Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a 'fluke' and hopes to play against Baltimore

Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a 'fluke' and hopes to play against Baltimore WILL GRAVES January 3, 2026 at 4:58 AM 0 Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) () PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt is ready to take a break from dry needling and get back to work on the football field. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is hopeful to play on Sunday night when the Baltimore Ravens visit with the AFC North title on the line.

- - Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a 'fluke' and hopes to play against Baltimore

WILL GRAVES January 3, 2026 at 4:58 AM

0

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ()

PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt is ready to take a break from dry needling and get back to work on the football field.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is hopeful to play on Sunday night when the Baltimore Ravens visit with the AFC North title on the line. The perennial Pro Bowler has missed each of Pittsburgh's past three games following a dry needling treatment mishap that led to surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.

Watt called the accident, which was administered by a member of the club's athletic/medical staff, a "fluke." The 31-year-old, like many NFL players, has used the treatment — in which needles are inserted under the skin to target trigger points such as knotted or tender areas in muscles — for some time.

While Watt didn't rule out turning to it down the road, he added with a grin that it won't be a part of his recovery regimen in the short term.

Watt experienced discomfort after having treatment at the facility on Dec. 10. He went to the hospital, where the 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year was told he needed surgery to fix his lung.

"Obviously very scary," Watt said. "Just a significant amount of pain at the same time you're going to work, and then all of a sudden you need surgery. It sucks. Just a lot of unknown."

Watt sat out three critical games while recovering. The Steelers went 2-1 during that stretch — doubling the win total the club had without Watt in the lineup during the first eight seasons of his career — and can win the division for the first time since 2020 by beating the Ravens on Sunday night.

Watt called the rehab process "unique" but felt really good after practice on Friday at Acrisure Stadium.

"I have no limitations," Watt said. "I tried to simulate as much as I could with shoulder pads and stuff like that. But you can only simulate so much. So I feel really good right now. Hopefully that's the case on Sunday as well."

Watt declined to get into specifics about how he was affected physically, instead focusing on what he can do to help Pittsburgh get into the playoffs. The Steelers have reached the postseason five times during Watt's career, but have yet to advance.

"Everyone knows the magnitude of this game," Watt said. "It's just a matter of going out and getting it done. That's kind of the key. Everybody knows how important these games are. Everybody knows this is what you train all offseason, your whole career for games like this."

Watt, who receives a significant amount of attention from opposing linemen, tight end and running backs, has just seven sacks this season, his lowest total in a year in which he's played at least 13 games since his rookie year in 2017.

Longtime teammate Cam Heyward said the Steelers need Watt to do "T.J. Watt" things against the Ravens. Watt has 17 of his 115 sacks against Pittsburgh's longtime rival.

While Watt is well aware of the one major hole on his resume, he's also simply happy that he may have a chance to make an impact instead of watching from afar or on the sideline as he's been forced to do while he recovers.

"I'm glad to have the doctors that we had, the surgeon that I had," Watt said. "(And) to be able to be here playing football games this weekend."

___

AP NFL: https://ift.tt/AkXco4J

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: January 03, 2026 at 01:27AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a 'fluke' and hopes to play against Baltimore

Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a 'fluke' and hopes to play against Baltimore WILL GRAVES Janua...

Read More

Patriots' Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore decline to discuss charges ahead of regular-season finale

Patriots' Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore decline to discuss charges ahead of regularseason finale Andy BackstromJanuary 3, 2026 at 12:17 AM 0 Content warning: This story contains descriptions of alleged assault. The New England Patriots have players on both sides of the ball facing charges after being accused of violence against women in separate incidents, and both of them declined to discuss their cases Friday ahead of their team's regularseason finale against the Miami Dolphins.

- - Patriots' Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore decline to discuss charges ahead of regular-season finale

Andy BackstromJanuary 3, 2026 at 12:17 AM

0

Content warning: This story contains descriptions of alleged assault.

