‘Doctor Who:’ Bradley Walsh among new cast members

“Doctor Who”’s first female Time Lord will be joined by three new companions, the BBC has announced.

Jodie Whittaker, who takes over as the 13th Doctor next year, will be joined by new cast regulars Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, as well as Sharon D Clarke in a returning role.

China box office forecast to surge to $8.3b

China’s movie box office is expected to surge 20 percent-plus in 2017, hitting a record total of 55 billion yuan (US$8.31 billion), the country’s media regulator said.

Freeman to play Colin Powell

Actor Morgan Freeman is taking on the role of former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell in “Powell,” a biopic from Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment.

‘The Croods 2’ finds its director

Joel Crawford, who most recently served as head of story on “Trolls,” will make his feature directorial debut on DreamWorks Animation’s “The Croods 2,” which is set for release on September 18, 2020. Additionally, Mark Swift, who most recently produced DWA’s “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” is lined up to produce.

Stormzy leads Mobo Awards nominations

Stormzy is leading the way at this year’s Mobo Awards after picking up five nominations.

The 24-year-old grime MC is up for best male, best grime act, best album, best song and best video.

French magazine accused of glorifying rock-star murderer

A leading French music magazine has responded to criticism for making a rock star who killed his girlfriend its cover star.

Les Inrockuptibles placed Bertrand Cantat, who beat actress Marie Trintignant to death in 2003, on its front page last week.

(SD-Agencies)