The Big Bang Theory's Bernadette as a demon is something I didn't think I'd ever see in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — but, now that I have, it somehow makes complete sense.

Last week's episode saw us meet her in a wizarding world but, in this week's entry we're swapping the magical action for something a little more One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-coded.

But who, if anyone, really is crazy? And when does Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 4 arrive on HBO Max?

What time can I watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 4 on HBO Max?

For US viewers, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 4 will drop on Thursday, August 13 at 6pm PT/ 9pm ET.

Internationally, you're looking out for these timings:

• US – Thursday, August 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada – Thursday, August 13 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK – Friday, August 14 at 2am BST
• India – Friday, August 14 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore – Friday, August 14 at 9am SGT
• Australia – Friday, August 14 at 11am AEDT
• New Zealand – Friday, August 14 at 12pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe come out?

New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will make landfall every Thursday in the US and on Fridays everywhere else. Here are the all-important dates you need to know about:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: August 13
• Episode 5: August 20
• Episode 6: August 27
• Episode 7: September 3
• Episode 8: September 10
• Episode 9: September 17
• Episode 10: September 24

House of the Dragon season 4 has plenty riding on it. With the high-fantasy show's next chapter set to be its final installment, it'll have to deliver a fittingly fiery conclusion to the Targaryen Civil War, and wrap numerous other subplots and character arcs before its final credits sequence rolls.

All of that, and the final season's 2028 launch, feel a long way off at this stage — but that doesn't mean we can't look forward to its eventual release. So, if you want to know more about its possible cast, expected storylines, and more besides, this guide to the Game of Thrones prequel's next chapter is geared towards you.

Hop on, dragonrider, and let's take flight together.

House of the Dragon season 4 release date: what we know

HBO hasn't revealed next season's official launch date yet. However, as part of a multi-show renewal announcement that confirmed House of the Dragon season 4 was in development, the US TV network's boss Casey Bloys said it would premiere sometime in 2028.

Of course, plans can change, but word is that the cameras will start rolling in early 2027. Should that be the case, I'll be more confident that House of the Dragon season 4 will make its HBO Max debut in 2028.

House of the Dragon season 4 trailer: is there one?

Unsurprisingly, no — and we won't see one for a long time yet. Once a trailer for House of the Dragon season 4 is unveiled, I'll update this section.

House of the Dragon season 4 likely cast

Full spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season 3, and Fire and Blood, aka the book the show is based on.

Here's who I expect to see in House of the Dragon season 4:

• Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
• Matt Damon as Daemon Targaryen
• Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
• Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen
• Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
• Bethany Antonio as Baela Targaryen
• Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
• Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
• Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
• Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
• Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer
• Tom Bennett as Ulf the White
• Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Daeron Targaryen
• Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower
• Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister
• Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
• Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton
• Kyrt Egyiawan as Orwyle
• Archie Barnes as Oscar Tully
• Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood
• Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly
• Amanda Collin as Jeyne Arryn

Three big names were taken off the proverbial chess board in last season's finale, meaning they won't return for chapter 4.

James Norton's Ormund Hightower and Tommy Flanagan's Roderick Dustin were both gravely injured as part of their Tumbleton duel. The pair were then burned alive by Ulf and his dragon Silverwing in the final throes of said conflict.

Meanwhile, Phia Saban's Helaena committed suicide by throwing herself from a window in Maegar's Holdfast as a way out of being Rhaenyra's perennial prisoner. This trio, then, won't be back for another round.

There are bound to be a few returning faces, including Jamie Kenna's Ser Alfred Broome, while individuals like Ser Marston Waters and an unhinged, so-called prophet known simply as The Shepherd, who are yet to appear in House of the Dragon, might also show up.

In Fire and Blood, Broome and Waters play integral roles in the Fall of Dragonstone and/or other late-game events. Meanwhile, The Shepherd is responsible for instigating the Storming of the Dragonpit, a hugely significant event that was teased as part of Helaena's dream sequence in season 3 episode 7. I have a wild theory about the identity of The Shepherd, though, which you can read more about in my season 3 ending explained article in this guide's plot section.

That all said, House of the Dragon has taken some creative liberties with its source material, so there's no guarantee that this triumvirate will be part of proceedings. Hopefully, it won't be too long until HBO confirms season 4's full cast roster, and we can say with certainty that they, plus other returnees and newcomers, will take part.

House of the Dragon season 4 story speculation

Full spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season 3. Fire and Blood spoilers are also discussed.

Season 4's story synopsis hasn't been revealed yet, but we've got a good idea of what'll happen next

My House of the Dragon season 3 ending explained piece contains some clues about where things will go from here. Meanwhile, those who've read Fire and Blood will definitely know what's in store for Rhaenyra, Aegon II, and everyone else moving forward.

I'm about to dig into some aspects of the latter, so this is your one and only warning: potentially big spoilers immediately follow for House of the Dragon season 4. Skip to the next section if you don't want any major story beats ruined ahead of time.

Still here? You'll already know — or want to know — that there are many more deadly events yet to be played out in the Dance of the Dragons.

Indeed, the Fall of Dragonstone and Storming of the Dragonpit notwithstanding, we should also see live-action depictions of the Battle Above the Gods Eye, the Second Battle of Tumbleton, and the final showdown between Rhaenyra and Aegon II.

Other moments, such as the Moon of the Three Kings, Battle of the Kingsroad, the False Dawn, and Hour of the Wolf could also be adapted. However, House of the Dragon season 4 already has plenty of destructive and life-threatening ground to cover, so I'd be surprised if the latter pair are shown in any great capacity, if at all.

That said, the series could end on an unexpected note. Asked by Business Insider about how he planned on concluding things, Condal replied: "We've talked about this being kind of a World War II movie: There are plenty of World War II movies that exist where you tell the story within this greater war, but the curtain drops at some point in the story, and it's not necessarily with Japan's surrender or Hitler dying in the bunker — these big kind of endpoints where you could say World War II truly ended. You're telling the story within the story.

"So, in no way to comment at all on how we're planning on ending this, but I think that was the trick," he continued. "Because Fire & Blood is a decades-spanning history, the question is really more 'Where do you drop the curtain on this particular story?. We're telling the story of the Dance of the Dragons... at what point do you drop the curtain on this, [in a way] that feels satisfying and like you've told a complete story, but also that leaves certain things open-ended? [By] telling the audience, intentionally, that history marches on."

Before things come to an end, there are many subplots and character arcs to tie up. Those include — but aren't limited to — Rhaenyra potentially losing more allies in Baela, Addam, and Corlys; Aegon and Aemond teaming up to tackle Daeron and Rhaenyra; Alyn having to deal with taking the life of the High Septon under Rhaenyra's orders; and Hugh reckoning with Cat's death, and how that'll impact his loyalty to Rhaenyra.

Furthermore, there will be Alicent learning of Helaena's death and Aegon II's return, Mysaria's possible role in instigating a rebellion against Rhanyera, and Ulf being a dragon-wielding wildcard whose no longer loyal to Team Black or Team Green — and that's just dealing with some of the show's expansive ensemble.

Of course, the biggest question of all is: will House of the Dragon be able to give closure to everyone in the eight, 60-minute-long episodes that remain before its final curtain call? That remains to be seen. But, with other popular shows recently failing to stick the landing from a finale standpoint, Condal and company will hope House of the Dragon doesn't become the latest one to under-deliver for its fanbase.

Will there be a fifth season of House of the Dragon?

Right now, no. Speaking to Deadline in January, HBO boss Casey Bloys replied "yes, that is the idea" when asked if the show will end with season 4. In a separate chat with Deadline this June, showrunner Ryan Condal also said "I think I have said what I have to say about Westeros" — the implication being that, once House of the Dragon's fourth season has ended, it won't return for another outing.

