Feature Jason D'Allison 17 May 2013 - 07:08
Grange Hill. The only school kids ever seemed to be interested in. Us included…
At your school, did anyone die in the swimming pool? Did you have to contend with vicious bullies (and we’re talking about the teachers!)? Did everyone have London accents coarse enough to strip the paint off the classroom doors? Yes? Flippin’ ’eck, you must have gone to Grange Hill!
If you grew up in the 1980s but don’t have a fondness for Grange Hill, there’s probably only one explanation: you were banned from watching it. Yep, for those of us who could get away with it, this rites-of-passage drama series about the pupils of a north-London comprehensive was must-see television, but by parents and teachers it was generally despised. It all started in 1978, and continues to this day (just about), but its golden age was undoubtedly the 1980s.
Grange Hill. The only school kids ever seemed to be interested in. Us included…
At your school, did anyone die in the swimming pool? Did you have to contend with vicious bullies (and we’re talking about the teachers!)? Did everyone have London accents coarse enough to strip the paint off the classroom doors? Yes? Flippin’ ’eck, you must have gone to Grange Hill!
If you grew up in the 1980s but don’t have a fondness for Grange Hill, there’s probably only one explanation: you were banned from watching it. Yep, for those of us who could get away with it, this rites-of-passage drama series about the pupils of a north-London comprehensive was must-see television, but by parents and teachers it was generally despised. It all started in 1978, and continues to this day (just about), but its golden age was undoubtedly the 1980s.
- 5/16/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Mr. Carson better be ready for the new trainees he's acquiring in Season 3 of "Downton Abbey." It was previously announced that Matt Milne ("War Horse") has been cast as a new footman named Alfred. Now Digital Spy is reporting that Ed Speleers has been cast as the second new footman, Jimmy.
Speleers has most notably starred as the title character in "Eragon," alongside Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle and John Malkovich. He also starred on U.K. television series "Echo Beach."
In addition to the new footmen, "Downton" is bringing in a new kitchen maid named Ivy (Cara Theobald), Lady Cora's mother Martha (Shirley MacLaine) and Martha's lady's maid Miss Reid (Lucille Sharp).
So many new faces! We're glad the show is paying attention to our Season 3 Character Wishlist. The third season of "Downton" premieres in the U.K. in September, in the U.S. in January 2013.
Speleers has most notably starred as the title character in "Eragon," alongside Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle and John Malkovich. He also starred on U.K. television series "Echo Beach."
In addition to the new footmen, "Downton" is bringing in a new kitchen maid named Ivy (Cara Theobald), Lady Cora's mother Martha (Shirley MacLaine) and Martha's lady's maid Miss Reid (Lucille Sharp).
So many new faces! We're glad the show is paying attention to our Season 3 Character Wishlist. The third season of "Downton" premieres in the U.K. in September, in the U.S. in January 2013.
- 3/22/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Actor Ed Speleers has become YouthNet's first ambassador supporting the charity’s fundraising work for its LifeSupport Appeal.
Ed, who will shortly begin filming UK feature film Angel’s Peak opposite Melissa George (30 Days of night, The Amityville Horror) is best known for playing the title role in the fantasy classic Eragon and appearing in British prime time series Echo Beach.
Read more...
Ed, who will shortly begin filming UK feature film Angel’s Peak opposite Melissa George (30 Days of night, The Amityville Horror) is best known for playing the title role in the fantasy classic Eragon and appearing in British prime time series Echo Beach.
Read more...
- 3/31/2010
- Look to the Stars
Martine McCutcheon has revealed that she is putting her acting career on hold because there are so few drama projects being commissioned. The former EastEnders and Echo Beach star recently branched out into writing by releasing her debut novel The Mistress. Discussing what the future holds, McCutcheon told Take 5: "I'd love to do more acting but at the moment there's nothing really fantastic around. There's (more)...
