More cast for The Last of Us, a major musical biopic update, a director for Saw, a date for Black Doves and a free UK drama channel: this 27 September Morning briefing catches verified developments from 24 to 26 September that earlier Movieversalfilm editions missed. Here is what has changed for viewers, and what remains open.
Film and TV Developments to Know
The Last of Us Adds Three Season Three Cast Members
- Reported: Saturday 26 September.
- New cast: John Goodman, Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander.
- Season: The third run of HBO’s The Last of Us.
- Premiere and UK platform: No new date or territory announcement with this casting news.
Three performers have joined the next season of The Last of Us: John Goodman, Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander. Bailey and Alexander have links to the original games, making their move into the television cast particularly interesting to players. Their casting was reported on Saturday, after our previous briefing’s cutoff.
The news gives viewers a clearer sense of the season’s expanding ensemble without disclosing character plotlines. HBO has not paired this casting update with a precise premiere date or a new UK platform announcement, so those viewing details remain to be confirmed.
Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley Join Fred Astaire Film
- Announced: Friday 25 September.
- Cast: Tom Holland as Fred Astaire, Margaret Qualley as Adele Astaire and Sabrina Carpenter as Ginger Rogers.
- Director: Paul King.
- Title and release date: Still unannounced.
Sony Pictures’ long-developing Fred Astaire film has gained two crucial performers. Margaret Qualley is set to play his sister and original dance partner Adele, while Sabrina Carpenter will play Ginger Rogers. Tom Holland remains attached as Fred, with Paddington director Paul King set to direct. The reported production statement places Adele’s partnership with Fred at the heart of the film rather than treating her as a footnote to his later screen fame.
For viewers, this makes the project’s approach clearer, but it is still too early to plan a cinema trip. Sony has not announced a final title, production start or UK and US release dates.
Mike P. Nelson Will Direct the Next Saw Film
- Announced: Thursday 24 September.
- Director: Mike P. Nelson, whose films include Wrong Turn and Beware Boiúna.
- Production: Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster; James Wan is among the producers.
- Release date and UK/US cinema plans: Not yet confirmed.
Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have named Mike P. Nelson as director of the next Saw film. The project brings the filmmaker behind Wrong Turn and the forthcoming Beware Boiúna into the long-running horror series, with original creator James Wan returning as a producer. Nelson’s appointment is a concrete step for a franchise whose next chapter has spent time in development.
For horror fans, the hire tells us who will shape the film’s tone; it does not yet tell us when or where to watch it. The studio has not confirmed a release date, territory-specific cinema plans or a final title. We will wait for those announcements before calling it Saw XI or promising a particular Halloween.
Black Doves Sets a 5 November Netflix Return
- Announced: Thursday 24 September.
- Season two: Netflix says it arrives on 5 November.
- Returning leads: Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw.
- New trailer: Released by Netflix with the date announcement.
Netflix has released a trailer for season two of Black Doves and set its return for 5 November. Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are back in the London spy thriller. The announcement gives viewers a firm date without needing to venture into the first season’s revelations.
This is the most immediate watchlist change in the briefing: anyone who enjoyed the show’s blend of espionage, sharp humour and uneasy friendship can revisit season one on Netflix before the new episodes arrive. Netflix has also named incoming cast members including Ambika Mod and Neve Campbell. Episode times and any territory-specific differences should be checked in the local Netflix app nearer launch.
5Drama Launches Free in the UK on 21 October
- Announced: Thursday 24 September.
- UK launch: Wednesday 21 October.
- Change: The free-to-air 5Drama channel replaces 5Select.
- Where to find it: Freeview 33, Freesat 132, Freely 26, Sky 150 and Sky Stream/Sky Glass 165.
Paramount’s UK broadcaster 5 is giving drama its own free-to-air channel from 21 October. 5Drama will replace 5Select and gather UK series such as All Creatures Great and Small, Ellis and Dalgliesh alongside US and Australian programmes. Early Home and Away episodes are also planned after launch, beginning with the soap’s first episode.
For UK viewers, the useful detail is that the service has both a date and published channel numbers. It is a new place to encounter familiar shows through a scheduled channel, while 5 continues to offer boxsets through its streaming service. Individual programme times may change, so the day-one schedule is best checked close to 21 October.
Movieversalfilm Takeaway
This five-story catch-up gives viewers confirmed casting, creative hires and dates. Black Doves returns on 5 November and 5Drama launches on 21 October. The Last of Us, Saw and the Fred Astaire film have meaningful cast or creative news, while their next viewing dates remain open.
Which of these updates are you most likely to follow: The Last of Us, the Fred Astaire film, Saw, Black Doves or 5Drama?