Celebrity Extra: Rebecca Ferguson
By Dana Jackson
Q: I'm really enjoying the show “Silo” -- so much so that I went back and read the books that the show is based on in between seasons. Who is the actress who plays Juliette? -- K.I.
A: Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson stars as engineer-turned-sheriff Juliette Nichols in the dystopian drama "Silo," which recently finished its second season on Apple TV+. It's based on a series of novels by author Hugh Howey. "Silo" has been renewed for a third season with Ferguson returning. If she looks familiar, it's because she's co-starred in several hit films, most notably the recent "Mission: Impossible" sequels with Tom Cruise as well as "Dune: Part One" and "Part Two" with Timothée Chalamet.
Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols in "Silo". Photo Credit: Courtesy of Apple TV+
Ferguson honed her acting skills on a Swedish soap opera as a teen before eventually branching out into American productions. Cruise took note of her performance in the STARZ miniseries "The White Queen," resulting in her being cast in "Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation." Her talent eventually led to her snagging roles opposite Michael Fassbender in "The Snowman," Hugh Jackman in "The Greatest Showman," and Chris Hemsworth in "Men in Black: International."
Her future is bright. Next up for her is the untitled "Peaky Blinders" film with Cillian Murphy and the untitled Katheryn-Bigelow-directed White House thriller with Idris Elba.
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Q: What ever happened to The Weeknd after his show on HBO was canceled? Is he just going to concentrate on singing now? -- K.K.
A: Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, hasn't quit acting, but it would be understandable if he got discouraged after his series "The Idol" was canceled by HBO after one season. Prior to this, he had a setback on stage where he had to cut his live concert in Los Angeles short after losing his voice. He says now in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the voice loss was mental, a result of all the stress around filming "The Idol" while also touring.
He's ready to bounce back not only with a new album but with another starring role. His sixth studio album "Hurry Up Tomorrow" will be released on Jan. 26, and a film of the same name will be released on May 16. Billed as a "musically driven psychological thriller," the film not only stars The Weeknd but also Barry Keoghan ("Saltburn") and Jenna Ortega ("Beetlejuice Beetlejuice").
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Q: I thought Bill Maher was going to quit his TV show if President Trump was reelected, but it looks like it's coming back soon. Did he change his mind? -- M.M.
A: Bill Maher's weekly HBO talk show "Real Time" returned this January for its 23rd season, but he has no plans to quit. Nina Rosenstein from HBO Programming, Late Night and Specials told Deadline that Maher was "joking around," and his first love will always be "Real Time."
Where you won't find Maher anytime soon is on the road. He's confirmed that he's done touring as a stand-up comedian and that, after 40 years, he needs a break from it. However, as far as "Real Time" goes, HBO will have to drag him off for him to quit.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
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