Tessa Thompson to Star in & Executive Produce the Psychological Thriller Series “His & Hers”

It’s a case of his & hers for Tessa Thompson

Netflix has given a formal green light to His & Hers, a psychological thriller starring and executive produced by the 40-year-old half-Afro-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress.

Tessa Thompson,The six-episode limited series, adapted from Alice Feeney’s novel, comes from writer/executive producer Bill Dubuque; writer/executive producer Dee Johnson, who serves as showrunner; filmmaker William Oldroyd, who serves as a writer and will direct the first episode; as well as executive producers Jessica Chastain and Kristen Campo.

Fifth Season is the studio.

Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna (Thompson) lives in haunting reclusivity, fading away from her friends and career as a journalist. But when she overhears about a murder in Dahlonega – the sleepy town where she grew up – she is snapped back to life, pouncing on the case and searching for answers. Detective Jack Harper is strangely suspicious of her involvement, chasing her into the crosshairs of his own investigation. There are two sides to every story, his and hers, which means someone is always lying.

Published at the height of the pandemic in May (UK) and July (U.S.) 2020, Feeney’s His & Hers was quickly snapped up by Chastain’s Freckle Films, Campo and Fifth Season (then Endeavor Content) for series adaptation.

The project gradually staffed up and underwent development, moving the setting from London, where Anna is a BBC news reader in the book, to Atlanta, and eventually found its way to Netflix, with Thompson entering talks for the lead more than a month ago, cementing the series’ green light.

Thompson’s previous credits include the Creed films, Men in Black: International and the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films, including Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Up next, Thompson will star in the titular role in Hedda, a reimagination of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 stage play Hedda Gabler written and directed by Nia DaCosta.

Thompson is producing via her Viva Maude label, alongside MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B.

Tessa Thompson Makes Special Appearance in Final “The Marvels” Trailer

It’s a Marvels-ous moment for Tessa Thompson.

In the just-released final trailer before the premiere of The Marvels this Friday, the 40-year-old half-Afro-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress makes a surprise appearance.

Tessa Thompson,Towards the end of the trailer, Thompson‘s Valkyrie makes an appearance talking to Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel and telling her, “You can stand tall without standing alone.”

Valkyrie first appeared in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. Thompson would later reprise her role and make appearances in Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).

Also, Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris EvansCaptain America make an appearance in flashbacks as the voiceover by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury says, “Heroes, it’s an old fashioned notion, but the world can still use them.”

The Marvel Studios film follows Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel as she has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as “The Marvels.”

The Marvels stars Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton, Gary Lewis, Seo-Jun Park, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Nia DaCosta directs, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Mary Livanos and Matthew Jenkins serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by DaCosta, Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik.

The Marvels opens in theaters on Friday, Nov. 10.

Tessa Thompson Joins Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees

Tessa Thompson has joined the board…

The nonprofit Sundance Institute has announced four newly appointed additions to the Institute’s Board of Trustees, including the 40-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress.

Tessa Thompson,Thompson, Pete NicksNina Fialkow and Kimberly Steward have joined the leaders who guide the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity.

They add to the Institute’s Board of values-based leaders, building an enduring, evolving community for storytellers. The distinguished new Trustees will work closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente and bring invaluable experience.

“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists, we welcome these new members of our Board, each of whom has an incredible commitment to independent film and a long history with the Institute,” said Burnough. “Together, the Board is poised to identify new and strengthened ways to uplift independent storytellers.”

“We are so pleased to have Tessa, Pete, Nina, and Kimberly join as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute. They bring expertise and valuable perspectives that will be meaningful as we continue to evolve as a cultural organization,” said Vicente.

Thompson is an award-winning actor and producer, Nicks is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Fialkow is an award-winning producer, and Steward is an Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

“Both the Sundance Film Festival and the Institute have served as an artistic home for me throughout my career. I’m proud to expand this journey by joining the board to eagerly serve a community that has been so incredibly impactful to me and countless others,” said Thompson.

