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What makes a character so compelling that readers will forgive almost anything about the plot? How do you move beyond vague flaws and generic descriptions to create people who feel pulled from real life? In this solo episode, I share 15 actionable tips for writing deep characters, curated from past interviews on the podcast. In the intro, thoughts from London Book Fair [Instagram reel @jfpennauthor; Publishing Perspectives; Audible; Spotify]; Insights from a 7-figure author business [BookBub]. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community and get articles, discounts, and extra audio and video tutorials on writing craft, author business, and AI tools, at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn This episode has been created from previous episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast, curated by Joanna Penn, as well as chapters from How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book. Links to the individual episodes are included in the transcript below. In this episode: Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' trifecta, how to hook readers on the very first page Define the Dramatic Question: Who is your character when the chips are down? Absolute specificity. Why “she's controlling” isn't good enough Understand the Heroine's Journey, strength through connection, not solo action Use ‘Metaphor Families' to anchor dialogue and give every character a distinctive voice Find the Diagnostic Detail, the moments that prove a character is real Writing pain onto the page without writing memoir Write diverse characters as real people, not stereotypes or plot devices Give your protagonist a morally neutral ‘hero' status. Compelling beats likeable. Build vibrant side characters for series longevity and spin-off potential Use voice as a rhythmic tool Link character and plot until they're inseparable Why discovery writers can write out of order and still build deep character Find the sensory details that make characters live and breathe More help with how to write fiction here, or in my book, How to Write a Novel. Writing Characters: 15 Tips for Writing Deep Character in Your Fiction In today's episode, I'm sharing fifteen tips for writing deep characters, synthesised from some of the most insightful interviews on The Creative Penn Podcast over the past few years, combined with what I've learned across more than forty books of my own. I'll be referencing episodes with Matt Bird, Will Storr, Gail Carriger, Barbara Nickless, and Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. I'll also draw on my own book, How to Write a Novel, which covers these fundamentals in detail. Whether you're writing your first novel or your fiftieth, whether you're a plotter or a discovery writer like me, these tips will help you create characters that readers believe in, care about, and invest in—and keep coming back for more. Let's get into it. 1. Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' Trifecta When I spoke with Matt Bird on episode 624, he laid out the three things you need to achieve on the very first page of your book or in the first ten minutes of a film. He calls it “Believe, Care, and Invest.” First, the reader must believe the character is a real person, somehow proving they are not a cardboard imitation of a human being, not just a generic type walking through a generic plot. Second, the reader must care about the character's circumstances. And third, the reader must invest in the character's ability to solve the story's central problem. Matt used The Hunger Games as his primary example, and it's brilliant. On the very first page, we believe Katniss's voice. Suzanne Collins writes in first person with a staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short declarative sentences—that immediately grounds us in a survivalist mentality. We care because Katniss is starving. She's protecting her little sister. And we invest because she is out there bow hunting, which Matt pointed out is one of the most badass things a character can do. She even kills a lynx two pages in and sells the pelt. We invest in her resourcefulness and grit before the plot has even begun. Matt was very clear that this has nothing to do with the character being “likable.” He said his subtitle, Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love, doesn't mean the character has to be a good person. He described “hero” as both gender-neutral and morally neutral. A hero can be totally evil or totally good. What matters is that we believe, care, and invest. He demonstrated this beautifully by breaking down the first ten minutes of WeCrashed, where the characters of Adam and Rebekah Neumann are absolutely not likable, but we are completely hooked. Adam steals his neighbour's Chinese food through a carefully orchestrated con involving an imaginary beer. It's not admirable behaviour, but the tradecraft involved, as Matt put it—using a term from spy movies—makes us invest in him. We see a character trying to solve the big problem of his life, which is that he's poor and wants to be rich, and we want to see if he can pull it off. Actionable step: Go to the first page of your current work in progress. Does it achieve all three? Does the reader believe this is a real person with a distinctive voice? Do they care about the character's circumstances? And do they invest in the character's ability to handle what's coming? If even one of those three is missing, that's your revision priority. 2. Define the Dramatic Question: Who Are They Really? Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling, came on episode 490 and gave one of the most powerful frameworks I've ever heard for character-driven fiction. He explained that the human brain evolved language primarily to swap social information—in other words, to gossip. We are wired to monitor other people, to ask the question: who is this person when the chips are down? That's what Will calls the Dramatic Question, and it's what he believes lies at the heart of all compelling storytelling. It's not a question about plot. It's a question about the character's soul. And every scene in your novel should force the character to answer it. His example of Lawrence of Arabia is unforgettable. The Dramatic Question for the entire film is: who are you, Lawrence? Are you ordinary or are you extraordinary? At the beginning, Lawrence is a cocky, rebellious young soldier who believes his rebelliousness makes him superior. Every iconic scene in that three-hour film tests that belief. Sometimes Lawrence acts as though he truly is extraordinary—leading the Arabs into battle, being hailed as a god—and sometimes the world strips him bare and he sees himself as ordinary. Because it's a tragedy, he never overcomes his flaw. He doubles down on his belief that he's extraordinary until he becomes monstrous, culminating in that iconic scene where he lifts a bloody dagger and sees his own reflection with horror. Will also used Jaws to demonstrate how this works in a pure action thriller. Brody's dramatic question is simple: are you going to be old Brody who is terrified of the water, or new Brody who can overcome that fear? Every scene where the shark appears is really asking that question. And the last moment of the film isn't the shark blowing up. It's Brody swimming back through the water, saying he used to be scared of the water and he can't imagine why. Actionable step: Write down the Dramatic Question for your protagonist in a single sentence. Is it “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you brave enough to love again?” or “Will you sacrifice your principles for survival?” If you can't answer this with specificity, your character might still be a sketch rather than a person. 3. Get rid of Vague Flaws, and use Absolute Specificity This was one of Will Storr's most important points. He said that vague thinking about characters is really the enemy. When he teaches workshops and asks writers to describe their character's flaw, most of them say something like “they're very controlling.” And Will's response is: that's not good enough. Everyone is controlling. How are they controlling? What's the specific mechanism? He gave the example of a profile he read of Theresa May during the UK's Brexit chaos. Someone who knew her said that Theresa May's problem was that she always thinks she's the only adult in every room she goes into. Will said that stopped him in his tracks because it's so precise. If you define a character with that level of specificity, you can take them and put them in any genre, any situation—a spaceship, a Victorian drawing room, a school playground—and you will know exactly how they're going to behave. The same applies to Arthur Miller's Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, as Will described it: a man who believes absolutely in capitalistic success and the idea that when you die, you're going to be weighed on a scale, just as God weighs you for sin, but now you're weighed for success. That's not a vague flaw. That's a worldview you can drop into any story and watch it combust. Will made another counterintuitive point that I found really valuable: writers often think that piling on multiple traits will create a complex character, but the opposite is true. Starting with one highly specific flaw and running it through the demands of a relentless plot is what generates complexity. You end up with a far more nuanced, original character than if you'd started with a laundry list of vague attributes. Actionable step: Take your protagonist's flaw and pressure-test it. Is it specific enough that you could place this character in any situation and predict their behaviour? If you're stuck at “she's stubborn” or “he's insecure,” keep pushing. What kind of stubborn? What kind of insecure? Find the diagnostic sentence—the Theresa May level of precision. 4. Understand the Heroine's Journey: Strength Through Connection Gail Carriger came on episode 550 to discuss her nonfiction book, The Heroine's Journey, and it completely reframed how I think about some of my own fiction. Gail explained that the core difference between the Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey comes down to how strength and victory are defined. The Hero's Journey is about strength through solo action. The hero must be continually isolated to get stronger. He goes out of civilisation, faces strife alone, and achieves victory through physical prowess and self-actualisation. The Heroine's Journey is the opposite. The heroine achieves her goals by activating a network. She's a delegator, a general. She identifies where she can't do something alone, finds the people who can help, and portions out the work for mutual gain. Gail put it simply: the heroine is very good at asking for help, which our culture tends to devalue but which is actually a powerful form of strength. Crucially, Gail stressed that gender is irrelevant to which journey you're writing. Her go-to examples are striking: the recent Wonder Woman film is practically a beat-for-beat hero's journey—Gilgamesh on screen, as Gail described it. Meanwhile, Harry Potter, both the first book and the series as a whole, is a classic heroine's journey. Harry's power comes from his network—Dumbledore's Army, the Order of the Phoenix, his friendships with Ron and Hermione. He doesn't defeat Voldemort alone. He defeats Voldemort because of love and connection. This distinction has real practical consequences for writers. If you're writing a hero's journey and you hit writer's block, Gail said, the solution is usually to isolate your hero further and pile on more strife. But if you're writing a heroine's journey, the solution is probably to throw a new character into the scene—someone who has advice to offer or a skill the heroine lacks. The actual solutions to writer's block are different depending on which narrative you're writing. As I reflected on my own work, I realised that my ARKANE thriller protagonist, Morgan Sierra, follows a hero's journey—she's a solo operative, a lone wolf like Jack Reacher or James Bond. But my Mapwalker fantasy series follows a heroine's journey, with Sienna and her group of friends working together. I hadn't consciously chosen those paths; the stories led me there. But understanding the framework helps me write more intentionally now. Actionable step: Identify which journey your protagonist is on. Does your character gain strength by being alone (hero) or by building connections (heroine)? This will inform every plot decision you make, from how they face obstacles to how your story ends. 5. Use ‘Metaphor Families' to Anchor Dialogue and Voice One of the most practical techniques Matt Bird shared on episode 624 is the idea of assigning each character a “metaphor family”—a specific well of language that they draw from. This gives each character a distinctive voice that goes beyond accent or dialect. Matt explained how in The Wire, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, every character has a different metaphor family. What struck him was that Omar, this iconic character, never utters a single curse word in the entire series. His metaphor family is pirate. He talks about parlays, uses language that feels like it belongs in Pirates of the Caribbean, and it creates this incredible ironic counterpoint against his urban setting. It tells us immediately that this is a character who sees himself in a tradition of people that doesn't match his immediate surroundings. Matt also referenced the UK version of The Office, where Gareth works at a paper company but aspires to the military. So all of his language is drawn from a military metaphor family. He doesn't talk about filing and photocopying; he talks about tactics and discipline and being on the front line. This tells us that the character has a life and dreams beyond the immediate scene—and it's the gap between aspiration and reality that makes him both funny and believable. He pointed out that a metaphor family sometimes comes from a character's background, but it's often more interesting when it comes from their aspirations. What does your character want to be? What world do they fantasise about inhabiting? That's where their language should come from. In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a spiritual hermit, but his metaphor family is military. He uses the language of generals and commanders, and that ironic counterpoint is part of what makes him feel so rich. Actionable step: Assign each of your main characters a metaphor family. It could be based on their job, their background, or—more interestingly—their secret aspirations. Then go through your dialogue and make sure each character is consistently drawing from that well of language. If two characters sound the same when you strip away the dialogue tags, this is the fix. 6. Find the Diagnostic Detail: The Diagonal Toast Avoid clichéd character tags—the random scar, the eye patch, the mysterious limp—unless they serve a deep narrative purpose. Matt Bird on episode 624 was very funny about this: he pointed out that Nick Fury, Odin, and eventually Thor all have eye patches in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Eye patches are done, he said. You cannot do eye patches anymore. Instead, look for what I'm calling the “diagonal toast” detail, after a scene Matt described from Captain Marvel. In the film, Captain Marvel is trying to determine whether Nick Fury is who he says he is. She asks him to prove he isn't a shapeshifting alien. Fury shares biographical details—his history, his mother—but then she pushes further and says, name one more thing you couldn't possibly have made up about yourself. And Fury says: if toast is cut diagonally, I can't eat it. Matt said that detail is gold for a writer because it feels pulled from a real life. You can pull it from your own life and gift it to your characters, and the reader can tell it's not manufactured. He gave another example from The Sopranos: Tony Soprano's mother won't answer the phone after dark. The show's creator, David Chase, confirmed on the DVD commentary that this came from his own mother, who genuinely would not answer the phone after dark and couldn't explain why. Matt's practical advice was to keep a journal. Write down the strange, specific things that people do or say. Mine your own life for those hyper-specific details. You just need one per book. In my own writing, I've used this approach. In my ARKANE thrillers, my character Morgan Sierra has always been Angelina Jolie in my mind—specifically Jolie in Lara Croft or Mr and Mrs Smith. And Blake Daniel in my crime thriller series was based on Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy. I paste pictures of actors into my Scrivener projects. It helps with visuals, but also with the sense of the character, their energy and physicality. But visual details only take you so far. It's the behavioural quirks—the diagonal toast moments—that make a character feel genuinely alive. That said, physical character tags can work brilliantly when they serve the story. As I discuss in How to Write a Novel, Robert Galbraith's Cormoran Strike is an amputee, and his pain and the physical challenges of his prosthesis are a key part of every story—it's not a cosmetic detail, it's woven into the action and the character's psychology. My character Blake Daniel always wears gloves to cover the scars on his hands, which provides an angle into his wounded past as well as a visual cue for the reader. And of course, Harry Potter's lightning-shaped scar isn't just a mark—it's a direct connection to his nemesis and the mythology of the entire series. The rule of thumb is: if the tag tells us something about the character's interior life or connects to the plot, it's earning its place. If it's just there to make the character visually distinctive, it's probably a crutch. Game of Thrones takes character tags further with the family houses, each with their own mottos and sigils. The Starks say “Winter is coming” and their sigil is a dire wolf. Those aren't just labels—they're worldview made visible. Actionable step: Start a “diagonal toast” notebook. Every time you notice something strange and specific about someone's behaviour—something that feels too real to be made up—write it down. Then gift it to a character who needs more texture. 7. Displace Your Own Trauma into the Work Barbara Nickless shared something deeply personal on episode 732 that fundamentally changed how I think about putting pain onto the page. While starting At First Light, the first book in her Dr. Evan Wilding series, she lost her son to epilepsy—something called SUDEP, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone. Barbara said that writing helped her cope with the trauma, that doing a deep dive into Old English literature and the Viking Age for the book's research became a lifeline. But here's what's important: she didn't give Dr. Evan Wilding her exact trauma. Evan Wilding is four feet five inches, and Barbara described how he has to walk through a world that won't adjust to him. That's its own form of learning to cope when circumstances are beyond your control. She displaced her genuine grief into the character's different but parallel struggle. When I asked her about the difference between writing for therapy and writing for an audience, she drew on her experience teaching creative writing to veterans through a collaboration between the US Department of Defense and the National Endowment for the Arts. She said she's found that she can pour her heartache into her characters and process it through them, even when writing professionally, and that the genuine emotion is what touches readers. We've all been through our own losses and griefs, so seeing how a character copes can be deeply meaningful. I've always found that putting my own pain onto the page is the most direct way to connect with a reader's soul. My character Morgan Sierra's musings on religion and the supernatural are often my own. Her restlessness, her fascination with the darker edges of faith—those come from me. But her Krav Maga fighting skills and her ability to kill the bad guys are definitely her own. That gap between what's mine and what's hers is where the fiction lives. Barbara also said something on that episode that I wrote down and stuck on my wall. She said the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul. I've been thinking about that ever since. On my own wall, I have “Measure your life by what you create.” Different words, same truth. Actionable step: If you're carrying something heavy—grief, anger, fear, regret—consider how you might displace it into a character's different but emotionally parallel struggle. Don't copy your exact situation; transform it. The emotion will be genuine, and the reader will feel it. 8. Write Diverse Characters as Real People When I spoke with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673—Sarah is Choctaw and a historical fiction author honoured by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian—she offered a perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. The key message was to move away from stereotypes. Don't write your American Indian character as the “Wise Guide” who exists solely to dispense mystic wisdom to the white protagonist. Don't limit diverse characters to historical settings, as though they only exist in the past. Place them in normal, contemporary roles. Your spaceship captain, your forensic scientist, your small-town baker—any of them can be American Indian, or Nigerian, or Japanese, and their heritage should be a lived-in part of their identity, not the sole reason they exist in the story. I write international thrillers and dark fantasy, and my fiction is populated with characters from all over the world. I have a multi-cultural family and I've lived in many places and travelled widely, so I've met, worked with, and had relationships with people from different cultures. I find story ideas through travel, and if I set my books in a certain place, then the story is naturally populated with the people who live there. As I discuss in my book, How to Write a Novel, the world is a diverse place, so your fiction needs to be populated with all kinds of people. If I only populated my fiction