Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1. CBS Films has announced that it has acquired U.S. rights to Pride, which premiered at the 2014 Cannes International Film Festival. Pride tells the true story of a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists that raised money to support the National Union of Mineworkers families who were on strike. The films cast includes Bill Nigh, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, Andrew Scott, Joseph Gilgun, George MacKay, and Ben Schnetzer. Pride opens in theaters on September 19th.
2. The sixth and final season
of Fox's Glee will return with a midseason premiere and will consist of 13 episodes. It has also been confirmed that Naya Rivera, who plays the character Santana on Glee will be returning for season six. The final season is to take place in New York City and viewers can also expect to see the return of characters Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison).
3. BBC America has renewed the sci-fi hit show Orphan Black for a third season consisting of 10 episodes with a spring 2015 premiere date. The clone series drama is by lead actress Tatiana Maslany who plays multiple characters on the show, that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Production on the new season begins in Toronto in September.
4. Ian McKellen has tweeted the first image of himself in the role of Sherlock Holmes for the upcoming film Mr. Holmes, directed by Bill Condon. The film is set in 1947, where McKellen plays a retired 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes who must solve a mystery from 50 years ago without Watson. Mr. Holmes is set for release in 2015 and is currently in pre-production.
5. Sean Hayes is joining the CBS comedy series The Miller's in a new
regular role. Hayes is set to play Kip Withers, a friend of Carol Miller (Margo Martindale) who will annoy Carol's son Nathan (Will Arnett). The Miller's season two premieres October 30 on CBS.
6. Frameline, the world's longest-running festival celebrating LGBT films and filmmakers announced its 38th annual festival winners this past weekend, which included the films Something Must Break and Kumu Hina. To see the full list of winners click here.
7. Ellen DeGeneres is launching a lifestyle brand called E.D., (pronounced Ed) which is the nickname given by her wife Portia de Rossi. DeGeneres' brand will debut with tabletop items, candles, bedding, pajamas, and holiday items like ornaments. The full launch of the brand will take place next spring and include home-and-garden items, women’s and men’s clothes, and pet accessories. E.D. is set to launch in late October/early November.
8. Out writer Lena Waithe has signed a deal to write a pilot script for BET based on her YouTube series Twenties, which debuted last August. Twenties will focus on the experiences of young twenty-something black women trying to find their voice and place in society.
9. The Newsroom's Sam Waterston will play Lily Tomlin's gay husband on the Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie, also starring Jane Fonda. The comedy centers on Fonda and Tomlin; former enemies whose lives are thrown upside down when their husbands Sol (Waterston) and Robert (Martin Sheen) announce they are in love and plan to get married. Grace and Frankie will debut on Netflix sometime in 2015.
10. EPIX is
set to premiere a gay athletes documentary titled To Russia with Love, which was shot in secret during the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The documentary features figure skater Johnny Weir as host-interviewer and chronicles the experiences of LGBT Olympic athletes. To Russia with Love, includes interviews with legends Billie Jean King and Greg Louganis as well as the next generation of LGBT athletes who participated in the 2014 Olympic Games. The documentary will premiere worldwide on October 22.
10. A Mississippi Love Story is a short documentary that tells the story of Eddie and Justin living together and their relationships with their family and friends during the battle for same-sex marriage equality in the conservative state of Mississippi. The short film is available to rent or buy here.
A Mississippi Love Story - Trailer from Fisher Productions, LLC on Vimeo.
11. Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Mary Lambert has released a new song titled "Secrets," which is the first single for her upcoming album Heart On My Sleeve, out October 14. Lambert says the song is about loving yourself. Watch the lyric video for "Secrets" here.
12. Same Difference is a documentary that tells the story of Justin Aaberg a gay teenager who unfortunately grows up and goes to a school filled with prejudiced policies. Justin was just one of nine teens that died by suicide while attending the Anoka-Hennepin School District between the years 2009-2011. Filmmakers hope the film will help educate others and encourage anti-bullying campaigns in the U.S. The creators are looking for funding to help cover post-production and distribution costs. Visit the film’s page to learn more and watch the trailer below.