Entertainment
How “48 Hours” helped Sydney Sweeney prep for new role as champion boxer Christy Martin
People often discuss which Hollywood star might play them in a movie about their life. For legendary boxer Christy Martin, the actor turned out to be Sydney Sweeney. Sweeney transformed into “Christy,” which hits theaters on Nov. 7.
Before Martin’s story was told on the big screen, she sat down with “48 Hours” in 2020 to share her story. An encore of “Christy Martin – the Fight of her Life” airs Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9/8c on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
Raised as a coal miner’s daughter in a small town in West Virginia, to becoming a world championship boxer, Martin made headlines as a pioneer in women’s boxing. But few knew of the personal battles she was facing outside the ring.
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In the episode, “48 Hours” details the story of Martin’s struggles with identity, acceptance, drug addiction, and domestic violence at the hands of her former husband and trainer, Jim Martin. “The same story that you guys got, Sydney puts out there for the people to see and to gain inspiration from,” Martin recently told “48 Hours.”
Sweeney spent months preparing for the role, including intense boxing training to recreate Martin’s actual fights. In addition to physical preparations, Sweeney told “48 Hours” about the research she did to play Christy. “I mean, I had a lot to be able to pull from and go off of. She had her book, there was the ’48 Hours’ special … There were interviews and fight footage. So there was a lot I could prepare with before I met Christy, and then I had Christy in my corner, so I was able to ask her questions and have her by my side and be able to watch her.”
Martin requested the writers not to “Hollywoodize” her life as they scripted her story. Martin said writer Mirrah Foulkes responded, “There’s enough crazy s*** that’s happened in your life, we don’t have to.”
As her survival story continues to reach more people, Martin hopes it can help inspire others. “We’re showing a pathway to get out of a domestic violence situation. We’re showing how important it is for parents, relatives, friends to be accepting of someone who’s a little different … But I’m the ultimate underdog … If you can believe it, you can achieve it. Dream big. My Dad used to tell me to dream big, and I think I did.”
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 [SAFE].
For Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Goransson, creating the score for “Sinners” was a challenge, explaining he had to find his “voice within the blues.” He describes his unlikely personal connection to the music and how he met the film’s director.
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Entertainment
Bobby J. Brown, “The Wire” and “Law & Order: SUV” actor, dies of smoke inhalation after reported fire
Bobby J. Brown, who was best known for playing a Baltimore police officer in HBO’s “The Wire,” has died at 62.
His agent, Albert Bramante, confirmed the news of Brown’s passing in a statement to CBS News. He did not give a cause of death.
“Bobby J. Brown was an actor of incredible depth and a man of great character. Whether in the boxing ring or on a film set, he brought a unique authenticity and dedication to everything he did,” Bramante said. “His passing is a significant loss to the acting community, and he will be deeply missed by all of us at the agency. We ask for the privacy of his family to be respected during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Brown’s daughter told TMZ the actor died Tuesday of smoke inhalation after being caught in a barn fire. The Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office told CBS News Brown’s cause of death was diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation, and that it was an accident.
According to Brown’s daughter, a fire broke out when the actor attempted to jump-start a vehicle in the barn, TMZ reported.
Brown was born in Washington, D.C., and began his career as an amateur boxer, with a 73-13 record that included five Golden Glove Championships. Three of those bouts included three fights against Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, who went on to become one of the greatest lightweight champions in boxing history. Brown went on to train with Carmen Graziano and boxed professionally in Atlantic City, N.J., which led to an acting gig alongside Mickey Rourke in 1988’s “Homeboy,” according to IMDb.
Brown studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and made his TV debut in an episode of “Homicide: Life on the Street.” In the early 2000s, he appeared in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Corner,” and movies “Love the Hard Way” and “City by the Sea.”
His breakout role was as Officer Bobby Brown on HBO’s “The Wire.” He appeared in a total of 12 episodes across four seasons.
Brown also directed two documentary films: “Tear the Roof Off: The Untold Story of Parliament-Funkadelic” in 2016 and “Off the Chain” in 2006.
The Artios Awards 2026 have been announced, with the Casting Society honoring standout achievements in casting across film, television, and theater.
The annual ceremony highlights the crucial role casting directors play in shaping performances and storytelling, often serving as the unsung architects behind Hollywood’s biggest successes.
This year’s winners reflect a diverse slate of projects, from prestige dramas to animated blockbusters.
Standouts included Sinners, which earned recognition for its compelling ensemble, and Disney’s Zootopia 2, celebrated in the animation category.
This year’s celebrations spanned three cities.
