CultureMichael Jackson biopic set to be a controversial hitA new film about Michael Jackson's extraordinary but troubled life is due to open in cinemas. It's tracking to be very popular – but will it tell the full story?Harry and Meghan's trip felt like a royal tour - except many Aussies weren't interestedThe Sussexes' four-day tour of Australia appears to have fallen flat with some.The South Korean authors rising above a tide of hate to become bestsellersA quiet revolution is unfolding as women writers carve out space in the wake of an anti-feminist backlash.Alec Baldwin to face civil trial over Rust film set shootingThe criminal case against the actor was dismissed in 2024.Madonna joins Sabrina Carpenter to surprise CoachellaThe Queen of Pop makes a guest appearance during the Espresso singer's headline set.DocumentariesAustralia: 1000 Years of HistoryAncient Treasures with Bettany HughesNicholas and Alexandra: The LettersArt That Made UsTitanic in ColourCoco Chanel: UnbuttonedPhil Spencer's Stately HomesThe Silk RoadElizabeth: A Life Through the LensKilling Sherlock: Lucy Worsley on the Case of Conan DoyleWilliam and Harry: The Unseen PhotosA Life in Ten PicturesBarbie Uncovered: A Dream House DividedWitches of EssexThe Kim Kardashian Diamond HeistEntertainment news The Coachella campers taking their tents to the next extravagant levelKanye West concert in Poland cancelled over antisemitic commentsFormer Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw dies aged 66Avengers reassemble and Top Gun flies back - Hollywood studios preview their new moviesDesert Island DiscsDesert Island DiscsProfessor Stephen Westaby, surgeon and writerSaveDesert Island DiscsJessie Buckley, actorSaveDesert Island DiscsDwayne Fields, explorerSaveDesert Island DiscsRoula Khalaf, journalistSaveDesert Island DiscsRichard Young, photographerSaveDesert Island DiscsTahra Zafar, costume and effects designerSaveDesert Island DiscsProfessor Michele Dougherty, scientistSaveDesert Island DiscsKemi Badenoch MP, leader of the oppositionSaveDesert Island DiscsAdeel Akhtar, actorSaveDesert Island DiscsJesse Armstrong, writerSaveWatch listThe eight best films of 2026 so farBBC film critics Caryn James and Nicholas Barber pick their cinema highlights of the year so far – from a touching sci-fi blockbuster to a provocative comedy-drama starring Zendaya.10 of the best TV shows of 2026 so farFrom a Ryan Murphy body horror to an ingenious James Bond-themed comedy-drama and the latest Game of Thrones prequel, we pick the year's greatest programmes to stream right now.From our Culture editorsEight of Mexico's most stunning modern homesFrom a sculptural icon by an early modernist master to a remote, rosy-hued dream home, here are some remarkable Mexican dwellings.10 intimate images of a lost, decadent 1930s ParisMoving "from the slums to the exclusive salons", Brassaï captured the brothels, gay bars and backstreets of Paris's hazy night-time in its radical inter-war years.Why The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour should worry fans of the original filmThe Devil Wears Prada 2 is the most anticipated film of 2026 so far. But the publicity campaign suggests the original's satire has been softened – along with Meryl Streep's toxic boss villain.She was a folk-music genius. Then she vanishedConnie Converse made stunning, forward-thinking songs in the 1950s, but was barely known – and aged 50, she disappeared. Now, with a new re-release of her music, she's recognised as a trailblazer.The 'bizarre' story of the world's first LSD tripDr Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the hallucinatory effects of LSD in April 1943. In 1986, he told the BBC about a "terrifying" bicycle ride home from the laboratory.Why this 16th-Century painting isn't what it seemsOverpainted images hidden inside Raphael's 16th-Century Portrait of a Young Woman with a Unicorn show how the image of the ideal woman has been carefully controlled by men.In HistoryThe scientist who developed the polio vaccineOn 12 April 1955, Dr Jonas Salk announced that his vaccine was safe and effective – but he refused to profit from it.How the Unabomber was unmasked by his own writingThe Unabomber's campaign of violence had baffled investigators for almost two decades. The BBC reported on his arrest 30 years ago, when he "laid a trail to his own front door".How a WW2 general outwitted his arch-rivalField Marshal Bernard Montgomery died 50 years ago. In 1968, he told the BBC about the Battle of El Alamein, and his German counterpart Erwin Rommel.The shocking kidnap of a teenage newspaper heiressPatty Hearst was abducted by a revolutionary group in 1974, as reported by the BBC. But 50 years ago, on 20 March 1976, she was found guilty of siding with her captors.The suburban spies who sold secrets