with characters like me, they would be boring novels. There are many dimensions of difference—race, nationality, sex, age, body type, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, culture, education level—and even then, don't assume that similar types of people think the same way. Some authors worry they will make mistakes. We live in a time of outrage, and some authors have been criticised for writing outside their own experience. So is it too dangerous to try? Of course not. The media amplifies outliers, and most authors include diverse characters in every book without causing offence because they work hard to get it right. It's about awareness, research, and intent. Actionable step: Audit the cast of your current work in progress. Have you written a mono-cultural perspective for all of them? If so, consider who could bring a different background, perspective, or set of cultural specifics to the story. Not as a token addition, but as a real person with a real life. 9. Respect Tribal and Cultural Specificity Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673 was emphatic about one thing: never treat diverse groups as monolithic. If you're writing a Native American character, you must research the specific nation. Choctaw is not Navajo, just as British is not French. Sarah described the distinct cultural markers of the Choctaw people—the diamond pattern you'll see on traditional shirts and dresses, which represents the diamondback rattlesnake. They have distinct dances and songs. She said that if she saw someone in traditional dress at a distance, she would know whether they were Choctaw based on what they were wearing. She encouraged writers who want to write specifically about a nation to get to know those people. Go to events, go to a powwow, learn about the individual culture. She noted that a big misconception is that American Indians exist only in the past—she stressed that they are still here, still living their cultures, and fiction should reflect that present reality. I took a similar approach when writing Destroyer of Worlds, which is set mostly in India. I read books about Hindu myth, watched documentaries about the sadhus, and had one of my Indian readers from Mumbai check my cultural references. For Risen Gods, set in New Zealand with a young Maori protagonist, I studied books about Maori mythology and fiction by Maori authors, and had a male Maori reader check for cultural issues. Research is simply an act of empathy. The practical takeaway is this: if you're going to include a character from a specific cultural background, do the work. Use specific cultural details rather than generic signifiers. Sarah talked about how even she fell into stereotypes when she was first writing, until her mother pointed them out. If someone from within a culture can fall into those traps, the rest of us certainly can. Do the research, try your best, ask for help, and apologise if you need to. Actionable step: If you're writing a character from a specific culture, identify three to five sensory or behavioural details that are particular to that culture—not the generic version, but the real, researched, lived-in version. Consider hiring a sensitivity reader from that community to check your work. 10. Give Your Protagonist a Morally Neutral ‘Hero' Status Matt Bird was clear about this on episode 624: the word “hero” simply means the protagonist, the person we follow through the story. It's a functional role, not a moral label. We don't have to like them. We don't even have to root for their goals in a moral sense. We just have to find them compelling enough to invest our attention in their problem-solving. Think of Succession, where every member of the Roy family is varying degrees of awful, and yet the show was utterly compelling. Or WeCrashed, where Adam Neumann is a narcissistic con artist, but we can't look away because he's trying to solve the enormous problem of building an empire from nothing, and the tradecraft he employs is fascinating. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, readers must want to spend time with your characters. They don't have to be lovable or even likable—that will depend on your genre and story choices—but they have to be captivating enough that we want to spend time with them. A character who is trying to solve a massive problem will naturally draw investment from the audience, even if we wouldn't want to have tea with them. Will Storr extended this idea by pointing out that the audience will actually root for a character to solve their problem even if the audience doesn't actually want the character's goal to be achieved in the real world. We don't really want more billionaires, but we invested in Adam Neumann's rise because that was the problem the story posed, and our brains are wired to invest in problem-solving. This connects to something deeper: what does your character want, and why? As I explore in How to Write a Novel, desire operates on multiple levels. Take a character like Phil, who joins the military during wartime. On the surface, she wants to serve her country. But she also wants to escape her dead-end town and learn new skills. Deeper still, her father and grandfather served, and by joining up, she hopes to finally earn their respect. And perhaps deepest of all, her father died on a mission under mysterious circumstances, and she wants to find out what happened from the inside. That layering of motivation is what turns a flat character into a three-dimensional one. The audience doesn't need to be told all of this explicitly. It can emerge through action, dialogue, and the choices the character makes under pressure. But you, the writer, need to know it. You need to know what your character really wants deep down, because that desire—more than any external plot device—is what drives the story forward. And your antagonist needs the same depth. They also want something, often diametrically opposed to your protagonist, and they need a reason that makes sense to them. In my ARKANE thriller Tree of Life, my antagonist is the heiress of a Brazilian mining empire who wants to restore the Earth to its original state to atone for the destruction caused by her father's company. She's part of a radical ecological group who believe the only way to restore Nature is to end all human life. It's extreme, but in an era of climate change, it's a motivation readers can understand—even if they disagree with the solution. Actionable step: If you're struggling to make a morally grey character work, make sure their problem is big enough and their methods are specific and interesting enough that we invest in the how, even if we're ambivalent about the what. 11. Build Vibrant Side Characters Gail Carriger made a point on episode 550 that was equal parts craft advice and business strategy. In a Heroine's Journey model, side characters aren't just fodder to be killed off to motivate the hero. They form a network. And because you don't have to kill them—unlike in a hero's journey, where allies are often betrayed or removed so the hero can be further isolated—you can pick up those side characters and give them their own books. Gail said this creates a really voracious reader base. You write one series with vivid side characters, and then readers fall in love with those side characters and want their stories. So you write spin-offs. The romance genre does this brilliantly—think of the Bridgerton books, where each sibling gets their own novel. The side character in one book becomes the protagonist in the next. Barbara Nickless experienced this firsthand with her Dr. Evan Wilding series. She has River Wilding, Evan's adventurous brother, and Diana, the axe-throwing research assistant, and her editor has already expressed interest in a spin-off series with those characters. Barbara described creating characters she wants to spend time with, or characters who give her nightmares but also intrigue her. That's the dual test: are they interesting enough for you to write, and interesting enough for readers to demand more? As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, characters that span series can deepen the reader's relationship with them as you expand their backstory into new plots. Readers will remember the character more than the plot or the book title, and look forward to the next instalment because they want more time with those people. British crime author Angela Marsons described it as readers feeling like returning to her characters is like putting on a pair of old slippers. Actionable step: Look at your supporting cast. Is there a side character who is vivid enough to carry their own story? If not, what could you add—a specific hobby, a distinct voice, a compelling backstory—that would make readers want more of them? 12. Use Voice as a Rhythmic Tool Voice is one of the most important elements of novel writing, and Matt Bird helped me think about it in a technical, mechanical way that I found really useful. He pointed out that the ratio of periods to commas defines a character's internal reality. A staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short sentences—suggests a character who is certain, grounded, or perhaps survivalist and traumatised. Katniss in The Hunger Games has a period-heavy voice. She's in survival mode. She doesn't have time for complexity or qualification. A flowing, comma-heavy style suggests someone more academic, more nuanced, or possibly more scattered and manipulative. The character who qualifies everything, who adds sub-clauses and digressions, is a different kind of person from the character who speaks in declarations. This is something you can actually measure. Pull up a passage of your character's dialogue or internal monologue and count the periods versus the commas. If the rhythm doesn't match who the character is supposed to be, you've found a mismatch you can fix. Sentence length is the heartbeat of your character's persona. And voice extends beyond rhythm to the words themselves. As I discussed in the metaphor families tip, each character should draw from a distinctive well of language. But voice also encompasses their relationship to silence. Some characters talk around the thing they mean; others say it straight. Some are self-deprecating; others are blunt to the point of rudeness. All of these choices are character choices, not just style choices. I find it useful to read my dialogue aloud—and not just to check for naturalness, but to hear whether each character sounds distinct. If you could swap dialogue lines between two characters and nobody would notice, you have a voice problem. One practical test: cover the dialogue tags and see if you can tell who's speaking from the words alone. Actionable step: Choose a key passage from your protagonist's point of view and read it aloud. Does the rhythm match the character? A soldier under fire should not sound like a philosophy professor at a wine tasting. Adjust the ratio of periods to commas until the voice feels right. 13. Link Character and Plot Until They're Inseparable Will Storr made the case on episode 490 that the number one problem he sees in the writing he encounters—in workshops, in submissions, even in published books—is that the characters and the plots are unconnected. There's a story happening, and there are people in it, but the story isn't a product of who those people are. He said a story should be like life. In our lives, the plots are intimately connected to who we are as characters. The goals we pursue, the obstacles we face, the same problems that keep recurring—these are products of our personalities, our flaws, our specific ways of being in the world. His framework is that your plot should be designed specifically to plot against your character. You've got a character with a particular flaw; the plot exists to test that flaw over and over until the character either transforms or doubles down and explodes. Jaws is the perfect example. Brody is afraid of water. A shark shows up in the coastal town he's responsible for protecting. The entire plot is engineered to force him to confront the one thing he cannot face. Will pointed out that the whole plot of Jaws is structured around Brody's flaw. It begins with the shark arriving, the midpoint is when Brody finally gets the courage to go into the water, and the very final scene isn't the shark blowing up—it's Brody swimming back through the water. Even a film that's ninety-eight percent action is, at its core, structured around a character with a character flaw. This is the standard I aspire to in my own work, even in my action-heavy thrillers. The external plot should be a mirror of the internal struggle. When those two are aligned, the story becomes irresistible. Will also made an important point about series fiction, which is where most commercial authors live. I asked him how this works when your character can't be transformed at the end of every book because there has to be a next book. His answer was elegant: you don't cure them. Episodic TV characters like Fleabag or David Brent or Basil Fawlty never truly change—and the fact that they don't change is actually the source of the comedy. But every episode throws a new story event at them that tests and exposes their flaw. You just keep throwing story events at them again and again. That's a soap opera, a sitcom, and a book series. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, character flaws are aspects of personality that affect the person so much that facing and overcoming them becomes central to the plot. In Jaws, the protagonist Brody is afraid of the water, but he has to overcome that flaw to destroy the killer shark and save the town. But remember, your characters should feel like real people, so never define them purely by their flaws. The character addicted to painkillers might also be a brilliant and successful female lawyer who gets up at four in the morning to work out at the gym, likes eighties music, and volunteers at the local dog shelter at weekends. Character wounds are different from flaws. They're formed from life experience and are part of your character's backstory—traumatic events that happened before the events of your novel but shape the character's reactions in the present. In my ARKANE thrillers, Morgan Sierra's husband Elian died in her arms during a military operation. This happened before the series begins, but her memories of it recur when she faces a firefight, and she struggles to find happiness again for fear of losing someone she loves once more. And then there's the perennial advice: show, don't tell. Most writers have heard this so many times that it's easy to nod and then promptly write scenes that tell rather than show. Basically, you need to reveal your character through action and dialogue, rather than explanation. In my thriller Day of the Vikings, Morgan Sierra fights a Neo-Viking in the halls of the British Museum and brings him down with Krav Maga. That fight scene isn't just about showing action. It opens up questions about her backstory, demonstrates character, and moves the plot forward. Telling would be something like: “Morgan was an expert in Krav Maga.” Showing is the reader discovering it through the scene itself. Actionable step: Look at the main plot events of your novel. For each major turning point, ask: does this scene specifically test my protagonist's flaw? If not, can you redesign the scene so that it does? The tighter the connection between character and plot, the more powerful the story. 14. The ‘Maestra' Approach: Write Out of Order If you're a discovery writer like me, you may feel like the deep character work I've been describing sounds more suited to plotters. But Barbara Nickless gave me a beautiful metaphor on episode 732 that reframes it entirely. Barbara described her evolving writing process as being like a maestra standing in front of an orchestra. Sometimes you bring in the horns—a certain theme—and sometimes you bring in the strings—a certain character—and sometimes you turn to the soloist. It's a more organic and jumping-around process than linear writing, and Barbara said she's only recently given herself permission to work this way. When I told her that I use Scrivener to write in scenes out of order and then drag and drop them into a structure later, she was genuinely intrigued. And this is how I've always worked. I'll see the story in my mind like a movie trailer—flashes of the big emotional scenes, the pivotal confrontations, the moments of revelation—and I write those first. I don't know how they hang together until quite late in the process. Then I'll move scenes around, print the whole thing out, and figure out the connective tissue. The point is that discovery writers can absolutely build deep characters. Sometimes writing the big emotional scenes first is how you discover who the character is before you fill in the rest. You don't need a twenty-page character worksheet or a 200-page outline like Jeffery Deaver. You need to be willing to follow the character into the unknown and trust that the structure will emerge. As Barbara said, she writes to know what she's thinking. That's the discovery writer's credo. And I would add: I write to know who my characters are. Actionable step: If you're stuck on your current chapter, skip it. Write the scene that's burning in your imagination, even if it's from the middle or the end. That scene might be the key to unlocking who your character really is. 15. Use Research to Help with Empathy Research shouldn't just be about factual accuracy—it's a tool for finding the sensory details that create empathy. Barbara Nickless described research as almost an excuse to explore things that fascinate her, and I feel exactly the same way. I would go so far as to say that writing is an excuse for me to explore the things that interest me. Barbara and I both travel for our stories. For her Dr. Evan Wilding books, she did deep research into Old English literature and the Viking Age. For my thriller End of Days, I transcribed hours of video from Appalachian snake-handling churches on YouTube to understand the worldview of the worshippers, because my antagonist was brought up in that tradition. I couldn't just make that up. I had to hear their language, feel their conviction, understand why they would hold venomous serpents as an act of faith. Barbara also mentioned getting to Israel and the West Bank for research, and I've been to both places too. Finding that one specific sensory detail—the smell of a particular location, the specific way an expert handles a tool, the sound of a particular kind of music—makes the character's life feel lived-in. It's the difference between a character who is described as living in a place and a character who inhabits it. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, don't write what you know. Write what you want to learn about. I love research. It's part of why I'm an author in the first place. I take any excuse to dive into a world different from my own. Research using books, films, podcasts, and travel, and focus particularly on sources produced by people from the worldview you want to understand. Actionable step: For your next piece of character research, go beyond reading. Watch a documentary, visit a location, talk to someone who lives the experience. Find one sensory detail—a smell, a sound, a texture—that you couldn't have invented. That detail will make your character feel real. Bonus: Measure Your Life by What You Create In an age of AI and a tsunami of content, your ultimate brand protection is the quality of your human creation. Barbara Nickless said that the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. Don't be afraid to take that step back, like I did with my deadlifting. Take the time to master these deeper craft skills. It might feel like you're slowing down or going backwards by not chasing the latest marketing trend, but it's the only way to step forward into a sustainable, high-quality career. Your characters are your signature. No AI can replicate the specificity of your lived experience, the emotional truth of your displaced trauma, or the sensory details you've gathered from a life of curiosity and travel. Those are yours. Pour them into your characters, and they will resonate for years to come. Actionable Takeaway: Identify the Dramatic Question for your current protagonist. Can you state it in a single sentence with the kind of specificity Will Storr described? Is it as clear as “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you the only adult in the room?” If you can't answer it with that kind of precision, your character might still be a sketch. Give them a diagonal toast moment today. Find the one hyper-specific detail that proves they are not an imitation of life. And then ask yourself: does your plot test your character's flaw in every major scene? If you can align those two things—a precisely defined character and a plot that exists to test them—you will have a story that readers cannot put down. References and Deep Dives The episodes I've referenced today are all available with full transcripts at TheCreativePenn.com: Episode 732 — Facing Fears, and Writing Unique Characters with Barbara Nickless Episode 673 — Writing Choctaw Characters and Diversity in Fiction with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Episode 624 — Writing Characters with Matt Bird Episode 550 — The Heroine's Journey with Gail Carriger Episode 490 — How Character Flaws Shape Story with Will Storr Books mentioned: The Secrets of Character: Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love by Matt Bird The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book by Joanna Penn You can find all my books for authors at CreativePennBooks.com and my fiction and memoir at JFPennBooks.com Happy writing! How was this episode created? This episode was initiated created by NotebookLM based on YouTube videos of the episodes linked above from YouTube/TheCreativePenn, plus my text chapters on character from How to Write a Novel. NotebookLM created a blog post from the material and then I expanded it and fact checked it with Claude.ai 4.6 Opus, and then I used my voice clone at ElevenLabs to narrate it. The post Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character first appeared on The Creative Penn.

