These Easy Air Fryer Recipes Will Make You Want To Abandon Your Conventional Oven

Meredith Holser
Jan 25, 2024
easy air fryer recipes

Air fryers have truly revolutionized the cooking process, and we'd argue that they're the perfect kitchen appliance! Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods since they don't use an excessive amount of oil, but they still produce the same crazily crispy result.

"Just like a microwave, you can reheat and cook things easily in the air fryer," says Jennifer West, co-owner of Air Frying Foodie and co-author of Air Fryer All Day. "The difference is the way the food turns out, it always seems better when made in the air fryer. My air fryer has replaced both my toaster, my oven, and my microwave as I toast, cook, and reheat almost everything in the air fryer."

Spruce up your weekly go-to dishes by following these easy air fryer recipes. We've got you covered on all the basics, but the vegan air fryer recipes and healthy air fryer recipes are also 100% worth exploring if you're looking to refresh your busy weeknight meals. Since you can make just about anything in an air fryer, there are even some sweet air-fried treats waiting for you at the bottom of this post. 😉

Whether you're a seasoned air fryer enthusiast or a newcomer to this culinary shortcut, our carefully curated selection of air fryer recipes is sure to elevate your cooking experience and leave you + your fam's taste buds craving more!

What is the best thing to cook in an air fryer?

The best thing to cook in an air fryer is foods that don’t take a long time and are easy to crisp up. Veggies tossed in spices and olive oil, chicken wings, salmon, potatoes, and bacon are all great foods to start with!

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer?

Though the air fryer is versatile, there are still some things you shouldn’t put in it. It’s best to not cook plain cheese, anything with a wet batter, bread, soups, stews, or burger patties.

What is the best meat to air fry?

The best meat to air fry is chicken, especially if it’s an air fryer recipe for chicken wings. But you've gotta cook it right! Co-owner of Air Frying Foodie and co-author of Air Fryer All Day, Rebecca Abbott, offers her expertise in cooking meat in the air fryer:

"Most meats only require a very light brushing of olive oil, which allows for a few things. It helps prevent the meat from sticking to the basket, and helps seasonings adhere to the meat," she says. "Most of the time we use olive oil or avocado oil, particularly because they have a high smoke point, and the flavor doesn’t overpower or alter the meats being cooked."

Can I fry eggs in an air fryer?

Yes, you can fry eggs in an air fryer, either in an air fryer-safe ramekin or foil shaped into a cup shape.

How to clean an air fryer?

It's important to regularly clean your air fryer so it can operate at its highest level. Abbott recommends wiping down the air fryer basket, racks, and the heating element in your air fryer down after every use, once cooled.

The Best Air Fryer Cookbooks

Air Fryer All Day by Rebecca Abbott and Jennifer West

Air Fryer Cookbook: 600 Effortless Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users by Jenson William

Simple Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures: Easy Recipes for Beginners with Tips & Tricks to Fry, Grill, Roast, and Bake by Cecily Goodwin

The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook For Beginners: 1500 Days Super-Easy, Energy-Saving & Delicious Air Fryer Recipes for Everyday Homemade Meals by Jayden M. Kessler

The Basics Of Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Salmon

There are just some dishes that, once you make them in your air fryer, you won't go back to cooking them any other way. Air fryer salmon is one of the tastiest basic foods to learn how to make in an air fryer. The best part about this recipe is that it's highly customizable based on the seasonings you add in. (via Brit + Co)

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These air-fried chicken wings do not shy away from spice, which is why they're one of the best things to make in an air fryer! The key for cooking them evenly is avocado oil due to its high smoke point. Plus, these wings are Hailey Bieber-approved! (via Brit + Co)

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

We don't care if chicken tenders are giving more kids' meal vibes – they're such a yummy option for when you want to eat something simple. This air fryer recipe takes minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. (via Brit + Co)

Air Fryer Vegetables

You can easily air fry any veggie, but this exact medley of Brussels sprouts, onion, and bell pepper speaks to the soul the way no other mix can. Each bite turns out equally crispy and tender, thanks to the air fryer! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Air Fryer Shrimp

This crunchy shrimp tops all air fryer recipes because even though it only takes 15 minutes to make, it still tastes (and looks) super fancy. The whole fam will go crazy for these lil' shrimpies as an appetizer or main dish! (via Well Plated)

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Forget the sticky, slimy Brussels sprouts you ate (or honestly, avoided eating) throughout your childhood. It's time to discover the true magic of air-fried sprouts! This dense, leafy veg turns out absolutely ahh-mazing in the air fryer, and you can even doctor 'em up with some fun spices of your choosing. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

You'll form these healthy meatballs from a simple mix of ground turkey, herbs, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese to bind it all together. You could cook them on the stovetop or in the oven, but the ease of the air fryer is undeniable and it gives these balls such an addicting texture! (via The Fast Recipe)

Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer

If your air fryer is big enough, you can totally cook a whole chicken in it and end up with some useful leftovers for lunch and beyond. This recipe calls to soak the bird in a flavorful Greek-inspired marinade for up to 4 hours before air frying it for 40 minutes. Not too shabby! (via Vikalinka)

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

You may think you know crispy, but these air-fried smashed potatoes take the term to a whole new level. These also earn a ton of delicious flavor from Italian seasonings and grated cheese. Serve them with a dish of aioli to really amp up the meal! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Air Fryer Tofu

Air fryer tofu is a must-know fundamental food. Once perfected, you can add it to salads, sandwiches, or even just eat it on its own with a cool dip. To get the super-crispy result, you'll need to dedicate some extra time to pressing the moisture out of the tofu block and marinating it well – don't worry, these steps are so worth it. (via Well Plated)

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Popping your taters in the air fryer is simply so much easier than firing up your conventional oven and waiting for it to reach the desired temp. To make this air fryer recipe a more complete meal, serve the potatoes with sautéed veggies and/or chili. (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Meatloaf is always a reliable crowd-pleaser, and the best part about making it in the air fryer is that it takes a lot less time and uses a lot less dishes than usual. You can even make this now and freeze the leftovers to enjoy later on. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Fried Rice

You're telling me an air fryer fried this rice?! Yes. Yes, indeed. The air fryer is the ultimate lazy girl appliance – especially for this recipe – because all you have to do is mix cooked rice, frozen veggies, tofu cubes, soy sauce, and sesame oil together and let the air fryer do its thing. (via The Edgy Veg)

Photo by Debby Wolvos

Basalmic + Goat Cheese Pizza in the Air Fryer

"We couldn’t decide what’s to love more about this dish — the fact that you can make delicious pizza in your air fryer using store-bought pizza dough (doesn’t get much easier than that!), OR that it gives any restaurant-made version a run for its money," West and Abbott said. Here's how to make this easy pizza recipe!

