Big Brother 28 Episode 3 finally completed the season’s first Head of Household competition on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The CBS broadcast ran 90 minutes from 8/7c after two earlier shows left the contest unresolved. By the end, Dee Valladares held the first HOH power and the season’s opening Nominations were set.

An early episode listing incorrectly called July 12, 2026 a Thursday. It also showed an 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM ET recap window, although the broadcast was scheduled for 90 minutes.

The episode also established the season’s early social structure. Alliances formed at high speed, Rick Devens shared dangerous information, and Lyric and Rome accelerated a showmance on Day 2. Meanwhile, Mallory’s uncomfortable conversation with Dee became one of the night’s biggest discussion points.

Big Brother 28 Episode 3 Finishes the First HOH

The competition carried over from the Friday, July 10, 2026, Unlocked episode. Angela, Dee, and Devens each represented one of 3 teams formed from the 14 new Houseguests. Their teammates held ropes that balanced a platform while each leader assembled a fire puzzle.

That structure made every mistake communal. A loose rope or uneven pull could send a completed section crashing down. It also created immediate tension because the losing groups faced Have-Not life.

Angela moved close to victory, but her puzzle fell and forced her to restart. Devens also lost his progress after his platform shifted. Taylor may have contributed to Devens’ collapse while their feud continued, although he did not realize it.

Dee stayed composed and kept her lead. She completed the puzzle first and officially became the season’s first Head of Household. A Reddit viewer later mocked Kamu’s suggestion that he had helped secure the victory: “You held a rope brother relax.”

Dee’s win also completed the special-guest switch introduced during the Thursday, July 9, 2026, premiere. The first 14 Houseguests had moved in before Angela, Devens, and Rachel appeared. Rachel’s stay was only a production trick, even though several players reportedly attempted F2 deals with her.

Dee Valladares, the winner of Survivor 45, replaced Rachel and entered the competition. That immediately gave the cast two Survivor alumni in Dee and Devens, plus returning Big Brother player Angela.

Dee Valladares, Houseguest on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

The Have-Not Room Delivers an Immediate Punishment

The HOH losers did not simply miss power. Their groups also faced the season’s first Have-Not punishment. The room contained no conventional beds, pillows, or comfortable sleeping surfaces.

Instead, the Houseguests found sacks and an old-fashioned device that spun through the night. Kristine Francis described the room as “essentially a torture chamber.” Devens appeared less bothered because he said he had slept in worse places.

The punishment reinforced why the team format mattered, even if the groups may not last. Older seasons used coaches and cliques to force early loyalties. Here, production used the 3 teams to create consequences before the players had established stable relationships.

Dee Builds Two Alliances Before Making Nominations

Dee’s first HOH came with a difficult social problem. The Houseguests had only recently introduced themselves, and several had already hidden their real jobs. Dee therefore needed information, safety, and nomination options almost immediately.

Angela moved quickly. She approached Dee as someone who understood the pressure attached to the first HOH. Angela gained Dee’s trust and also adopted a protective, “mama bear” role with Jason.

Jason presented himself as fearless while performing as a drag queen. However, he appeared less secure when interacting simply as Jason. That contrast gave Angela an opening to support him socially.

A separate group formed around Kamu, Chuk, and Haley. Kamu first approached Chuk, while Chuk believed he brought Haley into the structure. Kamu later took credit after the group added Dee.

Haley also acknowledged that Kamu fit her romantic type. That possibility raised comparisons to the three-person dynamic that helped Vinny reach the final 3 last season. However, that arrangement may also have damaged Vinny’s relationship with his girlfriend after he lost.

Dee wanted Devens included with Kamu, Chuk, and Haley. Yet Dee and Devens were already building a separate partnership between the two Survivor veterans. Their plans divided naturally: Dee wanted strong competitors, while Devens preferred misfits and outsiders.

Angela fit Devens’ description because other experienced players knew she could crack under pressure. Still, Devens believed honesty could keep her loyal. He told Angela about the other group, then also shared information with Drew.

That second disclosure created the episode’s sharpest strategic disagreement. Several viewers thought telling Angela was sensible but involving Drew was reckless. One reaction summarized the split: “I think it was the right move for him but probably not for Dee.”

Fans compared Devens’ disclosure to Quinn revealing The Pentagon to the Visionaries. Others compared Dee’s growing control to BB25 Cirie and mentioned Emily Flippen while debating Devens’ instincts. The broader concern was simple: Dee had built two alliances during a game expected to last 3 months, not 26 days.

The Red Corner and The Crossovers Take Shape

The episode introduced two alliance labels that quickly became part of the discussion. The group around Dee, Kamu, Chuk, and Haley became associated with the Red Corner. However, viewers immediately questioned whether Dee genuinely intended to follow that group’s demands.

Red Corner members discussed breaking up a trio involving Melody, Lyric, and Mallory. Barrett also entered the conversation because nominating him could prevent the move from appearing directed only at women.

Meanwhile, Dee, Devens, and Angela strengthened their special-player connection. They also pulled in Barrett and Drew, creating a broader structure referred to as The Crossovers. Barrett’s willingness to accept the invitation gave him a possible path, even though he was not present when every part of the alliance formed.

The alliance chart was already difficult to follow on Day 2. One viewer joked that Big Brother had become so inclusive that everyone belonged to the majority alliance. Another simply wrote, “I’m going to need a diagram.”

Lyric and Rome Move Fast While Mallory Struggles

Strategy was not the only story. Lyric and Rome quickly recognized that they matched each other’s usual type. Lyric liked that Rome behaved like a gentleman, while Rome saw Lyric as exactly his type.

The pair soon kissed and shared a bed. Their roommates appeared uncomfortable because the relationship had advanced so quickly. The fact that it happened on Day 2 made the speed even more conspicuous.

Mallory faced a different kind of attention. Her one-on-one conversation with Dee became awkward as Mallory overexplained herself and struggled to ask direct game questions. Some viewers saw a player talking herself into danger.

Others blamed the television edit. One Reddit commenter wrote, “This is giving heavy editing manipulation.” Another argued that Dee gave Mallory little conversational help, which made the exchange look worse.

The conflicting reactions matter because Mallory’s social performance directly affected Dee’s decision. The first HOH often relies on limited impressions. An uncomfortable conversation can therefore become more damaging than it would later in the season.

Contestant Breakdown for Episode 3

• Dee Valladares: Survivor 45 winner, Rachel’s replacement, first HOH, and leader of overlapping alliances.
• Angela: returning Big Brother player, HOH finalist, Dee ally, Jason protector, and member of The Crossovers.
• Rick Devens: Survivor alumnus, HOH finalist, Dee’s veteran partner, and the player who exposed Red Corner information to Angela and Drew.
• Rachel: special premiere guest whose appearance was a production trick before Dee entered.
• Taylor: player feuding with Devens and one of Dee’s first nominees.
• Jason: Houseguest supported by Angela and described as more fearless in drag than as himself.
• Kamu: central Red Corner strategist who connected with Chuk, Haley, and Dee.
• Chuk: early ally of Kamu who helped bring Haley into the group.
• Haley: Red Corner member who said Kamu fit her type.
• Lyric: Rome’s fast-moving romantic connection and part of the trio discussed as a target.
• Rome: Lyric’s Day 2 showmance partner.
• Mallory: awkward HOH-room visitor, discussed target, and one of Dee’s first nominees.
• Melody: member of the trio discussed by Red Corner and a possible backup option.
• Barrett: possible Red Corner target who was later drawn into The Crossovers.
• Drew: Crossovers member who received sensitive information from Devens.
• Yash: one of Dee’s first nominees.
• Ashley: Houseguest whom viewers wanted to see establish stronger game connections; no further biographical detail was confirmed.
• Vinny: prior-season finalist referenced when the new three-person relationship dynamics emerged.

Dee Nominates Mallory, Taylor, and Yash

The episode’s final Nominations were Mallory, Taylor, and Yash. Dee selected one player from each of the 3 HOH competition groups. That approach gave her a simple explanation and reduced the appearance of targeting one alliance.

The result also clarified a confusing CBS synopsis. The description said the new HOH would nominate “two other Houseguests for Eviction.” However, the returning Block Buster twist requires 3 nominees while it remains active.

That makes Dee’s first week more complicated than a standard opening HOH. She holds power, but she has also promised safety, created overlapping alliances, and shared information with players who may not stay quiet.

What Big Brother 28 Episode 3 Changed

Big Brother 28 Episode 3 did more than crown the first HOH. It established Dee as the early center of the house and showed how quickly her control could become unstable.

She won the fire puzzle, survived the team format, and spread her Nominations across 3 groups. Yet her alliance network already depends on Kamu, Chuk, Haley, Angela, Devens, Barrett, and Drew believing different versions of her plan.

Related: Big Brother 2026: Week 1 Power of Veto Results Revealed

The episode also gave the season its first showmance, its first Have-Not nightmare, and its first major editing debate. Most importantly, Mallory, Taylor, and Yash now occupy the Block while Dee tries to keep two alliances from colliding.

 

 

 

 

 

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Ice-T is returning to every episode of Law and Order SVU Season 28 after working part-time during Season 27. He confirmed the expanded schedule during a long conversation with Towanda Robinson on The TMZ Podcast. The rapper and actor has played Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola since the show’s second season in 2000.

The change restores one of the NBC drama’s most familiar characters to a weekly presence. Ice-T said, “So this next season, I’m going to be in every episode.” He also made his longer-term goal clear: “I want to go to Season 30.”

Why Ice-T Had a Smaller Role in Season 27

Ice-T’s reduced Season 27 workload came from a budget adjustment rather than a creative exit. Producers wanted Kelli Giddish back as Amanda Rollins, so they reduced some of Fin’s scenes. Ice-T asked whether the show was removing him, but management said it was only moving money and screen time around.

