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By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

Considering the way the first season of SISTERS concluded, it would have been a bit of a downer had the story ended there.

“These women had to get back together,” said Susan Stanley, who plays Suze. “There was just no doubt about it.”

“The love story was incomplete,” added Sarah Goldberg, who plays Sare.

Which brings us to Season 2 of the dark comedy SISTERS, which is a Crave Original series and Irish-Canadian co-production. All six episodes of the second season drop on Wednesday, April 22, only on Crave.

SISTERS tells the story of adult siblings who were previously unaware that each other existed, with one in Canada, and one in Ireland. Various circumstances led to their meeting in the six-episode first season (also on Crave), which is set in Ireland, while Season 2 takes place mostly in Canada.

Goldberg, who is Canadian, and Stanley, who is Irish, have been best friends for many years, since they met at theatre school. Both took the time to dig into Season 2 of SISTERS in a video call last week.

&nbsp;

Q: So where are the two of you calling from today?

 GOLDBERG: “We're both in London (England). I'm in South London, and Susan's in North London. We would be together, but Susan has a bit of a cold. And we're not speaking anymore. You know, Season 2 broke us (both laugh).”

&nbsp;

Q: Did you always know the general structure of what Season 2 might be, or is it something you had to come up with after Season 1?

STANLEY: “I love this question. This is really nice, because, just to be very clear, we did not know what Season 2 was going to be about. We didn't think we'd ever get a Season 1, let alone a Season 2. So when we found out we were getting a Season 2, we were so delighted. However, in saying that, Sarah and I always talked about the kind of magic of having two seasons, and having Season 1 in Ireland, in Suze's world, where Sare is the fish out of water, and then somehow getting them to Canada for Season 2, in Sare’s world, where Suze is the fish out of water. So we did. We always had in mind that it would be, like, 12 chapters (episodes), but we didn't know the content of what was going to happen.”

GOLDBERG: “But we also had a dream of, we both live in the U.K., and I've lived in the States as well (she previously earned an EMMY® nomination for her role as Sally in HBO’s BARRY, available on Crave), and our careers just haven't been in our home countries. And so it was a real dream to go and work in Ireland, and go and work in Canada, and go home, and go home with a job, and work with amazing Irish people and Canadian people. So selfishly, that was also part of our agenda, for sure.”

STANLEY: “We did talk about in Season 1 that Ireland was a character in the show, and Ireland is very rugged and majestic and beautiful, but also there's a darkness kind of there. And then we were thinking, great, so Season 2, we're going to go to Vancouver, where Sarah is from. But then we worked with our team in Toronto, and for various reasons, we ended up shooting in Hamilton, which was a very good home for us. But it was the depths of winter in Hamilton, so it was very different than what I'd maybe imagined.”

GOLDBERG: “It was a real baptism of fire for the out-of-towners, and they handled themselves very well. I did prep them with what clothing they might need to purchase before arriving. But yeah, we wanted both countries, because obviously there's stereotypical Ireland, and stereotypical Canada. We're lucky to come from such beautiful countries, but we wanted to show some of the darkness and despair as part of the characters in the show. Hamilton was incredible and actually yielded a lot of amazing locations, and we know a lot of things are shooting there now. But there's a running joke in the show of an Irish woman coming over and being totally unimpressed by Canada, and no Canadian being able to absorb that. So we decided to kind of make it a joke that we're not shooting in the Rockies. We're not shooting in Tofino (B.C.). We're showing you some train tracks. You know, the real Canada. But it was a gift. And speaking as a Canadian who was so happy to be home, everybody was so hospitable to us, and very welcoming. It was nice being in smaller towns.”

&nbsp;

Q: SISTERS deeply examines the question of nature versus nurture. Having completed two seasons, do you think about such things differently now?

GOLDBERG: “I know what you're getting at. I mean, one of the big things we wanted to explore was chosen family versus biological family. That is something that we've always been fascinated by. Our friendship was formed over 20 years ago at theatre school, and we bonded deeply over a sort of shared childhood trauma, and a Leonard Cohen song, ‘Famous Blue Raincoat.’ The way we connected was deeper than a family bond in many ways. So I don't know that we've come to any deep conclusions about what a biological connection, specifically a blood connection, means in the show. I don’t know that we’ve cracked it. But these are two women who hold up a mirror to each other, and ask each other the complicated questions that expose the truths of who they are, and help them become the women that they're supposed to be, rather than the women that they're pretending to be. So in the show, it's not even really about their blood relation. In the end, they are choosing each other, as chosen family, the way we have in our friendship.”

