International
Keith Richards to play father of Johnny Depp in next Pirates of the Caribbean
MUMBAI: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has been confirmed to play the character of Captain Teague in the fifth edition of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Though the 68-year-old musician is unsure when the next installment of the hit franchise will start filming, he said he will again make an appearance as the father of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp‘s lead character).
“So they say, you know, I‘ve got the costume, and I‘m waiting for the heads up, but apparently there is. I don‘t know if it‘ll be next year that we shoot it or whatever, but as I say, you know, I got the costume and the beard and the shirt,” Richards has been quoted to have said.
Richards also said that he will know when he is required as soon as he hears from his friend and co-star Depp. “I‘ll wait for a call from Johnny,” he added.
Richards had earlier appeared in the last two films in the series like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World‘s End and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