He did not blame Giddish for the decision. Instead, he understood why the team wanted her back. The lighter schedule also gave him more time for personal projects and other paid work.

That flexibility mattered because a full production schedule can require five days a week. Ice-T said that commitment can restrict his hustle. Still, he accepted the change and focused on getting the series from Season 27 to Season 28.

TMZ divided the wider interview into video segments labeled “ICE’S TEA” and “THE ‘T’ ON COCO.” Robinson and Ice-T also discussed Coco Austin’s social media presence and his new venture, OG Network.

Ice-T’s Law and Order SVU Season 28 Schedule

LAW & ORDER: SVU / Pictured: Ice T as Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola / Photo by: Virginia Sherwood

Ice-T had already signaled that work was close. On July 1, 2026, he posted, “SVU we start back filming Season28 Mid July!” As of July 12, 2026, production could begin during that week, although a precise first filming date was not confirmed.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 28 premieres Thursday, October 8, at 9/8c on NBC. Peacock is also associated with the series, although the supplied coverage did not confirm a precise Season 28 streaming window.

The upcoming season follows Ice-T’s part-time Season 27 run. However, the total number of Season 28 episodes was not confirmed. His promise still means Fin should appear whenever NBC airs a new episode.

Complete Season 28 Cast and Creator Breakdown

The confirmed star list includes Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, Kevin Kane, and Aimé Donna Kelly. The available coverage does not provide ages, hometowns, or occupations for the cast. It also does not confirm every character assignment for Season 28.

• Mariska Hargitay stars as Capt. Olivia Benson and also serves as an executive producer.
• Ice T plays Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola, also identified as Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola.
• Peter Scanavino appears as A.D.A. Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr.
• Kelli Giddish returns as Amanda Rollins.
• Kevin Kane is included in the announced star lineup.
• Aimé Donna Kelly is included in the announced star lineup.

Dick Wolf created the series and remains an executive producer. Michele Fazekas, Mariska Hargitay, Kenneth Brown, and Peter Jankowski also executive produce. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, produces the drama with Wolf Entertainment.

Season 27 imagery also connects several of those veterans. “Fidelis Ad Mortem,” Episode 27010, shows Peter Scanavino, Ice T, and Mariska Hargitay together. “Monster,” Episode 27021, features Ice T as Fin. Virginia Sherwood/NBC photographed both episode images. Other promotional imagery carries NBCUniversal credit and an NBC YouTube screencap.

Mariska Hargitay Will Direct the 600th Episode

Season 28 also carries a major milestone for Hargitay. During The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, she said, “They just asked me to direct the 600th!” She added that the landmark installment would be episode six next year.

Hargitay also revisited Benson’s relationship with Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni. She and Meloni disagreed with Dick Wolf’s final choice for their near-kiss in S24E12, “Blood Out.” The actors filmed different takes, including a version that went further than the scene eventually broadcast.

Her response to the editing decision was direct: “We disagreed.” Even so, Hargitay did not close the door on a future Stabler-Benson reunion. She indicated that their story was not finished.

That possibility now exists after Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled. Meloni also has Hulu’s upcoming The Land. Therefore, any future crossover would have to fit around that project and the continuing NBC series.

Why Fin’s Full-Time Return Matters

Ice-T has played Fin for a quarter-century and more than 400 episodes. In February 2026, Wolf Entertainment announced on X that his 400-plus-episode tenure set a U.S. primetime record. He has played one scripted television role for more episodes than any other actor.

That history gives his Season 28 return more weight than a routine scheduling update. Fin has remained part of the show through changing partners, supervisors, and cast configurations. A full-season commitment also keeps Hargitay and Ice-T together as the drama approaches episode 600.

Created by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf, the series is the longest-running primetime drama in American television history. It follows the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department. The elite squad investigates sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence.

The NBC series began in 1999 and is listed as running 1999–. It carries a TV14 rating and spans crime drama, drama, action, thriller, and mystery. The show’s cases also place Benson, Fin, and their colleagues against some of New York City’s worst criminals.

Related: ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Shocks Fans by Death in Season 27 Premiere

For Law and Order SVU, Ice-T’s return removes the uncertainty created by Fin’s reduced Season 27 presence. Season 28 now combines his weekly role, Hargitay’s 600th-episode directing assignment, and an October 8 premiere. The only major scheduling details still unconfirmed are the final episode count, the exact first filming date, and Peacock’s streaming timetable.

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The Marvel Avengers Doomsday cast reveal has finally moved beyond names on chairs. Marvel Studios unveiled official Avengers: Doomsday concept art during the Bilibili World Expo in Shanghai on July 12, 2026. The enormous Andy Park illustration places Doctor Doom above the Avengers, New Avengers, Fantastic Four and returning X-Men.

It is the clearest official view yet of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom. His metal mask, dark green cloak and blue magical glow dominate the composition. Meanwhile, Loki appears as a small figure between Doom and three color-coded hero groups.

Park, Marvel Studios’ former Director of Visual Development, called Doomsday “the final full film” he led for the company. He was laid off from Marvel earlier in 2026. Park also said, “It was truly an honor,” before describing the illustration as “a beast to paint.” The image officially reveals the characters and their looks for the first time.

Marvel Avengers Doomsday Cast Reveal Spans Three Universes

The artwork brings together heroes from Earth-199999, identified here as the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Earth-828, the home of The Fantastic Four: First Steps; and Earth-10005, associated with the Fox X-Men film franchise. Marvel describes the story as a collision among heroes from three universes facing an existential threat.

Doctor Doom stands at the center. Steve Rogers appears with the longer hair and beard seen in Avengers: Infinity War, and he wields Mjolnir. Reed Richards wears a jacket matching his fellow First Steps castmates, while the Fantastic Four use variations of their blue-and-white uniforms.

The X-Men finally receive more comic-inspired costumes. Cyclops wears blue and yellow, while Magneto appears in red and purple. Beast, Mystique and Nightcrawler also wear recognizable comic designs. The group reflects the 20th Century Fox movies of the 2000s and 2010s.

Loki’s central placement follows the conclusion of Loki Season 2 and his 2021-23 Disney+ story. However, concept art is not necessarily a literal finished scene. Character placement, costumes and even the roster can still change during production.

Complete Avengers: Doomsday Cast and Character Breakdown

The official and reported roster contains 34 performers. The ages below are the July 12, 2026 figures supplied with the cast breakdown.

• Robert Downey Jr., born April 4, 1965, is 61 years old. He plays Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom with a heavily accented voice, separating the villain from Tony Stark. Anthony and Joe Russo selected him for the character’s complexity. Downey also developed a background narrative and contributed costume ideas.
• Chris Evans, born June 13, 1981, is 45 years old. He returns as Steve Rogers after the character ended Avengers: Endgame in the 1940s. The new story reportedly gives the heroes a compelling reason to need Rogers again.
• Chris Hemsworth, born August 11, 1983, is 42 years old. The Australian actor again plays Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder based on the Norse deity.
• Pedro Pascal, born April 2, 1975, is 51 years old. He plays Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, the stretching scientific leader of the Fantastic Four.
• Vanessa Kirby, born April 18, 1988, is 38 years old. She plays Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Reed’s wife, who can become invisible and create force fields.
• Joseph Quinn, born January 26, 1994, is 32 years old. He plays Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Sue’s younger brother, who can ignite, fly and project heat.
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach, born March 19, 1977, is 49 years old. He plays Ben Grimm/the Thing, Reed’s closest friend and the Fantastic Four’s orange-rock powerhouse.
• Anthony Mackie, born September 23, 1978, is 47 years old. He plays Sam Wilson/Captain America, a former pararescueman who fights with an advanced wing pack.
• Danny Ramirez, born September 17, 1992, is 33 years old. He plays Joaquin Torres/Falcon, a United States Air Force first lieutenant and Avengers member.
• Simu Liu, born April 19, 1989, is 37 years old. He plays Xu Shang-Chi, wielder of the Ten Rings and son of Xu Wenwu. Since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, he has become more mature, confident and experienced.
• Letitia Wright, born October 31, 1993, is 32 years old. She plays Shuri/Black Panther, Wakanda’s former princess, whose synthesized heart-shaped herb grants enhanced abilities.
• Winston Duke, born November 15, 1986, is 39 years old. He plays M’Baku, sovereign ruler and leader of Wakanda’s Jabari tribe.
• Paul Rudd, born April 6, 1969, is 57 years old. He plays Scott Lang/Ant-Man, whose specialized suit lets him shrink, grow and gain tremendous strength.
• Florence Pugh, born January 3, 1996, is 30 years old. She plays Yelena Belova, a Red Room-trained Black Widow assassin and core New Avengers member.
• Sebastian Stan, born August 13, 1982, is 43 years old. He plays Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, the cybernetic-armed de facto leader of the New Avengers.
• David Harbour, born April 10, 1975, is 51 years old. He plays Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, a Russian super soldier and father figure to Yelena.
• Wyatt Russell, born July 10, 1986, is 40 years old. He plays John Walker/U.S. Agent, a serum-enhanced former Captain America.
• Hannah John-Kamen, born September 7, 1989, is 36 years old. She plays Ava Starr/Ghost, a New Avenger who can phase through solid objects.
• Lewis Pullman, born January 29, 1993, is 33 years old. He plays Bob Reynolds/Sentry, whose dark alter ego is the Void. His power is rumored to exceed the combined Avengers roster.
• James Marsden, born September 18, 1973, is 52 years old. He plays Scott Summers/Cyclops, the X-Men leader whose ruby-quartz visor controls destructive optic energy.
• Kelsey Grammer, born February 21, 1955, is 71 years old. He plays Hank McCoy/Beast, the blue-furred mutant scientist with fangs, claws and exceptional agility.
• Rebecca Romijn, born November 6, 1972, is 53 years old. She plays Raven Darkhölme/Mystique, who can copy another person’s appearance and voice.
• Alan Cumming, born January 27, 1965, is 61 years old. He plays Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, the blue-skinned teleporter. Modern makeup cut his preparation to an hour and a half, far below his experience on X2.
• Channing Tatum, born April 26, 1980, is 46 years old. He plays Remy LeBeau/Gambit, who charges objects with kinetic energy. After Deadpool & Wolverine, Tatum will reduce the exaggerated Cajun accent for a more serious tone.
• Ian McKellen, born May 25, 1939, is 87 years old. He plays Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, who manipulates electromagnetic fields.
• Patrick Stewart, born July 13, 1940, is 85 years old. He plays Charles Xavier/Professor X, the wheelchair-using telepath and founder of the X-Men.
• Tom Hiddleston, born February 9, 1981, is 45 years old. He plays Loki, Thor’s adopted brother and the multiversal timeline’s crucial guardian.
• Tenoch Huerta Mejía, born January 29, 1981, is 45 years old. He plays Namor, Talokan’s mutant ruler, who breathes underwater and on land and flies using ankle wings.
• Alex Livinalli, born December 21, 1984, is 41 years old. He plays Attuma, Namor’s ally and a powerful Talokan warrior.
• Mabel Cadena, born September 23, 1990, is 35 years old. She plays Namora, Namor’s cousin, trusted adviser and right-hand Talokanil warrior.
• India Rose Hemsworth plays Love.
• Kathryn Newton plays Cassie Lang.
• Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Stephen Strange.
• Hayley Atwell plays Peggy Carter.

