HBO has renewed Sharon Horgan-created romantic comedy Youth for a second season.
Horgan, 56, also stars in the series as the protagonist, divorced literary agent Alex.
Season 1’s logline read: “Youth follows a 50-year-old divorcee’s search for sex and love whilst juggling caring for her ailing parents and parenting her should-be grown up son.”
Courtesy of Natalie Seery/HBOCourtesy of Natalie Seery/HBO
The eight-episode first season premiered on HBO on September 20, 2026.
Further main cast members include Rupert Friend, Sharlene Whyte, Aran Murphy and Robbie Gee.
Horgan said: “I’m so happy to get another opportunity to live out my emotional and biological crises on HBO.
“I can’t think of a better platform to air my UTI problems on.
“The response to Youth has been beyond what I could have hoped for.
“I’m so grateful for the response and the chance to work with this incredible cast and creative team once more.”
Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, also weighed in.
She said: “In a way that only she can, Sharon has created a show that makes us howl with laughter and with tears – often in the same moment.
“Each performance in YOUTH is more delightful than the next.
“Along with our partners at Merman, we are so thrilled to have this brilliant ensemble back for another season.”
Courtesy of Colin Hutton/HBOCourtesy of Natalie Seery/HBO
Actor-writer Horgan’s prior credits include Pulling, Catastrophe and Bad Sisters.
She also has created or co-created further series, but did not act in them – Divorce, Motherland and Shining Vale, respectively.
Speaking to Gold Derby about Youth and her character, Sharon Horgan said: “Her bad decisions don’t come from a bad place.
“They come from a place of coping. So, no, she’s definitely not done making them. I think we all go through phases.
“I’ve always had a reckless side to my personality.
“Sometimes I’m good at keeping a lid on it; depending on what’s happening in my life, good or bad, it can rear its head again.”
Youth is produced by Merman (Amandaland, Bad Sisters, Vladimir).
Alongside Sharon Horgan, additional executive producers are Faye Dorn for Merman, Jim Kleverweis, and Dawn Shadforth, who also directs.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially released the trailer for its upcoming third season.
Based on Rick Riordan’s novel Titan’s Curse, the new season premieres on Disney +/Hulu on November 20 with two episodes.
Walker Scobell, 17, returns as the titular demigod Percy.
Joining him are Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Dafne Keen and Ming-Na Wen.
Rounding out the ensemble are Charlie Bushnell, Jason Mantzoukas, Tamara Smart, Kate McKinnon, Holt McCallany and Levi Chrisopulos.
Watch the trailer below:
Soon enough, fans were quick to share their excitement about the trailer on social media.
“This new #PercyJackson trailer is [flame emoji]. I literally cannot wait”, wrote one person.
Another said: “Welp, looks like I have to renew my Disney+ subscription after all.
“Best trailer of the series, tbh!”
A third wrote: “Nico already Sobbing, Crying and Running away in the trailer I CANT DO THIS!!”
A fourth added: “The trailer for season 3 of #PercyJackson is here and it looks incredible!!
“So excited, hop on the train for those who haven’t yet!”
While a fifth agreed: “I’m so excited for S3 and we’re getting 2 episodes a week! #PercyJackson.”
Meanwhile, a logline for the season reads: “If Percy Jackson learned anything after completing two epic quests with Annabeth Chase, it’s that he would be lost without her.
“So when Annabeth is captured by the forces of Kronos, Percy must embark on a perilous journey to rescue her. He must free a goddess in chains, confront the Titan’s curse, and avoid triggering the fall of Olympus.
“With Grover by his side, Percy must join some unlikely questmates to confront a prophecy with dire consequences.”
Author Rick Riordan published his first Percy Jackson novel, The Lightning Thief, in 2005.
Meanwhile, the TV adaptation premiered in 2023, with Riordan, wife Rebecca and Jonathan E. Steinberg serving as executive producers.
There have previously been two Percy Jackson movies in 2010 and 2013, respectively.
Logan Lerman starred as Percy, with Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth and Brandon T. Jackson as Grover.
Harington, 39, has been tapped for the second season to play infamous Hogwarts professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
Kit Harington is joining the cast of HBO’s Harry Potterseries (Image courtesy of Simon Ridgway/HBO)Harington replaces Nicholas Hoult (pictured), who was originally announced in the role (Courtesy of DC 2025 Warner Bros Ents)
The former Game of Thrones star replaces Nicholas Hoult, who was initially announced as Lockhart only days ago.
