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.
Just like JK Rowling, sources say author Meyer is expected to be involved in the television adaptation.
Featured Image – Lionsgate
TV & Showbiz
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Will Mellor’s new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims airs tonight
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC documentary about real-life victims from the Post Office scandal fronted by Will Mellor is hitting TV screens tonight.
As the country finally starts to wake up to the full scale of the Post Office scandal – which involved the British postal service pursuing thousands of innocent subpostmasters for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in an accounting software system between 1999 and 2015 – actor Will Mellor is on a mission to find out what happened to the real-life sub-postmasters in this new BBC documentary.
The Stockport-born actor famously played the part of Lee Castleton in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and says he feels a “real affinity” will the families he spoke to for the programme.
For the new documentary and accompanying five-part BBC Sounds podcast series – which is titled Surviving the Post Office – Will actually speaks to Mr Castleton himself, as well as four other affected people and their families whose lives have been “torn apart”.
Will Mellor has fronted a new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims / Credit: ITV
Surviving the Post Office ventures to all four corners of England, including East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall, as Will discovers that many of the sub-postmasters want to “take back control of their lives”.
According to the BBC, for some facing the past, that proves to be a “troubling experience”, while for others, it ends up being a “liberating” step forwards.
As well as exploring the financial losses for many, including the people featured in the documentary and podcast series, Will also gets to find out how they are coping with their emotions, trying to move on from the whole ordeal, and how the victims are finding support in unexpected ways.
📢 Actor Will Mellor meets the real-life victims of the Post Office scandal in a brand new documentary from BBC Local
Surviving The Post Office is coming to @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer tonight at 8.30pm. The podcast series is on @BBCSounds now
“I feel a real affinity with these families, so it was a privilege to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast,” Will said ahead of the documentary airing on BBC One.
“What shocked me the most after meeting so many sub-postmasters is just how far the impact and trauma has spread – the effect it’s had on people’s health, their children, and their whole communities has been massive.”