ABOUT THE EPISODE --In episode 268 of Reel Therapy, Daniel and Donavon give their take on the MCU's latest, "Wonder Man". A critical darling, the Reel Therapy crew breakdown what worked for them and what didn't. And if you stay to the end, you'll also learn our thoughts on the DCU's next HBO entry, "Lanterns". The reaction was strong for this trailer -- dividing fans and finding new ones, but Green Lantern guru Donavon has THOUGHTS -- and you won't want to miss it.TABLE OF CONTENTS --00:00:00 - About the Episode00:00:38 - Greetings00:02:06 - Wonder Man - Series Overview00:34:39 - Lanterns - Trailer Reaction00:54:59 - Before We GoABOUT THE SHOW -- Wonder ManWonder Man follows Simon Williams, a struggling actor who suddenly gains incredible powers and finds himself pulled into the chaotic world of superheroes. Set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the series blends Hollywood satire with superhero action as Simon navigates fame, identity, and what it really means to be a hero in a world where image and reality often collide.ABOUT THE SHOW -- LanternsLanterns is a grounded, mystery-driven series set within the DC Universe that follows Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a dark conspiracy on Earth. Blending superhero mythology with a detective-style narrative, the show explores the responsibilities of the Green Lantern Corps while uncovering secrets that could have far-reaching consequences for the planet.FIND US --For everything Reel Therapy and 241 Studios, check out our website:LINK: https://www.241studios.com/Follow us on:Instagram: @reeltherapy_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/reeltherapypod