They join current members on the Institute’s Board: Robert Redford, President & Founder; Burnough, Chair; Sean Bailey, Vice Chair; Gigi Pritzker, Vice Chair; Jason Blum, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Philipp Engelhorn, Caterina Fake, Jeanne Donovan Fisher, Robert J. Frankenberg, Patrick Gaspard, Donna Gruneich, Cindy Harrell Horn, Uzodinma Iweala, Amanda Kelso, Charles D. King, Lyn Davis Lear, Ann Lewnes, Wonya Lucas, Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, Shripriya Mahesh, Pat Mitchell, Bill Plapinger, Amy Redford, Geoffrey K. Sands, Nadine Schiff-Rosen, Barry Tyerman and Lulu Wang.

Here are the bios for the new trustees:

NINA FIALKOW is an Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy Award-winning producer and a member of Impact Partners, a New York-based film funding group focused on telling stories around social justice. She and her husband David Fialkow also have a production entity, New Lane Media.

Nina served as Chair of the Massachusetts Cultural Council from 2016 until June 2023, an appointment by Governor Charlie Baker. Nina and her husband David have played a direct role in launching the Transmedia Storytelling Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which will teach media-based storytelling from film through augmented reality. In addition, she is on the International Council for The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She also serves on the National Committee for Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. where she sits on the Executive Committee.

PETE NICKS is an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, producer, and director known for his immersive cinema vérité Oakland trilogy. His critically acclaimed feature documentary The Waiting Room won an Independent Spirit Award and was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2012. The Force, the second in the trilogy explores the interconnected narratives of health care, criminal justice and education, and won the 2017 Sundance Directing Prize. Homeroom, the final film in the trilogy, won the inaugural Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. His most recent film, Stephen Curry: Underrated, about the rise of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Nicks co-founded Proximity Media with Ryan Coogler and oversees the Nonfiction Division. He is the recipient of the SFFS/KRF screenwriting grant and a United States Artists Fellow. He received his B.A. from Howard University and his Masters from UC Berkeley.

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KIMBERLY STEWARD is an Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Steward produced the six-time Academy Award nominated Manchester By The Sea; Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria; The True Adventures Of Wolfboy; Topside which premiered at SXSW and the Venice Film Festival; Secret Life Of Bees (theatre); Sing Street (theatre); the Afro-centric documentaries Opposite Field and Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and The Emergence Of A People.

Most recently she produced The Accidental Getaway Driver, which won the US Dramatic Directing Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and The Vanishings at Caddo Lake, which was produced with M. Night Shyamalan.

In 2023, Kimberly and the K Period Media Foundation partnered with Blumhouse and collaborated with Sundance to launch the Screamwriters Fellowship. Kimberly proudly serves on the boards of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, One Community, Ava DuVernay’s Array Alliance, the Fresh Air Fund, and the Ubuntu Council of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

TESSA THOMPSON is an award-winning actor and producer. She most recently reprised her role as ‘Bianca’ in Creed III directed by Michael B. Jordan. In 2020, Thompson starred in Amazon Prime’s Sylvie’s Love, which she Executive Produced. In 2021, Thompson starred in the indie film, Passing, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and she also Executive Produced. Thompson’s past credits include Thor: Love and Thunder, Creed, Creed II, Men in Black: International, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Little Woods, Annihilation, Sorry to Bother You, Selma, Dear White People, and Westworld.

In 2019, Thompson was featured on the cover of TIME magazine as a trailblazer and “Leader of the Next Generation.” Her upcoming project includes starring in the title role of ‘Hedda Gabler’ in Nia DaCosta’s film Hedda for MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B.

With these additions, the Sundance Institute board comprises 32 people, 14 of whom self-identify as BIPOC. The board is 44% men and 56% women.

Eiza González to Star in the Sci-Fi Thriller “Ash”

Eiza González has landed an out of this world role…

The 33-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star opposite Aaron Paul in the sci-fi thriller Ash, the sophomore feature from producer, rapper and filmmaker Flying Lotus.

