Culture, style, and media — the stories, sounds, and scenes shaping the conversation.

Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez is launching an AI-powered digital avatar that gives audiences access to her personal book recommendations, late-night reflections, and stories from her own life. The avatar was built by Galleri5 – Collective Artists Network’s in-house AI studi

Anna Konkle, Taegen Burns, Tory Kittles, Brianna Reed, J.J. Nolan and Paul Scheer have been cast in Netflix’s new comedy series “I Suck at Girls.” Konkle and Burns will both be series regulars, while Kittles, Reed, Nolan and Scheer will have recurring roles. They join previously

Hal Williams, the TV veteran who appeared in American sitcom staples like “227” and “Sanford and Son,” has died, according to his manager. He was 91. “227” ran from 1985 to 1990, and followed a group of middle-aged tenants living together in an apartment building. Williams starre

Ticket sales for Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey’s revival of “Sunday in the Park With George” in London have been delayed until fall. However, the show is still going ahead as planned next summer. Originally tickets were set to go on sale in May but Variety understands the pro

“Army of Shadows,” the upcoming thriller series from BAFTA-winning “MobLand” and “The Day of the Jackal” creator Ronan Bennett and set in a near-future authoritarian Britain, has set its top cast. Leading the ensemble are BAFTA winner Paddy Considine (“House of The Dragon,” “MobL

Andy Burnham has become the leader of the U.K.’s Labour party, paving the way for him to take over as Prime Minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation last month. Burnham, sporting a suit and red tie, was greeted with thunderous applause after being announced as the new Labour

Iranian screenwriter and director Asghar Farhadi, who won Oscars with “A Separation” and “The Salesman,” will be honored at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, which runs Aug. 14 to 21. The filmmaker will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo in recognition of his “outstanding cont

Tiffany Young, the Los Angeles-born K-pop veteran who rose to prominence as a member of Girls’ Generation, will release her debut solo studio album, “Edge of Calm,” on Aug. 20 through Pacific Music Group and its flagship label, Pacific Records, alongside an eight-city Asia tour l

Locarno Pro’s work-in-progress section First Look – set to celebrate its 15th edition this year – has unveiled six new titles. This year’s spotlight falls on Uruguay, and is prepared in partnership with Uruguayan film institute ACAU. The selection includes “Maltrato animal” by Jo

Mikel Gurrea’s “Sants,” with “The Beloved” star Vicky Luengo, joins in San Sebastian’s main competition alongside Berto Romero’s time-loop relationship comedy “Five Minutes More” and Roberto Bueso’s family dramedy “El mal padre.” Also selected for this year’s San Sebastián, playi

Pearl Studio’s animated comedy “All Wishes Come True!” will expand into international markets this summer following its July 24 China debut. Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will get the film first, on Aug. 13, with the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland and the Netherlan

Sophie Simnett, the rising British star best known for Netflix’s post-apocalyptic comedy drama “Daybreak” and Brit crime feature “Twist,” is set to star alongside writer-actor Jack Whittle (“Tony!”) in “The Candidate.” The film is a black-and-white silent comedy with a dance inte

U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to dismiss part of his $10 billion defamation suit against the BBC. According to The Telegraph, Trump has dropped his claims against BBC Studios Distribution and BBC Studios Production, the broadcaster’s commercial and production arms. Howev

“Dio Ride,” written and directed by Giovanni Veronesi, will close the 83rd Venice Intl. Film Festival, which runs Sept. 2-12. The film will play in the out-of-competition section. “Dio Ride” stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Silvio Orlando, Alma Noce, Francesco Gheghi, Maurizio Lombard

Annabel Scholey, the British actress most recently seen in the Disney+ hit “Rivals,” has joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming thriller series “The Lord’s Day,” now in production in the U.K. Variety understands that Scholey, also known for BBC series “The Split,” has a key role i