We have Astonishing X-Men artist Philip Sevy on the podcast today! We discuss their career in comics, from breaking into the industry via Top Cow to working on Astonishing X-Men on Marvel Unlimited! Philip shares insights into their process as an artist and what it was like discovering the X-Men! 

What if the most powerful Marvel moment was not a ride at all?This week, Stephen takes us inside The Infinity Stone Ritual, a Marvel merchantainment experience where guests step into Wong's secret archive, witness the return of the Infinity Stones, and may even be chosen as a new guardian of the universe. Joined by the Queen of Disneyland, Kim Millspaugh (@disney.sme), we explore how story, interactivity, and collectible moments come together to create an experience that is as repeatable as it is magical.Plus, we play a brand-new game, Marvel Letter Flip, where we take classic Marvel movie titles and twist them one letter at a time to create hilariously alternate universes.From hidden rituals to one-of-a-kind merchandise, this episode is a deep dive into what makes Disney themed entertainment endlessly inventive and why sometimes the story is the souvenir.Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

This is our life now. Today, we begin a new series where we watch (nearly) every single Marvel movie that was NOT part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the time of its creation. First up, 1977's Spider-Man.

Avengers: Age of Ultron recently celebrated its 10th anniversary so the Kneel Before Pod Avengers assemble to look back on the film. The conversation covers attempts at themes, consistency within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the aversion to endings and much more.FeaturingCraig McKenzie – here on Kneel Before Blog and on We Are Starfleet (Film Stories podcast network)Aaron Billingham can be found on this very siteKat Kourbeti can be found hereShow NotesTV ReviewsCraig's reviews of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Craig's reviews of WandaVisionCraig's reviews of The Falcon and the Winter SoldierCraig's reviews of Loki season 1Craig's reviews of What If…?Craig's reviews of HawkeyeCraig's reviews of Moon KnightCraig's reviews of Ms. MarvelCraig's reviews of She-Hulk: Attorney At LawCraig's reviews of Secret InvasionCraig's reviews of Star Trek: Picard season 3Movie ReviewsCraig's review of Captain America: The Winter SoldierCraig's review of Guardians of the GalaxyCraig's review of Avengers: Age of UltronCraig's review of Ant-ManCraig's review of Captain America: Civil WarCraig's review of Doctor StrangeCraig's review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Craig's review of Spider-Man: HomecomingCraig's review of Thor: RagnarokCraig's review of Black PantherCraig's review of Avengers: Infinity WarCraig's review of Ant-Man and The WaspCraig's review of Captain MarvelCraig's review of Avengers: EndgameCraig's review of Spider-Man: Far From HomeCraig's review of Black WidowCraig's review of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsCraig's review of EternalsCraig's review of Spider-Man: No Way HomeCraig's review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCraig's review of Thor: Love and ThunderCraig's review of Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverCraig's review of Ant-Man and The Wasp: QuantumaniaCraig's review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Craig's review of The MarvelsCraig's review of Deadpool & WolverineCraig's review of Captain America: Brave New WorldCraig's review of Thunderbolts*Craig's review of The Fantastic Four: First StepsCraig's review of Madame WebCraig's review of Batman V Superman: Dawn of JusticeCraig's review of Pacific Rim: UprisingCraig's review of Jurassic WorldCraig's review of Jurassic World: Fallen KingdomCraig's review of Jurassic World: DominionCraig's review of Jurassic World: RebirthStar Trek: Picard season 3PodcastsThe AvengersCaptain America: Civil WarDoctor StrangeGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Spider-Man: HomecomingThor RagnarokBlack PantherAvengers: Infinity WarAnt-Man & The WaspCaptain MarvelAvengers: Endgame – first and second podcastSpider-Man: Far From HomeWandaVisionThe Falcon and the Winter SoldierLoki season 1Black WidowWhat If...?Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsEternalsHawkeyeSpider-Man: No Way HomeMoon KnightDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessMs. MarvelThor: Love and ThunderShe-Hulk: Attorney at LawBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Secret InvasionThe M