Eiza GonzálezGonzález and Paul will replace Tessa Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt who were previously announced last summer.

Gonzalez will play a woman who wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed. She must decide whether she can trust the man (Paul) sent to rescue her.

Flying Lotus is also set to compose an original score, with production due to start in New Zealand in May.

Based on an original screenplay by Jonni Remmler, XYZ Films and GFC Films are producing, with Neill Blomkamp and Echo Lake onboard as executive-producers. XYZ Films is co-financing alongside IPR.VC.

Baby Driver and Ambulance actress González will next be seen in the series Three Body Problem for Netflix. She is currently filming Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare from Guy Ritchie and Jerry Bruckheimer.

“We are building something fresh and unique with Ash and having Eiza and Aaron in this world just makes it flames. They are absolute magic makers, brave and equally inspiring. All that to say… We ‘bout to kill this shit,” said Flying Lotus.

Matthew Metcalfe and Nate Bolotin stated: “At the helm of the visionary artist Flying Lotus, and now in collaboration with the incredibly talented Eiza González and Aaron Paul, we are excited to embark on this journey to bring the unique world of Ash to life.”

Tessa Thompson to Star in the sci-fi thriller “Ash”

Tessa Thompson is ready to kick ash

The 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress will star opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the sci-fi thriller Ash, which the Grammy-winning musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus — otherwise known as Steven Ellison — will direct as his sophomore feature.

Tessa Thompson,Neill Blomkamp will executive produce the film, which its financier XYZ Films will rep for worldwide sales at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

The new film, for which the multi-hyphenate will also compose an original score, watches as a woman (Thompson) wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed, and must then decide if she can trust the man (Gordon-Levitt) sent to rescue her. But as their investigation into what happened sets in motion a terrifying chain of events, he begins to wonder how innocent she really is.

Jonni Remmler wrote the original screenplay for the film, looking to go into production in New Zealand next year.

It is Flying Lotus’ follow-up to the Sundance-premiering body horror anthology, KusoXYZ Films and GFC Films will produce, with Blomkamp exec producing alongside Echo Lake Entertainment.

“It’s an absolute dream come true to collaborate with some of the most talented actors out there!,” said Flying Lotus.

Thompson is an Emmy– and BAFTA Award-nominated actress and producer who reprised her Marvel role as Valkyrie for the recent Thor: Lover and Thunder, also recently returning for the fourth season of HBO’s Westworld.

Other notable big-screen credits from recent years include Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut Passing, and Prime Video’s Sylvie’s Love, which she also executive produced, as well as SelmaDear White People and the Creed films.

Among Thompson’s upcoming projects is Creed III, which is currently in post-production, with its release set for next March. Her production company Viva Maude is actively in development on projects including Secret Lives of Church LadiesLuster and Who Fears Death.

Ariana DeBose to Appear on Season Four of HBO’s “Westworld”

Ariana DeBose is heading West(world)

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress, who won an Oscar for her performance in West Side Story, has joined the cast of HBO’s Westworld as a recurring guest star for the upcoming eight-episode fourth season, which premieres on June 26 and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Ariana DeBose,DeBose joins returning main cast members Evan Rachel Wood, Emmy winner Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth, Aaron Paul and Angela Sarafyan.

Westworld, a dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on Earth, was created for television by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy, who are executive producers with Alison Schapker, Denise Thé, J.J. Abrams, Athena Wickham, Richard J. Lewis and Ben Stephenson. Production companies: Kilter Films and Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television; based on the film written by Michael Crichton.

Here’s a first look at her character this season:

Ariana DeBose

Colman Domingo Wins Black Reel Awards Trophy for Performance in “Zola”

It’s a Reel special moment for Colman Domingo

Winners of the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards have been announced, with the 52-year-old Guatemalan American actor among the honorees.

Colman Domingo,Domingo was named Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Abegunde “X” Olawale in the black comedy crime film Zola.

