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News

Here’s who’s starring opposite Tom Holland in ‘Romeo & Juliet’

The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced the full cast for the upcoming West End production of Romeo & Juliet, starring Tom Holland. READ MORE: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ review: Marvel’s mad mash-up in the multiverse The production will run at the Duke Of York’s Theatre from May 11 to August 3, and will be directed by Lloyd. Tickets are already sold out. Newcomer Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has been confirmed to play Juliet alongside Holland’s Romeo. Advertisement Also starring in the highly anticipated production will be Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio) and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators). Amewudah-Rivers previously appeared in two seasons of the BBC series Bad Education and three short films. She has stage experience in productions at the Globe and Lyric Hammersmith among other venues. Francesca Amewudah-Rivers. Credit: Getty Images Holland said of the cast announcement: “Beyond excited to announce our cast for Romeo and Juliet. I can’t wait to get started and I know we’ll create something really special together.” Amewudah-Rivers added: “I’m so grateful to be making my West End debut as Juliet with The Jamie Lloyd… Read More →

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Steven Spielberg calls ‘Dune: Part Two’ “one of the most brilliant science-fiction films I’ve ever seen”

Steven Spielberg has shared high praise for Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two – see what Spielberg had to say below. Both Spielberg and Villeneuve recently appeared together on the March 26 episode of The Director’s Cut podcast, during which Spielberg shared his thoughts on Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic, Dune. “It’s an honour for me to sit here and talk to you,” Spielberg said to Villeneuve. “Let me start by saying there are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds. It’s not a long list and we know who a lot of them are. Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas.” Advertisement Spielberg went on to name other esteemed directors like Peter Jackson, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro and others before saying: “The list goes on but it’s not that long of a list, and I deeply, fervently believe that you are one of its newest members.” “This is a desert-loving story, but for such a desert-loving film there is such a yearning for water in this movie,” Spielberg said. “For all the sand you have in this film, it’s really about water. The sacred waters that are yearning for green meadows and… Read More →

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Here’s the tracklist for Beyoncé’s new album ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’

Beyoncé has revealed the track listing for her upcoming new album ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’, just two days ahead of its release. ‘Cowboy Carter’ is set to be released on Friday (March 29), the pop icon’s eighth studio album, and the second instalment of a believed trilogy project that began with 2022’s ‘Renaissance’. Tracks included on the album are previous singles ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and ‘16 Carriages’, as well as ‘Jolene’, which Dolly Parton had previously confirmed Beyoncé had recorded a cover of. Advertisement See all the titles revealed by Beyoncé in an Instagram post below: Also listed are songs named ‘Dolly P’ and ‘Smoke Hour Willie Nelson’, apparent tributes to greats of the country genre, as well as ‘The Linda Martell Show’, a reference to one of the first successful Black country artists. Last week, Queen Bey revealed the artwork for the album, after having disclosed its name a month earlier. The artwork sees the singer in a white cowboy hat with long platinum blonde locks while wearing a red, white and blue leather outfit holding an American flag and wearing a “Country Carter” sash while sitting upon a white horse. The singer also addressed some of the backlash… Read More →

Hit Singles

Grateful Dead announce 50th anniversary reissue of From The Mars Hotel

Grateful Dead have announced the latest instalment in their ongoing reissue programme – a 50th anniversary Deluxe Edition of 1974’s From The Mars Hotel. DAVID BOWIE IS ON THE COVER OF THE LATEST UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Released June 21 by Rhino, this Deluxe Edition is a 3CD and digital set, featuring a remastered edition of the original album enhanced with two demos from the era and a complete, previously unreleased concert from the 1974 tour in support of the album. Advertisement Below, you can hear a demo of “Wave That Flag” – the song that became “U.S. Blues“. [embedded content] And you can pre-order From The Mars Hotel Deluxe Edition by clicking here. The tracklisting is:Disc 1U.S. BluesChina DollUnbroken ChainLoose LucyScarlet BegoniasPride Of CucamongaMoney MoneyShip Of FoolsBonus TracksChina Doll (Demo)Wave That Flag (Demo) Advertisement Disc 2Live From the University of Nevada, Reno, May 12, 1974SugareeMexicali BluesTennessee JedJack StrawBrown-Eyed WomenBeat It On Down The LineChina Cat Sunflower>I Know You RiderEl PasoU.S. BluesGreatest Story Ever ToldIt Must Have Been The RosesMe And Bobby McGee Disc 3Live From the University of Nevada, Reno, May 12, 1974DealAround And AroundMississippi Half-Step Uptown ToodelooTruckin’>The Other One>Row JimmyBig RiverShip Of FoolsSugar Magnolia In addition… Read More →

Hit Singles

Ever Fallen In Love?

