The Power stars Toni Collette and John Leguizamo on the new show in which teenage girls rule the world

Published

2 years ago

April 1, 2023

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Toni Collette says her new TV series, which imagines a world where teenage girls suddenly develop the ability to electrocute people at will, is actually addressing issues in our own reality.

The Australian actress plays a politician in The Power, which is based on the hit 2016 novel by Naomi Alderman.

Collette tells Sky News’ film and TV podcast Backstage that the show acts as something of a wake-up call over how young women are treated by society.

“Historically it’s a bit of an ageist world – along with other ‘ists’ – and people can overlook kids in general, but for young girls, I think they’re particularly overlooked,” she says. “It did feel important, you know, to actually tell a story about inclusivity and equality. It’s a big deal and it’s something we’re really grappling with in our world.

“To see it and identify with it in a slightly removed, entertaining, sci-fi way is probably a cool way to address it and for people to come to it without feeling like it’s dogmatic or didactic.”

While Collette plays Margot Cleary-Lopez, Mayor of Seattle, her co-star John Leguizamo plays her character’s husband, Rob.

The actor, who has had a long and varied career – from Carlito’s Way, Moulin Rouge and the John Wick franchise to acclaimed series such as When They See Us – says it is always gratifying to appear in a show delivering a message.

‘Maybe we need to change’

“I love being a part of something that I feel is trying to do something important, trying to say something,” he tells Backstage.

“I love entertainment for entertainment’s sake, but I love more when it has poignancy, when it has relevance to what’s going on politically, socially and this, unfortunately, does speak on those subjects, on what’s happening in America: Roe versus Wade, bans on trans people, bans on black literature and Latin literature in schools in history [classes].

“It speaks of our times, but hopefully it does it in a way that’s entertaining and not preachy, and maybe people can look at themselves and go, maybe we need to change – you hope for that.”

The Power explores the idea of women becoming the dominant sex. While the idea of teenage girls suddenly developing deadly abilities might sound scary – particularly to men – Collette thinks the idea of them harnessing some power of their own is actually very positive.

“Any change is a little bit daunting, right? Because everyone’s very comfortable in the familiar, and I know that there’s an inherent fear around it because it is very, it can be destructive if used in the wrong way. But actually, I think there’s something so beautiful about these girls, some of them for the first time, having a real sense of safety in themselves, and a sense of agency and sovereignty.

“That just builds confidence and I think there’s something really hopeful about that. That balances out the potentially destructive side of it.”

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Politics in real life?

In the series, Collette’s character finds herself thrust into the limelight when she is among the first to speak out publicly after the teenagers develop their powers. While the woman she plays is politically ambitious, the actress says she has no interest in heading in that direction herself.

“I was petrified doing the fake debate scene, I can’t imagine what it’s like doing it in reality, there’s too much at stake, there’s so much responsibility,” she says. “I really admire – not a lot of politicians who come from a place of ego – but I think Margot is a woman with really good intentions, she really cares about the people she represents and I think she’s the best of her kind.”

Leguizamo agrees Collette’s character represents a certain kind of politician.

“I work around a lot of politicians, so I have respect for the Margot types that really care, really want to make a change,” he says.

“You see great politicians, who care, broken by the system, you know, their ideals crushed right before them – it’s hard to see. That’s why I respect real politicians who want to make a change and make the world a better place, like Margot.”

The Power is streaming on Prime Video – hear our review on the latest episode of Backstage, the film and TV podcast from Sky News

Entertainment

Glastonbury 2025 line-up revealed

Published

13 hours ago

March 6, 2025

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The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo will be among the stars headlining Glastonbury Festival this year, it has been announced.

Glastonbury organisers have revealed the line-up for this summer’s event, taking place between 25 June and 29 June, after months of speculation.

The 1975 will take to the iconic Pyramid Stage on the Friday to headline, then Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young will perform on Saturday and Olivia Rodrigo on the Sunday.

Other big names performing include British pop sensation Charli XCX, rapper Loyle Carner electronic group The Prodigy.

The announcement comes after Sir Rod Stewart was booked for the Sunday teatime legend slot and Young was confirmed as a headliner earlier this year.

Young’s announcement in January came amid some confusion, as he had days before told fans he was pulling out of the festival because the BBC’s involvement was a “corporate turn-off”.

The Canadian singer-songwriter later said this decision was down to “an error in the information I received”.

The 1975 will be headlining for the first time, having made their Glastonbury debut in 2014.

The Cheshire band, known for hits such as Somebody Else and Chocolate, have regularly made headlines due to the antics of frontman Matty Healy.

Glastonbury, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset in the summer, has worked closely with the BBC – its exclusive broadcast partner – since 1997.

Appetite for the esteemed festival saw standard tickets sell out in 35 minutes in November.

They cost £373.50 plus a £5 booking fee, up £18.50 from the price from the 2024 festival, and were sold exclusively through the See Tickets website.

The date for the resale – where tickets not fully paid for are put back up for purchase – is set for some time in spring.

