July 21, 2022

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'Bridgerton' adds 3 to cast, begins production on Season 3

Production is underway on Bridgerton Season 3.

Netflix announced the news Wednesday alongside a video featuring Jonathan Bailey, Adjoa Andoh, Nicola Coughlan, Claudia Jessie and other cast members.

"I spy the makings of a new social season. By the looks of things, it would seem the third installment of Bridgerton is officially underway," the caption reads.

In addition, executive producer Shonda Rhimes announced that Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips and James Phoon have joined the cast of Season 3.

Francis will play Marcus Anderson, a charismatic presence who attracts the notice of certain matriarchs, with Phillips as Lord Debling, a genial lord with unusual interests, and Phoon as Harry Dankworth.

Bridgerton is based on the Julia Quinn book series of the same name. The show follows the Bridgertons and other families living in Regency-era London.

Season 3 will see Penelope Featherington (Coughlan) give up her crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and focus on finding a husband who will respect her independence as she continues to lead her double life as Lady Whistledown.

Colin helps Penelope boost her confidence in her search for a husband but must figure out what his true feelings for her really are. Meanwhile, Eloise has found a new friend in a very unlikely place.

Jess Brownell will replace series creator Chris Van Dusen as showrunner and executive producer in Season 3.

Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the new season.

'Law & Order' crew member shot, killed on New York set

A Law & Order: Organized Crime crew member was shot and killed on the set of the television show Tuesday in New York City, according to NBCUniversal.

The New York Police Department said the 31-year-old victim, Johnny Pizarro of Queens, was an outside agent who used his car to reserve parking spaces in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn where the show is filming.

The NYPD said at 5:15 a.m. EDT, a gunman opened Pizarro's car door and opened fire.

Pizarro was shot multiple times in the face and neck before being transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said they believe the shooting was targeted and are still looking for the suspect, who was described as a man with a thin build wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

Pizarro was a contracted employee hired to hold parking spots for movie and television productions which are common in the area. The block was permitted through the city for a shoot for Law & Order: Organized Crime.

"They're just doing their job, just setting out cones and making sure cars are where they belong," area resident Ian Oberholtzer said.

NBCUniversal is working with law enforcement as they investigate.

"We were terribly saddened and shocked to hear that one of our crew members was the victim of a crime early this morning and has died as a result," NBC and Universal Television said in a statement. "We are working with local law enforcement as they continue to investigate."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' office also released a statement saying "the safety of all New Yorkers is our top priority."

"The NYPD is actively investigating the fatal shooting of a crew member of Law and Order: Organized Crime early this morning," Fabien Levy, the mayor's press secretary told Deadline.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the victim's family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time, and will work diligently to bring the suspect to justice and stem the tide of gun violence we are seeing."

Former 'AGT' and 'The Voice' contestant Nolan Neal dies at 41

Nolan Neal, a singer known as a contestant on America's Got Talent and The Voice, has died at the age of 41.

Neal passed away in Nashville on Monday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told TMZ. The singer's roommate reportedly discovered him after Neal's mother called to express concern over his welfare.

The medical examiner's office has not yet identified a cause of death, but added that "a powder residue" was discovered next to him.

Neal's cousin Dylan Seals additionally told People that the singer was discovered dead inside his apartment having "ultimately succumbed to his battle with substance abuse." Seals added that Nolan had lived with him for four months during a portion of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His death was later confirmed with a post on the singer's Instagram fan page.

"SING IN PEACE WITH THE ANGELS," the post said. "THE WORLD IS MISSING A BRIGHT LIGHT and HEAVEN JUST GOT A NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR."

Neal is best known for his appearances on the NBC reality shows America's Got Talent and The Voice.

He competed on Season 15 of America's Got Talent in 2020, and garnered attention when he performed an original song called "Send Me A Butterfly." He was ultimately eliminated in the show's quarterfinal round.

His audition for America's Got Talent also made waves when he sang another original, "Lost." Neal told the judges that it was the first song he wrote after kicking his drug habit, also describing some of his struggles with addiction.

"I partied really hard," Neal said on the show. "Pretty soon, I started to become unmanageable, because I thought I was a rockstar."

"I'm glad to be here today, sober and very clear and focused," the singer added.

Neal was additionally seen on Season 11 of The Voice. The singer was a part of Adam Levine's team but was eventually eliminated.

His television appearances were not the only time that Neal was open about his battles with drugs.

He told Knoxville, Tenn., station WBIR-TV in 2020 that, "I remember I got clean in 2010; May 15, went to rehab. Stayed clean."

"I joined the rock band Hinder, they were all about drinking and partying. This is not their fault. I had decided I wanted to drink like a normal person," Neal said. "I remember trying to be normal and fitting in. I remember going to a bar and ordering a drink. I tried to hide it. I remember pretending to be normal. I was just lying to myself telling myself that I could control it."

Neal had said that he had "found happiness by helping others in recovery," adding that he "found a way to be happy without the things I thought made me happy before."

Hugh Jackman to join upcoming animated series 'Koala Man' on Hulu

Hugh Jackman will join the cast of the upcoming animated adult comedy Koala Man on Hulu.

Variety confirmed the news Tuesday, with Jackman, 53, reportedly playing a major role in the series, which was ordered in 2021.

Koala Man, which will run for eight episodes, will revolve around a middle-aged Australian dad named Kevin "and his titular not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto," Hulu said.

"On a quest to clean up his hometown, and often roping his frustrated family into his adventures, Koala Man stands at the ready," the streaming service added.

Kevin will be voiced by the show's creator, Australian animator Michael Cusack. Jackman, meanwhile, will play an unnamed character described as the head of the town's council.

Cusack created Koala Man alongside Justin Roiland, co-creator of Adult Swim's smash-hit adult animated comedy Rick and Morty.

Hulu also tweeted a new poster for the series, though a release date for Koala Man has not been announced.

This is not Jackman's first stint with animation, as the Sydney native has been seen in animated projects such as Happy Feet and Missing Link.

Jackman is currently starring in The Music Man on Broadway. He will also be seen in the upcoming drama film The Son alongside Laura Dern.