Bradley Walsh has denied reports that The Larkins has been cancelled by ITV.
The Chase host stars opposite Joanna Scanlan as Pop Larkin in the channel’s adaptation of H E Bates’ novel The Darling Buds of May.
The series, which follows a family in rural Kent in the 1950s, made its debut in 2021. At the time, it divided critics, with The Independent’s Sean O’Grady calling it “a Brexit television abomination”.
Last week, reports emerged in The Sun claiming that the show was being axed after losing two million viewers between series one and two and alleged “cast disagreements” on set.
However, appearing on This Morning on Tuesday (10 January), Walsh vehemently denied the claims.
Walsh said that he’d “had a few calls” about the rumours which he said were attributed to “some problem with the viewing figures”.
“The viewing figures were absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with the viewing figures,...
The Chase host stars opposite Joanna Scanlan as Pop Larkin in the channel’s adaptation of H E Bates’ novel The Darling Buds of May.
The series, which follows a family in rural Kent in the 1950s, made its debut in 2021. At the time, it divided critics, with The Independent’s Sean O’Grady calling it “a Brexit television abomination”.
Last week, reports emerged in The Sun claiming that the show was being axed after losing two million viewers between series one and two and alleged “cast disagreements” on set.
However, appearing on This Morning on Tuesday (10 January), Walsh vehemently denied the claims.
Walsh said that he’d “had a few calls” about the rumours which he said were attributed to “some problem with the viewing figures”.
“The viewing figures were absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with the viewing figures,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Who says death is no laughing matter? Hours after Alice (Keeley Hawes) moves into the tech-heavy “smart house” designed by her partner, Harry (Jason Merrells), he falls down the stairs to his death. And he never even told Alice how the toilet flushes! In the six-episode series Finding Alice, the resilient Alice goes through a roller coaster of emotions as she deals with her overbearing family, secrets Harry kept from her and their daughter (Isabella Pappas), and the detectives who find the death suspicious. (Credit: Acorn TV) Cowriter and director Roger Goldby doesn’t see anything odd about injecting dark humor into a bereavement story. He created Finding Alice with Hawes and fellow writer Simon Nye, all of whom met while working on PBS’s The Durrells in Corfu, another series about a widowed mother moving on. “We share a similar sensibility in terms of humor,” Goldby says. “None of...
- 9/12/2021
- TV Insider
BBC Casts ‘My Name Is Leon’
BBC One has announced the cast for its adaptation of Kit de Waal’s debut novel My Name is Leon. Malachi Kirby (Small Axe), Monica Dolan (A Very English Scandal), Olivia Williams (Counterpart), Christopher Eccleston (The A Word), Poppy Lee Friar (In My Skin), and Sir Lenny Henry Cbe (The Lord of the Rings) headline the drama special. Cole Martin will play the lead, Leon, in his first TV role. Set in 1980s Birmingham, the drama tells the uplifting and incredibly moving story of nine-year-old Leon, a mixed-race boy, and his quest to reunite his family after being taken into care and separated from his blond and blue-eyed baby brother. My Name is Leon is produced by Douglas Road Productions in association with Tiger Aspect Productions, Ringside Studios, and Vicarious Productions. It is executive produced by Lenny Henry and Angela Ferreira for Douglas Road Productions,...
BBC One has announced the cast for its adaptation of Kit de Waal’s debut novel My Name is Leon. Malachi Kirby (Small Axe), Monica Dolan (A Very English Scandal), Olivia Williams (Counterpart), Christopher Eccleston (The A Word), Poppy Lee Friar (In My Skin), and Sir Lenny Henry Cbe (The Lord of the Rings) headline the drama special. Cole Martin will play the lead, Leon, in his first TV role. Set in 1980s Birmingham, the drama tells the uplifting and incredibly moving story of nine-year-old Leon, a mixed-race boy, and his quest to reunite his family after being taken into care and separated from his blond and blue-eyed baby brother. My Name is Leon is produced by Douglas Road Productions in association with Tiger Aspect Productions, Ringside Studios, and Vicarious Productions. It is executive produced by Lenny Henry and Angela Ferreira for Douglas Road Productions,...
- 3/1/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Finding Alice is a brilliant new series that begins on ITV this coming Sunday, and while featuring a host of treasured British talent, it was the show’s impressive newcomer we had the pleasure of speaking to, as we sat down to speak to the rising star Isabella Pappas.
We ask Pappas about her experience working with Keeley Hawes, and Nigel Havers, as well as Joanna Lumley, Gemma Jones and Kenneth Cranham (we told you it was treasured). She also comments on the incredible set, and her plans to watch the show, and if she feels a little like this period in her life is the quiet before the storm. She also talks about her childhood and whether acting is something she always wanted to do.
But that’s not to say she’s come completely out of the blue, as Pappas had an Olivier award nomination to her name.
We ask Pappas about her experience working with Keeley Hawes, and Nigel Havers, as well as Joanna Lumley, Gemma Jones and Kenneth Cranham (we told you it was treasured). She also comments on the incredible set, and her plans to watch the show, and if she feels a little like this period in her life is the quiet before the storm. She also talks about her childhood and whether acting is something she always wanted to do.
But that’s not to say she’s come completely out of the blue, as Pappas had an Olivier award nomination to her name.
- 1/15/2021
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Lenny Henry, the British comedian, actor and diversity campaigner, is collaborating with A Very English Scandal scribe Russell T Davies on a deeply personal ITV drama series inspired by his mother’s move from Jamaica to the UK in the 1950s.
Henry’s Douglas Road Productions and Tiger Aspect — both part of the Banijay group — will make Three Little Birds for ITV, with Davies consulting on the script and serving as an executive producer.
The six-part series will narrate a Windrush-era story of two sisters, Leah and Chantrelle, and their Bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna, as they leave the Caribbean to embark on a new life in Britain.
On arriving in Notting Hill, they quickly realize that London is not for them and flee to the Midlands, overcoming racism and integration issues to make a new home for themselves.
ITV drama head Polly Hill said Henry’s scripts are funny, moving and life-affirming,...
Henry’s Douglas Road Productions and Tiger Aspect — both part of the Banijay group — will make Three Little Birds for ITV, with Davies consulting on the script and serving as an executive producer.
The six-part series will narrate a Windrush-era story of two sisters, Leah and Chantrelle, and their Bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna, as they leave the Caribbean to embark on a new life in Britain.
On arriving in Notting Hill, they quickly realize that London is not for them and flee to the Midlands, overcoming racism and integration issues to make a new home for themselves.
ITV drama head Polly Hill said Henry’s scripts are funny, moving and life-affirming,...
- 12/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Just over 63 years ago, Theodor Geisel — better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss — wrote and illustrated a holiday-themed children’s book meant to teach kiddos that Christmas isn’t about spending outrageous sums of money to build a tree-toppling pile of presents; it’s about family, togetherness, and celebrating rebirth at the end of a long year.
So, naturally, “The Grinch” has been adapted a billion times over by every money-hungry corporation out there. It only took nine years for a TV version to hit screens, and that’s before the terrifying Jim Carrey/Ron Howard movie started dominating cable channels every December, or Illumination’s 2018 animated movie sat perched and waiting in Netflix queues for over a year, only to disappear December 4.
But fear not Seuss fans. “The Grinch Musical!” is here to offer two hours of fresh holiday entertainment thanks to NBC’s 2020 adaptation of the 2007 stage production.
So, naturally, “The Grinch” has been adapted a billion times over by every money-hungry corporation out there. It only took nine years for a TV version to hit screens, and that’s before the terrifying Jim Carrey/Ron Howard movie started dominating cable channels every December, or Illumination’s 2018 animated movie sat perched and waiting in Netflix queues for over a year, only to disappear December 4.
But fear not Seuss fans. “The Grinch Musical!” is here to offer two hours of fresh holiday entertainment thanks to NBC’s 2020 adaptation of the 2007 stage production.
