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Features

<p>Top of the pops: (L-R clockwise from bottom left) Brandi Carlile, Perfume Genius, Turnstile, JADE and PinkPantheress</p>

JADE, Brandi Carlile and McKinley Dixon on their cultural highlights

Hannah Ewens and Roisin O’Connor speak with some of the artists behind the best records of the year about their own cultural highlights from the past 12 months... and their hopes for 2026

<p>David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher (Ian West/PA)</p>

It’s baffling that David Walliams’s publishing deal lasted this long

<p>Browned off: Brendan O’Carroll on the new ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ special </p>

state of the arts

2025’s paltry Christmas Day lineup is not what British TV needs

Best of 2025

The Independent culture team’s favourite songs of 2025

Features & Reviews

<p>Karen Carney and Carlos Gu in the semi-final</p>

Comment

Why Strictly’s Karen Carney deserves the Glitterball trophy

<p>‘I think people are missing the relationships they had with ER, or 24, or NYPD Blue. It was something you could rely on’</p>

The Saturday Interview

Kiefer Sutherland: ‘After 24, the roles I anticipated didn’t come’

<p>Nicola Coughlan in ‘The Playboy of the Western World’</p>

Nicola Coughlan leads gorgeous but uneven Playboy of the Western World

<p>This mash-up of familiar children’s fairytales evolves into an exploration of thornier human realities</p>

Into the Woods revival is a thing of lush and arresting beauty

The Saturday Interview

<p>‘I’m as actory as they get’: Billy Crudup was amused by the idea of playing a Method actor in ‘Jay Kelly’</p>

The Saturday Interview

Billy Crudup: ‘America is becoming an increasingly lawless community’

The Saturday Interview

Josh Brolin: ‘I shouldn’t have ended up where I ended up’

Rising Stars

<p>Petticrew stars in a classic tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of the Troubles</p>

Interview

Lola Petticrew: ‘Calling it the Troubles minimises what it really was’

Tom Blyth

Interview

Tom Blyth: ‘The Hunger Games taught me I don’t act to get attention’

<p>Sadler won the Best Scripted Comedy Bafta for her show</p>

Interview

Kat Sadler: ‘I don’t care if Such Brave Girls makes you uncomfortable’

<p>‘We all need an opportunity. And I’m fortunate that I got mine’</p>

Interview

James Nelson-Joyce: ‘I thought kids like me don’t act’

Roisin O’Connor’s Good Vibrations podcast

Good Vibrations with KT Tunstall

KT Tunstall reflects on the ‘unwelcome side’ of her early fame

Ella Eyre is a guest on Roisin O'Connor's Good Vibrations podcast

Ella Eyre: ‘I’ve had to unlearn what I was shown early in my career’

Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi: ‘There have been days where I thought I was done’

Zara Larsson is the latest guest on Roisin O'Connor's Good Vibrations podcast

Zara Larsson ‘didn’t expect’ reaction to support slot for Tate McRae

News

The Countdown

<p>Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan in ‘Mission: Impossible III’</p>

The Countdown

15 times a director walked away from a blockbuster

<p>Overrated?: Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘There Will Be Blood’ and Cillian Murphy in ‘Oppenheimer’</p>

The most overrated films of the 21st century

<p>Glast from the past: A snapshot of the famous festival from 1982</p>

17 of the weirdest things we’ve seen at Glastonbury

<p>Not even music’s greats are immune to writing absolutely terrible songs</p>

13 worst songs by brilliant artists, from The Beatles to Taylor Swift

Independent TV

Vernon Kay issues emotional statement on Tess Daly’s Strictly exit

Inside Netflix’s unhinged Christmas universe

King pulls ‘perfect pint’ as he opens new Guinness brewery

Strictly judge wants to see a big shake up on next year’s show

Explore news for you

Visit the USA

Art Me Up: A Gallery Guide to Miami’s Thriving Arts Scene

Sounds of the South: Exploring the Evolving Music Scene of Atlanta

Memphis to Maryville: Urban Adventures in Tennessee

<p>Scratch the surface or Orlando’s theme park scene and discover a world of culture and adventure experiences </p>

Discover Orlando’s hidden treasures beyond the parks

Entertainment deals

<p>Bag discounts on 4K, OLED and smart TVs</p>

Best TV deals for November 2025, from Sony, Samsung and more

<p>From tell-all memoirs to historical novels, there’s something for every taste </p>

Best Audible deals for December 2025 – how to save £20

<p>A fast and reliable internet connection means fewer dropouts</p>

Hyperoptic promo codes for December – the best broadband deals

<p>Upgrade your tablet with my pick of the best iPad offers.</p>

Best iPad deals for November 2025, selected by an expert

indy100

gaming

How does Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade demo really run on Nintendo Switch 2?

How does Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade demo really run on Nintendo Switch 2?

lifestyle

The most controversial fashion trend of the 2010s is making its comeback

politics

'Mar-a-Lago Face' is a problematic talking point - no matter which side of politics you're on

politics

Trump’s White House ballroom price keeps going up: 'This is Trumpflation'

gaming

Unrecord: Viral photorealistic bodycam shooter gets investment and gamers are stoked

gaming

Unrecord: Viral photorealistic bodycam shooter gets investment and gamers are stoked

lifestyle

TikTok is coming up with solutions on how to beat the 'winter uglies’ and we're invested

gaming

The Elder Scrolls 6 gets update from studio boss but gamers are frustrated

Sponsored

Christmas at The White Company: Seasonal scents and thoughtful gifts

Where to buy Christmas gifts for her

Simplify managing your business finances with Sage AI cloud accounting

Bettervits: the collagen supplement we’re adding to our basket