There's always the prospect of HBO replacing Condal with someone else if it felt that a fifth season was necessary, but it would be bizarre to see another individual helm a single season of it. It would be even weirder if House of the Dragon's story continued after season 4, because the show was only intended to cover the Targaryen Civil War as it's outlined in Fire and Blood.

There's plenty more ground to cover with House Targaryen and Westeros more generally post-The Dance of the Dragons. Those stories are arguably best told in separate Thrones spin-offs, though, rather than being the foundations on which to build a fifth season. In short: don't expect to see House of the Dragon season 5 once the show reaches what's expected to be its natural end with its fourth and final installment.

X-Men '97 season 2 is almost over. Indeed, with just one episode remaining of the popular Marvel TV show's latest season, we'll soon be saying goodbye to the titular super-team until their animated series returns for its third instalment.

There's a great deal for this season's finale to wrap up, too. Will the comatose Remy win his battle of wills with Apocalypse? Does X-Force teaming up with X-Factor mean we should prepare ourselves for an almighty showdown between their combined forces and the X-Men? And how will this season's last chapter ultimately set the stage for X-Men '97 season 3?

I can't answer any of those questions yet — but, I can tell you when season 2 episode 9, titled 'Survival of the Fittest', will be released. So, read on to find out when it'll come out!

What is the launch time for X-Men '97 season 2 episode 9?

The finale of X-Men '97's second season will make its Disney+ debut on Wednesday, August 12 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

That's the time it'll air in the US and Canada, anyway — for fans in the nations listed below, here's when it'll premiere on one of the world's best streaming services in your neck of the woods:

• US — Wednesday, August 12 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada — Wednesday, August 12 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK — Wednesday, August 12 at 8am BST
• India — Wednesday, August 12 at 12:30pm IST
• Singapore — Wednesday, August 12 at 3pm SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, August 12 at 5pm AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, August 12 at 7pm NZST

Does X-Men '97 season 3 have a release date yet?

No. However, Marvel's Head of TV, Animation, Streaming, and Comics Brad Winderbaum recently confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adjacent TV show's third season will drop sometime in 2027. That follows Winderbaum previously stating that new seasons of the highly-rated cartoon will start to arrive every year from here on out.

Even so, I believe it'll be a long time before an official launch date is announced. There'll be plenty of opportunities for Marvel to reveal one before the end of 2026, with D23 Expo (14-16 August) and New York Comic-Con (8-11 October) traditionally being prime candidates for the comic giant to tease new details about upcoming seasons.

That said, Marvel usually doesn't unveil release dates for its TV shows until much closer to their actual launches, so I'd be amazed if we find out when the Marvel Phase 6 show's third season will premiere in the near future.

It's officially time to believe in Ted Lasso again. Indeed, with season 4's debut episode being something of an overly-long prologue to the main event, this week's chapter will see the titular soccer coach finally get to grips with managing AFC Richmond's newly-formed women's team.

As I mentioned in my Ted Lasso season 4 review, you'll have to wait for episode 3 to meet most of the team. Nonetheless, you'll be introduced to at least one new character in Tanya Reynolds' Alice Chilton, and be reunited with a host of other familiar faces, including Brett Goldstein's Roy Kent and Brendan Hunt's Coach Beard.

In short: there's a lot to look forward to ahead of this week's entry — so, when will it be released?

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2?

Titled 'Curioser and curioser!', the second episode of Ted Lasso season 4 should premiere at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, August 11 in the US and Canada.

As I noted in my Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 release guide, the show was expected to return at 12am PT / 3am ET on Wednesday, August 5. However, this season's first installment actually dropped at 6pm PT / 9pm ET the evening before (i.e., Tuesday, August 4). As such, we can expect future episodes to drop every Tuesday night in North America at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

As for other nations, here's when you should be able to catch season 4 episode 2 on Apple TV:

• US — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, August 12 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30am ISY
• Singapore — Wednesday, August 12 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, August 12 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, August 12 at 1pm NZST

When do new episodes of Ted Lasso season 4 come out?

As I mentioned above, based on when last week's episode actually aired, new installments of the Apple TV Original should launch on one of the world's best streaming services every Tuesday in the Americas and every Wednesday in other territories.

If every subsequent episode follows suit, here's when this season's other chapters will be released:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — August 11/12
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — August 18/19
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — August 25/26
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — September 1/2
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — September 8/9
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 15/16
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

• Spotify has added a new 'skip ahead' button for all podcasts on the platform, except for Spotify Originals
• It allows you to skip over built-in ads and other promotional content, but does not apply to ads sold by Spotify
• Ad-funded shows could be significantly impacted, now there's concern for the future of podcasts

One of the best parts of having a Spotify Premium membership is the ad-free music streaming experience, however some podcasts still come with ad interruptions — but the platform has quietly rolled out a solution users have been pining for.

Last week users spotted a new ‘Skip ahead’ button that allows listeners to skip through certain parts of a podcast episode more efficiently, including sponsorships, introductions, and any kind of promotional content. This doesn’t apply to ads sold by Spotify, however.

Though Spotify hasn’t formally announced the new tool, it’s been cropping up for more users (including myself) since it was first spotted. We reached out to Spotify, who shared the following statement with us:

“We regularly conduct tests at Spotify — some tests become permanent features, while others help inform future product development. We're exploring ways to make podcast listening and viewing more intuitive for Premium subscribers based on how people use the platform, with the goal of helping listeners spend more time enjoying podcasts. We'll continue to evolve the experience as we learn.”

If you thought that all podcasts in Spotify were ad-free like music playback, you’re mistaken. Basically, when creators record podcast shows they often receive sponsorship from brands which are mentioned throughout an episode, so these podcasts are delivered to Spotify with ads already baked in.

Prior to the rollout of the ‘Skip ahead’ button you could skip through ads by tapping the 15-second skip icon, but this required a lot of guesswork and you're more prone to accidentally skipping further than needed. With Spotify’s new skip function, it skips through promotional messages straight through to the beginning of the next section doing the work for you.

It’s safe to say that many subscribers will be thrilled about the addition of the ‘Skip ahead’ button, because skipping through ads is one of the most-shared pet peeves among podcast listeners. Besides, it’s frustrating to be paying for a ‘Premium’ experience and still having to sit through these segments. It also puts a lot of the control back into the hands of subscribers, but what looks like a mere skip button to users is industry-changing for creators and businesses.

For a large number of ad-funded podcasts, creators and hosts rely on users to listen to promotional messages in episodes in order to generate revenue. Not only is it one of the primary ways for podcasters to make money, it's a tactical way to sneak ads into the Premium experience.

While the tool is a big win for listeners on the one hand, others argue that it opens the door for a huge loss on the other — the more users skip through an episode’s ads, the less money hosts make. And because the ‘Skip ahead’ button appears when a creator promotes premium subscriptions for brands that sponsor them, they miss out on other opportunities for monetization.

In addition to the losses it could pose for podcasters, the hypocrisy of Spotify exempting its own shows and ads from the ‘Skip ahead’ tool has sparked criticism as it could have a serious impact on its competitors and their ad-funded shows.

Max Tani from Semafor dissects in his own coverage, sharing the following: “The new skip button underscores Spotify’s push toward premium subscriptions. It’s prioritizing steady, recurring revenue and cementing a two-tiered advertising system, in which marketing bought directly through Spotify can’t be skipped — while publishers’ own ads can be, devaluing them”.

With these concerns circulating, Spotify clarified to us that its new 'Skip ahead' button won't cause any long-term changes to podcasts and creators alike. The platform told us that its new skip button "has been designed to improve the Premium listener experience while maintaining the integrity of ad delivery".

The platform added that it's been "seeing audiences reinvest the time saved by listening to more content and spending more time with podcasts overall, so [we] don't expect these changes to impact monetization for creators negatively".