Ingredients:

  • Avocado or olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for the basket if not using cooking spray or parchment paper)
  • ½ medium red onion, quartered and sliced thin (about ½ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
  • ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
  • ½ cup packed arugula, stems removed and torn or chopped

Directions:

  1. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray, olive oil, or parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
  2. In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion starts to turn light brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is golden and caramelized, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
  4. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll out the dough until it is roughly the size of your air fryer basket. Roll the edges inward by about 1 inch to create a crust. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared basket.
  5. Evenly spread the caramelized onion over the dough. Top with the goat cheese and arugula.
  6. Air fry for 9 to 11 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Use a spatula to gently transfer the pizza to a cutting board. Slice and enjoy hot! (via Air Fryer All Day)

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Hot honey steps up to the plate in this chicken-based air fryer recipe, providing a sweet n' spicy impression that'll really help you switch up your mealtimes. Eat it on its own, with a pasta dish, or on top of a fresh salad! (via Averie Cooks)

Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli

Your next dinner party appetizer has arrived. These toasted raviolis get nice and crispy in the air fryer, all while maintaining their cheesiness on the inside. Serve with store-bought or homemade red sauce to elevate the snacking experience! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds cook just as easily in the air fryer as they would in a regular oven, plus they're extremely simple to customize with savory or sweet spices. (via Hello Little Home)

Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

This easy pizza recipe leverages tortillas as the base, so you don't have to spend time proofing and rolling out actual dough. The air fryer crisps up the "crust" and perfectly melts the cheese down into the red sauce. If you need a lightning-speed fast snack, look no further than this air fryer recipe! (via Rachel Mansfield)

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These bad boys are a guaranteed tailgate classic, but you can whip 'em up any time, thanks to the ease of the all-mighty air fryer. Just look at that beautiful browning on top! (via Cilantro Parsley)

Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

These easy broc + cheese-filled patties make a wonderful after-work snack or a shareable app for movie night. They feature a healthy twist, being made with quinoa and eggs! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Photo by Debby Wolvos

Honey-Glazed Beef Skewers

"Soy sauce and honey are the secret ingredients for these sticky-sweet yet savory skewers. With just a handful of ingredients (and minutes), you’ll have an impressively flavorful main that’s as delicious as it is fun to eat," West and Abbott said. Here's how to make 'em:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound top sirloin steak
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • Avocado or olive oil cooking spray (optional)

Directions:

  1. Slice sirloin into ¼-inch strips, roughly 6 to 8 inches in length. Thread the steak pieces onto metal or wooden skewers lengthwise. Set aside.
  2. In a shallow bowl or large plastic zip-top bag, combine ¼ cup of the honey plus the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the sauce to a small bowl and set aside. Add the skewers to the remaining sauce and coat well. Allow the meat to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with air fryer parchment paper. Transfer the skewers to the basket and air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes. The meat should be browned.
  4. While the skewers cook, make the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons honey with the reserved 2 tablespoons marinade. Once the skewers have finished cooking, brush them with the glaze to coat. Serve immediately. (via Air Fryer All Day)

Air Fryer Olives

Get a martini (or two) ready, because these air fryer olives are all you'll want to snack on during happy hour. You can use any type of olive you please, but we recommend using whole stuffed (either with pimentos or cheese) ones to maximize the bite! (via This Wife Cooks)

Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Byeeee! With this tender garlic bread, we've died and gone to carb heaven. In the air fryer, this garlic bread recipe gets all melty and crunchy all at the same time! Just you wait for the cheese pull. (via Vikalinka)

Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

This air fryer recipe is as easy as cutting up a sweet potato, tossing the strands in oil and seasonings, and cooking them for about 20 minutes. Bonus points if you make a sauce (perhaps a fresh chimichurri?) for dipping! This pick would be stunning alongside some turkey burgers. (via The Girl On Bloor)

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

This healthy air fryer recipe is also keto-friendly, supplying an addictively crunchy bite every. single. time. If you ask us, these totally beat your regular ol' potato chips by a mile. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Air Fryer Sesame Tofu + Broccoli

This healthy dish features a delicious, healthy balance between protein, grains, and veg. You'll get everything you could possibly want from a meal, leaving you satisfied after you gobble it up. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Air Fryer Green Beans

Green beans get worlds better in the air fryer, because the outsides turn crisp while the insides get cooked to tender goodness. Don't be afraid to make some bold choices with additional salt + fresh lemon! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Air Fryer Eggplant

Just like Brussels sprouts improve in the air fryer, eggplant does, too. The best way to enjoy air-fried eggplant is to dice it up real small and let the pieces cook until evenly browned. Again, this air fryer recipe is easily customizable to your tastes depending on the spices you apply. (via Live Eat Learn)

Air Fryer Everything Bagel Chicken Roll-Ups

Let's hear it for those low-carb air fryer recipes! These chicken roll-ups are extremely juicy, cheesy, and creamy, making for a filling *and* fulfilling snack or starter. Get generous with the everything bagel seasoning – it adds some nice crunchy texture, too! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Low-Carb Air Fried Chicken BBQ Wings

These wonderful wings comply to the rules of Paleo, Whole30, and keto diets. The air fryer cuts down on overall cooking time, plus this air fryer recipe is only three ingredients to keep things simple AF. (via Olive You Whole)

Air Fryer Falafel

Falafel balls are *so* fun to add to salads or pita wraps. You can also take this recipe and form the mixture into patties for a Mediterranean-style sammie! Make sure to slather on some tzatziki for added flavor! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

Vegan Potato Tacos

These potato-filled vegan tacos are simple, but they're anything but bland! The stuffing consists of potatoes, dairy-free cheese, and a ton of tasty seasonings. You'll air fry 'em for 10-12 minutes, which results in a magically crunchy plant-based snack for the whole fam to fall in love with. (via The Edgy Veg)

