Film Interviews

Apple TV's feel-good comedy drama, Trying, returns for its fifth season. FILMHOUNDS writer Tom Mimnagh chats with stars Rafe Spall and Esther Smith about the show's longevity, working with top British challenge, and a potential season six. Trying is currently airing weekly on Apple TV. SYNOPSIS: Season five finds Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall) dealing with the consequences of Princess (Scarlett Rayner) and Tyler’s (Cooper Turner) biological mother Kat (Charlotte Riley) turning up at their doorstep, and the whirlwind of chaos she brings into their settled family life.

Misan Harriman is a Nigerian-born British photographer and activist, having risen to internet fame with his work documenting the events after George Floyd's murder. The documentary Shoot the People gives audiences an insight into Harriman's work, and the power of art and activism. At the film's UK premiere, FILMHOUNDS spoke with Harriman, as well as director Andy Mundy Castle and producer Aletha Shepherd. Shoot the People is in cinemas now. SYNOPSIS: Shoot the People is a documentary capturing photographer and activist Misan Harriman’s journey documenting global protest movements that drive social change. Following Harriman as he highlights the resilience of grassroots activists fighting for equality, civil rights, and social justice, the film showcases the intersectionality of these movements and their collective power. With historical context, interviews with activists, and explorations of digital activism, the documentary reveals how Harriman’s lens brings the world’s activism to light, inspiring viewers to recognise their own power in shaping a more just society.

Moana is back on the big screen, ten years after the first animated film came out, with the newest Disney live-action remake. Just like in the 2016 version, the new film follows Moana as she embarks on an adventure to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Ahead of the film’s release in cinemas, FILMHOUNDS sat down with director Thomas Kail to discuss the staying power of Moana, Broadway influences, and recasting the titular role. Moana is out in cinemas 10 July. SYNOPSIS: In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Silo, one of Apple TV's most adored sci-fi shows, is back for season three. After a bombshell season two finale and the introduction of a new timeline set in the past, we're introduced to journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) . Henwick and Zukerman spoke with FILMHOUNDS writer Kedar Bayley before the season three premiere about processes as a performer, coming into the show a couple of seasons in, and the lasting legacy of Silo. Silo is streaming weekly on Apple TV. SYNOPSIS: Season three of “Silo” continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier. In the present, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat. Meanwhile, in the “Before Times,” journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences. The series is based on Hugh Howey’s New York Times bestselling trilogy, “Silo.”

One of Apple TV's flagship sci-fi dramas, Silo, is back for season three. After a bombshell season two finale, the stakes have never been higher for those inside the titular silo, including couple Robert (Common) and Camille Sims (Alexandria Riley). Common and Riley spoke with FILMHOUNDS writer Kedar Bayley before the season three premiere about processes as a performer, coming back for another season, and the lasting legacy of Silo. Silo is streaming weekly on Apple TV. SYNOPSIS: Season three of “Silo” continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier. In the present, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat. Meanwhile, in the “Before Times,” journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences. The series is based on Hugh Howey’s New York Times bestselling trilogy, “Silo.”

Hit show House of the Dragon returns for more fire, blood, and treachery with season three. And what an episode to bring viewers back to the world of Westeros! Director of Photography P.J. Dillon reveals how he—and the other terrific artists—brought the bombastic first episode to life, and even teases what is to come with his work on epsiode six. House of the Dragon streams weekly on HBO Max. SYNOPSIS: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.

After a quick ascent to fame with his fan-favourite role in the Outlander spin-off series, Blood of My Blood, Séamus McLean Ross has scored his highest-profile project yet in James McAvoy's California Schemin'. Chatting with FILMHOUNDS writer Kedar Bayley, Ross discusses his aspirations to follow in McAvoy’s footsteps to the director's chair, his own Silibil N’ Brains-esque story in the industry, and more. California Schemin’ is available digitally and will be released on DVD/Blu Ray 6 July. SYNOPSIS: California Schemin’ is based on Gavin Bain’s autobiography of the same name, which was later re-printed as Straight Outta Scotland. The story of the hoax was first told in Jeanie Finlay's feature documentary The Great Hip Hop Hoax. In the late 90’s, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd had their musical ambitions consistently ridiculed for having the ‘wrong’ accents, so they went for broke and reinvented themselves as Californian rappers. ‘California Schemin’ shows how the duo re-recorded their own tracks with fake accents and turned up in London claiming to be an established duo on the California scene as well as childhood friends with Eminem. They quickly bagged themselves a record deal, a hefty sum in advances, and an appearance on MTV…until it all came crashing down.

The Rivals season two red carpet heated up SXSW London, and FILMHOUNDS writer Liselotte Vanophem got to speak with one of the series directors, Jamie Jay Johnston. They discuss the hype after season one's success, working with the cast and crew, and where Tony Baddingham's arc could take him in the second half of season two. The first six episodes of Rivals season two are available to watch now on Disney+. SYNOPSIS: Following Venturer’s unexpected success in the local TV world, Lord Baddingham is more determined than ever to bring his enemies down, offering a glimpse into the murky tactics he resorts to now that the gloves are fully off. Meanwhile, the messy love lives of Rutshire’s residents are starting to cause even more problems than usual, and in this glossy 1980s world, private drama has a habit of going public.

Things got steamy at the Barbican in London, as FILMHOUNDS writer Liselotte Vanophem chats with Rivals stars David Tennant and Claire Rushbrook on the SXSW London red carpet. Together they chat about fan expectations, cast chemistry, and the fates of their characters going into the second half of season two. The first six episodes of Rivals season two are available to watch now on Disney+. SYNOPSIS: Following Venturer’s unexpected success in the local TV world, Lord Baddingham is more determined than ever to bring his enemies down, offering a glimpse into the murky tactics he resorts to now that the gloves are fully off. Meanwhile, the messy love lives of Rutshire’s residents are starting to cause even more problems than usual, and in this glossy 1980s world, private drama has a habit of going public.