The New England Patriots have players on both sides of the ball facing charges after being accused of violence against women in separate incidents, and both of them declined to discuss their cases Friday ahead of their team's regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, 32, is facing a felony charge of strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges. Diggs' personal chef alleges that in a Dec. 2 dispute over her pay, Diggs hit her and placed his hands around her neck, causing her to struggle to breathe and feel lightheaded, according to Boston 25 News, which cited the police report.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore, 26, is facing a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a household/family member. Barmore's then-girlfriend alleges that on Aug. 8 an argument over the temperature of the house and food ultimately led to Barmore throwing her to the ground and grabbing her shirt in the neck area before letting her up, per WCVB TV in Boston, which cited court documents.

Diggs leads the Patriots with 82 receptions and 970 receiving yards this season, and Barmore has totaled 26 tackles, including three for a loss and one sack.

They're eligible to play Sunday against the Dolphins. New England can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage, if it beats Miami and the Denver Broncos lose or tie against the Los Angeles Chargers — or if the Patriots tie, and the Broncos lose.

"It's definitely an open case, so I can't even say anything about it," Diggs said Friday, per ESPN, in his first media appearance since the news broke about the charges against him.

Diggs did note, however, that it's a "very emotional time" and that he was "taken back by some things that's been going on," as reported by ESPN.

Barmore repeated that he's concentrated on preparing for the Dolphins.

"I'm focused on Miami. I'm focused on playing football," he said in his first public comments, according to The .

Diggs and Barmore are both represented by attorney David Meier, who has released statements denying the charges.

Diggs' arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23, whereas Barmore's is set for Feb. 3, according to ESPN.

"We've taken the allegations very seriously, and what comes of that, I think then we'll have another discussion," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said, per the AP.

"But I don't think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now and let the process take its toll."

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: January 03, 2026 at 01:27AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Patriots' Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore decline to discuss charges ahead of regular-season finale

Patriots' Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore decline to discuss charges ahead of regularseason finale Andy BackstromJ...

Read More

Streaking Jaguars seek win No. 13, the AFC South title and another sweep of the Titans

Streaking Jaguars seek win No. 13, the AFC South title and another sweep of the Titans The January 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM 0 1 / 4APTOPIX Jaguars Colts FootballJacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Tennessee (313) at Jacksonville (124) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX. BetMGM NFL odds: Jaguars by 13 1/2. Against the spread: Titans 781, Jaguars 115. Series record: Titans lead 3527, including 10 in the playoffs.

- - Streaking Jaguars seek win No. 13, the AFC South title and another sweep of the Titans

The January 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM

0

1 / 4APTOPIX Jaguars Colts FootballJacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tennessee (3-13) at Jacksonville (12-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX.

BetMGM NFL odds: Jaguars by 13 1/2.

Against the spread: Titans 7-8-1, Jaguars 11-5.

Series record: Titans lead 35-27, including 1-0 in the playoffs.

Last meeting: Jaguars beat the Titans 25-3 on Nov. 30, 2025.

Last week: Titans lost to the Saints 34-26; Jaguars beat the Colts 23-17.

Titans offense: overall (31), rush (28), pass (30), scoring (30).

Titans defense: overall (22), rush (17), pass (23), scoring (28).

Jaguars offense: overall (14), rush (20), pass (14), scoring (T8).

Jaguars defense: overall (12), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (T9).

Turnover differential: Titans minus-4; Jaguars plus-12.

Titans player to watch

QB Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick already has the franchise rookie record with 3,117 yards passing. He needs a season-high 271 yards to move into the top 10 for a single season in team history. Ward has thrown two TD passes in four straight games. If he goes a fourth straight game without being intercepted, he would match Russell Wilson (2012) for the longest streak by a rookie since 1970.

Jaguars player to watch

CB Jarrian Jones is looking to become the third player in franchise history to intercept a pass in three consecutive games. With a pick against Tennessee, Jones would join Darious Williams (2023) and Brian Williams (2007) in accomplishing the feat. Jones notched fourth-quarter picks the past two weeks to help beat Denver and Indianapolis.

