Bernard Hill, the British actor who starred as a king in Lord of the Rings and the captain in Titanic, has died at the age of 79.
Hill’s family confirmed the actor’s death Sunday in a statement, “It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce that Bernard Hill, renowned actor known for his roles in ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 79. He was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel.” No cause of death was provided.
Hill’s family confirmed the actor’s death Sunday in a statement, “It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce that Bernard Hill, renowned actor known for his roles in ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 79. He was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel.” No cause of death was provided.
- 5/5/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Bernard Hill, the actor whose memorable tones and rugged visage brought to life a variety of fantastic performances, has died. He was 79.
Born in Manchester in 1944, Hill quickly gravitated towards stage work before taking the chance to make the jump to film and TV. Yet his early career was marked by few standout roles, mostly relegated to brief appearances on the likes of I, Claudius and the BBC's Tom Stoppard adaptation Professional Foul.
Still, he found one of the first parts that would define his career in Alan Bleasdale's The Black Stuff, a one-off TV play in 1980 that the writer would expand into classic comedy drama Boys From The Blackstuff. Hill scored a BAFTA nomination for his performance as the tragic, yet dimly self-aware Yosser.
Other TV work included Dennis Potter adaptation Lipstick On Your Collar, a huge swathe of Shakespeare adaptations including Wolf Hall, disability drama Skallagrigg,...
Born in Manchester in 1944, Hill quickly gravitated towards stage work before taking the chance to make the jump to film and TV. Yet his early career was marked by few standout roles, mostly relegated to brief appearances on the likes of I, Claudius and the BBC's Tom Stoppard adaptation Professional Foul.
Still, he found one of the first parts that would define his career in Alan Bleasdale's The Black Stuff, a one-off TV play in 1980 that the writer would expand into classic comedy drama Boys From The Blackstuff. Hill scored a BAFTA nomination for his performance as the tragic, yet dimly self-aware Yosser.
Other TV work included Dennis Potter adaptation Lipstick On Your Collar, a huge swathe of Shakespeare adaptations including Wolf Hall, disability drama Skallagrigg,...
- 5/5/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Bernard Hill, known to audiences at Titanic’s Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron’s 1997 film and King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings, has died. He was 79.
Hill died in the early hours of Sunday morning, a statement from his family said. No cause was given. His fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel were at his side.
Hill’s breakout role occurred on the BBC miniseries Boys From the Blackstuff, in which he portrayed Yosser Hughes, a man struggling with unemployment in Liverpool whose “gizza job” catchphrase was known across England. The show aired in 1983 and won a BAFTA for best drama series that year.
Hill appeared consistently in television and film, with roles in 1976’s I, Claudius, 1982’s Gandhi, 1999’s Clint Eastwood film True Crime, 1999’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2002’s The Scorpion King and 2008’s Tom Cruise film Valkyrie.
In 1997, Hill gained fans as the soft-spoken Captain Smith in Titanic,...
Hill died in the early hours of Sunday morning, a statement from his family said. No cause was given. His fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel were at his side.
Hill’s breakout role occurred on the BBC miniseries Boys From the Blackstuff, in which he portrayed Yosser Hughes, a man struggling with unemployment in Liverpool whose “gizza job” catchphrase was known across England. The show aired in 1983 and won a BAFTA for best drama series that year.
Hill appeared consistently in television and film, with roles in 1976’s I, Claudius, 1982’s Gandhi, 1999’s Clint Eastwood film True Crime, 1999’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2002’s The Scorpion King and 2008’s Tom Cruise film Valkyrie.
In 1997, Hill gained fans as the soft-spoken Captain Smith in Titanic,...
- 5/5/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC, BritBox International, and Red Planet Pictures today announced that the popular series Beyond Paradise has been recommissioned for a 2024 Christmas special episode and third season, which will air on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
Since its debut last year, Beyond Paradise has become one of the UK’s most popular dramas, with episode one of the second season watched by 7.5 million viewers so far.
The second season, which culminated tonight, saw Humphrey and Martha very nearly tie the knot, while their fostering journey came to a heartwarming conclusion as they welcomed Ryan into their home. Esther took on a case that saw the Shipton Abbott Museum robbed of its prized possession, and Kelby and Cs Charlie Wood’s professional relationship took an unexpected turn…
Across the series, the Shipton Abbott police team continued to crack a host of mind-boggling and mysterious puzzles—including a death during a...
Since its debut last year, Beyond Paradise has become one of the UK’s most popular dramas, with episode one of the second season watched by 7.5 million viewers so far.
The second season, which culminated tonight, saw Humphrey and Martha very nearly tie the knot, while their fostering journey came to a heartwarming conclusion as they welcomed Ryan into their home. Esther took on a case that saw the Shipton Abbott Museum robbed of its prized possession, and Kelby and Cs Charlie Wood’s professional relationship took an unexpected turn…
Across the series, the Shipton Abbott police team continued to crack a host of mind-boggling and mysterious puzzles—including a death during a...
- 4/26/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here steering you away from Berlin and towards London for the Screenings. Please do read on, and sign up here.
London Calling (Once Again)
Heading to the capital: As Insider goes to press, execs, sellers and buyers are descending on the English capital in their droves for what will undoubtedly be the biggest London TV Screenings so far. Around 30 distributor events are planned across the week, mostly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all within a square mile of Soho — giving the Screenings an old-fashioned feel that harks back to halcyon days. Founder members All3Media International, Fremantle, ITV Studios and Banijay are hosting the biggest events, while BBC Studios Showcase is hitting London for the second year in a row, with the BBC now working in tandem with its distribution rivals.
London Calling (Once Again)
Heading to the capital: As Insider goes to press, execs, sellers and buyers are descending on the English capital in their droves for what will undoubtedly be the biggest London TV Screenings so far. Around 30 distributor events are planned across the week, mostly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all within a square mile of Soho — giving the Screenings an old-fashioned feel that harks back to halcyon days. Founder members All3Media International, Fremantle, ITV Studios and Banijay are hosting the biggest events, while BBC Studios Showcase is hitting London for the second year in a row, with the BBC now working in tandem with its distribution rivals.
- 2/23/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has unveiled its biggest drama slate in years featuring a TV version of James Graham play Dear England starring Joseph Fiennes from The Crown producer Left Bank, Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood’s debut writing project and a Rebecca Hall-starrer from Poor Things maker Element.
Unveiled at a glitz London do for press and producers, the 12-strong roster, which features some of Britain’s best and brightest talents, is the first from new Drama Director Lindsay Salt, who took over from A24’s Piers Wenger 18 months ago.
Scroll down for the full slate below, which features an adaptation of Sherwood creator Graham’s Dear England about the England soccer manager Gareth Southgate – the play of which has taken London by storm and recently transferred to the West End. Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) will reprise his role as Southgate and Graham will pen the TV version, which...
Unveiled at a glitz London do for press and producers, the 12-strong roster, which features some of Britain’s best and brightest talents, is the first from new Drama Director Lindsay Salt, who took over from A24’s Piers Wenger 18 months ago.