Hoult dropped out of the role after filming for Lockhart’s scenes shifted, resulting in scheduling issues for the actor, according to Deadline.
Meanwhile, Harington previously voiced Lockhart in Audible’s Harry Potter: The Full Cast Edition, released last year.
He is of course already well-associated with HBO, having played Jon Snow on Game of Thrones for eight seasons.
A long-time Harry Potter fan, he said previously: “I read it, and like so many generations, I was entranced, and then I was a huge fan all through my teenage years.”
Introduced in the second novel, The Chamber of Secrets, Lockhart serves as a major character.
HBO’s Harry Potter stars Dominic McLaughlin (pictured) as the titular Boy Who Lived (image courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO)Harington is well-known internationally for playing Jon Snow on Game Of Thrones (image courtesy of Helen Sloan/HBO)
A renowned but fame-obsessed wizard, he is hired as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor – but is not all that he appears.
Kenneth Branagh played the role in the 2002 feature film, directed by Chris Columbus.
The Harry Potter TV series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
Joining them are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Francesca Gardiner serves as showrunner, with Jon Brown set to join her for season two.
Season one will air on HBO on Christmas Day and be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.
One fan commented: “Loved that book. Please stick to the story, don’t change it too much. You do a great job of being Reacher.”
Another added: “I’m screaming. This is one of my favorite books. Yesssss.”
While a third penned: “One of my favorite books in the series!”
A special reaction came from Olivier Richters, who played villainous Paulie in season 3. He shared: “Congratz! Will watch for sure”, alongside two fire emojis.
What do we know about Gone Tomorrow?
Released in April 2009, Gone Tomorrow is Lee Child’s 13th Reacher novel.
Its synopsis reads: “New York City. Two in the morning. A subway car heading uptown. Jack Reacher, plus five other passengers. Four are okay. The fifth isn’t.
“And if you think Reacher isn’t going to get involved . . . then you don’t know Jack.
“Susan Mark, the fifth passenger, had a big secret, and her plain little life was being watched in Washington, and California, and Afghanistan—by dozens of people with one thing in common.
“They’re all lying to Reacher. A little. A lot. Or just enough to get him killed. A race has begun through the streets of Manhattan, a maze crowded with violent, skilled soldiers on all sides of a shadow war.
“For Jack Reacher, a man who trusts no one and likes it that way, the finish line comes when you finally get face-to-face and look your worst enemy in the eye.”
Previous seasons adapted The Killing Floor, Bad Luck and Trouble and Persuader.
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series is edging ever closing – with nine new cast members now officially confirmed.
First announced in 2023, the show is adapting JK Rowling’s beloved novels for a new generation.
HBO confirmed last month that Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Meanwhile, other revealed castings include John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
Let’s take a look at the nine stars who will be joining them…
New Harry Potter TV series cast members
(From L to R, clockwise): Katherine Parkinson, Lox Pratt, Johnny Flynn, Leo Earley, Alessia Leoni, Sienna Moosah, Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby and Bertie Carvel (Image courtesy of HBO)
Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
Parkinson, 47, played Jen Barber in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd. She won a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2014.
Airing from 2006 to 2013, the show followed the internet technology staff of fictitious Reynholm Industries.
The actress’ other credits include regular roles in Doc Martin, Here We Go and, in a change of pace, sci-fi drama Humans.
In 2020, Parkinson appeared in Taskmaster series 10 but finished in last place among the five contestants.
Beginning in 2024, she has played Lizzie Vereker in Disney+ period drama Rivals – based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel.
Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
Rising actor Lox Pratt will portray Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter’s rival at Hogwarts.
Not much is known about Pratt, however, he has another literary villain under his belt.
Pratt will portray Jack Merridew, the main antagonist, in an upcoming BBC Lord of The Flies adaptation. Though a villainous role like Draco, Jack symbolises violence and a desire for power.
Following news of his Harry Potter casting, he posted on Instagram: “Slytherin all the way! I’m totally thrilled to be able to share the news that I’ll be playing Draco Malfoy in the new HBO series of Harry Potter.
“Huge thanks to LucyBevanCasting and all the team for believing in me.”
Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
Meanwhile, actor Johnny Flynn will be taking on the role of Lucius Malfoy, Draco’s Death Eater father.
The 42-year-old played protagonist Dylan Witter in Channel 4/Netflix sitcom Lovesick. This show aired from 2014 to 2018.