Air Fryer Kale

Cooking kale in the air fryer is the ultimate quick meal hack – letting it crisp up for a couple minutes gives the leaves an astounding texture to top off pastas and winter saladswith extra nutrition. (via Gastroplant)

Air Fried Buffalo Tofu

Buffalo sauce is gonna get us every time! Its zingy, spicy flavors go exceptionally well with tender tofu cuts. This air fryer recipe yields pieces to easily put in wraps and salads! (via This Wife Cooks)

Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms

Everyone knows mushrooms are better when you season 'em up and cook them down, but making them in the air fryer is an underrated technique for achieving the very same delicious outcome. (via Cozy Cravings)

Air Fryer Chickpeas

You can bake a big batch of these air-fried chickpeas to store in the fridge for days and reheat them little by little in the air fryer when needed. These flavor-packed ones are perfect contenders for adding protein to your wraps, salads, Sweetgreen-esque grain bowls, and more. (via The Girl On Bloor)

Air Fryer Frozen Okra

Make things even more straightforward with the air fryer by using frozen veg instead of fresh! If you've got a pack of frozens just begging to be used, get inspired by this okra recipe that elevates your go-to convenient choice. (via Give Recipe)

Air Fryer Avocado Fries

Take a creamy avo to culinary heaven by coating some slices in a breadcrumb mix and air frying them for about 10 minutes! You'll be amazed at how delicious (and easy) this app is. (via Gastroplant)

Sweet Air Fryer Recipes

Photo by Debby Wolvos

Air Fried Crème Brûlée

"Between the assumption that you need a culinary school degree to make it and a French degree to spell it, crème brûlée seems like one of those way-too-fussy desserts to mess around with at home. But we assure you that if you’re willing to follow the (very simple) steps, you’ll be rewarded with the most lusciously rewarding dessert we’ve ever come up with," West and Abbott said. Here's how to make this fancy dessert in your air fryer:

Ingredients:

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar, plus more for serving
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Fresh berries, for serving

​Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Continue whisking until they are well combined and a nice yellow/orange color, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the cream, vanilla, and cinnamon (if using). Continue whisking as the mixture begins to gently simmer, then continue whisking for about another 30 seconds. Remove the pot from the heat. 
  3. While whisking continuously, gradually pour the cream mixture into the egg yolks. Continue whisking until the mixture is well incorporated.
  4. Preheat the air fryer at 350°F. Divide the mixture between four 4-ounce ramekins. They should be about three-quarters full. Place the ramekins in the air fryer basket and air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and still slightly jiggly (it will firm up as it cools).
  5. Allow the crème brûlée to cool before topping with a sprinkling of sugar (about 1 tablespoon per ramekin). You could also transfer them to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. When ready to serve, use a kitchen torch or oven broiler to caramelize the sugar until bubbling and browned. Garnish with berries and serve warm or cold! (via ​Air Fryer All Day​)

Air Fryer Apples

Typical apple desserts take tons of time, but not this air fryer recipe. All you need to do is core and slice up an apple of your choosing, let it air fry until soft and tender, then pour over the sticky-sweet mixture of butter, cinnamon, and sugar that emulate a tasty homemade apple crisp! (via A Virtual Vegan)

Air Fryer Cookie

Did you know you can air fry pre-made cookie dough?! We are in awe. Chocolate chip-dotted dough (or any kind you like) can be cooked in a small ramekin or on top of some parchment paper in the air fryer for a freshly-baked cookie in minutes. (via The Edgy Veg)

Vegan Banana Bread Oats

Baked oats are delectable, and you'll find that using your air fryer to make them in a pinch only adds to their deliciousness. There are tons of baked oats recipes out there, but you can't really beat the whole banana bread + chocolate combo, like, ever. (via Munching with Mariyah)

Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

This breakfast-y air fryer recipe is pure nostalgia. Just be careful when you're cooking the batter-soaked bread pieces – a layer of parchment paper may be helpful in keeping your air fryer clean and the sticks from oozing all over the place. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Air Fryer Peaches

This peachy air fryer recipe is what all your dreams are made of! The peaches turn warm and tender, the perfect host for a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream and some cobbler crumbles. (via Gastroplant)

Air Fryer Banana Split

This healthy dessert has it all – a creamy, sweet banana, crunchy nuts, and optionally, some chocolate – we can't resist! If you're craving a sweet treat and need it quick, this air fryer recipe is the one for you. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Take the time to craft this cookie dough from scratch, then watch all your hard work bake away seamlessly in the air fryer. Get a glass of milk ready, because these bites are devilishly sweet! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Discover more easy recipes with Brit + Co!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via The Girl On Bloor.

This post has been updated.

"Narnia" Reportedly Starts Filming This Summer

My Facebook bio reads "I have a Narnia quote for every occasion," and the sentiment rings true. The hope and wonder found inside The Chronicles of Narnia played a huge role in shaping who I am as a writer and as a human. I'm a part of a Facebook group and keep up with some online forums, which means that I can spot clickbait or a fake poster from a mile away.

After Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia in 2018, I was on the edge of my seat to see who would be involved. So, as you can imagine, when it was finally confirmed that Greta Gerwig (who directed 2019's Little Women, the other story that has heavily influenced my life) would write and direct the next two movies in the Narnia universe, I told *everyone.*

Although the books are no stranger to controversy, I'm confident Greta Gerwig will handle them with grace and tact because she has a knack for bringing stories into the 21st century while still feeling true to their original heart.

When is The Chronicles of Narnia coming out?

Image via Walt Disney Studios

It looks like we could see Narnia in 2026. Via What's On Netflix, filming will reportedly begin this August and will last around seven months. Check back here for more info on filming and the cast!

Who's in Greta Gerwig's Narnia cast?

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

While we also don't have word on Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia cast yet, after a reunion with actress Brie Larson at the 2024 Golden Globes (the two women starred in 2010's Greenberg together), X users are hoping the Oscar winner will make an appearance! "She need to get in Narnia somehow," one user said when they retweeted a video of the reunion. The reunion in question features Brie hopping like a bunny over to Greta, who squeals as they hug each other. I don't know about you, but that's exactly how I greet my friends IRL.

