Eddie Redmayne, James Patterson and Alexandra Shipp

The Independent’s entertainment newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( November 24, 2021 [The Independent]( Written by Louis Chilton The IndyArts Newsletter Hello, and welcome back to another IndyArts newsletter. Eddie Redmayne has been in the news this week, [addressing his much-criticised role as a trans woman in The Danish Girl](. Six years after the Oscar-winning film’s release, Redmayne said he “wouldn’t take [the role] on now”, describing it as a “mistake”. Fans of the Netflix series Tiger King were shaken yesterday (22 November) by the news that series one star Jeff Johnnson, who appeared in the fourth episode of the hit reality documentary, had [died by suicide](. Johnson, a former reptile dealer, reportedly took his own life during an argument with his wife back in September. After fans were given their first look at the star-studded Netflix comedy Don’t Look Up last week, Jennifer Lawrence [responded to the news that she had been paid less than co-star Leonardo DiCaprio]( - despite earning top billing. “Look, Leo brings in more box office than I do,” she claimed. “I’m extremely fortunate and happy with my deal.” Lawrence also [discussed the legacy of the 2014 hack]( which saw her naked photos be leaked online, saying that her “trauma will exist forever”. Katrin Cartlidge in 1994’s ‘Before the Rain’ (Polygram/Alamy) With more than 200 books and 300 million book sales under his belt, it’s no exaggeration to call James Patterson one of the biggest writers on the planet. Kevin EG Perry spoke to the prolific figure behind the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett series for an in-depth interview, which covered topics ranging from the death of the late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, to his unlikely collaboration with Dolly Parton, to how Idris Elba almost came to star as Alex Cross in a 2012 film adaptation. Patterson also spoke about his disdain for Hollywood adaptations, and offered a rebuke to critics who complain about a lack of realism. You can read the full piece [here](. [Alexandra Shipp: ‘I feel so heavily for Alec {NAME} – he is not a murderer’]( [Oscars image]( ‘Face lifts, boob jobs… you’ve got to be really careful with that kind of vanity' (Getty Images for Netflix) Alexandra Shipp must be longing for a role that doesn’t attract controversy. Her first big part, as the lead in the 2014 American cable TV drama [Aaliyah](: The Princess of R&B, was condemned by the late singer’s family, and her fans started a petition to get it cancelled. Two years later, Shipp’s casting as Storm in [X-Men: Apocalypse]( sparked a colourism row and online abuse. But, thankfully, she seems to have sailed into calmer waters in [Lin-Manuel Miranda](’s critically admired and perfectly innocent film musical Tick, Tick... Boom! Dressed in a candy floss pinstripe blazer and speaking over video call from LA, the 30-year-old actor laughs as she recalls the bewildering experience of shooting Miranda’s directorial debut, a movie musical based on a stage musical about writing another musical. Yes, it’s complicated. “It was hard because I had never seen Tick, Tick… Boom!” she says. She’s talking about the stage musical. Keep up. “I’d only read it and heard the songs, so I tried to piece together as much as I could." Read the full interview [here]( [Oscars image]( I'm A Celeb hosts Ant and Dec watch on in horror as the contestants take on this year's trials [Cheeky banter! Oversharing! Bodily fluids! I’m a Celebrity is back]( Nearly 20 years in, we know what to expect from the opening episode of [I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!]( Ant and Dec will throw around some cheeky banter, the contestants will pretend they recognise each other and bodily functions will be discussed with abandon. Sunday night’s series opener certainly delivers, and there’s a bonus: DJ [Naughty Boy]( lives up to his name and sneaks in a baggie of contraband herbs and spices in his sock. We’re back, baby! Ant and Dec clearly have no intention of mixing up the formula. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether the audience finds their jokes funny or not (for what it’s worth, they’re mostly pretty good), because the camera crew will loudly guffaw anyway as the pair giggle like schoolboys in the back of a year nine sex ed class. The episode’s best moments come when they fangirl over Newcastle United legend [David Ginola](, who’s being set up as the unexpected comic relief of the series. Frankly, you have to admire the boldness of a man proudly declaring that the producers should “bring me any anus”. Or question his sanity, perhaps. Read the full review of the series so far [here]( A bonus newsletter? You may be wondering why you are receiving this additional newsletter on a Wednesday and that is because this is part of our bonus coverage ahead of [Black Friday](, which is happening this Friday (26 November). The annual day for retail bargains is the ideal time to pick up deals for all those Christmas presents you are desperately trying to find the time to buy. Luckily our colleagues over on the IndyBest desk have been busy putting together guides of all the best deals around. Here are a just a few to tempt you: - [John Lewis’s Black Friday 2021 sale has landed]( - [Best Amazon Black Friday deals 2021]( - [Boots’s 2021 Black Friday sale has arrived]( Essential reading [Are these the worst and best nominations in Grammys history?]( [Are these the worst and best nominations in Grammys history?]( [Miley Cyrus and Machine Gun Kelly react to 2022 Grammys nomination snubs]( [Miley Cyrus and Machine Gun Kelly react to 2022 Grammys nomination snubs]( [Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X and more are celebrating their Grammy nominations]( [Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X and more are celebrating their Grammy nominations]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's entertainment newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. 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