Author: rb809rb

Author Rachel Reid is asking fans of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander to hold on just a little longer.

The author behind the “Game Changers” hockey romance series announced Tuesday that “Unrivaled,” the seventh installment in the franchise and third chapter in Shane and Ilya’s arc, has been pushed from its planned Sept. 29 release date to June 1, 2027. Reid shared the news in a video posted to Instagram, citing both the seismic life changes that followed the runaway success of the “Heated Rivalry” television adaptation and a worsening of her Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

“It’s been absolutely incredible. I can’t really put into words what any of this feels like for an author,” Reid said in the video. “It’s beyond a dream come true.” But she was candid about the toll that newfound fame has taken. “It’s also been very, very busy and overwhelming. My life has gotten very different in the last couple of months, and although it’s all good, it’s also taken away my ability to have quality time to write.”

Reid was equally open about her health. “When good things happen, sometimes the universe hands you some worse stuff to balance it out,” she said. “For me, that’s been that my Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten a bit worse, and it’s made it difficult physically to write. So I’m definitely a lot slower, and that’s just something I need to learn how to navigate.”

However, she was quick to reassure fans that the book itself is progressing. “The writing is going well,” Reid said. “I just need a little more time.” Pre-orders, she noted, will not be canceled.

The delay comes as the literary universe Reid built over the last eight years has exploded into mainstream interest. “Heated Rivalry,” the Crave original series that brought Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie) to the screen, became a phenomenon after its release on HBO Max, earning a Season 2 renewal in December and sending its two leads to the Golden Globes and Fashion Week. Williams has since been named a friend of the house at Balenciaga and is set to star in an upcoming Crave original, “Yaga.” Storrie, meanwhile, is hosting “Saturday Night Live” this weekend and is attached to star in A24’s upcoming comedy “Peaked.”

Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” is expected to begin production later this year, with a 2027 premiere planned — meaning the show and “Unrivaled” may land in the same calendar year.

“Unrivaled” picks up with Ilya and Shane newly married and publicly out, navigating a homophobic backlash in the professional hockey world led by a podcast called Top Shelf and a movement called #TakeBackHockey. It will be the first new book in the Shane-and-Ilya universe since “The Long Game” in 2022, and it’s the seventh entry in the broader “Game Changers” series, which includes “Game Changer,” “Heated Rivalry,” “Tough Guy,” “Common Goal,” “Role Model.”

“There’s nothing more important to me than ‘Unrivaled’ being the best book it can possibly be,” Reid said. “I think it’ll be better for the readers and it’ll be better for the characters.”

She also hinted at an upside coming soon, teasing that “some announcements” would be made later this week “about some things that I think people have been hoping for.”

The Walt Disney Company has tapped Argentine filmmaker Daniel Burman as head of original content, Disney+ LATAM.

Burman, who will report directly to Eric Schrier, president Disney Television Studios & Global Original Television Strategy, joins Disney from The Mediapro Studio which he joined through his production banner, Oficina Burman, in 2017.

Alongside Martín Iraola, president, The Walt Disney Company, LATAM and the senior leadership team, he will zero in on bolstering the scope, quality and ambition of Disney LATAM’s original productions in Latin America, leading creative development, fostering new talent and integrating more Latin American stories in Disney’s international lineup.

Burman’s appointment comes soon after Leonardo Aranguibel stepped down Feb. 22 from his position of VP and head of production, operations & strategy at The Walt Disney Company Latin America. The Walt Disney Company has also reverted to more centralized operations, with territories now reporting directly to Burbank.  

“Daniel’s career reflects an extraordinary combination of artistic excellence and strategic vision,” said Eric Schrier. “He has a proven ability to tell deeply local stories that travel globally.  His experience building creative organizations and delivering internationally recognized productions uniquely positions him to grow our local slate and elevate our original content in Latin America in ways that complement our global portfolio.”

“The region is rich with compelling stories, and Daniel is the right leader to bring them to audiences around the world. He has a strong track record of creating local content and positioning it for success on the global stage,” concurred Martín Iraola, president, The Walt Disney Company, LATAM.

While at The Mediapro Studio, Burman performed similar duties as well as creating, developing, producing and directing high‑profile scripted content for prominent platforms, including “Victoria Small”—nominated for an International Emmy and winner of the Rose d’Or for best TV series; “Yosi, the Regretful Spy,” which garnered three International Emmy nominations across its two seasons and the feature film “Transmitzvah.”

