It’s fair to say that Michelle Yeoh is by far one of the most talked-about actresses in Hollywood at the moment.
Born in Malaysia to Chinese parents, she first rose to fame in the 1990s after starring in a series of Hong Kong action films, before she made a name for herself with major roles in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and Ang Lee’s martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), as well as Memoirs of a Geisha, Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, Kung Fu Panda 2, Crazy Rich Asians, and more.
Most recently, of course, she began gaining further global recognition for starring as laundromat owner and overwhelmed mother, Evelyn Wang, in the absurdist comedy-drama film Everything Everywhere All At Once.
The film was released to universal critical acclaim in 2022, and cemented its place as a 2023 awards front-runner shortly after.
Michelle Yeoh alongside Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All At Once / Credit: A24
Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, SAG Awards, and countless critics and film circles accolades for the career-defining role also followed for Yeoh, proving that the 60-year-old is one of the finest actresses of her generation.
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Although clinching the coveted Academy Award for Best Actress at the 95th Oscars just last week had to be the cherry on top though, right?
In taking home the long-awaited and richly-deserved win, Yeoh not only beat out heavy-hitters Cate Blanchett, Michelle Williams, and Kerry Condon, but she also broke several records along the way.
She became the first Asian and the second non-white woman to win the Best Actress Award, and the first Malaysian to win an Academy Award in any category.
But, aside from all of that, did you know she has strong links to Manchester?
In a fact that many film fans are only just finding out about now, or probably still aren’t aware of, it has recently been revealed that Michelle Yeoh studied at and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts with a minor in Drama from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1983.
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A big congratulations to Michelle Yeoh on wining the Oscar for Best Actress. 🎉👏
Michelle graduated with a bachelor's degree in creative arts and drama in 1983 and is understood to have studied at our former Cheshire campus.
— Manchester Metropolitan Uni (@ManMetUni) March 15, 2023
Yeoh never really dreamed of becoming an actress, and actually moved to the UK with her parents when she was 15 to begin studying at the Royal Academy of Dance in London – however, when a spinal injury prevented her from becoming a professional ballet dancer, she later transferred her attention to choreography and other arts.
This is when she enrolled in the Crewe & Alsager College in Cheshire, or what is more-commonly known as Man Met’s now-closed Cheshire campus.
‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
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A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
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Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
20th March 2023 
