Rough Cut Reviews

The undead rise again in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, the latest addition to the ever-expanding universe of The Walking Dead. This new spin-off, set to premiere in the UK from Friday, brings back fan-favourite characters and answers long-awaited questions about Rick Grimes’ fate.

The six-episode mini-series picks up the story after Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln) disappeared in season nine of the original show. Although many believed he had died, it was later revealed that he was rescued — or possibly taken — by unknown figures aboard a mysterious helicopter.

His wife, Michonne (Danai Gurira), learns he is still alive during the Walking Dead series finale. Determined to reunite with him, she embarks on a journey to locate her long-lost partner. Unbeknownst to her, Rick has been held within a heavily fortified zone controlled by the Civic Republic Military (CRM), a secretive organisation with extreme security measures that prevent him from escaping.

Despite the CRM’s restrictions, Rick hasn’t given up hope. His resolve to find his family remains unshaken, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to break free and return to those he loves.

The cast includes more than just Lincoln and Gurira. Pollyanna McIntosh reprises her role as Jadis Stokes, while Terry O’Quinn, known from Lost, and Lesley-Ann Brandt from Lucifer, also join the ensemble. The series is also expected to feature some surprise appearances from familiar faces within the Walking Dead universe.

Originally envisioned as a series of feature-length films, The Ones Who Live evolved into a six-part series developed by The Walking Dead’s former showrunner Scott M. Gimple, alongside Lincoln and Gurira.

The original series enjoyed massive success during its 11-season run, receiving 85 awards — including two Emmys — and generating a passionate global fanbase. At its peak, season four attracted an average of 14 million viewers per episode.

Since debuting in the US in February, The Ones Who Live has received widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. It currently holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a testament to the show’s continued impact and relevance.

Now, UK fans can finally experience the next chapter in Rick and Michonne’s journey. For those wondering where to catch the action, the series is officially making its way across the Atlantic, ensuring British viewers won’t be left behind in the latest undead adventure.

A Mysterious Return

Nadine Keller’s unexpected return to EastEnders has raised more questions than answers. Portrayed by Jazzy Phoenix, Nadine reappeared on the Square last week with a dramatic revelation: she claimed to be pregnant with Jay Brown’s child. Jay, still recovering emotionally from recent traumas, was visibly stunned by the news, yet promised to take responsibility and support the baby.

However, viewers were soon let in on a chilling twist—Nadine is not pregnant at all. Her claim was a lie. As the storyline unfolds, suspicions among Walford residents are mounting, though they have yet to uncover the truth. Now, fans are left wondering: why would Nadine lie, and is she acting alone?

A Plot for Revenge?

Speculation is growing that Nadine’s return is driven by revenge. Her past with Jay was far from smooth. During his darkest moments—battling drug dependency and dealing with the aftermath of a life-threatening car accident—Jay distanced himself from Nadine. Their relationship faded out with more pain than closure.

Nadine’s sudden reappearance, and her decision to fake a pregnancy, has led some fans to believe she may be trying to manipulate Jay, perhaps as payback for how things ended. Could she be seeking financial gain or personal vindication? Some even believe she might be working with someone else behind the scenes.

On social media, theories are spreading quickly. One fan remarked, “Nadine must be desperate to try something like this on Jay.” Another added, “After everything Jay’s endured, it’s heartbreaking to see him being taken advantage of again. And now she’s involving Lexi? That’s low. I wouldn’t be surprised if she vanishes without a trace soon.”

The Sibling Theory

A darker, more intricate theory has emerged among longtime viewers. Some believe Nadine might actually be connected to Jay’s late wife, Lola Pearce. Following Lola’s tragic death, Jay was left grieving and vulnerable—at which point Nadine entered his life under seemingly random circumstances. But was it truly coincidence?

Fans are now questioning whether Nadine sought out Jay deliberately, perhaps because she shares a biological link with Lola. Could she be a long-lost sister or cousin? If so, her actions may stem from more than revenge—they could be part of a deeper personal vendetta, or a warped desire for belonging and recognition.

An Unlikely Ally?