Most recently, for The Mediapro Studio, Burman developed and created the series “Maledictions,” “Cometierra” and a new title, an ironic semi-autobiographical male crisis dramedy “So Far So Good,” presented last week at the Berlinale Series Market.

“I am deeply excited about this opportunity. Working alongside the teams at The Walt Disney Company, where storytelling has always been a distinguishing feature, is hugely inspiring, and I hope to promote opportunities for the creative community in Latin America to develop vibrant, relevant stories that are an authentic reflection of our region,” added Burman.

While an independent filmmaker, Burman directed 12 feature films, scoring wins and debuting at major international festivals including Berlin, Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes.

Legendary rap group Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during this year’s Image Awards ceremony.

Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper will receive the special honor during the 57th NAACP Image Awards telecast on Saturday, Feb. 28. It’s the latest award for the rap trailblazers who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last fall.

“As pioneers of hip-hop, Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella rewrote the rules and boldly claimed space in a genre that forever changed because of their voices, style, and undeniable talent,” said NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson. “Inducting them into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame is a celebration of more than an iconic career – it’s a tribute to trailblazers who opened doors, and inspired generations in a way that still resonates today.”

The Hall of Fame Award is presented to “individuals or groups who have been pioneers in their respective fields and whose influence continues to shape their industry for generations.” Past inductees include New Edition, Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Spike Lee and Earth, Wind and Fire. Last year, the Wayans family received the special honor.

“Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella have built a legacy defined by confidence, authenticity, and cultural influence,” said Connie Orlando, executive VP of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “They reshaped how women are seen and heard in music, creating space for bold self-expression and empowerment. Inducting them into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame honors a career that continues to strengthen community, elevate culture, and connect generations.”

The NAACP also announced the lineup of presenters for the ceremony, including “Sinners” filmmaker Ryan Coogler and stars Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton; “One Battle After Another” duo Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall; “You, Me & Tuscany” stars Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page; Janelle James; Nicole Beharie; Ryan Michelle Bathé; Sterling K. Brown; and the cast of Tyler Perry’s “Sistas.” NAACP president & CEO Derrick Johnson and NAACP chairman Leon W. Russell will also present during the ceremony, with Colman Domingo set to be recognized with the President’s Award and Viola Davis to accept the Chairman’s Award.

Other special honorees during this year’s NAACP Image Awards week include A$AP Rocky, who will receive the Vanguard Award for fashion; and Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, who will receive the prestigious Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award.

Deon Cole returns to host the 57th NAACP Image Awards, broadcast live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, CBS and across Paramount networks. Kyla Pratt and Terrence J. have been tapped to host the live red carpet pre-show, beginning at 3 p.m. PT on BET.com.

Ed Skrein is the latest addition to the live-action “God of War” TV series at Amazon Prime Video.

Skrein will star as Baldur in the series, which is currently in pre-production in Vancouver. He will appear alongside series leads Ryan Hurst (Kratos) and Callum Vinson (Atreus), as well as cast members Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, and Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka as as brothers Brok and Sindri.

As previously reported, the series will pick up with the story of the two most recent “God of War” games, in which Kratos must raise his ten-year old son Atreus while battling god of the Norse pantheon. Per the logline, “Father and son Kratos and Atreus embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.”

The official character description for Baldur states:

“Baldur may be the youngest son of Odin, but he’s his father’s most dangerous weapon. Charismatic, unpredictable and armed with a razor-sharp tongue, Baldur lives by his own rules. As a boy, Baldur was cursed; this curse denied him the ability to feel pleasure and physical sensation. This fuels an insatiable anger and bloodlust in Baldur, who favors a brawling fighting style that blends his immense power with the raw impact of his fists. Above all else, he longs for an opponent that can truly match his prowess in battle. An opponent that can finally make him feel something.”

Skrein’s TV credits include “Game of Thrones” and “All the Light We Cannot See.” He is best known for his film roles, including starring in the first “Deadpool” movie as the villainous Francis/Ajax as well as features like Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” and “Alita: Battle Angel.”

He is repped by WME, 42, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

“God of War” has received a two-season order at Amazon. Ronald D. Moore is the writer, executive producer, and showrunner on “God of War” under his Tall Ship Productions banner.

Frederick E.O. Toye will direct the first two episodes of “God of War.” Maril Davis of Tall Ship also executive produces alongside Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee, and Brad Van Arragon. Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia, and Ben McGinnis serve as co-executive producers on the series. The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions. Tall Ship is under an overall deal at Sony TV.