- 12/10/2020
- by Ben Travers and Ann Donahue
- Indiewire
NBC is inviting the Grinch to share its holiday season: The network will air a two-hour production of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! on December 9. Staged at the Troubadour Theatre in London, the musical production will star Glee‘s Matthew Morrison as the small-hearted Grinch and Denis O’Hare as his hapless mutt Max played on Broadway during the holiday seasons of 2006 and 2007.
In the NBC version, the Cindy-Lou Who character will be played by young newcomer Amelia Minto. Producers have also assembled an ensemble of musical theater actors from London’s West End to complete the cast.
“Dr. Seuss is an indelible part of all of our lives and we’re thrilled to bring a stage production of The Grinch Musical! to our audience,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs, NBC Entertainment. “This is a perfect addition to our annual holiday program traditions and a telecast the entire family will enjoy.”
The staging is by director Max Webster, and Julia Knowles directs for television. Additional script material is by Simon Nye, with sets by designer Peter Bingemann.
Previous musicals staged in recent years by NBC The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
Though Morrison became a household name on Glee, he has an extensive stage background, including roles in Broadway’s Footloose, Hairspray, and The Light in the Piazza. More recently, Morrison starred as J.M. Barrie in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland. Additional TV credits include The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy and American Horror Story: 1984. Morrison is represented by Podwall Entertainment, ICM Partners and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical is presented in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Running Subway, produced by Penny Lane Entertainment Television and Simon Friend Entertainment. Lee Connolly, Simon Friend, Joshua Rosenblum and James Sanna serve as executive producers. Morrison also serves as a producer on the telecast.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! will air on NBC Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt from the Troubadour Theatre in London.
The musical event was announced this morning on the Today show:
.@NBC will air a two-hour production of “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical” on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt. pic.twitter.com/S6nVKWP9rl
— Today (@TODAYshow) November 10, 2020...
In the NBC version, the Cindy-Lou Who character will be played by young newcomer Amelia Minto. Producers have also assembled an ensemble of musical theater actors from London’s West End to complete the cast.
“Dr. Seuss is an indelible part of all of our lives and we’re thrilled to bring a stage production of The Grinch Musical! to our audience,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs, NBC Entertainment. “This is a perfect addition to our annual holiday program traditions and a telecast the entire family will enjoy.”
The staging is by director Max Webster, and Julia Knowles directs for television. Additional script material is by Simon Nye, with sets by designer Peter Bingemann.
Previous musicals staged in recent years by NBC The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
Though Morrison became a household name on Glee, he has an extensive stage background, including roles in Broadway’s Footloose, Hairspray, and The Light in the Piazza. More recently, Morrison starred as J.M. Barrie in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland. Additional TV credits include The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy and American Horror Story: 1984. Morrison is represented by Podwall Entertainment, ICM Partners and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical is presented in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Running Subway, produced by Penny Lane Entertainment Television and Simon Friend Entertainment. Lee Connolly, Simon Friend, Joshua Rosenblum and James Sanna serve as executive producers. Morrison also serves as a producer on the telecast.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! will air on NBC Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt from the Troubadour Theatre in London.
The musical event was announced this morning on the Today show:
.@NBC will air a two-hour production of “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical” on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt. pic.twitter.com/S6nVKWP9rl
— Today (@TODAYshow) November 10, 2020...
- 11/10/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite the coronavirus production hiatus, there’s a wealth of international dramas launching at 2020 Mipcom. From Australia to the U.K., Variety rounds up 15 of the most anticipated international series debuting at the market.
Alice (U.K.)
“The Durrells” writer Simon Nye and star Keeley Hawes reteam for this black comedy about a woman coming to terms with the death of her husband. Nigel Havers and Joanna Lumley co-star.
Broadcaster: ITV; Distributor: StudioCanal
Alive and Kicking (Spain)
A coming-of-age tale about four teens escaping a psychiatric institution, “Alive and Kicking” is a YA drama that’s billed as a cross between “Stand by Me” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – aiming to break down prejudices about teen mental health.
Broadcaster: Movistar Plus; Distributor: BetaFilm
Anna (Italy)
Adapted and directed by Niccolò Ammaniti from his acclaimed novel, this post-apocalyptic tale depicts a ravaged Sicily after an epidemic has wiped out adults,...
Alice (U.K.)
“The Durrells” writer Simon Nye and star Keeley Hawes reteam for this black comedy about a woman coming to terms with the death of her husband. Nigel Havers and Joanna Lumley co-star.
Broadcaster: ITV; Distributor: StudioCanal
Alive and Kicking (Spain)
A coming-of-age tale about four teens escaping a psychiatric institution, “Alive and Kicking” is a YA drama that’s billed as a cross between “Stand by Me” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – aiming to break down prejudices about teen mental health.
Broadcaster: Movistar Plus; Distributor: BetaFilm
Anna (Italy)
Adapted and directed by Niccolò Ammaniti from his acclaimed novel, this post-apocalyptic tale depicts a ravaged Sicily after an epidemic has wiped out adults,...
- 10/12/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Joanna Lumley, the star of Absolutely Fabulous and Paddington 2, is among a number of British actors to join the cast of ITV’s black comedy Finding Alice.
Made by Happy Valley producer Red Production Company, the six-part season was co-created by Line Of Duty star Keeley Hawes, who has previously been announced in the lead role.
Lumley will play the mother of Hawes’ character Alice, whose husband suddenly dies after falling down the stairs of their new dream home. Alice’s father will be played by Nigel Havers.
Other cast include Gemma Jones (Gentleman Jack), Kenneth Cranham (Hatton Garden), Isabella Pappas (Paranoid) and Sharon Rooney (The Capture).
Hawes created Finding Alice with Roger Goldby and Simon Nye, who have written the show. Red founder Nicola Shindler is the executive producer alongside Hawes, Goldby and Nye. Goldby is directing the first three episodes, while Juliet May also directs.
Made by Happy Valley producer Red Production Company, the six-part season was co-created by Line Of Duty star Keeley Hawes, who has previously been announced in the lead role.
Lumley will play the mother of Hawes’ character Alice, whose husband suddenly dies after falling down the stairs of their new dream home. Alice’s father will be played by Nigel Havers.
Other cast include Gemma Jones (Gentleman Jack), Kenneth Cranham (Hatton Garden), Isabella Pappas (Paranoid) and Sharon Rooney (The Capture).
Hawes created Finding Alice with Roger Goldby and Simon Nye, who have written the show. Red founder Nicola Shindler is the executive producer alongside Hawes, Goldby and Nye. Goldby is directing the first three episodes, while Juliet May also directs.
- 1/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Keeley Hawes will take the title role in “Finding Alice,” a drama series for ITV about a woman who loses her husband in a freak accident only to find he has left her to unravel a trail of secrets, debt and criminality.
Hawes, who is hot off her star turn in Emmy-nominated “Bodyguard,” created the project, which will trace Alice’s darkly comic journey, with writer-director Roger Goldby and Simon Nye, one of the U.K.’s top TV scribes.
The six-parter picks up events after Alice’s partner of 20 years, Harry, falls down the stairs and dies soon after the couple move into the dream home he designed. Alice discovers that some men, including her late ex, hide stuff that they don’t want to deal with, and that Harry was worse than most.
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series. Production will start early next year.
Hawes, who is hot off her star turn in Emmy-nominated “Bodyguard,” created the project, which will trace Alice’s darkly comic journey, with writer-director Roger Goldby and Simon Nye, one of the U.K.’s top TV scribes.
The six-parter picks up events after Alice’s partner of 20 years, Harry, falls down the stairs and dies soon after the couple move into the dream home he designed. Alice discovers that some men, including her late ex, hide stuff that they don’t want to deal with, and that Harry was worse than most.
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series. Production will start early next year.
- 10/15/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Dawn French is to star in Doc Martin-style drama Glass Houses for ITV.
The British commercial broadcaster has ordered the six-part series from Genial Productions, the nascent ITV-backed producer formed by The Durrells and Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye and ex-Tiger Aspect boss Sophie Clarke-Jervoise.
Created and written by Shameless and Cold Feet writer Mark Brotherhood, Glass Houses is set in a picturesque small coastal town with a close-knit community. It follows the stories and fall out for Maggie Connors, played by French, who doesn’t pay attention to the cautionary adage that ‘those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’.