STANLEY: “There are those people you meet at periods in your life where you're like, ‘I know you, I know the bones of you, and I don't know why.’ That's what I had with Sarah when I met her, because we couldn't be more different. She was that bright-eyed, optimistic Canadian, bouncing to London (England), so excited to be at theatre school. And I was the kind of gritty Dubliner, 800 years of oppression on my shoulders, smoking rollies, going, ‘who the f— is this one?’ But there was something about her, where she just got me, and I got her, and it was into our core. We did connect over Leonard (Cohen), but how can you have people who come from completely different backgrounds experiencing such a deep, deep, subterranean connection? That always fascinated us, and it's why we started writing the show, really.”

&nbsp;

Q: Last question, how would you sum up Season 2 of SISTERS? What’s your pitch to the audience, particularly those who loved Season 1?

GOLDBERG: “I think Susan has a great one-liner, but I can’t remember it.”

STANLEY: “I can’t remember it, either, I can barely remember my own name. So no, I don't have a one-liner. But what I will say is, there's a real hook at the end of Season 1, where the women are separated. And they are both incredibly stubborn, so there has been no contact between the two of them for 18 months, right? Then an envelope lands on Suze's doorstep, and it's an invitation to Sare's wedding. Suze’s mom Sheryl (played by Sophie Thompson) is like, ‘this is an olive branch from your sister, she wants to make amends, she wants you to go and be at her wedding, she loves you, let's go.’ And she convinces Suze to go. So they go … and chaos ensues.”

GOLDBERG: “If we had to give you a thesis, we have to say it's about learning to live life on your own terms. And that's the only path to happiness.”

&nbsp;

billharristv@gmail.com
@billharris_tv

Chaos Crosses the Ocean as Season 2 of SISTERS Exits Ireland and Collides With Canada

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; Considering the way the first season of SISTERS concluded, it would have been a bit of a downer had the stor...

Bell Media

Key Tags: @BellMediaPR, @TheLede_CA
TORONTO (April 16, 2026) – Bell Media today announced the launch of an enhanced in-car advertising and listening experience across all FM radio stations nationwide, including leading stations such as CHUM 104.5, VIRGIN RADIO, ÉNERGIE, ROUGE, PURE COUNTRY, and more, bringing enriched programming information and seamless listening to audiences across Canada.  

The latest capability allows advertisers to amplify their audio message, syncing a display text and brand logos on in-car dashboard displays with Bell Media’s AdSyncs offering, bringing a terrestrial counterpart to complement iHeartRadio App display ads. Additionally, designed to support today’s connected vehicles, the technology also ensures a more seamless listening experience. When drivers travel outside the range of a station’s over-the-air FM signal, compatible vehicles can automatically switch to streaming the station, allowing audiences to stay connected to their favourite stations and programming. 

“This enhancement transforms in-car radio into a higher-impact, more accountable platform for advertisers,” said Matt McGowan, SVP Business Solutions, Bell Media. “By pairing audio with synchronized visuals at scale, we’re delivering greater storytelling power and stronger outcomes for brands across Canada.” 

“With so much radio listening happening in the car, this enhancement helps make the experience even more engaging for our audiences,” said Dave Daigle, Vice President, Local TV, iHeartRadio &amp; Bell Media Studios. “Providing listeners with more information about what they’re hearing, while ensuring uninterrupted access to their favourite stations, is another way we’re continuing to evolve the radio experience.”

Research shows visual radio messaging can significantly strengthen brand impact. A recent study by Quu found that synchronized visual radio ads increased purchase intent by 89%, brand favourability by 58%, and slogan familiarity by 57%. 

The launch reflects Bell Media’s continued focus on enhancing how Canadians experience radio across platforms while supporting innovation across the company’s audio ecosystem. 