Additionally, Flynn has delivered notable performances as real-life figures, including David Bowie in Stardust (2020). He also played a younger version of humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton in One Life (2023).
No stranger to book-to-screen adaptations, Flynn starred as Jane Austen hero Mr. Knightley in 2020 film Emma.
In fact, he also worked with Lucius Malfoy predecessor Jason Isaacs in the 2021 film Operation Mincemeat.
Away from acting, Flynn is a musician and lead singer and songwriter of the band Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit.
His musical accomplishments include six studio albums and composing the theme song for BBC comedy Detectorists.
Fun fact: Flynn is the half-brother of Game of Thrones actor Jerome Flynn, who played Bronn.
Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout were previously announced as Harry, Hermione and Ron (Image courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO)
Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
Bel Powley is joining HBO’s Harry Potter cast in the role of Petunia Dursley, his Muggle aunt.
Powley, 33, began her career on CBBC spy series MI High. However, since leaving the show in 2008, she has racked up diverse film, theatre and television credits.
This includes a regular role as Claire Conway in Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show, during its first season. She starred opposite Hollywood heavyweights Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
In addition, Powley’s UK TV appearances include Benidorm and The Bill, while she played a lead role in miniseries A Small Light.
Based on the story of Anne Frank, she starred as Miep Gies, who helped the Frank family to hide during World War II.
Powley’s film roles include The King Of Staten Island, Turn Me On and White Boy Rick.
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
Joining Powley is Daniel Rigby, who will be portraying Harry’s Muggle uncle (by marriage), Vernon Dursley.
Rigby, 42, is a BAFTA winner for his role in 2011 BBC television film Eric and Ernie. He portrayed Eric Morecambe, of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise.
He starred in Sky One comedy Sick Note – which featured future Harry Potter co-star Nick Frost and past star Rupert Grint.
Some of Rigby’s TV credits include Black Mirror, Flowers, Big School, Jericho and The Witchfinder. From 2015 to 2018, he narrated hit children’s show The Teletubbies.
Regarding his Potter casting, Rigby posted on Instagram: “Am joining this large grid of heads in @harrypotter @hbo! Thrilled to be playing the world’s worst muggle, Uncle Vernon.”
Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
Young Irish actor Leo Earley joins the ensemble as Seamus Finnigan, one of Harry’s Gryffindor classmates.
The huge upcoming series seems to be Earley’s first major acting credit.
However, the Leitrim star appeared on RTE’s The Late Late Toy Show in 2024, although as himself.
Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
In addition, Alessia Leoni is portraying Parvati Patil, another of Harry’s classmates in Gryffindor House.
Fans know Parvati is one-half of identical twins, with sister Padma sorted into Ravenclaw. Although as of writing, Padma has yet to be cast.
Similarly to co-star Leo Earley, the series appears to be Leoni’s first major acting credit.
She posted on Instagram: “Received my letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As a huge Harry Potter fan it feels so unreal!”
Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
Rounding out a trio of Gryffindor castings, Sienna Moosah is set as Lavender Brown.
In fact, fans know Lavender becomes a love interest for Ron Weasley in Half Blood Prince.
Although in the films, Lavender (and Parvati) were recast multiple times each. Jessie Cave notably played her for the final three instalments.
Moosah shared on Instagram: “Extremely excited to share I’m heading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I’ll be playing Lavender Brown in the new @hbo @harrypotter @streamonmax series. A dream come true. Thankyou.”
Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
Last but not least, Bertie Carvel joins the cast as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic.
He is an Olivier Award-winning actor, his performances in Matilda The Musical (as Ms Trunchbull) and Ink (as Rupert Murdoch). Carvel also won a Tony for portraying Murdoch.
His television work includes starring as British Prime Minister Tony Blair in The Crown, appearing in seasons five and six.
Carvel has played lead/title roles in historical fantasy Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, as well as period crime drama Dalgliesh.
His other stage performances include playing US President Donald Trump in The 47th and Henry Higgins in Pygmalion.
Hogwarts staff casting: John Lithgow (Credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (Credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (Credit: Ruth Crafer), Nick Frost (Credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (Credit: Phil Sharp), Paul Whitehouse (Credit: Mike Marsland)
Doctor Who bosses have unveiled an all-new spinoff, starring familiar faces from the iconic sci-fi show.
Disney Branded Television and BBC jointly announced The War Between The Land And The Sea at San Diego Comic-Con.
