WHAT’s new for 2024? From must-see telly and box sets to blockbuster cinema releases, live comedy and gigs, it seems as if the year ahead will be offering plenty to keep us captivated.
Laura Stott reveals some of the treats we can look forward to over the next 12 months.
MOVIES
DUNE: PART II (March) – Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem are back for the eagerly anticipated sequel to their original sci-fi hit, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Seeking revenge for the attack on his family, Paul Atreides (Chalamet) teams up with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen, the native inhabitants of Arrakis, to fight against the conspirators. But can he prevent a terrible future only he can foresee? Also starring Florence Pugh.
GODZILLA X KONG: The New Empire (April) – This fifth instalment in the MonsterVerse series of movies pits Kong and fearsome Godzilla against a colossal deadly threat hidden deep within the planet that is threating the very existence of the human race. On the same side this time, can our titans team up to see off the danger? Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry.
IF (May) – Directed by and starring John Krasinski, alongside a top cast including Ryan Reynolds, Emily Blunt, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Vince Vaughn, IF, which stands for Imaginary Friends, tells the story of a young girl who has been through a traumatic experience and can now see and talk to the make-believe pals in other people’s minds. But what happens when they don’t all have the best intentions?
BAD BOYS 4 (June) – The fourth instalment in the franchise and the follow-up to Bad Boys For Life. Will Smith is back alongside Martin Lawrence and Vanessa Hudgens for more feelgood, buddy-cop capers.
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INSIDE OUT 2 (June) – Nine years after Disney and Pixar’s original smash-hit animation Inside Out, a coming-of-age emotions sequel is released in our cinemas next summer. Directed by Kelsey Mann, the continuation follows Riley, now a teenager and once again voiced by Amy Poehler, as she encounters new feelings. This time, Joy, Sadness, Fear and Disgust are joined by Anxiety.
BORDERLANDS (August) – Based on the hit video game franchise of the same name, this sci-fi action comedy is bound to be a summer blockbuster. Set on the fictional planet of Pandora, it sees an all-star ensemble including Cate Blanchett, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bobby Lee search for a mysterious relic. Directed by Eli Roth.
BEETLEJUICE 2 (September) – Day-o! Michael Keaton is back to reprise his memorable turn as the obnoxious monochrome ghost Beetlejuice in Tim Burton’s hugely anticipated sequel to his 1988 original movie. Not much is known about the script yet, but Winona Ryder will return as Lydia and Catherine O’Hara as Delia, while A-list newcomers include Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, as well as Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe.
JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX (October) – Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in this sequel directed by Todd Phillips. Following on from the 2019 original, and based on the DC Comics characters, details on the plot are still scarce. But it has been confirmed this second act will be a musical thriller, while the title translates as “Madness For Two”.
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GLADIATOR 2 (November) – Two decades in the making, and there is no Russell Crowe on screen in the return to the Roman Empire. But Ridley Scott directs the sequel to his 2000 historical hit, which will this time focus on Lucius – Paul Mescal – the son of Maximus’ lover Lucilla, after Maximus’ death. He will appear with Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.
MUFASA: THE LION KING (December) – Disney’s live action-style musical drama animation is bound to be a must-see. It is a prequel to the original story and we will encounter Simba, King of the Pride Lands, determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.
LIVE COMEDY
JOHN BISHOP: Back At It (March – November) – After two years focusing on telly work, John returns to his stand-up roots and takes to the stage for a new tour. Starting on March 9, he will play 57 UK dates, including two at the London Palladium. Johnbishoponline.com.
PADDY MCGUINNESS: Nearly There (from October) – Paddy’s long-awaited first live tour since 2016 will kick off in, where else?, Blackburn in October. The comic and presenter will play 40 dates around the UK. Ticketmaster.co.uk.
JASON MANFORD: A Manford All Seasons (UK dates from November 10) – Catch former 8 Out of 10 Cats comedian Jason as he plays 17 live shows at some of the UK’s biggest entertainment venues, including gigs in Birmingham, Cardiff and Nottingham. To top it off, he becomes the first comic to announce a show at Manchester’s new Co-Op Live arena. Jasonmanford.com.
TV & STREAMING DRAMA
EMILY IN PARIS (date tbc, Netflix) – Say bonjour to series four of the French-set comedy drama which, for this outing, will also travel to Italy. Lily Collins returns as the kooky American in Paris, Emily Cooper, alongside pal Mindy (Ashley Park) and “will they/won’t they?” love interest Gabriel (Lucas Bravo).