Bell Media Enhances In-Car Advertising Capabilities & Listener Experience Across FM Radio Network

Key Tags: @BellMediaPR, @TheLede_CA TORONTO (April 16, 2026) – Bell Media today announced the launch of an enhanced in-car advertising and listening e...


 	The Emmy®-winning HBO Original series THE WHITE LOTUS, from Mike White, has begun filming on the French Riviera. The season will film in Cannes, St. Tropez, and Monaco. Filming will also take place in Paris, though the story will remain along the Côte d'Azur.

&nbsp;

 	Season 4 logline: The fourth season will follow a new group of White Lotus hotel guests and employees over the span of a week, taking place during the Cannes Film Festival.

&nbsp;

 	Season 4 cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Vincent Cassel, Steve Coogan, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Dylan Ennis, Corentin Fila, Ari Graynor, Marissa Long, Alexander Ludwig, Chris Messina, AJ Michalka, Kumail Nanjiani, and Nadia Tereszkiewicz. Additional cast includes Chloe Bennet, Sandra Bernhard, Heather Graham, Max Greenfield, Frida Gustavsson, Charlie Hall, Jarrad Paul, Rosie Perez, Ben Schnetzer, and Laura Smet.

&nbsp;

 	Hotels featured this season include the Airelles Château de la Messardière as the White Lotus du Cap, and the Hôtel Martinez as the White Lotus Cannes.

&nbsp;

 	Credits: Created, written, and directed by Mike White; executive produced by White, David Bernad, and Mark Kamine.


HBO Original THE WHITE LOTUS Season 4 Begins Filming In France

The Emmy®-winning HBO Original series THE WHITE LOTUS, from Mike White, has begun filming on the French Riviera. The season will film in Cannes, St. T...

April 17 – HBO’s RAMY YOUSSEF: IN LOVE (Comedy Special) 

 	Award-winning comedian, writer, producer and actor Ramy Youssef debuts his third hour-long HBO Original comedy special RAMY YOUSSEF: IN LOVE, premiering April 17 on Crave. Filmed in front of an intimate crowd at historic venue The Hideout in Chicago, Youssef playfully engages with the audience as he approaches a vast spectrum of personal topics, both hilariously relatable and genuinely serious, all while doing so with the belief that you can find light and hope in all things if you just try to see them through a lens of love.  

April 22 – Crave Original SISTERS (Season 2 Premiere)  

 	The Crave Original dark comedy, SISTERS, returns for Season 2 with all six episodes dropping Wednesday April 22. Created by, written, and starring, real-life best friends Emmy® nominee Sarah Goldberg (BARRY) and Susan Stanley, Season 2 picks up in Dublin, where Suze (Stanley) discovers unsettling news about her fertility, eighteen months after being abandoned by her sister Sare (Goldberg).  

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of April 16 – 22. 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

HBO and HBO Max

April 16 – HBO Max’s THE PITT S2 E15 (Season Finale) 

April 17 – HBO’s RAMY YOUSSEF: IN LOVE (Comedy Special) 

 

Movies

April 16 – THE BEST YOU CAN  

April 17 – LE TRAIN *Canadian Title* 

April 17 – CHAMPIONS 

April 17 – SPOILER ALERT 

April 17 – VIOLENT NIGHT 

April 17 – THE LONG WALK 

April 17 – SOUL ON FIRE 

April 17 – THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 

 

STARZ

April 16 – EMPIRE OF DIRT *Canadian Title* 

April 16 – BREAKFAST WITH SCOT *Canadian Title* 

April 17 – ANNIVERSARY 

April 17 – TRAINWRECK 

April 17 – CHAMPIONS 

April 17 – SPOILER ALERT 

April 17 – VIOLENT NIGHT  

 

Additional Highlights

April 17 – RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE S18 E16 (Season Finale) 

April 22 – Crave Original SISTERS S2 E1-6 (Season Premiere) *Canadian Title* 

 

Next Day on Crave

April 16 – SCRUBS S1 E9 (Season Finale) *following CTV 

April 16 – MASTERCHEF S16 E1 (Season Premiere) *following CTV 

April 21 – THE GATHERING S1 E1 (Series Premiere) *following CTV Drama 

April 16– 22: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

April 17 – HBO’s RAMY YOUSSEF: IN LOVE (Comedy Special)  Award-winning comedian, writer, producer and actor Ramy Youssef debuts his third hour-long HB...

