Less than a week after it was confirmed that the rumoured Harry Potter TV series is set to become a reality, another cult-classic franchise could now be heading for a reboot.
If reports are to be believed, a TV series of the Twilight Saga is apparently “in the works”.
In case you missed it, after weeks of rumours and reports, streaming service HBO Max last week revealed that a reboot TV series based on what is arguably one of the most successful and best-loved literary and film franchises of all time, Harry Potter, is to officially hit screens – with author JK Rowling set to executive produce it.
Potterheads were excited to hear that the Harry Potter series could be on air for up to a decade, and will be a “faithful adaptation” of the books about the wizarding world, while keeping the original films “at the core” of the franchise.
And this is likely to be exactly what Twilight fans are hoping for as well, as it’s also been exclusively reported by The Hollywood Reporter this week that the massively-popular literary and film saga based on a series of books is the next to “get the television treatment”.
Undoubtedly one of the best-loved and highest-grossing Young Adult franchises of the 21st century, The Twilight Saga is a fantasy romance series made up of four novels published between 2005 and 2008.
The success of the books lead to five film adaptations released between 2008 and 2012.
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Just like Harry Potter, Twilight changed the life of author Stephanie Meyer, made household names out of its trio of leads, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, and developed a devoted fanbase along the way.
A Twilight TV series is said to be ‘in the works’ / Credit: Lionsgate / Summit Entertainment
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Twilight TV series is currently “in early development” via Lionsgate Television.
Screenwriter Sinead Daly, whose credits include Tell Me Lies, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Raised by Wolves, and more, is attached to write the script.
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It’s yet to be decided whether the series will be a remake of Meyer’s books or “a different offshoot”.
The series is said to be “in its infancy” and does not yet have a network or platform / Credit: Lionsgate / Summit Entertainment
The series is said to be “in its infancy” and does not yet have a network/platform, as sources say the studio – which controls the rights to the franchise – plans to lead the development on the project, before shopping the rights to the package.
At this point, there is no timeline for when the series will be taken out to potential buyers, and therefore appears to be a long way off from hitting screens.
Secret Genius is a new competition series that sees adults from all walks of life go on an ‘incredible journey of self-discovery’ by competing in a set of immersive intelligence games, and the show‘s producers are currently in the process of casting a group of clever individuals who have what it takes to go all the way.
According to Mensa UK, hundreds of thousands of people may be going about their daily lives unaware of just how intelligent they actually are.
This may be someone who’s always found puzzles, following complex instructions or directions easier than those around them but never understood why, or someone who feels that their natural abilities were misunderstood or overlooked at school or in their working life.
Channel 4 is looking for ‘secret genius’ Mancs to take part in a new competition show / Credit: NCI (via Unsplash) | Freepik
It may be someone who feels their input is dismissed by people when it shouldn’t be, or maybe just someone who’s curious to find out more about their potential brain power.
If this sounds like you, applications for Secret Genius are now open and you could come face to face with the show’s famous presenter duo, Alan Carr and Susie Dent, as the put you and your fellow contestants to the test.
The selected participants will take part in a series of heats, and have the chance to progress to the finals where one lucky person will lift the Secret Genius trophy.
A casting call on the Channel 4 website reads: “Do you suspect that you have a brilliant mind but feel that your intelligence has been underestimated or misunderstood at home, at school or at work? Pass the word on. Maybe you have a friend, family member or colleague whose brainpower constantly amazes you – then give them a nudge to apply.”
Fancy it then? If you’d consider yourself to be a brainbox, then you can find the T&Cs and apply to take part in Secret Genius on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Melanie Deziel (via Unsplash)
TV & Showbiz
John Bishop announces latest Manchester gig arena tour dates
Danny Jones
Beloved British comedian John Bishop has announced another massive Manchester gig on his latest run of arena tour dates.
The well-known veteran of the North West and national stand-up scene at large is heading back to the region next year for his fresh batch of live stand-up shows.
Serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed hour from 2025, with these dates also serving as another opportunity for fans who missed out last time to see at least some of that material, John Bishop is no stranger to selling out Manchester arenas.
Returning to Co-op Live once again after his first two visits there this past autumn, Manc crowds can look forward to more of his usual scouse charm.
Confirming the new 2027 UK tour dates online this Friday, 23 January, Bishop said: “So excited to announce I’ll be heading back out on tour next year with my brand new show…. ‘Let’s Go Round Again'”
As he goes on to write, he’s set to play “some of the biggest venues across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2027”, simply adding, “Come and join me for a night to remember…”
The 59-year-old will be coming to Co-op Live on Sunday, 2 May.
His Co-op Live debut last October went down a storm, so it’s no surprise that we cousins down the Mersey were one of the first cities to be named on the new tour.
Bishop is enjoying a little bit of added renaissance at the moment, amid being at the centre of a Hollywood film starring Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper.
You can see the duo talking about the recent release down below.
Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett allowed themselves to be vulnerable when adapting John Bishop's life story 🎬 pic.twitter.com/B5DYBfDfJ8
The Everton-born comic was already 35 when he first started live stand-up, turning up at the Frog and Bucket comedy club on the edge of the Northern Quarter and choosing to go up on stage during an open mic night rather than paying the entry fee.
Already a successful salesman in the pharmaceutical industry, he chose to switch careers just before his 40th birthday and hasn’t looked back since.
It’s part of this real-life story that inspired the movie, Is Thing On? – which finally premieres here in the UK at the end of this month – and continues to make him a hugely popular touring UK comedian.
For anyone who fancies going along to see his new tour, you can sign up for early access through his mailing list or via the venue’s pre-sale for official Co-op Members.
Those windows open on Wednesday, 28 January from 10am; general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (30 Jan). You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
You can watch the trailer for the aforementioned motion picture here.
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2023 
