The Shards is the latest Ryan Murphy, teen thriller. Streaming on Disney+.
FX’s The Shards is a seductive drama series from executive producer Ryan Murphy, based on the acclaimed bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis.
Set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the series follows a group of privileged high school seniors at an elite prep school as they navigate identity, sex, jealousy, obsession and the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence.
Prior to the series order, Jacob Elordi was reported to be in talks for a role in the adaption in September 2023.
In July 2025, in addition to the green-light of the show announcement, it was revealed that Igby Rigney, Homer Gere, and Graham Campbell joined the cast as Ellis, Robert Mallory, and Thom Wright respectively. Later, Hayes Warner joined the cast as Debbie Schaffer, Wes Bentley joined the cast as Debbie's father Terry alongside Evan Rachel Wood, Owen Painter & Jordan Roth who were cast in recurring roles.
If you didn't catch the finale on Thursday evening, maybe don't read ahead. Well watch the trailer, but past that.
Debbie is sent the videotape of her father and Bret having sex in a hotel room; she uses the threat of publicly outing Terry to blackmail him.
Thom begs Susan to take him back, but she rebuffs his advances and says he scared her. Thom kneels down to propose to her, but Debbie interrupts and saves Susan. Back in her room with Susan, Debbie finds the decapitated head of her pet horse Spirit in her bed. Debbie confronts Bret when he isn't aroused by her advances; Bret blames it on being in a pool, and affirms that he wants to be with her still.
Robert confesses his love for Susan, and the start dating. Later when she's alone, an intruder breaks into her home, before Thom seemingly saves her.
At a Halloween party hosted by Debbie, Robert denies that him and Bret ever slept together. Terry is pushed off the stairwell balcony by an unseen antagonist; later, at the police station, Bret and Robert are lead to an interview room with Debbie, Susan, Thom, Ryan, Liz and Steven, where police say they have evidence one of them is responsible for Katherine Latchford and Matt Kelners's murders and Rhonda's kidnapping.
Now I thought this was set to be a one and done miniseries. However, it does leave a lot up in the air for a second outing.
This is sadly not Ryan Murphy's work. I am hoping the upcoming season of American Horror Story is all killer, no filler. At 13 episodes though I am a little worried. With an all-star, all reunion for the hit series (possible last season?) spooky 13th run.
Ryan Murphy has loads on the go, with the two 9-1-1 series returning next month, Monster and AHS back this month, All's Fair renewed, whilst it looks like The Beauty must be done and dusted.
Up next, The Walking Dead: Dead City third season wraps on Stan, Monday. Reacher concludes on Amazon mid next week, whilst High Country returns on Binge and Last Seen continues weekly on Apple TV. So much TV at present. Good to see some Australian stories too.
Insidious: Out of the Further is the latest supernatural/horror film to hit our big screens. Whilst, serving as a sequel to Insidious: The Red Door (2023) & is the sixth instalment in the Insidious franchise.
In the film, a young woman who can interact with and bring spirits to the mortal world is soon haunted by malevolent forces.
Starring, Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea and Maisie Richardson-Sellers, with Lin Shaye reprising her role from the previous films. It is written and directed by Jacob Chase.
Thus far the film received generally mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $141 million worldwide with a budget of $18 million. That is a box office hit. The series, has earned over $740 million at the global box office, the Insidious franchise returns with a new family and a terror that redefines what The Further is capable of.
Amelia Eve stars as Gemma, a young mother raising her daughter in the house she grew up in who discovers she can travel into The Further, the purgatorial realm of lost souls at the heart of the Insidious universe. When something evil comes after her, Gemma discovers an ability that changes everything: she doesn’t just enter The Further, she can bring what lives there back to the real world. Once the demons realise her power, our world becomes their playground.
Filmed in Victoria, Australians James Wan and Leigh Whannell continue to bring horror to our big screens. With the help of Jason Blum.
This was the perfect Friday night jump scare film I need. To unwind after weeks of job interviews and just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The dental scenes were a bit much after another filling this week. Following a crown earlier this year and root canal surgery in the past 18 months. Fuck. I am a frequent flyer at the dentist currently.
It appears the Insidious film series will live on. To be titled Thread: An Insidious Tale, with Mandy Moore & Kumail Nanjiani to star.
Bring it on! Mandy Moore, The OG Candy girl!
I can't remember whether I have watched all the prior Insidious films. However I don't think it matters.
This was a new(ish) story. I reckon I will see the next film too.
Either way, alongside Nicole and Sandra returning with some magic, The Odyssey, Spider-Man and this still screens at the cinemas. It's been an epic winter for cinema in Australia. Bring on Street Fighter I say!
Until next time (back to TV, with The Shards) have a good weekend.
The Audacity doesn't fit the usual AMC/AMC+ programming of Vampires or zombies across their Immortal universe and Walking Dead franchise.
This is part dark comedy, part drama which landed back in mid-April. Ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season.
A self-appointed "inventor of the future" tech CEO and his self-serving performance psychologist are engulfed in a scandal sparked by the exploitation of personal data.
Sarah Goldberg, Billy Magnussen, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Simon Helberg, Paul Adelstein, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, Ava Marie Telek, with Randall Park.
