Grande is currently preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which kicks off in June

Ariana Grande won't be attending this year's Actor Awards, despite her Wicked: For Good nomination.

The ceremony, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, will air live from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Netflix this Sunday, March 1, starting at 8 p.m. with host Kristen Bell.

Though Grande, 32, is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Wicked: For Good, she will be missing the ceremony as she rehearses for her upcoming tour, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

Grande also earned a nomination in the same category at last year's SAG Awards for her performance as Glinda in the first Wicked film.

Ariana Grande in "Wicked: For Good"Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

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This year, for the sequel, Grande also earned nods at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards but was not among nominees at the BAFTA Awards and the Oscars.

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Her fellow nominees at this year's Actor Awards are Odessa A'zion for Marty Supreme, Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.

Grande's Eternal Sunshine Tour is set to officially kick off in June. On the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast in November, the singer said the tour was "going to be beautiful and I'm so grateful ...I think that's why I'm doing it because I'm like, 'One last hurrah.' For now." She added that another tour "might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time."

She'll soon continue with more acting roles, on screen and on the stage. Grande is set to star in Ben Stiller's Focker In-Law comedy sequel, plus she's reuniting with Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey for a revival of the musical Sunday in the Park with George in London.

Additionally, she'll lend her voice to Wicked director Jon M. Chu's animated Dr. Seuss film Oh, the Places You'll Go! and appear in the next season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story.

Wicked: For Good will begin streaming on Peacock March 20.

on People

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Married to Medicine's Dr. Mimi Sanders Calls Out Castmate: 'Doesn't Listen' — ExclusiveRichard HolmanFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:01 PM UTC 0 Photo Credit: Phylicia J. L. Munn/Bravo When a psychiatrist joins a friend group known for raised voices, decadelong grudges, and dinners that explode before appetizers even hit the table, you might assume she'd stay neutral. Smile. Nod. Observe quietly. Not Dr. Mimi Sanders. One of the newest faces on Married to Medicine didn't come to play referee — but she's also not pretending she doesn't see what's happening right in front of her.

Married to Medicine's Dr. Mimi Sanders Calls Out Castmate: 'Doesn't Listen' — ExclusiveRichard HolmanFri, February 27, 2026 at 5:01 PM UTC

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Photo Credit: Phylicia J. L. Munn/Bravo

When a psychiatrist joins a friend group known for raised voices, decade-long grudges, and dinners that explode before appetizers even hit the table, you might assume she'd stay neutral. Smile. Nod. Observe quietly. Not Dr. Mimi Sanders.

One of the newest faces on Married to Medicine didn't come to play referee — but she's also not pretending she doesn't see what's happening right in front of her. And as it turns out, being trained to read behavior for a living makes reality TV arguments look … very transparent. Let's just say: some of the aunties might not love having a psychiatrist in the room.

We got the chance to catch up with Dr. Mimi to talk all about group dynamics, who's not listening when others speak, and more.

Dr. Mimi says "accountability hates to see a psychiatrist coming"

Photo Credit: Paras Griffin/Bravo

Mimi laughed when I asked how her career changes the way she handles conflict. Then she dropped the most accurate line of the season.

"So a psychiatrist, I say accountability hates to see a psychiatrist coming," she said. "Because I think innately, if I see that you're not holding your own stuff, that I'm going to call it out. And I don't care who it is."

Not exactly the energy you want around when you're trying to dodge responsibility. But before anyone starts accusing her of diagnosing castmates mid-cocktail, Mimi shut that down fast.

"Some of the ladies believe I'm psychoanalyzing," she joked. "No, that costs money. And I'm not sending out invoices, okay? I'm just showing up as a friend."

Translation: therapy isn't free — but common sense is. Fair enough.

Toya Bush-Harris is the "hardest to mediate" on Married to Medicine

Throughout the season, viewers watched Mimi naturally drift into mediator mode. Not because she wanted to — but because nobody else was slowing down enough to actually listen.

"I think a good friend, that's what they do," she explained. "If you have two good friends that are not seeing eye to eye … a good friend is like, 'What can I do to help?'"

Still, she had to remind herself not to overstep.

"There are moments where I'm like, hey, I know how to resolve this conflict," she said. "But I need to step back and say, you guys are big girls. You can do it yourself."

When asked point-blank who tests her patience the most during disagreements, Mimi didn't hesitate.

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"The hardest to mediate was Toya [Bush-Harris]," she said. "She doesn't listen to anybody. She's just here to just talk and over talk."

If you've ever tried to resolve something with someone who won't stop talking long enough to hear the other side, you already know the struggle.

It's less "conflict resolution" and more "verbal dodgeball."

Toya's not the only challenge for the Married to Medicine ladies

Photo Credit: Michael Serine/Bravo

At one point, Mimi found herself literally sandwiched between Quad Webb and Dr. Simone Whitmore during an argument — which sounds like an Olympic sport no one signed up for.

"Quad, she's going to give you a story. And she's going to go on and on," Mimi said. "And Simone is very loud."

So imagine this: One person delivering a five-minute monologue. The other raising her voice to compete. Both talking at the same time.

"We're trying to mediate the long story, a loud story, over talking. And it's a lot going on," she said.

A lot is putting it gently. Still, Mimi insists she kept her cool.

"I think I handled it with class. I handled it the best I could."

Which, frankly, deserves a medal.

New episodes of Married to Medicine stream on Hayu in Canada, the UK, and Ireland, where viewers can also catch up on past seasons and full episodes on demand.

TELL US – ARE YOU ENJOYING MARRIED TO MEDICINE THIS SEASON? HOW DO YOU THINK DR. MIMI HANDLES HER CASTMATES?

The post Married to Medicine's Dr. Mimi Sanders Calls Out Castmate: 'Doesn't Listen' — Exclusive appeared first on Reality Tea.

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Published: February 27, 2026 at 07:45PM on Source: MANUEL MAG

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