Multi-faceted actress Zoë Kravitz made her directing debut with Pussy Island. MGM has now acquired the movie for global distribution.
According to Variety, the project features BAFTA winner Naomi Ackie and MTV Movie Award winner Channing Tatum as lead characters. The creative development and writing are by E.T. Feigenbaum and Kravitz. The two have worked on Zoe’s previous project, Hulu’s series High Fidelity.
According to the previously mentioned source, the production of Pussy Island will be handled by Bruce Cohen, Tiffany Persons, and Tatum’s Free Association.
A statement from Kravitz read, “I am honored to be partnering with an iconic studio such as MGM for this project. Their commitment to the art of storytelling is something that I truly admire and respect. Naomi Ackie is an extraordinary talent, and we can’t wait to see her bring this role to life.”
The story will follow a female character named Frida (Akie) through the hustle and bustle of cocktail waitressing in Los Angeles. The young waitress has locked on to her target in the big city, a tech mogul and philanthropist, Slater King (Tatum). As Frida networks her way up into the ‘in-crowd,’ she gets invited to King’s private island, where her instincts pick up on something dark in the land of affluence.
The distribution for this project was a hot commodity, and MGM did not let this film slip through their fingers. Michael De Luca, MGM’s Film Group chairman, shared his excitement of being a part of Kravitz’s directional debut. Additionally, variety disclosed that FilmNation handled the international rights to the developing film, and CAA Medi will heading the domestic rights.
This genre thriller came to Kravitz in 2017, according to Deadline. She shared with the publication, “the title means a lot of things. I started writing this story in 2017. As a woman in general, and a woman in this industry, I’ve experienced some pretty wild behavior from the opposite sex ….”
Kravitz explained the light-heartedness of the title at first, but just like the story itself, it has a deeper meaning below the surface. According to Bustle, production will start early next year on an “undisclosed tropical island.”
The theater release date or streaming service that will host the film has yet to be revealed, but keep an eye out for what might be lurking in the waters.
Author: Betti Halsell, senior writer at Hollywood Melanin
Hulu’s gripping political thriller Paradise has officially been renewed for Season 2, an exciting new for the fans of the Sterling K. Brown-led series. With its mix of high-stakes drama, unexpected twists, and a stellar cast, the show has quickly become a standout hit for the streaming platform. The news came on February 20, 2025, just ahead of the Season 1 finale. Here’s everything you need to know about Paradise Season 2, including what’s next for the series, its performance so far, and how you can catch up.
Why Did ‘Paradise’ Get Renewed For Season 2
Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in “Paradise” (source: Disney)
Since its debut on January 26, 2025, Paradise has become a fan favorite with its intricate storytelling and genre-blending narrative. Created by Dan Fogelman—known for the emotional powerhouse This Is Us—the series follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he unravels a web of secrets following the mysterious death of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). What started as a political thriller quickly became a dystopian territory, revealing a world of underground cities and hidden truths.
The renewal comes as no surprise, given the show’s impressive performance. Paradise launched with 7 million global views in its first week across Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally, outpacing even The Bear Season 3’s debut numbers. Its consistent presence on Hulu’s Top 15 list and critical acclaim have cemented its status as one of 2025’s must-watch shows. With Season 1 still unfolding—new episodes drop every Tuesday, culminating in the finale on March 4, 2025—Hulu’s early renewal reflects strong faith in the series’ staying power.
What to Expect in the upcoming season
Sterling K. Brown with his on-screen children, played by Aliyah Mastin and Percy Daggs IV
While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, Fogelman has hinted at a grand vision for the series. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that he has a three-season arc planned, with Season 1 designed to answer key questions while setting the stage for bigger mysteries. The Season 1 finale promises to resolve the question of “who killed the president,” which launches a fresh journey for Xavier and the residents of the titular underground city.
The latest episode (Episode 6, “You Asked for Miracles,” released February 18, 2025) dropped a bombshell: Xavier’s wife, Teri, presumed dead in the surface cataclysm, might still be alive. This revelation, coupled with Xavier’s rebellion against the controlling Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), sets up a Season 2 filled with personal stakes and societal upheaval. Will Xavier uncover the whole truth about Paradise’s elite? Could the habitable surface, a secret kept from the citizens, play a larger role? We shall see.
The ensemble cast—including Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi and Nicole Brydon Bloom as the enigmatic Jane Driscoll—will likely return, with potential new faces joining to expand the story. Fogelman has teased “big moves ahead,” suggesting a pivot that keeps the narrative fresh yet “follow-able” for viewers.
How to Watch ‘Paradise’ Season 1—and Season 2 Prep
Hulu
Now’s the perfect time if you haven’t jumped into Paradise yet. Season 1 is currently streaming on Hulu in the U.S., with new episodes airing Tuesdays at midnight ET. Internationally, Disney+ subscribers can follow along, making it a global phenomenon. ABC will air the entire first season starting April 7, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT for those without Hulu, a rare move that broadens the show’s reach.
When Will Season 2 Premiere?
Hulu
No official release date for Season 2 has been announced, but fans might expect it in early 2026 based on typical production timelines. Season 1’s rapid renewal suggests Hulu is eager to keep the series rolling, and Fogelman’s clear roadmap could streamline the process. Stay tuned for updates as production ramps up post-finale.
Will Smith hinted at the long-awaited sequel to his 2008 superhero film, “Hancock,” and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Zendaya during his recent appearance on xQc’s live stream on Twitch.
Fans and industry insiders have discussed the prospect of a sequel for years. The original film grossed over $624 million worldwide—the fourth highest-grossing film that year. Now, it seems that the project may finally come to fruition.
“There’s a really cool Hancock2 idea,” Smith said during the stream. “We haven’t even talked about it.”
Smith added, “I’m going to give you one little piece. Zendaya [is] being approached for a role in Hancock 2.”
The original film, helmed by Peter Berg, follows Hancock (Smith), a scruffy superhero who protects the citizens of Los Angeles while leaving horrendous collateral damage in the wake of every well-intentioned feat. The movie also starred Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, and Eddie Marsan.
In 2012, Berg told Comicbookmovie there was an ongoing conversation about the sequel, but the schedules needed to align.
“We’ve been talking about the sequel between us, Will Smith, [producers] Michael Mann and Akiva Goldman, and myself. We’re all interested, but we literally just have trouble getting into the same room at the same time,” the director explained. “We did have a series of meetings last year and started to hash out an idea for sequel — and Will Smith actually had the idea — so I think it will happen, it’s just a question of timing.”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw returns as Tess Caldwell, a woman suffering from amnesia after mysteriously jumping off a ship, in the sophomore season of Apple TV+ psychological thriller ‘Surface.’
From Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, the first season of the mystery series was set in San Francisco but shifts across the pond for its forthcoming episodes.
While in season 1, Caldwell spent time remembering her real identity, as she had been referring to herself as Sophie Ellis, in season 2, she is ready to find out more and return to where it all started. To do that, she must immerse herself in elite British society. There, she reconnects with an heiress who may know more about her than she lets on. However, Caldwell’s investigation is sidetracked when a journalist seeks her assistance exposing the scandals of those she’s gotten close to. As much as she still has to discover, staying alive proves half the battle.
The returning cast includes Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Millie Brady. Phil Dunster, Gavin Drea, Rupert Graves, Tara Fitzgerald, Nina Sosanya, Joely Richardson, and Freida Pinto are joining the cast this season.
‘Surface” will return Friday, February 21, with eight new episodes. Watch the trailer for Season 2 below.