GECs
TNT, BBC team up for drama series ‘The Grid’
MUMBAI: Turner Network Television (TNT) and the BBC have joined forces for a drama series The Grid. Starring Dylan McDermott The Practice and Julianna Margulies ER the show will explore both sides of the escalating war on terror.
The Grid will be produced in conjunction with Fox Television Studios and Carnival Films. Production on the six-hour series will begin early next year in Toronto, London and Morocco. Margulies will play maverick NSA counter-terrorism operative Maya Jackson, and McDermott will play FBI agent Mike Canary, two of three young American and two British counter-terrorism agents. They collaborate to disrupt a ferocious terrorist cell bent on destroying the world’s economic foundations.
BBC’s head of drama commissioning Gareth Neame had the following remarks to make about the project. “The Grid is an international project that looks in detail at a terrorist cell operating on a global level and a team of American and British counter-terrorists who are tasked to stop it. It is an ambitious project that explores what motivates and finances the terrorists and examines how international agencies must cooperate to defeat them. The drama looks at the defining threat of our time but does so on a bigger scale than is possible with shows like Spooks and 24.”
Fox TV Studios’ executive VP movies and miniseries David Madden added, “We’re very excited to be in business for the first time with TNT and BBC. We believe this film project is extremely significant in its effort to honestly depict all sides of the current global tensions within the context of an urgent international thriller.”
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