Scroll down for the full slate below, which features an adaptation of Sherwood creator Graham’s Dear England about the England soccer manager Gareth Southgate – the play of which has taken London by storm and recently transferred to the West End. Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) will reprise his role as Southgate and Graham will pen the TV version, which...
- 2/21/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt has candidly floated the notion that the industry has moved from “peak TV to peak caution,” as she details an ambition to “help reshape the drama landscape at a critical time.”
Addressing producers and press for the first time since taking on the nation’s biggest drama commissioning job, Salt reflected on a decade since the phrase “peak TV” first entered the lexicon, raising concerns over “short-termism” and that “the big bets of the boom era are a thing of the past.”
“We’ve seen buyers retreat into cautious commissioning spaces,” said Salt. “The industry as a whole has become – dare I say it – a little fearful.”
Expanding her point, Salt said “financial pressures and commercial imperatives” have led buyers to “default to safe bets.”
She cited “inflation, content and platform saturation, retrenchment and the writers strike” as the key factors leading to “peak caution,...
Addressing producers and press for the first time since taking on the nation’s biggest drama commissioning job, Salt reflected on a decade since the phrase “peak TV” first entered the lexicon, raising concerns over “short-termism” and that “the big bets of the boom era are a thing of the past.”
“We’ve seen buyers retreat into cautious commissioning spaces,” said Salt. “The industry as a whole has become – dare I say it – a little fearful.”
Expanding her point, Salt said “financial pressures and commercial imperatives” have led buyers to “default to safe bets.”
She cited “inflation, content and platform saturation, retrenchment and the writers strike” as the key factors leading to “peak caution,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC have unveiled a new slate of star-studded dramas including the TV adaptation of James Graham’s football play “Dear England” starring Joseph Fiennes, a new co-pro with “Euphoria” producer A24 and the screenwriting debut from “Sex Education” star Aimee Lou Wood.
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt revealed the 12-strong slate – which adds up to 66 hours of top TV – at a press event in London, U.K. on Wednesday evening. It includes two more series of Belfast-based police drama “Blue Lights.”
“Inflation, content and platform saturation, streamer retrenchment, the writers’ strike… It’s all fed a serious slowdown,” Salt said as she unveiled the diverse slate. “Five years ago, everyone was willing to make brave choices, to experiment, to try something a little unorthodox. I worry that risk-taking is becoming a dirty word… And that, in less than a decade, the industry might be moving from ‘peak TV...
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt revealed the 12-strong slate – which adds up to 66 hours of top TV – at a press event in London, U.K. on Wednesday evening. It includes two more series of Belfast-based police drama “Blue Lights.”
“Inflation, content and platform saturation, streamer retrenchment, the writers’ strike… It’s all fed a serious slowdown,” Salt said as she unveiled the diverse slate. “Five years ago, everyone was willing to make brave choices, to experiment, to try something a little unorthodox. I worry that risk-taking is becoming a dirty word… And that, in less than a decade, the industry might be moving from ‘peak TV...
- 2/21/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
“Fool Me Once” star Michelle Keegan is set to return for a second season of “Ten Pound Poms.”
Set in post-war Britain, the U.K.-Australian co-production follows a group of Brits as they leave behind their dreary lives to seek adventure down under. (In Australia “Pom” is a nickname for British people).
Keegan stars as nurse Kate Thorne in the show, which was created by “Fool Me Once” screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
Season 2 will pick up as Thorne tries to turn her Australian dream into reality as well as introducing some new characters who are sure to bring the drama, including the Skinner family, who have arrived from Ireland, and an unscrupulous landlord called Benny Bates.
Faye Marsay (“Black Mirror”) and Warren Brown (“Luther”) will also reprise their roles in the show alongside Rob Collins (“Mystery Road”) as Ron, Leon Ford (“Elvis) as Bill, Declan Coyle (“Long Black”) as Stevie,...
Set in post-war Britain, the U.K.-Australian co-production follows a group of Brits as they leave behind their dreary lives to seek adventure down under. (In Australia “Pom” is a nickname for British people).
Keegan stars as nurse Kate Thorne in the show, which was created by “Fool Me Once” screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
Season 2 will pick up as Thorne tries to turn her Australian dream into reality as well as introducing some new characters who are sure to bring the drama, including the Skinner family, who have arrived from Ireland, and an unscrupulous landlord called Benny Bates.
Faye Marsay (“Black Mirror”) and Warren Brown (“Luther”) will also reprise their roles in the show alongside Rob Collins (“Mystery Road”) as Ron, Leon Ford (“Elvis) as Bill, Declan Coyle (“Long Black”) as Stevie,...
- 1/31/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The BBC is returning for more of The Gold.
We can reveal a second season of the gold heist drama has been ordered, based on the infamous real-life events of the Brink’s-Mat robbery and the decades-long chain of events that followed.
Season one was for UK pubcaster the BBC and Paramount+. We understand Paramount isn’t on board season 2.
We revealed the main cast last year in April, and returning cast Hugh Bonneville, Charlotte Spencer, Emun Elliott, Tom Cullen, Stefanie Martini and Sam Spruell are confirmed for season 2. Further casting is set to follow at a later date with filming set to begin in January 2024. Season one also starred the likes of Jack Lowdon and Dominic Cooper.
Spoiler Alert: The season 2 plot will follow what happened to the half of the Brinks-Mat gold stolen in the daring 1983 raid, after police realise those they convicted didn’t have all of it.
We can reveal a second season of the gold heist drama has been ordered, based on the infamous real-life events of the Brink’s-Mat robbery and the decades-long chain of events that followed.
Season one was for UK pubcaster the BBC and Paramount+. We understand Paramount isn’t on board season 2.
We revealed the main cast last year in April, and returning cast Hugh Bonneville, Charlotte Spencer, Emun Elliott, Tom Cullen, Stefanie Martini and Sam Spruell are confirmed for season 2. Further casting is set to follow at a later date with filming set to begin in January 2024. Season one also starred the likes of Jack Lowdon and Dominic Cooper.
Spoiler Alert: The season 2 plot will follow what happened to the half of the Brinks-Mat gold stolen in the daring 1983 raid, after police realise those they convicted didn’t have all of it.
- 11/29/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Julianne Nicholson (Mare of Easttown) and Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects) have landed the lead roles in the BBC’s upcoming crime drama series Dope Girls, we can reveal.
Umi Myers, Eilidh Fisher and Geraldine James have also landed major parts in the series, which we first told you about back in March. At the time, our sources said the BBC sees Dope Girls as a spiritual successor to Peaky Blinders, which ended last year.
Filming on the show, which is set in London’s Soho in the early 20th century, when female gangs ran the clubs, drugs and moonshine, is now underway. It will launch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and comes from Polly Stenham and Alex Warren (Eleanor).
Nicholson will play Kate Galloway, a single mother who establishes a nightclub amidst the hedonistic uproar of post-World War One London, embracing a life...
