WHILE he already has quite the fanbase thanks to his leading role in House Of The Dragon, I can reveal Ewan Mitchell is in the frame for another mega franchise.
I’m told from Derby is a contender to play a baddie in , expected to be as much TV reboot as movie.
The focus on Ewan, who plays Prince Aemond Targaryen in Sky’s House Of The Dragon, couldn’t come at a better time as today is Global James Bond Day — and fans are hoping for some big casting news.
A TV insider said: “Ewan is the perfect option for Amazon because he has accrued a good CV, but is not as established an actor as some of the names who have been linked to the return of Bond.
“They’re looking for an up-and-coming name rather than an established star, and someone with a very distinct look.”
Ewan’s appeal is not just that his best known character, Aemond, boasts an eye patch and a scar reminiscent of Bond villain Blofeld.
The source added: “He has the full package and his age makes him ideal for a reboot looking at more of a youthful cast.”
Ewan also starred in BBC and Netflix Anglo-Saxon drama The Last Kingdom — and in BBC war saga World On Fire as the son of a character played by , who was a baddie in 1995 007 film GoldenEye.
Ewan starred, too, in Amazon’s 2023 hit film with — another name who is rumoured to be in line for Bond duties.
And earlier this year Ewan and Jacob were in Emerald Fennell period drama Wuthering Heights.
are also looking at making several spin-offs from their Bond reboot after taking control of the franchise last year.
Ewan would be a great choice for a 007 TV series or movie — or perhaps both.
IT’S SHAZZA THE ROZZER
is throwing the book at criminals – as a diligent cop in a twisty new crime drama.
The actress, currently also starring in , plays DS Katie Salter in Channel 5 series An Impossible Way To Die, opposite actor Emmett J. Scanlan as DI Niall Conway.
The pair soon butt heads over their different approaches to the job.
While Salter is measured and grounded, Conway has an all-consuming dedication to his duties, which can be a bit chaotic.
On paper, the two detectives appear incompatible, but they soon recognise the value of each other when faced with their toughest case yet.
In this first look at the gripping six-part thriller, Salter is happily solving everyday crimes until she gets dragged into a murder mystery.
Four people are sat around a table seemingly set for a dinner party – except they are all dead.
The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one of the victim’s mouths.
The show is out next year, so we shall have to wait until then to find out how all this pans out.
ROCKY’S SLY DIGS AT MUM
pulls no punches in his new book when discussing his Celebrity Big Brother star mum .
The Rocky actor claims she tried to abort him as a baby, accused him of “killing her career” in showbiz, and snubbed his offer of a seat at the Oscars after he refused to let her bring her hairdresser.
Writing in The Steps, Stallone says he wanted him mum – who died in 2020 – at the 1977 Oscars when he was up for Best Actor for Rocky.
After she snubbed him, and he failed to win the award, he told her sarcastically: “You know my fondest memory of you? Christmas morning when [my brother] Frank was seven and I was 11. We went downstairs because we heard noise, and saw Dad had a gun out, screaming about the cheap belt you gave him.
“I hugged you and you pushed me away. Here you are pushing me away again.”
Brutal.
AFTER LIFE star Kerry Godliman has landed her own series, about camping.
She will front UKTV format Carry On Camping for U&Dave, which will see the comic attempt to convert reluctant guests to the joys of life under canvas as they visit some of the UK’s best campsites.
IT’S GAME ON FOR MICHAEL
makes his debut as House Of Games host today, following in the giant footsteps of Richard Osman, and is eyeing up major celebrity guests.
“Judi Dench would be wonderful,” he says.
Sheen’s first week will see Stephen Mangan, Shona McGarty, Andi Peters and Nina Wadia on board as contestants.
He says of the BBC game show: “It’s something I watch every day. I’ve long complained that no one had asked me to be on it.
“Then when I was asked if I’d be interested in hosting, I was excited but also nervous because it was so synonymous with Richard.
“The idea of anyone taking over from him was something I would have complained about, if it hadn’t been me!”
KILLER GIG FOR LESLEY
BIRDS Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph has swapped Chigwell for the sunshine of Malta after filming a guest stint for the Madame Blanc Mysteries.
The fifth series of the Channel 5 hit murder mystery drama, which stars Sally Lindsay, will return this autumn.
Lesley, who played sex-mad Dorien Green in hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, filmed her episode earlier this year.
A source said: “Bosses were delighted to get Lesley for the new series. She had a great time on set and plays a rather eccentric character who gets caught up in a murder.”
The cosy crime drama sees antiques dealer Jean White tackle local crimes in the fictional French village of Sainte Victoire.
Lesley joins Hi-de-Hi!regular Su Pollard, comedian Jason Manford and EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton as guest stars in this series.
PALS WILL MELLOR and Ralf Little are back for a third run of their U&Dave series Will & Ralf Should Know Better.
With Will now 50 and Ralf 46, they turn the spotlight on themselves.
What has shaped them? How are they changing? What connects them after more than 20 years’ friendship?
BIT OF A WHO HA, AUNTY
and Blue Peter star has blasted the BBC for losing many old episodes including Sixties classics he starred in.
Peter was a companion to original Time Lord William Hartnell.
While some episodes have been rediscovered, such as two from the season three serial The Daleks’ Master Plan, which were aired this year, many remain lost.
“The BBC has been negligent,” said Peter, who stars in the Santa Express film that comes out next winter.
“They’ve not archived them properly so some of my episodes haven’t been aired since they broadcast.”
A charity called Film Is Fabulous is helping find the old lost episodes.
