HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! I’ve been counting down to this week’s Buzz for a while now because I can finally say that the most anticipated book release of 2025 is HERE! And yes, I know that we’re only 24 days into the new year, but this book may truly just be the most anticipated book of the entire year.
Rebecca Yarros’ novel Onyx Storm, the third book in the Empyrean series, is available NOW!
If you’re one of the few who haven’t read the series yet, check! it! out! Rebecca’s series blew up back in 2023 when the first two books were released and readers have been on the edge of their seats waiting for this third installment since the second book ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger. Given the way the first two books ended, I’m sure this one will end on a cliffhanger too – I’m about 75% of the way through this new book – but it’s so worth the read.
Right now, the series is projected to be a five book series and they’re also being developed into an Amazon series. Rebecca, who has read some of the scripts, has said she ‘couldn’t be happier’ with how the series is looking thus far.
The series is still in very early development, so there are no release dates or casting announcements yet, but all will come in time! The books follow Violet Sorrengail, a twenty year old who is forced to train to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College. Right now, the series is looking like it will follow the first book – Fourth Wing – and if the first season is successful, then it’s likely each subsequent season will follow the next book.
As for casting, fans are hoping that Danielle Rose Russell will play Violet Sorengail, Josh Heuston will play Xaden, Violet’s love interest, and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin will play Dain, Violet’s childhood best friend. I LOVE Danielle and I think she would be a fantastic Violet and I don’t know Josh, but looks wise, he looks like he would fit the role perfectly, but I can’t really see Hero playing Dain.
In all honesty, I think that given the popularity of this series and how much world building is required to successfully create this show in a way that’s going to please fans, I think having actors who aren’t established yet in Hollywood would be best. Fans are extremely critical when it comes to casting, and because this series is so beloved amongst fans, I think casting actors who haven’t yet made a name for themselves would be best.
Another book adaptation you can look forward to is The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are amongst the lead cast and the film is set for a Christmas day release later this year.
It really seems like Netflix is making a comeback right now. At the end of 2024, Netflix reached a record 19 million subscriber additions, and it should come as no surprise that as a result, they’re raising prices!
Their new programs seem to be gaining a popularity they haven’t in awhile and part of that is because of Back in Action, the new Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx film that was released last Friday. It became Netflix’s biggest film debut since 2022, reached #1 in 58 countries, and was also the most watched English language movie for the week of January 13th.
Netflix was also in the headlines because of the Bridgerton event that’s coming up next month. Although the new season of Bridgerton isn’t coming until 2026, they’re hosting a Valentine’s Day event (in London) featuring Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha, the new season’s leading couple, Bridgerton’s showrunner Jess Brownell, and Queen Charlotte herself, Golda Rosheuvel.
Although the event is in London, it will also be livestreamed and it will include some info about the upcoming season! If you’re interested, click here to RSVP.
Additionally, Netflix is opening a restaurant in Las Vegas on the casino floor at the MGM Grand called Netflix Bites Vegas.
The restaurant’s menu will feature dishes created based off its own series. Some things you can look forward to are Eleven’s Feast, Bridgerton Regency Tea, a Too Hot to Handle-inspired Bloody Mary, and more! Mastercard holders will get priority seating and reservations. Check out this article for more info.
Other projects you can look forward to on Netflix are Sweet Magnolias which makes its return on February 6th and Scott Foley’s new romcom La Dolce Villa. Check out the Sweet Magnolias and the La Dolce Villa trailers below.
As for TV specifically, High Potential was renewed at ABC for a second season. High Potential is a crime procedural that premiered this past fall and it’s become this TV season’s second-most watched new drama, behind Matlock on CBS.
I’m easily swayed when it comes to watching crime procedurals and procedural dramas, so of course I watched this one when it premiered. Katelyn Olsen is hilariously smart and the chemistry between cast members is so fun to watch. If you like shows like Castle, Bones, So Help Me Todd, and the Rookie, check this one out!
The White Lotus was also renewed this week ahead of season 3’s premiere on Max. It’s unclear where season 4 is going to take place and who will be cast, but Mike White, the show’s creator-showrunner, has already pitched the idea for season 4 and it was picked up. For now though, check out season 3 which will be taking place in Thailand and premieres on Max on February 16th.
Last for TV, Paul Wesley, known most primarily for his role as Stefan Salvatore on the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, is going to be an executive producer on a new vampire comedy for Fox.
Per the official synopsis, the show centers on a 25-year-old vampire who dreams of becoming an actor while running the family business for his murderous and suffocating vampire parents.
Paul will be joined by Victor Fresco who is writing the pilot and Liz Friedlander who is set to direct and has worked on projects like The Rookie and The Vampire Diaries. It’s unknown at this point if Paul will be appearing on the series or if he’s going to be serving solely as an EP.
As for movies, Ryan Gosling could be joining Shawn Levy’s new Star Wars film and Scream VII sees new casting announcements in Joel McHale who will be playing Mark Evans and Mason Gooding who will be reprising his role as Chad Meeks-Martin.
There’s also the potential for a When Harry Met Sally reunion after Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal teased it on Instagram. They posted a photo of them sitting side by side on a couch – a recreation of the couples interviews segment in the film – and the post is captioned “It’s finally happening, we’re reuniting for something iconic. Can’t wait to show you all soon.”
Nothing is confirmed yet, but people are speculating it could be a Super Bowl commercial. Others hope it could be a film sequel, reboot, or maybe a moderated reunion talk.Lastly, in honor of the songs’ 40th anniversaries this year, editors at Spin ranked what they believe to be the best and worst songs of 1985. Personally, I disagreed with a lot of them, so I’m curious to see what you all think! Check out the list here and let us know!
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