Highlights From Our June 9 And 11 Issues

Tomorrow marks nan commencement of Emmy nominations voting, and we’re marking nan juncture pinch with not 1 but two issues this week.which intends twices arsenic galore series, and stories, to drawback up with. So let’s get to it!

Cover stories

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

It’s uncommon for an awards roundtable to spark a existent debate, but nan thoughtful group of actors to look connected our 2026 Emmy Drama Roundtable — Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt”), Billy Magnussen (“The Audacity”), Zahn McClarnon (“Dark Winds”), Tom Pelphrey (“Task”), Michelle Pfeiffer (“The Madison”) and Karolina Wydra (“Pluribus”) — captured my attraction pinch their layered speech astir runaway production.

Considering nan economical boon Hollywood has brought to celebrated shooting locales for illustration Atlanta and New Mexico, nan dire consequences for nan L.A. movie manufacture and nan expanding threat from accumulation zones overseas, nan group didn’t work together connected 1 diagnosis, overmuch little solution, to nan problem. But successful their conversation, these apical names successful nan manufacture each showed heavy interest astir what specified changes mean for showbiz’s shrinking mediate class. “Our unit doesn’t get to spell — nan group that we cognize that we need, that we activity with, that we make these things with,” arsenic Pelphrey acknowledged. “We get to spell wherever nan f— we want, actors, directors, but nan unit doesn’t.”

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

For nan guests connected our 2026 Emmy Limited Series/TV Movie Roundtable — which included Jamie Bell (“Half Man”), Linda Cardellini (“DTF St. Louis”), Camila Morrone (“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen”), Michael Peña (“All Her Fault”), Andrew Rannells (“Miss You, Love You”) and Constance Zimmer (“Love Story”) — there’s nary predicting which performances will resonate pinch viewers — aliases when.

The 2002 live-action adjustment of “Scooby-Doo,” successful which Cardellini starred arsenic Velma, has taken connected cult position since its premiere, and enjoyed a revival of liking arsenic a caller Netflix type announced nan cast. Rannells (“Girls”) and Zimmer (“Entourage”) person each seen their roles successful epochal HBO comedies revisited by younger generations, who are often viewing nan bid done a very different lens. Peña, whose comedic flatulence connected an “Eastbound & Down” blooper reel is now a viral meme, moreover wonders if he’ll beryllium remembered for that complete much superior fare for illustration “Crash” and “World Trade Center.”

“Is that going to beryllium your In Memoriam thing?” Rannells jokes.

At slightest Peña, laughing, takes it successful stride: “Can you imagine?”

Digital cover: ‘The Boys’

(Bexx Francois / For The Times)

There’s plentifulness to chew connected successful contributor Max Gao’s digital screen communicative connected Prime Video’s twisted superhero satire aft nan conclusion of 5 gloriously gory seasons, but my individual favourite characteristic whitethorn beryllium nan sidebar of memorable from cardinal formed members. Chace Crawford’s on-set snacks of choice? Check. Jack Quaid’s astonishing craftiness? Also check. Karen Fukuhara’s struggles pinch nausea? Ditto. If you are already missing “The Boys” and want to re-live it vicariously done immoderate of its cardinal figures, beryllium judge to publication nan afloat piece, which already includes creator Eric Kripke and actors Laz Alonso and Erin Moriarty.

The politician is in

(Ebru Yildiz/For The Times)

Speaking of double duty, Welsh character Matthew Rhys showcases his scope this play successful 2 very different performances, past autumn arsenic a existent property scion suspected of sidesplitting his woman successful Netflix’s “The Beast successful Me” and correct now arsenic nan put-upon politician of a perchance cursed land municipality successful Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.” One man is menacing, nan different faintly absurd, but Rhys embraces nan challenges of each domiciled pinch aplomb — successful particular, his beingness drama successful nan second has gotten respective large laughs retired of me.

As contributor Emma Fraser reveals successful her question and reply pinch Rhys, though, location is 1 shape guidance tin of sending a chill up his spine: dance. “That still makes maine shudder,” he says of a line-dancing segment successful “The Americans” from 8 years ago. Let’s dream Widow’s Bay doesn’t person an underground plaything dancing club.

More stories from this week’s issues