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts break down Wonder Man, Marvel's latest addition to the MCU's expanding television slate. Centered on struggling actor Simon Williams, the series blends superhero spectacle with Hollywood satire as a man chasing fame suddenly finds himself living the very kind of story he once auditioned for. The hosts discuss the show's unique tone, its commentary on celebrity culture and the entertainment industry, and how this take on Wonder Man fits into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. From performances and production style to the deeper themes about identity and ambition, the episode explores whether this unconventional Marvel series finds its footing or gets lost in the spotlight. Please leave us a review on iTunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters. Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise. All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at ComicBookClique@Gmail.com! You Are Worthy! ComicBook Clique on Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: What does the word 'diez' mean in Spanish? Question 2: Blade Runner was released in which year? Question 3: Who won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Leading Actress for playing the role of Jasmine in Blue Jasmine? Question 4: Which diabolical James Bond nemesis has been portrayed by both Donald Pleasance and Charles Gray? Question 5: Which philosopher famously said 'Man is the measure of all things'? Question 6: What did 'my true love give to me' on the ninth day of Christmas? Question 7: Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the role of which character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Question 8: In which country did the practice of 'Trick Or Treating' originate? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, it's a head scratcher, as Alex & Dan head down to the pop culture beach to sift through the carnage of the writer's room - it's all (or most!) of the unresolved plot threads, throw-away mid and end credit scenes and careless cameos to date!Whilst a fantastic spell cast by Doctor Strange, does it really solve all of Peter's woes? How does Ned have mystical powers which would ordinarily take years of practice and study at Kamar-Taj? That estranged Hulkling son being rolled out at the family BBQ - what was that all about?This, along with plenty of others, lay unresolved. Will we see these coming to fruition in Phase 6, or are they destined to be forgotten?#GITS

It's the first breakdown episode of the year, and Ryan and David are heading to New York City for Christmas — whether Clint Barton likes it or not. This month on Puny Pod, the MCU rewatch podcast that covers the Marvel Cinematic Universe in release order, Ryan and David dig into Hawkeye, the 2021 Disney+ miniseries that brought Jeremy Renner's reluctant Avenger back into the spotlight — this time alongside a sharp-shooting, clock-tower-demolishing newcomer named Kate Bishop. They cover the show's comic book roots, the street-level MCU stakes, some very exciting returning faces, and why this one might be more important to the future of the MCU than it gets credit for. Plus the usual: production notes, comic breakdowns, MVP picks, and a debate about whether David made the right call on Broadway. Next up on Puny Pod: Spider-Man: No Way Home. Themes by J.R. Trimpe: https://trimpe.org/ ---------------- Support the show! Check out our super secret spoiler show on the EarzUp! Patreon Visit us on Etsy for the official Puny Pod Merch Come say hi on Discord! Subscribe on iTunes Start your own podcast with Zencastr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angela Bassett is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress who is nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at this year's NAACP Image Awards. In this conversation from March 2025, Bassett sits down with Willie Geist to discuss playing the president of the United States opposite Robert De Niro in Netflix's Zero Day, her decades-long career, and what it means to portray leadership on screen. Plus, she reflects on honoring the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman and her time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Fanbase Feature, The Fanbase Weekly co-host Bryant Dillon is joined by special guests David Accampo (writer – Fanbase Press' The Margins, Lost Angels, Spectral: A Showcase of Fear), Travis Rivas (founder - Super-Abled Comics, writer - Accidental Aliens, The Unstoppable Cherub), and Nathan Cayanan (writer - Suspicious Activity, 2022 member of the Milestone Initiative) to participate in a thorough discussion regarding Marvel Comics' Civil War (2006) in light of the comic book mini-series' 20th anniversary, with topics including why audiences love to see superheroes turn against one another, the 10th anniversary of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Captain America: Civil War, what superhero "civil wars" reflect about America - both past and present, and more. (Beware: SPOILERS for Civil War and Captain America: Civil War abound in this panel discussion!)

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: Which actor has starred in films including Inception and The Revenant? Question 2: Name the movie that matches the following plot summary: 'A blacksmith teams up with an eccentric pirate to save his love.' Question 3: What is the plot of the movie Finding Nemo? Question 4: Which actor played the role of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Question 5: What is the plot of the movie Alien? Question 6: Which actor plays the role of Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Question 7: Which actor has starred in films including Star Wars and Blade Runner? Question 8: What is the plot of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Kristian Harloff Show, Kristian Harloff breaks down the biggest Hollywood and entertainment news shaping the future of movies, TV, and streaming. We start with a deep dive into Disney's ongoing challenges as Star Wars, Avatar, and Marvel Studios face mounting pressure from audience expectations, franchise fatigue, and evolving box-office realities. What does this mean for Disney's long-term strategy and upcoming releases? Next, we discuss reports that Marvel's 2026 films may not receive U.S. IMAX releases, raising major questions about premium formats, theatrical exclusivity, and how blockbuster movies will be positioned going forward. We also turn our attention to Daredevil: Born Again, with new rumors suggesting Season 3 could return the character to a more street-level, grounded tone. Would this be the right creative move for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Finally, we cover the latest developments in the ongoing media landscape shake-up, as Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly warms to Paramount's new offer, potentially signaling major changes ahead for the industry. Stay tuned for insight, analysis, and unfiltered discussion on the stories driving today's entertainment headlines.

Wonder Man, protagonizada por Yahya Abdul-Mateen II y Ben Kingsley es la más reciente entrega del Marvel Cinematic Universe, así que nos ponemos los lentes de sol rojos y nos convertimos en seres de energía iónica para hablar de todo lo relacionado al personaje. Primero, un Orígenes Secretos contando la vida, muerte, muerte, vida, muerte, vida, etceeeetera de Simon Williams en los comics, seguido por una RE: seña de la serie de televisión, y terminando con una de tres comics contando su origen, ingreso definitivo a los Avengers, y... una tercera historia en la que no hace mucho. Con música de They Might Be Giants, Joel P. West, Red Hot Chili Peppers, y Russkaja. Próximo programa: Absolute Universe (DC Comics).

Welcome back to the Then & Now Podcast In this episode, we dive deep into Marvel Studios' newest MCU series Wonder Man, breaking down how it fits into the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From Mad Men, The Marvel Cinematic Universe and now the new movie, Nuremburg.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After stumbling across her Kitty Pryde cosplay and then following her work with her cosplay and writings, I knew it'd be a fun time to talk with Jenna Costa Deedy.  We kick things off by talking about Marvel. We talk about the comics, the movies, and the characters she enjoys. We focus some of the world of the X-Men. We talk about the upcoming inclusion of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and what characters she'd love to see make their MCU appearance. Jenna and I then talk about her love of Star Wars. She talks about which characters she loves, why she continues to love the Galaxy Far, Far Away, and we talk about the wide range of Star Wars media. Then, a first for the podcast, Jenna talks about Marine Animals. We talk about why she loves marine animal science and how she got interested in that field. Jenna talks about her time volunteering and working with animals all over at different centers, and what draws her to this work. Lastly, we talk about Cosplay and her writings. On the cosplay side of things, Jenna talks about how she first got into cosplay and why she got interested in it. We talk about some of the characters she's represented and why those in particular, as well as some of the character she hopes to do in the future. Jenna also talks about the writings that she does - between marine animals as well as pop culture. We cover a few different pieces she's written as well. You can find Jenna at: https://www.instagram.com/jennacostadeedy/ https://www.threads.com/@jennacostadeedy https://vocal.media/authors/jenna-deedy https://linktr.ee/jennacostadeedy Use code JENNA20 for 20% off at https://www.davidsonstea.com/ Use code JENNAD679 to get 10% off at https://superxapparel.com/

Happy weekend everyone! This week Paul and I once again return to the MCU, this time for a discussion on the Peyton Reed film, 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' but have our opinions on this film grown or shrunk since this film came out in 2018? Also, since nobody asked, what do I think of the Peter Yates 1968 film 'Bullitt'?

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2002? Question 2: What is the two-word term that the Tinder app has popularized, meaning to accept or approve of something? Question 3: Which of these models of car is made by Ford? Question 4: Who performed the theme song to the James Bond film Skyfall? Question 5: Which Jewish holiday concludes the 10 Days of Repentance? Question 6: In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which character is played by Benedict Wong? Question 7: What is the marketing slogan of HSBC? Question 8: Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1943? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The story has been yours all along, you just didn't know it". Making his Popcorn for Dinner debut, Afolabi joins the guys to chat about the second entry on our year-long best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe list: 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'. They discuss James Gunn's very emotional farewell to this cast of characters, needle drops, F-bombs and of course, whether there's racism on Counter-Earth. So grab your tissues, walkmans and open the -- door, we are Groot!(00:00) - Intro(05:00) - 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Discussion(41:00) - Category: Best Action & Non-Action Scene(47:15) - Category: MCU Peak(1:00:20) - Category: Under, Over or Just Right(1:07:55) - Film Specific Superlatives(1:37:30) - Hope for 'Avengers: Doomsday'(1:39:58) - Post-CreditsYou can support us here.Also available on YouTube.Host: Bankole Imoukhuede Guests: Ebuka, Steve and AfolabiProduction by: Bankole Imoukhuede

‘Wonder Man's Dad' Actor Bechir Sylvain, Star Trek's Tawny Newsome, Invincible Trailer & MORE!The world of pop culture and geek news is buzzing with several high-profile announcements and reveals. In a significant casting update for the highly anticipated Marvel series, Bechir Sylvain, known for his versatile roles, has been cast as the father of the titular hero in the Disney+ series Wonder Man. His involvement adds another layer of excitement to the star-studded production, which is part of the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. We'll also chat on his other iconic roles in productions like Jurassic World and BMF. Meanwhile, a familiar face from the animated Starfleet is making the jump to live-action. Tawny Newsome, beloved for voicing Ensign Beckett Mariner on the critically acclaimed animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, joined the cast of live-action Star Trek project, Stafleet Academy. Finally, the excitement surrounding the return of one of streaming's most intense superhero dramas reached a fever pitch with the release of the latest trailer for Invincible. The new footage for the second season of the Amazon Prime Video animated series—based on the comic by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley—provided a deeper look into the fallout from the shocking conclusion of last season's finale. Lets chat it up!youtube.com/thenewblerdorder✨ 'Wonder Man's Dad' Actor Bechir Sylvain, Star Trek's Tawny Newsome, Invincible Trailer & MORE!!