- 1/22/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Martine McCutcheon on trying to survive as an actress – and why the main character in her debut novel is undisguisedly her
'You will be nice to her, won't you?" Martine McCutcheon's somewhat overprotective publicist says to me when our interview ends. They are feeling a bit bruised because actress-turned-singer-turned-first-time-novelist McCutcheon has just been bashed up at an awards ceremony by screenwriter Lynda La Plante for having the temerity to write a book, The Mistress. "Martine's a very sweet lady, but have you read the book?" La Plante told the Daily Mail. "It's a load of c***. She'll have a lot of publicity, but it's the biggest load of rubbish." I guess we can read behind the Mail's ridiculous asterisks.
La Plante's intervention produced a wave of articles attacking celebrity authors – Katie Price (aka Jordan), Kerry Katona, Ulrika Jonsson, and now McCutcheon – who, it was argued, were taking the...
'You will be nice to her, won't you?" Martine McCutcheon's somewhat overprotective publicist says to me when our interview ends. They are feeling a bit bruised because actress-turned-singer-turned-first-time-novelist McCutcheon has just been bashed up at an awards ceremony by screenwriter Lynda La Plante for having the temerity to write a book, The Mistress. "Martine's a very sweet lady, but have you read the book?" La Plante told the Daily Mail. "It's a load of c***. She'll have a lot of publicity, but it's the biggest load of rubbish." I guess we can read behind the Mail's ridiculous asterisks.
La Plante's intervention produced a wave of articles attacking celebrity authors – Katie Price (aka Jordan), Kerry Katona, Ulrika Jonsson, and now McCutcheon – who, it was argued, were taking the...
- 11/9/2009
- by Stephen Moss
- The Guardian - Film News
Christian Cooke has been cast in a new ITV2 drama called Trinity. The eight-part series, set at the fictional Bridgeford University, follows a group of students as they settle in to a dark new world full of "recreational sex, recreational drugs, and random murder". Charles Dance, Claire Skinner, Reggie Yates, Antonia Bernath and Isabella Calthorpe have also landed roles in the show. Former Echo Beach star Cooke will play the spoiled and manipulative Dorian, while Bernath has been cast as Charlotte Arc, a new student whose father is found dead in mysterious circumstances (more)...
- 6/4/2009
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
Former Echo Beach star Christian Cooke has admitted that the soap's failure was a blessing in disguise for his career. The 22-year-old actor, who played Brae Marrack on the ITV1 show last year, revealed that he is much more satisfied with his current role as Luke Rutherford in supernatural drama Demons. "Things are going great now and the attention is unbelievable," Cooke told the Daily Star. "I'm glad I'm not doing Echo Beach (more)...
- 1/21/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Jason Donovan is hoping to team up with Martine McCutcheon for a cover of 'Especially For You'. The former Neighbours actor originally recorded the song with old flame Kylie Minogue in 1981. However, he claimed that reuniting with her today would be "too cheesy" and he would prefer to sing with fellow Echo Beach star McCutcheon instead. "I wanted to do a spin on that song plus a new duet, but truthfully (more)...
- 11/20/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Jason Donovan has left Kylie Minogue off the invite list to his wedding, saying the pair are "acquaintances" rather than "friends". The Echo Beach star is planning a large ceremony in January after marrying long-term partner Angela Mallock five months ago in Bali. Donovan told The Sun: "Kylie and I are acquaintances but not really friends. I know that is not what people want to hear but I've not seen her since we recorded the Kylie 40th birthday special." (more)...
- 11/10/2008
- by By David Balls
- Digital Spy
Johnny Briggs has confessed that he is finding life away from Coronation Street "boring". Despite having a role in ITV's Echo Beach, Briggs, who played Corrie businessman Mike Baldwin for 30 years, admitted that he misses working on the soap. "I'm finding semi-retirement boring. Very boring," he told the Press Association. Briggs added that he would like to be involved in the 50th anniversary celebration for Coronation Street. "Oh (more)...
- 11/6/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
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