Samantha King

BBC's new sand-sculpture competition series Race Against the Tide was filmed at West Sands Beach in St Andrews, Scotland, specifically between dune paths 11 and 13 near the beach's northern end. Teams of a professional sculptor and a beginner have six hours to create themed works before the tide arrives. Sadie Clayton and Jamie Wardley judge the sculptures, while Iain Stirling hosts. All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer, with the first episode also airing on BBC Two.

Paramount Plus has confirmed that Teen Mom UK will return for series 14 on September 1, immediately following the season four finale of Teen Mom UK: Next Generation. Former cast member Shannon Wise will return alongside Amber Butler, Chloe Patton and Mia Boardman. The new season will mark the franchise's second Teen Mom UK series of 2026 and will focus on celebrations, heartbreak, friendship and the challenges of motherhood.

Artist Sadie Clayton serves as an expert judge alongside Jamie Wardley on the new BBC competition series Race Against the Tide, hosted by Iain Stirling. The six-part programme pairs professional sculptors with sand-sculpting newcomers, who have six hours to create themed sculptures before the tide arrives at West Sands Beach in St Andrews. Clayton, a 35-year-old copper sculptor and self-described cultural communicator, fashion academic and maximalist, previously appeared on Landmark and judged Britain's Best Young Artist. She lives in east London with her husband and young son and recently launched the kidswear brand Playing Out.

Lucien Laviscount says filming for the sixth and final season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris will wrap in mid-September. He promises a strong season for Alfie and describes the long-running cast as a close family, while Lily Collins has called the season the final chapter of Emily Cooper’s story. The season is expected later in 2026, with filming spanning Paris, Greece and Monaco, but no exact release date has been announced.

A four-part documentary series, Green River Killer: Hunting the Monster, examines Gary Ridgway, who was convicted of murdering 49 women in Washington State and claimed to have killed more than 70. The series revisits his targeting of vulnerable women, the decades-long investigation, his eventual capture through advances in DNA technology, and his police interviews and confession. It is available free on STV Player and carries a warning about disturbing material.

Taylor Swift appeared briefly as Elaine in the second-season finale of New Girl, where her character disrupted CeCe and Shivrang’s wedding. Max Greenfield, who played Schmidt, recalled on the Therapuss with Jake Shane podcast that Swift was kind and already an exceptionally strong performer, telling him she would prefer to play for an audience large enough to fill an ocean. The anecdote prompted enthusiastic reactions from fans, while all seven seasons of New Girl are available on Disney+.

BBC Breakfast featured Suzi Quatro paying tribute to her longtime friend Bonnie Tyler, who died aged 75 in July. Quatro recalled their parallel music careers and a humorous backstage memory before offering an emotional farewell. Tyler’s coffin is due to travel through Mumbles, with her funeral scheduled for August 17 in Swansea before the cortege continues to Skewen.

ITV has announced Sam & Pete: Dying to Look Good, a three-part documentary fronted by Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks about extreme male self-improvement and the looksmaxxing movement. The programme will examine practices including bonesmashing, testosterone boosting, biohacking, bodybuilding, cryotherapy and cosmetic treatments, with the presenters trying some techniques themselves. ITV and producer Crackit TV say the series aims to understand why men pursue increasingly demanding beauty and wellness regimes rather than judge them. The documentary is expected to air on ITVX and ITV2 in 2027, though no exact release date has been confirmed.

Fans of Heated Rivalry have been comparing breakout star Connor Storrie to a young Patrick Swayze, particularly in his Dirty Dancing era, with several viewers calling the resemblance uncanny or saying the actors could be twins. Storrie and Hudson Williams are expected to return as Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander in a second season, alongside new cast members Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. The series is adapted from Rachel Reid's Game Changers books, which were inspired in part by the sporting rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

The Last House depicts a family trapped inside their home for more than five years while giant sea creatures hold humanity captive. Director Louis Leterrier explains that the creatures are ancient ocean dwellers retaliating against humans for polluting and overheating the seas, reversing the apparent invasion narrative by presenting humanity as the true alien. The family is freed after showing mercy to one captured creature, then discovers a flooded, overgrown world and sets out by boat to find other survivors.

Five acclaimed or under-the-radar documentaries are recommended: My Octopus Teacher, The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, Three Identical Strangers, Class Action Park and Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The films span nature, crime, family drama, dangerous entertainment and culinary ambition, with viewing options including Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV and Plex. Several titles are noted for major critical recognition, while others are highlighted for their unusual or disturbing real-life stories.

The three-part Disney+ documentary Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese revisits the 2012 disappearance of 16-year-old Skylar Neese from her West Virginia home and the later discovery of her remains. Using social media posts, interviews and Skylar’s own words, the series examines the betrayal and secrets surrounding her closest friends. Viewers have called the case heartbreaking and said they were too angry or distressed to watch, while others praised the documentary as gripping and compelling.