Spotify’s new skipping function is still very fresh, but one that's already proven to be quite divisive. It's unclear whether or not the company will device to build on this, but as far as the user experience goes, the tool seems to have improved it slightly.

• The Witcher season 5 might not arrive until 2027, according to reports
• What's on Netflix noted that "the release has shifted to next year", after being "quietly scrubbed from Netflix’s public-facing promotional websites"
• However, Netflix has not publicly confirmed this news at the time of writing

The Witcher season 5 might have been pushed back to 2027, according to new reports from Whats on Netflix.

The website wrote that "a few eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that the upcoming season has recently been quietly scrubbed from Netflix’s public-facing promotional websites and media center for 2026."

They added: "We’ve done a little digging and can confirm that the release has indeed shifted to next year, though Netflix has neither confirmed this publicly nor is thought to have locked in a specific 2027 release window just yet".

Season 5 is set to be the final conclusion of The Witcher's adaptation focusing on Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri fighting to survive a continent-wide war. But I'm worried it's going to fall flat especially since there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency getting it out.

We've been burned before after a disappointing fourth season. Indeed, our entertainment writer Jasmine Valentine noted that the events of season three were recapped terribly in her The Witcher season 4 review.

On top of this, it has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the bunch, with a 59% critic score and a truly awful 19% audience one. Ouch.

With confusing lore and a divisive Liam Hemsworth following on from Henry Cavill's departure as Geralt, it's even more frustrating that we're waiting so long for it to come to the best streaming service.

Sometimes good things come to those who wait, and we've seen that with titles like Apple TV's Severance, which had a huge three year gap between seasons. However, The Witcher has a lot of work to do to give fans a satisfying conclusion.

I'm hoping the delay means that they could be delivering a better season than the predecessor, because it's not impossible for a show to step it up after being poorly received in the past. But if we end up waiting two years or more for a disappointing finale, it's going to leave a bad taste in our mouths.

We are still waiting on official word from Netflix but as it stands, it's very unlikely we'll see The Witcher season 5 in 2026.

House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8 is out now on HBO Max — and it's an incendiary conclusion to the high-fantasy show's penultimate chapter.

As the dust settles on the Game of Thrones spin-off's latest season, I suspect you've got many burning questions about its finale and how events that transpired will impact House of the Dragon season 4. Worry not, because I'm going to answer — or, at the very least, do my best to answer — your biggest queries about season 3's last entry.

It goes without saying, but full spoilers immediately follow for House of the Dragon season 3's final episode. Turn back now if you haven't watched it yet.

Who dies during the Battle of Tumbleton?

Countless men, women and children. Indeed, whether caught in the Targaryen and Hightower armies' crossfire, or burned alive by Ulf the White and his dragon Silverwing, season 3's final battle is anything but trivial.

There are a couple of hugely important character deaths in this season's finale, too — the most significant of which is Ormund Hightower.

In a duel with Roderick Dustin, aka leader of the Winter Wolves, during the conflict's final throes, Ormund is stabbed up the, well, anus by his adversary, before he's one of many whose lives are ended by Ulf and Silverwing.

Why does Ulf kill him? Because, after Ulf gets drunk and passes out before the battle, he's eventually found by Ormund and his men, and Ormund beats him for his actions. After suffering a similar beatdown at Daemon's hands earlier this season, Ulf's clearly had enough of being humiliated by other lords.

Roderick suffers a similarly fiery demise, set ablaze alongside Ormund on one of Tumbleton's parapets by Silverwing. Moments before, Ormund had stabbed him in the gut and then taken his right forearm. Unlike Ormund, though, Roderick has been chasing death throughout season 3, so he meets his end with a cackle and a cheer, which is further heightened by the impending death of his enemy.

What happens to Daemon, Gwayne, and Daeron in House of the Dragon's season 3 finale?

They all survive — well, we know at least two of them do, anyway.

Where Daemon is concerned, he makes it out alive after almost losing a one-on-one bout with Ormund's right-hand man, Jon Roxton. Before Roxton can deliver a telling blow, however, falling debris caused by one of Silverwing's fiery trench runs separates the pair, allowing them to escape to fight another day. Daemon soon reunites with Corlys Velaryon, who's escaped captivity in the chaos, and the duo flees with the remaining Targaryen forces as Tumbleton burns.

As for Gwayne and Daeron, they manage to evade one of Silverwing's devastating attacks. However, before this season's finale ends, we're only reunited with a dirt-and-blood-covered Gwayne, who appears to be the only survivor of the pair.

Does this mean Daeron is dead? I won't spoil his fate as it's outlined in Fire and Blood, aka the Thrones book House of the Dragon is inspired by. But if we use the old film/TV show trope "no body, no death", we can assume that Daeron the Daring and his dragon Tessarion will be seen again next season.

Does Helaena kill herself in the House of the Dragon season 3 finale?

Yep. You don't fall from a window that high — especially one with giant spikes at the bottom — and live to tell the tale.

Frankly, Helaena's death doesn't come as a surprise. For one, in Fire and Blood, she commits suicide by similarly throwing herself from a window. And, while her death occurs much earlier in House of the Dragon than in the literature, she's not only become a political prisoner of her half-sister Rhaenyra, but has also had her Godswood privileges severely restricted due to Alicent's botched escape plan in this season's fifth episode. It's no shock, then, that we see her become more depressed across season 3's final three chapters.

Of course, when Rhaenyra finds out, she's not overly bothered. Helaena was pregnant and, if she'd birthed a son, he could've challenged Rhaenyra's right to laud it over the Seven Kingdoms (NB: this was a possibility before Rhaenyra learns that half-brother Aegon II is still alive). With Helaena and her unborn child gone, Rhaenyra needs only to focus on eradicating Aegon II, and her rule will be absolute.

The big question now is: what will Alicent do when she finds out that her only daughter committed suicide after Rhaenyra promised to keep her safe? Truthfully, we don't know. Alicent still has a key role to play in the HBO Max fantasy show, but House of the Dragon has played loose and fast with its source material over the past two seasons. I wouldn't be shocked if she tries to cosy up with Aegon II and Aemond in their plan to take back the throne — although, after Alicent tried to kill Aemond at Rhaenyra's behest, I suspect her second-born won't take too kindly to seeing her again. Speaking of Alicent's remaining children...

What happens to Aemond and Aegon II in House of the Dragon's season 3 finale?

The estranged brothers are reunited at Harrenhal and, as I mentioned, concoct a plan — albeit one formulated by Aegon II that Aemond is roped into helping with — to wrest back the Iron Throne.

After Alys saves Aemond's life following his poisoning at Alicent's hands, a sleeping Aemond wakes to the sound of a dragon. Believing it to be the returning Vhagar, he gets up and follows the noise, only to find that his brother and his dragon Sunfyre have seemingly returned from the dead.

After an incredibly tense back-and-forth that also soon involved Alys, Aegon informs his younger sibling that he plans to overthrow Rhaenyra and reclaim the throne. Only once they've found Vhagar — who's integral to the plan — and successfully carried it out will Aegon consider forgiving Aemond for almost killing him and Sunfyre in season 2. An uneasy alliance, this most certainly is.

Does Rhaenyra get officially coronated in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8?

No. For the second time this season, Rhaenyra's request to be officially ordained by the High Septon is declined.

This time, though, Rhaenyra doesn't take no for an answer. After instructing Alyn of Hull to kill the High Septon in a show of force — a deed Alyn carries out but appears to instantly regret — Rhaenyra leaves the High Sept to address the assembled crowd outside its front doors. There, she tells them about Aegon's Dream, aka The Song of Fire and Ice, aka the prophecy that foretells the coming of the Long Night and the White Walkers, which only a Targaryen and a collective of dragons have the power to oppose. Oh, and that Viserys chose her, not Aegon II, as his true heir, so the commonfolk should follow her over him.