THE JETTY (date tbc, BBC) – Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) stars as rookie detective Ember Manning in a new, thought-provoking thriller from Harlots writer Cat Jones. The four-part series examines what happens when fire tears through a holiday home in a scenic Lancashire lake town, with implications for a missing persons cold case and an illicit relationship.
THE GENTLEMEN (March, Netflix) – Director Guy Ritchie brings his trademark gangster-themed capers to the small screen with this new TV drama-comedy version of his 2019 movie of the same name. The White Lotus’s Theo James stars as Eddie Horniman, the estranged son of an English aristocrat who inherits the family pile, only to discover it’s fronting a cannabis empire controlled by the criminal underworld.
ONE DAY (February 8, Netflix) – David Nicholls’ beloved bestselling book is newly adapted for the small screen, directed by Molly Manners, with the writer himself as executive producer. In a version said to be true to the novel, Emma, played by Ambika Mod (This Is Going To Hurt) and Dexter, portrayed by Leo Woodall, meet on the same day every year in a decades-spanning tale of friendship and love. Tissues at the ready.
RIVALS (date tbc, Disney+) – Jilly Cooper fans are eagerly awaiting the small-screen adaptation of the second book in her lust-filled Rutshire Chronicles series, starring Alex Hassell as legendary lothario Rupert Campbell-Black, alongside David Tennant as Tony Baddingham and Aidan Turner as TV presenter Declan O’Hara. Set in 1986, expect glamour, big shoulder pads, bitching and plenty of bonking.
THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ (date tbc, Sky Atlantic) – This heart-stirring, six-part adaptation of the book of the same name by Heather Morris is set during the Second World War. Inspired by true events in 1942 at the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in Poland, the cast is to include Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey, Jonah Hauer-King and Anna Prochniak.
TV DOCUMENTARY AND GAME SHOWS
CAMDEN (date tbc, Disney+) – Singer Dua Lipa hosts this new documentary series which examines the influence of the North London borough of Camden on the UK – and worldwide – music scene. Artists who will appear to talk about the influence of NW1 include Nile Rodgers, Pete Doherty, Boy George, Chris Martin and Mark Ronson.
GLADIATORS (January, BBC One) – The channel kicks off 2024 with this revival of the classic sports entertainment show. Contestants take on the mighty Gladiators in action and speed challenges. Bradley Walsh hosts, alongside his son Barney, with Guy Mowbray doing the commentary. Contenders, ready?
THE TRAITORS (January 3, BBC) – The smash hit, “guess the truth” game show series is back for a second series in January, presented by Claudia Winkleman, with a new intake of contestants. Perfect for those post-Crimbo nights in front of the telly.
GIGS AND FESTIVALS
LIAM GALLAGHER: Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary Tour (from June) – To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his former band’s iconic album, ex-frontman Liam will be performing the tracklist in full at venues around the UK, including Cardiff, London’s O2 and, of course, Manchester. Many venues have sold out, but watch out for new dates being added. Livenation.co.uk.
THE 1975: Still...At Their Very Best Tour (from February) – Frontman of The 1975, Matty Healy, says the band will take a break from live performances after this tour ends – so grab tickets for 2024 dates to catch them on stage while you can. The1975.com.
Reading and Leeds Festival: August 21-25 – Simultaneously run at Bramham Park, Wetherby (Leeds Festival) and Little John’s Farm, Reading (Reading Festival), a stellar line-up has already been confirmed for 2024, including Blink-182, Lana Del Rey and Liam Gallagher. Readingandleedsfestival.com.
WEST END / MUSICALS
BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL (Manchester and London from June) – This stage adaptation of hit movie Burlesque opens in Manchester, before transferring to London’s West End. Produced by Christina Aguilera, it features songs from the film, plus new tracks written by the singer. Burlesquethemusical.com.
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MEAN GIRLS The Musical (Savoy Theatre, London, from June 5 2024) – Smash-hit Broadway musical Mean Girls arrives in the West End with laughs, songs and iconic lines and characters from the original movie. The reign of the “Plastics” begins at the Savoy Theatre June. London.meangirlsmusical. com.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Dominion Theatre, London, from October) – Set in the offices of a glamorous fashion magazine and based on the book by Lauren Weisberger, this might just be the West End’s most stylish smash of 2024. It features music by Elton John and with Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell (musicals Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots) at the helm. One to dress up for! Devilwearspradamusical.com.
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