"When [Brie Larson] gets the Best Supporting Actress nomination for playing the White Witch, wait," one user added.

Saoirse Ronan told The Wrap at the Sundance Film Festival that she's already asked to be in Greta Gerwig's Narnia movies! The actress played the lead in two of Greta's films: Jo March in Little Women and the titular character in Ladybird. When asked whether she's already asked to be in The Chronicles of Narnia, Saoirse responds with a firm "yes." "We have that kind of relationship where I’m like 'So I’ll be in the next one!,'" she says.

However, it looks like we do have an idea of who we *won't* see in the cast. Original Narnia cast member William Moseley (who played Peter Pevensie) recently told Bleeding Cool he doesn't expect to get a call from Greta Gerwig: "I’m not part of that world anymore, which sometimes makes me sad because I love the world of Narnia and becoming a part of it."

"In terms of what I think about Greta Gerwig directing, I think she’s incredible," he continues. "Barbie was an amazing movie, and Little Woman was brilliant. Everything she touches turns gold, so I think Netflix is lucky to have her, and I’m sure she will embrace the challenge. I hope she enjoys it because it’s an incredible world to create, and I can’t wait to see what she produces."

Which Narnia story is Greta Gerwig adapting?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media

The specific Narnia movies the writer and director is making haven't been named, but an interview with TIME says that Greta Gerwig is adapting "the first book" in the series. The only hiccup is that they don't confirm whether they mean the first book chronologically (The Magician's Nephew) or the first book C.S. Lewis published (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe). I'm thinking it'll be The Magician's Nephew since we've never seen that story onscreen.

“[The films] won’t be counter to how the audience may have imagined those worlds,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos tells TIME, “but it will be bigger and bolder than they thought.”

While we don't have official confirmation on which movie Greta Gerwig is adapting, we know she wants it to have even more of an impact than Barbie.

"I want to make it feel like magic," she says. “C.S. Lewis said that the goal of writing fantasy — you know, something from his imagination — he’d say, let’s say you wrote about an enchanted forest. The goal would be that then every time you walk into a forest after you read it, you’d say to yourself, ‘maybe this is an enchanted forest.’ So that’s a tall order, but I guess re-enchantment of the world [is my goal].”

It looks like we can expect to come away from Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia movies with even more love for the world, more childlike wonder, and more courage and kindness towards each other — and I am totally here for it.

How long has Greta Gerwig wanted to make a Chronicles of Narnia movie?

Image viaChang Ho/Warner Bros. Entertainment

Like the intentional planner she is, Greta Gerwig actually thought about directing a Narnia movie way before her involvement was ever confirmed.

"I’m writing and I’m sort of starting to dream and think about what I’m approaching," she says on The Empire Film Podcast. "I would say the land of Narnia is equally exciting and terrifying. I have nothing really to report on it other than it’s something I was actually talking about before I made Barbie. So, that’s been sort of in my unconscious working its way through. But that has been a pattern. I wrote a draft of Little Women before I made Lady Bird."

Narnia, Little Women, Barbie — Greta Gerwig has a knack for turning our beloved childhood stories into something complex and emotional that resonates with us even more as adults!

“I’m slightly in the place of terror because I really do have such reverence for Narnia,” Greta tells BBC Radio 4. “I loved Narnia so much as a child. As an adult, C.S. Lewis is a thinker and a writer. I’m intimidated by doing this. It’s something that feels like a worthy thing to be intimidated by."

"As a non-British person, I feel a particular sense of wanting to do it correctly," she continues. "It’s like when Americans do Shakespeare, there’s a slight feeling of reverence and as if maybe we should treat it with extra care. It is not our countryman.”

Are these new The Chronicles of Narnia movies a continuation or a reboot?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media

We don't have any info yet on whether this adaptation will pick up where The Voyage of the Dawn Treader left off, whether it will be a remake of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, or if it will be a totally new story within the Narnia universe (similar to Prime Video's The Rings of Power).

I'm personally anticipating that it will be the first option because I would love to see Greta bring something like The Magician's Nephew (which has never been adapted) to life onscreen.

What is The Chronicles of Narnia about?

Image via Disney Enterprises/Walden Media

The Chronicles of Narnia revolves around the fictional land of Narnia, and the children in our world who find it. Time passes differently in Narnia than it does on earth, which means that even though around 50 years pass for the characters, they find themselves in a different decade or century every time they reenter the magical land.

Each book has themes like good vs. evil, family, and identity as the characters face different challenges and adventures. The coolest thing about these books is how open-ended C.S. Lewis wrote them — because your own personal experiences, life lessons, and worldview impact your imagination, you have a different experience every time you read them.

“It’s connected to the folklore and fairy stories of England, but it’s a combination of different traditions,” Greta Gerwig tells TIME. “As a child, you accept the whole thing—that you’re in this land of Narnia, there’s fauns, and then Father Christmas shows up. It doesn’t even occur to you that it’s not schematic. I’m interested in embracing the paradox of the worlds that Lewis created, because that’s what’s so compelling about them.”

Are these new The Chronicles Of Narnia movies for Netflix?

Image via Twentieth Century Fox Fim Corporation/Walden Media

Yes! Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia (which were previously held by Walden Media) in 2018, but there wasn't much news for the next few years. The New Yorker confirmed that Greta is attached to write and direct these Narnia Netflix films in the near future.

Why did Disney stop making Narnia movies?

Image via Courtesy 20th Century Fox/Walden Media

The final Chronicles of Narnia adaptation for Disney was 2010's The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Even though the film set up a sequel, issues with the rights ended the film series early.

The Chronicles Of Narnia Adaptations To Watch

Image via Pierre Vinet/Disney Enterprises, Inc/Walden Media, LLC/IMDb

Animated Film:

BBC Miniseries:

Disney Feature Films:

Are you excited for Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia movies? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Facebook for more movie news!

Lead image via Chang Ho/Warner Bros. Entertainment

This post has been updated.

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6 Crazy "Outer Banks" Opinions That Would Totally Change The Show

I'll admit out of the many teen dramas I've consumed, Outer Banks is one of the most ridiculous. But the insanity surrounding the plot is half the reason it's enjoyable! John B. wrestling an alligator with his bare hands? Kiara getting kidnapped then making a daring escape in her PJ's? John B. and Sarah getting married (kind of) by the power of "the sky, the stars, and the sea" after escaping the SBI?