Can you really come back after Hollywood shuts the door on you?Many actors fear one big mistake, one bad rep, or one slow year will end their career.In this episode, we look at how that fear is not the end of the story. We break down how Robert Downey Jr. went from being called “unhirable” to leading Iron Man and helping launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe.His journey shows what is possible when you take full responsibility and rebuild step by step.In this episode, you'll discover:The quiet habits that helped him earn back trust when no one wanted to hire himThe mindset shift that turned pain and failure into emotional depth on screenThe simple career truth about reputation that most actors learn too lateIf you've ever felt behind, stuck, or embarrassed by your past, this story will remind you that your comeback can start today - so press play and learn how to rebuild your acting career the smart way.Email: martin@cityheadshots.comWebsite: https://www.martinbentsen.comAdditional Resources:Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.comShoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.comEdit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.comThis show dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Wonder Man, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Merrily We Roll Along, a recording of the 2022 Broadway revival and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Wonder Man, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a struggling Los Angeles actor with secret superpowers (Disney+), and Merrily We Roll Along, a recording of the 2022 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed musical starring former Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe (AroVision). Dan's free streaming option this week also stars Radcliffe, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (TVNZ+).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Happy weekend everyone! Today on the podcast Paul and I continue our MCU coverage with a discussion on 'Captain Marvel' from directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

The Cyclops solo series is finally here—and we're breaking it all down with series writer Alex Paknadel.We dive deep into Scott Summers' history, his complicated origin story, his relationship with Jean Grey, and how Mister Sinister has been pulling the strings—plus what readers can expect as Cyclops steps fully into the spotlight.

Believe it or not, it's been 10 years since Batman V Superman was released. Way back in 2016, The WB presented us with a TV special called " DC Films: Dawn of the Justice League". In this special, viewers were given the roadmap to what was supposed to be the DCEU, DC's cinematic universe answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, 10 years later, we can see how quickly that plan was changed and how little of those plans ever came to be. While it may seem odd to look back at some random TV special from 10 years ago, this actually serves as a precursor to a project we will be presenting later this year. Check out this episode for some insightful looks into yesteryear, and for a glimpse into the future of The Rock Nerd Radio Show.

In der 106. Ausgabe von VWFNO begrüßen Roland und Gerry den Althistoriker Dr. Michael Kleu. Als Experte für Antikenrezeption beleuchtet Kleu die Schnittstelle zwischen klassischer Geschichte und moderner Popkultur. Dabei erfahren die beiden unter anderem, warum Mythen, Monster und Helden der Antike auch im 21. Jahrhundert in Kino, TV, Videospielen und Literatur allgegenwärtig sind, was es mit der zeitlosen Faszination von Archetypen auf sich hat und warum die Heldenreise ein universelles Erzählmuster bleibt. Zudem gibt Kleu Einblicke in seine Arbeit als Brückenbauer zwischen akademischer Forschung und Fandom, etwa bei der Analyse antiker Strukturen in Franchises wie Star Wars oder dem Marvel Cinematic Universe. Viel Spaß

Trying to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe in chronological order — and getting overwhelmed? In this episode of Mostly Superheroes, Logan breaks down the entire MCU timeline, explaining the correct chronological watch order, where people usually get confused, and how to actually enjoy the MCU without turning it into homework. 00:00:00 Why the MCU watch order is so confusing (release vs chronological) 00:02:58 What “chronological order” actually means in the MCU 00:06:12 Where Captain America: The First Avenger fits in the timeline 00:09:44 Phase One in true timeline order 00:13:38 Phase Two and where continuity starts to crack 00:17:55 Phase Three and the Infinity Saga payoff 00:22:41 Why watching everything in order starts to fail 00:26:19 Disney+ shows and canon confusion 00:30:58 The multiverse problem and broken rules 00:35:04 Why release order still matters 00:39:12 The best way to rewatch the MCU 00:43:05 Final thoughts and MCU viewing advice From Captain America: The First Avenger to the multiverse era, this episode walks through what order makes sense, when release order still matters, and how Marvel storytelling has changed over time. Whether you're a first-time viewer or doing a full rewatch, this guide will help you watch smarter — not harder.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe goes Hollywood as Marvel Television's “Wonder Man” tells the story of Simon Williams, an aspiring actor with a big secret. Join The Watchers as we discuss the hit eight-episode miniseries. #MCU #WonderMan #SimonWilliams #TheMandarin #TrevorSlatteryWonder Man (2026) is a Marvel Television series on Disney+ starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ben Kingsley, X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Joe Pantoliano, Byron Bowers and Josh Gad. Subscribe, rate and review! Follow The Watchers in the Basement on social media! Use #WatchersBasement to comment about the show!facebook.com/watchersbasementtwitter.com/WatchBasement instagram.com/watchersbasementanchor.fm/watchersbasement#wonderman #watchersbasement #marvelcinematicuniverse #mcu #podcast #avengers #marvel #marvelstudios #marveltelevision #simonwilliams #trevorslattery

Train With Duane!This week on Geek Off The Street, we're talking about the all new series Wonder Man Season One! We get into all things like the character-driven story and fantastic performances but we also talk about whether or not Marvel still can't pull punches!! All that and so much more on this week's exciting episode of the GOTS Official Podcast!Podcast Timecode![3:40] What are we drinking this week?[5:40] Hot Takes[15:40] Pre Show Rating[17:30] Positives[40:45] Negatives[1:00:20] Post Show Rating[1:06:25] What Are We Into This Week?[2:05:35] Rapid FireCheck Out These Books!When The Frog and the Snake Meet: A Killing Love! by J. Leroy Tucker!Wilbur Mckesson's Retribution!Greg Sorber's Mechhaven! Pax Machina Audio Book!Join Us In The Discussion!Email: thegeeksoffthestreet@gmail.comInstagram: @thegotspodSubscribe on Youtube! Like Our Facebook!Twitter: @thegotspodTrent Personal: @trentctuckerMusic: @erictucker__ Stuff We Mentioned!Chikara Ramen!Trent Tucker Vlogs!Dark Star Orchestra!People We Mentioned! Tree of Dreams Music@chikara_ramen@badicalradness@lights.camera.rant@thenerdlounge2.0@gregerationx@author_wilbur_m@mcpodcast@z_daughter_of_light@mindmattermystery

The ComicBook Nation crew breaks down Marvel's Wonder Man and if it's a good new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We also review Sam Raimi's new horror-thriller film, Send Help,and discuss the epic implications of Dragon Ball Super getting its first new anime in nearly a decade.  PLUS: Daredevil: Born Again gets some fun updates, Super Mario Galaxy releases a new trailer, Absolute Batman goes to Hell (with Wonder Woman), Iron Man starts a bold new era in his new comic, and Jason Momoa's Lobo makes his official DCU debut in a new Supergirl teaser!   To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: What movie and TV rating site uses a green splat icon to denote a bad review? Question 2: The role of Agent Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is played by which actor? Question 3: The language 'Portuguese' belongs to which language family? Question 4: Which philosopher famously said 'Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck'? Question 5: Which word refers to the ceremony in which a new President of the United States is formally introduced? Question 6: What is the plot of the movie A Beautiful Mind? Question 7: Which of these quotes is from the film 'Midnight Cowboy'? Question 8: What is the plot of the movie Jurassic Park? Question 9: Which of the following describes Confucius? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're teeing up Black history month with a special interview and feel-good conversation with drag star extraordinaire Shea Couleé. In this week's episode, Imara chats with Shea about their groundbreaking experience as a Black trans drag queen, including their time performing on Drag Race All-Stars. Shea also talks about their contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what lies on the horizon.Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Check out our guests on social media:@sheacoulee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you wondering whether Wonder Man is worth your time? In this episode, we break down Marvel's latest Disney+ series, give you the essential background on the character, and explain what you actually need to know before diving in. From Simon Williams' comic book origins to his surprising connections with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and the Avengers, we cover the fun facts, controversies, and powers that shaped Wonder Man long before his MCU debut. We also dig into how Wonder Man fits into the MCU under the Marvel Spotlight banner—designed to be more grounded, character-driven, and accessible without deep MCU homework. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a struggling actor hiding dangerous superpowers, and Ben Kingsley returning as Trevor Slattery, the series leans hard into Hollywood satire, mentorship, and the bizarre "Doorman Clause" that bans super-powered people from acting. Our reactions are… mixed. While the show shines as a personal story about ambition, insecurity, and creative survival—anchored by a standout performance from Ben Kingsley—it struggles with tone, realism, and the weight of its MCU identity. We talk about what works, what doesn't, and whether Wonder Man feels like a forgotten experiment or a meaningful setup for something bigger down the road. Watch the YouTube version here for the best experience. Listen to the podcast episode here: Written WONDER MAN Review Wonder Man is the 19th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (including both live-action and animated projects) and arrives as part of Phase 6. The series was created by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Andrew Guest (Hawkeye, Community, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, crossing superhero franchises after playing Black Manta in DC's Aquaman films, stars as Simon Williams, a struggling actor auditioning for the lead in a remake of Wonder Man, a low-budget 1980s action film that Simon once bonded over with his father. Simon carries a dangerous secret: he has explosive superpowers that he can't fully control. Worse, he must keep those powers hidden if he wants any chance at an acting career thanks to the Doorman Clause, a rule that bars super-powered individuals from working as actors. One episode dives into the origins of this clause, and it's easily among the series' most entertaining and imaginative chapters. Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the infamous actor hired to portray the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Since then, the character has appeared in the Marvel short All Hail the King and film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Here, Trevor is once again chasing relevance—and is also auditioning for a role in the Wonder Man remake. Interestingly, the series never clearly states where it fits into the MCU timeline. There are only light references—photos on walls, casual mentions of "shield throwing." Frankly, that restraint is welcome. It's firmly set in the present day on the main MCU Earth, and that's more than enough. Had this been set on another timeline or Earth, this review probably wouldn't exist. Character Over Capes At its core, this is a strong, personal story about two people supporting each other in a brutal industry. Simon approaches acting with intense seriousness—reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman's character in Tootsie—while Trevor, as a mentor figure, pushes him to loosen up and trust the words on the page. Wonder Man is far more interested in the relationship between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery than in building a new costumed icon. Through their conversations, the series thoughtfully explores what it actually means to be an actor. Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley make for an engaging, surprisingly balanced duo. The show wisely avoids leaning into easy odd-couple clichés, which elevates their dynamic. If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at show business in The Studio or Hacks, there's a lot here to like. Wonder Man ups the stakes by adding uncontrollable superpowers into an already stressful industry where almost nothing goes your way. Tone & Reality Gaps Tonally, Wonder Man struggles. It can't always decide whether it wants to be serious and emotional or silly and farcical. It oscillates between the two. The dialogue is often grounded and well-written, but the situations frequently feel forced—bent to serve the script rather than emerging naturally from reality. Living in Los Angeles, where the series is set, makes some of these moments especially hard to ignore. Being under a tight deadline to submit an audition tape and deciding to drive from Hollywood to Malibu and back—congratulations, you've just wasted three hours. These issues extend to the on-set scenes. Having worked in the film industry, many of these moments rang false. A day player wouldn't halt production because they have extensive notes. There are numerous story hiccups where disbelief must be suspended simply to keep the plot moving. A test audience likely would have flagged many of these. Performances & Standout Moments Any time Ben Kingsley is on screen, he's impossible not to root for. Simon, by contrast, is difficult to like until the final two episodes. That's clearly intentional—he's closed off and emotionally blocked—but watching someone repeatedly sabotage themselves is frustrating, even if it's thematically justified. One unquestionable highlight is the episode centered on the Doorman Clause, "Doorman". Josh Gad's appearance, along with his reworked version of "In Summer," is delightful and injects much-needed energy and creativity into the series. Release Strategy & Final Verdict Marvel continues to undermine its TV output with its release strategy. Ironheart dropped its six episodes across two days. Echo released all five at once. Wonder Man follows suit with all eight episodes dropping in a single day. The result? These shows are consumed quickly and forgotten just as fast. By the time Daredevil Season 2 arrives in March, this will likely be one of those "Oh yeah… what happened on Wonder Man again?" series.I went in with an open mind and high expectations—this is Marvel, after all. In the end, I liked Wonder Man, but too much got in the way of loving it. SPONSORS Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