When he sat down to write a biography of Pete Shelley and Buzzcocks, Paul Hanley hit a problem. His enthusiasm for the subject was getting in the way of his objectivity. “I was a massive Buzzcocks fan at the age of 14. It was quite a process to keep stepping back. I thought, ‘A lot of people could write a biography. It’s only me could write about my relationship with the band.’” DAVID BOWIE IS ON THE COVER OF THE LATEST UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE As a former drummer with The Fall, Hanley is well-placed to write about one of the most significant Manchester bands. The beauty of Sixteen Again: How Pete Shelley & Buzzcocks Changed Manchester Music (And Me), is the way it renders an adult view of Pete Shelley’s genius with teenage enthusiasm. The biographical details of Shelley’s life are present; so is the purity of Hanley’s passion. Advertisement Hanley remembers the day Buzzcocks’ first album Another Music In A Different Kitchen came out. Future Fall members Marc Riley, Craig Scanlon and Steve Hanley (Paul’s older brother) went to Virgin’s Manchester branch for a launch event. The shop released balloons. “The idea was that whoever got… Read More →

Hit Singles

Uncut – May 2024

HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME David Bowie, The Black Keys and Beck, St Vincent, Richard Thompson, Kamasi Washington, Radiohead, Iron & Wine, Vini Reilly, Lou Reed, Brett Anderson, Wah!, Myriam Gendron, Neil Finn, Broadcast, Alice Coltrane and more all feature in Uncut‘s May 2024 issue, in UK shops from March 29 or available to buy online now. Advertisement All print copies come with a free CD – Total Blam-Blam!, featuring 15 of the month’s best new music including Khruangbin, Jessica Pratt, James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, Arab Strap, Iron & Wine, Camera Obscura and more! INSIDE THIS MONTH’S UNCUT DAVID BOWIE: As a new boxset digs deep into Ziggy Stardust, we map the 1972 masterpiece’s secret history with the aid of key players Advertisement THE BLACK KEYS MEET BECK: Two decades after they first met, ‘the Beck Keys’ finally get it together in the studio – and tell us all about it! ST VINCENT: Annie Clark squares up to her demons on her sublime seventh LP RICHARD THOMPSON: The magic of Big Pink, adventures in the Sahara and imaginary conversations with Sandy Denny KAMASI WASHINGTON: The reigning king of jazz… Read More →

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Lars Ulrich and Chad Smith to cameo in ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ sequel

Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich and Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith are reportedly set to appear in the upcoming This Is Spinal Tap sequel. READ MORE: ‘This Is Spinal Tap 2’: here’s what Rob Reiner told us about the long-awaited sequel According to a report from Deadline Hollywood, the two veteran drummers will cameo in the upcoming film, though details surrounding their roles are currently unknown. It is expected that Ulrich and Smith will both be playing short-lived drummers for the fictitious Spinal Tap band. Deadline also announced that more actors have newly been attached to the film. This include the return of Fran Drescher (The Nanny), who will be reprising her role as publicist Bobbi Flekman. Advertisement Spinal Tap. Credit: Alamy Other new additions to the cast include Don Lake, John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Jason Acuña (Jackass), Nina Conti, Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant), Kerry Godliman, Chris Addison (Veep), comedian Brad Williams, and musician Paul Shaffer. Ulrich and Smith aren’t the only musicians tagged to cameo in the Spinal Tap sequel. Last year, it was announced that Paul McCartney and Elton John will also appear in the film. The sequel to This Is Spinal Tap was originally slated to be released in… Read More →

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‘LEGO Fortnite’ adds wheely new vehicles

LEGO Fortnite‘s Mechanical Mayhem update is here, and it’s adding three new vehicles: the speeder, offroader, and hauler. The speeder is described in the press release as perfect for quickly getting from biome to biome. Players can unlock the recipe for it after adding a power cell to their inventory for the first time. This is a small, one-seater vehicle, like a quad bike. The offroader has four seats and a roof so it’s perfect for ferrying multiple people around. Players can unlock its recipe by adding flexwood to their inventory for the first time. Finally, there’s the hauler, a six-wheeler truck with four seats in the cab up front and a flatbed for transporting at the rear. Advertisement Considering LEGO Fortnite‘s day-night cycle and the fact players have to ensure they keep their avatar at a comfortable temperature, travelling long distances can be tricky. So, these vehicles should make it a lot easier to get around and venture far away from base. [embedded content] As well as the specific vehicles listed above, players can create their own with vehicle parts. These are found in the toys section of the build menu, and specific parts will be required for creations to… Read More →