Considering my favorite fan theory for the future is that Madelyn Cline's Sarah and Rudy Pankow's JJ learn they're secret siblings, I know the crazy train isn't slowing down anytime soon. I took to Reddit to find the wildest Outer Bankshot takes and I was not disappointed. Keep reading to see if you agree with any!

JJ and Kiara Never Should Have Happened

Image via Netflix

While JJ and Kiara is one of the most popular ships on the show, a lot of Outer Banks fans think the "no Pogue-on-Pogue macking" rule from the pilot should have stayed in effect. The individual romances between Kiara and JJ, John B., and Pope make the story really messy, and the fact the show writes Kiara to be with all three of them in the span of three years gives a lot of viewers the ick.

I'll be team #Jiara forever (and literally screamed when The Backseat Lovers' "Kilby Girl" started playing during the motorcycle ride in season 3), but I'll say it would incredibly compelling to see a friend group take care of each other as much as the Pogues do without ever crossing over into romantic territory. That's found family, after all!

Pope Should Have Ditched The Treasure Hunt

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One Reddit user is convinced that "Pope should’ve focused on his future in school instead of giving everything up to search for treasure." And TBH, I totally agree.

In season 1, Pope has a breakthrough about the hidden treasure in the middle of his scholarship interview. He ditches the scholarship committee to tell the rest of the Pogues, throwing away a crazy educational opportunity. Pope beats himself up for it, and his parents definitely aren't pleased, but at least it meant he got to stay in the show instead of leaving for college, which leads me to...

Outer Banks Should Have Started With The Pogues In Their 20s

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As one of the only people alive who loves the post-time jump One Tree Hill, I would have loved to see OBX start off with the characters in their 20s (although it looks like that's where Outer Banks season 4 will pick up!). This would eliminate SO MANY problems from the jump because the Pogues wouldn't have to worry about missing school, they'd be more self-sufficient, and instead of being the same old high school drama, it could have provided a commentary on figuring out life in your 20s the same way Friends did.

Rafe Shouldn't Have Any Kind Of Redemption Arc In Outer Banks Season 4

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Drew Starkey the man that you are. According to one Reddit user, "Rafe should not have a love interest or a redemption arc" like we see in season 3. We spent all of season 1 and season 2 establishing that Rafe (played by Drew) would do anything it took to get what he wanted (including one successful murder and two other attempts?!). He shows next to no remorse for his actions, and exploring his literal psychopathic tendencies would take the show to a whole new level.

Big John Should Never Have Returned

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John B.'s dad's disappearance is the catalyst for the Pogues' journey at the beginning of Outer Banks, and Big John's return means the story feels somewhat repetitive in the third season, and it undoes a lot of the growth we've seen from John B. Plus, Big John is just SO chaotic, selfish, and dramatic. If he had truly died in season 1, we could have seen John B. wrestle with that finality, and how to cope with loss in the face of finding the treasure and falling in love with Sarah.

And Finally, Outer Banks Should Have Ended After Season 1

Image via Netflix

Outer Banks season 1 was exactly what we needed at the height of the pandemic. It was escapist — both in terms of the beach vacation vibes, but also because the '00s aesthetic took us right back to simpler times — and it had such a wonderfully resolved finale that some fans think nothing has matched it.

Do you agree with any of these Outer Banks opinions? I'm such a romance fan, I don't know what I'd do if the show didn't have JJ and Kiara get together! Check out all the best New TV Shows coming this year for more.

Lead image via Netflix

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Reese Witherspoon's Book Club Just Announced Its Rom-Com Pick For May!

After compiling my vacation reads, I'm *finally* ready to start combing through Reese Witherspoon's Book Club list. Her revelation about reading books in her cover feature interview with Harper's Bazaar made me realize I need to step my game up ASAP.

Her admirable hobby - that's since led her to create a bourgeoning book club— continues to highlight books with women at the center, girl does she have a great eye for stories that fit every mood. To date, her book club list has amassed over 90 titles of romantic beach reads, thrillers, and more.

Since it's a new year and we're sure you not ready to tackle that many titles, I went through the list to pick the top 26 books worth diving into. Buckle up because they're sure to take our emotions on a ride! After you finish your TBR (To Be Read list), check out 24 Standout Reads From Jenna Bush Hager's Book Club, 20 Captivating Shondaland Book Club Picks, and 16 Must-Reads From The Oprah Winfrey Book Club!

May 2024: How to End a Love Story

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Trigger warning: This book mentions suicide and grief.
Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard are bound by an event that changed their lives forever. Before you ask, it's not a steamy one night stand where one of them ghosted the other.
Their paths actually crossed because of a pivotal accident that neither of them saw coming and it caused Helen to view Grant as her worst enemy for years. However, time passed and they moved on to separately create lucrative careers. What they couldn't have expected was for their paths to cross, especially not at work.
Given the amazing opportunity to be a writer for the TV adaption of her own successful YA books, Helen anxiously travels to LA to accept the position and hit the reset button on her life. She has a brief moment of euphoria until she realizes that Grant will also be in the writer's room.
Now they'll have to confront their complicated feelings for each other in order not to derail their jobs and lives. They know it's impossible for them to have a true love story, but sometimes the messiness of life is all it takes for two people to find common ground and decide how they want their stories to end.

April 2024: The Most Fun We Ever Had

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fell in love, all they knew is that nothing could shake their foundation. Despite their unwavering hope in the past, their current reality looks differently than they imagined. Their four daughters — Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace — each have a unique set of problems that creates of chaos for the family. From the loss of one's husband to the secrets the youngest daughter keeps, the Sorensons are never quite sure what to expect.

In a shocking turn of events, a young man — Jonah Bendt — shows up and reveals that one of the daughters is his mom. He was placed up for adoption some time ago, but he's ready to come home to learn more about his biological family. There may be drama in The Most Fun We Ever Had, but there's still a family who finds a way back to the love that Marilyn and David have always believed in.

March 2024: Anita De Monte Laughs Last 

Art student Raquel only comes Anita de Monte's story after she starts feeling like she's starting to make a name for herself among College Hill's socialites. The more she learns about how Anita's life was horrifically cut short, she starts drawing parallels between their lives. It's almost like history is repeating itself and it's hitting too close to home.

