The Power stars Toni Collette and John Leguizamo on the new show in which teenage girls rule the world
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.
Pic: Katie Yu/Prime Video/Amazon Studios
“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’
Pic: Katie Yu/Prime Video/Amazon Studios
“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.”
John Leguizamo and Toni Collette at The Power’s New York premiere. Pic: Alyssa Greenberg/Prime Video/Amazon Studios
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.”
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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
Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home
An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.
Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series.
The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.
Both had died from gunshot wounds.
Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook
Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.
According to Los Angeles Police, there were “no signs of forced entry or trouble” at the property.
Ms Kaye was an industry veteran – and had previously worked on shows including Lip Sync Battle and The Singing Bee, as well as several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles
In a statement, an American Idol spokesperson said: “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.
“Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Entertainment
Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week’s shows in Manchester
Huge steel fences have been erected to prevent ticketless fans from watching the Oasis reunion tour in Manchester.
Liam and Noel Gallagher will resume their sold-out run of shows – their first since 2009 – with a performance at Heaton Park tonight, and two more on Saturday and Sunday.
While tens of thousands bought tickets for Oasis’s first two shows last weekend, crowds gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance – in an area dubbed “Gallagher Hill” by some on social media.
People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. Reuters file pic
Manchester City Council has now said more steel fences have been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans from watching the gigs, and to protect nature in the park.
“After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts,” it said.
“The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose – both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there.
“The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”
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Friday: Excited fans at Oasis homecoming gig
The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the park’s cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted.
The council added that there would be no facilities for people without a ticket, and said the event area is “double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round”.
More than 2,000 event security staff and police officers will also be on duty around the site “to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert”, it said.
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John Hacking, the council’s executive member for employment, skills and leisure, also said in a statement that “unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place”.
He added: “Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.
“The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.
“We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”
MasterChef presenter John Torode will no longer work on the show after an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld, the BBC has said.
His co-host Gregg Wallace was also sacked last week after claims of inappropriate behaviour.
On Monday, Torode said an allegation he used racist language was upheld in a report into the behaviour of Wallace. The report found more than half of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.
Torode, 59, insisted he had “absolutely no recollection” of the alleged incident involving him and he “did not believe that it happened,” adding “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic: PA
In a statement on Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said the allegation “involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace”.
The claim was “investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin”, they added.
“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind… we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.
“John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”
Australian-born Torode started presenting MasterChef alongside Wallace, 60, in 2005.
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Why Gregg Wallace says he ‘will not go quietly’
A statement from Banijay UK said it “takes this matter incredibly seriously” and Lewis Silkin “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018”.
“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the TV production company added.
“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”
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Earlier, as the BBC released its annual report, its director-general Tim Davie addressed MasterChef’s future, saying it can survive as it is “much bigger than individuals”.
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BBC annual report findings
Speaking to BBC News after Torode was sacked, Mr Davie said a decision is yet to be taken over whether an unseen MasterChef series – filmed with both Wallace and Torode last year – will be aired.
“It’s a difficult one because… those amateur chefs gave a lot to take part – it means a lot, it can be an enormous break if you come through the show,” he added.
“I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision, and we’ll communicate that in due course.”
Mr Davie refused to say what the “seriously racist term” Torode was alleged to have used but said: “I certainly think we’ve drawn a line in the sand.”
In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.
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