Janicza Bravo, who wrote and directed Zola, won the Outstanding Independent Film award for the acclaimed film, which earned the 41-year-old Panamanian American filmmaker two Spirit Awards nods.

It’s his first solo Black Reel Award… He’d previously won alongside his Selma castmates in 2015 in the Best Ensemble category.

Tessa Thompson is celebrating her big win…

The 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress was named Outstanding Actress for her work in Passing, a role that previously won her a best actress prize from the Black Film Critics Circle.

Ariana DeBose, who made history with her SAG Awards win over the weekend, continued her winning ways.

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer won the award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

Anthony Ramos won in the Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male category.

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actor earned the award for his starring role in the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights.

Featuring 12 live awards and 5 honorees, and unveiling a new statuette, the ceremony included tributes to films, which made their mark in Black Cinema History.

The month of February concluded fiercely thanks to a fabulous night of black excellence. “It is fitting that as we close Black History Month, this year’s Black Reel Awards continues to spotlight individuals who make cinematic strides,” said Black Reels CEO/Founder, Tim Gordon. “As opportunities increase, both above and below the line, we remain dedicated to shining a light on Black film creatives, while amplifying their voices throughout the industry.”

Here’s the full list of winners:

Outstanding Film | King Richard
Will Smith, Tim White & Trevor White, producers

Outstanding Director
Jeymes Samuel | The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Actor
Will Smith | King Richard

Outstanding Actress
Tessa Thompson | Passing

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Colman Domingo | Zola

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Aunjanue Ellis | King Richard

Outstanding Screenplay
Passing | Rebecca Hall

Outstanding Documentary
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director

Outstanding Foreign-Language Film
African America (South Africa) | Muzi Mthembu, director

Outstanding Ensemble
The Harder They Fall | Victoria Thomas, casting director

Outstanding Voice Performance
Maya Rudolph | The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Outstanding Score
The Harder They Fall | Jeymes Samuel, composer

Outstanding Original Song
“Automatic Woman” (Bruised)
H.E.R., performer; H.E.R, Van Hunt & Brittany Hazzard, writers

Outstanding Independent Film
Zola | Janicza Bravo, director

Outstanding Short Film
Coffee | Jordan Pitt, director

Outstanding Independent Documentary
100 Years from Mississippi | Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, director

Outstanding Emerging Director
Jeymes Samuel | The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Anthony Ramos | In the Heights

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Ariana DeBose | West Side Story

Outstanding First Screenplay
Passing | Rebecca Hall

Outstanding Cinematography
The Tragedy of Macbeth | Bruno Delbonnel, cinematographer

Outstanding Costume Design
The Harder They Fall | Antoinette Messam, costume designer

Outstanding Editing
The Harder They Fall | Tom Eagles, editor

Outstanding Production Design
The Tragedy of Macbeth | Stefan Dechant, production designer

Tessa Thompson Named Best Actress by Black Film Critics Circle

Tessa Thompson is earning praise for her latest role…

The Black Film Critics Circle has awarded the 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress its best actress prize.

Tessa Thompson, PassingThompson earned the award for her powerhouse performance in Passing. It’s her second best actress prize of the awards season so far for her work in the film. The other recognition came from the New York Film Critics, Online.

Thompson had previously won the critics’ group’s best supporting actress award in 2015 for her work in Creed.

Along with recognizing films in 13 categories, the group also gave the Pioneer Award to Zola co-writer and director Janicza Bravo.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Picture: “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Director: Denis Villeneuve, “Dune” (Warner Bros)
Actor: Will Smith, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Actress: Tessa Thompson, “Passing” (Netflix)
Supporting Actor: Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
Supporting Actress: Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Original Screenplay: Zach Baylin, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Adapted Screenplay: Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
Cinematography: Greig Fraser, “Dune” (Warner Bros)
Documentary: “Summer of Soul” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
Animated Film: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” (Netflix)
Foreign Film: “The Hand of God” (Netflix)
Ensemble: “The Harder They Fall” (Netflix) 