Those who've read Fire and Blood, and/or know their Westerosi history, will be well aware of where things go from here for Rhaenyra. I won't spoil what lies in store for her, but I do want to briefly touch on a new theory I have about her former Mistress of Whispers, Mysaria...

Is Mysaria being positioned as The Shepherd in House of the Dragon?

Amid everything else that happens in House of the Dragon's season 3 finale, it would be easy to forget that Mysaria is surprisingly relieved of her duties by Rhaenyra. Clearly, the latter no longer trusts the former after what happened this season.

That firing could prove to be Rhaenyra's downfall, though. Without getting into the finer details of Fire and Blood, her reign is destabilized by a mysterious figure known simply as The Shepherd, who eventually incites an uprising against Rhaenyra.

In Fire and Blood, The Shepherd is depicted as a one-handed, religious fanatic who preaches that dragons are demons and Rhaenyra is a false queen. And, while I expect House of the Dragon's version of The Shepherd to play a similarly vital role in season 4 (more on this shortly), I think this character will be retroactively fitted to be Mysaria in disguise.

Think about it. Mysaria was not only known as the White Worm but also the leader of a spy/informant network before being hired as Rhaenyra's Mistress of Whispers. If anyone can incite a riot against Rhaenyra, especially as someone who's been betrayed by, and has an ax to grind with, the current monarch, it's Mysaria. I wouldn't be amazed, then, if Mysaria becomes The Shepherd in all but name next season.

When will House of the Dragon season 4 be released?

House of the Dragon season 4 doesn't have a confirmed launch date yet. However, as long as principal photography begins in early 2027, it's widely expected to premiere at some point in 2028. That much was made clear when House of the Dragon was renewed for a fourth and final season last November.

Oh, didn't you know? House of the Dragon will end with season 4. HBO boss Casey Bloys (per Deadline) and showrunner Ryan Condal (again, via Deadline) have confirmed that'll be the case, so don't expect a fifth season to materialize once the series' fourth installment is over.

The 2020s has seen a huge shift in music, and the thirst for new releases has never been this parched — we have the pandemic to blame for that. Now, artists are pumping out albums like never before, and it’s become quite the challenge to keep up with this sonic saturation.

Back in 2023, I decided to take action. I started recording my favorite songs released throughout the year by adding them all into one big playlist on Spotify, starting afresh and creating a new playlist at the turn of the new year. Three years later, I’ve kept up the momentum, and now I’ve got four stacked playlists (one each for 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).

But as the years have gone by, my playlists have done more than simply record the songs that defined every 365 days. Not only can I immediately refer to them whenever someone asks me ‘what were your favorite songs of 2025?’ for example, but they give me a comprehensive overview of how my music taste has evolved.

It’s become integral to my music streaming regime, and Spotify folders have helped boost my playlist organization further — but I’m waiting for an easier way to group my favorite albums of the year.

Spotify locked playlist folders behind the desktop experience for 15 years, but since it rolled the feature out for mobile back in April, it’s been a huge help in grouping my playlists, especially for my ‘Year in Music’ series.

Following the launch of folders, Spotify increased its Library pins limit from 4 to 20, so now I can finally pin my ‘Year in Music’ folder to my library without having to scroll through the cluttered mess to reach it. It’s a win-win situation, but I still think there’s room for improvement.

While I love a hit single, albums are my favorite way to enjoy music, and New Music Friday has brought back the album release as an event (thank you, Beyoncé). Though you can now freely group playlists in folders in Spotify, I’m still waiting for the platform to roll out the option to do this with albums.

That said, there’s currently a small workaround. You can create album folders by adding all the songs from one album to a playlist, then adding that playlist to a folder to keep track of your favorite releases, repeating the process with each album.

It’s handy, but it adds more steps to the process and doesn’t look as neat or refined. Additionally, I’ve also tried adding several albums to make one monster playlist of my favorite yearly releases, but this ends up looking even more ridiculous.

For a music platform that prides itself on being the first one with social media-like features, Spotify sure needs to improve the organization of these tools. As a result of the messiness of my Library, I’ve resorted to using third-party services to group my favorite albums into chronological and concise lists.

Musicboard is one of my favorites because you can review music, curate your own lists, and interact with other music fans more smoothly. It’s essentially Letterboxd for music, and just like Letterboxd Pro, you can have access to additional features and customize your profile to reflect your musical identity. That said, it would be even better if I could do this from one place in the streaming platform that gives me my music fix.

It’s refreshing to know that there are platforms out there that understand what tools music enthusiasts want alongside access to the music itself. For me personally, my listening experience isn’t over as soon as a song or album comes to a close — I need to actively log what I’m listening to, and having a cluttered abundance of albums saved into one massive list in Spotify just wrecks my nerves.

Letterboxd might just be my favorite app — I love tracking the media I consume and making lists, and Letterboxd is basically a perfect take on that for movies. And while I don’t love Goodreads quite as much, I find that it serves a similar purpose for books. But I’ve struggled to find an app like this for shows.

That’s not to say no such apps exist — of course they do. But for one reason or another, I’ve always bounced off them. Until, perhaps, now.

It’s early days, but so far, Bingers — a new app from the co-founder of TV Time — seems like it might mostly fit the bill, though it doesn’t quite address all of my issues with other TV show tracking apps.

Beautiful and customizable

One of the things I love about Letterboxd is just how much of a joy it is to interact with, and part of that comes down to it being aesthetically pleasing, with the same being true of Bingers.

Here you get big posters and backdrops for each show, along with the ability to swap them out for other options, and the interface beyond that feels polished and — for the most part — well laid out.

Adding shows to your watchlist can be done with a single tap, and marking episodes or whole seasons as watched is similarly speedy, so there’s minimal friction.

Switching over from another app is potentially easy too, as you can import your data from TV Time, TV Time Liberator, or Refract.

It’s not perfect; for example, while you can search through the filmography of cast and crew members, there’s no way that I can see to sort or filter those lists. But the core parts of the app at least are largely well laid out. And Bingers has only just launched, so it’s sure to improve over time.

Impressively full-featured

There’s also a lot here. You can add shows to your watch list and then get alerts when new episodes or seasons are out, so you never miss them. You can also rate and review shows and episodes, and even attach an emoji for how they made you feel.

There’s even an option to select your favorite character in an episode, and then see what percentage of people picked each option. I’d love to see more stats, which is something Letterboxd still has over Bingers, but that — along with a total watched time and number of episodes watched — is at least gesturing towards an interest in this sort of data.

Plus, you can mark shows as favorites, create lists, and follow other users — with that last point giving this app the community feel that things like Letterboxd and Goodreads also have.

You can also explore trending shows and genres if you’re looking for something new to watch, and you can log rewatches, so you can see how many times you’ve viewed something.

There are movies here too if you want all of your visual media in one place, though for now, at least, I’ll mostly be sticking with Letterboxd for those.

Keeps me coming back

Still, while I’ve only been using Bingers for a few days so far, that’s longer than I managed with most apps like this. I think all of the above contributes to that — the beautiful design, the lack of friction in logging, and the reminders and alerts for new episodes, plus a handy timeline view that shows what you haven’t yet watched, and what episodes are landing in the coming days.

I do wish there were a Bingers website, as sometimes I’d rather interact with these services from my computer, and it could still do with a few more features within the app — more stats, an overall average rating for each show, and the inclusion of trailers, for example.

But for a new release, Bingers is off to a very promising start, and as long as the app keeps evolving — and continues to find an audience — this could become the Letterboxd for TV.

Reacher season is my favorite time of year, and season 4 will account for much of my screen time over the next few months.

If you remember, the end of season 3 saw Reacher (Alan Ritchson) finally kill Quinn (Brian Tee) point-blank with a shotgun after reminding him of how he murdered Kohl (Mariah Robinson).

