From creator, author and executive producer JP Delaney (The Perfect Wife, Playing Nice), the new original limited series The Girl Before debuts same time as the U.S with all four episodes on Thursday, February 10 exclusively on HBO GO.
The Girl Before tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). There’s just one catch: the occupants must abide by his list of exacting rules. Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery about her predecessor, Emma (Jessica Plummer), she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities. As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before.
The four-part psychological thriller stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki, The Morning Show) who also debuts as associate producer, Golden Globe®, BAFTA, and Emmy®-nominated actor David Oyelowo (Selma, Les Misérables), Jessica Plummer (EastEnders, How To Talk To Girls At Parties), and Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody, X-Men: Apocalypse).
Adapted by Delaney from his own global best-selling novel of the same title which sold more than a million copies since publication in 2016, The Girl Before is written and executive produced by Delaney with Marissa Lestrade (White Stork, Deep State 2) as co-writer of episodes. It is directed by Emmy-nominated Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve, Servant, Blue My Mind), who also executive produces.
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From creator Julian Fellowes, (“Downton Abbey”) HBO’s The Gilded Age debuts same time as the U.S. on Tuesday, January 25 at 10am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 10pm on HBO. Written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield and directed by Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the nine-episode drama series stars an ensemble cast of Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Simon Jones, Harry Richardson, Thomas Cocquerel, Jack Gilpin, with Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.
The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, of great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems, and of huge fortunes made and lost. Against the backdrop of this transformation, HBO’s The Gilded Age begins in 1882 with young Marian Brook (Jacobson) moving from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after the death of her father to live with her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Baranski) and Ada Brook (Nixon). Accompanied by Peggy Scott (Benton), an aspiring writer seeking a fresh start, Marian inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money set, and her stupendously rich neighbours, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George (Spector) and Bertha Russell (Coon). Exposed to a world on the brink of the modern age, will Marian follow the established rules of society, or forge her own path?
The series also stars Ben Ahlers, Michael Cerveris, Kelley Curran, Claybourne Elder, Linda Emond, Katie Finneran, Amy Forsyth, Michel Gill, Ward Horton, Bill Irwin, Sullivan Jones, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Kristine Nielsen, Kelli O’Hara, Patrick Page, Taylor Richardson, Douglas Sills, John Douglas Thompson, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Erin Wilhelmi.
Created, written and executive produced by Julian Fellowes, the series is also executive produced by Gareth Neame and David Crockett. Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield are directors and executive producers while Sonja Warfield is a writer and co-executive producer. The Gilded Age is a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
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The brand-new HBO Asia Original series Miss S《旗袍美探》will premiere on 5 October with two-episodes airing every weekday exclusively on HBO GO. The 30-episode hour-long detective drama is a Mandarin adaptation of the globally popular Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
Set in 1930s Shanghai, the series stars award-winning actress Ma Yili《马伊琍》(The First Half of My Life, Struggle, My Fair Princess 3) as the eponymous protagonist, also known as Su Wenli《苏雯丽》, a beautiful and witty socialite who forms an unlikely crime-solving duo with the righteous and serious inspector Luo Qiuheng《罗秋恒》played by Vengo Gao Weiguang《高伟光》(Ghost Blowing Light, Harmony). Despite their opposing personalities, they manage to crack numerous cases together and share an undeniable chemistry. But the mysterious disappearance of Su Wenli’s younger sister a decade ago continues to haunt her and she will not rest until she finds the truth. Can Luo Qiuheng help Su Wenli unravel the mystery and move on from her sister’s disappearance?
The series begins with Su Wenli’s return to Shanghai after studying abroad in Paris. While visiting her old schoolmate at her home, the husband of Su Wenli’s schoolmate is found dead. To the ire of inspector Luo, the independent, ever curious and perseverant Su Wenli interferes with the investigation as she tries to find answers to the murder herself.
Directed by Deng Ke《邓科》(When We Were Young, Fly Me To Venus), the series also stars Bu Guanjin 《卜冠今》(Suddenly This Summer, Nothing But Thirty), Wu Haochen 《吴昊宸》(Crocodile and The Plover Bird, Begin Again), Tien Niu 《恬妞》(Fatal Move, City War), Yao Anlian 《姚安濂》(Factory Boss, Enter the Forbidden City), Xu Shaoying 《徐绍瑛》(Three Lives, Three Worlds, The Pillow Book, Trident), Liu Yihang 《刘已航》(The Golden Hairpin) and Guo Qiucheng 《郭秋成》(Liberation, The Listener), with guest appearance by Dong Xuan 《董璇》(Secret of the Three Kingdoms, Unbeatable 2), and cameo appearances by Zhang Yuqi 《张雨绮》(The Mermaid, CJ7)and Chen Long 《陈龙》(The Climbers, All Men Are Brothers).
The series, with its rich and detailed panoramic style shots showcasing the nostalgic glamour of old Shanghai, was filmed entirely in Hengdian World Studios. With more than 120 guest artistes in the entire series, over 500 sets of costumes were designed and created, out of which almost a hundred of those outfits belong to the fashionable detective, Miss S.
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Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
A brand new HBO Asia Original anthology drama series, FOOD LORE, will premiere Sunday, 3 November 2019 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO. The eight-episode hour-long series explores human conditions with narratives inspired by Asian cuisines.
Helmed by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo (“Ramen Teh”, “12 Storeys”), the series is shot in eight countries across Asia – India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and directed by some of Asia’s most talented storytellers including Erik Matti (“BuyBust”, “Honor Thy Father”) from the Philippines, Phan Dang Di (“Bi, Don’t Be Afraid”, “Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories”) from Vietnam, Billy Christian (“Tuyul: Part 1”, “The Sacred Riana: Beginning”) from Indonesia, Don Aravind (“Angel”, “Drive”) from Singapore, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (“Headshot”, “Last Life in the Universe”) from Thailand, Takumi Saitoh (“Blank 13”, “Hannbun no Sekai”) from Japan and Ho Yuhang (“Trespassed”, “Mrs. K”) from Malaysia.