Leading the five-part series is Russell Tovey (Feud, American Horror Story: NYC) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki, Black Mirror).
Joining them are franchise returnees Jemma Redgrave (as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart) and Alexander Devrient (as Colonel Ibrahim).
Gugu Mbatha-Raw has joined the cast | Photo by Michael Wharley
A synopsis reads: “When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT steps into action as the land and sea wage war.”
Doctor Who showrunner/EP Russell T. Davies created the new show, as well as penning the scripts alongside Pete McTighe (The Pact, A Discovery of Witches).
The series features the triumphant return of classic villains the Sea Devils, first seen in 1972.
Davies said: “I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast. And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama which will shake The Whoniverse to its foundations.
“When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble.“
An earlier spin-off, Torchwood, ran from 2006-2011 for four seasons. It featured John Barrowman reprising his role as Captain Jack Harkness from Doctor Who.
Doctor Who returnees Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient are also onboad | Photos by Charlie Carter and Marina Castells
Next month, The War Between The Land And The Sea will begin filming.
Dylan Holmes-Williams, who helmed two Doctor Who season one episodes: “73 Yards” and “Dot and Bubble”, will direct.
The series will air exclusively on Disney+ where available and BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
Bad Wolf, with BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC produce “The War Between The Land And The Sea”.
In addition to Davies, executive producers include Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians have announced a new series regular for season two – and they’re playing a beloved character.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Rick Riordan and Disney+ unveiled Daniel Diemer’s (“Under the Bridge” casting as fan favourite cyclops “Tyson”.
Diemer, 28, joins Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase) and Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood) as a main cast member in the upcoming season.
The character of Tyson is described as “a young Cyclops who grew up all alone on the streets. He finds it difficult to survive in the human world.”
Shy, awkward and big-hearted, Tyson learns Poseidon is his father. Which means Percy Jackson is his half-brother… and that he may have finally found a home.
As for Diemer, the actor recently starred in Hulu limited series “Under the Bridge”, adapted from Rebecca Godfrey’s book of the same name.
It was also based upon a tragic true story of a girl who went missing from Vancouver in 1997.
Coming up, Diemer will star in the indie project “Thug”, alongside Liam Neeson and Ron Perlman.
Daniel Diemer (Tyson) and Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson) | Courtesy of Disney/Eric Milner
Another indie, “Supercell” starred the young actor in a leading role opposite Alec Baldwin and Skeet Ulrich.
He also features in the Netflix series “The Midnight Club” and recently starred as the male lead in the breakout hit Netflix feature “The Half Of It” from producer Anthony Bregman and director Alice Wu.
Diemer is a graduate of Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Disney+ Original series starts filming its new episodes next week in Vancouver.
Season two is based on author Rick Riordan’s second Percy Jackson novel, titled “The Sea of Monsters”.
Fans will see Percy return to Camp Half-Blood one year later, only to find his world turned upside down.
As a result, his friendship with Annabeth is changing and learns he has a cyclops for a brother.
Walker Scobell and the cast react to the news of the latest #PercyJackson and the Olympians casting for Season 2 – Daniel Diemer, who will play Percy Jackson’s half-brother, Tyson pic.twitter.com/jB6L33szUq
The Baxters will premiere on Prime Video on March 28, the streaming service announced.
Based on #1 New York Times best-selling novels by Karen Kingsbury, the faith-based family drama stars Roma Downey and Ted McGinley.
The show follows Elizabeth and John Baxter, played by Downey and McGinley as well as their five adult children.
The ten-episode first season features Elizabeth and John’s daughter, Kari (Ali Cobrin), who learns the shocking truth that her professor husband, Tim (Brandon Hirsch), has been secretly having an affair with one of his college students.
She must seek comfort in her faith and family to discover if love is truly a choice and if her marriage can be redeemed.
Masey McLain, Josh Plasse, Cassidy Gifford, Reilly Anspaugh and Emily Peterson complete the starring cast.
Meanwhile, guest stars Kathie Lee Gifford, Jake Allyn, Damien Leake and Orel De La Mota join the previously announced ensemble.
LightWorkers Media, Will Packer Media, and Haven Entertainment produce The Baxters.
Jessie Rosen serves as showrunner and executive producer. Rosen, Downey, Will Packer, Kevin Mann, Brendan Bragg, and Jaime Primak Sullivan executive produce while Karen Kingsbury and Rick Christian are consulting producers.