Key matchup

Jacksonville's banged-up offensive line against Jeffery Simmons, who is one of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler has 65 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks this season, including 4 1/2 in the past five games. The Jaguars, who could be down two starting offensive linemen, are expected to turn to a quick passing game to negate his chances of creating havoc.

Key injuries

Titans: WR Van Jefferson (forearm) and CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles tendon) won't play after getting knocked out of the previous game. OLB Jihad Ward (ankle) was limited Wednesday. S Amani Hooker (ankle/toe) and TE Gunnar Helm (toe) didn't practice Wednesday.

Jaguars: RG Patrick Mekari (back) will miss his second consecutive game, leaving Walker Little to start in his place. C Robert Hainsey (groin) could return. Backup RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger) is expected back after a two-week absence. Much of the team, including coach Liam Coen, battled illness at points over the past two weeks.

Series notes

Jacksonville has won six of seven in the AFC South series and is seeking its third sweep in the past four seasons. The Jaguars have won three in a row against Tennessee in Jacksonville.

Stats and stuff

Tennessee's next win will be the 500th in franchise history, including playoffs. ... The Titans have one turnover over their past three games. ... Pro Bowl returner and WR Chimere Dike leads the NFL with 2,371 all-purpose yards. Dike also leads the league by averaging 17.7 yards on punt returns. He's on pace to set a franchise record, topping the 15.4 yards averaged per punt return by Billy "White Shoes" Johnson in 1977. ... RB Tony Pollard has four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He has 452 yards rushing over the past four games, second in the NFL in that span behind only Derrick Henry (538 yards). ... Joey Slye has made a career high and franchise-record nine field goals of 50 yards or longer this season. ... LB Cedric Gray has 152 tackles, fifth most in the NFL this season. ... Jacksonville would clinch the AFC South and likely the No. 3 seed in the conference playoffs with a victory. ... The Jaguars are trying to win 13 games for the second time in franchise history and first since 1999. ... With a victory, Coen would become the seventh first-time coach in NFL history with 13 wins. ... Jacksonville has won seven in a row and is looking to finish 5-1 in the division for the first time. ... The Jags need two touchdowns to break the single-season franchise mark of 50 set in 2007. ... QB Trevor Lawrence needs 80 yards passing to pass Blake Bortles (17,646) for second in team history. ... WR Parker Washington is looking for his third consecutive game with 100 yards receiving.

Fantasy tip

Load up on Jaguars offensive players since they are averaging 31.9 points over their past nine games.

___

AP NFL: https://ift.tt/HCVjn2U

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: January 03, 2026 at 01:27AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Streaking Jaguars seek win No. 13, the AFC South title and another sweep of the Titans

Streaking Jaguars seek win No. 13, the AFC South title and another sweep of the Titans The January 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM...

Read More

Cardinals place WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on IR, ending disappointing second season

Cardinals place WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on IR, ending disappointing second season January 3, 2026 at 4:26 AM 1 1 / 3Falcons Cardinals FootballArizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals placed receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on injured reserve on Friday, ending a disappointing season for the secondyear player.

- - Cardinals place WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on IR, ending disappointing second season

January 3, 2026 at 4:26 AM

1

1 / 3Falcons Cardinals FootballArizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals placed receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on injured reserve on Friday, ending a disappointing season for the second-year player.

The 23-year-old left last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a foot injury and coach Jonathan Gannon already said earlier this week that he wasn't expected to play in the finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Harrison also dealt with a heel problem and missed a few weeks because of an appendectomy.

The No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State in 2024 played in 12 games this season, including 10 starts.

He caught 41 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns, struggling to provide the consistent playmaking that the Cardinals expected when they selected him so early in the draft. It's one of many reasons Arizona has fallen to the basement of the NFC West with a 3-13 record heading into Week 18.

___

AP NFL: https://ift.tt/HCVjn2U

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Sports"

Read More

---

Source: Sports

Published: January 03, 2026 at 01:27AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Cardinals place WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on IR, ending disappointing second season

Cardinals place WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on IR, ending disappointing second season January 3, 2026 at 4:26 AM 1 1 / 3Fal...