Reacher then, as is is way, leaves town... but does that mean that the drama stops? Of course not — it's just a new beginning (especially as season 5 has already been confirmed).

I haven't even seen any previews yet, but my advice is to strap in for what could be the wildest ride yet. But when do Reacher season 4 episodes 1-3 arrive on Prime Video?

What time can I watch Reacher season 4 episodes 1-3 on Prime Video?

We're expecting episodes 1-3 of Reacher season 4 to be available on Prime Video on August 12 at 12am PT / 3am ET in the US.

Internationally, look out for the below times:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Reacher season 4 come out?

After its three-episode premiere, Reacher season 4 episodes will be airing on a weekly basis. This gives us the following season schedule:

• Episode 1: August 12
• Episode 2: August 12
• Episode 3: August 12
• Episode 4: August 19
• Episode 5: August 26
• Episode 6: September 2
• Episode 7: September 9
• Episode 8: September 16

Interestingly, the Reacher season 4 finale coincides with the day that all episodes of spinoff Neagley will arrive on Prime Video.

I’ve always been a fan of premium formats at the cinema, and thanks to the combination of a large screen, rich visuals, and sound that really packs a punch, Dolby Cinema has long been my go-to choice — even over IMAX.

This week, I ventured to a local AMC in New Jersey for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Dolby Cinema. The theater featured stadium-style seating and was practically sold out, with only a handful of seats remaining in the front row. Considering the film has grossed more than a billion dollars globally, including over half a billion dollars in the US alone, it’s no surprise that tickets for Dolby Cinema and theaters in general have been hard to come by.

So, while my screening came a few days after opening, it was well worth the wait and ended up being one of my favorite Dolby Cinema experiences in a while.

For starters, the dual 4K laser projectors that power Dolby Cinema did a fantastic job with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Colors were rich and vibrant, while the finer details in darker scenes remained visible without losing that cinematic contrast. Yes, a Dolby Cinema screen is typically smaller than a true IMAX screen, but that didn’t bother me here. Between the picture quality and the audio, I still felt completely immersed in the world of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

I was pulled into the action almost immediately, and the combination of the screen, seating, and sound made the theater itself almost disappear.

You could, of course, opt for ScreenX, which wraps the image around you across the side walls, or catch Brand New Day on select IMAX screens in the US for a limited time. Just remember that those screenings aren’t necessarily the same as seeing a film presented in true 70mm IMAX — an important distinction when talking about premium cinema formats.

But for me, the real highlight was the Dolby Atmos sound.

Dolby Cinema’s audio setup is an expansive, full-range system designed to deliver sound throughout the theater, and Brand New Day makes particularly good use of it. It can pack a serious punch when the action kicks in, but what impressed me most was the low end. The bass wasn’t simply loud; it had weight and presence, adding another physical dimension to explosions, movement, and the film’s bigger action sequences.

Spoilers lie ahead

Spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day ahead

As noted above, the real highlight for me was the sound. While the entire mix was well done and made excellent use of Dolby Cinema’s audio capabilities, there is one scene in particular that stands out — hence the spoiler warning, as it revolves around a pretty major plot point.

As Peter Parker begins to deal with the rise of arachnid traits in his genes — see a taste in the image above — he starts experiencing heightened senses. When he heads onto a rooftop, the sequence becomes a fantastic showcase for what a well-designed cinema sound system can actually do.

You hear the rush and bustle of New York City around Peter. Footsteps take on a heightened presence. An empty bag of chips scraping and tumbling along the ground suddenly becomes an important part of the soundscape. Instead of simply hearing these sounds as background noise, you’re placed inside Peter’s heightened perception of them.

And this is where Dolby Atmos really shines, especially when it all rushes together.

From a spatial perspective, the mix does a tremendous job of pinpointing where sounds are coming from and matching them to what’s happening on screen. Sounds move around the theater in a way that feels deliberate rather than gimmicky, helping put you directly into Peter’s headspace. The result is a sequence that feels less like you’re watching someone experience heightened senses and more like you’re experiencing them alongside him.

It’s a real tour de force for the sound team — and arguably one of the better demonstrations I’ve experienced of what premium cinema audio can add to a movie beyond simply making things louder.

When I head in for my second viewing of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it’ll most certainly be in Dolby Cinema again. The picture is excellent, the seating and presentation are fantastic, and the overall experience is incredibly immersive.

But ultimately, it’ll be for the sound.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day reminded me that when Dolby Cinema is firing on all cylinders, the audio can be just as important to the cinematic experience as what’s happening on the screen.

After falling in love with Disneyland Handcrafted, I was excited to dive into the studio's latest documentary movie, Disney Worldbuilders. Directed by Leslie Iwerks, the new movie has a tiny runtime of 58 minutes and call me greedy, but I really wanted more.

Disney Worldbuilders gets up-close-and-personal with some of Disney's most influential voices, where we learn about creative processes and their lasting impact on both cinema and the Disney Parks around the world.

Even though I loved what I saw, I did feel as though Worldbuilders tries to squeeze too much into its runtime. Unlike Handcrafted, which solely focuses on Walt's vision for Disneyland in Anaheim, this jumps around between subjects, and I wish we'd had an episode for each person interviewed so we could've taken a deeper dive.

The stacked line-up is made up of Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D’Amaro. That's a lot of people to talk to in under an hour, so I really wish we'd had more time with all of them!

Bob Iger in particular deserves a documentary of his own, and I hope we get one so we can properly examine the huge impact he's had on the Walt Disney Company, because it's not to be sniffed at. His segments didn't seem to fit with the rest of the interviews.

Still, that doesn't mean Worldbuilders is not worth your time. Far from it, in fact; I think it gives some really valuable and inspiring insights from some of the biggest names across Disney properties like Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel, and it's hard not to smile when you're greeted with this footage.

The scale of the Disney Parks really is fascinating, and I liked how we were able to see the early days of areas such as Hollywood Studios' Galaxy's Edge and Animal Kingdom’s Pandora, especially how the directors of those movies responded to seeing their creations come to life. Now, fans get to walk through the worlds we see on screen, and the constant innovation going on across the global parks is jaw-dropping.

I found myself getting emotional during certain parts, particularly Jennifer Lee's reaction to World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris. Seeing her wandering around with Olaf and reflecting on her relationship with her sister is incredibly touching, given how Anna and Elsa are such inspirational figures to a lot of people out there.

Even though the interviews with each subject are short, we do get a lot of heartfelt anecdotes which I found to be very interesting. As someone who has been enamored with filmmaking from a young age, it's inspiring to see how these amazing creatives can help shape future attractions for all ages. In Worldbuilders, they reflect on their own childhoods and how they ended up working for one of the biggest media companies in the world.

Ultimately, this would have worked so much better in an episodic format because I could have happily watched eight hours of this, as opposed to the one hour we did get. I am hopeful that Disney will do more long-form Parks-focused documentaries like this, especially ones that talk to the creatives responsible for writing these worlds we know and love.

Disney Worldbuilders comes to Disney+ on August 20. While you wait, why not check out the best Disney+ movies and best Disney+ TV shows to stream right now.

Spotify wants to introduce new ways for listeners to engage with the artists they love the most, all while expressing their own creativity.

The streamer’s audio mixing feature for playlists has sky-rocketed in popularity, introducing a new way for listeners to modify their playlists. Now Spotify is working on a new AI-powered fan-made covers and remix tool — and it’s seeking the help of Merlin.

Spotify’s upcoming remix tool will come as a subscription add-on, though we don’t know when it’s due to drop or how much it will be on top of the current $12.99/ £12.99/ AU$15.99 monthly Spotify Premium plan.

