UK actors pen post-Brexit warning
Leading British actors — including Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and Julie Walters — warned the government on Tuesday that the U.K. culture sector faces irreparable damage unless artists can tour the European Union without visas.
Since Britain made its final split from the EU, U.K. citizens can no longer live and work anywhere in the bloc. British artists now have to comply with differing rules in the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas for performers and permits for equipment.
In a letter from actors’ union Equity, more than 100 U.K. performers said post-Brexit immigration rules meant “we have to pay hundreds of pounds, fill in form after form and spend weeks waiting for approval — just so we can do our jobs.”
The letter urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to negotiate new terms with the EU,” and follows a similar appeal last month from more than 100 leading musicians, including Ed Sheeran and Sting.
Winfrey to interview Harry and Meghan: Prince Harry and the former Meghan Markle will be speaking with Oprah Winfrey, their first major television interview since quitting royal duties and buying a home last year in the U.S.
The 90-minute “Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special” will air March 7, CBS announced Monday.
“Winfrey will speak with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a Royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure,” according to CBS. “Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family.”
Salsa legend Pacheco dies: Salsa idol Johnny Pacheco, 85, who was a co-founder of Fania Records, Eddie Palmieri’s bandmate and backer of music stars such as Rubén Bladés, Willie Colón and Celia Cruz, died Monday. He had been hospitalized in New York a few days earlier for pneumonia, his wife, Maria Elena “Cuqui” Pacheco, said on the artist’s Facebook account.
Fania Records tweeted that the musician was “the man most responsible for the genre of salsa music. He was a visionary and his music will live on eternally.”
Singer Marc Anthony lamented the loss of Pacheco, calling him “maestro of maestros.”
Ashley cast in ‘Bridgerton’: Netflix has confirmed that “Sex Education” star Simone Ashley has been cast in the second season of the hit series “Bridgerton.” She will star opposite Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony Bridgerton as his romantic interest, Kate Sharma.
“Bridgerton’s” new season — based on the second book in Julia Quinn’s series, “The Viscount Who Loved Me” — will focus on Anthony, the oldest of the Bridgerton clan, and his begrudging pursuit of marriage.
Feb. 17 birthdays: Actor Christina Pickles is 86. Actor Brenda Fricker is 76. Actor Rene Russo is 67. Actor Richard Karn is 65. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 59. Actor Denise Richards is 50. Actor Jerry O’Connell is 47. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 40. TV personality Paris Hilton is 40. Singer Ed Sheeran is 30.