As suspicions grow in Albert Square, some are beginning to wonder whether Nadine is acting entirely alone. Is there someone else feeding her information, coaching her, or pulling the strings? Her elaborate lie suggests planning and purpose—not just a desperate attempt to get Jay’s attention.

Whoever might be involved, the situation is clearly more complex than it first appeared. If Nadine does have an accomplice, their motivations could be just as twisted—whether they’re targeting Jay for emotional reasons, financial exploitation, or unresolved family secrets.

What Comes Next

With Nadine’s lies hanging by a thread, the question now is how long she can keep up the charade. Jay, though vulnerable, is not naïve. As the people around him begin to sense something is off, it may only be a matter of time before the truth is exposed.

And when it is, Nadine could find herself at the centre of a very public reckoning.

Conclusion

Nadine Keller’s return to EastEnders has reignited drama in Walford with a potent mix of deception, emotional manipulation, and unanswered questions. Whether her motives are rooted in revenge, family ties, or something darker, one thing is certain: the storm is far from over.

Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White has turned into a major box office failure, earning the dubious honour of being one of the worst-rated films by both critics and audiences in recent memory. Despite a staggering production budget of $250 million, the film is expected to deliver only financial losses. As the studio scrambles to understand what went wrong, much of the blame is being directed at the film’s lead actress, Rachel Zegler.

From the outset, the project seemed cursed. Production was plagued by pandemic-related shutdowns, a Hollywood actors’ strike, and a series of controversies that fuelled criticism well before the film’s release. Among the most contentious points were the film’s casting choices and attempts to modernise the beloved 1937 animated classic — efforts that many fans saw as forced or unnecessary.

Rachel Zegler, known for her vocal political views, became a lightning rod for criticism. She openly criticised the original Snow White, calling it outdated, and publicly expressed support for Palestine and opposition to Donald Trump. Her comments created a backlash online, with some fans accusing her of disrespecting the legacy of the original film and alienating a significant portion of the potential audience.

Rewriting a Classic

The 1937 version of Snow White is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, both in the realm of animation and storytelling. It was Disney’s first full-length animated feature and set the standard for generations of animated films. In line with recent trends, Disney has spent the past decade revisiting its animated back catalogue, releasing live-action remakes of classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.

However, the attempt to adapt Snow White for 21st-century audiences has not gone smoothly. One of the most visible changes is the casting of Zegler, a Latina actress, in the lead role. In the original Grimm tale and Disney version, Snow White is named for the fairness of her skin — something the new film reinterprets by attributing the name to her being born during a snowstorm.

The seven dwarfs — iconic characters in the original — have also undergone a radical transformation. In this adaptation, they are replaced by mythical creatures rendered in CGI, a move intended to avoid offending individuals with dwarfism. Yet their digital depiction has been widely criticised as awkward and unappealing.

Additionally, the romantic subplot has been revised. Gone is the classic song Someday My Prince Will Come, and with it, the prince himself. In his place is a reimagined character — a well-meaning thief — who ultimately wins Snow White’s heart. The princess, meanwhile, has been portrayed as an empowered heroine who no longer cooks or cleans for others but instead encourages shared responsibility among her companions.

A Film Released at the Wrong Time

The release of Snow White comes at a moment when “woke” culture is facing growing pushback in the United States, particularly after Donald Trump’s recent political resurgence. In this context, Disney’s reimagining of Snow White — notably marketed without reference to the “Seven Dwarfs” — may have missed the mark.

Directed by Marc Webb and released on 21 March, the film grossed just $44.3 million during its opening weekend in the US — well below pre-release expectations of $45–55 million. Worldwide, the film managed to earn $87 million, making it the weakest domestic debut for any Disney live-action remake.

Given the high production and promotional costs, experts say it is virtually impossible for the film to break even, let alone turn a profit. The commercial and critical failure of Snow White raises serious questions about Disney’s current strategy of reinterpreting classic stories through a contemporary lens — especially when it alienates both nostalgic audiences and new viewers.