Despite knowing very little about it, we do know that the remix feature will garner significant attention across the board of users, artists, organizations, and analysts alike. So what’s the end-goal for Spotify, and what are people saying about its potential knock-on effects for musicians and listeners?

What is the agreement?

On August 4, Spotify and digital licensing partner Merlin announced a new agreement that would give artists on labels under the Merlin name the option to lend their music to Spotify’s remix feature. Merlin is the second organization to sign on to the deal, following Universal Music Group in May.

For Spotify, the goal is simple: to ‘give listeners a new way to engage with the music they love from participating artists and songwriters,’ as stated in the announcement. Spotify also says the tool ‘will create an additional revenue stream for participating artists’.

However, despite knowing the tool will be AI-powered, Spotify hasn’t gone into detail as to exactly how it will allow listeners to create their own remixes of their favorite songs. The discourse around AI-generated slop is still a hot topic, and Spotify is still bearing the brunt of harsh criticism, so its venture into launching AI-powered music add-ons has left everyone scratching their heads.

What are Spotify’s competitors saying?

As far as rival music streamers go, it’s safe to say the top dogs aren’t too interested in integrating AI throughout their respective UXs. While the likes of Apple Music and Tidal use algorithmic recommendations to fuel discovery, the number of generative AI tools is nowhere near as saturated as Spotify.

Listening to an artist’s music in the way it was released is the only concern for most companies, particularly for Dan Mackta, Managing Director at Qobuz, who gave us the following statement: “Qobuz isn’t looking at anything like this. The finished music that great artists release is good enough for us and our community”.

The desire to keep the traditional listening experience in place is quite prevalent on the one hand. Some users just want to kick back with an album or playlist, hit the play button, and let the music do its thing. But as music analyst and founder of MIDiA Research Mark Mulligan points out, the yearning for active participation is growing.

Mulligan detailed this in a comment shared with us: “A growing share of consumers want to do more than just listen. Audio modification is an opportunity both to tap into consumer creativity and fandom. Playing around with your favourite artist’s song is an ultimate expression of fandom”.

Additionally, he backed this up with his own findings from the recent MIDiA Q1 2026 consumer survey: “The potential of audio modification is significant. Consumer demand is clear, with 54% of consumers interested in some form of audio modification, from changing speed to swapping vocals, rising to 80% for 16–19-year-olds”.

Participatory music is a rising phenomenon, and software labels like A Vinyl Bar in Shibuya want to create experiences that go beyond just listening to a song. However, AI is out of the question, and the creativity is placed in the hands of the user, not generated by a machine.

What are artists/ organizations saying?

In light of Spotify’s announcement, it’s not just competitors that are having their say on the AI-powered remix tool. Additionally, artists and music organizations are questioning the long-term financial effects the feature could have.

Musician’s Union is a UK-based organization that represents artists in all areas of the music industry, and its General Secretary Naomi Pohl views Spotify’s partnership with two minds.

“The Merlin and Spotify announcement sounds positive as it suggests artists will have the choice to participate in licensing deals or not and, crucially, that they will share in any revenue generated by the use of their works. This is better than the blanket approach taken by some major labels,” she tells us, but she also raises concerns about how artists will be paid, adding the following:

“However, as with music streaming royalties, there is a question over how artists signed to independent labels will be paid by their label. Artists should in theory get 50% of any revenue their label receives, but in practice this may not happen in all cases as it will depend on the label’s interpretation of the artist’s contract. Many artists signed before AI deals were even conceived of. And, as with music streaming, session or backing musicians on tracks currently stand to receive no share of revenue”.

When it comes to royalties, Spotify has faced severe criticism due to its payment model. Because Spotify pools money generated from subscriptions, it means the most streamed artists over the year will receive a higher percentage of the profits made. So, even if you spend an entire year supporting and streaming an up-and-coming indie band, your subscription money is still going to artists like Taylor Swift.

Royalties aside, the other concern lies within the protection of music in its original form. PRS for Music, who handle the rights and royalties behind music, feel this strongly. “More generally, streaming services are embracing new technologies, including AI, to give fans new ways to engage with the music they love,” a PRS spokesperson told us.

But despite these emerging consumer tools, what could easily get lost is the care for the music itself. PRS fears this will become less of a priority, adding “Creators, and their work, must be central to the development of these new tools. They must be designed specifically to protect the integrity of the work above all else, and to ensure creators are fairly paid for the value they bring to each and every platform”.

At the end of the day, these platforms are there not only for fans to listen and engage with music, but they're there for artists to allow fans to hear music the way they intended. Though Spotify's AI-powered remix tool would be a creative addition to the service, how long will it be before everyone reverts to streaming AI-generated mashups instead of the real thing?

• A Google user has had the LOTR movies pulled from their account
• Licensing changes are the most likely reason
• It's another argument for physical media — or for piracy

We've seen multiple incidents over the years where users have had movies and shows in their digital libraries unceremoniously yanked due to changes in licensing rules, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow when it happens again.

This time a user posting to Reddit (via Neowin) has had their Lord of the Rings Extended Editions removed, after paying good money for them four years ago. As per a Google support representative, these films are "no longer available in our catalog".

The unlucky user doesn't say how much they paid for the three movies, but they're unlikely to have come cheap — and now they're left with nothing. It's a galling turn of events, even if it's not that surprising any more.

Buried in the small print of pretty much all the digital content services you use will be warnings about changes in catalog availability, and unfortunately that applies to purchases as well as libraries rented month to month (as on Netflix).

Physical media and

The affected user didn't even get a refund or a gift card for their troubles, as the purchase falls outside the standard 120-day window when these offers are available. They're just going to have to find it and watch it somewhere else.

As you might expect, the general Reddit reaction is one of dismay. "This is why physical media matters," says one commenter, while another says "you will own nothing and be happy" (while pointing out that they own the Blu-rays).

It's certainly strong evidence that physical media is the way forward at this stage. As convenient and simple as digital purchases might be, they're always vulnerable to changes in the policies and agreements of online stories and the production studios.

Many of the Redditors responding to the case argue that these kinds of actions essentially legitimize piracy too. You also have the option of putting together a Plex library, which works like your own personal Netflix — and is yours to keep.

I still haven't got my head around the new Sky TV thriller Possession, with all five episodes now available to stream.

We follow Claudia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), an ambitious biracial lawyer who travels to Jamaica to challenge an inheritance claim made by a local man against a wealthy white aristocrat.

However, she arrives to find the disputed estate is a former plantation that has long haunted her dreams. Cue a terrifying slew of 1800s flashbacks, curses, and misunderstood spiritual connection.

It's colonial horror with a fresh 2020s take, and the supernatural tone might remind you of one of the biggest box office hits of the last five years.

In fact, it's the cast's immediate answer when I ask for their opinion on what would be best to double bill with Possession, but there's one connection that I didn't see coming.

Stream Sinners on HBO Max after binging Possession on Sky TV

"It was being made at the same time we were making this show, so we didn't realise that there was a connection, but Sinners keeps getting brought up," director Storm Saulter tells me when I put the double bill question to him and Mbatha-Raw.

"It's different, but it's also speaking about certain histories: about Afro-spiritualists, voodoo, magic, connection to Obeah (a monster from West African folklore).

"So I think those are two pieces in two different worlds, but they speak to the history, tradition, forward-thinking, and that the past is present."

Once Saulter says this, I don't know why I didn't make the same connection sooner. Though Sinners is more concerned with vampires in a more traditional sense, director Ryan Coogler's vision was so uniquely steeped in cultural history that's usually not done justice in mainstream media — and Possession fits that same criteria.

In fact, I think that Sinners is a much better fit than Belle, Mbatha-Raw's 2013 film critics have already compared to Possession.

She plays the titular character Dido Elizabeth Belle, who was a mixed-race illegitimate daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral raised in 18th Century England.

But does Mbatha-Raw see the connection that everybody else has?

