Dua Lipa performs at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. (Courtesy of Disney+ & the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Dua Lipa had a cameo in the 2023 blockbuster Barbie, but her next film, 2024’s Argylle, didn’t do that well. Now she’s aiming to split the difference with a role in a third film.
The “Levitating” singer has joined the cast of A24’s upcoming comedy Peaked, which is about two high school mean girls who “try to relive their glory days at their 10-year-reunion,” according to the studio.
The cast also includes Oscar winner Laura Dern, Heated Rivalry‘s Connor Storrie, Bridgerton‘s Simone Ashley, Gabby Windey from The Traitors, Emma Mackey from The Chronicles of Narnia and Saturday Night Live cast member Emil Wakim.
A24 has a history of featuring musicians in its films. Among those who have appeared over the years are Charli XCX, The Weeknd, Linkin Park’s Fred Durst, Phoebe Bridgers, Outkast’s Andre Benjamin, Janelle Monáe and rappers Megan Thee Stallion, Tyler, The Creator and Kid Cudi.
John Davidson attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on Feb. 22, 2026, in London, England. (Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)
The BBC is apologizing to viewers for airing racial slurs heard during the 2026 BAFTAs telecast Sunday.
“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the [online and streaming] version on BBC iPlayer,” a BBC spokesperson said.
Critics say the British broadcaster had time to edit out the slurs before the ceremony was broadcast on a two-hour delay. Other portions of the awards show were edited, including one award presenter saying “Free Palestine.”
During the awards show, often referred to as the “British Oscars,” there were several obscene outbursts from Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson, who was the inspiration for the movie I Swear.
Tourette syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a neurological condition that may cause involuntary movements and vocal tics, sometimes involving outbursts of inappropriate language.
One such outburst occurred while Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage Sunday night, with Davidson yelling a racial slur as the two actors were presenting the first award of the night.
Jordan and Lindo appeared startled by the incident but continued with their presentation.
Later in the ceremony, BAFTAs host Alan Cumming apologized directly to the audience and asked for their understanding.
“You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you were offended,” Cumming said.
Davidson left the ceremony partway through the proceedings, reportedly of his own accord, according to the BBC.
I Swear, which was nominated for five awards, won big at this year’s awards show, with star Robert Aramayo winning the leading actor award over category favorite Timothée Chalamet, who was nominated for MartySupreme.
Paul Mescal attends the photocall for the ‘Hamnet’ Photography Exhibition at Tristan Hoare Gallery on Dec. 16, 2025, in London, England. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Paul Mescal is looking forward to taking a break.
The actor, who stars as William Shakespeare in the new film Hamnet, recently told The Guardian that audiences can expect to see less of him on their movie screens for a while.
“Once I’ve finished promoting [Hamnet],” Mescal said, “I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I’m doing the Beatles. People will get a break from me and I’ll get a break from them.”
Mescal is set to play Paul McCartney in Sony’s upcoming Beatles films, which are releasing in 2028.
Along with Mescal, The Beatles movies will star Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles — John Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film about the band.
Sam Mendes will direct four different films, each told from a different member of The Beatles’ point of view. They will all intersect to tell the full story of the band’s history, according to a press release from Sony.
Mescal found his big break by starring in the Hulu series Normal People, which premiered in 2020. He says he’s been working continuously since then.
“I’m five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky. But I’m also learning that I don’t think I can go on doing it as much,” Mescal said.
When asked if that means he is going to ration himself in the years to come, the actor said, “I think so.”
“I’m gonna have to start doing that. For sure. … Rationing doesn’t necessarily mean less,” Mescal said.
Stellan Skarsgård as Gustav Borg in ‘Sentimental Value.’ (Kasper Tuxen Andersen)
Stellan Skarsgård appeared in many iconic franchises and critically acclaimed films prior to Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. But it’s his performance as Gustav Borg in the 2025 movie that has earned him his first-ever Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. If he wins, he will become the first Swedish male actor to ever win an Oscar for acting, as well as the first Nordic male actor to do so.
At the time of the film’s release, the 74-year-old actor spoke to ABC Audio about what this exciting season of life has been like and whether this momentum feels particularly different.
“I haven’t played that many leading parts in America,” Skarsgård said. “I mean, I’ve played some bad guys.”
It’s true: he was the baddie Baron Vladimir Harkonnen in Dune. But he’s also the morally gray Luthen Rael in Andor and one of Sophie’s three lovable dads in Mamma Mia! He’s right, they aren’t leading parts, but they’re surely memorable, and Skarsgård says he learns from them all.
“Every year I learn, and from every project, and I develop as an actor and I find I’m more experienced. It’s a wonderful work,” Skarsgård said.
The actor said the more that he continues acting, the more he can shed “all the anxieties of youth.”
“You don’t give a f*** about it. You become more simple,” he said. “You peel off the layers of b*******.”
The actor says the older he gets, the better actor he is.
“I’m getting better,” he said. “Come back in 10 years. I’ll be really good.”
The Oscars will take place on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The show will air live on ABC and will also stream live on Hulu.
