Film and TV Briefing: Friday 21 March 2025
Welcome to this week’s round-up of news, commentary and industry announcements that you may have missed from the past week.
If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
In the news
UK TV industry facing “perfect storm”, says Elisabeth Murdoch (The Guardian)
Directors and actors sign open letter to White House over AI copyright exemptions (IndieWire)
BBC cancels drama ‘River City’ after 23 years (The Independent)
‘Joker’ producer Village Roadshow files for bankruptcy (Variety)
Matthew Macfadyen set to play spy George Smiley in John le Carré series (Variety)
No long wait for ‘Severance’ series three, Ben Stiller tells fans (IndieWire)
‘Ted Lasso’ recasting under way as fourth series confirmed (Deadline)
Darren Aronofsky reportedly in line to direct adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘Cujo’ (IndieWire)
Cannes Best Actress winner Émilie Dequenne dies aged 43 (The Hollywood Reporter)
Lord Sugar signs deal for three more series of ‘The Apprentice’ (BBC)
Features and commentary
Why powerful drama ‘Adolescence’ could help save lives (The Guardian)
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos marks 25 years of disrupting Hollywood (Variety)
Gwyneth Paltrow on how she handled intimate scenes with Timothée Chalamet (Vanity Fair)
How ‘Bluey’ became a $2 billion juggernaut (The Hollywood Reporter)
Industry announcements
New film studio given green light in London (The Standard)
Fremantle profits rise nearly 25% but turnover target pushed back (Deadline)
Resources
New interim rates agreed under Pact Equity cinema films agreement (Pact)
Applications open for six-month renowned series producer programme (ScreenSkills)
Union questions Bristol City Council over sale of Bottle Yard Studios (Equity)
Legal updates
Hollywood director charged with $11 million Netflix series fraud (BBC)
Justin Baldoni cannot sue me over “hurt feelings”, says Ryan Reynolds (Variety)
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