TORONTO (April 13, 2026) – Bell Media announced today that, following a deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, it will bring SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to Canadian audiences this fall, with its 52nd season airing in simulcast exclusively on CTV and streaming live on Crave.

“Crave and CTV are proud to be the new home of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in Canada,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Global Content, Bell Media. “A proven hit for over 50 years, the series has always been at the vanguard of pop culture, setting the tone for modern humour. We will be enjoying alongside viewers when the new season premieres on Crave and CTV.”

Beginning this Fall, new episodes of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE will also be available to stream on demand next day on Crave, and join Crave’s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Collection, a library of legendary SNL episodes from past seasons.

Crave also recently announced the acquisition of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE UK, the newly unveiled British adaptation of the late-night franchise, which debuted in Canada exclusively on Crave on Saturday, March 21.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Broadway Video in association with SNL Studios. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

Sarah Weaver, Director of Content, Acquisitions &amp; Sales for Bell Media, negotiated the deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution. With the acquisition of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Crave continues to expand its offering with some of the most sought-after and talked-about content from around the world. From premium originals to globally celebrated franchises, Crave remains focused on delivering bold, must-watch programming that reflects the breadth of modern entertainment and reinforces its position as Canada’s destination for standout storytelling.

*Source: Numeris, Total Canada, FWS 24-25 (Sept 9 2024 - May 18 2025), Exclude all Sports and Scripted series

Bell Media Acquires Iconic Sketch Comedy Series SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Set to Debut in Simulcast on Crave and CTV this Fall

TORONTO (April 13, 2026) – Bell Media announced today that, following a deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, it will bring SATURDAY NIGHT LI...

TORONTO (April 10, 2026) – All six episodes of SISTERS, a Crave Original series and Irish-Canadian co-production, drop on Wednesday April 22. Created by, written, and starring, real-life best friends Emmy® nominee Sarah Goldberg (BARRY) and Susan Stanley, Season 2 picks up in Dublin, where Suze (Stanley) discovers unsettling news about her fertility, eighteen months after being abandoned by her sister Sare (Goldberg).   

Meanwhile, in Toronto, Sare is planning her wedding, but hiding a secret health crisis. When an unexpected invitation to Sare’s wedding prompts Suze to travel to Canada, a chaotic journey begins—filled with family secrets, unexpected revelations, and strained relationships. As Sare's wedding day approaches, Suze uncovers more about her sister’s struggles, and both women are forced to confront their pasts and their futures. 

Donal Logue and Sophie Thompson are confirmed to reprise their roles as Jimmy and Sheryl, while other cast members include Sonja Smits, Barbara Brennan, Jim Annan, Dylan Taylor, Vanessa Matsui, Peter Keleghan, and Linda Kash. 

Fremantle is global distributor. 

SISTERS is written by Susan Stanley, Karen Kicak, Nessa Wrafter, Paul Howard and Sarah Goldberg and directed by Yael Staav. Executive producers are Angela Squire, Richard Cook, Sarah Goldberg, Susan Stanley, Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Declan Lowney, Kira Carstensen, Melanie Donkers, Ruth Coady, Justin Healy, and Karen Kicak. Co-Executive Producer is Yael Staav. Story Producer is Paul Howard. Producers are Alex House and Paige Haight. Sisters, an IFC and AMC+ Original Series, is a Canada/Ireland Co-Production from Peer Pressure (Ireland), and Shaftesbury (Canada) in association with Mermade, RTÉ and Crave. 

For Bell Media, Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development, Original Programming; Rachel Ferguson is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Justin Stockman is Vice-President, Content Development &amp; Programming, Bell Media. 

Crave Original Dark Comedy, SISTERS, Returns for Season 2 on April 22

TORONTO (April 10, 2026) – All six episodes of SISTERS, a Crave Original series and Irish-Canadian co-production, drop on Wednesday April 22. Created...

TORONTO (April 8, 2026) – Crave confirmed today that its new original series, BON COP BAD COP, the television adaptation of the cult film franchise of the same name which also celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, premieres on Thursday, May 7. Episodes 1 and 2 drop on May 7, while subsequent episodes are available for streaming on Thursdays.  