Umi Myers, Eilidh Fisher and Geraldine James have also landed major parts in the series, which we first told you about back in March. At the time, our sources said the BBC sees Dope Girls as a spiritual successor to Peaky Blinders, which ended last year.
Filming on the show, which is set in London’s Soho in the early 20th century, when female gangs ran the clubs, drugs and moonshine, is now underway. It will launch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and comes from Polly Stenham and Alex Warren (Eleanor).
Nicholson will play Kate Galloway, a single mother who establishes a nightclub amidst the hedonistic uproar of post-World War One London, embracing a life...
- 11/15/2023
- by Rosy Cordero, Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2023 edition of the Edinburgh TV Festival is drawing to a close after four days of intense industry talks, gossip and Louis Theroux lectures. The halls of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre were buzzing as UK execs, creatives and talent took the chance to get together and talk shop. Here we outline six key themes that emerged.
“Ripple effect” of the strikes
No TV industry confab would be complete at present without a bit of strike chatter. As the writers strike moves way beyond 100 days and the actors’ action rumbles on, the “ripple effects” continue to be felt around the world, according to Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s new Drama Director. There was a small American presence at Edinburgh plus numerous UK commmissioners from the U.S. streamers’ hubs but, somewhat surprisingly, the labor action was not raised during panel sessions with both Netflix and Disney execs. Universal’s Pearlena Igbokwe,...
“Ripple effect” of the strikes
No TV industry confab would be complete at present without a bit of strike chatter. As the writers strike moves way beyond 100 days and the actors’ action rumbles on, the “ripple effects” continue to be felt around the world, according to Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s new Drama Director. There was a small American presence at Edinburgh plus numerous UK commmissioners from the U.S. streamers’ hubs but, somewhat surprisingly, the labor action was not raised during panel sessions with both Netflix and Disney execs. Universal’s Pearlena Igbokwe,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
A petition calling on the UK government to financially support TV and film crew unable to work due to the strikes has amassed nearly 25,000 signatures.
The petition urges the creation of an “Income Replacement Scheme” which would provide support to those on struck projects who have lost work. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, UK law requires that it be considered for a debate in parliament.
“We want the government to do more to support UK TV and film crew who are unable to work due to the strikes by actors and writers,” says the petition, which was created by Laura Evans. “The UK freelance crew who work on these projects need financial support and reassurance from the government that they will not abandon the crew during this crisis.”
The majority of UK projects are contracted under UK union Equity and have been able to push on but some, including the...
The petition urges the creation of an “Income Replacement Scheme” which would provide support to those on struck projects who have lost work. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, UK law requires that it be considered for a debate in parliament.
“We want the government to do more to support UK TV and film crew who are unable to work due to the strikes by actors and writers,” says the petition, which was created by Laura Evans. “The UK freelance crew who work on these projects need financial support and reassurance from the government that they will not abandon the crew during this crisis.”
The majority of UK projects are contracted under UK union Equity and have been able to push on but some, including the...
- 8/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has shown serious commitment to teen drama Waterloo Road by putting in a double-series order.
Returning earlier this year after eight years off air, the show’s second season has already been filmed, meaning that three new seasons are now on their way. Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North produce Waterloo Road out of Manchester.
The show follows goings-on in a school in the north of England and was a huge hit between 2006 and 2015, before old episodes began amassing big numbers on iPlayer during lockdown. The BBC said Waterloo Road remains especially popular on iPlayer, where it is in the top three most-watched titles of the year so far for 16-34 year olds, alongside Happy Valley and EastEnders. Double-series orders are rare at the BBC and tend to be reserved for long runners such as Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.
“It’s been a...
Returning earlier this year after eight years off air, the show’s second season has already been filmed, meaning that three new seasons are now on their way. Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North produce Waterloo Road out of Manchester.
The show follows goings-on in a school in the north of England and was a huge hit between 2006 and 2015, before old episodes began amassing big numbers on iPlayer during lockdown. The BBC said Waterloo Road remains especially popular on iPlayer, where it is in the top three most-watched titles of the year so far for 16-34 year olds, alongside Happy Valley and EastEnders. Double-series orders are rare at the BBC and tend to be reserved for long runners such as Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.
“It’s been a...
- 8/21/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Filming has begun and the cast has been revealed for Agatha Christie novel adaptation “Murder Is Easy.”
Based on Christie’s 1939 novel, the two-part thriller is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (“World on Fire”).
The cast includes David Jonsson, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton (“Downton Abbey”), Sinead Matthews (“The Crown”), Tom Riley (“The Nevers”), Douglas Henshall (“Shetland”), Mathew Baynton (“Ghosts”), Mark Bonnar (“World on Fire”), Nimra Bucha (“Ms Marvel”), Tamzin Outhwaite (“The Tower”), Jon Pointing (“Big Boys”) and Phoebe Licorish in her screen debut.
The story is set in 1954 England. On a train to London, Fitzwilliam (Jonsson) meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. The villagers believe the deaths are accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise — and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam...
Based on Christie’s 1939 novel, the two-part thriller is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (“World on Fire”).
The cast includes David Jonsson, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton (“Downton Abbey”), Sinead Matthews (“The Crown”), Tom Riley (“The Nevers”), Douglas Henshall (“Shetland”), Mathew Baynton (“Ghosts”), Mark Bonnar (“World on Fire”), Nimra Bucha (“Ms Marvel”), Tamzin Outhwaite (“The Tower”), Jon Pointing (“Big Boys”) and Phoebe Licorish in her screen debut.
The story is set in 1954 England. On a train to London, Fitzwilliam (Jonsson) meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. The villagers believe the deaths are accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise — and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam...
- 7/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lennie James is leading and EPing a BBC adaptation of Girl, Woman, Other scribe Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman.
The Save Me star will play Barrington Jedidiah Walker, or Barry to his friends, a Caribbean-born life-and-soul personality living in Hackney who has been harboring a secret for years. Carmel, his wife of 50 years, knows Barry has been cheating on her, but when it emerges that the affair has been going on for decades with his male best friend, Morris, their marriage goes into meltdown. Now entering the next chapter of his life, Barry has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their own futures.
Noughts + Crosses and The Outlaws scribe Nathaniel Price is penning the eight-parter, director is Hong Khaou (Baptiste) and production outfit is Fable Pictures, the Sony-backed indie that made Sarah Gavron’s Rocks. Sony Pictures Television is distributing globlly. More...
The Save Me star will play Barrington Jedidiah Walker, or Barry to his friends, a Caribbean-born life-and-soul personality living in Hackney who has been harboring a secret for years. Carmel, his wife of 50 years, knows Barry has been cheating on her, but when it emerges that the affair has been going on for decades with his male best friend, Morris, their marriage goes into meltdown. Now entering the next chapter of his life, Barry has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their own futures.
Noughts + Crosses and The Outlaws scribe Nathaniel Price is penning the eight-parter, director is Hong Khaou (Baptiste) and production outfit is Fable Pictures, the Sony-backed indie that made Sarah Gavron’s Rocks. Sony Pictures Television is distributing globlly. More...