Mara Brock Akil, the acclaimed showrunner and executive producer, is set to make her debut as a novelist with “The Revelation of Dionne Daphne,” to be published June 30.

The novel will be released by Storehouse Voices, an imprint of Crown Publishing. Known as the creator of such enduring series as UPN/CW’s “Girlfriends,” CW/BET’s “The Game,” BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” OWN’s “Love Is __” and Netflix’s “Forever,” Brock Akil brings her signature storytelling to the page with a story that explores love, identity, buried trauma and self-revelation.

“The Revelation of Dionne Daphne” centers on Dionne Daphne, a magnetic, thirty-something New Yorker in the 1990s who appears to have it all. She is the beauty editor at a prestigious magazine, moves within elite social circles and has a seemingly perfect boyfriend. That carefully curated life begins to fracture when he arrives unannounced at her Brooklyn doorstep with life-altering news, forcing Dionne to confront truths she has long avoided.

As Dionne reckons with the present, she is pulled into her past, unearthing a dark secret hidden since childhood. What follows is an emotionally charged exploration of enduring love, world-shattering revelations and personal awakening. At once provocative and deeply moving, the novel traces broken lovers, fractured families and distant friendships as they find their way back to one another, revealing how light can emerge from life’s deepest shadows.

The novel marks a significant expansion of Brock Akil’s storytelling across mediums. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, she has introduced audiences to complex characters, including Joan Clayton of “Girlfriends,” Mary Jane Paul of “Being Mary Jane” and, most recently, Keisha in the Netflix series “Forever.”

“I wrote this novel to take readers through a story that may feel familiar — one of isolation, shame, resilience and the redemptive power of love,” Brock Akil said. “My hope is that readers see themselves in Dionne, recognize the weight they’ve been carrying and feel permission to release it. Stepping into fiction has been a beautiful expansion of my storytelling, and I’m grateful to have Storehouse Voices alongside me on this journey.”

“Mara Brock Akil has shaped the emotional landscape of a generation through television,” said Tamira Chapman, publisher of Storehouse Voices. “With “The Revelation of Dionne Daphne,” she brings that same vulnerability, insight and cultural fluency to the page. This is a powerful literary debut that affirms the permanence and importance of Black women’s interior lives.”

Chelcee Johns, executive editor at Storehouse Voices, said the novel exceeded expectations years in the making. “This debut wrestles with sexual awakening, family trauma, sudden love and evolving friendship through a character with as much bite as tenderness,” Johns said. “We’re proud to publish Mara Brock Akil’s fiction debut and excited for longtime fans and new readers alike.”

Brock Akil’s work has earned widespread recognition, including the African American Film Critics Association TV Honors Legacy Award in 2025. She will receive the Producers Guild of America’s Norman Lear Achievement Award on Feb. 28, in Los Angeles. Her hit Netflix series “Forever,” adapted from the beloved Judy Blume novel, reached No. 1 on the platform last year and is set to return for a second season.

Gwyneth Paltrow will be honored at the New York Women in Film & Television’s 46th annual Muse Awards on March 20.

She joins previously announced honorees Jamie Brewer, Patricia Cardoso, Izzy Harrison, Audra McDonald, Jane Raab and Joy Reid.

“Gwyneth Paltrow embodies the bold, multidimensional leadership we celebrate at the Muse Awards,” NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez said in a statement on Tuesday morning. “As an Academy Award–winning performer, she has delivered iconic work on screen, and as the founder and CEO of goop, she has redefined what it means for an artist to build and lead a global enterprise. Her career reflects vision, risk-taking, and cultural impact both in front of and behind the camera.

“She joins an extraordinary class of honorees this year – trailblazers across film, television, journalism, sports, and advocacy – who together represent the power of women shaping the future of our industry,” Lopez continued.

In addition to her Oscar-winning acting work, Paltrow is the founder of goop, multiple category-ensemble of brands, including goop Beauty, GWYN, and goop Kitchen, a fast-growing, health-forward take-out and delivery concept with 13 locations and new market expansions underway.

The gala will take place at Cipriani 42nd St. and will be emceed by “CBS Sunday Morning” contributor, comedian and actress ​Nancy Giles.

Founded in 1977, NYWIFT connects, educates and advocates for women to accelerate diversity and equity in media, to better reflect our world and transform our culture. The Muse Awards is NYWIFT’s flagship fundraising event attended by an audience of 700 leading executives from every major studio, broadcast and cable network and film production facility.