Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
Nisha Katona, the beloved British-Indian chef, restaurateur, and former barrister, is bringing warmth and authenticity to TV screens with her latest series, Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen, airing on ITV1. Known for her no-fuss, flavour-packed, and accessible approach to cooking, Katona invites viewers into her Wirral farmstead, bringing a fresh, down-to-earth vibe compared to the polished studio sets of traditional cooking shows.
The series, which debuted on February 8, 2025, is a cosy hug of family, local produce, and the joy of home cooking. Filmed in her own kitchen, the show captures the chaos and charm of Katona’s daily life, complete with interruptions from her two-legged and four-legged family members. From her three dogs to her alpacas, the series is as much about her love for animals as it is about food.
Each episode features recipes inspired by her Indian heritage and her husband Zoltan’s Hungarian roots, such as chicken dhansak and rakott kel, a layered cabbage dish with paprika pork mince. What makes Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen stand out is how real it feels—no gimmicks, just good food, family, and genuine moments.
Katona, a former child protection barrister turned culinary icon, focuses on simplicity and practicality, using ingredients readily available in most kitchens. Her mission is to demystify cooking, making it approachable for everyone. “I’ve dedicated my life to making delicious food easily achievable,” she shared ahead of the premiere.
The show also brings out Katona’s commitment to local communities. She sources produce from nearby suppliers and her own garden, sharing the best of the Wirral region. A special segment features Andy Burgess, a local wood sculptor, who carves one of her beloved animals as a tribute to her love for nature.
Katona’s journey from barrister to TV chef is a true example of what happens when you follow your passion and pour your heart into what you love. With 25 Mowgli Street Food restaurants across the UK and a growing TV presence, she keeps inspiring home cooks and food lovers everywhere. Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen is a warm, feel-good celebration of family, community, and the joy of good food.
Catch Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen on ITV1 and step into her world, where good food, family, and heartfelt stories come together in every dish.
• Mephisto, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, debuts in the final episode of Marvel’s Ironheart.
• The villain tempts Riri Williams with the resurrection of her deceased friend Natalie.
• Mephisto was long rumoured to appear in WandaVision, but Marvel kept his reveal for a surprise.
• Fans are speculating Mephisto could become a major supernatural threat across upcoming MCU phases.
After years of online fan theories and false alarms, Marvel Studios has officially introduced Mephisto into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and not in the way anyone expected. The demon-like villain makes his first on-screen appearance in the season finale of Ironheart, shifting the tone of the tech-focused series into something much darker and supernatural.
Sacha Baron Cohen debuts as Mephisto in Ironheart finaleGetty Images
A surprise debut for a long-awaited Marvel villain
Mephisto’s arrival in Ironheart comes after years of speculation dating back to WandaVision in 2021. Many fans believed the shape-shifting demon was pulling the strings in Westview, but those theories led nowhere. Instead, Marvel has chosen Riri Williams’ show to mark Mephisto’s real entry into the MCU in a move that adds an unexpected mystical layer to the young inventor’s story.
Played by Sacha Baron Cohen, Mephisto appears as a slick, enigmatic figure who offers Riri a Faustian bargain. In exchange for helping her defeat Parker Robbins (The Hood), he promises to bring her late friend Natalie back to life. However, Natalie’s disturbing appearance at the episode’s end, veins blackened and soul clearly altered, suggests the cost of this deal will be far greater than Riri expects.
Sacha Baron Cohen’s performance leaves a strong impression
Cohen's portrayal is already drawing praise for its unpredictability. Alternating between British and American accents and casually referencing deals with figures like Ringo Starr and business moguls, his Mephisto is both humorous and menacing. The character’s playful menace and layered charm fit neatly into the MCU’s evolving tone, one that’s gradually embracing darker, supernatural arcs.
By making deals rather than declaring war, Mephisto reflects the comic book version of the character created in 1968 by Stan Lee and John Buscema. In the comics, Mephisto thrives on deception and trade-offs, often appearing when a hero is at their weakest emotionally.
While Ironheart may seem like an odd choice for Mephisto’s debut, it cleverly bridges Marvel’s tech-heavy legacy with its supernatural future. The deal between Riri and Mephisto could have ripple effects across multiple franchises. For instance, Mephisto’s comic book ties to Spider-Man: One More Day and Ghost Rider make him a logical fit for future MCU instalments like Avengers: Doomsday or the rumoured Midnight Sons project.