As Gonzalez alternates between both of their perspectives, Raquel and Anita's lives begin to intersect in a way that makes Anita de Monte Laughs Last the kind of novel that'll have you thinking about it longer after you finish the last page.

February 2024: "Redwood Court" by DéLana R.A. Dameron

Redwood Court reads like a historical love letter to Black families and contains relationships that remind me of my own family. When Mika Tabor starts asking questions about her family's history, she receives much more than her class assignment asked for. The more she listens to her grandparents and observes her parents, she realizes they've been telling her meaningful stories all along. From tales of racism to the sweet grasp of a world that began moving past obvious racial tension, this novel offers a glimpse into the homes of many Black families.

While I often say I'd like to pass down books to my kids, Redwood Court has become something that I feel is mandatory to read.

January 2024: "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston

Reese's Book Club is coming in hot with their first pick of the year! This thriller of a reader is all about "Evie Porter" and her separate identities. One paints the picture of who she truly is, but her job places her in the position of assuming a new name in order to complete the mission given to her by Mr. Smith. She's never met Mr. Smith, her boss, but she has the inkling that her latest mission hits a little too close to home.

Does he know more about her than she realizes and can she successfully fulfill the goal he has for? Buy your copy of First Lie Wins today to find out!

December 2023: "Before We Were Innocent" by Ella Berman

What would you do if you knew a terrible secret that involved the death of one of your best friends? In Before We Were Innocent, Bess and Joni find themselves trying to escape answering this. However, some things are hard to bury — especially when the past comes knocking in the form of Joni. Will the two former best friends be able to maintain their innocence or will they have to accept the truth about themselves?

November Pick: "Maybe Next Time" by Cesca Major

If the past few years have felt like you've been stuck in a weird time loop, you'll love this page turner by Cesca Major. Maybe Next Time follows Emma as she navigates being a busy literary agent, wife and mother - except she only seems to have time for her career. When her husband is involved in a tragic car accident, Emma finds herself distraught only to wake up and see him alive again.

As the scenario continues to repeat, Emma will have to dig deep inside herself to correct patterns she's been a part of her to save not only her husband but life as she knows it.

October Pick: "Starling House" by Alix E. Harrow

Starling House is a daring tale of what happens when dreams meet determination, grit and evil. All Opal wants to do is create a haven for herself and her brother Jasper but she'll have to fight for it once she finds herself in the mysterious mansion of author E. Starling. In the depths of the shadows, she'll come face to face with things that'll test her resilience.

September Pick: "Mother-Daughter Murder Night" by Nina Simon 

Image via Target

The women of the Rubicon family have a lot to tangle with in Mother-Daughter Murder Night. When powerful matriarch Lana's granddaughter Jack becomes the prime suspect in an unsolved murder, Lana becomes determined to find a killer instead of waiting for her disease to have it's last say. Find out what Nina Simon has in store for the town the Rubicons find themselves living in.

August Pick: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett

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Tom Lake weaves a beautiful tale of remembered love and viewing the humanity of one's parent. When Lara begins to regale her three daughters of a former romance she shared with actor Peter Duke at Tome Lake, they begin to take stock of what they know about their mom as well as their own love lives.

"Romantic Comedy" by Curtis Sittenfeld 

Heartbreak has the potential to make you swear off love, which is something that late night writer Sally Milz knows all too well. She's also a firm believer in the "Danny Horst Rule," the phenomenon where average looking men exclusively date women more attractive than them — until pop star Noah Brewster shows up to host the late night show. Join her for an intoxicating love ride that makes her change her perspective.

"Where The Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens 

If you love a good romance-murder mystery, you'll fall in love with Kya's story. After the town's golden boy winds up dead, everyone in town begins blaming Kya for his murder. With heartbreak and triumph woven throughout, Where The Crawdads Sing will become the summer read you can't put down.

"The House of Eve" by Sadeqa Johnson

Even when forbidden, love seems to find a way in The House of Eve. 15-year-old Ruby is set to be her family's first college attendee, until it appears a scandalous affair will bring her back into poverty. Meanwhile, Eleanor's in love with William, a member of an elite Black family in D.C. that doesn't let just anyone in. The lives of both women will collide in an unexpected way as they forge their own paths.

"The House in the Pines" by Ana Reyes 

Maya witnessed her friend's sudden death in the woods seven years ago. Now, with nothing except a few hazy memories, she's determined to figure out what she saw, and who's behind it. The House In The Pines is proof that sometimes our past — and their secrets — don't stay dead.

"Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed 

Life can feel like a dumpster fire sometimes which is why Tiny Beautiful Things feels like a soothing hug. If you love advice columns, you'll love the beautiful compilation of questions "Dear Sugar" answers within the pages as Clare sets out to offer advice while her own life falls apart. After you read the book, check out our interview with Sarah Pidgeon, who stars in the Hulu series!

"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng 

New friends Mia and Elena are pitted against each other when everyone in town splits over a custody battle. Adapted into a mini-series on Hulu at the beginning of the pandemic, Little Fires Everywhere is a tale that shows everything isn't always what it seems, and there are always secrets to be discovered.

"Wrong Place, Wrong Time" by Gillian McAllister 

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a novel that explores the lengths a mother is willing to take to prevent her son from doing something unspeakable. Will she be able to piece together clues in time or will all hope remain lost?

"Daisy Jones and The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

This titular novel turned Emmy award-nominated Amazon Prime series Daisy Jones & The Six explores the rise — and fall — of a legendary (and fictional) band.

"True Biz" by Sara Nović 

This heartwarming book about life at the River Valley School for the Deaf, and all of its students with completely different backgrounds, will make you laugh and cry with its beautiful depiction of human connection.

"The Club" by Ellery Lloyd 

If you've never liked hearing "How can you hate from outside the club? You can't even get in," you'll be glad you're not a part of this members-only society. The club has been pushed to its limit and everyone has something to hide.

"The Christie Affair" by Nina de Gramont 

Nan infiltrates Agatha Christie's home in 1925, intent on luring her husband away. There's something about love, affairs, and dark secrets that make for a good read, and you won't be able to get enough of this tale where things aren't always what they seem.