- 6/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlotte Moore, chief content officer at the BBC, has defended the decision of screenwriter Steven Knight, best known for “Peaky Blinders,” to spice up Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” in his television adaptation, now airing on the British broadcaster, and streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
Referring to a sadomasochism scene in the show, in which a naked Mr. Pumblechook (played by Matt Berry) is seen being whipped by housewife-turned-dominatrix Mrs. Gargery (played by Hayley Squires), Moore said that Knight “believes absolutely everything [in the show] comes from what was alluded to” by Dickens in the novel.
Moore, speaking Thursday to the Broadcasting Press Guild in London, added that “you have to really understanding what [Dickens] would have felt able to write about [in the Victorian era] and read between the lines.”
Another of Knight’s embellishments in the show is that Miss Havisham, played by Olivia Colman, is portrayed as a sadistic opium addict.
In an interview with the BBC last month,...
Referring to a sadomasochism scene in the show, in which a naked Mr. Pumblechook (played by Matt Berry) is seen being whipped by housewife-turned-dominatrix Mrs. Gargery (played by Hayley Squires), Moore said that Knight “believes absolutely everything [in the show] comes from what was alluded to” by Dickens in the novel.
Moore, speaking Thursday to the Broadcasting Press Guild in London, added that “you have to really understanding what [Dickens] would have felt able to write about [in the Victorian era] and read between the lines.”
Another of Knight’s embellishments in the show is that Miss Havisham, played by Olivia Colman, is portrayed as a sadistic opium addict.
In an interview with the BBC last month,...
- 4/22/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Liz Jensen’s bestselling 2009 novel “The Rapture” is to be adapted into a five-part drama starring Ruth Madeley, and produced by Mammoth Screen for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The writer is Bryony Kimmings (“Last Christmas”), with Rebecca Manley, and is directed by Chanya Button.
Recovering from a car crash which has left her paralysed, forensic psychologist Gabrielle Fox (Madeley) takes a job working in a maximum security facility for juvenile patients. Here she meets 16-year-old inmate Bethany Krall, who was found guilty of brutally murdering her mother, and tells Gabs that she has psychic powers. Is she a highly manipulative psychopath or is she telling the truth when she says she can foretell a natural disaster linked to climate catastrophe?
Madeley said: “I loved Liz Jensen’s novel and Bryony Kimmings’ scripts are brilliantly inventive and funny and scary. Gabs is such a rich and complex character, and I cannot wait to play her.
The writer is Bryony Kimmings (“Last Christmas”), with Rebecca Manley, and is directed by Chanya Button.
Recovering from a car crash which has left her paralysed, forensic psychologist Gabrielle Fox (Madeley) takes a job working in a maximum security facility for juvenile patients. Here she meets 16-year-old inmate Bethany Krall, who was found guilty of brutally murdering her mother, and tells Gabs that she has psychic powers. Is she a highly manipulative psychopath or is she telling the truth when she says she can foretell a natural disaster linked to climate catastrophe?
Madeley said: “I loved Liz Jensen’s novel and Bryony Kimmings’ scripts are brilliantly inventive and funny and scary. Gabs is such a rich and complex character, and I cannot wait to play her.
- 4/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Renowned British novelist William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” is to be adapted for television for the first time by Eleven and multi-bafta award-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne, known for TV shows like “This Is England ’88,” “National Treasure” and “His Dark Materials,” and stage shows like “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Executive produced by Eleven’s Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell, “Lord of the Flies” is comprised of four one-hour episodes, to be aired on BBC One and playing on BBC iPlayer.
The drama tells the story of a group of young boys who find themselves stranded on a tropical island.
In an attempt to remain civil, the boys organize themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But Jack, who is in charge of signal fire duty, is more interested in hunting and vying for leadership and begins to draw other boys away...
Executive produced by Eleven’s Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell, “Lord of the Flies” is comprised of four one-hour episodes, to be aired on BBC One and playing on BBC iPlayer.
The drama tells the story of a group of young boys who find themselves stranded on a tropical island.
In an attempt to remain civil, the boys organize themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But Jack, who is in charge of signal fire duty, is more interested in hunting and vying for leadership and begins to draw other boys away...
- 4/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Jimmy McGovern’s British prison drama “Time” is returning for a second season featuring a new cast.
“The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey, “Doctor Who’s” Jodie Whittaker and “The Silent Twins” star Tamara Lawrance are all joining the show.
The original show featured Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as a prisoner and prison officer respectively. It averaged 11.6 million viewers across a three-part run and won a 2022 BAFTA Television award for best mini-series.
The new season, which is comprised of three parts, will be set in a women’s prison. Siobhan Finneran (“Happy Valley”), who also featured in Season 1, reprises her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise.
Ramsey plays Kelsey, who arrives at Carlingford Prison on the same day as Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance). The trio must quickly adapt to the environs of their new world, which they will soon discover holds ever-present danger as well as an unexpected sense of community.
“The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey, “Doctor Who’s” Jodie Whittaker and “The Silent Twins” star Tamara Lawrance are all joining the show.
The original show featured Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as a prisoner and prison officer respectively. It averaged 11.6 million viewers across a three-part run and won a 2022 BAFTA Television award for best mini-series.
The new season, which is comprised of three parts, will be set in a women’s prison. Siobhan Finneran (“Happy Valley”), who also featured in Season 1, reprises her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise.
Ramsey plays Kelsey, who arrives at Carlingford Prison on the same day as Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance). The trio must quickly adapt to the environs of their new world, which they will soon discover holds ever-present danger as well as an unexpected sense of community.
- 4/11/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Call The Midwife Season 12 Episode 2 Photos – It is May 1968, and the Nonnatus team are faced with challenging cases, one of which is much closer to home as Lucille struggles with her own health. At a coffee morning for expectant mothers, Sister Julienne meets heavily pregnant Lilian Reynolds, who is expecting her first child. However, after Lilian experiences some breast discomfort, she receives a devastating diagnosis. s12e02 12×02 12.02 Meanwhile, Shelagh is organizing the Whitsun Maypole celebrations at the eleventh hour. She enlists Cyril, Fred, Dr. Turner, Sister Monica Joan, Sister Veronica, Nancy, Violet and Miss Higgins to help, but the preparations for a Maypole dance routine are far from smooth. Always facing tough medical and social issues head on, the current series has been praised for its handling of important topics such as domestic abuse, mental health problems and racism. Commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Gaynor Holmes,...
- 3/26/2023
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
Exclusive: Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are headed to the skies for the second season of BBC ratings hit Vigil, while Dougray Scott and Romola Garai are among nine new cast members joining them.
As expected, Jones and Leslie will return as detectives Amy Silva and Kirsten Longacre. Gary Lewis (His Dark Materials) also returns as DS Robertson.
In Season 2, Deadline has learnt that the leads will enter the closed and hostile environment of the Royal Air Force as they’re tasked with uncovering the cause of multiple unexplained fatalities at a Scottish military base.