Connors is a central character in town who makes it her business to know a bit about everyone’s lives. When a radio journalist interviews her for a small reportage piece about local life she gives him far more detail (and embellishment) about the locals and their...
The British commercial broadcaster has ordered the six-part series from Genial Productions, the nascent ITV-backed producer formed by The Durrells and Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye and ex-Tiger Aspect boss Sophie Clarke-Jervoise.
Created and written by Shameless and Cold Feet writer Mark Brotherhood, Glass Houses is set in a picturesque small coastal town with a close-knit community. It follows the stories and fall out for Maggie Connors, played by French, who doesn’t pay attention to the cautionary adage that ‘those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’.
Connors is a central character in town who makes it her business to know a bit about everyone’s lives. When a radio journalist interviews her for a small reportage piece about local life she gives him far more detail (and embellishment) about the locals and their...
- 3/1/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Durrells and Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye and former Tiger Aspect boss Sophie Clarke-Jervoise have established a production company backed by ITV Studios.
The production arm of the British commercial broadcaster has taken a minority stake in Genial Productions. The company will produce comedy and drama.
Nye has previously written an episode of Doctor Who as well as a biopic of Tommy Cooper, while Clarke-Jervoise has exec produced series including Benidorm and The Vicar of Dibley.
Maxine Gardner, Finance Director ITV Studios UK, will take a seat on the Genial Productions’ board and will provide support to Genial during its start-up phase. ITV Studios Global Entertainment (Itvsge) will be Genial’s distribution partner for all original formats created under its banner.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director, ITV Studios said, “Simon and Sophie have an enviable record of creating, writing and producing some of the best loved, most famous comedy...
The production arm of the British commercial broadcaster has taken a minority stake in Genial Productions. The company will produce comedy and drama.
Nye has previously written an episode of Doctor Who as well as a biopic of Tommy Cooper, while Clarke-Jervoise has exec produced series including Benidorm and The Vicar of Dibley.
Maxine Gardner, Finance Director ITV Studios UK, will take a seat on the Genial Productions’ board and will provide support to Genial during its start-up phase. ITV Studios Global Entertainment (Itvsge) will be Genial’s distribution partner for all original formats created under its banner.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director, ITV Studios said, “Simon and Sophie have an enviable record of creating, writing and producing some of the best loved, most famous comedy...
- 9/25/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
As vacation season approaches, we've learned PBS has renewed The Durrells in Corfu TV show for a third season. We haven't received a press release from the network, and the premiere date is Tbd, but the renewal is confirmed in an interview with writer Simon Nye, posted to PBS.org. What's more, ITV has renewed The Durrells in Corfu for a fourth season in UK, where the drama goes by the simpler title, The Durrells. Based on the autobiographical book trilogy from Gerald Durrell, The Durrells in Corfu stars Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, Callum Woodhouse, Daisy Waterstone, Milo Parker, Alexis Georgoulis, Yorgos Karamihos, Lucy Black, Leslie Caron, Anna Savva, Errika Bigiou, and Ulric von der Esch. The British dramafollows the Durrell family, during their years on the Greek island of Corfu. The comedic drama centers on struggling widow...
- 5/18/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Rising young star Milo Parker is set to star as 11 year old Gerald Durrell alongside Keeley Hawes and Leslie Carron in a brand new ITV series The Durrells, based upon naturalist Gerald Durrell’s classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs including the much loved ‘My Family and Other Animals’.
Milo Parker (represented by Bwh) has just wrapped on Tim Burton's latest feature Peregrine's Home for Peculiars, and starred as Roger opposite Sir Ian McKellan in Mr Holmes. Milo was also seen as Conner in sci-fi action adventure Robot Overlords. In The Durrells he plays young Gerry who is obsessed with animals and about to be thrown out of school. Happy to spend hours staring at beetles on a wall, he can go missing for days on epic nature trails and turns the house in Corfu into a zoo.
The story focuses upon Louisa Durrell, played by Keeley Hawes, whose life is in meltdown.
Milo Parker (represented by Bwh) has just wrapped on Tim Burton's latest feature Peregrine's Home for Peculiars, and starred as Roger opposite Sir Ian McKellan in Mr Holmes. Milo was also seen as Conner in sci-fi action adventure Robot Overlords. In The Durrells he plays young Gerry who is obsessed with animals and about to be thrown out of school. Happy to spend hours staring at beetles on a wall, he can go missing for days on epic nature trails and turns the house in Corfu into a zoo.
The story focuses upon Louisa Durrell, played by Keeley Hawes, whose life is in meltdown.
- 8/19/2015
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Keeley Hawes will lead the cast of ITV's latest period drama, and as a bonus she'll get to travel to Corfu.
The Durrells will be a six-part series set in 1935, and is based on Gerald Durrell's trilogy of memoirs, including My Family and Other Animals.
Legendary actress and dancer Leslie Caron will also star in the series, along with popular Greek actor Alexis Georgoulis.
The series focuses on Louisa Durrell (Hawes), whose husband died years before and his money has almost run out. Her four children Larry (Josh O'Connor), Leslie (Callum Woodhouse), Margo (Daisy Waterstone) and Gerry (Milo Parker) are running riot and making life very difficult.
Louisa decides to escape from Britain for a new adventure in Corfu, taking her family with her. Georgoulis will play the dependable Spiro Halkiopoulos, while Caron will appear as Countess Mavrodaki, who hires Margo as her companion.
Yorgos Karamihos will play local...
The Durrells will be a six-part series set in 1935, and is based on Gerald Durrell's trilogy of memoirs, including My Family and Other Animals.
Legendary actress and dancer Leslie Caron will also star in the series, along with popular Greek actor Alexis Georgoulis.
The series focuses on Louisa Durrell (Hawes), whose husband died years before and his money has almost run out. Her four children Larry (Josh O'Connor), Leslie (Callum Woodhouse), Margo (Daisy Waterstone) and Gerry (Milo Parker) are running riot and making life very difficult.
Louisa decides to escape from Britain for a new adventure in Corfu, taking her family with her. Georgoulis will play the dependable Spiro Halkiopoulos, while Caron will appear as Countess Mavrodaki, who hires Margo as her companion.
Yorgos Karamihos will play local...
- 8/18/2015
- Digital Spy
Shooting starts next month in Corfu on six-part drama, The Durrells, which Deadline recently revealed has been ordered by ITV. Line Of Duty and The Casual Vacancy‘s Keeley Hawes has now been set to star as Louisa Durrell with legendary French actress Leslie Caron as the shrewd and exotic Countess Mavrodaki. Written by Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and produced by Sally Woodward Gentle’s Sid Gentle Films, The Durrells is based on conservationist Gerald Durrell's trilogy…...
- 8/18/2015
- Deadline TV
ITV has commissioned a new six-part drama series written by Simon Nye.
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's trilogy of Corfu memoirs that includes My Family and Other Animals.
"Gerald Durrell's novels are some of the warmest, wittiest books of the last century," said executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle.
"It is no wonder they are so well loved. It is a real treat to be working on them with the brilliant Simon Nye. I hope that his obvious love of the characters and the material will be hugely infectious."
The series has been commissioned by ITV's director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.
November said: "The Durrells is a rollercoaster adventure drama. The characters are struggling with the eternal dilemmas of family life when Louisa sets her heart on moving to Corfu.
"It's a unique and engaging drama and we're delighted to be...
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's trilogy of Corfu memoirs that includes My Family and Other Animals.
"Gerald Durrell's novels are some of the warmest, wittiest books of the last century," said executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle.
"It is no wonder they are so well loved. It is a real treat to be working on them with the brilliant Simon Nye. I hope that his obvious love of the characters and the material will be hugely infectious."
The series has been commissioned by ITV's director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.
November said: "The Durrells is a rollercoaster adventure drama. The characters are struggling with the eternal dilemmas of family life when Louisa sets her heart on moving to Corfu.
"It's a unique and engaging drama and we're delighted to be...