Hit Singles

Watch a video for John Cale’s new single, “How We See The Light”

John Cale has announced that his new album POPtical Illusion – a swift follow-up to 2023’s acclaimed Mercy – will be released by Double Six / Domino on June 14. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Watch a video for lead single “How We See The Light” below: In contrast to Mercy’s big cast of collaborators, POPtical Illusion was played mostly by Cale in his Los Angeles studio. The album was co-produced by longtime artistic partner Nita Scott. POPtical Illusion will be available on 2xLP, CD and digital formats. The Domino Mart pink & mint limited edition vinyl includes a 7″ featuring two exclusive tracks and a paper ‘objet’. Pre-order POPtical Illusion here and peruse the artwork and tracklisting below: God Made Me Do It (don’t ask me again) Davies and Wales Calling You Out Edge of Reason I’m Angry How We See The Light Company Commander Setting Fires Shark-Shark Funkball the Brewster All To The Good Laughing In My Sleep There Will Be No River

Hit Singles

Samantha Morton announces debut album with XL’s Richard Russell

Actor/director Samantha Morton has formed a new musical duo with producer and XL Recordings boss Richard Russell. Named Sam Morton, their debut album Daffodils & Dirt will be released by XL on June 14. DAVID BOWIE IS ON THE COVER OF THE LATEST UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Watch Morton’s self-directed video for the single “Let’s Walk In The Night”, featuring Alabaster DePlume, below: Daffodils & Dirt also features guest appearances by Laura Groves, Jack Peñate and Ali Campbell. You can pre-order the album here. Sam Morton will play their biggest headline show to date at London’s ICA on June 20, tickets here. They will also perform at this year’s End Of The Road, among other festival appearances.

News

‘The Vampire Diaries’ star to portray Diana Ross in Michael Jackson biopic

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has announced a new collection of cast mates. Among the roles that have been newly cast for Michael, are legendary figures such as Diana Ross, Quincy Jones and the King of Pop’s older sister La Toya Jackson. According to a report from Variety, The Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham will portray the iconic Diana Ross. Graham wrote of her casting on social media: “Grateful to play the legendary Diana Ross… directed by the great Antoine Fuqua. I can’t wait for everyone to see this film and the brilliant performances in it. Thank you Graham King, Vickie Thomas and Mr. Fuqua for allowing me the privilege of supporting the retelling of such a pivotal era in our music history.” Advertisement Additionally, Variety reports that the role of Quincy Jones, an influential figure in Michael Jackson’s life – having met the would-be King of Pop when Jackson was just 12 – will be played by Insecure‘s Kendrick Sampson. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will be played by Larenz Tate, who previously portrayed Quincy Jones in 2004’s Ray. Michael’s older sister La Toya Jackson will be played by Jessica Sula (Split), while Liv Symone plays Gladys Knight,… Read More →

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Cillian Murphy’s 10 best roles – ranked!

“I like to do one thing quite well,” Cillian Murphy told NME back in July 2023 when asked about other careers that never quite took off – then promoting the film that went on to win him the Oscar for Best Actor. Turns out he’s also pretty good at understatements. Where Murphy’s Oppenheimer co-star Robert Downey Jr probably has his own Oscar cemented into a marble plinth already, you wouldn’t be surprised if Murphy has tucked his away in a drawer somewhere, never to be mentioned again. Famously humble, Murphy likely still balks at describing himself as “quite” a good actor, even though he’s been on a winning streak now for more than 25 years. Starting out on stage in his hometown of Cork in the late 1990s, Murphy’s career is written in gutsy, complex, internal performances that feel like bottled lightning. The parts (and the budgets) have gotten bigger, but Murphy never plays for the multiplexes – taking on soldiers, sadists and IMAX-sized scientists with the same restraint he brought to his early indies. And he does it quite well. Here are 10 of his best… 10. Jackson Rippner – Red Eye (2005) Advertisement There’s precious little space given… Read More →

News

Tyla teases potential collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Lisa