In the end, while Rachel Zegler may not be solely responsible for the film’s failure, her role at the centre of its controversy cannot be ignored. For Disney, this flop serves as a stark reminder that even beloved fairy tales are not immune to modern-day culture wars.

Sylvester Stallone is back as Dwight “The General” Manfredi in the much-anticipated second season of Tulsa King. This crime drama, streaming on Paramount+ later this week, sees the legendary actor reprising his role as a Mafia capo from New York’s Invernizzi crime family who finds himself navigating unfamiliar territory after a 25-year prison sentence.

A New Empire in Tulsa

The series follows Dwight’s journey after being exiled by his boss to Tulsa, Oklahoma—a place far removed from the criminal underworld he once knew. Tasked with establishing operations in this foreign environment, Dwight soon realises his mob family may not have his best interests at heart. Determined to build his own empire, he assembles a ragtag crew of unlikely allies, creating a new criminal operation from scratch.

Season two picks up with Dwight and his team continuing to expand and protect their growing empire. However, their success attracts new adversaries. With threats from the Kansas City mob and a formidable local businessman, Dwight faces mounting pressure to protect his crew and family while juggling the complexities of his rising empire.

Record-Breaking Success

The first season of Tulsa King was a major hit for Paramount+, drawing in 3.7 million viewers for its premiere episode. The show also drove a record-breaking number of new subscriptions to the platform, solidifying its status as one of Paramount’s standout productions.

The Creative Minds Behind the Series

Created by Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the widely acclaimed Yellowstone, Tulsa King brings together a dynamic cast and sharp storytelling. Stallone not only stars in the series but has also co-written several episodes of the new season, marking his first leading role in a television series.

The cast includes Annabella Sciorra, Tatiana Zappardino, Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, and Dana Delany. Together, they bring a mix of talent that adds depth and intrigue to the series.

How to Watch Season 2

Fans eager to dive back into Dwight’s world can catch the new season exclusively on Paramount+. While subscription fees apply, the streaming service often offers free trial periods, allowing new users to enjoy the latest episodes without immediate cost.

With its gripping storyline, standout performances, and escalating tension, season two of Tulsa King promises to deliver more of the action and drama that made the first season a hit. Don’t miss the return of this compelling crime saga.

Monty Don, the beloved 69-year-old presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World, recently opened up about a poignant memory from his younger years. He described a deeply emotional moment shared with his wife, Sarah, as they drove past a field of barley, which evoked a powerful sense of nostalgia.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Monty recalled a childhood experience that left a lasting impression. At just seven years old, he returned home from boarding school to discover that the family garden had “burst into flower.” He likened the sensation to missing Christmas—a bittersweet realization, though not necessarily a sense of loss.

Years later, during his twenties, a simple drive through the countryside reignited this childhood memory. Reflecting on the moment, Monty shared: “Sarah and I were driving out of London towards Kent, passing a field full of barley. Barley has a unique way of rippling in the wind, unlike wheat, which tends to rustle. That subtle difference transported me back to my childhood in Hampshire.”

He continued: “The sight triggered an intense homesickness. My whole childhood felt tied to the ripple of barley in the fields. Realizing that this idyllic period, the good parts of it, was forever gone was utterly heartbreaking.”

Monty went on to reflect on the contrasting emotions tied to different aspects of his upbringing. While the barley fields symbolized a cherished connection to his home, he had less fond memories of his boarding school years. He described the landscape around the school as dominated by “dark, dull, horrible” rhododendrons, pines, and heathers—plants he associated with unpleasant times. In stark contrast, his home was adorned with beautiful beeches and fragrant lilacs, which he still remembers fondly.

As he looked back, Monty candidly acknowledged that his teenage years were far from idyllic. Speaking to the Mirror, he admitted that flowers and gardening were not part of his adolescence. Instead, he described those years as filled with “sex, drugs, and rock and roll.” He even revealed that he was expelled from several schools during this rebellious period of his life.

This blend of heartfelt nostalgia and candid honesty offers a glimpse into the life of the much-loved gardening expert, whose passion for nature seems rooted in both the highs and lows of his formative years.