Capes & Lunatics Ep #429: Iron Man with John Jackson Miller This episode Phil chats with returning guest writer John Jackson Miller about his Iron Man comic book run from 2003-2004. John talk about the behind the scenes of creating these stories, which elements made their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and where the story would have gone.   Tune in today and don't forget to review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you can!    Capes & Lunatics Links  → Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/capeslunatics.bsky.social → Twitter https://twitter.com/CapesLunatics → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/capeslunatics/ → Facebook https://www.facebook.com/capesandlunatics → YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/CapesandLunatics   ==================  

Are you wondering whether Wonder Man is worth your time? In this episode, we break down Marvel's latest Disney+ series, give you the essential background on the character, and explain what you actually need to know before diving in. From Simon Williams' comic book origins to his surprising connections with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and the Avengers, we cover the fun facts, controversies, and powers that shaped Wonder Man long before his MCU debut. We also dig into how Wonder Man fits into the MCU under the Marvel Spotlight banner—designed to be more grounded, character-driven, and accessible without deep MCU homework. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a struggling actor hiding dangerous superpowers, and Ben Kingsley returning as Trevor Slattery, the series leans hard into Hollywood satire, mentorship, and the bizarre "Doorman Clause" that bans super-powered people from acting. Our reactions are… mixed. While the show shines as a personal story about ambition, insecurity, and creative survival—anchored by a standout performance from Ben Kingsley—it struggles with tone, realism, and the weight of its MCU identity. We talk about what works, what doesn't, and whether Wonder Man feels like a forgotten experiment or a meaningful setup for something bigger down the road. Watch the YouTube version here for the best experience. Listen to the podcast episode here: Written WONDER MAN Review Wonder Man is the 19th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (including both live-action and animated projects) and arrives as part of Phase 6. The series was created by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Andrew Guest (Hawkeye, Community, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, crossing superhero franchises after playing Black Manta in DC's Aquaman films, stars as Simon Williams, a struggling actor auditioning for the lead in a remake of Wonder Man, a low-budget 1980s action film that Simon once bonded over with his father. Simon carries a dangerous secret: he has explosive superpowers that he can't fully control. Worse, he must keep those powers hidden if he wants any chance at an acting career thanks to the Doorman Clause, a rule that bars super-powered individuals from working as actors. One episode dives into the origins of this clause, and it's easily among the series' most entertaining and imaginative chapters. Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the infamous actor hired to portray the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Since then, the character has appeared in the Marvel short All Hail the King and film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Here, Trevor is once again chasing relevance—and is also auditioning for a role in the Wonder Man remake. Interestingly, the series never clearly states where it fits into the MCU timeline. There are only light references—photos on walls, casual mentions of "shield throwing." Frankly, that restraint is welcome. It's firmly set in the present day on the main MCU Earth, and that's more than enough. Had this been set on another timeline or Earth, this review probably wouldn't exist. Character Over Capes At its core, this is a strong, personal story about two people supporting each other in a brutal industry. Simon approaches acting with intense seriousness—reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman's character in Tootsie—while Trevor, as a mentor figure, pushes him to loosen up and trust the words on the page. Wonder Man is far more interested in the relationship between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery than in building a new costumed icon. Through their conversations, the series thoughtfully explores what it actually means to be an actor. Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley make for an engaging, surprisingly balanced duo. The show wisely avoids leaning into easy odd-couple clichés, which elevates their dynamic. If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at show business in The Studio or Hacks, there's a lot here to like. Wonder Man ups the stakes by adding uncontrollable superpowers into an already stressful industry where almost nothing goes your way. Tone & Reality Gaps Tonally, Wonder Man struggles. It can't always decide whether it wants to be serious and emotional or silly and farcical. It oscillates between the two. The dialogue is often grounded and well-written, but the situations frequently feel forced—bent to serve the script rather than emerging naturally from reality. Living in Los Angeles, where the series is set, makes some of these moments especially hard to ignore. Being under a tight deadline to submit an audition tape and deciding to drive from Hollywood to Malibu and back—congratulations, you've just wasted three hours. These issues extend to the on-set scenes. Having worked in the film industry, many of these moments rang false. A day player wouldn't halt production because they have extensive notes. There are numerous story hiccups where disbelief must be suspended simply to keep the plot moving. A test audience likely would have flagged many of these. Performances & Standout Moments Any time Ben Kingsley is on screen, he's impossible not to root for. Simon, by contrast, is difficult to like until the final two episodes. That's clearly intentional—he's closed off and emotionally blocked—but watching someone repeatedly sabotage themselves is frustrating, even if it's thematically justified. One unquestionable highlight is the episode centered on the Doorman Clause, "Doorman". Josh Gad's appearance, along with his reworked version of "In Summer," is delightful and injects much-needed energy and creativity into the series. Release Strategy & Final Verdict Marvel continues to undermine its TV output with its release strategy. Ironheart dropped its six episodes across two days. Echo released all five at once. Wonder Man follows suit with all eight episodes dropping in a single day. The result? These shows are consumed quickly and forgotten just as fast. By the time Daredevil Season 2 arrives in March, this will likely be one of those "Oh yeah… what happened on Wonder Man again?" series.I went in with an open mind and high expectations—this is Marvel, after all. In the end, I liked Wonder Man, but too much got in the way of loving it. SPONSORS Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

Our guest today, Saagar Shaikh, went from losing his corporate job to starring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, breaking out as Aamir Khan in Ms. Marvel and reprising the role in The Marvels. Saagar shares the incredible story of his three-year pursuit of the legendary ABC Showcase—a grueling, all-consuming "boot camp" that ultimately landed him top-tier representation. You'll hear the wild, behind-the-scenes rollercoaster of how he landed the lead role in Hulu's Deli Boys: including enduring a crushing initial rejection for a different role and then being asked to audition for the series lead just hours later. From mastering "dummy sides" for top-secret Marvel auditions to discovering unexpected magic in on-camera mistakes, Saagar delivers a masterclass on creative freedom, resilience, and what it truly feels like to finally be number one on the call sheet. These are the unforgettable stories that landed Saagar Shaikh right here. Credits: Ms. Marvel The Marvels Deli Boys Liza on Demand Unfair & Ugly Guest Links: IMDB: Saagar Shaikh, Actor, Writer, Production Department THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS: For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition MAGIC MIND: 48% off ONEAUDITION20 THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly PATREON: @thatoneaudition CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher EPISODE CREDITS: WRITER: Erin McCluskey WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings ASSISTANT: Elle Powell SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri

Jeph Loeb on the podcast! Buckle in for this two hour deep dive into Nate Grey, Age of Apocalypse, and Marvel in the 90s!