- 6/18/2015
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: ITV has commissioned The Durrells, a six-part series, written by Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and produced by Sid Gentle Films. The Durrells is based on Gerald Durrell's classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs including the much loved My Family And Other Animals. The story focuses upon Louisa Durrell whose life is in meltdown. Widowed years ago and running out of money, Louise has four unruly ‘children’ to look after: Larry, Leslie, Margo and Gerry, all going off…...
- 6/18/2015
- Deadline TV
Jason Durr’s sex-toy selling exec is given months to live and change his ways in this raggedy mess
One of the three credited writers for Down Dog is Men Behaving Badly creator Simon Nye, and there’s an obvious overlap between that show and this only mildly amusing feature about a hard-partying sex-toy executive (Jason Durr) who changes his ways when he’s tricked into thinking he has a terminal disease. It may be an “original” plot, but it feels like a remake, perhaps of some lost German or Dutch comedy that was a lot funnier, dirtier and crueller than this raggedy, eventually soppy mess. There is one energetic, well-timed comic highlight, when our hero and his slimy boss (Nick Moran) chuck vibrators and dildos at each other in anger, and it’s sort of a cute idea that all the major women in the lead’s life are...
One of the three credited writers for Down Dog is Men Behaving Badly creator Simon Nye, and there’s an obvious overlap between that show and this only mildly amusing feature about a hard-partying sex-toy executive (Jason Durr) who changes his ways when he’s tricked into thinking he has a terminal disease. It may be an “original” plot, but it feels like a remake, perhaps of some lost German or Dutch comedy that was a lot funnier, dirtier and crueller than this raggedy, eventually soppy mess. There is one energetic, well-timed comic highlight, when our hero and his slimy boss (Nick Moran) chuck vibrators and dildos at each other in anger, and it’s sort of a cute idea that all the major women in the lead’s life are...
- 2/12/2015
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Stars: Jason Durr, Nick Moran, Orla O’Rourke, Tom Goodman-Hill, Dylan Llewellyn, Naomi Battrick, Poppy Drayton, Chetna Pandya, Neil Toon | Written by Andres Dussan, Simon Nye, Lawrence Tallis | Directed by Andres Dussan
Frank Clayton, a high flying business man in the sex toy industry, a ladies man and a sex addict neglects his family to party all night and live a life of luxury. That is until he receives the worst news possible, he is dying and only has one year left to live. As he faces his inevitable demise, he decides to right the wrongs he has made and turn his life around. But as he tries to connect with his son, he soon learns that in his life, nothing is what it seems.
Down Dog is a film which could have gone in many directions. Starting with so much crude, sexual humour, I saw it turning into a light hearted,...
Frank Clayton, a high flying business man in the sex toy industry, a ladies man and a sex addict neglects his family to party all night and live a life of luxury. That is until he receives the worst news possible, he is dying and only has one year left to live. As he faces his inevitable demise, he decides to right the wrongs he has made and turn his life around. But as he tries to connect with his son, he soon learns that in his life, nothing is what it seems.
Down Dog is a film which could have gone in many directions. Starting with so much crude, sexual humour, I saw it turning into a light hearted,...
- 1/17/2015
- by Richard Axtell
- Nerdly
Stand Up to Cancer raised £14,515,243 on Friday night (October 17), beating its previous total of £8m in 2012 by a far stretch.
Hosted by Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Dr Christian Jessen, the charity evening was broadcast live on Channel 4 and raised funds for Cancer Research UK.
Stand Up to Cancer: See Ron Burgundy threaten to pop cancer's testicle
Watch Noel Gallagher, Kate Moss on Stand Up to Cancer Gogglebox special
Stand Up to Cancer: See Derren Brown's card trick dazzle Martin Freeman
A host of stars appeared on the programme in various clips and spoofs, including actor Will Ferrell, singer Taylor Swift and Sherlock star Martin Freeman.
A Derren Brown card trick, Swift and Jamie Oliver 'baking it off', Noel Gallagher appearing on Gogglebox, celebrity auditions for Andy Murray: The Movie and a surprise marriage proposal all featured on the charity appeal.
Watch Diversity help man...
Hosted by Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Dr Christian Jessen, the charity evening was broadcast live on Channel 4 and raised funds for Cancer Research UK.
Stand Up to Cancer: See Ron Burgundy threaten to pop cancer's testicle
Watch Noel Gallagher, Kate Moss on Stand Up to Cancer Gogglebox special
Stand Up to Cancer: See Derren Brown's card trick dazzle Martin Freeman
A host of stars appeared on the programme in various clips and spoofs, including actor Will Ferrell, singer Taylor Swift and Sherlock star Martin Freeman.
A Derren Brown card trick, Swift and Jamie Oliver 'baking it off', Noel Gallagher appearing on Gogglebox, celebrity auditions for Andy Murray: The Movie and a surprise marriage proposal all featured on the charity appeal.
Watch Diversity help man...
- 10/18/2014
- Digital Spy
Ricky Gervais has confirmed that The Office's David Brent will be heading to the big screen with his own movie, Life on the Road.
So as we anticipate what Brent has been up to since the end of the BBC hit comedy, here's what the cast have done since:
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais played the lead role as David Brent - the embarrassing, toe-curling and cringeworthy boss of company Wernham Hogg, devoid of self-awareness but poised with an unwavering love for the paper merchants he manages.
Gervais went on to create comedy Extras with Stephen Merchant, which was co-produced by the BBC and HBO and aired between 2005 and 2007. Gervais played ambitious actor Andy Millman, afflicted with a useless agent played by Merchant. Guest stars have included Patrick Stewart, Samuel L Jackson, Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet.
In 2009, Gervais starred in, wrote and directed his feature comedy debut The Invention of Lying.
So as we anticipate what Brent has been up to since the end of the BBC hit comedy, here's what the cast have done since:
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais played the lead role as David Brent - the embarrassing, toe-curling and cringeworthy boss of company Wernham Hogg, devoid of self-awareness but poised with an unwavering love for the paper merchants he manages.
Gervais went on to create comedy Extras with Stephen Merchant, which was co-produced by the BBC and HBO and aired between 2005 and 2007. Gervais played ambitious actor Andy Millman, afflicted with a useless agent played by Merchant. Guest stars have included Patrick Stewart, Samuel L Jackson, Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet.
In 2009, Gervais starred in, wrote and directed his feature comedy debut The Invention of Lying.
- 8/6/2014
- Digital Spy
Tonight (Tuesday, April 22) sees that rarest of beasts get an outing on ITV4 - a British animated series aimed exclusively at adults.
Warren United - co-created by Men Behaving Badly's Simon Nye and featuring the voice of BAFTA winner Darren Boyd - is a new animated sitcom about family, football and the passion of being a fan.
"While Warren United focuses on a bloke who's crazy about football, it's really about passion," said co-executive producer Henry Normal. "Football's about human stories - we've tried to capture that."
The first of six Warren United episodes airs tonight at 9pm, but could the series be at the forefront of an animation revolution in the UK?
On April 1, a new tax break for the UK animation industry went into effect, with many predicting a boost for UK-based production - but will that be enough to reverse the long-floundering fortunes of adult animation in Great Britain?...
Warren United - co-created by Men Behaving Badly's Simon Nye and featuring the voice of BAFTA winner Darren Boyd - is a new animated sitcom about family, football and the passion of being a fan.
"While Warren United focuses on a bloke who's crazy about football, it's really about passion," said co-executive producer Henry Normal. "Football's about human stories - we've tried to capture that."
The first of six Warren United episodes airs tonight at 9pm, but could the series be at the forefront of an animation revolution in the UK?
On April 1, a new tax break for the UK animation industry went into effect, with many predicting a boost for UK-based production - but will that be enough to reverse the long-floundering fortunes of adult animation in Great Britain?...
- 4/22/2014
- Digital Spy
Jamaica Inn: BBC One, 9pm
First of a three-part adaptation by Emma Frost of Daphne du Maurier's bleak romance. In 1821, Mary Yellan, a headstrong heroine, is forced to live with her aunt at Jamaica Inn in Cornwall following her mother's death. Danger and disaster await her on Bodmin Moor.