Jess McLeod from season one was promoted to series regular for the second season, whilst, Miriam Shor & Usman Ally were cast for the second season.
This was an eat the rich style series. With rich people doing awful things. It would be more funny, if this wasn't happy right now with Gina and Pauline.
The eight episodes in the first season are a fairly easy watch. The ads though on the SBS on Demand app are so repetitive. I think I saw the ad for the Apple TV series, Last Seen 17 or more times.
I thought ABC and Stan had the rights to AMC content, which made for a better (and mostly free) experience.
I was irritated to learn Interview with the Vampire moved to SBS from ABC.
This was by far not the best series I have watched throughout the Winter be Bingeing 26' series. It tries hard to be funny and poke fun at the rich. It just isn't as funny as I think the creators think it is.
There were some green shoots. I hope the second season gets better. I hope there is more Randall Park. I think Hollywood struggles to poke fun at the rich, when so many Hollywood types are the rich people they are trying to poke fun at.
If you need a new series whilst you wait for the return of Tulsa King, Mobland, Emily in Paris or Dexter. The Audacity streaming on SBS on Demand now may scratch that itch. How's it almost the weekend.
Chad Powers streaming at the same time as Ted Lasso, is super bad timing.
Both feel good, sports series, also lean heavily into comedy. Chad Powers is a superstar on the field but his odd behaviour off it has everyone suspicious – especially Coach Hudson and Gerry.
Ricky knows the truth, but if Russ and Danny want Chad to survive the regular season and lead the Catfish to the College Football Playoff, she's their only hope.
Chad Powers is Glen Powell but really, Russ Holliday. After he disgraces himself on the field while serving as a star quarterback at a major college program. After ruining his reputation, Holliday undergoes a physical transformation, with the help of prosthetics and a wig, to disguise his identity in order to join the floundering football team at an SEC school under the name of Chad Powers.
Alongside Powell, Steve Zahn, Toby Huss, Perry Mattfeld, Clayne Crawford, Wynn Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Colton Ryan, Keese Wilson, Xavier Mills & Quentin Plair all star.
The series streams on Hulu, AKA Disney+ in Australia, with all season two's six episode binge, streaming from September 3. Unlike season one, with episodes released weekly, this time around we got all episodes in one hit.
Following Adults second season (also on Disney+) dropping the week prior this was a lot of comedy. Following Not Suitable for Work's one and done season cancellation, recently, hopefully we will get word on Adults and Chad Powers third season soon.
My dream would be Adults gets another crack, but I think Chad Powers definitely has a third season in it. That cliffhanger. For more on the finale, read below.
In the finale, 12th Quarter, the Catfish are in a playoff game to make the championships. Chad does not play well, purposefully missing opportunities to score.
Danny reveals to Ricky that Gerry blackmailed Chad into losing. Chad decides to win the game anyway.
Gerry storms the field to attack Chad but is intercepted by Tricia's bodyguard. As a last resort, Danny had told Tricia Chad's real identity as Russ in order to get her help. With Gerry neutralised, Tricia says that she will manage Chad Power's identity, keeping him playing for a long time.
Coach Hudson sees Ricky and Chad kissing. WOW!
Will Hulu/FX renew both comedies? I am not sure. TV is a tough game right now. Hulu's long running, murder mystery crime series, Only Murders in the Building also returns for its sixth (maybe last?) season, this December.
It's a streaming comedy fest! After catching up with the brilliant Rooster on HBO Max, this sadly wasn't the funniest of Winter comedies. It was fine, just not as fun and interesting as season one.
The Logie, AACTA and Gotham Award-winning series, created and written by its stars, Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, has grown from a homegrown hit into a genuine global phenomenon, finding adoring audiences in the UK, the US and over 100 other countries around the world, cementing its place as one Binge’s most successful original scripted series.
Colin from Accounts the Aussie romantic dramedy series created and written by husband-and-wife team Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, who also star as the show's main characters, Gordon and Ashley.
And last night, the series concluded for good.
This is Binge's second original production after Love Me and premiered on Binge/Foxtel back in December 2022.
Following the show's worldwide success, including three Logie Awards in Australia, Colin from Accounts was renewed for a second season in August 2023. Streaming from late May, 2024. The following April, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a third season. Which was to be announced as the third and final season. Which began streaming airing late July.
Colin from Accounts is easily one of the best Australian series to date. Definitely one of the best comedies. If follows Binge/Foxtel's incredible success with Wentworth. Whilst the groups shovels shitty news via Sky News (now News24), they have an incredible eye for quality Australian drama.
This series was so honest, so raw. The episode that Gordon and Ashley sat in a restaurant (not on a date) discussing their relationship. The flaws, the honestly. It felt so real. It felt like I was watching this in a small theatre. Live.
This show has big heart, big laughs and honestly, just so damn Australian.
For me, Helen Thomson as Lynelle always stole the scene too. Her wild statements, her interesting parenting style of Ashley. Fun.
Australia needs more comedy, so it is very sad that, Colin from Accounts has ended. Though, it 100% ended on a high. Who knows, like Wentworth a sequel series may return.
