The biggest drama in Hollywood right now is who the heck’s going to host next month’s Academy Awards ceremony, and the mystery has made it all the way into Helen Mirren’s social circle. “I was talking to one of the (Oscar show’s) writers and he said, ‘Do you want to host?’ ” Mirren tells USA TODAY, followed by the kind of laugh that clearly states “Not it.” The host search has been, shall we say, tumultuous. Comedian Kevin Hart was first picked for the gig, and then quit due to some old homophobic tweets, and then looked like he might say yes again but instead reaffirmed his no. Now it looks like there won’t be an Oscar host for the first time since 1989, which Mirren says would be “interesting.” (Hopefully it won’t be as “interesting” as that infamous 1989 Oscars dance number.) The 2007 best actress Oscar winner (for “The Queen”) doesn’t know if a no-host Academy Awards is a good thing or a bad thing. “It’s a thing,” Mirren says simply. “The reason I kind of like the host is you can send it all up a bit. It means you’re not taking yourself too terribly seriously.” Winning an Oscar is a fantastic and great moment, but one that could use some perspective at the same time, adds Mirren, who stars in the upcoming HBO miniseries “Catherine the Great” (slated for later in 2019) and the big-screen thriller “The Good Liar” (in theaters Nov. 15). “Everyone knows that it’s not like the shutdown of the government – it’s not that important, if you know what I mean. And I think that the existence of the host, it’s always a comedic role, it’s there to make fun of everybody, and that’s not such a bad thing.”

According to Playbill, the 2019 Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball will feature the talents of Oscar and Tony winner Helen Mirren. The stage and screen legend is set to take the stage at the January 26 event at the historic Philadelphia landmark. She will be joined by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who also recently took the reins at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. “The Academy of Music is a beacon of historic Philadelphia, and The Philadelphia Orchestra’s annual visit is a treasured moment,” said Nézet-Séguin. “I am thrilled to be returning next month with Helen Mirren, one of the greatest actors of our time and an artist I very much admire, for an evening of words and music to remember.” The white-tie event will begin with a pre-concert reception at the Academy of Music, followed by the concert and subsequent celebrations at the Bellevue Hotel. Concert and Ball tickets are available at TheAcademyBall.org. At the Met, Nézet-Séguin recently conducted the premiere of Michael Mayer’s new staging of La Traviata, marking his first time taking the podium after officially assuming the title of music director. He is also set to lead productions of Pelléas et Mélisande and Dialogues des Carmélites later this season.

In her first-ever online class, Academy Award winning actress Helen Mirren shares the techniques that she has learned through the course of her international career that has spanned stage, screen, and television. Her powerful and versatile performances have earned her numerous awards, including the Academy Award in 2007 for her performance in The Queen, a Tony Award in 2015 for her performance in The Audience, and four Emmy Awards. In her class, Helen Mirren will discuss the dualism that is core to her acting method: the necessity for mastering technique (craft), and then letting go of that technique so that your imagination can take over (art). Lessons include how to break down a script, conduct research for real and fictional characters, approach the more “poetic” aspects of character, make thoughtful decisions on costume, and handle props in a way that is true to your character. While helping you develop your own acting talent, Helen will take you behind the scenes of her greatest roles, including Elizabeth II in The Queen, Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect, and Prospero in The Tempest. In Helen’s online class, learn about: Researching Characters Breaking Down Scripts Creating Characters Through Hair and Makeup Creating Characters Through Costume Characterizing Sets Camera Technique Performing Shakespeare Collaborating With Writers & Directors. Learn more about Helen Mirren Teaches Acting on their official website.

Entertainment Weekly has a bit on Helen Mirren’s interview on Netflix’ The Hollywood Masters. No stranger to portraying real-life figures, Helen Mirren may have her eyes set on her next “Shakespearean character.” “I’d be so funny as Trump. I love it. I’ve almost got the hair. Yes, of course, I mean, what a fascinating character. What an extraordinary character. I mean, that’s a character isn’t it, the real thing? I would say real life is so much more interesting than anything you can make up. But you know, a fantastic sort of slightly Shakespearean character. He may have a Shakespearean fall, I don’t know, but he is an extraordinary character.” When asked if she thought it would be difficult to penetrate Donald Trump’s psychology, the Academy Award winner says her portrayal of the president would start by looking into his background. “I don’t think that would be too difficult to penetrate quite honestly,” she opined. “You look at the upbringing. You look at the schooling, the father, the mother. I don’t know much about Mr.Trump’s background, but if I was to play him, I would definitely start there… That’s what you have to start with, the child, and the child is very much in Trump.” Mirren’s next film, The Leisure Seeker, opens in theaters on Jan. 19.