"Obviously, to me, they're very separate projects, but I can see that there's some common themes," she responds. "Belle was a period drama that, was about one of the fewer known biracial aristocrats in England whose uncle was the Lord Chief Justice of England. In Possession, I'm playing the lawyer, so I definitely see, some of the comparisons there.

"It's a privilege to have a canon of work behind me where occasionally you have the privilege to really confront some of these issues in your work. It's not lost on me."

And if watching Possession, Sinners and potentially Belle is too much for some? "Get outside... go for a walk," Mbatha-Raw jokes.

House of the Dragon season 3 has reached its endpoint. Indeed, with its final episode due to air on numerous TV networks and streaming platforms shortly, we'll be bidding farewell to the Game of Thrones spin-off until its fourth and final season arrives in 2028.

But, let's deal with the here and now. Last week's chapter was full of explosive moments, including the revelation that Sunfyre is alive, Rhaenyra learning that Rhaena was responsible for Jace's death, and Ulf the White all but defecting to the Greens ahead of the long-awaited Battle of Tumbleton, among many other plot points. In short: this season's finale has got plenty of storylines to tackle and/or wrap up.

Thankfully, we don't have long to wait to see if it'll cap off the series' fieriest season yet. So, when will season 3 episode 8 premiere?

What is the launch time for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8?

Unless the HBO TV Original's release is unexpectedly brought forward, the final episode of House of the Dragon's third season will come out on Sunday, August 9 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Well, that'll be the case in the US and Canada. Viewers in other nations will need to tune into their platform of choice on Monday, August 10 at the following times instead:

• US — Sunday, August 9 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, August 9 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, August 10 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, August 10 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, August 10 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, August 10 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, August 10 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8?

Just like every other entry, House of the Dragon season 3's next installment will premiere on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, wherever it's available.

Admittedly, the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) platform hasn't launched in every country yet. Nevertheless, there are other channels and streamers that it'll drop on across the globe.

Unsure of where you'll be able to find season 3 episode 8? Check out the list below:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

Will there be a fourth season of House of the Dragon?

Yes. As I mentioned up top, House of the Dragon season 4 is not only already in development, but will also be the program's last hurrah.

Last November, House of the Dragon was one of many HBO TV shows that were renewed for another season. As part of that announcement, it was revealed that the Thrones prequel's final season will be ready to go at some point in 2028, too. Whether that's still the case remains to be seen but, if filming gets underway on House of the Dragon season 4 in early 2027 as expected, a 2028 launch will be more likely than not.

August 2026 has arrived, and we're starting the new month off strong with a whole heap of new movies and TV shows to enjoy on the world's best streaming services.

So, which seven projects have we highlighted for this weekend? For one, fans of cosy comfort TV will be delighted that Ted Lasso is back on Apple TV. Don't worry if you don't care for the sports comedy-drama series, because there's plenty more genre fare to peruse below. So, happy scrolling and streaming! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Ted Lasso season 4 (Apple TV)

It's time to believe in the popular Apple TV Original once more. That's right, Ted Lasso has returned for its fourth season — and, this time, the titular soccer coach is being tasked with managing AFC Richmond's newly-founded women's team. Fans will not only be reunited with established characters in Ted Lasso season 4, then, but also introduced to a whole new line-up of fresh faces.

Want to know how it compares to the hit show's first three seasons? Read my Ted Lasso season 4 review before you make use of that free Apple TV trial you've been holding onto. Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 is out now, by the way — and, with new episodes dropping weekly for the foreseeable future, there's lots more to look forward to in the weeks ahead. — TP

• Watch Ted Lasso season 4 on Apple TV

The Last House (Netflix)

Louis Leterrier's creepy new sci-fi thriller follows an ordinary family who become trapped in their home after torrential rain mysteriously seals every window, door, and exit point.

Their optimism begins to dwindle when days turn into months and then, frighteningly, years. I do wish the above trailer hadn't spoiled that reveal, but hey ho.

With limited supplies and an unknown threat looming outside, Riley, Jason, and their two children must fight to stay alive. They soon learn that they aren't the only ones affected, but can the other victims be trusted? You'll have to watch The Last House on Netflix to find out. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch The Last House on Netflix

Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi (Disney+)

What if I said that The Ninth Jedi looks like Star Wars meets Studio Ghibli?

More anime than animation, this Visions spin-off follows Kara and her ragtag Jedi crew as they seek out to find worthy Jedi to fight against an increasingly powerful warlord. She's literally Spirited Away's Chihiro armed with a lightsabre, and I'm all for the flavors of nostalgia we're getting on Disney+.

It's been tipped as a new and exciting "animated triumph," and I'm inclined to agree. If nothing else, The Ninth Jedi proves that Stars Wars is literally unstoppable, and can be easily reinvented until the end of time. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi on Disney+

Sterling Point (Prime Video)

Prime Video is back on its young adult drama game, baby. This time it's with Sterling Point, coming straight to us from the minds behind Gossip Girl (and that's how you immediately know that it's going to be worthwhile).

17-year-old Annie Jacobson (was raised in New York City with her twin brother and loving adoptive father, until her life takes a turn when she inherits her mysterious grandfather's island in Canada.

We've got some brilliant escapist TV across its eight episodes, feeling a lot more authentic in its delivery than the mundane repetition we've been seeing in other teen dramas of late (naming no names, of course). If you're going to commit to a book-to-Amazon TV adaptation, make it this one. — JV

• Watch Sterling Point on Prime Video

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Paramount+)

Have I still got FOMO over not being invited to interview Billie Eilish and James Cameron during the bonkers London premiere for Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour earlier this year? Yes, I have, but that doesn't mean I won't vouch for the epic concert experience that's out now on Paramount+.

Initially captured in 3D, we follow Eilish's sold-out 2025 arena tour through a blend of stripped-down live performances from Manchester with backstage access. Whatever we're watching, Eilish's connection with her fans remains the central focus.

If you didn't get tickets or had some towards the back of the stadium, now's your chance to be front row. Personally, I'm just glad she left the Charli XCX Guess remix in the setlist. — JV

• Watch Billie Eilish: Hit Me Soft and Hard: The Tour on Paramount+

Alley Cats (Netflix)

Ricky Gervais returns to Netflix with six-part adult animated series, Alley Cats, which follows a group of strays who take in a lost kitten, helping her to navigate the brutal human world and find her way back home.

Gervais voices Gus, and he's joined by some great British talent like Diane Morgan, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, and Tony Way. If you're expecting anything like his previous Netflix series After Life, you may be disappointed as Alley Cats has already received several poor reviews. But, if you like crude adult animation and Gervais' controversial brand of humor, then this could be right up your, ahem, alley. — LB

• Watch Alley Cats on Netflix

The Shards (Hulu/Disney+)

Ryan Murphy's back on top form with The Shards, where he collaborates with thriller novelist Bret Easton Ellis to bring the latter's semi-autobiographical story to life on Hulu and Disney+.

The Shards follows a group of privileged teenagers in their final year at an elite prep school, with a fictionalized version of Ellis among them. Their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of Robert Mallory, whose unsettling yet charming presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.

The first two episodes are now, but you'll want to read my review of The Shards first to see if it's worth watching. — LB

• Watch The Shards on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

The Shards is guaranteed to have audiences talking, for better or for worse, as Bret Easton Ellis' controversial semi-autobiography comes to the small screen.

But, in my opinion, Ryan Murphy teaming up with Ellis has given him the chance to shine once again. Fans of Murphy's work were left disappointed and baffled in recent months after his abysmal Hulu series All's Fair aired, which has a seriously low Rotten Tomatoes score of just 6%.

Thankfully, The Shards feels closer to what Murphy was doing with the anthology series American Horror Story, and the result is an addictive, bloody and over the top series which shows that Murphy and Ellis are an excellent creative duo.