Garai (Becoming Elizabeth, The Hour) and Scott (Crime, Enigma) will take major roles, as will Amir El-Masry (Sas Rogue Heroes, Limbo), David Elliot (The Liberator, Bulletproof), Chris Jenks (Sex Education, Karen Pirie), Tommy Sim’aan (The Midwich Cuckoos, Doctors), Oscar Salem (House of the Dragon, Des), Jonathan Ajayi...
As expected, Jones and Leslie will return as detectives Amy Silva and Kirsten Longacre. Gary Lewis (His Dark Materials) also returns as DS Robertson.
In Season 2, Deadline has learnt that the leads will enter the closed and hostile environment of the Royal Air Force as they’re tasked with uncovering the cause of multiple unexplained fatalities at a Scottish military base.
Garai (Becoming Elizabeth, The Hour) and Scott (Crime, Enigma) will take major roles, as will Amir El-Masry (Sas Rogue Heroes, Limbo), David Elliot (The Liberator, Bulletproof), Chris Jenks (Sex Education, Karen Pirie), Tommy Sim’aan (The Midwich Cuckoos, Doctors), Oscar Salem (House of the Dragon, Des), Jonathan Ajayi...
- 3/21/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T Davies is set to exec produce a new BBC drama about the first trials for Viagra.
Produced by Quay Street Productions and Boom, “Men Up” tells the story about a trial for the sex drug that took place in Wales in 1994.
“Industry” scribe Matthew Barry is writing the feature-length drama, which is a co-commission with BBC Wales.
Starring in the show are Iwan Rheon (“Game of Thrones”), Aneurin Barnard (“Dunkirk”), Alexandra Roach (“Killing Eve”), Phaldut Sharma (“Sherwood”), Paul Rhys (“A Discovery of Witches”), Steffan Rhodri (“House of the Dragon”), Mark Lewis Jones (“Gangs of London”), Joanna Page (“Gavin & Stacey”), Alexandria Riley (“The Pembrokeshire Murders”), Nathan Sussex (“It’s A Sin”), Lisa Palfrey (“Sex Education”), Dyfan Dwyfor (“A Very English Scandal”) and Katy Wix (“Ghosts”).
Rheon plays Meurig Jenkins who, along with Colin White (Rhodri), Tommy Cadogan (Rhys), Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah (Sharma) and Eddie O’Connor (Jones), is suffering from impotency.
Produced by Quay Street Productions and Boom, “Men Up” tells the story about a trial for the sex drug that took place in Wales in 1994.
“Industry” scribe Matthew Barry is writing the feature-length drama, which is a co-commission with BBC Wales.
Starring in the show are Iwan Rheon (“Game of Thrones”), Aneurin Barnard (“Dunkirk”), Alexandra Roach (“Killing Eve”), Phaldut Sharma (“Sherwood”), Paul Rhys (“A Discovery of Witches”), Steffan Rhodri (“House of the Dragon”), Mark Lewis Jones (“Gangs of London”), Joanna Page (“Gavin & Stacey”), Alexandria Riley (“The Pembrokeshire Murders”), Nathan Sussex (“It’s A Sin”), Lisa Palfrey (“Sex Education”), Dyfan Dwyfor (“A Very English Scandal”) and Katy Wix (“Ghosts”).
Rheon plays Meurig Jenkins who, along with Colin White (Rhodri), Tommy Cadogan (Rhys), Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah (Sharma) and Eddie O’Connor (Jones), is suffering from impotency.
- 3/1/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has unveiled a two-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy, produced by ITV Studios’ Mammoth Screen (The Serpent, World on Fire) and Agatha Christie Ltd. (And Then There Were None, Death on the Nile) for the BBC One network and the BBC’s video-on-demand service iPlayer in a co-commission with streamer BritBox International.
The thriller, which will get two hour-long episodes, will film this summer and be adapted by screenwriter Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire). Casting details will be announced later.
The story is set in 1954. “On a train to London, a man going by the name of Luke Fitzwilliam meets Miss Pinkerton, who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe,” according to a plot description. “The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton...
The thriller, which will get two hour-long episodes, will film this summer and be adapted by screenwriter Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire). Casting details will be announced later.
The story is set in 1954. “On a train to London, a man going by the name of Luke Fitzwilliam meets Miss Pinkerton, who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe,” according to a plot description. “The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton...
- 2/22/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC has unveiled its first Agatha Christie adaptation in the post-Sarah Phelps era.
Playwright Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is penning Murder is Easy for BBC One and BritBox International following a quintet of Phelps-written Christie reworks over the past decade: And Then There Were None, The Witness For The Prosecution, Ordeal By Innocence and The ABC Murders, which have starred the likes of John Malkovich.
Produced by ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire), the two-parter follows a man who, on a train to London, meets a woman who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe.
The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Luke feels he must...
Playwright Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is penning Murder is Easy for BBC One and BritBox International following a quintet of Phelps-written Christie reworks over the past decade: And Then There Were None, The Witness For The Prosecution, Ordeal By Innocence and The ABC Murders, which have starred the likes of John Malkovich.
Produced by ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire), the two-parter follows a man who, on a train to London, meets a woman who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe.
The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Luke feels he must...
- 2/22/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt has assembled her commissioning team with a triple hire including the EP on Candice Carty-Williams’ Champion and a former Doctor Who script editor.
Danielle Scott-Haughton and Nick Lambon join as BBC Drama Commissioning Editors, while Sami El-Hadi becomes Head of Development, joining from Ackley Bridge producer The Forge.
The trio join a new-look team that has been hit by a raft of exits over the past few months since Drama Director Piers Wenger left to join A24, including Ben Irving, who moved to Fifth Season, Manda Levin, Tom Lazenby and Tommy Bulfin.
Levin is freelancing with the Netflix drama commissioning team and Lazenby has joined Wenger at A24.
Scott-Haughton joins the BBC from Balloon Entertainment, where she has most recently been EP on Champion, the BBC and Netflix’s upcoming musical drama series from Queenie author Carty-Williams.
Lambon is a freelance script editor whose past...
Danielle Scott-Haughton and Nick Lambon join as BBC Drama Commissioning Editors, while Sami El-Hadi becomes Head of Development, joining from Ackley Bridge producer The Forge.
The trio join a new-look team that has been hit by a raft of exits over the past few months since Drama Director Piers Wenger left to join A24, including Ben Irving, who moved to Fifth Season, Manda Levin, Tom Lazenby and Tommy Bulfin.
Levin is freelancing with the Netflix drama commissioning team and Lazenby has joined Wenger at A24.
Scott-Haughton joins the BBC from Balloon Entertainment, where she has most recently been EP on Champion, the BBC and Netflix’s upcoming musical drama series from Queenie author Carty-Williams.
Lambon is a freelance script editor whose past...
- 2/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has commissioned a factual drama about the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in which 72 people died.
Grenfell, which has been written by Bafta-winning Wolf Hall and The State screenwriter Peter Kosminsky, draws from more than five years of research and hours of public testimony.
The three-part series will give a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy.
An inquiry into the catastrophe found that cladding on the building helped the fire spread as it was made from highly flammable material.