Some fans even speculate that Mephisto could become a central antagonist across Phase 6 and beyond, perhaps rivalling the impact of Thanos or Doctor Doom.
The finale leaves Riri marked by the consequences of her deal, quite literally, as black markings begin to spread on her skin. With no official announcement of a second season yet, her arc may continue in larger team-ups or crossover events.
But one thing is clear: Mephisto is no longer a running gag or fan theory. He’s real, he’s dangerous, and he’s only just begun.
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Critics praise Squid Game season 3 for its performances and bleak storytelling
Squid Game season 3 finale premiered on Netflix on 27 June, concluding the global hit series.
Fans on X criticised the ending, calling it rushed, unsatisfying, and emotionally hollow.
Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes drops to 51%, while critics maintain a solid 81% rating.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk described the final season as “darker and more hopeless”.
Netflix’s Squid Game may have wrapped up with its third and final season, but many fans are far from satisfied. While critics have praised the final episodes for their intensity and message, a large portion of the audience has taken to social media to criticise what they call a “rushed and meaningless” ending. The divide has become even clearer with the show’s Rotten Tomatoes audience score falling to 51%.
Squid Games season 3 Netflix
Viewers say Squid Game season 3 finale lacked payoff
Despite its reputation as one of Netflix’s most gripping dramas, Squid Game season 3 has received heavy backlash from longtime fans. Many took to X, calling the final six episodes a “waste of time” and slamming the decision to end major characters’ arcs abruptly. The central character, Seong Gi-hun, returns to the games in a broken state after the failed rebellion in season 2, but viewers say his emotional arc fizzled out in an unsatisfying face-off with the Front Man.
The show’s signature psychological games returned with more brutality, including a hide-and-seek game in a surreal Van Gogh-inspired maze and a deadly jump rope over a bridge. But despite the visual spectacle, audiences felt the storytelling was muddled. “The finale felt like they gave up,” one user wrote. “No payoff, no depth, just a spiral to nothingness.” Others pointed out the lack of emotional resonance and character development, especially for new contestants.
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Critics praise the season’s bold vision, but fans remain unconvinced
While audience reactions have been polarised, critics offered a more favourable take. On Rotten Tomatoes, Squid Game season 3 currently holds an 81% critic score, with reviewers applauding the performances, especially Lee Jung-jae’s restrained portrayal of Gi-hun. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had warned early on that this season would be “more bleak” and “without hope,” and many reviewers acknowledged the philosophical weight behind the grim narrative.
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Still, fans expected more from a series that once redefined genre television. With no plans for a fourth season, it seems Squid Game’s final message, that the system cannot be dismantled by one man, landed too quietly for a franchise that began with such explosive promise.
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Netflix offers fans an early look at the dark new beginning of Squid Game Season 3
Netflix releases first six minutes of Squid Game season 3 ahead of 27 June premiere
Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae) is brought back in a coffin, symbolising rebirth and punishment
Creator Hwang Dong Hyuk and actor Lee Byung Hun reveal Front Man’s twisted plan
Season 3 promises higher stakes, emotional turns, and a brutal final showdown
Just a day before Squid Game returns for its third and final season, Netflix has dropped the first six minutes of the premiere episode. The sneak peek sets a grim tone as Seong Gi Hun, played by Lee Jung Jae, is carried back into the game in a coffin, typically reserved for eliminated players. Far from being a triumphant return, Gi Hun’s re-entry signals a dark new beginning, as the show prepares for its most emotionally intense and dangerous season yet.
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Gi Hun’s guilt and the cruel design behind his return
Inside the dormitory, fellow players are stunned to see Gi Hun alive. But the man once known for his courage is now overcome with guilt and despair. Haunted by the deaths of 35 players, many caused by his failed rebellion, he lashes out, begging the guards to shoot him. "Why did you not kill me?" he screams, before grabbing a weapon and demanding to be executed.
But his survival is no accident. Director Hwang Dong Hyuk explains that Front Man, played by Lee Byung Hun, sent Gi Hun back not out of mercy, but with a deeper psychological goal: “He wants Gi Hun to fully grasp the cost of his actions and eventually lose faith in himself and humanity.”