To view the series trailer, click HERE.  

Filmed across multiple locations in Québec, and with dialogue in English, French, and Indigenous language Mi’gmaq, the series combines humour with action, drama, and suspense, and marks the return of the iconic duo, David Bouchard (Patrick Huard) and Martin Ward (Henry Czerny). In this new installation, the two police officers find themselves at the heart of an investigation in an Indigenous community, supported by a team of young police officers who are just as unorthodox as they are. 

Huard and Czerny are joined by Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, Joshua Odjick, Christine Beaulieu, Robin-Joël Cool, Antoine Vézina, Wayne Charles Baker, Karl-Antoine Suprice, Nathan Jean-Huard, Charles-Aubey Houde, Tim Rozon, Brenda Odjick, Josée Bourgeois, Liam Condo, and Q052, and more. 

BON COP BAD COP is produced by Jessie Films and PaNik Fictions, in collaboration with Bell Media, and is presented by Intact Insurance. The script was written by a team of writers led by Patrick Huard, which included Suzie Bouchard, Éric K. Boulianne, Sébastien Ravary and Benoît Chartier, supported by First Nations writer/coordinator Quentin Condo, and advisors Eva Thomas and Adam Pettle. The six one-hour episodes were directed by Patrick Huard, Podz, Anik Jean and Miryam Bouchard. Anik Jean also composed the original music.  

New Crave Original Series BON COP BAD COP Debuts May 7

TORONTO (April 8, 2026) – Crave confirmed today that its new original series, BON COP BAD COP, the television adaptation of the cult film franchise of...

APRIL 9 – THE MINIATURE WIFE *Season 1 Premiere* 

 	Based on a short story by Manuel Gonzalez, the one-hour, 10-episode dramedy, THE MINIATURE WIFE, examines the power (im)balances between spouses Lindy (Elizabeth Banks) and Les (Matthew Macfadyen) after a technological accident induces the ultimate relationship crisis. The first four episodes drop on April 9, followed by two episodes weekly on Thursdays.  

APRIL 9 – HBO Max Original Series HACKS *Season 5 Premiere* 

 	The Emmy®-winning HBO Max original series HACKS returns for its fifth and final season on Thursday, April 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The 10-episode season follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes dropping Thursdays, and two episodes dropping on April 30 and May 7. In the aftermath of mistaken and unflattering news reports that she passed away, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) return to Las Vegas more determined than ever to secure Deborah’s legacy as a comedian. 

APRIL 10 – SORRY, BABY *Movie Premiere* 

 	Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least. When a beloved friend visits on the brink of a major milestone, Agnes starts to realize just how stuck she’s been and begins to work through how to move forward. SORRY, BABY is written, directed by, and starring Eva Victor, alongside Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea), John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac), Louis Cancelmi (The Irishman), and Kelly McCormack (GEORGE &amp; TAMMY). 

APRIL 12 – HBO Original Series EUPHORIA *Season 3 Premiere* 

 	Created, written, directed, and executive produced by Emmy® nominee and DGA Award® winner Sam Levinson, and starring two-time Emmy winner Zendaya, the eight-episode third season of the critically acclaimed pop culture juggernaut EUPHORIA begins streaming Sunday, April 12 at 9 p.m. ET. In the series, a group of childhood friends wrestle with the virtue of faith, the possibility of redemption, and the problem of evil. Season 3 regulars include: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Golden Globe® nominee Jacob Elordi, Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Emmy nominee Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Toby Wallace. Season 3 new guest stars include: Emmy winner Sharon Stone, GRAMMY® winner ROSALÍA, Danielle Deadwyler, Marshawn Lynch, Anna Van Patten, Emmy nominee Asante Blackk, Bella Podaras, Bill Bodner, Cailyn Rice, Christopher Ammanuel, Christopher Grove, Colleen Camp, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Eli Roth, Gideon Adlon, Hemky Madera, Homer Gere, Jack Topalian, James Landry Hébert, Jeff Wahlberg, Jessica Blair Herman, Justin Sintic, Emmy nominee Kadeem Hardison, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Matthew Willig, Meredith Mickelson, Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne, Priscilla Delgado, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sam Trammell, Smilez, Trisha Paytas, Tyler Lawrence Gray, and Vinnie Hacker. EUPHORIA follows a weekly release schedule with new episodes dropping Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. 

