Today, “Mary Poppins Returns” releases theaters in the United States and Europe, destined to dominate the Christmas box office of 2018 and probably the awards season of 2019 with a predicted Best Actress nomination for Emily Blunt. The reviews have been good so far, ranging from “it’s a new classic” to “it’s not a classic”, so I guess those interested in the film will get a chance to see where it ranks – starting today! Since this is probably the last update of Simply Streep for 2018, the release of the film would not be complete without a proper press coverage of reviews and articles on the film, including a nice cover story from Radio Times in the United Kingdom, as well as a cover story with Meryl in the latest issue of Yours. In America, you can grab a special edition of People Magazine, featuring exclusive interviews with Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep. There are also some “leftovers” from the “Mamma Mia” and “The Post” promotion from earlier this year. Many many thanks, as always, to Alvaro for providing the scans. To all the visitors of Simply Streep, I would like to wish you great Holidays and a good and healthy start into 2019! See you next year. Frederik :-)

Yesterday, Meryl Streep attended the London premiere for “Mary Poppins Returns”, which turns out to be the season’s most anticipated film, and, even more surprisingly, a serious awards contender for Best Picture and Best Actress. Many pictures have been added to the video archive. A video clip of Meryl being interviewed at the premiere can be found below.

Yesterday, Stephen Colbert and Meryl Streep joined Montclair Film’s annual fundraiser at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for an in-depth conversation about Streep’s career, interviewed by Colbert. While we’re waiting for articles or – fingers crossed – a video from the conversation, check out pictures from the event in the photo gallery.

Lots of official promotion material for “Mary Poppins Returns” has been released by Disney Films over the last couple of days. There’s the official b-roll with lots of footage from behind the scenes, an interview with Meryl Streep on her character (she reveals her character’s full name, but I cannot understand it :-) can you?), two music videos from songs performed by Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda and an additional television spot. All videos can be found in the video archive. Screencaptures from the b-roll and the interview have been added to the photo gallery.

Before Mary Poppins Returns arrives in movie theatres December 19, take a look at the below featurette, in which the stars and creative team discuss the joy behind bringing the magical nanny back to the screen. The original Disney film is nearing its 55th anniversary, and naturally, the prospect of returning to that world was daunting. But looking at the source material (P. L. Travers’ series), director Rob Marshall realized: “There was a real sense that there’s so much more story to be told.” Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have penned a new score for the story—one that star Lin-Manuel Miranda asserts is filled with “incredible, enchanting original music.” “This is a film with great hope and spectacle,” adds Emily Blunt, who takes on the title role this time around, amid clips filled with laughter, dancing, and dayglow animation. “And it’s moving, so I think it’s a very important film to be making right now.” The all-star cast of the new movie also features Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, and Dick Van Dyke. The featurette can be found in the video archive, while screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery.

“Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again” has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray in the United States and is already available on demand, so you can basically find it EVERYWHERE to own or rent. Those of you who have seen it in the theater (which includes probably everyone) know that Meryl Streep’s Donna, although talked about in length, is limited to a cameo performance by the end of the film – singing two songs nevertheless. So if you’d like to revisit her renditions of “My Love, My Life” and “Super Trouper”, make sure to grab your copy, or get the soundtrack, or both. Over 300 screencaptures from the Blu-Ray have been added to the photo gallery. Enjoy!

Yesterday, Meryl Streep presented her friend and long-time collaborator Ann Roth at the Director Guild of America Honors in New York City. Roth created costumes for 14 of Streep’s projects, from Mike Nichols’ “Silkwood” in 1983 to Steven Spielberg’s “The Post” earlier last year. Pictures from the event have been added to the photo gallery.

A couple of wonderful new magazine scans have been added to the photo gallery, with many thanks to Alvaro, Maria and Chan for their generous contributions. A full list of all added scans can be found below. Enjoy!

On Friday, Meryl Streep broke some new ground by serving as questioner, conducting a Q&A with real-life longtime pal Tracey Ullman after a New York screening of the season premiere of the latter’s HBO sketch-comedy show “Tracey Ullman’s Show”. Hosted by Tribeca TV, the Q&A began with Tribeca founder Jane Rosenthal introducing Streep as “Tracey Ullman’s very best dearest friend,” with Streep and Ullman engaging in an enlightening chat. As Streep recalled, the two met when they were cast in the 1985 film “Plenty”, when Ullman was just 21. “I met you when I was 32,” Streep said, “and I said to my husband, ‘I think I’ve made a new friend.’ It’s hard to make a new friend when you’re old and famous.” Since then, the pair have remained close. “We had babies at the same time, shared life experiences,” Ullman said. “People ask me, ‘Do you and Meryl talk about acting when you get together?’ Are you kidding me?” The conversation, as it inevitably does these days, eventually turned to politics, with Streep praising Ullman’s uncanny impressions of such political figures as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British PM Theresa May. “I found that the most interesting women I could impersonate were politicians,” Ullman explained, admitting that Merkel is one of her favourites — both to impersonate and simply in general. “Could you imagine being her, the only girl in the room with Putin and Berlusconi and George W. Bush?” Responded Streep: “She holds her own.”

With “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again” hitting theaters around the world these days, two new magazines scans have been added to the photo gallery that mention Meryl in their coverage – Empire Magazine has a nice experts ranking of her film, while The Mail on Sunday’s Event has put the cast on their cover and on six pages inside. Edit: Lots of additional newspaper clippings on the film’s release, as well as a two-page article from Closer Magazine, have been added as well. Many thanks to Alvaro for sending in all those scans. Enjoy!