Her bullying uncle Joss is revealed to be a notorious smuggler, whose gang has control across the entire Cornish coastline. Life at the inn soon changes Mary as she begins to wonder whether she will change herself, surrounded by such immoral criminals. Even so, she cannot resist the charm of her uncle's enigmatic younger brother Jem.
Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This: ITV, 9pm
Feature-length drama exploring the life of much-treasured comedian Tommy Cooper, written by Simon Nye and starring David Threlfall (Frank Gallagher from Shameless). There is attention given to Cooper's practised incompetence with magic tricks,...
First of a three-part adaptation by Emma Frost of Daphne du Maurier's bleak romance. In 1821, Mary Yellan, a headstrong heroine, is forced to live with her aunt at Jamaica Inn in Cornwall following her mother's death. Danger and disaster await her on Bodmin Moor.
Her bullying uncle Joss is revealed to be a notorious smuggler, whose gang has control across the entire Cornish coastline. Life at the inn soon changes Mary as she begins to wonder whether she will change herself, surrounded by such immoral criminals. Even so, she cannot resist the charm of her uncle's enigmatic younger brother Jem.
Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This: ITV, 9pm
Feature-length drama exploring the life of much-treasured comedian Tommy Cooper, written by Simon Nye and starring David Threlfall (Frank Gallagher from Shameless). There is attention given to Cooper's practised incompetence with magic tricks,...
- 4/21/2014
- Digital Spy
With a four-day Easter weekend ahead, you're going to need some great telly to keep the family entertained, and thankfully there's bucket-loads of great programmes to choose from.
So let us, along with our friends at Now TV, pick out the best Easter entertainment to watch on the box this weekend.
1. Game of Thrones
Where: Sky Atlantic on Now TV
When: Monday nights at 9pm - Series 1-3 box set available now
It's the most talked-about show in the world right now, and after the jaw-dropping Omg-ending to series four's second episode, anticipation couldn't be any higher for the next instalment of action from Westeros. And if you haven't seen it already, you can catch up on every episode from the beginning on Now TV.
The fall-out from the Purple Wedding looks set to dominate the remainder of series four, but don't be surprised if there are a few more...
So let us, along with our friends at Now TV, pick out the best Easter entertainment to watch on the box this weekend.
1. Game of Thrones
Where: Sky Atlantic on Now TV
When: Monday nights at 9pm - Series 1-3 box set available now
It's the most talked-about show in the world right now, and after the jaw-dropping Omg-ending to series four's second episode, anticipation couldn't be any higher for the next instalment of action from Westeros. And if you haven't seen it already, you can catch up on every episode from the beginning on Now TV.
The fall-out from the Purple Wedding looks set to dominate the remainder of series four, but don't be surprised if there are a few more...
- 4/18/2014
- Digital Spy
Tommy Cooper Not Like That, Like This
Legendary comedian Tommy Cooper was a staple of variety shows right up until his on-air death in 1984. Behind the scenes though, he was a conflicted man. Torn between his wife “Dove” and his feelings for his long-time assistant Mary Kay. ITV’s Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This will she more light on the trials and tribulations of the troubled comic.
The one-off drama was written by Simon Nye and produced by Left Bank Pictures. David Threlfall (Shameless) takes on the role of Cooper while Amanda Redman (New Tricks) plays his long suffering wife. Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders) takes on the role of Mary Kay. The drama will air on Monday 21 April at 9pm.
N Conrad
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Legendary comedian Tommy Cooper was a staple of variety shows right up until his on-air death in 1984. Behind the scenes though, he was a conflicted man. Torn between his wife “Dove” and his feelings for his long-time assistant Mary Kay. ITV’s Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This will she more light on the trials and tribulations of the troubled comic.
The one-off drama was written by Simon Nye and produced by Left Bank Pictures. David Threlfall (Shameless) takes on the role of Cooper while Amanda Redman (New Tricks) plays his long suffering wife. Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders) takes on the role of Mary Kay. The drama will air on Monday 21 April at 9pm.
N Conrad
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Google+ by clicking here.
- 4/13/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
A trailer for Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This has been released.
The promo features David Threlfall as the comedian and magician in the one-off Simon Nye-penned ITV drama, and also stars New Tricks actress Amanda Redman and Peaky Blinders' Helen McCrory.
Not Like That, Like This focuses on Cooper's 17-year relationship with his assistant Mary Kay (McCrory) on the road, while his wife Gwen (Redman), nicknamed Dove, looked after their children.
Struggling to choose which of the two women he wanted to be with, he suffered a heart attack live on air in 1984 and passed away.
The two-hour film is produced by Lucy Dyke and directed by Benjamin Caron.
Filming began in London last summer, with producer, magician and Always Leave Them Laughing Cooper biographer John Fisher acting as consultant.
Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This airs on Monday, April 21 at 9pm on ITV.
The promo features David Threlfall as the comedian and magician in the one-off Simon Nye-penned ITV drama, and also stars New Tricks actress Amanda Redman and Peaky Blinders' Helen McCrory.
Not Like That, Like This focuses on Cooper's 17-year relationship with his assistant Mary Kay (McCrory) on the road, while his wife Gwen (Redman), nicknamed Dove, looked after their children.
Struggling to choose which of the two women he wanted to be with, he suffered a heart attack live on air in 1984 and passed away.
The two-hour film is produced by Lucy Dyke and directed by Benjamin Caron.
Filming began in London last summer, with producer, magician and Always Leave Them Laughing Cooper biographer John Fisher acting as consultant.
Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This airs on Monday, April 21 at 9pm on ITV.
- 4/10/2014
- Digital Spy
The writer and producer behind Men Behaving Badly are working on a new sitcom.
Simon Nye and Beryl Vertue are currently creating a comedy set in a hotel.
Radio Times reports that writer Nye has finished a script for Private Parts, and is hoping to get a commission from the BBC.
Nye has reportedly also made casting approaches.
He told the website: "Serious actors are desperate to do comedy, so we've got some good people lined up."
Meanwhile, he also did not rule out a return for the classic 1990s sitcom, starring Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey.
"There's always the issue of how you'd cast it, but I'd never say no," he added.
Simon Nye and Beryl Vertue are currently creating a comedy set in a hotel.
Radio Times reports that writer Nye has finished a script for Private Parts, and is hoping to get a commission from the BBC.
Nye has reportedly also made casting approaches.
He told the website: "Serious actors are desperate to do comedy, so we've got some good people lined up."
Meanwhile, he also did not rule out a return for the classic 1990s sitcom, starring Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey.
"There's always the issue of how you'd cast it, but I'd never say no," he added.
- 4/2/2014
- Digital Spy
‘X Factor’ Musical ‘I Can’t Sing’ Delays Previews By Two Days Previews of Simon Cowell‘s The X Factor musical, I Can’t Sing, have been postponed by two days at the London Palladium. Stage Entertainment and Syco Entertainment are producing the show and say they’ve decided to start previews on March 1 as opposed to February 27 due to “technical issues caused by the ambitious staging of the new musical comedy.” Rebecca Quigley, producer for Stage Entertainment, said, “As audiences will soon see, the production is hugely ambitious, and the volume of installation and scale of the set means that technical work has taken slightly longer than could have been anticipated to make the show audience-ready.” Nigel Harman (EastEnders, Downton Abbey) is playing a character based on Cowell in the musical that’s directed by Olivier Award-winner and Tony nominee Sean Foley. British comedian Harry Hill wrote the show.
- 2/25/2014
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
ITV is building up to the 2014 Brazil World Cup with a new animated football comedy from Simon Nye, the writer of Men Behaving Badly.
Warren United follows the fortunes of Warren Kinglsey, an overweight kitchen salesman and dedicated football fan. It will air on ITV.
Written by David Quantick and Dominic Holland, the show will feature the voices of Darren Boyd (Spy), Morgana Robinson (House of Fools), Morwenna Banks (Peppa Pig), Johnny Vegas and Eleanor Lawrence (Common Ground).
The production comes from Baby Cow (Uncle, Gavin and Stacey, Mighty Boosh and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa) and Canadian animation house Smiley Guy.
The show will launch on April 22.