You've seen Jaimie Alexander as the tough, unstoppable character on screen, but what was happening off camera tells a completely different story. In this episode, Ryan sits down with actress Jaimie for one of the most honest conversations she's ever shared publicly. She opens up about a near-death experience, years of hidden alcoholism, and the moment she realized the life she was pushing through wasn't sustainable anymore. Jaimie also talks about how Stoic philosophy became a grounding force in her recovery, how curiosity helped replace fear, and more. Jaimie Alexander is known for her role as Lady Sif in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as well as the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Kyle XY, and Blindspot.Follow Jaimie on Instagram @JaimieAlexander and subscribe to her Substack called "In The Hallway"

Our next entry in our MCU Retrospective takes us to what was (and in many ways still is) the black sheep of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 2008's Incredible Hulk. This came out before we really got a clear idea of what the MCU even was and boy does that show with the box office. For a long time, this was the one movie Marvel just didn't even acknowledge to the point where a lot of people even forgot this was part of the franchise. There are several reasons for this, and we're here to talk about them.

Tim is joined by Zeddy from the Vigilante 1939 Podcast to delve into the theories surrounding the upcoming Marvel event film, Avengers: Doomsday. They explore the implications of Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Victor Von Doom, the potential involvement of the X-Men, and the narrative structure of the film. The discussion also touches on the motivations of Doom, the significance of children in the storyline, and the future of the MCU post-Doomsday. The conversation is all about speculation and excitement about the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Want to chat more MCU and Avengers: Doomsday? Hit me up on Instagram @thenerdrm Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Avengers Doomsday Theories 02:53 - The Role of Robert Downey Jr. in Doomsday 05:37 - Exploring the Variant Theory of Tony Stark 08:36 - The X-Men's Introduction and Potential Conflict 11:27 - The Structure and Narrative of Doomsday 17:10 - The Future of the MCU: X-Men and Avengers Dynamics 29:53 - Establishing Doom's Dominance 34:34 - Doom's Motivations and the Multiverse 39:54 - Rebooting the MCU: A New Era 45:37 - Spider-Man's Role in the Upcoming Films 53:13 - Theories on Doom and the Children of the Multiverse

Martin Freeman is one of the most sought-after actors of his generation. Whether it's Tim in The Office, John - the mild-mannered porn actor in Love Actually, Watson in Sherlock, Bilbo in The Hobbit, the stressed parent in Breeders, the Liverpudlian cop with personal problems in The Responder and Everett K. Ross in Marvel Cinematic Universe smash hits Captain America and Black Panther - Freeman is a star, and to date has won two Emmys and a BAFTA. In this episode, Martin reflects on his childhood as the youngest of five (comparatively modest when you consider his mother was one of fourteen!) as well as the lasting impact of losing his father at ten years old. We talk about parenting, the people who've inspired him (hello, Michael Caine), the future of AI from a technophobe's perspective, his unease with fame and the quieter failures that sit behind public success. Plus: strap yourself in for much hilarity. I don't think I can remember a guest who made me laugh QUITE this much. Martin can next be seen as the determined Superintendent Battle in Netflix's new Agatha Christie adaptation, Seven Dials. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 02:22 Dealing with Fame and Anxiety 05:12 The Everyman Label 07:35 Exploring Anger and Authenticity 16:28 Academic Struggles and Early Acting 20:33 Personal Reflections and Family 28:08 Comparing to Heroes 32:15 The Office and Sherlock 40:29 Technology Struggles 44:20 AI Concerns 47:47 Meeting Michael Caine

Avengers: Age of Ultron is one of the most misunderstood movies in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe—and with the benefit of hindsight, it's aged far better than anyone expected. In this episode of Marvel Maniac, I take a deep dive into why Age of Ultron works as a crucial bridge between the early Avengers era and the eventual end of the Infinity Saga. From Tony Stark's darkest compulsions and the creation of Ultron, to the introduction of Wanda Maximoff, the loss that defines her, and the quiet foreshadowing hidden in Vision's final conversation with Ultron—this movie was doing far more groundwork than we realized at the time. We talk Sokovia, consequences, the seeds of Civil War, Hawkeye's importance, the Avengers at their absolute peak, and why this film feels richer and heavier when viewed through everything that comes after it. If you want to support the show, Patreon is always appreciated (with flexibility when needed), and there's also a tip jar if you'd like to toss support the show's way—never expected, always grateful. You can also hang out with me live on Twitch at twitch.tv/MrHon3st (that's Mr H-O-N-3-S-T — a 3 instead of the E) where I stream Marvel's Spider-Man and other games three days a week. It's a relaxed space to talk Marvel, movies, games, and just enjoy being part of a community. More is coming soon—including a future Discord for deeper discussions and a true home base for Marvel Maniacs. Thanks for being here.

Chris Claremont on the podcast! From his start as a gopher at Marvel Comics to the Doomsday tease—from Dark Phoenix Saga to his X-Treme X-Men run—we cover it ALL with the legend himself!

Welcome to Multiverse News, Your source for Information about all your favorite fictional universesAs has become par for the course these last few weeks, Marvel Studios released the third Avengers: Doomsday trailer, which focuses on the X-Men, Tuesday morning after an exclusive week run attached to theatrical showings of Avatar Fire and Ash. Sebastian Stan is in talks to join The Batman Part II opposite Robert Pattinson and Scarlett Johansson, making him the second Marvel Cinematic Universe alum to jump to Matt Reeves' Gotham. The Oscar-nominated Apprentice star, best known for playing Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier in multiple Marvel films, would join returning cast members Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright and Andy Serkis ahead of spring production for an October 2027 release.Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed the 1 billion dollar mark at the global box office after 18 days in theaters, led by 40 million dollars domestically in its third weekend for a total of 306 million dollars and 777.1 million dollars internationally, making it Disney's third billion-dollar release of 2025. Meanwhile, Netflix's Stranger Things series finale generated between 25 to 28 million dollars from a limited two-day theatrical run across 600 theaters on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with exhibitors selling concession vouchers rather than traditional tickets and keeping all revenue themselves as an olive branch between the streamer and theaters. Simu Liu has publicly endorsed his Copenhagen Test co-star Melissa Barrera to play Wonder Woman in James Gunn's DC Universe, praising her stunt training as Wonder Woman-esque and calling her a total badass who puts in the work. DC Studios boss James Gunn confirmed in July that Wonder Woman has not been cast yet and won't be discussed until the script is finished, with Supergirl screenwriter Ana Nogueira tapped to write the new Wonder Woman film.Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another dominated the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night, winning Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, while Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme and Jessie Buckley took Best Actress for Hamnet. Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein tied for the most wins with four awards each, with Jacob Elordi scoring a surprise Best Supporting Actor victory for his performance as the Creature in Frankenstein. On the television side, The Pitt won Best Drama while The Studio took Best Comedy, with Adolescence earning four awards including Best Limited Series.Horror director James Wan has expressed interest in directing Avatar 4 if James Cameron decides to step back from the franchise, telling Screen Rant he would love to take a crack at the billion-dollar series. Cameron has indicated he may scale back his hands-on involvement with future Avatar films to pursue other projects, potentially delegating more directorial duties to second unit directors or another filmmaker while remaining as producer.Paramount+ has renewed Mayor of Kingstown for a fifth and final season consisting of eight episodes, down from the usual ten episodes per season. The Taylor Sheridan crime drama starring Jeremy Renner and Edie Falco will conclude after its upcoming season, which follows the bloody Season 4 finale that aired in December 2025.Amazon Prime Video has announced the cast for its Tomb Raider series starring Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, with Sigourney Weaver joining as Evelyn Wallis, a mysterious woman seeking to exploit Lara's talents, and Jason Isaacs as Atlas DeMornay, Lara's uncle. The series, created and co-showrun by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, will also feature several characters from the video game franchise including Bill Paterson as butler Winston and Martin Bobb-Semple as tech support Zip.

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, host Analytic Dreamz dives deep into the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe hype with reactions to the official Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailers. Analytic Dreamz breaks down the emotional Captain America teaser featuring Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers, the intense Thor teaser spotlighting Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder preparing for one final battle to protect his daughter Love, and the highly anticipated X-Men teaser showcasing the return of classics like Professor X, Magneto, and Cyclops in a dramatic standoff. Analytic Dreamz also touches on the buzz surrounding the recent Wakandans and Fantastic Four-focused teaser, building excitement for Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom and the massive multiverse crossover ahead in Avengers: Doomsday, set for December 2026. Join Analytic Dreamz for in-depth analysis, insights on MCU implications, and passionate commentary on these game-changing reveals.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Known for his role as Sam Wilson, the latest Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Anthony Mackie is an acclaimed actor whose career spans films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Million Dollar Baby and The Hurt Locker. In this sitdown from August 2025, Mackie joins Willie Geist to discuss starring in the second season of the series Twisted Metal, his rise from theater kid to Marvel superhero, and the moment the MCU came calling. Plus, he reflects on picking up the Captain America shield and the unexpected perks that come with playing a superhero. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angela Bassett is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress known for her role as Queen Ramonda in Marvel's Black Panther films. In this conversation from March 2025, Bassett joins Willie Geist to discuss playing the president of the United States opposite Robert De Niro in Netflix's Zero Day, her decades-long career, and the impact of portraying powerful women on screen. Plus, she reflects on her time starring alongside the late Chadwick Boseman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chris Hemsworth is an acclaimed actor known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his standout performances in films like Rush and Snow White and the Huntsman. In this conversation from November 2022, Hemsworth joins Willie Geist to discuss pushing himself to extremes in his National Geographic series Limitless, his road from Australian soap operas to global stardom, and how his life changed after he discovered his genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease. Plus, he reflects on raising his family in Australia and finding normalcy far from Hollywood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.