"Lucky" by Marissa Stapley 

"She's so lucky" ...or is she? Lucky redefines what it means to be honest when the titular character completes a million-dollar heist, and is left stranded by the very people who taught her how to scam.

"Sankofa" by Chibundu Onuzo 

When Anna learns the father she never knew is still alive, she travels to West Africa in search of answers. The tale of self-discovery through one's history, as well as the themes of home and belonging, is something we all long to understand at some point.

"L.A. Weather" by María Amparo Escandón 

Families can be complicated, and the Alvarados are no different. If you're looking for a little break from your own family dynamics, you'll get a kick out of reading along as they navigate evacuations, relationship problems, and their father's obsession with the Weather Channel.

"The Paper Palace" by Miranda Cowley Heller 

What happens when desire spills over and threatens to unravel everything two friends have built? The Paper Palace answers that as Elle must choose between continuing the life she has dedicated herself to and the life she never got to live.

"Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams 

When former lovers Eva and Shane reunite in the midst of their successful literary careers, they find that their chemistry is still as strong as it used to be. But, will the flame fizzle before their lingering questions are answered or will Eva choose vulnerability before Shane disappears again?

"The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave 

What would you do if your significant other disappeared without a trace, only leaving a cryptic note behind? In Hannah's case, she sets out on an unpredictable mission for answers — regardless of what lies ahead. After you read the book, check out our interview with Angourie Rice, who stars in the Apple TV+ series!

"The Sanatorium" by Sarah Pearse 

Le Sommet is a sanatorium-turned-luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps. Detective Elin arrives to celebrate her estranged brother Isaac's engagement to Laure, and her discomfort turns to all-out horror when Laure goes missing.

"You Have a Match" by Emma Lord 

DNA tests can reveal new information about our ancestry, but when Abby learns that she has an older sister — and that her older sister is an Instagram star — the women decide to meet up and get to the bottom of why their parents split them up in the first place.

"The Chicken Sisters" by KJ Dell'Antonia 

Nothing brings families together like food and age-old rivalries, something that sisters Amanda and Mae learn firsthand when they end up on opposite sides of a cooking competition. If you love hit TV series The Bear, you'll love The Chicken Sisters.

Other Stories On Reese Witherspoon's Book Club List

  • "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang
  • "Cassandra in Reverse" by Holly Smale
  • "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?" by Crystal Smith Paul
  • "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah
  • "The Marriage Portrait" by Maggie O'Farrell
  • "Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng
  • "On The Rooftop" by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
  • "Honey & Spice" by Bolu Babalola
  • "Counterfeit" by Kirstin Chen
  • "The Dictionary of Lost Words" by Pip Williams
  • "Anatomy" by Dana Schwartz
  • "Honor" by Thrity Umrigar
  • "The Island of Missing Trees" by Elif Shafak
  • "Within These Wicked Walls" by Lauren Blackwood
  • "We Were Never Here" by Andrea Bartz
  • "The Downstairs Girl" by Stacey Lee
  • "Tokyo Ever After" by Emiko Jean
  • "Northern Spy" by Flynn Berry
  • "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley
  • "Infinite Country" by Patricia Engel
  • "Outlawed" by Anna North
  • "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
  • "A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow" by Laura Taylor Namey
  • "Group" by Christie Tate
  • "Fable" by Adrienne Young
  • "His Only Wife" by Peace Medie Adzo
  • "Furia" by Yamile Saied Mendez
  • "The Last Story of Mina Lee" by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
  • "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Leah Johnson
  • "Everything Inside" by Edwidge Danticat
  • "I'm Still Here" by Austin Channing Brown
  • "The Guest List" by Lisa Foley
  • "The Henna Artist" by Alka Joshi
  • "UNTAMED" by Glennon Doyle
  • "The Jetsetters" by Amanda Eyre Ward
  • "The Scent Keeper" by Erica Bauermeister
  • "Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid
  • "Conviction" by Denise Mina
  • "The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moye
  • "Fair Play" by Eve Rodsky
  • "The Secrets We Kept" by Lara Prescott
  • "The Last House Guest" by Megan Miranda
  • "Whisper Network" by Chandler Baker
  • "The Cactus" by Sarah Haywood
  • "From Scratch" by Tembi Locke
  • "The Night Tiger" by Yangsze Choo
  • "The Proposal" by Jasmine Guillory
  • "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean
  • "One Day in December" by Josie Silver
  • "The Other Woman" by Sandie Jones
  • "This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel
  • "Still Lives" by Maria Hummel
  • "Next Year in Havana" by Chanel Cleeton
  • "Something in the Water" by Catherine Steadman
  • "You Think It, I'll Say It" by Curtis Sittenfeld
  • "Happiness" by Heather Harpham
  • "Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows" by Balli Kaur Jaswal
  • "The Light We Lost" by Jill Santopolo
  • "Braving the Wilderness" by Brené Brown
  • "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine
  • "The Is the Story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett
  • “The Rules of Magic” by Alice Hoffman
  • "The Lying Game" by Ruth Ware
  • "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn
  • "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman

Whether you want to challenge yourself to read a book every couple of days like Reese or choose a few books to get you through the summer, I'm sure you'll find titles to add to your growing library. I already have my eyes on Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and The Club by Ellery Lloyd!

Be sure to follow our weekly newsletter for more updates!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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Mariska Hargitay’s Powerful “Me Too” Message Proves She’s Olivia Benson IRL

Mariska Hargitay is the woman of the hour anywhere she goes, with her iconic Law & Order: SVUrole as Olivia Benson under her belt for the last 25 years. The character is an absolute advocate to women — and assault victims of any gender — through her words, actions, and powerful convictions of each perpetrator on the show. She takes great care with her victims and pursues perpetrators with fervor, and slowly as you watch the show..the line blurs between Olivia and Mariska.

This isn't anything new — just recently Mariska literally stopped production on the show to help a child (who mistook her for an actual police officer) find her mom. It's just who Mariska is. She walks the walk and talks the talk — including during her speech at Variety's Power of Women's Power of Women event.

Image via NBC Universal

As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:

Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.

Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change

It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

Image via NBC Universal

Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.

The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.

After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:

I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!

Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.

And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.

Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here

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Mariska Hargitay's Gets Emotional as She Thanks Her Support System and the Women Around Her

Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!

