Bill Hader will collaborate on writing a new HBO series focused on the Jonestown massacre.

      The tale of Jonestown has been notorious for nearly half a century.

      If you watched Barry until its end, you are probably aware that Bill Hader has a somewhat dark persona. He often discusses his interest in serial killers and murderers, and he is now directing that interest towards a new project for HBO. According to Variety, Hader will co-write and possibly act in a new HBO series focused on the notorious Jonestown massacre.

      Hader is collaborating on the script with Daniel Zelman, and although the project is still in its developmental stages, it could serve as Hader’s next major venture with HBO, where he previously worked on Barry.

      Jim Jones is a well-known historical figure who established the Peoples Temple in the 1950s and later founded Jonestown in Guyana during the 1970s. His narrative, along with that of his followers, gained global attention when he and more than 900 followers committed mass suicide in 1978.

      Jonestown has been explored in many books, but it hasn’t been adapted for television or film since 1980. Interestingly, this announcement coincides with a Jonestown movie being a plot element in Apple TV+’s series The Studio, though there is no link between the two projects.

      While Hader is primarily known for comedy, this new series indicates his desire to delve into more dramatic content in the future. The same was true for Barry, which began as a comedy but gradually evolved into something darker and more experimental, despite retaining humor. There’s no information yet on when this series might premiere if HBO decides to proceed with it.

      Joe Allen is a freelance cultural journalist based in upstate New York, with his work appearing in The Washington Post and other publications.

      The Lumon building from ‘Severance’ is located just a short drive from New York City. Constructed in the 1960s, it was abandoned in 2007 before being revitalized in 2013.

      If you've actually seen Severance, you likely know that the Lumon headquarters where Mark and his colleagues work daily is not the most inviting structure. However, if you're curious to find out if you’re secretly severed, you can visit the real-life site of the Lumon headquarters' exteriors, which is the Bell Works building in Holmdel, New Jersey. This was once the base for Bell Labs, the research division of AT&T. Now, it hosts multiple businesses and was originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen in 1962, debuting as a mid-century office space.

      Adaptations of video games historically brought to mind lackluster outcomes due to directors and screenwriters misinterpreting the original stories or failing to translate them properly to film. However, as video games have become more cinematic and gained respect among viewers, it appears that adaptations are evolving into something more substantial. If The Last of Us is the standout example of a successfully executed video game adaptation in recent times, Fallout is poised to follow closely behind.

      Based on a video game franchise that originated in 1997, Fallout features Ella Purnell (from Yellowjackets) as a survivor of a nuclear conflict who chooses to leave her bunker and emerge above ground, both literally and metaphorically. The first season received praise for its setting, performances, and narratives (Walton Goggins was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series). Prime Video has renewed the series for a second season. We have compiled everything you need to know about Fallout season 2, including potential plotlines and its streaming availability.

      Apple TV+ is primarily recognized for its commitment to the sci-fi genre. Dystopian thrillers like Silo and Severance have captivated audiences with outstanding writing and unique narratives. To maintain its growth in the streaming market, Apple may need to diversify its show offerings. Comedy has not been a strong point for the tech giant, but one show aiming to change that is Shrinking.

      Starring Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a therapist grappling with his own sorrow following his wife's death in a car accident, Shrinking represents the latest entry in a series of black comedies that explore themes of death and trauma. Fans of series such as Six Feet Under, The Leftovers, This Is Us, and The Good Place will likely find this show appealing. Harrison Ford excels in his role as a prominent co-star, portraying one of Jimmy's colleagues at the therapy clinic.