Billie Eilish’s Stolen Land Contradiction

By Jon Donnis

Billie Eilish has built a reputation on blunt, slogan friendly activism. When she declared that "no one is illegal on stolen land," the line travelled fast, clipped, quoted and celebrated across social media. It sounded bold and morally certain, the kind of phrase designed to cut through the noise. For a moment, it positioned her as the fearless voice in the room, calling out history and power in one clean sentence.

Then the details caught up. Eilish reportedly owns a multi million dollar mansion in the Los Angeles area, a property sitting on land that historically belonged to the Gabrielino/Tongva Tribe, often described as the original inhabitants of the region. By the same logic she used on stage, that ground is part of the very story she condemns. The idea of "stolen land" stops being theoretical when your own front door is planted on it.

That is where the criticism sharpens. It is easy to speak in sweeping moral language when it costs nothing. It is harder when the principle points straight back at your own lifestyle. Living comfortably in a luxury home while framing the country itself as illegitimate land makes the message feel selective, almost convenient. If the system is fundamentally unjust, then benefiting from it without question looks less like courage and more like performance.

Celebrities often trade in big statements because they travel well. But big statements invite close inspection. In Eilish's case, the contrast between the rhetoric and the reality has turned what should have been a triumphant soundbite into a quiet lesson about hypocrisy. When you claim the moral high ground, people expect you to stand on it properly, not just pose there when the cameras are rolling.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off Returns with Fresh Faces and a New Judge

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer is back on Channel 4 this spring, bringing another run of familiar faces into the famous white tent. The tone stays light, the ovens stay hot, and the stakes feel just a little higher, with each bake helping to support an important cause. A new line-up of stars are ready to swap their day jobs for mixing bowls and piping bags, all hoping they can hold their nerve when the pressure kicks in.

This year's celebrity bakers include JoJo Siwa, Molly-Mae Hague, Vicky Pattison, Scott Mills, Rag'n'Bone Man, Emmett J Scanlan, Aston Merrygold, Edith Bowman, Ralf Little, Richard Herring, Joe Wilkinson, Babatunde Aleshe, Rose Matafeo, Judi Love, Tom Davis, Mark Wright, Nella Rose, Mutya Buena, Jon Richardson, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Sam Thompson, Roisin Conaty, Alex Brooker and Ambika Mod. It is a lively mix of pop stars, presenters, actors, comedians and broadcasters, which usually means big personalities, a few kitchen disasters, and the occasional surprise triumph.

Each episode follows the familiar rhythm. The bakers tackle the Signature, then wrestle with the Technical, before throwing everything they have into the Showstopper. Flour flies, timers beep, and someone inevitably worries about a soggy bottom. By the end, only one contestant earns the Star Baker title, a small victory that tends to feel huge in the heat of the tent.

Paul Hollywood returns to the judging table, this time joined by Bake Off: The Professionals judge Cherish Finden. An internationally renowned pastry chef, she is known for her precision and high standards, with a sharp eye for detail in every layer and finish. Together, Paul and Cherish will taste, test and deliver their verdicts across these special Stand Up To Cancer episodes, deciding which creations rise and which crumble.

With a new judge, a fresh cast and the same familiar challenges, the series promises plenty of laughs, a bit of chaos, and a lot of baking, all in support of a cause that matters. The tent is open again. Time to preheat the ovens.

PREVIEW: Peaky Blinders: The Real Story

By Jon Donnis

Smoke clings to the cobbled streets of early 20th century Birmingham as Peaky Blinders: The Real Story heads back to where it all began, digging into the truth behind one of Britain's most iconic crime legends and the television phenomenon it inspired.

Robin Bextor's new feature documentary arrives on digital on 23 February through Reel2Reel Films, offering a detailed look at both the real life gang and the cultural force that grew from their name. It moves between history and modern screen legacy with ease, tracing the path from notorious outlaws to a drama series that reshaped popular culture.

