Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1.) A24 has cast out actors Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine to star in the upcoming horror thriller I Saw the TV Glow. Written and directed by non-binary filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, the film follows two teenage outcasts (Smith and Lundy-Paine) who bond over their shared interest in a scary television show— but after the program is mysteriously canceled, the boundary between TV and reality begins to blur. I Saw the TV Glow also has a strong musical presence, including out indie rock artist Lindsey Jordan (Snail Mail) and Haley Dahl’s Sloppy Jane, featuring out singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers! In more casting news, Barbie Ferreira has joined fellow queer actress Ariana DeBose in the forthcoming psychological thriller House of Spoils. The Amazon and Blumhouse film follows an ambitious chef (DeBose) who opens up her first restaurant and has to ward off the powerful spirit of the remote estate’s previous owner. Ferreira plays a hopeful but sharp-tongued sous chef.
Big news!! Behold the cast of I SAW THE TV GLOW, which if I might humbly brag is the coolest, wildest (and queerest) cast anyone has assembled in a minute.
I cannot wait for everyone to see the incredible work we all made together!! https://t.co/g5PVmQ8BU4 pic.twitter.com/EKsixbUBI9
— Jane Schoenbrun (@janeschoenbrun) August 24, 2022
2.) First-look footage of the drama The Listener has been released, starring out Emmy-nominated actress and producer Tessa Thompson. Bankside Films has boarded international sales for the film, which follows protagonist Beth (Thompson), a helpline volunteer caught in the midst of a raging tsunami. Thompson is the sole onscreen performer, supported by a voice-only cast including out stars Margaret Cho, Blu Del Barrio, and Alia Shawkat; watch a clip of the film here! In other Tessa Thompson news, the Westworld actress has been set to star in the sci-fi thriller Ash. The film follows a woman (Thompson) who wakes up on a distant planet to find the crew of her space station viciously murdered. While Thompson must decide if she can trust the man (Joseph Gorden-Levitt) sent to rescue her, their investigation sets off a terrifying chain of events and he begins to question how innocent she really is. In more LGBTQ film news, the first clip has been released of Blue Jean, the debut feature from British filmmaker Georgia Oakley. The film in set in 1980’s England, as the conservative govnment introduces Section 28, a clause which seeks to prohibit “the promotion of homosexuality” by local authories across the United Kingdom. Gym teacher Jean is forced to live a double life, while the arrival of a new girl at school challenges her to her core. Watch the clip here!
EXCLUSIVE: Bankside Films has boarded international sales for Steve Buscemi-directed #VeniceFilmFestival drama ‘The Listener’, starring Tessa Thompson https://t.co/TEC4hm5Apa
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) September 1, 2022
3.) Out Heartstopper breakout star Yasmin Finney has been set to lead the upcoming short film Mars. Based on a song by out musician Yungblud (Dominic Harrison), Mars follows Charlie Acaster (Finney), a teen who only wants to live a normal existence but an extraordinary night makes her reassess what truly matters in life. In more casting news, Randall Park has cast bisexual Good Trouble star Sherry Cola in his directorial debut Shortcomings. The film examines racial politics, sexual mores, and pop culture, while following cynical movie theater manager Ben (Justin H. Min) and his best friend Alice (Cola). Additionally, a first-look image has been released of trans actress and model Jamie Clayton as Pinhead in Hulu’s Hellraiser reboot, out October 7. Watch the teaser here and check out the image here!
4.) Shudder has released the first trailer for Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror, which premieres September 30. Executive produced by out Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller, the four part docuseries re-examines the horror and thriller genres through a queer lens— from its literary origins with queer authors such as Oscar Wilde to the AIDS epidemic’s influence on 80’s vampire films— seeing them as tales of survival that resonate with queer audiences everywhere. Check out the trailer below!
5.) OWN has released the season seven trailer for Queen Sugar ahead of its September 6 debut. The final season continues to follow the lives of estranged Bordelon siblings—including bisexual journalist and activist Nova, played by out actress Rutina Wesley—who work together to run their struggling sugar cane farm in the fictional Louisiana community of St. Josephine. Watch the trailer below!
6.) HBO has renewed the fantasy drama series House of the Dragon for a second season. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House of Targaryen. Non-binary actor Emma D’Arcy plays the titular Princess Rhaenyra, King Viserys’s first-born child who expects to become the Seven Kingdoms’ first queen regnant. In more HBO renewal news, DC’s Harley Quinn has been set for a fourth season with writer and consulting producer Sarah Peters as the new showrunner. The series follows the escapades of the titular Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and her partner-in-crime Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) as they rise to power in Gotham, and ultimately, fall in love. Watch the season three finale September 15 on HBO Max!
Fire reigns. #HouseoftheDragon has been renewed for Season 2. pic.twitter.com/6CxhzC7SKv
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) August 26, 2022
7.) Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka has been set to make her acting debut in the OUTtv comedy Ezra. The ten-part series follows the killer gay vampire Ezra who enters the modern world at Woodcress University after breaking free of the dark and demonic chains of his shadowy old home. Check out the trailer below, where Priyanka plays a version of herself! In other casting news, queer icon Miley Cyrus has been set as a guest star in NBC’s Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas, alongside Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Jimmie Allen and Zach Williams!
8.) Lesbian actress and director Clea DuVall has been cast in Peacock’s forthcoming mystery drama Poker Face. Though plot details of the 10-episode anthology-like series are being kept under wraps, DuVall joins previously announced out cast member Jameela Jamil. In more casting news, out comedian and actress Tig Notaro has joined season three of Apple TV+’s drama series The Morning Show as Amanda Robinson, the chief of staff to corporate titan Paul Marks.
EXCLUSIVE: Clea DuVall, Shane Paul McGhie, Angel Desai, newcomer Jasmine Aiyana Garvin and Leslie Silva have joined the cast of Peacock’s ‘Poker Face,’ a mystery drama series starring Natasha Lyonne, from Rian Johnson https://t.co/unRmAyKrAH
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 29, 2022
9.) Queer singer-songwriter Betty Who has teamed up with out Brazilian drag superstar Pabllo Vittar for a new remix of her latest single “She Can Dance”, off the forthcoming album BIG!, out October 14. Stream the single here and watch the music video below! In more music news, non-binary interdisciplinary artist Rio Romeo has released a new single entitled “Inarticulation”, off their forthcoming EP Good God!, out September 23; stream the song here!
10.) The winners of the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, with queer stars Dove Cameron (Best New Artist), Lil Nas X (Best Collaboration, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects), and Anitta (Best Latin) taking home trophies. Check out the full list of winners and watch Dove Cameron’s shout-out to queer kids in her acceptance speech below!
Sending major congratulations your way, @DoveCameron!
Dove took home the moon person for Best New Artist at the #VMAs! pic.twitter.com/yYRh9QyWCD
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 29, 2022
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