Henry Normal, co-founder of Baby Cow productions, said: "New animated narrative series in this country are so rare. So are comedies about football, while those about fans even rarer. On several counts, therefore, we're trying something unusual."
ITV's director of digital channels Angela...
Warren United follows the fortunes of Warren Kinglsey, an overweight kitchen salesman and dedicated football fan. It will air on ITV.
Written by David Quantick and Dominic Holland, the show will feature the voices of Darren Boyd (Spy), Morgana Robinson (House of Fools), Morwenna Banks (Peppa Pig), Johnny Vegas and Eleanor Lawrence (Common Ground).
The production comes from Baby Cow (Uncle, Gavin and Stacey, Mighty Boosh and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa) and Canadian animation house Smiley Guy.
The show will launch on April 22.
Henry Normal, co-founder of Baby Cow productions, said: "New animated narrative series in this country are so rare. So are comedies about football, while those about fans even rarer. On several counts, therefore, we're trying something unusual."
ITV's director of digital channels Angela...
- 2/24/2014
- Digital Spy
Updated & Exclusive: Beta closes a number of key deals on Venice award-winner Still Life.
Still Life director Uberto Pasolini has several new projects on the boil as a producer through his company Redwave. One is a UK/French comedy that is being co-scripted by Simon Nye and that he will make with Rita Dagher’s Senorita Films. Another is a British comedy written by comedian Deborah Frances-White. Meanwhile, he is still working with director Alan Taylor (Palookaville, Thor) on The Horseman, a western adapted from David Anthony Durham’s civil war set novel, Gabriel’s Story.
He is also hatching a version of The Odyssey from a script by Edward Bond. (Pasolini nearly made the project a decade ago with Neil Jordan and is re-firing it now.)
Meanwhile, Beta has sold Still Life to Bim for Italy, Wild Bunch for Benelux, Palace in Australia, Filmcoopi in Switzerland, Arthaus in Norway, Folkets Bio in Sweden...
Still Life director Uberto Pasolini has several new projects on the boil as a producer through his company Redwave. One is a UK/French comedy that is being co-scripted by Simon Nye and that he will make with Rita Dagher’s Senorita Films. Another is a British comedy written by comedian Deborah Frances-White. Meanwhile, he is still working with director Alan Taylor (Palookaville, Thor) on The Horseman, a western adapted from David Anthony Durham’s civil war set novel, Gabriel’s Story.
He is also hatching a version of The Odyssey from a script by Edward Bond. (Pasolini nearly made the project a decade ago with Neil Jordan and is re-firing it now.)
Meanwhile, Beta has sold Still Life to Bim for Italy, Wild Bunch for Benelux, Palace in Australia, Filmcoopi in Switzerland, Arthaus in Norway, Folkets Bio in Sweden...
- 9/15/2013
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Shameless star David Threlfall will play Tommy Cooper in a single ITV drama based on the comedian's life.
The two-hour film is a Left Bank Pictures production written by Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and will also star Amanda Redman as Cooper's wife Dove.
Left Bank Pictures' Andy Harries said: "Few comics have had such a lasting influence on UK culture as Tommy Cooper.
"The man was a comedy giant who spent his final years juggling his hugely successful public persona with a private passion for two women. Just like that."
ITV's director of drama commissioning Steve November added: "Tommy Cooper was an ITV legend and so it feels very fitting to be telling his story on ITV.
"Left Bank have brought together wonderful talent in Simon Nye, David Threlfall and Amanda Redman to tell the story."
The film will focus on Cooper's 17-year affair with his...
The two-hour film is a Left Bank Pictures production written by Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and will also star Amanda Redman as Cooper's wife Dove.
Left Bank Pictures' Andy Harries said: "Few comics have had such a lasting influence on UK culture as Tommy Cooper.
"The man was a comedy giant who spent his final years juggling his hugely successful public persona with a private passion for two women. Just like that."
ITV's director of drama commissioning Steve November added: "Tommy Cooper was an ITV legend and so it feels very fitting to be telling his story on ITV.
"Left Bank have brought together wonderful talent in Simon Nye, David Threlfall and Amanda Redman to tell the story."
The film will focus on Cooper's 17-year affair with his...
- 5/23/2013
- Digital Spy
Feature Cameron K McEwan 22 May 2013 - 07:00
Cameron gives us the run-down on 11 other versions of the Doctor, featuring robots, Dream Lords, and more...
Warning: contains a major spoiler for The Name of the Doctor.
With the curtain-closing, hair-raising Doctor Who finale in the past and now but a fond memory, The Name of the Doctor threw up a new Doctor Who for us all to enjoy (and rampantly speculate about for the next six months). But this is not the first time fans have had to unexpectedly encounter a new, or "other" Doctor. Here's my favourite eleven below (apologies to Richard Hurndall and all the Morbius Doctors, you just missed out).
11. The Fatal Death Doctor
Okay, this is a slight cheat but if you want to know why he's on the list, I'll explain later. Steven Moffat penned a delightful Doctor Who mini-story for Comic Relief back in 1999; a...
Cameron gives us the run-down on 11 other versions of the Doctor, featuring robots, Dream Lords, and more...
Warning: contains a major spoiler for The Name of the Doctor.
With the curtain-closing, hair-raising Doctor Who finale in the past and now but a fond memory, The Name of the Doctor threw up a new Doctor Who for us all to enjoy (and rampantly speculate about for the next six months). But this is not the first time fans have had to unexpectedly encounter a new, or "other" Doctor. Here's my favourite eleven below (apologies to Richard Hurndall and all the Morbius Doctors, you just missed out).
11. The Fatal Death Doctor
Okay, this is a slight cheat but if you want to know why he's on the list, I'll explain later. Steven Moffat penned a delightful Doctor Who mini-story for Comic Relief back in 1999; a...
- 5/21/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Feature Andrew Blair 2 Apr 2013 - 08:30
Andrew offers up ten screenwriting names on our wishlist for appearing on the front of future Doctor Who scripts...
Gone are the days where you could send a letter to Peter Darvill-Evans and write a New Adventure. Big Finish will occasionally hold a writing competition, but for most of the time your examination of what it truly means to be an Ogri will be returned unopened. Fan-fiction will never surpass the heights of Ben Chatham's adventures (apart from all the many times it will), and so it came to pass that Doctor Who writing became something of a closed world. The positives of this outweigh the negatives.
To get a job writing for televisual Doctor Who, you have to be an experienced pro with television experience who can turn in a script on time, not minding that their work might be tampered with by...
Andrew offers up ten screenwriting names on our wishlist for appearing on the front of future Doctor Who scripts...
Gone are the days where you could send a letter to Peter Darvill-Evans and write a New Adventure. Big Finish will occasionally hold a writing competition, but for most of the time your examination of what it truly means to be an Ogri will be returned unopened. Fan-fiction will never surpass the heights of Ben Chatham's adventures (apart from all the many times it will), and so it came to pass that Doctor Who writing became something of a closed world. The positives of this outweigh the negatives.
To get a job writing for televisual Doctor Who, you have to be an experienced pro with television experience who can turn in a script on time, not minding that their work might be tampered with by...
- 4/2/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
A stellar cast of Hugh Bonneville, David Walliams, Sheridan Smith, Johnny Vegas and Pudsey the dog, star in Mr Stink, a magical, heart-warming and funny tale, adapted from David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book which comes to BBC One on Sunday 23 December 6.30-7.30pm.
Adapted by Walliams himself with Simon Nye, this 60-minute family comedy tells the story of lonely 12-year-old Chloe played by Nell Tiger Free), who invites local tramp Mr Stink (Hugh Bonneville) and his dog Duchess played by Britain's Got Talent winner Pudsey to hide out in her family’s garden shed.
Chloe also has to cope with an overbearing mum (Sheridan Smith) who is more interested in her own political ambitions and her infatuation with the Prime Minister (David Walliams), than her daughter. ‘Perfect’ younger sister Annabelle (Isabella Blake-Thomas) and nasty girls at school also make Chloe’s life miserable. Chloe’s only allies are...