How the Heroes Are Grouped in Andy Park’s Artwork

Park divides the ensemble into three smaller triangles. Steve Rogers and Thor stand with Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, U.S. Agent, Sentry, Winter Soldier and Ant-Man. Sam Wilson’s Captain America leads another group with Falcon, Shang-Chi, Black Panther and M’Baku beside the Fantastic Four.

The mutant section includes Cyclops, Beast, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier. Meanwhile, Namor, Attuma and Namora extend the coalition toward Talokan. Love, Cassie Lang, Doctor Stephen Strange and Peggy Carter appear on the wider cast list, although they are not all clearly identifiable in the central illustration.

Marvel first announced many performers through a multi-hour livestream in March 2025. Robert Downey Jr. was announced as Victor von Doom at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024. Marvel still has not explained whether Doom’s resemblance to Tony Stark will matter within the story.

Why the Massive Lineup Is Already Dividing Fans

The art sells scale, yet it also exposes the movie’s central risk. One composition must service Avengers veterans, the New Avengers, Wakanda, Talokan, the Fantastic Four and the original X-Men. That creates tremendous action potential, but it leaves limited room for individual arcs.

Forbes contributor Paul Tassi called the cast image a “nightmare” and argued the lineup looks “bad.” His criticism focused on Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four receiving top billing after one movie, the return of the Fox X-Men, and Downey playing Doom after Tony Stark. He also argued that losing Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa weakened the Wakanda storyline now carried by Shuri and M’Baku.

Still, the illustration offers visual clarity that the cast announcement lacked. Doctor Doom commands the frame, while the three hero clusters establish separate worlds before their collision. The structure suggests a multiversal war rather than one oversized Avengers team operating from the opening scene.

Release Date, Directors and What Comes Next

Anthony and Joe Russo return after directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is among the producers.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars follows on December 17, 2027. Before Doomsday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives July 31, 2026, and VisionQuest premieres October 14, 2026.

At Bilibili World, Feige teased, “you might see Yelena a little bit sooner in the movies.” Because Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the only MCU theatrical release before Doomsday, the comment points toward a possible Yelena Belova appearance with Peter Parker. Marvel has not formally confirmed that crossover.

Feige also indicated that Jake Schreier’s planned X-Men movie will center on female characters. Meanwhile, Marvel has already released four Doomsday teaser videos.

A full public trailer is expected around Marvel’s Saturday, July 25, 2026 San Diego Comic-Con panel during SDCC ’26. However, Marvel has not confirmed that exact trailer plan.

Related: Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Runtime, Release & Massive Cast Explained

The Marvel Avengers Doomsday cast reveal confirms the broadest collision Marvel Studios has attempted. The concept art finally gives that collision a visual hierarchy: Doom above, Loki between worlds, and three uneasy alliances preparing for December 18.

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Mayor of Kingstown has wrapped filming on Season 5 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Therefore, Taylor Sheridan’s 5-Part crime thriller is moving toward its final 2026 run. Paramount+ has not confirmed an official return date.

Jeremy Renner, who plays Mike McLusky, marked the production milestone himself. “Finishing our SEASON 5 …. It has been a great run this year in Pittsburgh PA,” Renner wrote. He then added, “We hope you enjoy.”

Season 5 has been confirmed as the final season. However, Renner has resisted treating it as a definitive farewell. That tension gives the wrap announcement an unusual edge: production is finished, but its star is not publicly closing the door.

Mayor of Kingstown Season 5 Cast and Release Status

The confirmed information offers only a partial final-season cast picture. Jeremy Renner remains the central figure as Mike McLusky. Edie Falco also joined Renner for a Season 4 interview, but her Season 5 status was not confirmed.

• Jeremy Renner: Mike McLusky and the actor who announced the Season 5 production wrap.
• Edie Falco: Featured with Renner in a Season 4 interview; a Season 5 role remains unconfirmed.

Likewise, Paramount+ has not announced a Season 5 premiere date. The only confirmed window is 2026. That leaves the network room to position the finale around Sheridan’s increasingly crowded release calendar.

Taylor Sheridan’s Slate Keeps Expanding

Sheridan has expanded the Dutton story through Marshals and Dutton Ranch. Reception for the two offshoots varied widely. Nevertheless, both attracted enough viewing to earn Season 2 renewals.

His movie schedule is also filling quickly. The action thriller F.A.S.T. opens worldwide on April 23, 2027. Sheridan is also writing a Call of Duty movie for Paramount, with Peter Berg directing. That film is dated June 30, 2028.

Meanwhile, Lioness returns on August 2, 2026. The series went on hiatus during 2024 while Sheridan focused on Landman and Tulsa King. Zoe Saldaña originally signed a three-season deal, and no extension beyond that agreement has been reported.

Analysis: That schedule makes the Mayor of Kingstown finale more than one ending. It also creates a transition point within Sheridan’s Paramount+ portfolio. The prison-town drama is closing while several newer franchises compete for the same crime-drama audience.

The Westies Cast Brings Familiar Crime-Drama DNA

That competition now includes The Westies, which premieres on MGM+ on July 12, 2026. The 8-episode drama is set in 1980s Hell’s Kitchen. Chris Brancato and Michael Panes created the series around the violent Irish gang and its uneasy relationship with the Gambino crime family.

Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons leads the gang as Eamon Sweeney. Hamish Allan-Headley plays John Gotti, a real-life figure associated with the Gambino crime family. Allan-Headley previously played SWAT leader Robert Sawyer on Mayor of Kingstown.

• J.K. Simmons: Eamon Sweeney
• Titus Welliver: Glenn Keenan
• Tom Brittney: James “Jimmy” Roarke
• Jessica Frances Dukes: Birdie Polk
• Stanley Morgan: Mickey Flanagan
• Sarah Bolger: Bridget Walsh
• Allen Leech: Brendan Cahill
• Hamish Allan-Headley: John Gotti
• Vincent Walsh: Eddie Breen
• Hilary McCormack: Erin Malone

In an exclusive MovieWeb interview, Allan-Headley said the show explores “a lot of Taylor’s themes.” He specifically identified “family and loyalty.” He also pointed to recurring archetypes involving “brothers, all that sort of stuff.”

Analysis: Those themes explain why The Westies could appeal to Mayor of Kingstown viewers. Both dramas place family obligations inside criminal power structures. However, MGM+ shifts the conflict from a modern prison economy to organized crime in 1980s New York.

The Agency Challenges Dutton Ranch on Paramount+

Paramount+ has another threat to Sheridan’s dominance. The Agency premiered in 2024 with Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Katherine Waterston, Richard Gere, and Dominic West. John-Henry Butterworth and Jez Butterworth created the spy thriller. Jez Butterworth also serves as an executive producer on MobLand.

The first season received mixed reviews despite its production values and A-list cast. Its Rotten Tomatoes score reached 66%. Season 2 improved sharply to 92%.

The current 10/10 billing should not be confused with that 92% aggregate score. The figures measure different critical signals rather than creating a direct contradiction. Still, the improvement helps explain the show’s stronger streaming position.

According to FlixPatrol, Dutton Ranch remains the number one show on Paramount+. The Agency sits at number two and is snapping at its heels. Therefore, Sheridan still leads the service, but the margin is no longer comfortable.

Analysis: The rivalry matters because it is happening inside Paramount+ rather than against another platform. Dutton Ranch protects Sheridan’s top position. At the same time, The Agency proves that a non-Sheridan thriller can challenge his audience on the same service.

What Comes Next for Mayor of Kingstown

The immediate question remains unanswered: Paramount+ has not confirmed when Season 5 will premiere in 2026. A full final-season cast list and plot synopsis also remain unconfirmed. For now, the production wrap is the clearest sign that the endgame is close.

Mayor of Kingstown will return to a much more crowded crime-TV landscape. The Westies offers family, loyalty, and gang warfare on MGM+. Meanwhile, The Agency is pressing Dutton Ranch inside Paramount+ itself.