The new drama will be told from multiple perspectives, and will explore the impact of the blaze on survivors, the loved ones of those who died, the firefighters at the scene, and the wider London community.
“Occasionally, events occur in our national story which touch us all. The fire at Grenfell Tower is such an event,” said Kosminsky in a statement.
“We remember what...
Grenfell, which has been written by Bafta-winning Wolf Hall and The State screenwriter Peter Kosminsky, draws from more than five years of research and hours of public testimony.
The three-part series will give a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy.
An inquiry into the catastrophe found that cladding on the building helped the fire spread as it was made from highly flammable material.
The new drama will be told from multiple perspectives, and will explore the impact of the blaze on survivors, the loved ones of those who died, the firefighters at the scene, and the wider London community.
“Occasionally, events occur in our national story which touch us all. The fire at Grenfell Tower is such an event,” said Kosminsky in a statement.
“We remember what...
- 2/13/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
The popular period drama Call the Midwife has officially been renewed for two more seasons, keeping the show on the air until at least 2026. Created by Heidi Thomas, Call the Midwife premiered in 2012 and revolves around a group of nurse midwives working in the East End of London in the late 1950s and 1960s. The show airs on PBS in the U.S. BBC, who make the show, announced the renewal on Monday, February 13, with thebroadcaster’s Drama Director Lindsay Salt crediting the show’s “enduring popularity thanks to extraordinary creative talent and hard work.” Season 12 is currently airing and will wrap up in two weeks. According to Deadline, production is set to begin on Season 13 in the Spring. The 14th and 15th seasons will include eight 60-minute episodes each, along with Christmas specials. These seasons will see the show and its characters move into the 1970s, exploring the midwives...
- 2/13/2023
- TV Insider
The BBC has commissioned “Grenfell,” a three-part drama about the devastating 2017 fire at Grenfell Tower in West London that killed 72 people.
The drama will draw on some five years of research, including public sources, the inquiry hearings, and extensive interviews conducted by BAFTA-winning writer-director Peter Kosminsky (“The Undeclared War”) and associate producer Ahmed Peerbux, to provide a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the fire which took place on June 14, 2017.
Told from multiple perspectives, the series will explore the human stories of those caught up in the tragedy, exploring the profound impact of Grenfell on survivors, the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost, the firefighters on duty that night, and the wider community. The shockwaves of the incident were felt all over the U.K. and the drama will ask not only how the tragedy occurred, but also the look at...
The drama will draw on some five years of research, including public sources, the inquiry hearings, and extensive interviews conducted by BAFTA-winning writer-director Peter Kosminsky (“The Undeclared War”) and associate producer Ahmed Peerbux, to provide a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the fire which took place on June 14, 2017.
Told from multiple perspectives, the series will explore the human stories of those caught up in the tragedy, exploring the profound impact of Grenfell on survivors, the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost, the firefighters on duty that night, and the wider community. The shockwaves of the incident were felt all over the U.K. and the drama will ask not only how the tragedy occurred, but also the look at...
- 2/13/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Peter Kosminsky is making a factual drama for the BBC about the Grenfell disaster.
Drawing on more than five years of research, the BBC said Grenfell from The Forge will give a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the devastating fire which took place on 14 June 2017, killing 72 people.
Told from multiple perspectives, the three-part series will shine a light on the human stories of those caught up in the tragedy, exploring the profound impact of Grenfell on survivors, the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost, the firefighters on duty that night, and the wider community.
BAFTA winner Kosminsky, whose past credits include Wolf Hall and The State, will write and direct and Ahmed Peerbux is associate producer. A number of documentaries on the tragedy have aired including a BBC feature, which was also titled Grenfell, but Kosminsky’s drama will be the first scripted project.
Drawing on more than five years of research, the BBC said Grenfell from The Forge will give a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and after the devastating fire which took place on 14 June 2017, killing 72 people.
Told from multiple perspectives, the three-part series will shine a light on the human stories of those caught up in the tragedy, exploring the profound impact of Grenfell on survivors, the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost, the firefighters on duty that night, and the wider community.
BAFTA winner Kosminsky, whose past credits include Wolf Hall and The State, will write and direct and Ahmed Peerbux is associate producer. A number of documentaries on the tragedy have aired including a BBC feature, which was also titled Grenfell, but Kosminsky’s drama will be the first scripted project.
- 2/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Call The Midwife’ Renewed For Seasons 14 & 15 By BBC
Hit drama Call The Midwife will remain on the BBC for at least another three years following its latest double series order. Ratings for the Sunday night hit have continued to be strong throughout its lengthy run and an eight-part 14th and 15th have now been commissioned along with Christmas specials. Following a group of midwifes in mid-20th century London, Call the Midwife from Heidi Thomas and Neal Street has consistently been one of the BBC’s top-rated dramas over a decade-long period. It airs on PBS in the U.S. BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the returner’s “enduring popularity thanks to extraordinary creative talent and hard work.” Series 12 will wrap in two Sunday’s time and production on series 13 commences in the Spring.
Banijay & Laliga Form Laliga Studios
Laliga Studios has launched in Spain – a sport content company...
Hit drama Call The Midwife will remain on the BBC for at least another three years following its latest double series order. Ratings for the Sunday night hit have continued to be strong throughout its lengthy run and an eight-part 14th and 15th have now been commissioned along with Christmas specials. Following a group of midwifes in mid-20th century London, Call the Midwife from Heidi Thomas and Neal Street has consistently been one of the BBC’s top-rated dramas over a decade-long period. It airs on PBS in the U.S. BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the returner’s “enduring popularity thanks to extraordinary creative talent and hard work.” Series 12 will wrap in two Sunday’s time and production on series 13 commences in the Spring.
Banijay & Laliga Form Laliga Studios
Laliga Studios has launched in Spain – a sport content company...
- 2/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Help and The End of the F***ing World producer Jenny Frayn has joined the BBC drama commissioning team on a temporary basis.
Deadline understands Frayn joined recently to work on certain existing titles and some upcoming, mostly from the slate of Peaky Blinders producer Tommy Bulfin, who is departing soon.
She is a well-regarded British drama producer who has produced a number of critically-acclaimed shows over the past few years including Help – Jack Thorne’s Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer-starring Channel 4 drama about the Covid-19 care home crisis. The TV movie won two BAFTAs and the International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries.
Frayn’s other credits include Channel 4/Netflix breakout The End of the F***ing World and she also has experience working across BBC shows including The Victim and Peter Bowker’s The A Word.
She joins at a time of change for Lindsay Salt’s BBC drama department.
Deadline understands Frayn joined recently to work on certain existing titles and some upcoming, mostly from the slate of Peaky Blinders producer Tommy Bulfin, who is departing soon.
She is a well-regarded British drama producer who has produced a number of critically-acclaimed shows over the past few years including Help – Jack Thorne’s Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer-starring Channel 4 drama about the Covid-19 care home crisis. The TV movie won two BAFTAs and the International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries.
