Following its globally acclaimed first season, Apple TV+ today announced a season two renewal for “Surface,” the hit psychological thriller starring and executive produced by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and created by Veronica West.

“I am thrilled to continue this journey and dive deeper into the tension and mystery of ‘Surface’ with this brilliant team,” said star and executive producer Gugu Mbatha-Raw. “I love playing Sophie and I can’t wait for fans and new audiences to join us as she enters the dangerous new world of her past in season two. As an actor and executive producer, it’s incredibly meaningful to be bringing this story home to London.”

“This is really a brand new chapter set in a whole new world – I can’t wait for people to see how the show evolves as we explore an emboldened, fearless Sophie in season two,” said creator Veronica West. “It’s been such a pleasure working with Gugu, Apple and the team at Hello Sunshine and a real privilege to continue the journey!”

Led by a critically hailed “captive” and “magnetic” performance by star Mbatha-Raw, “Surface” is produced by Apple Studios and Hello Sunshine. Catch up on the complete first season of “Surface,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

“Surface” stars Mbatha-Raw as ‘Sophie,’ a woman who has suffered a traumatic head injury that has left her with extreme memory loss, believed to be a result of a suicide attempt.

Returning to her hometown of London, season two will find Sophie rediscovering the unfinished relationships that have haunted her memories – as she finds out where she really came from, and what made her the flawed person she was. But the mess she left behind in San Francisco will catch up with her, as Sophie discovers once and for all, you can never outrun your past.

The first season of “Surface,” set in high-end San Francisco, sent Sophie on a mission to discover her own secrets, unearthing a multitude of sins that ranged all the way from an affair to much deeper questions about a hidden past and her true identity. While Season One answered the question of who Sophie really was, Season Two will tell us why. Sophie traveled across an ocean to escape her past, so what was she running from? The season one ensemble cast also includes Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Stephan James, Ari Graynor, Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste, François Arnaud and Millie Brady.

“Surface” is created by Veronica West, who wrote the original series, and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter executive produce on behalf of Hello Sunshine. Emmy Award nominee Sam Miller directed four episodes of the first season, including the pilot. Kevin Sullivan, Jennifer Morrison and Tucker Gates also directed episodes.

(Photo credit: Apple TV+)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars in upcoming Apple TV+ Series SURFACE arriving this Summer! A brand-new Trailer has been released for this gripping Thriller.

Synopsis:

Set in high-end San Francisco, “Surface,” stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“The Morning Show”) who also executive produces, as Sophie, a woman who has suffered a traumatic head injury that has left her with extreme memory loss, believed to be a result of a suicide attempt. As Sophie embarks on a quest to put the pieces of her life back together with the help of her husband and friends, she begins to question whether or not the truth she is told is in fact the truth she has lived. Through twists and turns and an unexpected love triangle, this sexy, elevated thriller asks: What if you woke up one day and didn’t know your own secrets? “Surface” is a story of self- discovery which contemplates if we are pre-programmed to become who we are, or if we choose our own identity. 

The ensemble cast starring alongside Mbatha-Raw includes Oliver Jackson-Cohen (“The Haunting of Hill House”), Stephan James (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Ari Graynor (“I’m Dying Up Here”), Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets & Lies”), François Arnaud (“I Killed My Mother”) and Millie Brady (“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”).

See the new Trailer:

The first three episodes of SURFACE arrive Friday, July 29, 2022 on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday. 

(Photo credit: Apple TV+)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Come Away tells an alternative origin story for Peter Pan and Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

Although the Film, starring Angelina Jolie, David Oyelowo, Michael Caine and  Gugu Mbatha-Raw is targeted towards children, there are many themes that resonate with adults. Director Brenda Chapman’s primary theme throughout is grief with focus on contrasting what grief looks like within children and adults. Chapman also blends an even mix of actuality and fantasy giving it an authentic feel. Overall, Come Away is enchanting from the adventure to the examination of grief, even if it is sometimes a little slow.

Come Away screens at Sundance on Fri, Jan. 24th at 12:30 PM at The Ray Theatre, Sat, Jan. 25th at 12:30 PM at Redstone Cinema 1. Sun, Jan. 26th at 12 PM at Salt Lake City Library Theatre, Fri, Jan. 31st at 5:30 PM at Prospector Square Theatre, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 3:30 PM at Redstone Cinema 1.

Another goodie unveiled at Disney‘s D23 Expo this weekend as Ava DuVernay (Selma)‘s A WRINKLE IN TIME‘s Teaser Trailer was shown for the first time!

A WRINKLE IN TIME is an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and ultimately, the triumph of love. The Film stars: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peňa, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, André Holland, Rowan Blanchard with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine and introduces Storm Reid.

See the Teaser:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release A WRINKLE IN TIME Friday, March 9, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Hot on the heels of its new Trailer which is breaking the internet, Toronto gets some ‘beautiful’ news!  Running Family Day Weekend Friday, February 17 through Monday, 20, 2017 at historic Casa Loma, Fans will get with the price of admission, access to a limited time only BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Exhibit. Casa Loma will be open for extended hours till 9 PM for the special occasion those nights.

The Exhibition featuring nine costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran from the eagerly-awaited live action adaptation of the beloved Animated Feature. There will be special performances from dancers and an aerialist, plus themed activities (including face-painting and arts and crafts) taking place also!  There also will be replicas of the rose and bell jar!

Here’s a tip: guests who use the “BE OUR GUEST” promo code will get 20% off admission at the Box Office!

While we’re waiting for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, here is the new final U.S. Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Friday, March 17, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Victoria to see Matthew McConaughey in FREE STATE OF JONES, starring Matthew McConaughey and Gugu Mbatha Raw. Screenings are on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Synopsis:
Based on Oscar®-nominated writer/director Gary Ross’ original screenplay, the epic action-drama Free State of Jones tells the extraordinary story of a little known episode in American history during which Newt Knight, a fearless Mississippi farmer, led an unlikely band of poor white farmers and runaway slaves in an historic armed rebellion against the Confederacy during the height of the Civil War.

Trailer:

Artwork:

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http://www.mrwillwong.com/freestateofjones @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #FREESTATEOFJONES. Out 6.24.

Elevation Pictures release FREE STATE OF JONES Friday, June 24, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

BELLE is inspired by the True Story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed-race Daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral.  Raised by her aristocratic Great-Uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his Wife (Emily Watson), Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing.  Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar’s son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.

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Fox Searchlight release BELLE on Friday, May 9, 2014 in Toronto, Friday, May 16, 2014 in Vancouver and Friday, May 23, 2014 in Calgary.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)