Prime Video has released all eight episodes of Sterling Point, a coming-of-age drama about 17-year-old Annie Jacobson, who inherits her grandfather’s island in Canada. Ella Rubin leads the cast, alongside Amélie Hoeferle, Keen Ruffalo, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jay Duplass, Bo Bragason and Missi Pyle. The series has received strong early reviews, including a reported 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, while the article highlights the cast members’ previous and upcoming film and television roles.

E4's ten-part documentary series Cruising Paradise: Above and Below Deck follows young workers aboard Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships, exploring their demanding work, friendships, romances and lives at sea. Actor Callum Scott Howells narrates the series; he is best known for playing Colin Morris-Jones in Channel 4's It's a Sin and has also appeared in The Beautiful Game and Madfabulous. The programme airs Thursdays at 9pm on E4.

A three‑part documentary titled Barrow: The Truth Behind the Grooming Lie is set to premiere on Sky Documentaries and NOW on August 2, examining Ellie Williams’ false grooming allegations that went viral during the COVID‑19 lockdown and triggered hate crimes in Barrow. The series features interviews with Williams’ family and explores broader issues surrounding grooming cases in the UK. Executive producer Henry Singer suggests the story reveals deeper national concerns about ignored abuse and aims to provoke renewed discussion.

Fans respond enthusiastically to the first trailer for The Shards, Ryan Murphy’s upcoming 1980s-set thriller adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’s novel. The series follows elite Los Angeles prep school students entangled in dark events as a serial killer targets local teens. Viewers praise the cast and Murphy’s style, though some express concerns about his recent track record. The first two episodes debut August 6 on Disney Plus, with weekly releases to follow.

Bobby Norris reflects on years of overusing cosmetic fillers, describing a cycle that led him to undergo an extensive facelift before turning 40. He warns others considering fillers to avoid excessive treatments and to follow medical advice. He hints at upcoming career projects and says his long‑running feud with Gemma Collins could potentially be resolved, noting both have matured.

A 2013 horror film, Mama, will leave Netflix on July 25, prompting recommendations from viewers who call it a twisted and atmospheric story worth watching. The movie follows two abandoned sisters taken in by relatives after surviving alone in the woods for years, raising unsettling questions about their past. Featuring performances by Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and direction from Andy Muschietti, the film has mixed critical reception but strong fan appreciation.

A television adaptation of Louise Rennison’s Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series is in development for a major streaming platform, with a pilot titled Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging preparing to film later in 2026. Casting director Rachel Sheridan has issued a call for actors who can portray teenagers, with a full series potentially filming in 2027 if greenlit. The project follows the success of the 2008 film based on the first book, though no release date has been confirmed.

A new Prime Video prequel series to Legally Blonde features one of James Van Der Beek’s final roles, prompting an emotional response from viewers. The late actor appears in Episode 3 as a school superintendent, with the show including a title card paying tribute to him following his death earlier in the year. Fans expressed surprise and sadness at seeing him on screen. All episodes of the series are now available, and a second season is already in production for release in 2027.

A new horror film titled The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, has arrived on HBO Max after its theatrical release, prompting warnings from viewers who describe it as extremely gory and frightening. The story follows a journalist and his wife who recover their missing daughter after eight years, only to find her alive but changed after being discovered mummified in a sarcophagus. Critics gave the film low ratings, while audiences responded more positively, praising its intensity and graphic scenes. Fans compare it to classics like The Exorcist and recommend it to those who enjoyed Cronin’s previous work. Viewers are cautioned that the film contains disturbing content not suited for sensitive audiences.

The article highlights subtle Easter eggs and references to the original Legally Blonde films embedded throughout the new Prime Video prequel series Elle, including episode titles, school name initials referencing Reese Witherspoon, inherited wardrobe pieces, and a cameo performance by Lisa Loeb. It emphasizes the show's efforts to connect longtime fans with Elle’s earlier story while introducing a younger, evolving version of the character.

The thirteenth series of Teen Mom UK follows returning cast members as they navigate major life changes during a milestone tenth anniversary season. Sassi Simmonds has confirmed this will be her final appearance, shifting her focus to social media. The four-episode season streams on Paramount+ with weekly Tuesday releases, concluding on July 14.

Chloe Patton describes receiving severe online abuse after appearing on Teen Mom UK, including messages urging self-harm and criticism of her age as a young parent. She shares these experiences on the Parent Unplugged podcast, prompting supportive reactions from fans. The article also notes the current 13th series of Teen Mom UK streaming on Paramount+.