Like a favourite dish from home, each story is a flavour of love and set to tease the senses. Viewers will be taken on an emotional journey filled with passion, treasured memories and a little spice of Asia. Each episode possesses a distinct voice, tone, and narrative.
The first two episodes, the Vietnam episode, FOOD LORE: He Serves Fish, She Eats Flower, and the Philippines episode, FOOD LORE: Island of Dreams, will make its world debut at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) on 30 October and 31 October respectively. TIFF started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival and since has grown to become one of the leading film festivals in Asia.
Premiering at Singapore International Film Festival later on 24 November, the India episode, FOOD LORE: A Plate of Moon, will also be making a world debut. This is the first time an HBO Asia Original will be presented at either festival.
Episode 1 – FOOD LORE: Island of Dreams
Premiere: Sunday, 3 November at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
Dreaming of a brighter future for her family, Nieves leaves her husband and children to work as a domestic helper in Manila. Returning home for the annual fiesta, Nieves soon realises that she may have grown estranged from her beloved family as her jubilant homecoming takes an unexpected turn.
Cast: Angeli Bayani, John Marvin C. Nieto, Irina Guillen Feleo
Directed by: Erik Matti
Set and filmed in the Philippines.
Episode 2 – FOOD LORE: He Serves Fish, She Eats Flower
Premiere: Sunday, 10 November at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
Set in Ho Chi Minh City, a charismatic Japanese chef, Thang, woos a beautiful stewardess with a special tofu dessert and wins her heart. They begin a whirlwind romance but soon discover their irreconcilable differences about food and love. In his desperation, Thang attempts one last culinary experiment to keep her in his life.
Cast: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Lanh Thanh
Directed by: Phan Dang Di
Set and filmed in Vietnam.
Episode 3 – FOOD LORE: Maria’s Secret Recipe
Premiere: Sunday, 17 November at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
When a mysterious woman, Maria, arrives on the shores of a small traditional Indonesian village to set up her food stall, the men are mesmerised by her sumptuous cooking and sensuality – much to their wives’ dismay. In a desperate attempt to satisfy her husband, a lonely wife, Ratih, approaches Maria for her secret recipe. What can Maria teach her about her exquisite creations and importantly, who is Maria?
Cast: Putri Ayudya, Alexandra Gottardo, Dian Sidik
Directed by: Billy Christian
Set and filmed in Indonesia.
Episode 4 – FOOD LORE: A Plate of Moon
Premiere: Sunday, 24 November at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
Anbu, a reluctant young domestic helper from India, has been hired to care for Raja, an elderly man in Singapore suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Amidst their struggles and differences, they bond over food, love, and memories. Just when all seems to be going well, an unexpected piece of news sends Anbu’s world unravelling again.
Cast: Magalakshmi D/O Sudarsanan, Jaivant Viknesh N, A. Panneeirchelvam
Directed by: Don Aravind
Set and filmed in India and Singapore.
Episode 5 – FOOD LORE: The Caterer
Premiere: Sunday, 1 December at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
An arrogant American actor arrives in Thailand for the first time to star in a horror film. Disgusted by the exotic Thai cuisine served, he sticks to what he knows best: burgers and donuts. Everything changes when he tastes the soup cooked by the production caterer.
Cast: Thanyarat Praditthaen, Thomas Burton van Blarcom, Marisa Kittelberger
Directed by: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Set and filmed in Thailand.
Note: This episode shares the same main cast as the HBO Asia Original “FOLKLORE: POB”, and tells the story of what goes on behind the scenes.
Episode 6 – FOOD LORE: Tamarind
Debut: Sunday, 8 December at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
French chef, Julie, who is new in Singapore, seeks the help of Irfan, a struggling Malay hawker to create a new fusion dish. As their worlds collide, a friendship brews between them as they work together on an exploration of food, flavour and feelings.
Cast: Firdaus Bin Abdul Rahman, Valentine Payen, Dayang Nurbalqis
Directed by: Eric Khoo
Set and filmed in Singapore.
Episode 7 – FOOD LORE: Life in a Box
Debut: Sunday, 15 December at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
An uninspired picture book author. A recent widower and his teenage daughter. An elderly retired wrestler. Their lonely paths intersect during a quiet train ride away from busy Tokyo as the group revisits memories long forgotten and rediscovers hope on their journey of nostalgia, memory and love.
Cast: Ken Yasuda, Asuka Kawatoko, Akihisa Mera, Yuko Ando, Chieko Matsubara
Directed by: Takumi Saitoh
Set and filmed in Japan.
Episode 8 – FOOD LORE: Stray Dogs
Debut: Sunday, 22 December at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
An ambitious young businessman, Tim, hopes to start a restaurant franchise with the bad-tempered, yet genius chef, Maki, in Kuala Lumpur. The grouchy chef rejects Tim, but they gradually form an unlikely friendship. When Tim discovers Maki’s secret sambal recipe, he is torn between his desire to sell the recipe and his loyalty to his friend.
Cast: Wilson Tin, Fabian Loo
Directed by: Ho Yuhang
Set and filmed in Malaysia.
FOOD LORE, is produced by Singapore-based company Bert Pictures and part of a two-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore. Through a series of workshops and collaborations with local companies and talent on HBO Asia Original productions, the partnership aims to develop the content production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry.
HBO Asia started producing Original productions in 2012 and has produced a range of Asian Original productions including series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced and aired 18 Asian Original productions with more in the pipeline.
HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (for Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (for Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.
Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
Jellybeans in the City 