to the USSRThe Portland spy ring trial began on 13 March 1961. The BBC reported on a Cold War tale of espionage, adultery, exorcism – and a deceptively ordinary-looking bungalow.The Churchill speech that launched the Cold WarIn 1946, less than a year after the end of World War Two, Britain's wartime leader sounded an urgent warning about the Soviet threat to the West.WatchCharli XCX's parents went to raves with her as a teenagerCharli XCX reveals her parents used to go to raves with her when she performed as a teenager.Film & TVJacob Elordi turned an insult into an Oscar nominationJacob Elordi jokes about an early career review calling him so wooden he could only play Frankenstein's monster.Film & TVTop Oscars picks chosen by BBC correspondentsFrom the "achingly beautiful" cinema of Iran to a "stress‑busting" horror film – these are the top Oscars picks of the year, as chosen by BBC correspondents.Film & TVFixing fashion's erratic sizing problemTech Now meets a startup trying to fix one of the fashion industry's biggest blind spots: inconsistent sizing.Tech NowMargot Robbie's accent was 'too Australian' for NeighboursThe actress reveals that she had a dialect coach when she was on the series because her accent was so strong.Film & TVRachel McAdams has many fans on the sofaChris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and John Bishop tell Rachel McAdams why they love her films.Film & TVIdris Elba used his waxwork figure to unlock his phoneThe actor's Madame Tussauds waxwork is so lifelike that it was able to unlock his phone with Face ID.Film & TVArnold Schwarzenegger goes big on ChristmasChris Pratt talks about this year's unique present from Arnold Schwarzenegger that will be hard to re-gift.Film & TVDissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi speaks to the BBCAcclaimed director Jafar Panahi tells the BBC he sees his films as a historical memory of the realities in Iran.Film & TVHow Tom Hiddleston's dad became his biggest cheerleaderInitially sceptical of his career, the actor recalls his father’s reaction to one of his early roles.Film & TVMore culture3 hrs ago'The weapons were loud, but there was always music': Sudanese band play on through the warOne of Sudan's most popular bands, Aswat Almadina, recall being in the studio when the war broke out three years ago.3 hrs ago6 hrs agoThe Pitt star on 'graphic' reality of hit show and rumours Clooney helped him get roleGerran Howell is yet to get to the bottom of claims that George Clooney helped him secure his part.6 hrs ago12 hrs agoFrench film star Nathalie Baye dies aged 77, media reportPresident Emmanuel Macron said France had "loved, dreamed and grown up" with the stalwart of French cinema.12 hrs ago12 hrs agoMusic lovers queue for hours for Record Store DayVinyl-lovers across the South East are among those enjoying Record Store Day at independent shops.12 hrs ago15 hrs agoLife after winning Race Across the WorldAlfie Watts' next goal involves one of the country's favourite shows.15 hrs ago18 hrs agoOpera bosses credit pop star Rosalía for artform's 'surge of support' The WNO credits the success of Rosalía and the rise of so-called "opera aesthetics" on social media.18 hrs ago18 hrs agoPals and personality - how Amy Macdonald keeps her feet on the groundThe Bishopbriggs singer has experienced nearly two decades of fame, but says she has the same two best friends she had at school.18 hrs ago18 hrs agoTurner Contemporary receives £865k funding awardThe funding comes as part of the government's £1.5bn Arts Everywhere Fund.18 hrs ago21 hrs agoInside the site at the heart of the vinyl revivalThe BBC gets a glimpse inside the UK's largest vinyl distributor for Record Store Day 2026.21 hrs ago21 hrs agoArtist Alison Lapper aims to encourage othersAlison Lapper from Worthing, in Sussex is displaying her latest artwork in a London exhibition.21 hrs ago1 day agoZimbabwe's iconic stone birds were taken by colonialists. Finally, they're all back homeFor centuries the prized sculptures, central to national identity, have been kept outside Zimbabwe's borders. 1 day ago1 day agoHe made jazz under air raids - and built an Indian city's music sceneWar correspondent, jazz bandleader and impresario, KC Sen shaped Kolkata’s music scene.1 day ago1 day agoSinger D4vd arrested on suspicion of murdering teenage girlThe remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found in the singer's car last year.1 day ago1 day agoNew artwork celebrates history of River FossA new 50-metre-wide mural in York showcases the importance of the River Foss to the city. 1 day ago1 day agoU2 among mourners at funeral of 'first lady of Celtic music' Moya BrennanThe singer came to prominence when she began performing with her family in the group Clannad, which formed in 1970.1 day ago...