The film revisits the origins of the actual Peaky Blinders, separating myth from record through historical documents and expert voices. Among them is crime historian Carl Chinn, described as the world expert on the gang and a descendant of member Edward Derrick. His perspective anchors the story, peeling back the gang's reputation to reveal the people and events that formed the backbone of the legend.

From there, the focus shifts to the small screen. In September 2013, Peaky Blinders debuted on BBC Two as a bold period crime drama set in the aftermath of the First World War. Its portrait of a Birmingham crime family, paired with striking visuals, a gritty tone and a standout cast led by Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill and Helen McCrory, quickly caught attention. What started as an ambitious new series soon became something much bigger.

Across six series, the show's influence spread well beyond television. Fashion, haircuts, hats and even baby names began to echo its style. Awards followed, along with famous admirers including David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Snoop Dogg. Step by step, it climbed into the ranks of Britain's most loved dramas.

Interviews with creator Stephen Knight add a personal layer, exploring his connections to the real criminal history that sparked the idea. Production designer Grant Montgomery and film and TV critic Michael Hogan examine how the show made the leap from concept to screen and how its storytelling, music choices and memorable characters helped redefine the genre.

Blending fact, reflection and behind the scenes insight, Peaky Blinders: The Real Story sets out to honour both the history and the hit series that carried it into the modern age. For anyone curious about what was real, what was dramatized and how it all became a cultural landmark, this documentary promises a clear and compelling answer.

Peaky Blinders: The Real Story lands on digital on 23 February from Reel2Reel Films.

Careless Begins Filming as Channel 4 Backs New International Thriller

Images: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has confirmed that filming is now under way on Careless, a four part thriller that promises a dark and unsettling character study. The drama is an original project from Australian broadcaster and streamer Stan, produced in association with Channel 4, Nine Network, All3Media International and Screen Scotland, with support from Screen NSW.

The series is led by Solly McLeod, best known for House of the Dragon, alongside Robyn Malcolm from After The Party, Katie Leung from Bridgerton and Richard Roxburgh, whose work includes Rake. They are joined by Mabel Li, Thomas Weatherall and Alison Peebles.

Careless comes from creator Helen Fitzgerald, the author of The Cry, working with writer Louise Fox of Broadchurch. Production is being handled by Easy Tiger Productions and Synchronicity Films, bringing together teams with strong track records in tense, character driven drama.

The story centres on Robbie, a Scottish backpacker played by McLeod, who arrives in Sydney with a clear goal. He wants to secure work as a live in carer for Mike, a notorious rock and roll figure portrayed by Roxburgh, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Robbie impresses at interview and lands the job, seemingly against the odds.

As time passes, Robbie becomes deeply embedded in Mike's world. He also grows close to Mike's wife Angela, played by Robyn Malcolm, acting as a confidante to both of them. What begins as an arrangement built on trust and dependency starts to shift, and it slowly becomes apparent that Robbie is carrying something from his past that could place both Mike and Angela in real danger.

The Stan Original Careless is currently filming across Sydney and Glasgow, reflecting the show's international scope and dual setting. Channel 4's involvement marks another high profile collaboration between UK and Australian broadcasters on premium scripted drama.

Carol Kirkwood to Leave the BBC After More Than 25 Years

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood will leave the BBC in April, bringing to a close a career that has spanned more than 25 years and made her one of the corporation's most recognisable and well loved on screen figures.

Kirkwood joined the BBC in 1998 and quickly became a familiar presence across its output. She is best known for her work on BBC Breakfast, where she has delivered the weather to millions of viewers each morning with a combination of warmth, clarity and professionalism. Over the years she has become a trusted guide through everything from everyday forecasts to major national moments.

Her role has extended well beyond the studio. Kirkwood has reported on conditions at major events, including Wimbledon, where her forecasts have become part of the tournament's annual rhythm. She has also played an integral part in the BBC's coverage of changing weather patterns across the UK, explaining complex conditions in a way that remained accessible to viewers.

Reflecting on her decision to step away, Kirkwood described her time at the BBC as a privilege she never took for granted. She spoke warmly of her colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and across the wider organisation, thanking them for their support and friendship. She also expressed her gratitude to viewers and listeners, saying that being part of their mornings had been a joy, and while the decision had not been easy, it felt like the right moment.

Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, praised Kirkwood's contribution to BBC News and BBC Weather, describing her work as exceptional. He highlighted her role in both major national events and the daily forecasts that form an important part of audience routines, noting that her delivery set a gold standard and would be greatly missed across the BBC.

Before joining the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998, Kirkwood received her meteorological training at The Weather Channel, the Met Office and the BBC. She began broadcasting on the BBC News channel before expanding her role to BBC One and other BBC outlets featuring weather. Since 2010 she has been the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast.

Her career has included regular outside broadcasts from events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot and royal occasions, alongside forecasts for major sporting fixtures including Wimbledon and leading UK golf tournaments. She has been recognised multiple times by the Television and Radio Industries Club, which has repeatedly named her Best TV Weather Presenter.

Beyond forecasting, Kirkwood has also reported for The One Show, taking part in a range of experiences from a tandem parachute jump with the Red Devils to a hang gliding flight. In 2015 she competed in Strictly Come Dancing, reaching week eight with her professional partner Pasha Kovalev.

BBC Unveils First Trailer for Lord of the Flies Television Adaptation

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has released the first trailer and accompanying artwork for its forthcoming television adaptation of Lord of the Flies, offering an early look at the long awaited small screen debut of William Golding's novel. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday 8 February, with BBC One broadcasting the series weekly from 9pm that same evening.

The four part drama has been adapted and directed by multi BAFTA award winners Jack Thorne and Marc Munden. Thorne, whose previous work includes Adolescence, His Dark Materials, Help and Enola Holmes, teams up again with Munden following their earlier collaborations on The Mark of Cain, National Treasure and Help. The series is executive produced by Joel Wilson at Eleven for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and is co produced with Stan, which will air the drama in Australia. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.

An ensemble cast of more than 30 boys leads the series, with many appearing on screen professionally for the first time. Winston Sawyers takes on the role of Ralph, with Lox Pratt as Jack, David McKenna as Piggy and Ike Talbut as Simon. They are joined by Thomas Connor as Roger, Noah and Cassius Flemyng as twins Sam and Eric, Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice and Tom Page Turner as Bill.

Lord of the Flies follows a group of schoolboys stranded on a tropical island after a fatal plane crash leaves them without adult supervision. Hoping to preserve order, they organise themselves under the leadership of Ralph, supported by Piggy, the group's intellectual voice. As time passes, Jack becomes increasingly focused on hunting and power, drawing others away from the group and setting the boys on a path from fragile civilisation towards inevitable tragedy.

Thorne's version marks the first television adaptation of the novel and remains faithful to Golding's original setting in the early 1950s on an unnamed Pacific island. The series explores the book's central themes of human nature, lost innocence and boyhood masculinity in greater emotional depth. Each episode is named after a key character, Ralph, Piggy, Simon and Jack, allowing the story to be viewed from shifting perspectives as the boys struggle to survive. The production has been made with the support of William Golding's family.

Music for the series has been created by a trio of high profile composers. Cristobal Tapia de Veer provides the score, while Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve of Bleeding Fingers Music have composed the main theme and additional music for the drama.

Nigella Lawson Joins The Great British Bake Off as New Judge

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 and Love Productions have announced that Nigella Lawson is joining The Great British Bake Off as the show's new judge. Renowned for her culinary knowledge, warmth and dry humour, Lawson is being positioned as a natural fit for the Bake Off tent, bringing both authority and understanding to the role.

She joins the programme following the departure of Prue Leith, who spent nine series on the show and became one of the most popular and familiar faces on British television during her time as a judge.

Nigella Lawson said, "I'm uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now! Of course it's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both,  but I'm also bubbling with excitement. The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure, and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it. I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come. I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!"

Dame Prue Leith said, "I'm thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off. She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions, and her croissants, cake and crumble." 

The Great British Bake Off is produced by Love Productions for Channel 4 and will air later this year.