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Features

<p>Ian McKellen in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’</p>

Inside film

How did The Lord of the Rings end up so beloved by the right wing?

Elon Musk, JD Vance and Giorgia Meloni have all described JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novels as fundamental to their respective world views – but it’d be too easy to claim they’ve simply misunderstood them. As Peter Jackson’s film adaptations return to cinemas 25 years after they began, Xan Brooks dives into the world’s most complicated fandom

<p>Irish rock band Cardinals</p>

new sensations

Irish newcomers Cardinals on faith and the scars of British violence

<p>Literacy rates have stalled or declined across the Western world</p>

McCrum on Books

Doomsayers warn about a post-lit society – here’s why they are wrong

<p>Josh Finan: ‘There’s a certain amount of pressure that builds up in your body over the days’</p>

Rising Stars

Josh Finan on his searing prison drama Waiting for the Out

Features & Reviews

<p>Mika is preparing to release his first English-language album in six years</p>

The Saturday Interview

Mika: ‘Scrutiny over my sexuality was kind of brutal’

<p>Finan in 'Waiting for the Out'</p>

Poignant prison drama Waiting for the Out tackles modern masculinity

<p>Lena Dunham, Cynthia Erivo and David Hockney all have exciting new projects planned for the next 12 months</p>

2026 culture guide

The biggest books, art, plays, TV and films to look forward to in 2026

<p>David Attenborough standing in front of the House of Commons, where peregrine falcons roost</p>

in focus

‘Even David Attenborough was surprised’: The making of Wild London

<p>Ricky Gervais laughs onstage during his latest Netflix comedy special 'Mortality'</p>

Comment

Ricky Gervais doesn’t care about his legacy in crass Netflix special

<p>‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘The Drama’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ and ‘The Odyssey’ lead our 2026 preview</p>

2026 Culture Guide

20 movies to look out for in 2026, from The Odyssey to The Drama

<p>The Night Manager</p>

The Night Manager’s pace, intrigue and sly sexiness are all retained

<p>‘Stranger Things’ will conclude on New Year’s Day</p>

Comment

The online revolt over Stranger Things is proof of a modern TV dilemma

<p>Claudia Winkleman in ‘The Traitors’</p>

A wicked new twist sets The Traitors off with the perfect rug-pull

<p>Stranger Things</p>

In the end, Stranger Things lost its way in a maze of sci-fi bunkum

<p>Kitchen-cabinet drama: James Nesbitt and Minnie Driver in ‘Run Away’</p>

James Nesbitt brings much-needed heft to Harlan Coben’s Run Away

<p>It was at Worthy Farm on 25 June 2000 that David Bowie regained his crown as the reigning monarch of contemporary music</p>

Extract

The ‘accidental brilliance’ behind David Bowie’s Glastonbury gig

The Saturday Interview

<p>‘Sentimental Value’ director Joachim Trier with his stars Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård</p>

The Saturday Interview

‘Truthfully, you can never be a good parent’: Inside Sentimental Value, the year’s frankest, most emotional film

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

The Saturday Interview

JADE, Brandi Carlile and McKinley Dixon on their cultural highlights of 2025

Rising Stars

<p>‘It was awful timing. It was the biggest opportunity I’d had in my career. And we weren’t allowed to talk about it’</p>

Interview

Archie Madekwe: ‘It’s easy to get lost in the bigger picture – that’s when you fall into narcissism’

<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’

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

Jimmy Kimmel credits Donald Trump as he accepts Critics Choice award

Jessie Buckley makes Paul Mescal cry with Critics Choice speech

Timothee Chalamet publicly declares love for ‘partner’ Kylie Jenner

Love Island stars engaged after weeks of secrecy

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 January 2026 – how to save £20

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

Hyperoptic promo codes for January – 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

tv

The biggest reactions to the Stranger Things finale episode as fans say an emotional goodbye to the show

The biggest reactions to the Stranger Things finale episode as fans say an emotional goodbye to the show

sport

Press Association’s best sports pictures of 2025

news

Double-amputee aims to show people can ‘achieve anything’ in mountain challenge

gaming

PS Plus Essential January 2026 game leaked early and gamers are split

lifestyle

What is the invisible guest theory? New Year's Eve trend explained

lifestyle

What is the invisible guest theory? New Year's Eve trend explained

science-tech

This reimagining of the perfect human body is absolutely terrifying

science-tech

Scientists think there’s a hidden universe created by ‘dark big bang’

Sponsored

<p>PlayStation 5</p>

Save money on quality refurbished tech from Back Market

Christmas at The White Company: Seasonal scents and thoughtful gifts

Simplify managing your business finances with Sage AI cloud accounting

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