SPOTLIGHT | The Bard’s life on the big screen, the Ton is back and movies to mark on your calendar

Spotlight is our bite-size entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

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This week’s Spotlight shines a light on regal romance with the fourth season of Bridgerton, the award-winning reimagination of William Shakespeare’s own hardships and more magical cinema releases to look forward to this year.

Set around the premise that real love never dies but instead transforms, new cinema release Hamnet is making waves on the awards circuit. Set in 16th-century England and adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, it follows the heartbreaking tragedy which inspired one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Hamlet. Directed by the acclaimed Chloé Zhao (Eternals) and starring Jessie Buckley and Emily Watson, the film is on at cinemas.

The Ton gathers once again for season 4 of Bridgerton, with familiar faces navigating passion, power and propriety. The new chapter also features new characters shaking the social order to its core and focusing on Benedict Bridgerton’s Cinderella story. It is streaming on Netflix and stars Luke Thompson, Nicola Coughlan and Golda Rosheuvel alongside South Africa’s own Masali Baduza, who made her debut in season 3. Don’t miss Spotlight’s coverage of the blue carpet premiere in Cape Town last week.

This year is dressed and ready to entertain cinemagoers with magical excitement at the big screen. Spotlight took a closer look at the first six months’ movies worth marking on your calendar. Don’t miss the collage featuring titles including Giant, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Bride!, Michael, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Minions 3.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies.

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.

Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.