One of the breakout stars of Netflix’s Bridgerton has landed himself a new role following the success of the smash-hit series.
Actor Regé-Jean Page achieved worldwide fame after starring as Simon Basset, aka ‘The Duke of Hastings’, in the 2020 multi award-nominated Netflix period drama Bridgerton – which is set in the Regency era, and tells the story eight close-knit siblings looking for love and happiness in London high society – but despite the show racking up viewing figures of 82 million and becoming the most-watched original series on the platform at the time of its premiere, it was announced that Page would not be appearing in any upcoming seasons.
Since the announcement that The Duke would no longer be a featured character, Page has been cast in several other film and TV projects, but his newest gig is something a little different.
This time round, he won’t be seen in front of the camera.
Instead, Netflix has announced this week that he has been chosen to narrate new nature documentary Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale, which is directed by Matt Meech (Planet Earth II) and Renée Godfrey (Human Planet).
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Here’s your first look at SURVIVING PARADISE: A FAMILY TALE. Narrated by @regejean, this new nature documentary comes to Netflix on March 3. pic.twitter.com/o9QQ0oAgLb
The 78-minute feature will focus on the Okavango Delta, which is described as “a vast oasis, isolated from the rest of the world by unforgiving desert”.
The official synopsis for the documentary, as described by Netflix, reads: “It’s also a refuge, built and maintained daily by its inhabitants; in return, it caters for their every need. Big cats may appear to reign here, but in reality, the fate of every creature, great and small, is intertwined.
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“This film explores the blueprints for building the perfect world, managing it sustainably, and maintaining it – despite extremes of drought, famine, and flood.”
Regé-Jean Page achieved worldwide fame after starring as The Duke of Hastings’ in Netflix’s Bridgerton / Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
The documentary – which is executive produced by James Honeyborne (Africa, Blue Planet II) – is also said to be geared up to champion those who are “passing the secret formula on” to those who come after them, which will most likely be the ones “who will find it harder than ever before to keep their Eden intact”.
Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale is set to premiere on Netflix on 3 March 2022.
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If you can’t wait until then though, or you just fancy rewatching the show that made him a star, the full first season of Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix now.
Featured Image – Netflix UK & Ireland
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Manchester’s big wheel is returning to Exchange Square for the summer… sort of
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to reach new heights, as the big wheel that once stood proudly in the city centre is making a comeback this summer.
Well… sort of.
That’s because it’s not quite the same big wheel that many will remember from its glory days in locations like Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square throughout the 2000s, and more recently Albert Square during last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets – but it is a big wheel and it’s a big wheel that you’ll be able to hop on for a ride.
Celebrating the launch of its new Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range, Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday and Saturday (24 and 25 July), inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy panoramic views of the city below from a big Ferris wheel.
The two-day takeover will give customers the chance to unlock a ride on the big wheel with the purchase of any Grande or Venti iced drink from participating Manchester city centre Starbucks stores.
Both in participating stores – which in Manchester are Starbucks stores in the Arndale, City Tower Offices, on Market Street and on Fennel Street – and at the Ferris wheel itself in Exchange Square, you can expect complimentary Cloud Frappuccino-inspired candy floss, live music from DJ and presenter Ethan Porte, and a free photobooth with digital and printed photos.
Alongside the big wheel ride, there’ll also be the chance for members to win exclusive Starbucks merchandise across the two days too.
A limited number of additional ferris wheel ride tokens will also be available to win via the fairground-style Plinko game on site.
The new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range includes a range of bespoke creations like the Strawberry Matcha Cloud Frappuccino, the Brown Sugar Cloud Frappuccino, and the Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
With skyline views and summer sips, Starbucks says its Summer in the Clouds is set to be one of Manchester’s must-visit experiences this month.
Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Featured Image – Cédric Dhaenens (via Unsplash)
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Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2022 