Front Man’s ultimate goal: breaking Gi Hun’s spirit
Lee Byung Hun reveals more about his character’s mindset: “Front Man does not care whether Gi Hun lives or dies, he wants him to let go of hope. That is the real punishment.” The two former champions are now locked in a philosophical battle, each representing opposing worldviews.
As Netflix teases more perilous games and emotional turns, fans are left wondering: can Gi Hun survive with his values intact, or will he break under pressure?
Call the Midwife series 15 to air in 2026, followed by a feature film finale.
BBC says the franchise will continue with a Second World War prequel and more episodes.
Cast reportedly emotional as they film the final main series.
Fans relieved after BBC confirmed “Call the Midwife isn’t going anywhere”.
After over a decade of gripping period drama, Call the Midwife is preparing to wrap up its 15th series in 2026, with a feature-length film planned as its big-screen conclusion. But while this chapter is closing, the BBC has confirmed that the beloved show is far from finished.
The long-running series, which began in 2012 and has become a Sunday night staple, is now filming its final regular season but will continue with a prequel series and additional specials, reassuring fans who feared it was being axed.
BBC confirms new prequel series exploring the origins of the midwives during WWIIInstagram screengrab/callthemidwife.official
BBC confirms Call the Midwife will continue beyond series 15
Despite widespread reports that the show is coming to a definitive end, the BBC released a statement denying the claims. “Call the Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come,” the broadcaster said. In addition to the 15th series, fans can expect two Christmas specials, a film set in 1972, and a new prequel series set during the Second World War in Poplar.
The prequel will explore the early lives of the Nonnatus midwives, adding new characters while keeping the show’s historical roots. “There’s still a lot of baby business left,” the show’s Instagram account reassured viewers after the cancellation rumours went viral.
While Call the Midwife continues in new forms, the current cast has been filming their final episodes with a mix of pride and sadness. According to insiders, the actors have grown close over the years, making the goodbye feel personal.
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Filming began last month, kicking off with a two-part Christmas special that takes the senior staff on a mercy mission to Hong Kong. The eight-episode final season, written by Heidi Thomas, will air in early 2026. The concluding film will reunite fan-favourite characters overseas in 1972, making it a cinematic farewell to the original ensemble.
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The Family Man season 3 poster hints at a darker and more intense storyline
Amazon Prime Video officially confirms The Family Man season 3 with a new poster.
Manoj Bajpayee returns as Srikant Tiwari; creators Raj & DK also return.
Tamil actor Sundeep Kishan and others join the returning ensemble cast.
Jaideep Ahlawat rumoured to play a strong antagonist, though not listed in official post.
The wait is finally over for fans of The Family Man. Amazon Prime Video has officially announced the return of the popular spy thriller with a third season. The makers, Raj & DK, released a striking new poster featuring lead star Manoj Bajpayee, confirming that the show is “coming soon.” The news has sparked major excitement online, as audiences prepare for Srikant Tiwari’s next mission.
Manoj Bajpayee returns as Srikant Tiwari in the first look of The Family Man season 3Instagram/primevideoin
Manoj Bajpayee leads returning cast, new faces join ensemble
While the creators have yet to reveal a release date, the announcement post tagged key cast members including Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Darshan Kumar. Tamil actor Sundeep Kishan, who briefly appeared in season 2, has now been confirmed as part of the main cast. Gul Panag also returns after her season 1 appearance.
Interestingly, Jaideep Ahlawat, whom Bajpayee previously confirmed would feature in the new season, was not included in the official post. Ahlawat is expected to play a central antagonist opposite Bajpayee’s character, promising a tense face-off between two powerhouse performers.
Season 3 plot expected to explore new threats from the Northeast
The third season is rumoured to delve into rising tensions along India’s north-eastern borders, potentially involving a China-based cyber threat, a direction hinted at in season 2’s finale. Fans can expect a mix of action, geopolitical intrigue, and emotional family drama, in line with the franchise’s reputation.
Manoj Bajpayee has described this season as the show’s most ambitious yet. “Srikant is in deeper trouble this time. The scale is bigger, and the stakes are higher,” he said in an earlier interview.
No exact streaming date has been announced yet, but the “coming soon” tagline suggests a 2025 premiere. Until then, The Family Man fans are gearing up for another intense ride with India’s most relatable undercover agent.