It's the start of a new week and that means it's time for a brand-new roundup of crime drama news:
THE BIG SCREEN/MOVIES
Director Rian Johnson shared the news on social media that the "Knives Out" universe is expanding yet again with a third movie titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Johnson also shared a teaser for the upcoming movie in which Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc says, "In the beginning, the knives came out. Then behold, the glass was shattered. But my most dangerous case yet is about to be revealed."
Mark Ruffalo is in talks to star in Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Don Winslow’s novella, Crime 101. He will co-star with Chris Hemsworth, who is also in talks to star and produce alongside producing partner Ben Grayson. While plot details are being kept under wraps, the original short story by Winslow follows high-level jewel thefts that are taking place up and down the Pacific Coast, which police have linked to Colombian cartels. Detective Lou Lubesnick has other ideas, and he zeroes in on one suspect, a thief looking for a final score. The film is set to be released in theaters next year.
Lionsgate announced the release dates of three upcoming thrillers: the Dave Bautista action picture, The Killer’s Game, on September 13; the Mel Gibson-directed movie Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg, for October 18; and the Gerard Butler-starring sequel, Den of Thieves: Pantera, will hit cinemas on January 10, 2025. The Killer’s Game, based on the book by Jay R. Bonansinga and adapted by Rand Ravich and James Coyne, follows a top hitman, Joe Flood (Bautista) who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and opts to take a hit out on himself until the hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend (Sofia Boutella). Flight Risk follows a pilot (Wahlberg) who is transporting an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) accompanying a fugitive (Topher Grace) to trial, but as they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested when not everyone on board is who they seem. Den of Thieves: Pantera sees Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. return in the sequel to 2018’s action-heist hit Den of Thieves, with Big Nick (Butler) back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (Jackson), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia.
TELEVISION/SMALL SCREEN
Netflix and Working Title have found their Harry Hole: German-Norwegian actor Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom) will play the lead in the Jo Nesbø adaptation, which will be officially titled Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. Santelmann is joined by Joel Kinnaman (The Suicide Squad) playing Tom Waaler, and Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo) as Rakel Fauke. Created by the much-loved Scandinavian crime fiction author, Nesbø’s Harry Hole is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by the famed anti-hero. Underneath the surface, it is a nuanced character drama about two police officers – and supposed colleagues – operating on opposite sides of the law. Throughout the first season, Harry (Santelmann) goes head-to-head with his longtime adversary and corrupt detective Waaler (Kinnaman).
Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, MGM+'s upcoming original mystery thriller series, created and executive produced by author Anthony Horowitz (Magpie Murders), has set its full ensemble cast. In addition to previously announced Eric McCormack, the ensemble cast includes David Ajala (Star Trek: Discovery) as Zack; Lydia Wilson (The Swarm) as Sonja; Peter Gadiot (Yellowjackets) as Carlos; Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) as Lisa; Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (The Tourist) as Travis; Adam Long (Happy Valley) as Dan, and Jan Le (The Capture) as Amy. Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue revolves around a plane carrying a small group of passengers, crew and pilot, that crashes in the Mexican jungle. All the bodies are recovered and placed in a morgue, but it turns out that only one of them died in the crash. The other passengers were murdered afterwards, each one in a unique way. But by whom? And why?
Dove Cameron (Schmigadoon!) and Avan Jogia (Orphan Black: Echoes) have been set to star in Obsession, a thriller series produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Atomic Monster. Written and executive produced by Lisa Zwerling and Karyn Usher, the show is based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s 2021 international bestseller, 56 Days. The story follows Oliver (Jogia) and Ciara (Cameron), who, after meeting randomly in a supermarket, fall for each other fast, and dangerously hard. 56 days later, homicide investigators arrive at Oliver’s apartment to find an unidentified body — brutally murdered and intentionally decomposed. Did he kill her? Did she kill him? Intercutting between an intense single day in the present investigation and the twisted trajectory of the young lovers’ affair in the past, the series is both a crime story and an erotic, psychological thriller.
Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Shea Whigham (Joker) have been tapped as series regulars on Netflix's new drama series, Death by Lightning, joining previously cast Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, and Nick Offerman. Created, written and executive produced by Mike Makowsky based on the book, Destiny Of The Republic by Candice Millard, Death by Lightning tells the stranger-than-fiction true story of James Garfield (Shannon), reluctant 20th president of the United States, and his greatest admirer Charles Guiteau (Macfadyen) — the man who would come to kill him.
The CW Network made it official: Walker was canceled after 4 seasons. The series, which was a reimagining of the popular CBS drama, Walker, Texas Ranger, centers on Cordell Walker (Jared Padalecki), a widower and father of two with his own moral code who returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home. Walker’s next original episode airs May 22, with the season — and series — finale on June 26.
MASTERPIECE Mystery! announced that The Marlow Murder Club, adapted by author Robert Thorogood from his best-selling novels, premieres on PBS Sunday, October 27th at 9/8c and released a new trailer. Along with the airdate, PBS also announced that the cast and crew are already in production on Season 2.
PODCASTS/VIDEO/RADIO/AUDIO
On the Spybrary Spy Podcast, Gordon Henderson MP shared more about his spy thriller, Steven Statton – A Very Working Class Spy.
The Red Hot Chili Writers had a special edition dedicated to the British Book Awards 2024, talking with shortlisted authors Claire Douglas and David McCloskey and discussing their thrillers, the CIA, and boy band haircuts.
On Crime Time FM, guest presenter Scott Blackburn chatted with Henry Wise about his debut novel, Holly City; MFA programs; writing-working-family; and beginning with a million words.
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