Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Fanning the flames: Netflix premieres last season of ‘Firefly Lane’
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX “Firefly Lane” - Season 2, Part 1
Uncover the triumphs and tragedies of a lifelong friendship when Part 1 of “Firefly Lane’s” second and final season airs Friday, Dec. 2, on Netflix. Following best friends Tully (played in adulthood by Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Kate (Sarah Chalke, “Scrubs”) through all the milestones of their life since first meeting as tweens in 1974, their joint past unfolds as the pair’s unbreakable bond is put to the test by a tragedy in the present. In the meantime, the pair grapple with losing loved ones, complicated family lives, new and old loves and their careers. The series also stars Ali Skovbye (“When Calls the Heart”) and Roan Curtis (“The Magicians”) as Tully and Kate in their youth, alongside Yael Yurman (“The Man in the High Castle”), Brendan Taylor (“Be Still,” 2021), Jason McKinnon (“How to Be an Actor”), Beau Garrett (“The Good Doctor”) and Ben Lawson (“Designated Survivor”). Based on the 2008 book of the same name by Kristin Hannah, the series comes from creator Maggie Friedman (“Witches of East End”) with direction from Michael Spiller (“Modern Family”).
“Lady Chatterly’s Lover” (2022)
D.H. Lawrence’s classic novel comes to life once more when the new film adaptation of “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” premieres
Friday, Dec. 2, on Netflix. A groundbreaking work that scandalized the world with its explicit sexuality and foul language when it was first published in the late 1920s, “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” follows the life of Lady Chatterley (Emma Corrin, “My Policeman,” 2022), a high-born woman who soon finds herself married to a man she eventually falls out of love with. When she meets and falls madly in love with Oliver Mellors (Jack O’Connell, “Unbroken,” 2014), the gamekeeper of the Chatterly estate, the two begin a torrid affair. But as they become the subject of town gossip, Lady Chatterly will have to decide if she will follow her heart and stay with Oliver or follow her society’s expectations and return to her husband. Directed by Laura de Clemont-Tonnerre (“The Mustang,” 2019), “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” features an adapted screenplay by David Magee (“Life of Pi,” 2012). The cast is rounded out by Matthew Duckett (“A Confession”), Faye Marsay (“Andor”), Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”), Ella Hunt (“Dickinson”),
Sandra Huggett (“Coronation Street”), Eugene O’Hare (“Dublin Murders”) and Nicholas Bishop (“Industry”).
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+ “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” (2022)
Class is back in session for the wimpy (and not-so-wimpy) kids when the new, computer-animated children’s film “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” premieres Friday, Dec. 2, on Disney+. A sequel to the 2021 computer-animated film “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which was based on the hit series of books written by Jeff Kinney, “Rodrick Rules” follows Greg (voiced by Brady Noon, “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”) as he enters the next grade with his confidence and friendships all intact (for once). But back at home, Greg is still at war with his older brother, Rodrick (Hunter Dillon, “Holly Hobbie”), so their parents have given them the toughest punishment they can think of — forcing the brothers to spend quality time together. As his brother teases him relentlessly, Greg will have to decide if he and Rodrick can actually get along for once, or if a secret will ruin everything. Directed by Luke Cormican (“Teen Titans Go!”) in his feature film directorial debut, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” is written for the screen by Kathleen Shurgue (“Under Wraps 2,” 2022). Ethan William Childress (“Mixed-ish”), Erica Cerra (“Nancy Drew”), Chris Diamantopoulos (“The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”), Kimberly-Ann Truong (“My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale”), Ed Asner (“Up,” 2009) and Gracen Newton (“Puppy Dog Pals”) also voice star.
WHAT’S NEW ON HBO MAX “Gossip Girl” - Season 2
Look no further, drama lovers: Season 2 of HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot premieres on the premium network’s streaming platform Thursday, Dec. 1. Taking on their second semester of junior year, Gossip Girl is leaving no stone unturned and no reputation unscathed in her effort to twist the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite. As she gives her scandal-hungry audience exactly what they want, Gossip Girl stirs up more chaos than ever, especially now that she’s willing to lie to get what she wants. Created for HBO Max by original series executive producers Joshua Safran, Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz, Season 2 of the reboot stars Jordan Alexander (“Sacred Lies”), Eli Brown (“Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists”), Thomas Doherty (“The Lodge”), Tavi Gevinson (“Enough Said,” 2013),
Emily Alyn Lind (“Revenge”), Zión Moreno (“Control Z”), Whitney Peak (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”), Grace Duah (“Want This,” 2020), new talents Evan Mock and Savannah Lee Smith, and guest star Michelle Trachtenberg from the original series.
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME “Riches” - Season 1
Get an inside look into the lives of the super wealthy in the new British drama series “Riches,” premiering Friday, Dec. 2, on Prime Video. Following the stylish, privileged exploits of the ultra-successful Richards family, the series begins as the Richards’ world comes crashing down around them when family patriarch Stephen Richards (Hugh Quarshie, “Holby City”) suddenly dies. While the future of the family’s cosmetics business hangs in the balance, deep family secrets rush to the surface as Stephen’s children vie for control of the business. From series creator Abby Ajayi (“The First Lady”), who also writes and directs for the series, “Riches” is also written by Tumi Belo (“Grantchester”) and directed by Darcia Martin (“Call the Midwife”) and Sebastrian Thiel (“Just a Couple”). Adeyinka Akinrinade (“Body of Water,” 2020), Deborah Ayorinde (“Them”), Emmanuel Imani (“Cobra”), Sarah Niles (“Ted Lasso”), Nneka Okoye (“The A List”), Ola Orebiyi (“Cherry,” 2021), Hermione Norris (“MI5”), Brendan Coyle (“Downton Abbey”) and C.J. Beckford (“I am...”) star in the series.