Sizzling Samachar: Peacock's ‘Ted’ prequel shatters records, emerges as platform's most-watched Original Title in three days; 'True Detective: Night Country' draws over 2 Million viewers, proving its critical and popular appeal

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news, I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood first.

Peacock's ‘Ted’ prequel shatters records, emerges as platform's most-watched Original Title in three days

Seth MacFarlane's irreverent teddy bear, Ted, has triumphantly returned in the prequel series, setting a historic viewership record on Peacock. The show, featuring Max Burkholder as a young John Bennett alongside MacFarlane reprising his role as the crass bear, has become Peacock's most-watched original title within its first three days of release. Launched strategically during the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend, the series capitalised on heightened platform attention, resulting in a surge in engagement. While the show was initially designated as an "event series," its resounding success has sparked discussions about the potential for a second season. MacFarlane and co-showrunners express openness to exploring more stories centred around the teenage John and Ted, contingent on sustained audience enthusiasm. Ted is available to stream on JioCinema in India.

'True Detective: Night Country' draws over 2 Million viewers, proving its critical and popular appeal

The latest season of HBO's True Detective, titled Night Country, has made a triumphant return, captivating over 2 million viewers across Max and linear telecasts. The crime anthology series, starring The Silence of the Lambs actress, Jodie Foster, and Kali Reis, who starred in Catch the Fair One, has received critical acclaim for its chilling narrative and stellar performances. The show's success has drawn comparisons to other HBO hits such as Succession and Euphoria in terms of viewership for their latest seasons. In the week preceding the Season 4 premiere, True Detective claimed the top spot on Max, indicating heightened anticipation as audiences caught up on previous seasons of the anthology series. The series unfolds in Ennis, Alaska, as Detectives Danvers and Navarro investigate the mysterious disappearance of eight men from an Arctic research station. With a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Night Country promises a gripping exploration of dark truths buried beneath the eternal ice. True Detective is available to stream on JioCinema in India.

Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny to headline Netflix's 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story'

Netflix's Monster anthology series continues its exploration of infamous crimes with its upcoming Season 2, titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story. The season delves into the shocking murders committed by the infamous Menéndez brothers, with No Country for Old Men actor Javier Bardem, and Boys Don't Cry star Chloë Sevigny, cast as the on-screen parents, José and Kitty Menéndez. Swallowed actor Cooper Koch and Emmy winner, Nicholas Alexander Chavez will portray the siblings, Erik and Lyle. The Menéndez case, characterised by the brutal slaying of their affluent parents in Beverly Hills, gained national attention in 1996. The brothers' defence raised questions of prolonged abuse, sparking a divisive trial. With renewed interest in the case and Netflix's commitment to recreating the success of Season 1, the streaming giant aspires to make a significant impact during the awards season. Although specific release details are yet to be announced, Netflix aims to build on the critical acclaim achieved by Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which garnered accolades and nominations.

Theo James takes on the "High" life in debut trailer for 'The Gentlemen' series on Netflix

Netflix has unveiled the first teaser trailer for The Gentlemen, a sequel series to Guy Ritchie's 2019 film, showcasing the allure and underbelly of the British criminal underworld. Starring Theo James as Eddie Horniman, The Duke of Halstead, the series explores his unexpected foray into criminal dealings after inheriting a cannabis empire. Amidst lavish parties, tense confrontations, and criminal intrigue, Eddie faces challenges from a cadre of gangsters vying for a piece of his empire. The teaser introduces two-time BAFTA nominee Ray Winstone in a key role as Bobby Glass, an influential figure in the cannabis underworld. Scheduled for release in March, The Gentlemen marks Guy Ritchie's busy 2024, with multiple projects, including The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Fountain of Youth.

Anya Chalotra of 'The Witcher' takes on the role of an immortal Sorceress in DC’s 'Creature Commandos'

Anya Chalotra, renowned for her portrayal of Yennefer of Vengerberg in The Witcher, has been cast as Circe in the upcoming animated series Creature Commandos. Confirmed by James Gunn, the series serves as the inaugural story in the new DC Universe produced by Gunn and Peter Safran. Circe, an immortal sorceress based on Greek mythology, will join the monster team assembled by Amanda Waller played by Viola Davis. Chalotra's experience in voicing animated characters positions her well for potential reprisals in live-action productions. Creature Commandos is set to premiere on Max later this year, introducing a new era for DCU, followed by live-action TV shows and films in the franchise.

Neha Dhupia unveils Season 6 of ‘No Filter Neha’, featuring Ananya Pandey and Tiger Shroff as guests

Neha Dhupia is gearing up to introduce the sixth season of her widely-loved podcast, No Filter Neha, this time in a video format. Serving as both the creator and producer, Dhupia has played a pivotal role in the podcast's success. The upcoming season will debut with a video-first approach, ensuring a broader audience reach on JioTV, a prominent LIVE TV streaming platform. Confirmed guests for the new season include Ananya Pandey and Tiger Shroff, among other noteworthy names from the Indian film industry. With eight episodes in the pipeline, each episode promises candid conversations, interesting anecdotes, and revelations from the lives of eminent personalities.

Well that's all for this episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Apurva Dutta