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Here’s When You Can Watch “Emily in Paris” Season 4

After Emily in Paris season 3 dropped on Netflix in December of 2022, we were hoping to get the fourth installment of the hit show in 2023. But production halted when the WGA writers' strike, then the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike went to affect, and our beloved cast and crew campaigned for better wages and industry protection. But with the end of the writers' strike, and new SAG negotiations, Emily in Paris season 4 finally began production in February 2024 — and I can already tell you there's sure to be plenty of drama and French fashion this time around.

Not only will we see Emily in Paris (see what I did there?!) but she's also pulling an Audrey Hepburn and taking a little Roman Holiday. That's right — our favorite Parisians are heading to Italy! If that doesn't sound like a dreamy comfort show then I don't know what does. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season of your favorite TV brain candy!!

Is Emily in Paris season 4 coming soon?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Via Variety, Emily in Paris season 4 began production in Paris the week of January 15! "Did someone say Saison Quatre?!" Lily Collins says in her Instagram post announcing production. "Finally reunited with my @emilyinparis fam back in Paris and it feels so good. Although, I may need to brush up on my selfie skills for Emily’s sake…"

Now the wait is over! According to the official announcementfor Emily in Paris, we know part one drops on Netflix August 15, followed by part 2 on September 12. I've been impatiently waiting for this considering we didn't know how filming would be impacted by things like the WGA writers strike!

Is Emily in Paris filmed in Paris?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Yes, Emily in Paris is filmed on location in Paris! We got our first look at Emily in Paris season 4 when Lily Collins and Ashley Park were seen filming in the City of Love (via Daily Mail). The costumes for the series are still as bold and bright as ever, with Ashley's Mindy wearing cobalt and metallic boots, and Lily's Emily dressed head-to-toe in lemon yellow. I can't wait to see what these best friends get up to this season! Check out our Paris travel recommendations to live out your own Emily in Paris dreams ;).

On April 27, Lily Collins confirmed Emily in Paris season 4 had wrapped its France shoot and that the cast & crew have swapped the City of Love for the Eternal City! "When you’re the first ones on the dance floor at the Paris wrap party. Next stop: Rome!" she says on Instagram. Late spring is literally the perfect time to film in Italy and I just know this season is going to give me more wanderlust than ever before. I need gelato!

What's Emily In Paris season 4 about?

Image via Netflix

Season 3 left us with a huge cliffhanger: Alfie breaks up with Emily, Camille learns she's pregnant with Gabriel's baby, Benoit's "Mon Soleil" has been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest, and Emily and Gabriel realize they've been in love with each other the whole time. Whew.

Emily in Paris season 4 will have a ton of cliffhangers to bring full circle, and a bunch of damage that all the characters need to heal. We know from the Netflix TUDUM fan event that we might also see Emily have to deal with an ultimatum head-on, as well as an unexpected twist. Plus, it looks like she's heading on a "Roman holiday," according to lead actress Lily Collins. We'll take any nod to an Audrey Hepburn movie, please and thank you!

Is Alfie coming back in season 4 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Netflix

We don't have OFFICIAL word on whether Alfie (played by Lucien Laviscount) will return for Emily in Paris season 4, but we're hoping for his sake that he gets some closure. Lucien wants to come back as well! "[The dream is] to keep this gravy train going and just to kind of really live in this world a little bit longer," he says in an interview with Elle. " The writers on the show and the creators behind it and everyone that comes into contact with it is so amazing and fantastic. Their minds [have] way, way, way, way surpassed mine. So, yeah. I’ll let them do their thing.”

Who else is in the Emily in Paris season 4 cast?

Image via Netflix

We can expect the rest of the cast — Lily Collins as Emily, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Ashley Park as Mindy, Camille Razat as Camille, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Samuel Arnold as Julian, and Bruno Gouery as Luc — to return.

Will there be a season 5 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

It looks like Emily in Paris season 4 will not be the final season, according to creator Darren Star. “There’s a lot more story to tell here and we’re not wrapping things up anytime soon,” Star tells Elle. “And also hopefully season four isn’t the end either. I feel like we’re all creatively feeling like we’re in the middle of something not heading towards the end.”

Darren also told Deadline season 4 is "not necessarily conceived as a final chapter. I think like every other show, it’s a rich ensemble. There’s no end in sight until everybody feels like it’s time to end. And I don’t think this show is limited by a number of seasons, I think it’s limited by everybody’s enthusiasm and excitement about doing it and telling stories about these characters."

We'll take as many seasons of Emily in Paris as they'll give us!!

What has the cast said about Emily in Paris season 4?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

Lucas Bravo told People he's excited for a coming-of-age for Gabriel. "When you start a character, then there's a year where you experience the world and you mature, you become another person and you come back and it's exactly the day you left off," he says. "I'm happy that in season four I'll be able to bring more of what I became and what I've experienced in the past four years."

Even though Lily Collins is now an executive producer, she doesn't want to know TOO much about the future of the show. “Darren and I speak, on occasion, about where he’s thinking of going, but he also doesn’t wanna spoil too much for me because there is a fine line,” she tells Collider. “I don’t wanna know everything because I want to be led with the writing, but I am also curious because, as a producer wanting to celebrate the other characters, I’m very curious to see what their trajectories are."

What happened at the end of Emily in Paris season 3?

Image via Netflix

To be fully prepared for Emily in Paris season 4, it's important to remember just what happened during season 3! The junior season was a bumpy ride for Emily, and it ends with the craziest finale yet. After Camille and Gabriel decide to get married, Camille stops the wedding, saying she knows Gabriel is in love with Emily instead of her. This declaration leads Alfie to break up with our leading lady because he refuses to be her second choice (and honestly, I respect it). That's not the only shocker because Camille also reveals that she's pregnant with Gabriel's child, which comes as a surprise to everyone. Meanwhile, Mindy learns Benoit has submitted a song (specifically "Mon Soleil") to the Eurovision Song Contest and Laurent has his heart set on opening a club in Paris.

Are you excited for Emily in Paris Season 4? Give us your craziest theory in the comments, and check out our Facebook for more pop culture news. Read up on how This Emily In Paris Theory Could Be Why Emily And Gabriel Aren’t Together (Yet).

Lead image via Netflix.

This post has been updated.

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