The Shards is certainly not for everyone, but I'm sure it will find a dedicated audience among Hulu subscribers. Those who can put up with intentionally insufferable protagonists are rewarded with a stylish, tasty peek into life as a privileged student in the 1980s, set in a sunny LA neighborhood.

The nine-part series follows a fictionalized version of Bret Easton Ellis, who is 17 and in his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. Igby Rigney, known for his work on Netflix's Midnight Mass, plays this version of the thriller author.

We open with Bret going to see The Shining, smoking a cigarette and driving a convertible, as he narrates all the luxury clothing he's wearing. Rigney's almost bored-sounding narration would feel out of place anywhere else, but here it fits perfectly as he talks about his life, one that many viewers will never have and might desperately covet. Despite having everything, there's no enthusiasm to his voice at all.

Opposite Rigney, Homer Gere stars as Robert Mallory, a new arrival at Buckley whose unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler. Gere is fantastic in The Shards, dominating every scene he's in, and making us feel very uncomfortable from the moment we see him.

The unsettling dynamic between Bret and Robert forms much of The Shards, supported by an equally good cast playing fellow students around them. Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), is a popular girl and cheerleader who soon develops a thing for Robert, much to the annoyance of her long-term boyfriend Thom (Graham Campbell).

Bret's girlfriend, Debbie (Hayes Warner), is a teen rebelling against her movie director father, adding to the already complex layers of this dysfunctional friend group.

The first two episodes were released together, but unfortunately it's a weekly release from then on. I have a feeling some people might be gutted they can't binge-watch it because it's easy to become invested in what's happening. The Shards is a dazzling experience where you feel like a fly on the wall watching these spoiled teens, wondering what's going to happen to them next, even if you probably should look away.

It's a visceral, no-holds-barred look into this 80s society which finds itself rapidly torn apart, sometimes literally. Indeed, those looking for Bret Easton Ellis' brand of gratuitous violence will find it here, making The Shards an interesting blend of teen drama and horror movie, with some grisly results.

Even if you haven't read The Shards, if you know you're a fan of Ellis' other works like American Psycho, I think this will be right up your alley. It ticks all the right boxes for what we'd expect from him, after all.

At the time of writing, The Shards season 2 has not been confirmed, which means the season finale's ending will prove frustrating if we don't get more. Though Ellis' book has a similar ending, I'm hopeful that The Shards will choose to take the story further as it feels like it's been written with a second season in mind.

As a standalone season though, it's entertaining and shocking in equal measure. The Shards is a welcome addition to Ryan Murphy's filmography, and I hope he does more like this because I have certainly missed him when he's at his bloody best.

Who else has been left reeling after that shocking cliffhanger in the My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 ending? Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) feel more off the cards than ever, with the drag racing accident putting a fatal spanner in the works.

On top of that, Alex (Ashby Gentry) has finally admitted that he has feelings for Kiley (Mya Lowe), but her boyfriend Dylan (Kolton Stewart) has driven a manipulative wedge between them. Still, at least George (Marc Blucas) is very much alive and healthy.

Netflix has some huge questions to answer in My Life With the Walter Boys season 4 — but what do we actually know about what's coming?

Luckily, the core cast and release window have already been teased (and I've got good theories about the rest).

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 release window

Netflix has already confirmed that My Life with the Walter Boys is slated for a 2027 release.

While we don't have an exact date confirmed, the last two seasons have aired in August... and I've got a feeling that the streamer will stick with its tried-and-tested formula.

Filming has been taking place in Calgary since May 2026, which is another key indicator that progress is on track for an August 2027 release.

“I know I speak for the writers, the cast, and the crew when I say that it is beyond exciting to be returning to the world of Silver Falls for a fourth season,” showrunner and executive producer Melanie Halsall said in a press statement. “We are all incredibly grateful and are thrilled to dive in."

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 trailer: is there one?

Don't be silly. It took us until the middle of July 2026 to get one for season 3, so expect the first full trailer to arrive around four weeks before the fourth season does.

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 cast

We're expecting the following main cast members to return for My Life with the Walter Boys season 4:

• Nikki Rodriguez as Jackie
• Noah LaLonde as Cole
• Ashby Gentry as Alex
• Sarah Rafferty as Katherine
• Marc Blucas as George
• Connor Stanhope as Danny
• Jaylan Evans as Skylar
• Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan
• Johnny Link as Will
• Isaac Arellanes as Isaac
• Myles Perez as Lee
• Alisha Newton as Erin
• Mya Lowe as Kiley
• Ellie O’Brien as Grace
• Kolton Stewart as Dylan
• Natalie Sharp as Blake
• Alex Quijano as Richard
• Ashley Tavares as Tara
• Dean Petriw as Jordan
• Alix West Lefler as Parker
• Lennix James as Benny
• Gabrielle Jacinto as Olivia
• Chad Rook as Mac
• Naveen Paddock as Eliot
• Erin Karpluk as Hannah

There are question marks around Fogelmanis and Link's return, as both Will and Nathan were set to leave the family home at the end of season 3.

We can also expect new faces to join the cast, so watch this space.

My Life with the Walter Boys season 4 plot predictions

Spoilers for My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 ahead.

“Our story’s about love and romance and love triangles and all those teenage trials and tribulations around those things, and we’re not going to divert from those — so much, much more of that to come in Season 4," Halsall told Netflix.

But what does this actually mean?

Obviously, the first thing we need to find out in season 4 is whether Cole is hurt. His car is flipped enough times for there to be some serious damage, but it's difficult to tell what that is in the season 3 cliffhanger.

Then, of course, there's the question of whether Jackie actually follows through with her kiss with Eliot. I've got a sneaking suspicion that she'll pull away at the last second... but perhaps that's wishful thinking. It's certainly a moment that her future relationship with Cole could hinge on, if he pulls through.

Kiley will hopefully break up with Dylan and finally see that she should have been with Alex all along, but this isn't something that Dylan is likely to take quietly. Expect more overt tension between him and Alex, put it that way.

What is more difficult to tell is whether we'll see how Will and Nathan get on after they fly the nest, but the remaining Walter kids prepping for university is likely to feature heavily.

• A24 dropped the full trailer for Primetime on August 6, ahead of its theatrical release on September 25
• It gives us our first look at Robert Pattinson, who plays To Catch a Predator presenter Chris Hansen
• In addition, the trailer teases roles for The Office star Creed Bratton and singer Phoebe Bridgers

Primetime just got a trailer ahead of its September 25 theater release. It packs a lot into just over 2 minutes, including an appearance from The Office icon Creed Bratton, according to TV Insider.

In Primetime, Robert Pattinson stars as Chris Hansen, the host of NBC's To Catch a Predator, which was a hugely popular reality show in the 2000s. But while Pattinson's performance is sublime, there are some other key details to get excited about.

We only see a flash of Creed Bratton's character, and it's not clear who he plays, but it's certainly exciting to see him in a big upcoming movie like this.

Elsewhere, singer Phoebe Bridgers makes her acting debut in Primetime, in another as-yet-unnamed role. Hopefully we'll get more details about both soon.

Take a look at the trailer below and prepare to be blown away.

Primetime is one of my most anticipated new movies of 2026. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, it tells the story of To Catch a Predator's origins as Chris Hansen gets a primetime television slot and makes television history by blending reality TV with vigilante justice.

To Catch a Predator centered around confronting child predators who would arrive at a sting house and typically get arrested as a result of Hansen and his team's intervention, resulting in a show that was as popular as it was controversial.

Primetime feels like a thriller rather than a straight biopic, as even in the short trailer above, there's plenty of tension ahead. I'm hoping it really deep dives into what it was like behind the scenes of this infamous reality program.

For more A24 news, check out my ranking of all the A24 horror movies available on streaming.