APRIL 14 – HBO Original Series THE DARK WIZARD *Series Premiere* 

 	THE DARK WIZARD is an unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world’s most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers. The series traces the jaw dropping feats that made him a legend, as well as the personal turmoil that defined his life. The four-part HBO Original docuseries debuts Tuesday, April 14 at 9 p.m. ET. 

&nbsp;

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of April 9 – 15. 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

April 9 – HBO Max’s HACKS S5 E1 (Season Premiere) 

April 12 – HBO’s DTF ST. LOUIS S1 E7 (Finale) 

April 12 – HBO’s EUPHORIA S3 E1 (Season Premiere) 

April 13 – HBO’s BORN TO BOWL S1 E5 (Finale) 

April 14 – HBO’s THE DARK WIZARD (Docuseries Premiere) 

 

Movies

April 9 – AWAY FROM HER *Canadian Title* 

April 9 – THE RUNAWAYS 

April 10 – COLD PURSUIT 

April 10 – SOPHIE'S CHOICE 

April 10 – SORRY, BABY 

April 10 – OH, HI! 

April 10 – SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE 

April 10 – BORDER HUNTERS 

April 15 – IT COMES IN WAVES *Canadian Title* 

 

STARZ

April 9 – AWAY FROM HER *Canadian Title* 

April 9 – STILL MINE *Canadian Title* 

April 10 – IDENTITY THIEF 

April 10 – SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME 

April 10 – DOWNTOWN ABBEY 

April 10 – COLD PURSUIT 

April 10 – SOPHIE'S CHOICE 

 

Additional Highlights

April 9 – French Crave Original LES CRUES S1 E1-4 

April 9 – THE FLOOR S5 E1 (Season Premiere) 

April 9 – THE MINIATURE WIFE S1 E1-4 (Series Premiere) 

April 13 – French Crave Original RETRACER SES ORIGINES 1 

April 15 – LOVE ISLAND: BEYOND THE VILLA S2 E1-2 (Season Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave

April 14 – THE FALL AND RISE OF REGGIE DINKINS S1 E9-10 (Season Finale) *following CTV 

April 15 – THE VOICE S29 E9 (Season Finale) *following CTV 

April 9 – 15: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

APRIL 9 – THE MINIATURE WIFE *Season 1 Premiere*  Based on a short story by Manuel Gonzalez, the one-hour, 10-episode dramedy, THE MINIATURE WIFE, exa...

By BILL HARRIS
Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

What goes around comes around on HACKS, according to Jean Smart.

With the fifth and final season of the award-winning HBO series set to debut on Thursday, April 9, Smart – who plays Deborah Vance, an iconic comedian who is fighting to remain relevant – pointed out a tonal back-and-forth that devoted viewers might notice.

“Season 4 got a little bit dark,” Smart acknowledged. “But I think we had earned it.”

That’s an interesting take, to suggest that quality comedies can “earn” the right to turn somewhat serious, in the belief that the loyal audience will remain on board.

“I was worried that people would hate (Deborah), because they cared so much about the relationship (with Ava, played by Hannah Einbinder),” Smart continued. “It was like they were willing to go anywhere with us, which was really wonderful. But in Season 5, we get to get back to being profoundly silly, which is really, really fun.”

There was a fairly straightforward premise back when HACKS began: Deborah’s standup act had grown stale, so Ava was hired to help freshen it up.

There was automatic comedy built into that theme, with old-school Deborah and cutting-edge Ava sniping at each other. But the show has taken a number of fascinating twists and turns, and there were times when the acrimony between Deborah and Ava was no joke.

But Season 5 sees them back together with a single purpose: to secure Deborah’s legacy.

“It's nice that we (Ava and Deborah) were able to kind of be on the same team,” Einbinder said. “I think that's so fun for us. Of course, we still have our sparring throughout, which we also enjoy just as much. But it's so nice for us to be working towards the same goal. And personally, I'm always just so excited about the opportunities and challenges that they present me with, dramatically and comedically. I always know that I'm going to be pushed to a new height in terms of performance, and it is so invigorating, and exciting, and just the best feeling you can have as a performer.”