Frayn’s other credits include Channel 4/Netflix breakout The End of the F***ing World and she also has experience working across BBC shows including The Victim and Peter Bowker’s The A Word.
She joins at a time of change for Lindsay Salt’s BBC drama department.
- 1/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Ncuti Gatwa, who will make his debut next year as the first Black actor to play the title role in Doctor Who, says the opportunity has implications on more than his own career trajectory.
“My mouth gets paralyzed by the concept of playing this role,” he said during a lunch hosted by the BBC and Disney, who just set a major distribution deal for the show to stream on Disney+ outside of the UK and Ireland. As the sci-fi series marks its 60th anniversary, Gatwa said, its roots “are so deep in British culture and the fabric of British-ness that as a Rwandan immigrant to the country, it feels just really powerful.” Beyond the significance for himself and his family, the actor also said it matters “for people of color, for marginalized people who really gravitate towards the show because it’s about friendship and it’s about adventure and...
“My mouth gets paralyzed by the concept of playing this role,” he said during a lunch hosted by the BBC and Disney, who just set a major distribution deal for the show to stream on Disney+ outside of the UK and Ireland. As the sci-fi series marks its 60th anniversary, Gatwa said, its roots “are so deep in British culture and the fabric of British-ness that as a Rwandan immigrant to the country, it feels just really powerful.” Beyond the significance for himself and his family, the actor also said it matters “for people of color, for marginalized people who really gravitate towards the show because it’s about friendship and it’s about adventure and...
- 10/25/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving.
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving Sky Studios, Screen’s sister site Broadcast has learned.
It is believed all three have irons in the fire in terms of new roles, though the details are not known.
The trio follow Preethi Mavahalli out of the pay-tv provider’s drama department, who joined Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen earlier this week.
Lewin and Wilkie-Sweeney resigned over the summer, while Silver’s departure was communicated to staff earlier this week.
Sky Studio...
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving Sky Studios, Screen’s sister site Broadcast has learned.
It is believed all three have irons in the fire in terms of new roles, though the details are not known.
The trio follow Preethi Mavahalli out of the pay-tv provider’s drama department, who joined Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen earlier this week.
Lewin and Wilkie-Sweeney resigned over the summer, while Silver’s departure was communicated to staff earlier this week.
Sky Studio...
- 9/23/2022
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Acting head of drama Ben Irving, senior commissioner Manda Levin to leave, while development head Tom Lazenby has deparated.
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
- 9/16/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Acting head of drama Ben Irving, senior commissioner Manda Levin to leave, while development head Tom Lazenby has deparated.
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
- 9/16/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Endeavor Content’s newly-rebranded Fifth Season has signaled major international intentions with the hire of Ben Irving, the BBC’s former Acting Drama Director whose exec producer credits include His Dark Materials, Doctor Who and Gentleman Jack.
Irving joins in the newly-created role of Creative Director, UK Television, coming a week after Endeavor rebranded to Fifth Season following the 785M acquisition of 80 of its scripted outfit by South Korean powerhouse Cj Enm.
Irving will lead the studio’s UK production and development team, working across existing UK development projects as well as forging new series. Fifth Season’s recent U.S. TV projects include Apple TV+’s Severance, Peacock’s Wolf Like Me and HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice and it also distributes the like of Killing Eve, The Night Manager and Normal People.
He will start in November, reporting to EVP, TV Production and Development Joe Hipps, who described...
Irving joins in the newly-created role of Creative Director, UK Television, coming a week after Endeavor rebranded to Fifth Season following the 785M acquisition of 80 of its scripted outfit by South Korean powerhouse Cj Enm.
Irving will lead the studio’s UK production and development team, working across existing UK development projects as well as forging new series. Fifth Season’s recent U.S. TV projects include Apple TV+’s Severance, Peacock’s Wolf Like Me and HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice and it also distributes the like of Killing Eve, The Night Manager and Normal People.
He will start in November, reporting to EVP, TV Production and Development Joe Hipps, who described...
- 9/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rebecca Ferguson, series producer on BBC hits including The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, has been snapped up by the new-look BBC drama commissioning team, Deadline can reveal.
Ferguson effectively replaces This is Going to Hurt commissioner Mona Qureshi, who moved to Netflix several months ago.
She has been freelancing with the team since May and became a permanent Drama Commissioning Editor last month.
The former Film4 and Broadchurch indie Kudos exec has a lot on her plate already, working across huge BBC shows including The Capture, Happy Valley and Doctor Who. Deadline revealed on Tuesday that Heyday Television deepfake thriller The Capture’s second season has been promoted to the coveted August Bank Holiday slot.
Ferguson, who series-produced the Martin Freeman-starring police drama The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, will also develop her own slate. The Responder, which aired on BritBox in the U.
Ferguson effectively replaces This is Going to Hurt commissioner Mona Qureshi, who moved to Netflix several months ago.
She has been freelancing with the team since May and became a permanent Drama Commissioning Editor last month.
The former Film4 and Broadchurch indie Kudos exec has a lot on her plate already, working across huge BBC shows including The Capture, Happy Valley and Doctor Who. Deadline revealed on Tuesday that Heyday Television deepfake thriller The Capture’s second season has been promoted to the coveted August Bank Holiday slot.
Ferguson, who series-produced the Martin Freeman-starring police drama The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, will also develop her own slate. The Responder, which aired on BritBox in the U.
- 8/11/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Piers Wenger’s successor is former Sky drama development head.
The BBC has raided Netflix UK to appoint Lindsay Salt as its director of drama.
Reporting to chief content officer Charlotte Moore, Salt will be responsible for leading the commissioning team and delivering distinctive drama content.
She joined Netflix in 2019 from Sky, following the same path as the streamer’s vice president of content Anne Mensah.
Her commissions at the SVoD giant include Baby Reindeer, One Day, The F*** It Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad. She also worked across shows including Heartstopper and series five of The Crown.
Prior to that,...
The BBC has raided Netflix UK to appoint Lindsay Salt as its director of drama.
Reporting to chief content officer Charlotte Moore, Salt will be responsible for leading the commissioning team and delivering distinctive drama content.
She joined Netflix in 2019 from Sky, following the same path as the streamer’s vice president of content Anne Mensah.
Her commissions at the SVoD giant include Baby Reindeer, One Day, The F*** It Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad. She also worked across shows including Heartstopper and series five of The Crown.
Prior to that,...
- 7/15/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
In a reversal of the usual exec moves from British networks to streamers, the BBC has hired Netflix’s scripted executive Lindsay Salt to serve as its director of drama, a position considered one of the most prestigious and influential in British TV.
Salt replaces Piers Wenger, who left earlier this year to join A24 as part of its major international push.
Having been at Netflix since 2019 where she was part of the first U.K. scripted team and established the new slate with Anne Mensah, Salt’s commissions included Baby Reindeer, One Day, The Fuck it Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad. She also worked across shows including Heartstopper and The Crown season five.
“Lindsay’s appointment heralds an exciting new era for BBC Drama,” said BBC content chief Charlotte Moore. “She has been responsible for an impressive breadth of shows and her...