Related: Mayor of Kingstown S4E8 ‘Belleville’ drops Dec 14

That competition does not diminish the finale. Instead, it raises the stakes around Sheridan’s 5-Part drama. Season 5 now has to close Mike McLusky’s story while reminding viewers why Mayor of Kingstown endured through 2026.

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The Miz has wrestled almost every kind of WWE opponent during a career spanning nearly 20 years. During My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, he sorted those rivals by strength, humor, stiffness, technical skill, and sheer physical pain.

For anyone asking, “Who is The Miz?” these answers offer a useful snapshot. He is a veteran with over 2000 official WWE matches, also formatted as over 2,000, plus years of experience across wins, losses, and title changes.

The Miz’s Complete WWE Opponent Breakdown

• Strongest: Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi made the final two. However, The Miz chose Lesnar as the strongest.
• Funniest: Santino Marella topped the list, while R-Truth ranked close behind.
• Stiffest: Sheamus and Matt Cardona earned that distinction.
• Best technical performers: Alex Shelly and Bryan Danielson received the nod.
• Most painful finisher: Great Khali’s offense ranked first, ahead of powerbombs and chokeslams generally.

The strength discussion started with a broader WWE comparison. Mark Henry, John Cena, and The Undertaker have produced huge displays of power. Meanwhile, Ricochet, Shawn Michaels, and Jeff Hardy represent a different class of athleticism.

Even so, The Miz narrowed his own experience to two names. He answered, “Brock [Lesnar]. Oba [Femi],” before giving the final decision to Brock.

Why The Miz Put Brock Lesnar Above Oba Femi

The choice carries extra weight because Oba Femi has become one of WWE’s most imposing current stars. Yet The Miz still placed Brock Lesnar at the top.

Lesnar’s reputation rests on more than appearance. During his current feud with Femi, “The Beast” can lift “The Ruler” into the F5 with startling ease.

The Miz has also spent time building up Danhausen. However, his near 20 year WWE career gives him a deeper pool of opponents than almost anyone.

Santino Marella and R-Truth Made The Miz Laugh

When the subject shifted to comedy, The Miz immediately named Santino Marella. He said, “Santino Marella,” then explained, “every time I would have a match with him, I would be laughing during the match.”

R-Truth also stood near the top. The Miz described Truth as unlike any other superstar he had met. He also praised him for “still making us laugh, still making us feel.”

The reaction to R-Truth’s release tweet in 2025 showed that connection. WWE superstars publicly objected, while fans started chanting, “We Want Truth!” The response became a movement that helped bring him back.

The Miz and R-Truth have also teamed as Awesome Truth. They became Tag Team Champions together many times, adding history behind the praise.

Kit Wilson has separately argued that The Miz may not receive full credit until he retires from in-ring competition. That assessment fits a wrestler whose value often appears through adaptability rather than one narrow specialty.

The Miz Names WWE’s Stiffest and Best Technicians

Sheamus and Matt Cardona stood out as the stiffest opponents. The Miz said, “I like wrestling those types of superstars because you can feel every ounce.”

Technical wrestling produced two different answers. Alex Shelly and Bryan Danielson represented the highest level of craftsmanship in his experience.

That combination matters. The list does not treat wrestling ability as one trait. Instead, it separates raw power, athleticism, comedy, physical contact, and technique.

The Most Painful Finishers The Miz Has Taken

The Miz also identified the moves that hurt most. “Any type of powerbomb” made the list because the wrestler lands flat after being elevated on an opponent’s shoulders.

Kevin Owens’ Pop-Up Powerbomb was rough, although The Miz did not rank it as the worst. He also said, “A chokeslam is pretty brutal.” When he rises high and lands, the reaction is simple: “Oof, ooh, your back feels it!”

Great Khali ultimately took the top spot. “Holy cow,” The Miz recalled. “Great Khali would have to be number one.”

Rusev has also trapped The Miz in The Accolade during a SmackDown clash. Still, the chokeslam and Great Khali’s finisher dominated this particular pain ranking.

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has offered a similar perspective. RVD named the Alabama Slam as his least favorite move because the landing can send a wrestler’s head toward the mat. He also listed the chokeslam among the most unpleasant moves to absorb.

What The Miz’s Answers Reveal

The list explains why The Miz has lasted through the past 20 years. He recognizes what each opponent does differently, whether that means Lesnar’s strength, Marella’s timing, or Danielson’s technique.

Therefore, the strongest answer is only part of the story. The Miz’s career has required him to work with giants, technicians, comedians, and hard hitters without losing his own identity.

Related: Asuka’s WWE Future Clouded After Backlash Loss to Iyo

That versatility also answers “Who is The Miz?” He is a durable WWE veteran who can make many styles work. His choices reveal respect for Brock Lesnar, Oba Femi, Santino Marella, R-Truth, Sheamus, Matt Cardona, Alex Shelly, Bryan Danielson, Great Khali, and everyone between those extremes.

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Warning: This story contains Big Brother 28 spoilers from the live feeds.

Big Brother 2026 has already overturned its first Head of Household’s plan. Dee Valladares won the opening HoH competition and nominated Mallory Aurichio, Taylor Brown, and Yash Patel. However, Mallory then won the season’s first Power of Veto.

The result forces Dee to find another nominee before the Week 1 eviction. It also gives Mallory a dramatic escape after she emerged as Dee’s primary target. At the latest source cutoff, the replacement nominee had not been confirmed.

Big Brother 28 Week 1 Power of Veto Results Revealed

The first veto draw included six players. Dee competed as HoH, while Mallory, Taylor, and Yash played as the three nominees. Barrett Pfeiffer and Melody Morris joined them through the draw.

Mallory won the Power of Veto on Saturday, July 11, 2026. That victory should remove her from the block at the veto meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026. Taylor and Yash would remain nominated unless another twist changes the lineup.

Before the competition, Dee’s preferred outcome was a Mallory eviction. The live-feed strategy also identified Melody as Dee’s backup option. Therefore, Mallory’s win does more than save one nominee. It requires the first HoH to expose another part of her game immediately.

That is the central consequence of the first major Big Brother 28 Week 1 result. Dee began with a defensible nomination structure. She selected one player from each Time Trip competition group. Now, any replacement choice may look more personal and reveal where her loyalties sit.

Mallory Aurichio, Houseguest on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

Dee Valladares Wins the First HoH After the Time Trip Twist

Season 28 began with 14 new houseguests and a “Time Trip” theme. CBS introduced the newcomers during Big Brother: Broveal on July 7, 2026. The theme blends historical settings with nostalgic twists, including 1980s-inspired elements.

The opening competition divided players into historical settings and offered safety. Rome Seymour, Chuk Anyanwu, and Jason De Puy won their heats and earned immunity from Dee’s first nominations.

The same twist introduced three familiar reality competitors. Angela Murray returned after Big Brother 26, while Rick Devens crossed over from Survivor. Former Big Brother winner Rachel Reilly also appeared, but an ornery velociraptor pushed her into a volcano during the 175 million B.C. sequence.

Julie Chen Moonves then used the Time Table to travel to December 20, 2023. That date marked Dee Valladares’ victory on Survivor 45. Dee entered as the 17th houseguest after her identity was confirmed on Big Brother: Unlocked on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Dee had also returned for Survivor 50 and competed on The Challenge: Vets & New Threats. Her crossover made her the first person to compete on all three franchises. She entered the house with a direct goal: “I want to be the first person to win Survivor and Big Brother.”

The final stage of the first HoH competition featured Dee, Angela, and Rick. Dee won, giving the newest arrival immediate control. She then nominated Mallory, Taylor, and Yash, with one nominee selected from each competition group.

Dee Valladares, Houseguest on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

What Mallory’s Veto Win Means for Week 1

Mallory’s position changed within one competition. She entered Saturday as the houseguest most clearly identified as Dee’s target. She left with the only guaranteed power to erase one of the three nominations.

Dee’s next decision matters because the opening week has already produced visible fault lines. Naming Melody would follow the backup plan discussed before the veto. Choosing someone else could indicate that conversations after the competition changed the HoH’s priorities.

Meanwhile, Taylor and Yash still face the eviction vote. Their survival may depend on the replacement nominee and the alliances forming around the 17-player cast. The veto result also prevents the house from simply following Dee’s original plan without another round of negotiation.

This is where the early Big Brother 28 spoilers become strategically useful. A competition result alone does not determine the eviction. Instead, it changes which relationships Dee must protect and which houseguest she is willing to expose.

Big Brother, Season 28 premiere / Pictured: Rome Seymour / Photo: Matthew Taplinger

When and Where to Watch Big Brother 2026

Big Brother 28 premiered Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The 90-minute premiere also marked the franchise’s 1,000th episode. The houseguests are competing for a $750,000 grand prize.

New 90-minute episodes air on Wednesdays. One-hour episodes air on Thursdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET/PT. The Sunday, July 12, 2026, episode is scheduled for 90 minutes and will show the first HoH competition and nominations.

Viewers can watch CBS live through the Paramount+ Premium plan. Episodes are available on demand the next day through any Paramount+ plan. The traditional 24/7 live feeds began Friday, July 10, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

For the first time, limited live-feed coverage also appears on the official Big Brother YouTube channel after episodes. That sampling sits alongside the full feeds rather than replacing them.

Big Brother: Unlocked premiered Friday, July 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+. Jerry O’Connell, Taylor Hale, and Derrick Levasseur lead the panel. The companion show includes exclusive footage, extended interviews, surprise guests, behind-the-scenes access, and analysis from former players.

Additional Unlocked episodes were scheduled for July 17, July 24, and July 31, 2026. Beginning August 7, 2026, new episodes move to a weekly schedule.

Big Brother, Season 28 premiere / Pictured: Kamu Kirk / Photo: Matthew Taplinger

What Happens Next in Big Brother 28 Week 1?