Adapted by Walliams himself with Simon Nye, this 60-minute family comedy tells the story of lonely 12-year-old Chloe played by Nell Tiger Free), who invites local tramp Mr Stink (Hugh Bonneville) and his dog Duchess played by Britain's Got Talent winner Pudsey to hide out in her family’s garden shed.
Chloe also has to cope with an overbearing mum (Sheridan Smith) who is more interested in her own political ambitions and her infatuation with the Prime Minister (David Walliams), than her daughter. ‘Perfect’ younger sister Annabelle (Isabella Blake-Thomas) and nasty girls at school also make Chloe’s life miserable. Chloe’s only allies are...
- 12/4/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Wahey mates! The “greatest sitcom in the BBC’s history” and a true benchmark for every sitcom that followed, the sharp, brilliantly observant and consistently laugh-out-loud funny “Men Behaving Badly” comes to DVD in a fantastic 20th Anniversary collection that, for the first time, brings together every episode of all six classic series along with the four specials and the rarely-seen Comic Relief sketches.
We have a copy of the box set to give away to our readers.
Flatmates Gary and Tony are your typical “lads”, a pair of irresponsible, politically incorrect and seriously juvenile men who refuse to grown up and whose idea of heaven is sitting on the sofa, drinking lager, talking about women and putting the world to rights while watching Kylie Minogue videos on the TV. The one sobering influence in their lives is Dorothy, a sensible, sharp-witted nurse and Gary’s long-suffering girlfriend. But the...
We have a copy of the box set to give away to our readers.
Flatmates Gary and Tony are your typical “lads”, a pair of irresponsible, politically incorrect and seriously juvenile men who refuse to grown up and whose idea of heaven is sitting on the sofa, drinking lager, talking about women and putting the world to rights while watching Kylie Minogue videos on the TV. The one sobering influence in their lives is Dorothy, a sensible, sharp-witted nurse and Gary’s long-suffering girlfriend. But the...
- 10/31/2012
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
In the twenty years since Men Behaving Badly threw Martin Clunes and Harry Enfield together in a pokey flat things have changed. It was a comedy show which eschewed sophisication and whose humour was incredibly broad and bawdy and yet it found its way into the hearts of the nation, being voted the greatest sitcom in the BBC’s history, although Messrs. Cleese and Gervais might argue with that.
Simon Nye’s sitcom became a cornerstone of the BBC’s early ’90s viewing, fuelled by lager, the lad/ette culture of the time and a cast with great chemistry it was the last gasp of the traditional UK sitcom. Before The Office rode roughshod over the format and Friends petered out across the Atlantic Men Behaving Badly took the well worn format of clueless guys and the frustrated (sometime) other halves in a flat doing not a lot and spun...
Simon Nye’s sitcom became a cornerstone of the BBC’s early ’90s viewing, fuelled by lager, the lad/ette culture of the time and a cast with great chemistry it was the last gasp of the traditional UK sitcom. Before The Office rode roughshod over the format and Friends petered out across the Atlantic Men Behaving Badly took the well worn format of clueless guys and the frustrated (sometime) other halves in a flat doing not a lot and spun...
- 10/19/2012
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
CBS has signed a script deal with Steve Coogan and Simon Nye for an untitled comedy project which follows three dads with children from the same mother. According to Variety, Coogan and Nye are scripting and will serve as executive producers alongside Michael Rotenberg. Coogan is best known for his work on films like Shawn Levy's family-targeted Night at the Museum films, the riotous Hamlet 2 (shown above) and of course as Damien Cockburn, the director who gets blown to pieces in Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder. He can be seen in the romantic comedy Ruby Sparks and is in post-production phase on the animated Despicable Me 2 and the Untitled Paul Raymond Story. Coogan's currently shooting Elaine Constantine's Northern Soul with Antonia Thomas and James Lance.
- 10/18/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
CBS has signed a script deal with Steve Coogan and Simon Nye for an untitled comedy project which follows three dads with children from the same mother. According to Variety, Coogan and Nye are scripting and will serve as executive producers alongside Michael Rotenberg. Coogan is best known for his work on films like Shawn Levy's family-targeted Night at the Museum films, the riotous Hamlet 2 (shown above) and of course as Damien Cockburn, the director who gets blown to pieces in Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder. He can be seen in the romantic comedy Ruby Sparks and is in post-production phase on the animated Despicable Me 2 and the Untitled Paul Raymond Story. Coogan's currently shooting Elaine Constantine's Northern Soul with Antonia Thomas and James Lance.
- 10/18/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Earl of Grantham is doing one for the kids. Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville will play the title role in BBC One children’s novel adaptation Mr. Stink. The family comedy is based on the book by comic actor David Walliams, best known as half of the Little Britain duo. Walliams and Simon Nye are adapting. BBC In-house is producing. The story follows a lonely 12-year-old girl who befriends a local tramp, Mr. Stink. When she invites him to hide out in her yard, she must try to conceal him while coping with her complicated family. Harish Patel (David Schwimmer’s Run Fat Boy Run) and Walliams also star. Bonneville may be stiff-upper-lipped as Downton‘s Robert Crawley, but he’s no stranger to comedy. He recently starred in BBC Olympics mockumentary Twenty Twelve which also ran on BBC America and won the 2011 British Comedy Award for best sitcom.
- 9/21/2012
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
The seventh series of the new Doctor Who will likely start airing in the autumn of 2012 and may run into the fiftieth anniversary year, 2013. News is just starting to emerge of who the writers and directors will be and so the countdown to series seven feels like it has begun.
The last series – as usual – delighted some and frustrated others. As one who was both frustrated and delighted, here are some of my thoughts about what show-runner Steven Moffat could do to make both devoted fans and casual viewers more delighted and less frustrated over the 13 episodes which are on their way.
1. Less of the “arc” plotting
Moffat has already indicated that following the series-long storyline of the Doctor’s apparent death and Amy and Rory’s baby last year, he intends to “throw the lever back the other way” this year, even to the point of not initially commissioning any two part stories.
The last series – as usual – delighted some and frustrated others. As one who was both frustrated and delighted, here are some of my thoughts about what show-runner Steven Moffat could do to make both devoted fans and casual viewers more delighted and less frustrated over the 13 episodes which are on their way.
1. Less of the “arc” plotting
Moffat has already indicated that following the series-long storyline of the Doctor’s apparent death and Amy and Rory’s baby last year, he intends to “throw the lever back the other way” this year, even to the point of not initially commissioning any two part stories.
- 2/20/2012
- by Tom Salinsky
- Obsessed with Film
It was a dark, bleak, Dickens-filled Christmas – and really rather captivating
Great Expectations (BBC1) | iPlayer
Mrs Dickens' Family Christmas (BBC2) | iPlayer
Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (BBC1) | iPlayer
Downtown Abbey Christmas Special (ITV1) | ITV Player
The Borrowers (BBC1) | iPlayer
Felix and Murdo (C4) | 4Od
It was a Dickens-heavy Christmas and all the better for it. By that, I don't mean the rosy confected one of bantering ho-hos and seething subterranean hypocrisies which Charles essentially invented. It was a dark, bleak, clever one, with ghostly waving branches and awkward truths – possibly rather suitable to end the year we've just had.
There was, of course, Great Expectations, over three grimly fabulous nights. You knew it was going to be good from the off, when a muddied Ray Winstone as Magwitch grabbed Pip's foot from under the bridge, those skies above the marshes a cloying grey shroud of claustrophobic tension.
Great Expectations (BBC1) | iPlayer
Mrs Dickens' Family Christmas (BBC2) | iPlayer
Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (BBC1) | iPlayer
Downtown Abbey Christmas Special (ITV1) | ITV Player
The Borrowers (BBC1) | iPlayer
Felix and Murdo (C4) | 4Od
It was a Dickens-heavy Christmas and all the better for it. By that, I don't mean the rosy confected one of bantering ho-hos and seething subterranean hypocrisies which Charles essentially invented. It was a dark, bleak, clever one, with ghostly waving branches and awkward truths – possibly rather suitable to end the year we've just had.
There was, of course, Great Expectations, over three grimly fabulous nights. You knew it was going to be good from the off, when a muddied Ray Winstone as Magwitch grabbed Pip's foot from under the bridge, those skies above the marshes a cloying grey shroud of claustrophobic tension.