Smart and Einbinder were asked if there are certain elements and complexities to their characters that they might not have foreseen when HACKS premiered in 2021. Both of them were momentarily stumped.

“I'm sure there are,” Smart finally said. “Nothing's springing to mind immediately. I feel like certainly they've both become more nuanced, and they've both affected each other, and they've both changed each other. But I just feel like from Day 1 that Deborah was on the page, and I totally got her. It was a gift.”

Einbinder added, “yeah, I would say the same. I think every evolution that these characters have undergone has felt warranted and earned. And everything that I would hope for them has been achieved. So what I can observe about Ava's growth is just that she has changed and been affected for good, I think, by Deborah and, you know, grown up. And I think the difference between a 24-year-old person and a 30-year-old person is actually quite huge. There's a ‘Saturn Return’, obviously, if you ascribe to that. Yes, Ava really went through that on this show.”

For those who are curious, a ‘Saturn Return’ is an astrological event that occurs roughly every 29.5 years, when Saturn returns to the exact position it occupied at a person’s birth. It supposedly sparks a period of intense, transformative challenges, aimed at fostering maturity, responsibility, and a realignment with one’s true life path.

The first Saturn Return happens in a person’s late 20s, the second in their late 50s, and the third in their late 80s. So Ava has a couple more to look forward to, good health assumed.

Planets notwithstanding, the HACKS universe is coming to a close. Smart admitted to some mixed feelings about that, in a specific storytelling sense.

“Just to be extra mysterious, I had never asked (the creators) how the series was going to end, from the day we met until the finale,” Smart said. “And I didn't really have an idea of how it would end. I just wanted to be surprised. I've loved being surprised by every episode for all these years. But when they first talked to me about how it was going to end, I was not … I was not sure I was real happy about it. But I said, ‘hey, you know, I trust you guys, I always have, and it always turns out great.’ And it did. And now I think it's kind of perfect. It's really great. It's truly great.”

&nbsp;

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@billharris_tv

It’s Back to ‘Silly’ Basics and True Teamwork in Season 5 of HACKS, Say Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede &nbsp; What goes around comes around on HACKS, according to Jean Smart. With the fifth and final season of the awar...

BNN Bloomberg

TORONTO (April 7, 2026) – Longtime BNN Bloomberg anchor Andrew Bell announced today his decision to retire. The announcement comes following a remarkable career in journalism that has spanned 44 years, including 25 years with BNN Bloomberg. Bell’s final broadcast is Thursday, April 30. 

“The past 25 years have been the happiest of my life. I still can’t believe I get paid to discuss fascinating topics with people who know infinitely more than me,” said Bell. “It’s been a wild ride, including the tech selloff at the start of the century, the abyss of the global financial crisis, the shock when income trusts were torpedoed, and the current stunning advent of AI. I’m so grateful to our dedicated viewers and my talented colleagues, and though I’ve made the decision to say goodbye, I will continue to follow my beloved crude oil, copper, corn, and cobalt, and I’ll have BNN Bloomberg running on the TV in the kitchen. Now it’s on to pursuing my next goal: playing King Lear at Stratford.” 

“Andrew’s commitment to insightful business journalism has made an enduring impact on BNN Bloomberg and on audiences nationwide,” said Richard Gray, VP News, Bell Media. “His ability to bring clarity and depth to even the most complex financial stories has made him a trusted voice for Canadians. We thank him for his many contributions over the years and will spend the next few weeks celebrating his career. We wish Andrew the very best in his retirement.” 

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Bell worked as an investment reporter and editor with The Globe and Mail prior to joining BNN Bloomberg in 2001. 

As the host of BNN Bloomberg’s COMMODITIES, Bell is a specialist on everything drilled, grown, and dug out of the ground. He is known for delivering straightforward, well-researched assessments on the trending stocks of the day, and for taking audiences through the detailed numbers while asking experts the tough questions.  

Bell is the author of Mutual Funds for Canadians for Dummies. 

BNN Bloomberg’s Andrew Bell Announces Retirement

TORONTO (April 7, 2026) – Longtime BNN Bloomberg anchor Andrew Bell announced today his decision to retire. The announcement comes following a remarka...