First look at Gomorrah's fifth and final season

Sky today revealed the first look images and behind-the-scenes video of the fifth and final season of Gomorrah, the Sky Original blockbuster series produced by ITV Studios' Cattleya in collaboration with Beta Film, based on an idea by Roberto Saviano. The award-winning series set a new standard for Italian TV series when it debuted in 2014 and has gone on to receive widespread acclaim from both viewers and critics alike. To date the series has been shown in over 190 territories around the world.

 

The highly anticipated new episodes of the most popular Italian series in the world - which The New York Times recently rated #5 of the top 30 international shows of the past decade - are written by the head writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli, who are also the authors of the series bible with Roberto Saviano. Gianluca Leoncini and Valerio Cilio round out the writers' room.

Marco D'Amore and Claudio Cupellini, who have been at the helm since season 1, are going to direct five episodes each as well as serving as the artistic supervisors of the series. D'Amore has previously directed two episodes of Gomorrah 4 and the box office hit The Immortal, produced by Cattleya and Vision Distribution, intended as a bridge between Season 4 and 5.

Filming of the fifth season of the series commenced in Riga and is now taking place in Naples, with the final day of shooting scheduled for May. The series is set to air on Sky and NOW TV.

The first-look images and the backstage video show the protagonists of Sky's iconic series back on set: Salvatore Esposito, playing Genny Savastano who is forced into hiding in a bunker at the end of the fourth season, Arturo Muselli as Enzo Sangue Blu and Ivana Lotito as Azzurra Avitabile, Genny's wife. Returning both in front and behind the camera Marco D'Amore, stars again in the role of Ciro Di Marzio, left for dead at the end of the third season and - as revealed in the finale of the movie The Immortal - sensationally back on the scene, alive, in Latvia.

Synopsis

The clash between the Levante's and Patrizia left Naples in a pile of bricks forcing Genny to give up his dream of normality and to come back in action. But the police hot on Genny's heels forced him into a bunker alone without Azzurra and Pietrino. His only ally is now 'O Maestrale, the mysterious crime boss of Naples' eastern district Ponticelli . War is imminent and the enemies are fierce. But Genny is about to make a sensational discovery: Ciro Di Marzio is alive, in Latvia. And for Genny nothing will ever be the same.

Gomorrah - final season | Coming soon on Sky and NOW TV

Sky reveals first look of Kenneth Branagh as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Sky Original drama This Sceptred Isle as filming commences

Sky has revealed a first look image of Kenneth Branagh as U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he commences filming on This Sceptred Isle. The five-part drama will chart the events surrounding the U.K. Prime Minister, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic.

The Sky Original drama which will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW TV is produced by Fremantle, Richard Brown's Passenger and Michael Winterbottom's Revolution Films. BAFTA and Emmy award-winning actor Kenneth Branagh will play U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. 

This Sceptred Isle will tell the tale of some of the most devastating events to ever befall the United Kingdom, and of a Prime Minister leading in these unprecedented times. The drama will trace the impact on Britain from this once in a generation pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked tirelessly and heroically to contain and overcome the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people from all walks of life; from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and from hospitals and care homes across the country.

All Star Musicals returns for a one-off special

All Star Musicals returns to ITV later this year for a spectacular one-off special that will see six celebrities flex their theatrical muscles on stage.  Each of the celebrities will embark on the ultimate musical theatre masterclass culminating in a show stopping one-night extravaganza.

John Barrowman is back as the show's host with Elaine Paige heading up a panel of critics with a distinguished history in the West End and on Broadway.  Joining Elaine on the panel will be returning Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Aladdin) and Samantha Barks (Les Miserables, Frozen).

The special, produced by Multistory Media, will see a host of famous faces take to the stage to perform an iconic musical number. Each of the celebrities, all of whom have been selected based on their stand out performance skills, will be aiming to impress the virtual audience, as well as the panel.

Alongside the celebrities' performances on stage, viewers will also get to see John, Elaine, Trevor and Samantha perform together in the show's opening number.

The celebrities will be mentored by Elaine and supported by a West End chorus line and, in the lead up to their big performance, will receive training from expert choreographers and vocal coaches. The musical numbers performed will be from a range of famous musicals, both contemporary and traditional.

Each of the celebrities will be scored by the virtual audience and the critics with both votes combined to determine who will be 'top of the bill' and the 2021 All Star Musicals champion.

John Barrowman said "Now more than ever we're all in need of some fabulous musical entertainment and I can't wait to be reunited with Elaine on stage for All Star Musicals.  We've got the most amazing show lined up with something for everyone and lots and lots of surprises!"

Elaine Paige added "All Star Musicals is a joy to be a part of, I'm so pleased to be back heading up the critics panel and mentoring our new celebrities.  We've got the most wonderful evening of musical theatre and entertainment lined up for viewers and some very exciting surprises."

Ricky Wilson swaps music for art in brand new CBBC show, Ricky Wilson’s Art Jam

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson is to switch the microphone for a paintbrush in new CBBC show, Ricky Wilson's Art Jam.