- 1/1/2012
- by Euan Ferguson
- The Guardian - Film News
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller's new Channel 4 pilot Felix and Murdo made a quiet impact on TV last night, overnight viewing figures indicate. The Edwardian comedy, penned by Men Behaving Badly's Simon Nye, amused 653k (3.9%) at 10.30pm. Felix and Murdo rounded off a poor evening for C4, after Jon Snow's 2011 logged 506k (2.1%) at 8pm, and 1.09m (4.6%) caught The Untold Tommy Cooper at 9pm (+1: 217k/1.3%). Great Expectations continued to perform strongly for BBC One with 6.04m (24.8%) for the second episode, while the drama's closest 9pm opponent - It'll Be Alright on the Night with Griff Rhys Jones - attracted 4.69m (18.5%) to ITV1 (+1: 527k/2.8%). Rhys Jones also appeared on BBC Two's Three Men Go To New England (more)...
- 12/29/2011
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Amy's Choice. Hmmm, sounds like a brand new drink that you'd get down the pub – you know, the sort of dayglo alcoholic fizzy pop that would turn your insides out after three bottles. Or maybe it's a slightly flat bitter with a potent but unpleasant after-taste.
Well, it sounds simple, but there's a bit more to it than that. If there's one thing that I've learned about the worlds of Doctor Who, it's that nothing is as easy as it seems. Just like disentangling Amy's Choice itself. It's actually for me personally one of the better stories of a decidedly mixed season. Which is something of a damning indictment, given that it still feels like something of a missed opportunity. Like The Vampires Of Venice , there's the feeling that this story could be so much more. So! Much! More! Sorry, I'm reminded of the Tenth Doctor's final few hours in...
Well, it sounds simple, but there's a bit more to it than that. If there's one thing that I've learned about the worlds of Doctor Who, it's that nothing is as easy as it seems. Just like disentangling Amy's Choice itself. It's actually for me personally one of the better stories of a decidedly mixed season. Which is something of a damning indictment, given that it still feels like something of a missed opportunity. Like The Vampires Of Venice , there's the feeling that this story could be so much more. So! Much! More! Sorry, I'm reminded of the Tenth Doctor's final few hours in...
- 11/9/2011
- Shadowlocked
The Sarah Jane Adventures has received its fourth consecutive nomination for the British Academy Children’s Awards in the Drama category. The awards on November 27th will be up against the BBC’s Just William (the fourth television incarnation of Richmal Crompton’s William Brown series which was adapted by Amy’s Choice writer Simon Nye) Nickelodeon’s British/American/Belgian co-produced [...]...
- 10/25/2011
- by Andrew Reynolds
- Kasterborous.com
12 year old Daniel Roche, star of Outnumbered, has been nominated for a best Performer BAFTA for his portrayal of William in the BBC's Just William. The Cbbc series has also been nominated for Best Drama along with the Just William series writer Simon Nye.
Combat Kids and House of Anubis are also up for best drama against Just William and regular nominee The Sarah Jane Adventures, which last year lost out to Tracy Beaker Returns.
Cbbc's Sadie J has a nomination for best comedy but faces stiff competition from the acclaimed Horrible Histories.
These awards get chosen by the BAFTA judges and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday 27 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
But kids also get a chance to vote for their favourite Film, TV Show, Video Game and Website of the last year from the shortlists (which include long-standing favourites The Sarah Jane Adventures,...
Combat Kids and House of Anubis are also up for best drama against Just William and regular nominee The Sarah Jane Adventures, which last year lost out to Tracy Beaker Returns.
Cbbc's Sadie J has a nomination for best comedy but faces stiff competition from the acclaimed Horrible Histories.
These awards get chosen by the BAFTA judges and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday 27 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
But kids also get a chance to vote for their favourite Film, TV Show, Video Game and Website of the last year from the shortlists (which include long-standing favourites The Sarah Jane Adventures,...
- 10/24/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller are to star in a new sitcom on Channel 4. The pair will play the title roles in Felix and Murdo, a period series from Men Behaving Badly creator Simon Nye. Set in 1908, the show will follow Murdo (Armstrong) and Felix (Miller) as they engage in a drink and drugs spree while competing in the first London Olympics. Armstrong and Miller's production company Toff Media will co-produce Felix and Murdo alongside Objective Productions. The pair previously (more)...
- 7/14/2011
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Although it's easy to forget, the 90's were a hugely influential era, so much so that many of our modern day necessities were invented within it. In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee developed the Internet and its subsequent language (HTML); in 1995, the VHS welcomed its main rival and subsequent successor, the Digital Versatile Disc (DVD); and in 1998, male impotency met its match through the mass-production of Viagra. However, while the 90's marked an impressive era for technology, it was the evolution of television - especially comedy shows - that we should be most thankful for. Men Behaving Badly, The Vicar of Dibley, The Fast Show, Mr. Bean, Goodness Gracious Me, Never Mind the Buzzcocks - the list really does go on and on.
Is it Legal? was first shown on British television in 1995 on ITV and was the brainchild of Simon Nye, the original creator of Men Behaving Badly. The series - which...
Is it Legal? was first shown on British television in 1995 on ITV and was the brainchild of Simon Nye, the original creator of Men Behaving Badly. The series - which...
- 1/9/2011
- Shadowlocked
Screening over Christmas this year will be the new feature-length adaptation by Simon Nye of Richmal Crompton's much-loved mischievous hero Just William. Weaving together a selection of Richmal Crompton's timeless short stories and setting them in the Fifties, Simon has written scripts faithful to her precise portrait of British family life.
The adventures follow William's first encounter with the frilly-yet-formidable Violet Elizabeth Bott; a spot of parrot kidnapping for William's animal lecture; an elaborate plan to dispose of a bad school report; a spot of blackmail; and William's attempt to impress tomboy Dorinda (played by Lottie Bell) with a bit of Shakespeare.
Joining freshly-shorn Outnumbered star Daniel Roche in the title role, are Isabella Blake Thomas as Violet and Robert Foster as Henry. Completing the Outlaws gang are:
13 year old Jordan Grehs from Romford plays Ginger. Jordan appeared in Cbbc drama Scoop and feature film...
The adventures follow William's first encounter with the frilly-yet-formidable Violet Elizabeth Bott; a spot of parrot kidnapping for William's animal lecture; an elaborate plan to dispose of a bad school report; a spot of blackmail; and William's attempt to impress tomboy Dorinda (played by Lottie Bell) with a bit of Shakespeare.
Joining freshly-shorn Outnumbered star Daniel Roche in the title role, are Isabella Blake Thomas as Violet and Robert Foster as Henry. Completing the Outlaws gang are:
13 year old Jordan Grehs from Romford plays Ginger. Jordan appeared in Cbbc drama Scoop and feature film...
- 11/22/2010
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Doctor Who's fifth season has been a bit of a quandry for some fans, but not for me. While some found the season to be uneven and otherwise lesser in quality, I found it to be a well-written, well-acted series, for the most part — that is, if you axed "Victory of the Daleks," one of the worst episodes the show has had since 2005.
In any case, Doctor Who will be returning in 2011 along with showrunner Steven Moffat and stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (and hopefully Arthur Darvill) for thirteen episodes, confirmed a spokesman for the BBC. Previous series of the show have lasted thirteen episodes as well, meaning that season six is maintaining the status quo. Meanwhile, Moffat has confirmed that he'll be writing five episodes of the sixth series, as well as this year's Christmas special.
"I’m doing the Christmas special plus five [episodes], so it’s the same.
In any case, Doctor Who will be returning in 2011 along with showrunner Steven Moffat and stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (and hopefully Arthur Darvill) for thirteen episodes, confirmed a spokesman for the BBC. Previous series of the show have lasted thirteen episodes as well, meaning that season six is maintaining the status quo. Meanwhile, Moffat has confirmed that he'll be writing five episodes of the sixth series, as well as this year's Christmas special.
"I’m doing the Christmas special plus five [episodes], so it’s the same.
- 7/31/2010
- by Sam McPherson
- TVovermind.com
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