You loved them in the ’90s — or you weren’t born in the ’90s but you still love them because you’re queer and it’s the law — and now Romy and Michele are set to return. In 1997, “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” saw Mira Sorvino (“American Crime Story”) and Lisa Kudrow (“The Comeback”) as two silly and supportive best friends turning the tables on the mean classmates who bullied them. A mid-level box-office success, its cult following among LGBTQ+ audiences grew, so now here comes “Romy & Michele 2.” Tim Federle (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”) is set to direct and ’90s cast members Alan Cumming, Camryn Manheim and Janeane Garofalo will return, alongside Keegan Michael Key and Wendi McLendon-Covey. No plot details yet, but get yourself a big bag of Gummi Bears and head to Hulu when it hits that streamer in 2027.
Hiller returns to haunt Widow’s Bay
“Widow’s Bay,” the enormously popular Apple TV horror-comedy series set on a haunted New England coastal island, is heading into Emmy season with 19 nominations, the most of any series this year. And gay actor Jeff Hiller, Emmy winner for “Somebody, Somewhere” and nominee this year for “Pluribus,” is about to see more scripts featuring his character, Dale. The comic relief Town Hall employee and resident island party DJ will become a series regular in season 2. Given the show’s already-standard reputation for random characters meeting their untimely demise — the curse of the island, and all that — creator Katie Dippold asked Hiller, “Do you mind if I don’t kill you?” A welcome statement for any actor, to be sure, though not one that promises Dale’s immunity from, say, the island’s murderous boogeyman, sea hag or soul-snatching fog. Intrigued? You still have a bit of time to catch up before the next season drops in 2027.
Be on the lookout for Quintessa Swindell
Alexander Ullom, the filmmaker behind “It Ends,” the Gen Z horror film that’s turning critics’ and audience’s heads, has cast his already-in-production next feature. It’s called “4 X 4: The Event” and will co-star a young actor you might have seen but might not know just yet: Quintessa Swindell. If you’ve been to the movie theater lately, you’ve encountered the non-binary Swindell in trans filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun’s thrilling queer horror comedy “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” and as the lone queer voice in the bizarre straight-people-can’t-have-sex comedy “One Night Only.” TV audiences know them from the Netflix teen drama “Trinkets,” “In Treatment” and “Prime Target.” It’s always a pleasure to see a new queer talent making Hollywood take notice, especially one working with innovative filmmakers. We’re waiting to see where Swindell’s career goes next.
‘Ebenezer’ has its queer ghosts
A year ago we reported that gay legend Ian McKellen and queer Emmy-winning “Severance” star Tramell Tillman had joined the cast of a dark, gothic adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” from horror director Ti West (“X,” “Pearl”). It seemed like a late announcement, especially considering the planned Christmas 2026 release date. Well, it’s here. It’s called “Ebenezer,” and it stars Johnny Depp as Mr. Scrooge. With a supporting cast that includes “Harry Potter” alum Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchitt, Academy Award nominee Andrea Riseborough as The Ghost of Christmas Past and Daisy Ridley as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, McKellen is, as suspected, the sure-to-be-sardonic Ghost of Jacob Marley. Meanwhile, the robust, wine-drinking, chest-baring-in-a-deep-V-robe Ghost of Christmas Present falls to Tillman, and we have no doubt he’ll shine. It hits theaters just before Thanksgiving to get you in spooky Christmas mood.