What We Do in the Shadows star Harvey Guillén hosted the Los Angeles ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.
Somebody Somewhere alum Jeff Hiller emceed the Manhattan event at the Edison Ballroom, and Baby Reindeer Emmy winner Jessica Gunning fronted the UK gathering at One Moorgate Place.
Here’s a complete list of the winners of Casting Society’s 2026 Artios Awards:
FEATURE FILM
BIG BUDGET FEATURE COMEDY
Jay Kelly
Douglas Aibel, Nina Gold, Associate Casting Director: Matthew Glasner, Location Casting Directors: Francesco Vedovati, Barbara Giordani
BIG BUDGET FEATURE DRAMA
Sinners
Francine Maisler, Associate Casting Directors: Molly Rose, Amber Wakefield, Location Casting Director: Meagan Lewis
ANIMATED FEATURE
Zootopia 2
Grace C. Kim
STUDIO OR INDEPENDENT FEATURE COMEDY
Rental Family
Kei Kawamura
FEATURE: STUDIO OR INDEPENDENT: DRAMA
Sentimental Value
Avy Kaufman
FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL
The Fisherman
Mawuko Kuadzi
FEATURE: LOW BUDGET: COMEDY OR DRAMA
Sorry, Baby
Jessica Kelly, Location Casting Directors: Lisa Lobel, Angela Peri, Location Associate Casting Director: Melissa Morris
TV, COMMERCIALS, SHORT FILM & SHORT FORM SERIES
FILM, FIRST RELEASED FOR TELEVISION OR STREAMING
Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy
Lucy Bevan, Olivia Grant, Associate Casting Director: Lucy Downes
TELEVISION SERIES: COMEDY
Hacks (Season 4)
Linda Lowy
TELEVISION SERIES: DRAMA
Severance (Season 2)
Rachel Tenner, Associate Casting Director: Rick Messina, Location Casting Director: Bess Fifer
TELEVISION PILOT AND FIRST SEASON: COMEDY
The Studio
Melissa Kostenbauder, Francine Maisler, Associate Casting Director: Jesse Haddock
TELEVISION PILOT AND FIRST SEASON: DRAMA
The Pitt
Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Associate Casting Director: Seth Caskey
LIMITED SERIES
Adolescence
Shaheen Baig
REALITY SERIES: COMPETITION
Rupaul’s Drag Race (Season 17)
Goloka Bolte, Michelle Redwine, Adam Cook
REALITY SERIES: STRUCTURED & UNSTRUCTURED
Queer Eye (Season 9)
Pamela Vallarelli, Jessica Jorgensen, Natalie Pino
LIVE ACTION CHILDREN & FAMILY SERIES
XO, Kitty (Season 2)
Lyndsey Baldasare, David H. Rapaport, Associate Casting Director: Claire Yenson, Location Casting Director: Su Kim
ANIMATED PROGRAM FOR TELEVISION
Big Mouth (Season 8)
Julie Ashton
INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION SERIES
Other People’s Money (Season 1)
Alexandra Montag
SHORT FORM SERIES
Die Hart (Season 3)
Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington, Associate Casting Director: Jane Flowers, Location Casting Director: Tara Feldstein Bennett
SHORT FILM
Ado
Ally Beans
COMMERCIALS
Listening Is a Form of Love
Angela Mickey, Associate Casting Director: Aika Greenidge
THEATER
BROADWAY: COMEDY OR DRAMA
English
Stephen Kopel, Associate Casting Director: Sujotta Pace
BROADWAY: MUSICAL
(TIE)
Buena Vista Social Club
Xavier Rubiano, Tara Rubin, Associate Casting Director: Frankie Ramirez
Maybe Happy Ending
Craig Burns, Associate Casting Director: Jimmy Larkin
NEW YORK THEATER: COMEDY OR DRAMA
Sh¡T. Meet. Fan
Bernard Telsey, Will Cantler, Destiny Lilly
NEW YORK THEATER: MUSICAL
The Jonathan Larson Project
Rachel Hoffman, Associate Casting Director: Charlie Hano
LONDON THEATRE
The Importance Of Being Earnest
Alastair Coomer
LOS ANGELES THEATER
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano, Peter Van Dam, Associate Casting Director: Louis DiPaolo
REGIONAL THEATER
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Lauren Port, Patrick Goodwin
THEATER TOURS
Parade
Craig Burns
SPECIAL THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Geoff Josselson
"Sinners" composer describes personal journey to find his voice in blues music
Bobby J. Brown, “The Wire” and “Law & Order: SUV” actor, dies of smoke inhalation after reported fire
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