Tyla has revealed that she’s currently in talks to potentially collaborate with BLACKPINK‘s Lisa on a new song. Last week, the ‘Water’ singer took to her Instagram Stories to post a video of herself and the Thai K-pop idol vibing to ‘Art’, a cut from her newly released eponymous debut album. She captioned the post with: “sweetest gorllll, played her some of my favourite songs on the album… Definitely a LISA x TYLA collab down the line.” Following the Instagram Story post, Tyla has since confirmed to Reuters, during an interview in support of her new record, that she and Lisa are currently discussing a potential collaboration. “We’ve been speaking about making a song together, so yes, for sure,” she said. #TYLA shares cutest video with #Lisa on her IG story with the caption: “🤍sweetest gorllll Played her some of my favorite songs on the album.. Definitely a LISA x TYLA collab down the line 🤍”#LALISA #LISA#BLACKPINK @BLACKPINK#LLOUD@wearelloudpic.twitter.com/mQorD7qZfI — World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) March 13, 2024 Advertisement In other BLACKPINK news, Lisa launched her own label called LLOUD in February, following the expiration of her contract with YG Entertainment for solo activities. However, she and the rest of BLACKPINK have… Read More →

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Producer of Beyoncé’s ’16 Carriages’ reveals song was made before ‘Renaissance’

A producer who worked on Beyoncé‘s hit ’16 Carriages’ has revealed that the song from her forthcoming country album ‘Cowboy Carter’ was made before ‘Renaissance’, despite the latter being released first. Atia ‘Ink’ Boggs said in a new interview that ’16 Carriages’ was the first song she had worked on with Beyoncé, but it saw the light of day much later than the three songs she worked on from ‘Renaissance’. “So a lot of people don’t know, we actually had this first,” she explained on the Acknowledged YouTube series. “So imagine having this timeless, classic music first and having to wait, and then she came up with ‘Act I’.” Advertisement Boggs said that she first started working with Beyoncé in 2020 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic influenced the direction of the music they worked on and how it was eventually released. “So we came out of being isolated, back into the world from no parties to finally expressing ourselves,” she continued. On the subject of her pivot to country, Boggs said: “And it’s like, baby, we don’t do just one thing we do everything and we do it well. That’s what she’s letting you know. This is her southern roots,… Read More →

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New film about AC/DC’s Bon Scott won’t be a biopic, producers reveal

The producers of the upcoming film about AC/DC’s Bon Scott have clarified that the movie will not be a strict biopic about the late singer. Australia’s HALO Films announced earlier this month that The Kid From Harvest Road is currently in the works, in what is described as “a fictionalised narrative” set in the 1960s, during Scott’s coming-of-age years. Young Australian actor Lee Tiger Halley, who stars in Netflix‘s Boy Swallows Universe, will play Scott. The script is being written by Stephen Belowsky alongside co-writer/director David Vincent Smith, with Tim Duffy on board as producer and Ian Hale and Nicko Mezzino executive producing for HALO Films and Protocol Pictures, respectively. Advertisement AC/DC’s Bon Scott performs live in 1976. Credit: Roger Morton/Cleopatra Records/Getty Images After an excited response to the film’s announcement, HALO sought to make clear that fans should not expect the film to be a historically accurate account of Scott’s life, but rather they will use creative license to capture the spirit of the singer’s life. “The producers behind The Kid From Harvest Road are incredibly humbled and grateful for the overwhelming media attention the recent announcement of the film’s development has garnered. The enthusiasm and support from audiences and media outlets alike… Read More →

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Ruth Jones addresses rumours of ‘Gavin and Stacey’ return after James Corden West End reunion

Ruth Jones has commented on rumours of Gavin and Stacey making a comeback following a reunion with co-stars James Corden and Rob Brydon. The actress is currently starring in Sister Act: The Musical on the West End and appeared on the red carpet with Corden and Brydon on Thursday (March 21), once again fueling rumours of the show returning for the first time since the 2019 Christmas Special. Jones was asked about hopes of the show coming back by Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show yesterday (March 22), who asked if there’d ever be a resolution to the special’s cliffhanger ending in which Nessa proposed to Smithy. Advertisement “Is he though? Is he waiting? James and I think those characters exist and that Nessa is still working down the slots in Barry Island,” said Jones. “We like to think that their lives are carrying on. When pressed further, Jones said: “Who knows? You never say never in this world, do you?” James Corden and Ruth Jones as Smithy and Nessa in ‘Gavin & Stacey’. Credit: BBC Deadline reported last month that another Christmas special was apparently in the works and was scheduled to be filmed in the summer. Despite this,… Read More →

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How many episodes of ‘Solo Leveling’ are there?