The immediate question is Dee’s replacement nominee. Mallory is expected to use the veto on herself on Monday, July 13, 2026. However, the source material did not confirm the final renomination before publication.

The Wednesday, July 15, 2026, episode should cover the veto phase. The Thursday, July 16, 2026, episode will move the week toward its first eviction. Until the replacement appears, Taylor, Yash, and Melody remain the names most central to the decision.

Related: Big Brother 28 Spoilers: Dee Wins HOH, Targets Mallory

Mallory’s win gives Big Brother 2026 an active opening week rather than a predictable first eviction. Dee still holds the HoH room, but the veto removed her preferred target. Her replacement choice will now provide the clearest early evidence of how she intends to play.

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Who won Love Island USA Season 8? As of Sunday afternoon, July 12, 2026, nobody has been crowned. The finale streams at 9:00 p.m. ET on Peacock, with America choosing the couple that receives the $100,000 grand prize.

Season 8 reached its final night after six weeks of six episodes per week. The season also set multiple Peacock records following its premiere and first audience vote. However, four very different relationships now stand between the villa and the final result.

Four Couples Advance to Love Island USA Season 8 Finale

America selected four couples from the final six pairings. The finalists are Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt, Trinity Celeste Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Nicholas Rhea, and Kayda Reese Bosse and Zacharias Georgiou.

Mackenzie “Kenzie” Brooke Annis and Dylan Wrona were eliminated before the finale. Kuman Dameon “KC” Chandler and Tierra Davis also missed the final cut. Carl, Tierra, and Dylan entered through Casa Amor, while the other three finalist couples formed near the season’s beginning.

The contestants learned their fate during a dinner built around fortune cookies. Aniya and Carl were declared safe first. Trinity and Bryce followed, then Melanie and Sincere secured the third announced spot.

Kenzie and Dylan then learned they were leaving. Kayda, Zach, KC, and Tierra opened their cookies together, and KC and Tierra received the final dumping. Kenzie told the villa, “Love y’all. I’m super thankful. I just feel blessed.”

KC left with a relationship despite losing the vote. He said, “I’m leaving with someone. I got a girlfriend.” Kenzie also performed one final split before the four departing Islanders said goodbye.

Who Won Love Island USA Season 8? The Finalists Explained

Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff

LOVE ISLAND USA / Pictured: Trinity Celeste Tatum, Bryce Alakai Dettloff / Photo by: Ben Symons

Trinity and Bryce started together on Day 1, when Trinity stood behind Bryce’s door. Both explored new connections on Day 2 after initially doubting how much they shared. Bombshells Kayda and Gabriel Vasconcelos briefly tested them, but neither bombshell ultimately chose them.

They later became the season’s first couple to receive a private romantic date. They were also the first to close off their relationship and become boyfriend and girlfriend. Their supporters use the couple name “Brinity.”

Johnathon Kornblee ranked Trinity and Bryce first before the finale and called them the odds-on favorite. Their Peacock press image came from Episode 824. Analysis: Their advantage is continuity, visible commitment, and sustained support across fan votes.

Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt

LOVE ISLAND USA / Pictured: Aniya Harvey, Carl Schmidt / Photo by: Ben Symons

Aniya and Carl built their connection during Casa Amor. Aniya did not initially choose Carl, which contributed to his first exit. America later received the chance to return one Casa Amor man and one woman, allowing Carl to reunite with her.

Aniya previously had a relationship with KC Chandler. After that pairing ended, her reunion with Carl rapidly gained support. She also ranked highly in viewer polls within the Love Island USA app.

Kornblee placed Aniya and Carl second. He compared their late-forming path with Season 7 winners Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Their press image was attached to Episode 829.

One published prediction spelled Carl’s first name “Karl,” but Peacock materials and the finalist coverage identify him as Carl Schmidt. Analysis: Their late momentum makes them the clearest threat to the season’s longest-running favorite.

Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea

LOVE ISLAND USA / Pictured: Melanie Moreno, Sincere Nicholas Rhea / Photo by: Ben Symons

Melanie and Sincere coupled on Day 1, yet their season included repeated trust problems. Sincere explored other connections during Casa Amor. Movie Day then showed Melanie more of his behavior away from her.

Melanie ultimately gave the relationship another chance. Still, she asked Sincere not to make her “look dumb.” Kornblee ranked them fourth because support for Melanie did not always translate into support for the couple.

Family Day made those concerns harder to ignore. In Fiji, Sincere was visited by his father, Benjamin Rhea Sr., and his brother, Benjamin Rhea Jr. Melanie’s mother, Zoila Moreno, and sister, Stephany Moreno, also joined them.

Benjamin Sr. called his son’s behavior “unacceptable” and described the visit as “a reality check.” Melanie’s sister told her she deserved “better.” The couple’s Peacock press image came from Episode 830.

Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou

LOVE ISLAND USA / Pictured: Kayda Reese Bosse, Zacharias Georgiou / Photo by: Ben Symons

Zach entered under a familiar shadow because his brother, Charlie Georgiou, competed on Love Island USA Season 7. Zach first paired with Kenzie. Kayda then arrived as an original bombshell and invited Bryce and Zach on a date.

Kayda focused on Zach. When Bryce tried joining their cuddle in bed, she told him, “Not tonight.” Kayda and Zach remained together and became the first couple chosen by the Islanders for the hideaway.

Casa Amor created their biggest test when Zach explored a connection with Alannah Keyser. Alannah was later removed from the villa after videos resurfaced in which she appeared to use racial slurs. After Casa Amor, Kayda questioned whether Zach had fully explained his actions.

Kornblee ranked Kayda and Zach third, although that ranking appeared before the final vote. Their gallery image came from Episode 821. Analysis: Their survival over two newer couples shows support, but their unresolved trust issues create uncertainty.

When and Where to Watch the Season 8 Finale

The Love Island USA Season 8 finale streams Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. PT on Peacock. The final four compete for $100,000, and the audience vote determines the winner.

The finale follows Family Day and the final dumping episode. Peacock’s final-group press image was labeled Episode 833. Other finalist images were tied to Episodes 821, 824, 829, and 830.

Who Is Most Likely to Win?

Anyone asking who won Season 8 Love Island USA still needs the actual finale result. Before that result, the evidence points most strongly toward Trinity and Bryce. They started on Day 1, became official, and built the most consistent public narrative.

However, Aniya and Carl have the season’s strongest late surge. Season 7 proved that a recently established couple can win when Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales took the prize. Kayda and Zach have longevity, while Melanie and Sincere bring the most complicated storyline.

Related: Charlie’s Love Island Link Gives Season 8 a Family Twist

Analysis: Trinity and Bryce are the safest prediction, but Aniya and Carl have the clearest upset path. The answer to who won Love Island Season 8 will not become official until Peacock reveals America’s vote.

Final Answer: Who Won Love Island USA Season 8?

No winner had been confirmed before the finale, July 12, 2026. Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff entered as the leading prediction, followed by Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt. BuddyTV will treat the result as official only after Peacock announces it during the 9:00 p.m. ET finale.

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Taylor Sheridan, Landman and Paramount are entering a pivotal stretch. The oil drama is renewed for Season 3, it has returned to streaming charts months after Season 2 ended, and Paramount+ still owns a series built around one of television’s busiest creators.

However, the story is no longer just about Tommy Norris surviving West Texas. Sheridan’s planned move from Paramount to NBCUniversal has created questions about the show’s long-term creative future. Meanwhile, the 2026 Emmy nominations ignored Landman entirely, even as Sheridan expanded into a theatrical Call of Duty movie.

That combination makes Landman a useful measure of Sheridan’s unusual position. Awards voters may keep their distance, but audiences continue to find the show. Paramount therefore has every reason to preserve the franchise while Sheridan completes his current obligations.

Taylor Sheridan, Landman and Paramount Face a Split Timeline

Source: Getty Images

On July 10, 2026, Archie Fenn described Landman as one of Sheridan’s biggest shows and argued that it had surpassed Yellowstone. Months after Season 2 concluded, the series returned to the streaming charts without a new episode driving the surge. The renewed attention also arrived before Season 3, reinforcing the sense that the drama can generate demand between seasons.

Still, Paramount+ has not confirmed a firm Season 3 premiere date in the available material. As of January 31, 2026, the working expectation was a November 2026 launch and a January 2027 finale. That projection followed the first two seasons, which began in mid-November and ended in mid-January.

Co-creator Christian Wallace told The Hollywood Reporter that production was expected to convene in May and said, “We’re in a groove.” He acknowledged that the schedule was slightly later than the previous two seasons. Therefore, November 2026 remains an estimate rather than an official release date.

When Season 3 arrives, it will debut on Paramount+. Seasons 1 and 2 are already available there. Individual episodes can also be purchased for $1.99 through major digital retailers, while Paramount airs episodes in its regular rotation.

Complete Landman Season 3 Cast and Character Breakdown

Sam Elliott as T.L., Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy and Jacob Lofland as Cooper in Landman episode 10, season 2, streaming on Paramount+.
Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Billy Bob Thornton is the only returning actor explicitly confirmed in the January 31, 2026 overview by Melissa Lemieux. He plays Tommy Norris and told USA Today in November 2025 that he had signed a four- or five-year contract. The remaining names were presented as expected returns based on unresolved storylines.

• Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris: The former M-Tex power broker is building a family-controlled oil company after Cami fires him.
• Demi Moore as Cami: She remains in charge of M-Tex and now faces Tommy as a direct business rival.
• Jacob Lofland as Cooper: Tommy’s son becomes central to the new company while facing possible legal consequences.
• Ali Larter as Angela: Tommy’s ex-wife remains at the center of the Norris family’s volatile home life.
• Michelle Randolph as Ainsley Norris: Tommy’s cheerleader daughter continues her own coming-of-age story.
• Paulina Chavez as Ariana Medina: The working-class woman Cooper loves becomes part of Season 3’s legal fallout.
• Andy Garcia as Danny Morrell: The drug lord and cartel figure becomes Tommy’s dangerous business partner.
• Sam Elliott as T.L.: Tommy’s father gives the new company its extra “T” and makes it a multigenerational venture.
• Kayla Wallace as Rebecca Falcone: The newly appointed chief operating officer leaves the M-Tex orbit for Tommy’s operation.
• James Jordan as Dale: Another familiar M-Tex figure is expected to remain involved.
• Colm Feore as Nathan: He becomes treasurer of Tommy’s new company, making his absence unlikely.

The wider Sheridan universe also matters to the current debate. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Stacy Clyburn in The Madison. Kevin Costner led Yellowstone, while Tulsa King features a prominent ensemble that has included Dana Delany, Max Casella, Sylvester Stallone, Andrea Savage, Garrett Hedlund and Annabella Sciorra.

Season 3 Starts With CTT Oil Exploration & Cattle

The Season 2 finale, “Tragedy and Flies,” resets the show’s power structure. Cami fires Tommy from M-Tex. He then partners with Cooper and Danny Morrell to create CTT Oil Exploration & Cattle.

The company’s initials represent Cooper, Tommy and T.L. The arrangement turns the business into a three-generation family enterprise, although Danny’s money introduces an immediate threat. He warns Tommy that failure will cost him everything he loves.

Tommy also persuades several M-Tex employees to leave with him. Consequently, Cami enters Season 3 with fewer allies and a new competitor built from her former operation. Their old cooperation has become open hostility.

Cooper’s legal danger adds another pressure point. He severely beats a man who assaults Ariana, and the man later dies at the hospital. Murder charges become possible, although legal maneuvering keeps Cooper free at the end of Season 2.

No official Season 3 synopsis has been confirmed. Even so, the finale establishes three unavoidable conflicts: Tommy versus Cami, Tommy’s dependence on Danny, and Cooper’s exposure to prosecution.

Texas Heat Will Shape the Production Again

Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy in Landman episode 10, season 2, streaming on Paramount+.
Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Landman has filmed in Texas, including Midland, Odessa and Fort Worth. Season 3 is expected to continue that pattern because the landscape is inseparable from the show’s oil-industry identity.

The location also creates physical challenges. Wallace described extensive exterior work and said, “Twelve-hour days in 100-plus degree weather is no joke.” The dust, heat and harshness strengthen the show’s atmosphere, but they also place a burden on the cast and crew.

Taylor Sheridan is expected to write every Season 3 episode, as he did during Seasons 1 and 2. Stephen Kay directed most episodes across those seasons. Sheridan directed each premiere, so he remains the likely choice for Episode 1, while Michael Friedman could return for Episode 6 or 7.

The expected executive-producer group is similarly extensive. It includes Ron Burkle, Megan Creydt, Dan Friedkin, Michael Friedman, David Glasser, Jason Hoch, David Hutkin, Stephen Kay, Geyer Kosinski, J.K. Nickell, Christian Wallace, Bob Yari and Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan also serves as showrunner.

The 2026 Emmys Ignored Landman and The Madison

Colm Feore as Nathan in Landman episode 10, season 2, streaming on Paramount+.
Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The Television Academy gave Sheridan’s television universe only one 2026 Emmy nomination: stunt coordination for Tulsa King. Landman and The Madison received none. Pfeiffer earned a nomination during the same cycle, but not for playing Stacy Clyburn.

In exclusive comments published July 10, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. EDT, Raymond Arroyo argued that the result reflected an “industry seeking to protect its own.” Arroyo hosts Arroyo Grande with Raymond Arroyo and called the treatment of Landman, Tulsa King and Yellowstone absurd.

Sarah Schmidt, president of Interdependence, offered a different explanation. She characterized Sheridan’s output as a “commercial machine, not an awards play.” In her view, the Academy favors moodier and more ambiguous work, while Sheridan builds emotionally direct shows for Middle America. She also argued that the rejection strengthens his outsider brand, although the actors and crews lose recognition.

Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, compared Sheridan’s priorities to Jordan’s six NBA championships and undefeated Finals record rather than LeBron’s pursuit of broader statistical milestones. Eldridge called Sheridan the “six-time champion of television.” Steve Honig likewise argued that audience loyalty, cultural relevance and ratings can matter more than industry validation.

Arroyo also compared Sheridan’s mostly nonpolitical melodramas to Dallas and Dynasty. The awards argument is especially striking because Sheridan’s public brand is already larger than one series. Andy Garcia has praised his dialogue, character development and worldview. Sheridan also created the Kevin Costner-led Yellowstone, whose Season 5 premiere held a black-carpet event at Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 13, 2022.

Sheridan’s Paramount Exit Does Not End Landman Immediately

Sam Elliott as T.L. in Landman episode 10, season 2, streaming on Paramount+.
Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Jacob Lofland addressed Sheridan’s coming move from Paramount to NBCUniversal while Season 3 remained on the horizon. The actor did not present himself as part of the corporate dispute. “We’ll just see what happens. And I don’t know, that’s not my business, so I try to stay out of it. That’s between them,” he said in a January 18, 2026 interview syndicated by AOL on July 9, 2026.

That answer is cautious, but it fits the practical reality. Landman Season 3 is moving forward at Paramount+, and the current series does not automatically travel with Sheridan. The immediate challenge is continuity: how much Sheridan writes, produces and supervises before his Paramount relationship formally ends.

For Paramount, the safest approach is to keep Wallace and the established production team in place. The show already has a large cast, a stable executive-producer group and a Season 2 finale designed to power another chapter. Therefore, the franchise has more institutional support than a creator-only project.

Call of Duty Shows How Far Sheridan’s Slate Has Expanded

On July 8, 2026, Sheridan’s workload expanded again. He is co-writing and producing Paramount Pictures’ live-action Call of Duty movie with director Peter Berg. The theatrical release is set for June 30, 2028.

The grounded military story is expected to honor the games while focusing on elite special forces instead of directly adapting one installment. Sheridan, Berg and Zay Bond are writing the screenplay, while David Glasser joins the producing team. Paramount and Activision could use the film as the start of additional projects.

Sheridan and Berg previously worked together on the Oscar-nominated Hell or High Water, which Sheridan wrote and Berg helped produce. Berg also directed Lone Survivor. Sheridan’s film résumé includes Sicario and Wind River, alongside television projects such as Landman, Tulsa King, Lioness and the Yellowstone universe.

Call of Duty has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. At CinemaCon in 2026, Activision president and producer Rob Kostich said the team wanted its “authenticity” captured “on a human level” while retaining “epic scope.”

Meanwhile, new seasons of Landman, Lioness, The Madison, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Marshals and Dutton Ranch were in various production stages. 1944 and 6666 remained in development. Sheridan was also attached to F.A.S.T., an action thriller starring Brandon Sklenar and scheduled for theaters in April 2027.

What Comes Next for Taylor Sheridan, Landman and Paramount

Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris and Ali Larter as Angela Norris in Landman episode 1, season 2, streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The most important unresolved fact is the Season 3 release date. November 2026 remains a plausible projection, but Paramount+ has not confirmed it in the available sources. A January 2027 finale is therefore also provisional.

Creatively, the next season has a clear foundation. Tommy has a new company, Cami has a reason for revenge, Danny has leverage, and Cooper has legal exposure. Those conflicts do not require an artificial reset.

Related: Landman Season 2 Finale: “Tragedy and Flies” Ending Explained

For Taylor Sheridan, Landman and Paramount, the next phase is less an ending than a managed transition. The creator is expanding toward NBCUniversal and Call of Duty, while Paramount retains a proven drama whose audience keeps returning even between seasons.

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Big Brother 28 spoilers have delivered the season’s first major power shift. Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares became the first Head of Household. She then nominated Taylor Brown, Yash Patel, and Mallory Aurichio for eviction.

The result completed a fast, twist-heavy opening week. The original 14 houseguests moved in on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The CBS premiere followed on Thursday, July 9, 2026, before the live feeds began Friday, July 10, at 9 p.m. ET.

Dee was officially unveiled as the 17th houseguest during Big Brother: Unlocked on July 10. She beat fellow reality veterans Angela Murray and Rick Devens for the opening HOH. Therefore, none of the original 14 players controlled the first nominations.

Dee Valladares, Houseguest on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

Why Dee Valladares Became the First Big Brother 28 HOH

The premiere’s “Time Trip” twist divided the original cast into groups of four. Rome Seymour, Chuk Anyanwu, and Jason De Puy won their respective heats. Each received safety and helped bring a reality television icon into the game.

Angela, Rick, and Dee became those three icons. Former Big Brother winner Rachel Reilly also appeared, but an ornery velociraptor sent her into a volcano. Julie Chen Moonves then traveled to December 20, 2023, seeking Rachel’s replacement.

That date was the clue. Dee won Survivor 45 on December 20, 2023. She later competed on The Challenge, giving her another competition-heavy résumé before entering the Big Brother house.

Early spoilers came from Hamsterwatch before CBS confirmed Dee’s identity. Once Unlocked aired, the mystery ended. Dee had joined the cast and already captured the season’s first power position.

Dee Valladares, Houseguest on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

Big Brother 28 Spoilers: Dee’s Week 1 Plan

Dee said she wanted one nominee from each Time Trip competition group. That reasoning produced Taylor, Yash, and Mallory as the first three nominees. However, live-feed conversations identified Mallory as Dee’s preferred target if the nominations remain unchanged.

Taylor learned that Mallory was the real target. Dee later confirmed that plan during talks inside the house. Meanwhile, Dee’s backup plan names Melody Morris as the replacement nominee if the Power of Veto changes the block.

