Around the Tubes: March 2, 2019

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Women, War and Peace, bülow, Europe in Crisis, Wolf vs. Bear, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Halo.

- In a year when American women mobilized, ran for office, and were elected to Congress in unprecedented numbers (and are already impacting), the acclaimed documentary series Women, War and Peace (pbs.org/womenwarandpeace) returns Monday, March 25 and Tuesday, March 26, 9-11 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) with powerful stories of women’s role in dramatic conflicts and peace settlements across the globe.

- 300 Entertainment is proud to announce its involvement in curating the soundtrack for the feature film “The Unicorn.” The music curation was a joint effort between Rooney frontman/director Robert Schwartzman and rising industry star A&R Allyson Coff of 300 Entertainment. 300 Entertainment will release the soundtrack on Friday, March 8th. “The Unicorn,” is a quirky and charming tale about love and pushing boundaries starring Lauren Lapkus, Nick Rutherford, Lucy Hale, Beck Bennett, Dree Hemingway, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Maya Kazan, John Kapelos, Beverly D’Angelo and Kyle Mooney, and more. The soundtrack features two songs recorded exclusively for the movie; “Time and Time Again” by Rooney and a special collaboration between Rooney and Phony Ppl for a feel-good cover of Len Barry’s 1965 hit “1-2-3” - Out Now.

- Critically acclaimed German born pop iconoclast bülow releases brand new single “Sweet Little Lies” via Republic Records / Wax Records/ Universal Music Canada. Listen HERE. “'Sweet Little Lies' is about creating false realities.” bülow comments on the new song, “When things get real, we find escapes. Sometimes it’s hobbies, and sometimes it’s people. But the degree of it we can’t always control”

- Smithsonian Channel and the BBC have teamed up on a riveting insider account of two forces that threaten to tear Europe apart: Brexit and the migrant crisis. Two hour-long specials reveal the fierce arguments and personality clashes among Europe’s leaders as they struggled over the past decade to find common ground amid intense political pressure, overwhelming waves of refugees and a referendum in Britain that shocked the world. The back-to-back specials of Europe in Crisis premiere on Smithsonian Channel on Thursday, March 28 at 8 PM ET/PT, just as the United Kingdom enters the March 29 deadline for withdrawal from the European Union.

- Smithsonian Channel’s new special Wolf vs. Bear brings two archenemies together in a fight for food and survival. Shot over the course of a full year across the far northern wild of Norway, Finland and Russia, this one-hour special follows the tracks of two of nature’s most formidable predators and shows what makes both creatures optimal predatory machines, albeit with remarkably different strategies. Their goals are the same and are driven by the most basic of primal instincts – to hunt and breed. Each must do what it takes to endure the harsh northern wilderness and make it through the year. The competition unfolds in Wolf vs. Bear, premiering Wednesday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

- Showtime has announced that Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) will join Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, the next chapter of the Penny Dreadful saga, in the role of Magda, a supernatural demon who can take the appearance of anyone she chooses and manifests in a number of guises throughout the story. Charismatic, clever and chameleonic, Magda is a dangerous enemy and an invaluable ally. Tony® and Golden Globe® award winner and three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan, creator, writer and executive producer of the Emmy nominated series Penny Dreadful, will continue in those same roles. Michael Aguilar (KIDDING) will also serve as executive producer. Production on the drama series is expected to begin later this year.

- Showtime has announced that Tony and Emmy winner Nathan Lane (The Producers) has joined Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, the next chapter of the Penny Dreadful saga, in the role of Lewis Michener. A veteran officer in the LAPD, wise to the ways of the world and ruthless in pursuit of his goals, Lewis becomes the partner and mentor of young Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto). The series also stars Natalie Dormer, Jessica Garza and Johnathan Nieves. Tony and Golden Globe® award winner and three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan, the creator, writer and executive producer of the Emmy nominated series PENNY DREADFUL, continues in those same roles. Michael Aguilar (KIDDING) also serves as executive producer. Production on the drama series is expected to begin later this year.

- Otto Bathurst (Black Mirror, Robin Hood) is set to direct the highly anticipated Showtime series Halo, based on the hallowed Xbox® franchise with Kyle Killen (Awake) serving as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Bathurst will helm multiple episodes and executive produce the live-action series, which has an initial nine-episode order. Produced by Showtime in partnership with 343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, HALO will begin production later this year.