Solo Leveling has become one of the breakout anime shows of the year, but when will the run of episodes come to an end? Based on the Korean web novel by Chugong, the series takes place in a realm of gifted hunters and monsters. In this world, weak hunter Sung Jinwoo is given extraordinary strength through a mysterious programme, which kickstarts a journey across the various dungeons to discover the true source of his power. The anime adaptation debuted in January this year, after having first been announced at Anime Expo 2022. It has been produced by A-1 Pictures, and directed by Shunsuke Nakashige, with Noboru Kimura writing the scripts. Advertisement [embedded content] Characters for the series have been designed by Tomoko Sudo, with Hiroyuki Sawano composing the music. It has also been reported that there is now a live-action television series adaptation currently in development, as well as a role-playing video game based on the series. The original web novel series ran for 14 books, published between 2016 and 2021. The webtoon version ran for nine volumes, released between 2018 and 2021. How many episodes of Solo Leveling are there? The show is available to stream via Crunchroll, with the… Read More →

Hit Singles

Alan Hull – Singing A Song In The Morning Light – The Legendary Demo Tapes 1967-1970

The making of Alan Hull as a songwriter was not sitting hunched over his guitar in his bedroom with only his introspection for company, but the three years he spent working as a trainee nurse in a Tyneside psychiatric institution. “That’s what changed me and the things I was writing about,” he said of his time working with patients at the St Nicholas hospital in Gosforth in the late 1960s. “It made me think about a lot of things and made the songs go deeper.” PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Advertisement For a while the experience threatened his own equilibrium, but the troubled souls in his care also gave him a “million ideas” and taught him that there are many different ways of looking at the world. Coupled with his own poetic sensibility, a deep compassion for his fellow human beings, a scabrous wit and a righteous pride in his Geordie working-class roots, the result was a flood of songs written between 1966 and early 1970, before he formed Lindisfarne. The band then took its pick of the best, but only scratched the surface of a prodigious songbook that is… Read More →

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Does ‘Rise of the Ronin’ have co-op?

Team Ninja‘s latest action game has arrived, Rise of the Ronin, and if you are a fan of their previous titles you may be keen to understand if the longstanding co-op functionality and features in their games are back. After spending some time with the game over recent weeks we have a full breakdown of how you can play the action RPG, whether you can invite your friends along, and if there is competitive multiplayer too. Does Rise of the Ronin have co-op? Rise of the Ronin does have co-op multiplayer for up to four players, which can be accessed from the Longhouse in Miyozaki and later areas. This spot is unlocked a good way through the main story so you will need to play a decent chunk of the game to invite your friends. Advertisement From there you can choose a multiplayer mission and team up to take on the objectives and tackle the bosses found in the many locations the game’s story takes you to. Rise Of The Ronin. Credit: Team Ninja. Difficulty does scale in the game, so if you or your friend are of a high level then one of you will be in for a… Read More →

Hit Singles

Julia Holter – Something In The Room She Moves

Pop music used to be the preserve of the autodidacts, the high-school dropouts who taught themselves a few chords on the guitar and worked things out instinctively. The odd classically trained figure would sometimes crop up here and there – a Mick Ronson scribbling string arrangements on the back of a cigarette packet, a Donald Fagen writing out complex extended chords for his session musicians to improvise over, a Sean Moore from the Manic Street Preachers playing the occasional trumpet flourish over a punk track – but, by and large, pop and rock musicians would eschew formal learning and play by ear. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE But something odd seemed to happen around the millennium, when an entire sub-genre of classically trained art-rock figures started to emerge across the US and Canada, including the likes of Joanna Newsom, Sufjan Stevens, St Vincent, Owen Pallett, Janelle Monae, Caroline Polachek, Mary Lattimore, Oneohtrix Point Never, Andrew Bird and members of Vampire Weekend, Antony And The Johnsons, Dirty Projectors, The National, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deerhoof, Battles, Midlake and many more. Where the art school had been the breeding ground for so much… Read More →

News

Conor McGregor was supposed to have a part in ‘Vikings’

UFC fighter Conor McGregor has revealed that he was supposed to star in a “full season” of Vikings, but that it ultimately fell apart. McGregor – who stars in Amazon Prime Video‘s Road House remake alongside Jake Gyllenhaal – recently spoke with Ireland’s JOE, sharing that Road House wasn’t originally planned to be his acting debut. Instead, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion was scheduled to make his debut in the hit series, Vikings but that he kept pushing it back and production eventually moved on without him. Advertisement [embedded content] McGregor said to JOE about making his acting debut alongside Gyllenhaal: “I’ll have a whack at anything no bother. You know, I was supposed to be in Vikings, the Vikings had me teed up.” He explained further: “I had a few things teed up but I just kept pushing it along down the line, but I just stayed in the fight business. I always said ‘I’m in the fight business, not the movie business.’” “Ultimately I ended up letting people down over that because I was teed up to do a full season, and it just never happened,” McGregor concluded. Vikings first premiered on the History channel before… Read More →