The first Veto draw placed six houseguests in the competition. Dee plays as HOH, while Taylor, Yash, and Mallory play as nominees. Barrett Pfeiffer and Melody were the two additional selections.

Dee wants the Veto unused and Mallory evicted on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Still, the BB Blockbuster gives Mallory another route to safety before the live vote. As of Saturday afternoon, July 11, the Veto winner had not been confirmed.

Mallory Pushes Back After Her Nomination

Mallory did not quietly accept her place on the block. She told other houseguests that she would nominate Dee after winning a future HOH. She also questioned whether Dee truly had a target.

“I asked her if she has a target and she said no,” Mallory said. Jason advised her to keep a low profile. Instead, Mallory had a bathroom meltdown in front of Melody and Lyric.

Mallory also criticized Dee directly. “Didn’t you win Survivor, like, why are you being a baby?” she said.

That reaction exposes the risk in Dee’s opening move. Mallory knows she is not merely a pawn, and the Veto gives her a direct counterattack. Even without the Veto, the BB Blockbuster can still disrupt Dee’s preferred outcome.

Week 1 Veto, Ceremony, and Eviction Timeline

• Saturday, July 11, 2026: The first Power of Veto competition is expected to determine whether Dee’s nominations can change.
• Monday, July 13, 2026: The Veto ceremony is expected to reveal whether a nominee leaves the block.
• Thursday, July 16, 2026: Dee wants her target evicted during the first live vote, after the BB Blockbuster.

Parade initially directed readers to check Saturday for the Veto winner, Monday for the ceremony, and Tuesday or Wednesday for eviction updates. The confirmed weekly television schedule places the live eviction episode on Thursday.

Complete Big Brother 28 Cast Breakdown

The season began with 14 announced houseguests. Angela and Rick entered during the July 9 premiere. Dee’s July 10 reveal then brought the official total to 17.

• Ashley Trail, 24: From Alton, Illinois; currently in Chicago, Illinois; bartender.
• Barrett Pfeiffer, 27: From Benton, Arkansas; currently in Austin, Texas; Jumbotron engineer.
• Chuk Anyanwu, 27: From Dallas, Texas; supply chain analyst.
• Drew Campbell, 22: From Temecula, California; surgical dental assistant.
• Haley Thogmartin, 29: From Neosho, Missouri; currently in Wildwood, Missouri; telemedicine executive.
• Jason De Puy, 35: From San Francisco, California; currently in West Hollywood, California; drag queen and two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race competitor.
• Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk, 32: From Phoenix, Arizona; MMA fighter.
• LaTrice Verrett, 57: From Kankakee, Illinois; currently in Maplewood, New Jersey; boutique salesperson.
• Lyric Medeiros, 25: From Honolulu, Hawaii; attorney.
• Mallory Aurichio, 24: From Township of Washington, N.J.; rocket scientist.
• Melody Morris, 24: From Thornton, Colorado; currently in Maricopa, Arizona; corporate game show host.
• Rome Seymour, 28: From Traverse City, Michigan; currently in Delray Beach, Florida; pickleball coach.
• Taylor Brown, 27: From Deerfield Beach, Florida; elementary school counselor.
• Yash Patel, 24: From Monroe Township, New Jersey; financial analyst.
• Angela Murray: From Syracuse, Utah; previously competed on Big Brother Season 26 and The Amazing Race Season 38.
• Rick Devens: From Macon, Georgia; previously competed on Survivor: Edge of Extinction and Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.
• Dee Valladares: The Survivor 45 winner, a former The Challenge competitor, the 17th houseguest, and the first HOH.

(clockwise) Hailey Thogmartin, Devens, Yash Patel, Lyric Medeiros, Kam Kirk, Chuk Anyanwu, Melody Morris, Taylor Brown, Barrett Pfeiffer, Mallory Aurichio, Angela Murray, Dee Valladeres, Ashley Trail, Rome Seymour, Drew Campbell, Jason De Puy and LaTrice Verrett, Houseguests on Season 28 of Big Brother / Photo: Evan Mulling

When Big Brother 28 and Unlocked Air

Big Brother 28 premiered Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Julie Chen Moonves returned as host. Episodes stream live through the Paramount+ Premium plan and become available the next day through Paramount+ Essential or Premium.

Big Brother: Unlocked premiered Friday, July 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, or 7 p.m. CT. Jerry O’Connell joined returning panelists Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur. The companion series includes interviews, guest appearances, exclusive footage, and gameplay analysis.

A 90-minute episode, listed as Episode 3, airs Sunday, July 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. After premiere week, regular episodes air Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Paramount+ subscribers on any plan can access the live feeds.

Season 28 uses the Big Brother: Time Trip theme. CBS also says the season will deliver the franchise’s most programming hours and its 1,000th original episode.

Premiere episode of Big Brother: Unlocked, season 2 / Pictured: Taylor Hale,Jerry O’Connell, Rachel Reilly and Derrick Levasseur / Photo: Matthew Taplinger

What Dee’s Opening Move Means

Analysis: Dee’s first HOH is aggressive without being random. The three safety winners were unavailable, while her group-based explanation gave each nomination a visible structure. That approach can reduce immediate accusations of personal targeting.

Nevertheless, the plan has already become transparent. Mallory knows she is the target, Taylor knows she is not, and Melody may become the replacement. Consequently, Dee cannot easily retreat into ambiguity after the Veto.

The veteran dynamic also matters. Angela and Rick lost the HOH competition, but both remain outside the first block. Dee now has power, three nominees, and a potential fourth name attached to her decisions. That is considerable exposure during Week 1.

Related: Big Brother Season 28 Cast Photos: Meet the Houseguests

For now, the Big Brother 28 spoilers point toward Mallory as the intended first evictee. The Veto and BB Blockbuster can still rewrite that plan. Until both competitions finish, Dee’s opening HOH remains powerful but unfinished.

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Netflix’s new Little House on the Prairie adaptation debuted on July 9, 2026. The eight-episode season is now streaming exclusively on Netflix with a 12+ rating. More importantly, the Netflix Little House on the Prairie series does not simply recreate Michael Landon’s NBC classic. It returns to the Laura Ingalls Wilder books while confronting the people and history those stories pushed to the margins.

Season 2 was renewed before Season 1 premiered, and production is already underway. The first season follows the Ingalls family from Wisconsin to Independence, Kansas. The next chapter will send them toward Walnut Grove, Minnesota, while keeping production in Manitoba, Canada. It marks the family’s full television return more than 40 years after the earlier series ended.

Netflix calls the result “part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West.” However, it treats westward expansion as a contested process rather than an empty-land adventure. That choice gives Little House on the Prairie 2026 its clearest reason to exist.

Chicago Activation for Little House on the Prairie Season 1

What the Netflix Little House on the Prairie Series Changes

The story begins in 1869, with Charles and Caroline Ingalls leaving Wisconsin with Mary, Laura and their dog, Jack. A dangerous river crossing nearly kills the family. Jack may also be lost in the water. Soon afterward, the first stranger who helps them is Dr. George Tann, a Black physician played by Jocko Sims.

That introduction matters. Wilder’s book gives Dr. Tann a brief appearance when the family suffers from “fever ’n’ ague.” Rebecca Sonnenshine’s series instead makes him central to Independence. He tends Caroline’s wounds, reassures Charles and becomes one of the Ingalls family’s first real friends.

The family reaches Kansas after seeing advertisements for “free land.” Yet the land is not free, and it is not unclaimed. The Homestead Act of 1862 promised 160 acres to a head of household who developed it for five years. In practice, many families lacked the tools and manpower. Much of the acreage went to speculators, railroad companies, miners and loggers.

The series turns that contradiction into its main conflict. Eli James, an invented railroad executive, distributes deceptive pamphlets and expects the United States government to seize Osage land after enough White settlers arrive. Therefore, Charles and Caroline eventually understand that they are illegal squatters. Their cabin uses trees from land that still belongs to the Osage.

Laura befriends Good Eagle, played by Wren Zhawenim Gotts. Good Eagle’s parents, William Mitchell and White Sun, are played by Meegwun Fairbrother and Alyssa Wapanatâhk. They help the Ingalls family survive, but they never pretend that kindness erases displacement. Two of Good Eagle’s cousins turn a familiar home-invasion scene from the book into a pointed argument about who has taken from whom. Charles must then face the possibility that keeping his home could help displace thousands of Osage people.

The new version also adjusts the Ingalls family timeline. Alice Halsey’s Laura and Skywalker Hughes’ Mary are older than the real sisters were during the Kansas period. Mary receives a first-crush storyline. Meanwhile, Carrie begins the season as Caroline’s pregnancy bump, which leads to a midseason labor-and-delivery episode. Grace belongs to a later point in the family’s story.

Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald

Little House on the Prairie Cast 2026: Full Breakdown

• Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls: Laura remains adventurous, curious and optimistic. The Washington Post listed Halsey as 11, while Alison Arngrim described both young leads as 12 during her Netflix interview.
• Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls: Mary is the responsible older sister. The Washington Post listed Hughes as 14, creating a direct age discrepancy with Arngrim’s description.
• Luke Bracey as Charles “Pa” Ingalls: Charles is handsome, restless and idealistic, but the season forces him to question the cost of his homesteading dream.
• Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline “Ma” Ingalls: Caroline is pregnant during the journey and initially wary when Dr. Tann approaches after the river crossing.
• Jocko Sims as Dr. George Tann: The real-life physician becomes a continuing character rather than a brief visitor.
• Warren Christie as John Edwards: Mr. Edwards draws from a character widely believed to be a composite in Wilder’s books.
• Wren Zhawenim Gotts as Good Eagle: Laura’s Osage friend gives the story a perspective the earlier adaptations lacked.
• Meegwun Fairbrother as William Mitchell: Good Eagle’s father helps the Ingalls family while defending his community’s claim to the land.
• Alyssa Wapanatâhk as White Sun: Good Eagle’s mother shares the Mitchell family’s expanding storyline.
• Alison Arngrim as Ida: The original Nellie Oleson appears in Episode 2 as a rough forest drifter who may endanger Laura and Mary.
• Willa Dunn as Nellie Oleson: Dunn will inherit the famous role in Season 2.