That said both Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer are exceptionally busy. Speaking of Brammall, he stars in a new Apple TV series, Last Seen starting tomorrow.
Binge also announced their upcoming 2027 productions. Firstly, this year, High Country returns next week. Wentworth: Halfway Home commences last 2026, with Tough Love set to stream in 2027. A new comedy created by and starring Rick Donald, alongside acclaimed Australian actress Miranda Otto, Liz Kingsman, Hugo Johnston-Burt and Jay Ryan. Directed by the award-winning team behind Colin from Accounts’ Trent O’Donnell and Madeleine Dyer, the series follows a mother determined to prepare her three very unprepared adult children for life without her.
The Real Housewives Of Melbourne returns as it looks like the Housewives Girls Trip combo of Sydney and Melbourne Housewives is shelved.
The Ministry of Time, the highly anticipated series based on Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling novel of the same name. The six-part series will be co-produced by Binge, BBC and A24.
So whilst, cuddly Colin leaves Binge, there is still more to come in 2026, along with, interesting content for 2027.
This show was incredible. Winter be Bingeing 26' be a strong quarter. This last month will cover off on some more big show conclusions, All American and more binges.
Daylight Savings is just around the corner too. Bring it on!
After losing her fearless sister Hunter, a deeply damaged Jax sets out on a dangerous climb with Hunter’s old friend to honour her memory.
As they tightrope walk the perilous planks of Mount Kwan, a terrifying rockslide leaves them stranded 5,000 feet above ground. In the face of vertigo-inducing sequences, dark truths, and cruel twists, Jax must confront her deepest fears head-on to fight for survival and closure.
Fall 2: Deadpoint is survival/thriller sequel to 2022's Fall, starring Harriet Slater, Arsema Thomas, Tom Brittney, and Virginia Gardner.
Unlike its predecessor, the film received mixed reviews from critics. That said I hate heights, so this had me tense AF! For the entire 97 minutes.
If you enjoyed the first, Fall film, I think you will enjoy the second one. And as teased at the end of the film (also on Wikipedia) the third incoming film.
With limited sessions on, given the continued success of Zendaya and Tom Holland at the box office, this film isn't super easy to see. The sessions are largely at random times.
However, I snuck off to a closed caption session, which I really enjoyed. Nothing like subtitles for an overly tense film.
The lead up before the big climb moves fast, before the film moves at breakneck pace during the climb. The drama, the suspense, the twists come exceptionally fast towards the end.
I enjoyed this, despite drinking too much kombucha prior and needing a comfort stop halfway through the film. A short film too.
This was adventure porn at its finest. The character development is a little half cooked, however it's super dramatic.
Silo based on the Silo trilogy of novels (Wool, Shift, and Dust) by author Hugh Howey, is the Apple TV series, set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels.
Rebecca Ferguson returns as Juliette Nichols, an engineer who becomes embroiled in the mysteries of its past and present.
Alongside Ferguson includes Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Rick Gomez, Billy Postlethwaite and Clare Perkins. Joining the cast for season three are Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick, who appeared in the season two finale, along with Laura Innes, Jessica Brown Findlay, Morven Christie, Reed Birney and Matt Craven, with Colin Hanks set to recur. Steve Zahn will also return.
In December 2024, the series was renewed for a third and fourth season, with the fourth serving as its final. The third season premiered on July 3, 2026.
Season three of Silo continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier. In the present, Juliette Nichols (Ferguson) survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat. Meanwhile, in the “Before Times,” journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences.
Spoilers from yesterdays finale below. With a premiere period of Summer (USA) 2027 date at the end of the final seasons trailer. Like Slow Horses, the final season is already in the can at the ending of the now screened, season three.
In a flashback to the Silo 17 rebellion, Daniel is revived from cryogenic sleep in Silo 1. Now named Troy, he cannot remember his past and is a specialist who is woken up to handle crises for The Project, which is led by Thurman.
Troy orchestrates the execution of the Silo 17 rebels who have exited there Silo, using armed drones and poison. Troy has memory flashes of Helen and asks Victor about her.
In the present, Camille tricks Victor, who is currently acting as the Legacy, into giving Knox and the others time to successfully block the safeguard pipe while Walker and Carla fix the water supply. Victor sends a drone to guard Silo 18 and requests Troy to be revived, before committing suicide. Juliette and Lukas communicate by radio about the door underneath the Silo.
Juliette, Camille, Knox, Shirley and Hank follow Lukas's route to the door where Troy, as the Legacy, offers to leave them alone if Silo 18 does not try to contact any other Silo. Juliette accepts the deal, but tells her friends that their next move should be to attack Silo 1, which will not be expecting it.
Troy receives a video message from Victor telling him that the woman he's searching for is Helen Drew.
So the end is near for one of Apple TV's biggest sci-fi series. What other series will wrap in 2027? Well apparently Daryl Dixon's Walking Dead tale will come to a close. Hopefully it will stream on Stan, as apparently all Walking Dead titles are moving to Netflix.
Emily in Paris will also take a final bow, just before the calendar flicks over to 2027. My prediction is, a number of my US network shows will also call it a day next April/May. Just saying.