Each episode sees the former art teacher invite a celebrity friend into his art studio to chat about their lives and art passions. Bringing with them three treasured objects, the celebrities will tell Ricky the stories and meaning behind them which he then uses as inspiration to create a stunning, bespoke piece of art just for them.

Famous faces joining Ricky for Ricky Wilson's Art Jam include former Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, YouTuber Joe Sugg, TV presenter Kem Cetinay alongside a host of other athletes, social media stars and TV personalities.

Ricky will also take viewers around the UK on a tour of street art, museums and art galleries, highlighting some of the artists and creators that have inspired him. Ricky will also show his celebrity pals some of the amazing art work CBBC viewers have sent in for the show.

Ricky says: "Art was my favourite subject at school and I'm excited to 'don' my Art Jam apron and create some artwork for my celebrity friends, and of course show the CBBC viewers how simple it is to transform anything into a special and unique piece of art."

Lockdown Learning is available on CBBC, BBC Two, BBC Bitesize, BBC iPlayer and the Red Button.

Ricky Wilson's Art Jam launches on CBBC at 11am on Monday 1 March with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer that day.

Channel 4 orders more Steph’s Packed Lunch

Expectation and Can Can Productions have been commissioned to make a bumper second helping of the weekday lunchtime show Steph's Packed Lunch for Channel 4. The recommission means the show will continue to air across 2021.

Presented by Steph McGovern, Steph's Packed Lunch is broadcast live from Leeds bringing viewers a daily dose of entertainment, lifestyle and consumer news with celebrity guests, fantastic food and intriguing real-life stories.

Steph's Packed Lunch launched in September 2020, airing from 12.30pm to 2.10pm on Channel 4. Since its launch, the show has more than doubled its viewer share, up 103%, and nearly trebled its volume, up 188%. The w/c 8th February 2021 saw its best weekly performance to date, with an average of 277k viewers and a 3.3% share.

On Steph's Packed Lunch, Steph McGovern is joined by an on-screen family of well-known faces each day, including Anton du Beke, Chris Kamara and Oti Mabuse. The show also features a mix of chefs cooking up tasty lunchtime treats, plus consumer, legal and medical experts to give timely advice to viewers at home.

The Celebrity Circle: Who is real and who is a catfish?

The Circle is back, kicking off with The Celebrity Circle for Stand Up To Cancer on Tuesday 9 March on Channel 4.

For the first time ever, a group of celebrities move into the most famous apartment block in the UK. Expect twists and turns as these VIPs compete to be crowned The Circle's most popular celebrity player. While some of the celebrities are playing as themselves in the game, others are catfishing as another celebrity identity altogether, hoping to convince the other players that they are the real deal.

Who are each of the celebrities playing as in the game in their mission to be crowned most popular?

Going into The Celebrity Circle as themselves:

Denise van Outen

Duncan James

Saffron Barker

Going into The Celebrity Circle under a celebrity catfish profile

Baga Chipz will be playing as Kim Woodburn

Lady Leshurr will be playing as Big Narstie

Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha will be playing as Gemma Collins

Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom will be playing as Will.i.am

Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks will be playing as Rachel Riley

and Charlotte Crosby will join the game as a new player, playing as Peter Andre

This edition of the game will see suspicions heightened and gameplaying galore as the celebs compete for the title of most popular player. The series was filmed in autumn last year, with the celebrities having no idea who was catfishing and who was keeping it real.

Emma Willis returns as host, delivering the players some surprise alerts along the way, and comedian Sophie Willan resumes her role as the unmistakable voiceover of each episode.

Fans of the show won't have long to wait for even more action from The Circle. The six-part celebrity series will be followed immediately by the all-new third series of The Circle.

The Celebrity Circle starts Tuesday 9 March on Channel 4

Channel 4 announce new Daytime show "Tool Club"

Channel 4 and Screen Scotland today announced a new pilot from Scotland-based Beezr Studios and Spark North - Spark Media's new Sheffield -based off-shoot - for Channel 4 daytime. The hour-long pilot, Tool Club, was commissioned through the joint funding partnership between Screen Scotland and Channel 4 announced last year.

We might all have attempted to spruce up our surroundings recently, but with millions of pounds spent each year rectifying the DIY jobs Brits have botched at home this timely pilot will offer useful tips and hacks to help us skill up and offer some practical inspiration to everyone bored of the same four walls.

Tool Club is a celebration of the do it yourself attitude and host Michael Underwood will lead a team of creative DIY experts including Jessica Grizzle (all round DIY expert), Julia Miller-Osborn(DIY Dynamo) and Max McMurdo (Designer and Upcycler) who will  tackle a range of DIY disasters.  From an ambitious community build to a garden makeover, small household repairs and furniture upcycling, each project will be a handy guide for viewers at home who want to get stuck in themselves.

A mobile DIY roadshow, the Tool Bus will be a drop-in base for members of the local community to walk in with their DIY-woes. With no job too big or too small, The Tool Bus will be a base for the team to demonstrate and teach some simple skills that can transform DIY disasters into something to be proud of.

Alasdair MacCuish said 'The opportunity to bring Tool Club to the C4 Daytime audience is something we are very excited about. The show couldn't be more timely, and having the support of both the Channel and Screen Scotland has been tremendous during these challenging times'.