Helen Mirren will be honored at the 45th Chaplin Award Gala on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. A beloved figure of stage, screen, and television, Mirren has bestowed upon the world a series of iconic performances in a career spanning more than fifty years. The annual event will be attended by a host of notable guests and presenters and will include movie and interview clips, culminating in the presentation of the Chaplin Award. “It is an honor and a pleasure for us to present Helen Mirren with our 45th Chaplin Award,” said Ann Tenenbaum, the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Board Chairman. “From housemaid to Queen and everything in between, Ms. Mirren has delivered masterful performances of complex characters, upending stereotype after stereotype along the way.” “Ever since her debut in Michael Powell’s Age of Consent in 1969, Helen Mirren has been lighting up screens with one finely crafted performance after another,” said Lesli Klainberg, the Executive Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. “From her Oscar-winning role in The Queen to her brilliant work in The Long Good Friday, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, The Madness of King George, Gosford Park, The Tempest, The Last Station, Red, Hitchcock, Woman in Gold, and Eye in the Sky, she has shown her exquisite range and proven her commitment to excellence and the art of cinema. The Film Society is honored to present the 45th Chaplin Gala Award to Helen Mirren.” The full press release can be read over at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

It’s quite a year of new ground for Helen Mirren. After her stint on “Fast 8”, what seems to be her first appearance in a horror film, “Wincheser”, and the not-yet-officia appearance in a Disney musical, Mirren is among the line-up of the upcoming Pirelli calendar, which will include the following actresses: Lupita Nyong’o, Jessica Chastain, Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman, Lea Seydoux, Robin Wright, Zhang Ziyi, Helen Mirren, Rooney Mara, Penelope Cruz, Julianne Moore, Charlotte Rampling, Alicia Vikander, Kate Winslet, and Jessica Chastain, along with Moscow State University professor Anastacia Ignatova. The calendar – which is published by the Italian tire manufacturer’s British subsidiary – is famous for featuring some of the most iconic models and Hollywood stars captured by leading photographers. Peter Lindbergh, who also shot those beautiful pictures for Helen’s L’Oreal campaign, will photograph the 2017 edition.

Sad news today, apart from the Academy Awards nominations. Alan Rickman has died in London after losing a cancer battle at the age of 69. The British actor, known for his role as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, died surrounded by friends and relatives. A statement from his family read: “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.” Rickman played iconic roles in films including Die Hard, Robin Hood and Love Actually. The star was a long-standing member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and has won a number of awards including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 1998, Rickman and Helen Mirren performed Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre. Helen’s upcoming film “Eye in the Sky”, out on March 11, now has the sad distinction of being Alan Rickman’s last project. Entertainment Tonight has released a statement by Helen Mirren on Alan Rickman’s passing:

Alan was a towering person, physically, mentally and as an artist. He was utterly distinctive, with a voice that could suggest honey or a hidden stiletto blade, and the profile of a Roman Emperor. He was also a great friend, generous and social. He will be very missed by many. (Helen Mirren)

Dame Helen Mirren has been named Britain’s most empowering woman, in a poll voted by 2,000 other women. Helen Mirren topped the poll, followed by J.K Rowling, Michelle Obama, Adele, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Winslet who all made the top 10. As part of the poll, commissioned by Lil-Lets, 55 per cent said that empowered stars make them feel more confident about their appearance and the things they do. If anyone could make you feel empowered, it’s Helen Mirren. Not only does she have four Emmys, five Baftas, two Golden Globes, a damehood – but she also speaks perfectly about body image and confidence. ‘I’m a woman that loves make-up and getting dressed up. As I get older, I don’t look as good, but I don’t give a damn. There’s a huge pressure on young girls to look a certain way these days but, as I age, I’ve lost that incredible insecurity of youth.’

The Weinstein Company has an early Christmas present for all Helen Mirren fans: The first theatrical trailer for “Woman in Gold”. Helen stars as Maria Altmann, a former Jewish socialite who fled the Nazis during World War II. She left behind her home and her belongings – including a portrait of her aunt by the artist Gustav Klimt. Now, that painting is famous worldwide (and as a poster, adorns countless college dorm rooms), and Maria wants it back. She enlists a lawyer (Ryan Reynolds) to help her fight the Austrian government to restore the portrait to its rightful owner. Not only does Maria want a memento of her favorite aunt, she wants justice for the atrocities committed by the Nazis. “Woman in Gold” also stars Daniel Bruhl, Katie Holmes, Charles Dance, and Elizabeth McGovern, and opens in theaters April 3.

Congratulations to Helen Mirren for receiving a Golden Globe nomination as Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. She shares the category with Amy Adams (Big Eyes), Emily Blunt (Into the Woods), Julianne Moore (Maps to the Stars) and Quvenzhane Wallis (Annie). This is Helen’s 13th Golden Globe nomination. She won three times, for Losing Chase, Elizabeth I. and The Queen. The Golden Globes will be handed out on January 11, 2015.