Read More

Neil Diamond had a surprising reaction watching Song Sung Blue, the true story of a Neil Diamond ...

Director Craig Brewer shares what the legendary singersongwriter asked after seeing the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Neil Diamond had a surprising reaction watching Song Sung Blue, the true story of a Neil Diamond tribute band Director Craig Brewer shares what the legendary singersongwriter asked after seeing the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. By Gerrad Hall :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/Gerrad413fcf02541834f43bb26c0de8fe66f66.jpg) Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at , overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage.

Director Craig Brewer shares what the legendary singer-songwriter asked after seeing the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

Neil Diamond had a surprising reaction watching Song Sung Blue, the true story of a Neil Diamond tribute band

Director Craig Brewer shares what the legendary singer-songwriter asked after seeing the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

By Gerrad Hall

Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at **, overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage. He is also host of *The Awardist* podcast, and has cohosted EW's live Oscars, Emmys, SAG, and Grammys red carpet shows. He has appeared on *Good Morning America*, *The Talk*, *Access Hollywood*, *Extra!*, and other talk shows, delivering the latest news on pop culture and entertainment.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 2, 2026 5:18 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Neil Diamond; Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman in 'Song Sung Blue'. Credit:

Tom Cooper/Getty; Sarah Shatz/Focus Features

Neil Diamond, you could say, is a believer in *Song Sung Blue*.

The new movie, written and directed by Craig Brewer and starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, isn't a biopic about the legendary singer-songwriter, but he and his music play a big role in the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina. The two Wisconsinites meet later in life, fall in love, and form the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder to big success, propelled by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, who — as seen in the movie — asked them to open for the band on a stop in Madison, though in real life they joined the band's encore at Milwaukee's Summerfest in 1995.

So when filmmaker Greg Kohs got a cease-and-desist letter from Diamond's record label just before his 2008 documentary about the Sardinas, also titled *Song Sung Blue*, debuted at a film festival saying he couldn't show the movie with the music, it was Vedder who "called up Neil Diamond, sent him the documentary, and said, 'You gotta watch this and you gotta let them use the music,'" Brewer tells **. "Neil Diamond saw the movie, he was so touched by it, and he intervened and told his publishing company to leave Greg alone and show the movie."

What's fact and what's fiction in 'Song Sung Blue'

Kate Hudson knows you love her in rom-coms — but she wants to disappear into the dramatic

But was Diamond as touched by Brewer's movie?

"I was not in the room with him, but I had a few spies," Brewer says, adding that Diamond's family, including his wife, Katie, as well as his team, were there. "I had also been prepped that Neil does not get effusively enthusiastic or into movies. He watches them, he studies them — that's what I was told."

Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, and Craig Brewer on the set of 'Song Sung Blue'.

Sarah Shatz/Focus Features

Brewer prepared himself for a neutral response, perhaps something a bit ambiguous.

"But I was told from his people that they were surprised to see just how enthusiastic he started to get with it, that he was tapping his foot, that he would applaud after each music number, and that he cried," Brewer recalls. "He went up to the projectionist, or the person was running the screening, and when they introduced themselves to him, he said, 'Okay, well, when's the next screening? Can we watch it again?' And so I was so happy about his reaction because I hope what it does for him — not that he looks for this or needs it — but I just hope he knows how incredibly relevant his contribution to songwriting is. Those songs are beautiful, and yeah, he's a performer, but he's a writer. He wrote these, he thought them, he felt them in his soul, and then he created them."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

That's what you could call some beautiful noise.

*Song Sung Blue* is in theaters now.

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

- Biopic Movies

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Biopic"

Read More

---

Source: Biopic

Published: January 03, 2026 at 12:38AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Neil Diamond had a surprising reaction watching Song Sung Blue, the true story of a Neil Diamond ...

Director Craig Brewer shares what the legendary singersongwriter asked after seeing the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Ka...