The original television legacy remains visible. Melissa Gilbert played Laura, Michael Landon played Charles, Alison Arngrim played Nellie, Katherine MacGregor played Mrs. Oleson and Richard Bull played Mr. Oleson. Dean Butler later became Almanzo Wilder. Lou Gossett Jr. and Todd Bridges were among the old show’s few notable Black guest stars, while some Indigenous roles used actors in brownface.

Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie / Credit: Eric Zachanowich

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Wilder Lane and the American Myth

The historical Laura traveled repeatedly. The family stayed in Kansas for barely a year, then moved back to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Minnesota again and the Dakotas. Laura eventually married Almanzo Wilder and settled in Missouri. By age 18, she had experienced at least a dozen moves, including a nine-month stay in Burr Oak, Iowa, that never entered the published series. Even Laura receiving her own tin cup can look less quaint when adults recognize the family’s persistent poverty.

Little House in the Big Woods arrived in 1932. Little House on the Prairie followed in 1935, along with seven additional autobiographical novels. The series has sold more than 60 million copies since the books first appeared in the 1930s and ’40s. Almanzo was in his mid-20s when he began courting the teenage Laura, another detail that reads differently now.

The books made grasshoppers, blizzards, scarlet fever, a faithful bulldog and Pa’s fiddle part of childhood memory. Hot molasses drawn into circles, curlicues and squiggles on fresh snow became candy. Every summer, tourists still arrive in Walnut Grove for a Laura look-alike pageant, proof that the material remains both history and ritual.

Wilder openly acknowledged embellishment, much of it shaped with her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Author Lizzie Skurnick argued for PBS that the racial framing came from adult collaborators writing for New Deal America, not simply from childhood memories of the 1800s. Lane became a prominent Libertarian, corresponded with Ayn Rand and wrote the political manifesto Discovery of Freedom. Yet the family’s self-reliance mythology coexisted with the Homestead Act, state-funded tuition after Mary went blind, federal disaster relief and farm aid.

Caroline Fraser examined those tensions in Prairie Fires, her Pulitzer Prize-winning biography. Forced removals became voluntary departures. Failed ventures became fresh starts. Deprivation became cheerful minimalism. That framing helped turn one precarious family into a durable national ideal.

The real family’s hardship was severe. In 1874, recession and locust plagues made Walnut Grove resemble the Dust Bowl, and charity food and clothing arrived from elsewhere. The Ingalls family nearly starved during The Long Winter. Yet the books appeared during the Great Depression, when readers with little were drawn to characters surviving with even less.

The political timing repeated. Landon’s series debuted in 1974 amid inflation, gasoline rationing and beef rationing. Netflix’s version arrives during the United States’ 250th birthday, much as the Gilbert-Landon version appeared shortly before the country’s 200th. The story still asks who gets to define America, who pays for “progress,” and who is allowed inside the national memory.

Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie / Credit: Eric Zachanowich

The Backlash Is Part of the Little House Tradition

Netflix announced the revival in January 2025. Megyn Kelly warned on X that she would “absolutely ruin your project” if the adaptation became too progressive. Melissa Gilbert answered on Instagram, “TV doesn’t get too much more ‘woke’ than we did.” She reminded viewers that the NBC series addressed racism, addiction, nativism, antisemitism, misogyny, rape and spousal abuse.

The original ran for nine seasons beginning in 1974. It became a defining family series through the mid-’70s and early ’80s, and it now streams on Peacock. Gilbert’s Laura became an American Girl archetype before the doll brand existed. 7th Heaven tried to occupy similar territory in the 1990s, although its legacy became far more troubled.

That earlier Little House also existed beside competing visions of America. It premiered two seasons after The Waltons became a CBS hit. Its contemporaries included Good Times, Happy Days, Maude and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, while the country moved from Civil Rights-era gains toward Ronald Reagan’s right-wing nativism.

Today’s nostalgia appears through Ballerina Farm, Hannah Neeleman, TikTok homesteading, Gunne Sax-style dresses and cottagecore. However, the fantasy remains familiar: leave modern complexity, make everything by hand and discover moral clarity in hard work. The new show keeps the tactile pleasure while challenging the assumption that independence ever meant isolation.

Arngrim’s return makes that bridge literal. Showrunner Sonnenshine told Variety, “I always had this idea that I wanted Alison Arngrim to be in the show.” Arngrim received the call with roughly two weeks’ notice: “What are you doing in a week and a half? Could you come to Winnipeg?”

Ida’s costume required a slip, corset and full period layers. Makeup artists dirtied Arngrim’s nails and teeth to reflect an 1800s woman living outdoors without sunblock, hydration or comfort. That differed from the 1974 production, where camisoles and bloomers often stood in for more complete undergarments.

Arngrim recalled that recognition exploded around the original show’s third season. She became famous at 12, 13 and 14, then continued hearing about Nellie at 30, 40, 50 and 64. A Season 4 image still defines her curled-hair look, while fans still cite the notorious “bunny episode.” She compared Nellie’s theatrical villainy to Vincent Price, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, the “Mrs. Hook’s little baby boy” joke, and the flamboyant antagonists of Dallas and Dynasty.

Television had been “de-ruralized” in the 1970s, even as Hee Haw and The Beverly Hillbillies had ranked in the top 10. Westerns disappeared because city viewers supposedly bought more dishwashers and cars. Then Landon came from Bonanza with a prairie drama. MacGregor brought major theater experience, while Bull had credits such as The Twilight Zone.

Arngrim advised Willa Dunn to enjoy playing Nellie, befriend her on-screen enemies and prepare for viewers who confuse fiction with reality. Her deliberately extreme comparison was Hannibal Lecter. Even so, her larger point was communal: “When things go wrong, you turn toward each other.” Dean Butler calls that ethic “the prairie way,” even when Mrs. Oleson is trying to price-gouge Walnut Grove.

Arngrim believes the franchise has reached a seventh generation of fans. The cycle spans the 1930s books, the 1974 series and the 2026 adaptation. Its recurring appeal lies in small homes, crop failures, economic fear, family conflict and the need for neighbors.

Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie / Credit: Eric Zachanowich

Manitoba Became Kansas for the Netflix Series

Although the story is set around Independence, Kansas, the entire first season was filmed in Manitoba, Canada. Winnipeg served as the production center. Fitzgerald called it “Beautiful, friendly Manitoba”, while Sonnenshine chose the province for tall grass and an “untouched” prairie appearance.

Late winter delayed filming until June. Production then faced floods, tornadoes, lightning, extreme winds and ticks. Shooting continued from June to October, allowing some winter scenes to capture the actual seasonal change.

The Ingalls cabin and town were built around Cooks Creek. The outdoor log structure weighed 96,000 pounds and used no nails. Cooks Creek is considered the oldest Ukrainian settlement in Western Canada and dates to the 1890s.

Other historical scenes used Fort Gibraltar in Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighborhood, an area with 19th-century roots. A second cabin stood on a soundstage, where fake snow could create Christmas. Lead production designer Jonah Markowitz used 175 art-department workers, double the normal amount, to get the house and settlement details right.

Trip Friendly, son of original executive producer Ed Friendly, joined Sonnenshine in adapting the books for a 21st-century global audience. Season 2 will still film in Manitoba despite the story’s move to Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Sonnenshine’s message to longtime fans is direct: “Everyone cares so much.”

Jocko Sims as Dr. George Tann in episode 101 of Little House on the Prairie / Credit: Eric Zachanowich

Early Reviews, Ratings and What Comes Next

The early critical response is favorable but not unanimous. Paul Tassi’s July 11, 2026 snapshot placed the Rotten Tomatoes critic score at 77%, based on a few dozen reviews. The audience score stood at 61%, although only a tiny number of audience reviews had been submitted. Those figures can change as more ratings arrive.

The stronger debate concerns interpretation. Monica Hesse judged the show roughly three rungs above a Hallmark movie, while James Poniewozik focused on how fictionalized history ultimately speaks to the present. Some viewers want the books’ warmth without historical revision. Others argue that the warmth becomes more meaningful when the Osage, Dr. Tann and the machinery behind settlement receive full dramatic weight. Sonnenshine mostly avoids turning the season into a lecture because the corrections emerge through friendships, debts and competing claims to home.

The series also preserves the argument over Pa. One adult rereading reduced him to “kind of a mess.” The immediate reply reduced him to “kind of hot.” Bracey’s version makes room for both conclusions. A separate Osage storyline about young men losing purpose lands differently to 2026 ears, especially when viewers connect historical grievance to the current White House.

Real-life prosperity did eventually come for Laura and Almanzo. It took 20 years for their Missouri property to grow from a rustic cabin into a dairy and fruit farm, now preserved as a museum near Mansfield. Laura outlived her parents, husband and sisters. One modern family connection noted that a father was born only three years before Wilder died, just across the Iowa border.

Season 1 ends with the Ingalls leaving Kansas. Season 2 will continue toward Walnut Grove and introduce Willa Dunn’s Nellie Oleson. A specific Season 2 premiere date has not been confirmed in the supplied sources.

The Netflix Little House Prairie series succeeds because it understands that nostalgia is not the same as history. It keeps the fiddle, the grass, the hard work and the family devotion. However, it widens the covered wagon’s keyhole-shaped view and asks who was already standing on the land.

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