The headliners last summer on the iconic Pyramid Stage were Dua Lipa, SZA and Coldplay, who made history as the first act to headline the festival five times.

2026 is likely to be a year off for Glastonbury, with the festival traditionally taking place four out of every five years, and the fifth year reserved for rehabilitation of the land.

Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX BRIT Awards appearances spark hundreds of Ofcom complaints

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2025

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Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX BRIT Awards appearances spark hundreds of Ofcom complaints

Ofcom received 825 complaints over the Brit Awards, with the majority relating to Sabrina Carpenter’s raunchy performance and Charli XCX’s outfit, the media watchdog says.

US pop star Carpenter, 25, sported a red sparkly military-style blazer dress for her performance at the awards show on Saturday night, paired with stockings and suspenders for a rendition of Espresso.

The song was mixed with a Rule Britannia mash-up, as dancers in military parade dress followed her.

She then switched to a red sparkly bra and shorts for her next song, Bad Chem, which she performed alongside dancers in bras and shorts while sitting suggestively on a large bed.

Carpenter later received the global success award at the ceremony, and was also nominated in the international artist and international song of the year categories.

But much of the buzz on social media surrounded her performance, which took place before the 9pm watershed.

Ofcom said some of the complaints were also aimed at British pop sensation Charli XCX, who dominated the night by winning five awards, including album of the year.

Some viewers took issue with her outfit – a black see-through dress.

The singer addressed the concerns during her acceptance speech for artist of the year, saying: “I heard that ITV were complaining about my nipples. I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?”

Carpenter paid tribute to the UK in her acceptance speech, saying: “The Brits have given me this award, and this feels like such an insane honour in a very primarily tea-drinking country… you really understood my dry sense of humour because your sense of humour is so, so dry. So I love y’all more than you even understand.”

Entertainment

Why is Noel Clarke suing The Guardian?

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2025

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Actor Noel Clarke begins his High Court libel case against The Guardian’s publisher today.

Clarke, 49, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) over a series of articles it published about him in April 2021.

They were based on the claims of 20 women Clarke knew “in a professional capacity” who allege his behaviour towards them amounted to sexual misconduct.

Clarke, known for his roles in the Kidulthood trilogy and Dr Who, “vehemently” denies “any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing”.

What will the trial cover?

Clarke is suing GNM for libel, sometimes also referred to as defamation.

It’s a civil tort – not a criminal offence – defined as false written statements that have damaged the person’s reputation. This means Clarke can seek redress or damages but no one will face charges or prison.

Clarke claims the articles The Guardian published in 2021 altered public opinion of him, damaged his reputation, and lost him work.

He said after the allegations emerged: “In a 20-year career, I have put inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me.

“If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise. I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations.”

The Guardian is defending the claim on the basis of truth and public interest.

It said in its statement: “Our reporting on Noel Clarke in 2021 was based on the accounts of 20 brave women. After we published our first article, more women came forward.

“At trial, 32 witnesses are set to testify against Mr Clarke under oath. We look forward to a judge hearing the evidence.”

The trial will only focus on liability – not the amount of damages to be paid if Clarke is successful.

The actor tried and failed to get the case struck out in January, with his legal team saying it had “overwhelming evidence” of “perversion of the course of justice”.

His lawyers told the High Court three of the journalists involved in the articles had “deliberately and permanently” deleted messages, which meant he could not get a fair trial.

Lawyers for GNM told the court there was “no adequate evidential basis” for Clarke’s application for a strike out and said it sought “to smear Guardian journalists and editors without any proper justification”.

The trial, which will be presided over by judge Mrs Justice Steyn, is expected to last between four and six weeks.

What has happened since the articles were published?

A month before the articles about him were published in April 2021, Clarke received BAFTA’s outstanding contribution to British cinema award.

However, once the allegations against him emerged, he was suspended by the organisation and the prize rescinded.

His management and production company 42M&P told Sky News they were no longer representing him and Sky cancelled its TV show Bulletproof, starring Clarke and Top Boy actor Ashley Walters as the lead roles.

ITV also decided to pull the finale of another of his dramas, Viewpoint, following the Guardian articles.

The Met Police looked into the allegations against Clarke for any potential criminal wrongdoing, but in March 2022 announced they “did not meet the threshold for criminal investigation”.

Clarke filed the libel claim the following month and has attended several of the preliminary hearings in person.

He says he has faced a “trial by media” – and that the ordeal has left him suicidal and in need of professional help.

‘Rising star’

Clarke made his TV debut in a revived version of Auf Wiedersehen Pet in 2002.

Soon after he played Mickey Smith in Dr Who and Kwame in the six-part Channel 4 series Metrosexuality.

He wrote and starred in the film trilogy Kidulthood, Adulthood, and Brotherhood, which were based in west London, where he grew up, and explored the lives of a group of teenagers given time off school after a bullied classmate takes their own life.

It was a box office success and eventually saw Clarke given BAFTA’s rising star prize in 2009.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.