Read More

&34;007: Road to a Million&34; and &34;Disco Witches of Fire Island&34; round out our staff list of recommendations. Kaleb Cohen's perfect single, Forever, and Borderline continue our hidden gems of 2025 Must List &34;007: Road to a Million&34; and &34;Disco Witches of Fire Island&34; round out our staff list of recommendations. By Tiffany Kelly Tiffany Kelly Tiffany Kelly is a staff editor at . She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, GQ, and Ars Technica. EW's editorial guidelines January 2, 2026 5:31 p.m.

"007: Road to a Million" and "Disco Witches of Fire Island" round out our staff list of recommendations.

Kaleb Cohen's perfect single, Forever, and Borderline continue our hidden gems of 2025 Must List

"007: Road to a Million" and "Disco Witches of Fire Island" round out our staff list of recommendations.

By Tiffany Kelly

Tiffany Kelly

Tiffany Kelly is a staff editor at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, GQ, and Ars Technica.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 2, 2026 5:31 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Kaleb Cohen; Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone on 'Forever'; Ray Nicholson in 'Borderline'. Credit:

Spotify; Elizabeth Morris/Netflix; ©Magnolia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

We just said so long to 2025, but before we fully embrace 2026, we're offering up five more hidden gems from the past year to end your holiday break with. That said, if you're already eager to populate your streaming queues, don't forget to check out our 2026 Preview issue, with exclusive looks at the big TV shows and movies set to debut in the coming months. —*Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief*

***P.S. If you want to receive the Must List in your inbox, sign up for our " and Awardist" newsletters. You'll receive all three each week — the trifecta of entertainment news.***

Kaleb Cohen's "East Coast Summers"

'East Coast Summers,' by Kaleb Cohen.

Folk-rock singer Kaleb Cohen has the perfect bonfire song, whether you're on the East Coast, West Coast, or No Coast. Shout-out to whoever programmed my gym's playlist with this unconventional pump-up pick, allowing me to catch easy sunny-season vibes via this indie earworm — even as we enter deep into sweater weather. —*P.G.*

Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone on 'Forever'.

Elizabeth Morris/Netflix

For her Netflix series adaptation of Judy Blume's classic YA novel, Mara Brock Akil (*Girlfriends*) the 1975 story, transforming it into a magnificent and modern tale of a bumpy romance between two Los Angeles teens (Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone) in 2018. —*Kristen Baldwin*

*Forever* review: A magnificent, modern reimagining of Judy Blume's classic**

Disco Witches of Fire Island, by Blair Fell

'Disco Witches of Fire Island,' by Blair Fell.

Penguin Random House

What are disco witches? Disco-obsessed witches, obviously. And one coven has used its magic for years to protect the gays of Fire Island. This fun romantasy by Blair Fell glistens with queer magic even against the bleak background of the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis. —*Nick Romano*

Borderline

Samara Weaving in 'Borderline'.

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Ray Nicholson and Samara Weaving are a winning combination in *Cocaine Bear* writer Jimmy Warden's directorial debut (available on Peacock) about a pop star and her obsessive fan. Nicholson portrays a delusional stalker whom viewers will warm to, while Weaving skewers celebrity culture. —Alamin Yohannes

007: Road to a Million

Brian Cox hosts '007: Road to a Million'.

Laura Radford/Prime

This beautifully shot Prime Video reality competition upped the dramatic tension in season 2, which saw pairs of loved ones complete challenges at iconic James Bond filming locations. Bonus points for Brian Cox's return as host (and other Bond alum cameos). —*P.G.*

- Entertainment Lifestyle

- Entertainment Commentary & Fan Life

- The Must List

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW The"

Read More

---

Source: The

Published: January 03, 2026 at 12:38AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Kaleb Cohen's perfect single, Forever, and Borderline continue our hidden gems of 2025 Must List

&34;007: Road to a Million&34; and &34;Disco Witches of Fire Island&34; round out our staff list of recommend...

Read More

&34;I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the 'Beatles,'&34; Mescal said in a recent interview. Why Paul Mescal doesn't want you to see him for the next 2 years &34;I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the 'Beatles,'&34; Mescal said in a recent interview. By Mekishana Pierre :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/MekishanaPierreauthorphotoed08906b8105488ca1e991de8ac00dec.jpg) Mekishana Pierre Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at . She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Entertainment Tonight and Popsugar.

