Donald Sutherland, whose performances in such films as M*A*S*H, Ordinary People and The Hunger Games proved he could portray sinister, sympathetic, comedic or tragic with equal aplomb, has died. He was 88. Sutherland died Thursday in Miami after a long illness, CAA’s Missy Davy told The Hollywood Reporter. Remarkably, Sutherland was never even nominated for a competitive Oscar, though the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made up for the oversight by giving him an honorary statuette in November 2017 at the Governors Awards. He twice collaborated with Helen Mirren – the first time in the long-forgotten “Bethune: Making of a Hero”, about the life and death of Norman Bethune, a Canadian physician who served as a combat surgeon during the Chinese Civil War. More recently, Sutherland and Mirren shared the screen in 2017’s “The Leisure Seeker”. Helen Mirren paid tribute to Sutherland via The Hollywood Reporter:

Donald Sutherland was one of the smartest actors I ever worked with. He had a wonderful enquiring brain, and a great knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. He combined this great intelligence with a deep sensitivity, and with a seriousness about his profession as an actor. This all made him into the legend of film that he became. He was my colleague and became my friend. I will miss his presence in this world. (Helen Mirren, The Hollywood Reporter, June 20, 2024)

Over the last couple of weeks I found quite some new material on last year’s “The Leisure Seeker”, so time for a proper update. While the film didn’t make a lasting impression with theatergoers due to its limited release, it has some kind of second-life since its DVD release. Videos and screencaptures from the making of and an interview with Helen and Donald Sutherland have been added, alongside additional production stills and on-set pictures. Also – I have no idea how this has passed by without any notice – Helen promoted the film’s release on The Today Show in January 2018. A full video and screencaptures from this appearance have been added as well. If you haven’t seen the film yet, it’s highly recommended.

“The Leisure Seeker” has been released on Blu-Ray earlier this month in Germany and various European countries. I’d recommend it to everyone who enjoys seeing two acting greats – or a film that takes its time to tell a story. While it was running a bit long with 2 hours and its pace is off-putting at times, this is a charming, sometimes funny and otherwise deeply moving story. While it might be missing the brilliant magic of “The Straight Story” or the wit of “Little Miss Sunshine”, “The Leisure Seeker” has its heart at the right place, and a truly outstanding acting duo in Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, whose Golden Globe nomination for the role was fully deserved. Over 1.500 screencaptures from the Blu-Ray have been added to the photo gallery. Please be aware they might contain spoilers.

Helen has had a busy week since Sunday’s Academy Awards. Not only did she pick up L’Oreal’s Women of Worth award in Toronto, Canada – she also continued the promotional tour for “The Leisure Seeker”, which was released in US theaters on Friday. All clips have been added to the video archive while screencaptures can be found in the photo gallery. Enjoy watching!

A whole bunch of new clips have been added to the video archive, all promoting the February 2 release of “Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built” and the early March release of “The Leisure Seeker”. Among the new additions are press junket interviews from the United States and the United Kingdom, a first featurette on “Winchester” and two official clips featuring Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke. To promote the film’s release, Helen will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Tuesday.

On January 10 and January 12, Helen Mirren has been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as well as on The Today Show and The View, the latter two with Donald Sutherland. The Ellen interview is funny as always, especially with Helen reminiscing on age, while the interview by Whoopi Goldberg on The View is quite emotional. Be sure to check them out.

It’s been a busy week for Helen. After Sunday’s Golden Globes, she and Donald Sutherland have appeared in some extensive promotion for the March release of “The Leisure Seeker”, attending premieres in West Hollywood and New York, Sirius XM Radio’s station and three talkshows (watch next updates). Pictures from the events have been added to the photo gallery, with many thanks to Claudia for sending them in. Much appreciated. Enjoy the new additions.

The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards have been handed out tonight. Helen Mirren was in attendance as a sole nominee for “The Leisure Seeker”, but lost to Saiorse Ronan’s “Lady Bird”. Earlier in the ceremony, Helen and Viola Davis took the stage to present the Best Supporting Actor award to Sam Rockwell. Over 200 additional pictures from the arrivals, show, after-party and screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery. You can also watch an exclusive clip of the presentation and the Best Actress segment in the video archive. Many thanks to Claudia for her support. Enjoy the new additions.

What a great surprise from today’s announcement of the Golden Globe nominations. Helen Mirren has received a nomination as Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for “The Leisure Seeker”. She remains the film’s sole nomination. “The Shape of Water” leads with seven nominations. “The Post” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” received six each. “Lady Bird” has four nominations, and “I, Tonya”, “The Greatest Showman” and “Dunkirk” each have three. This is Helen Mirren’s 15th nomination for a Golden Globe! She has won three, for “Losing Chase”, “Elizabeth I.” and “The Queen”. The Golden Globes will be handed out quite early next year during a live ceremony on January 07, 2018.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Judi Dench, Victoria & Abdul
Helen Mirren, The Leisure Seeker
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes

Helen has been busy these last two days. Yesterday, she and Taylor attended the 9th Annual Governors Award to celebrate co-star Donald Sutherland’s Honorary Academy Award win. Today, she and Sutherland were on hand for the AFI Fest premiere of “The Leisure Seeker. Pictures from both events have been added to the photo gallery.

Photo Gallery – Public Appearances – AFI Fest – The Leisure Seeker Premiere
Photo Gallery – Public Appearances – 9th Annual Governors Awards