BFCC Signature Awards
Pioneer Award:
Janicza Bravo, “Zola” (A24)
Rising Star: Jeymes Samuel, “The Harder They Fall” (Netflix)
Special Mention: Questlove

Top 10 Films
“King Richard” (Warner Bros)
“The Harder They Fall” (Netflix)
“The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
“West Side Story” (20th Century Studios)
“Respect” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
“Summer of Soul” (Searchlight Pictures)
“Dune” (Warner Bros)
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Apple Original Films/A24)
“Cyrano” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
“Passing” (Netflix)

Tessa Thompson to Help Present $1 Million in Scholarships at The Hollywood Reporter’s Annual Women in Entertainment Gala

Tessa Thompson is helping the next generation of women in entertainment

The 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress will appear alongside Jennifer Garner at The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Women in Entertainment gala to shine a spotlight on THR’s Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program.

Tessa Thompson,Garner and Thompson will present high school students with nearly $1 million in university scholarships to graduates of the mentorship program, which pairs the best and brightest high school girls from underserved communities in the Los Angeles area with top-level female executives, lawyers and agents.

The mentorship program is a joint venture between THR and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.

Past mentors have included Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, Imax Entertainment president Megan Colligan, Netflix vp content Bela Bajaria and Disney TV StudiosABC Entertainment chairman Dana Walden.

More than 200 girls and 200 mentors have taken part in the program, with the mentees going on to universities including Harvard, UC Berkeley and UCLA, supported by $10 million in scholarships raised by THR.

The gala coincides with the release of THR’s annual Women in Entertainment issue (on newsstands December 8), which highlights the Power 100, the leading female executives in entertainment.

Tessa Thompson’s Viva Maude Partners with Gaumont to Develop Raven Leilani’s Novel “Luster” for HBO

Tessa Thompson is celebrating her luster

Gaumont has teamed up with the 38-year-old half-Afro-Panamanian and part Mexican American actress’ Viva Maude production company to develop for HBO Luster, the bestselling debut by Raven Leilani.

Tessa Thompson,

Scripting the project will be handled by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury, and Lileana Blain-Cruz, recipient of the Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. They are joint winners of the Obie Award for Marys Seacole, and are among the founders of the exploratory theatre collaboration, Afrofemononomy.

Edie is a young Black artist living a precarious existence in New York City when she takes a white lover in an open marriage, eventually moving in with him and his wife in the suburbs. There she not only finds herself in an increasingly tense relationship with the couple, but also becoming an unlikely mentor to their adopted Black daughter Akila. The debut novel quickly became a number one bestseller on the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and other lists.

Raven Leilani's Novel "Luster"

The potential English language drama series for HBO marks the first collaboration between Gaumont and Viva Maude’s Thompson and Kishori Rajan.

Nicolas Atlan, President of Gaumont US said company toppers are “beyond thrilled to be developing Luster with HBO and Viva Maude’s Tessa Thompson and Kishori Rajan. We were riveted by this groundbreaking book, written by the incredibly talented Raven Leilani, and are blown away at how quickly the series creative team which includes our writers, Lileana Blain-Cruz and Jackie Sibblies Drury, has come together. We can’t wait to get started.”

It’s not clear at this point if Thompson will star. She has a strong relationship with HBO from Westworld. She is generating awards buzz for the Sundance hit Passing, and wrapped the lead role of Valkyrie in the Taiki Waititi film Thor: Love and Thunder.

Said Thompson of the book: “Luster marks the daring debut by Raven Leilani, a seminal voice for her generation. In her work, which defies categorization, there is an astonishingly singular quality that speaks to spirit of the types of narratives Viva Maude aims to showcase — bold, beautifully crafted, unapologetically human, imaginative and unconventional — it is thrilling to be teamed with Gaumont and the stunning talents of Jackie Sibblies Drury and Lileana Blain-Cruz to develop this story at HBO, the perfect home.”