"I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the 'Beatles,'" Mescal said in a recent interview.

Why Paul Mescal doesn't want you to see him for the next 2 years

"I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the 'Beatles,'" Mescal said in a recent interview.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 2, 2026 2:56 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Paul Mescal at the The Royal Festival Hall on Oct. 11, 2025. Credit:

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Paul Mescal is forever grateful for his prosperous movie career so far, but he's ready for a break from the big screen and all the promotional work that comes with it.

In a new interview with *The Guardian*, the *Gladiator II* star revealed that he plans to "take some time off" after a run of starring in major films every year since his breakout role as Connell on Hulu's TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's *Normal People* in 2020.

"Once I've finished promoting [*Hamnet*], I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the *Beatles*. People will get a break from me and I'll get a break from them," Mescal told the outlet during his interview alongside *History of Sound* costar Josh O'Connor, noting that he'll ration upcoming projects.

But Mescal clarified that to him, "rationing doesn't necessarily mean less."

Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare in 'Hamnet'.

Agata Grzybowska / FOCUS FEATURES

"It means learning that films like *The History of Sound* take more out of the well," he explained. "You can't keep going back and expect to consistently deliver something you're proud of. What that rationing looks like, I don't know. I miss being on stage, so I might have a time when I'm only doing theatre for a couple of years. I also have different priorities in my personal life that I want to attend to."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Mescal has been undeniably in-demand: In 2022, he starred in *God's Creatures*, *Carmen*, and *Aftersun*, the latter of which earned him his first Oscar nomination. In 2023, he broke hearts alongside Andrew Scott in *All of Us Strangers*, and appeared with Saoirse Ronan in *Foe*, before he starred in 2024's highly-anticipated *Gladiator II*.

In 2025, he played English playwright William Shakespeare in *Hamnet*, from Academy Award-winning *Nomadland* director Chloé Zhao and based on Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel of the same name; starred onstage in the latest revival of Tennessee Williams' *A Streetcar Named Desire* at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Harvey Theater; and featured opposite O'Connor in *The History of Sound, *a queer romance set in 1917 America from director Oliver Hermanus.

Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal in 'The History of Sound'.

Courtesy of MUBI

"I'm five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky, but I'm also learning that I don't think I can go on doing it as much," Mescal shared.

While the actor conceded that the concept of rationing roles goes against the "imperative to stay visible and current," he reasoned that it's wiser than the alternative. "I don't want to resent the thing I love. This sounds bold, but I'd rather not be on the train if that is the choice," he asserted.

Playing dress-up: 'Hamnet' costume designer found inspiration in tree bark, paper cuts, and burial shrouds

Meet the Beatles (again): See the biopics' cast side-by-side with the real people they play

O'Connor agreed, adding, "The nightmare is resenting the work. Also, the more we see of an actor, the harder it is for that actor to pull the wool over your eyes and convince you they're someone else."

For Mescal, who is gearing up for months of awards season campaigning for *Hamnet*, the great hope is to slip away from the spotlight until his next major role, which will be starring as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' four-part biopic about the Beatles.

Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, and Harris Dickinson at CinemaCon 2025.

Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty

The actor will star alongside Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson, and Joseph Quinn who will play Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison, respectively, with all four films releasing in April 2028.

Harry Lloyd, the British actor best known for playing Viserys Targaryen in the first season of *Game of Thrones*, has been officially tapped to play the band's longtime producer George Martin, according to Martin's son Giles.

And if the actor really wants, he can keep a low profile until Richard Linklater's movie adaptation of George Furth-Stephen Sondheim musical *Merrily We Roll Along *opens in about two decades.

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

- Biopic Movies

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Biopic"

Read More

---

Source: Biopic

Published: January 02, 2026 at 10:38PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Why Paul Mescal doesn't want you to see him for the next 2 years

&34;I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the 'Beatles,'&34; Mescal said in a recent int...

Read More