In a reversal of the usual exec moves from British networks to streamers, the BBC has hired Netflix’s scripted executive Lindsay Salt to serve as its director of drama, a position considered one of the most prestigious and influential in British TV.
Salt replaces Piers Wenger, who left earlier this year to join A24 as part of its major international push.
Having been at Netflix since 2019 where she was part of the first U.K. scripted team and established the new slate with Anne Mensah, Salt’s commissions included Baby Reindeer, One Day, The Fuck it Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad. She also worked across shows including Heartstopper and The Crown season five.
“Lindsay’s appointment heralds an exciting new era for BBC Drama,” said BBC content chief Charlotte Moore. “She has been responsible for an impressive breadth of shows and her...
- 7/15/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC has poached well-respected scripted executive Lindsay Salt from Netflix, to serve as the public broadcaster’s new director of drama — one of the most high-profile jobs in British television.
Salt — who commissioned Netflix shows such as the forthcoming “One Day” and “Half Bad” — replaces Piers Wenger, who left the BBC to oversee the international film and TV slate for Hollywood indie studio A24 alongside BBC Films boss Rose Garnett.
Salt’s hire is a major coup for the BBC and marks an especially rare occasion where a U.K. public broadcaster has lured away streaming talent. The current generally flows the other way, with Netflix having snapped up BBC drama executive Mona Qureshi to join its scripted series team earlier this year.
Salt, who worked closely with Anne Mensah at Netflix, will report directly to Charlotte Moore, chief content officer at the BBC, and lead the drama commissioning team.
Salt — who commissioned Netflix shows such as the forthcoming “One Day” and “Half Bad” — replaces Piers Wenger, who left the BBC to oversee the international film and TV slate for Hollywood indie studio A24 alongside BBC Films boss Rose Garnett.
Salt’s hire is a major coup for the BBC and marks an especially rare occasion where a U.K. public broadcaster has lured away streaming talent. The current generally flows the other way, with Netflix having snapped up BBC drama executive Mona Qureshi to join its scripted series team earlier this year.
Salt, who worked closely with Anne Mensah at Netflix, will report directly to Charlotte Moore, chief content officer at the BBC, and lead the drama commissioning team.
- 7/15/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has unveiled Lindsay Salt, Netflix UK scripted commissioner, as its next Director of Drama.
Salt replaces Piers Wenger, who departed to A24 earlier this year to run its international division alongside former BBC Films boss Rose Garnett. BBC Drama Commissioner Ben Irving was doing the role on an interim basis and had been tipped as frontrunner to take it permanently along with Channel 4 Drama Head Caroline Hollick.
Reporting to Anne Mensah, who was also linked with the BBC job, Salt has been with Netflix for three years, commissioning the likes of Baby Reindeer, One Day, The F*** it Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad and working across hits such as Heartstopper and The Crown.
She used to run development at Sky Drama, during which time she also worked with Mensah.
Salt will report to to BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore, who said the move “heralds an exciting new era for BBC drama.
Salt replaces Piers Wenger, who departed to A24 earlier this year to run its international division alongside former BBC Films boss Rose Garnett. BBC Drama Commissioner Ben Irving was doing the role on an interim basis and had been tipped as frontrunner to take it permanently along with Channel 4 Drama Head Caroline Hollick.
Reporting to Anne Mensah, who was also linked with the BBC job, Salt has been with Netflix for three years, commissioning the likes of Baby Reindeer, One Day, The F*** it Bucket, Palomino and Half Bad and working across hits such as Heartstopper and The Crown.
She used to run development at Sky Drama, during which time she also worked with Mensah.
Salt will report to to BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore, who said the move “heralds an exciting new era for BBC drama.
- 7/15/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at Svod giant.
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head UK scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice-president, content, Mensah will become the Svod platform’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice president of original content, Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head UK scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice-president, content, Mensah will become the Svod platform’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice president of original content, Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
- 11/12/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at SVoD giant.
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head British scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice president, content, Mensah will become the SVoD’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice-president of original content Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought that Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head British scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice president, content, Mensah will become the SVoD’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice-president of original content Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought that Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
- 11/12/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Cameron Roach has been tasked with creating original shows.
Sky is taking a bold step into in-house production, relieving Cameron Roach of his commissioning duties and tasking him with creating original shows.
Roach will head up Sky Studios, a dedicated drama production hub designed to forge relationships between the pay-tv broadcaster and directors, writers and producers.
As head of the division, Roach will work closely with talent on developing projects before brokering co-production deals with third parties and assuming an executive producer role. Over time, Sky Studios is expected to move towards fully producing projects.
The hub’s first co-production...
Sky is taking a bold step into in-house production, relieving Cameron Roach of his commissioning duties and tasking him with creating original shows.
Roach will head up Sky Studios, a dedicated drama production hub designed to forge relationships between the pay-tv broadcaster and directors, writers and producers.
As head of the division, Roach will work closely with talent on developing projects before brokering co-production deals with third parties and assuming an executive producer role. Over time, Sky Studios is expected to move towards fully producing projects.
The hub’s first co-production...
- 10/10/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Matt Deaner (r) and Trigger Street's Dana Brunetti (l) in conversation at last year's conference.
Screen Producers Australia will hold its 31st Annual Conference from November 15-17 at the Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne.
Spa has just announced that Keli Lee, Managing Director of International Content & Talent for ABC Entertainment Group (Abceg), will appear as a keynote speaker.
Based in London, Lee leads the international content and talent divisions of ABC Television Network and ABC Studios. In her former role as Executive Vice President of Talent and Casting, Abceg, Lee oversaw all talent and casting for ABC, working on series such as Modern Family, Scandal, Grey.s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Blackish, Fresh Off The Boat, American Crime and Quantico.
Lee joins already announced guests Graham Yost (Speed, The Americans, Justified) as well as the.Vice-President of I.P. Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions from Technicolor, Alison Warner...
Screen Producers Australia will hold its 31st Annual Conference from November 15-17 at the Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne.
Spa has just announced that Keli Lee, Managing Director of International Content & Talent for ABC Entertainment Group (Abceg), will appear as a keynote speaker.
Based in London, Lee leads the international content and talent divisions of ABC Television Network and ABC Studios. In her former role as Executive Vice President of Talent and Casting, Abceg, Lee oversaw all talent and casting for ABC, working on series such as Modern Family, Scandal, Grey.s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Blackish, Fresh Off The Boat, American Crime and Quantico.
Lee joins already announced guests Graham Yost (Speed, The Americans, Justified) as well as the.Vice-President of I.P. Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions from Technicolor, Alison Warner...
- 10/25/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
A24.
The screenwriter of Speed and showrunner of FX's Justified, Graham Yost, is the star attraction at Spa's upcoming Screen Forever conference, joined by execs from Sky Drama, CAA, AMC and A24.
.We are thrilled to have such esteemed industry leaders at the Screen Forever International Partnership Market," Screen Producers Australia Chief Executive Matthew Deaner said..
The line-up so far includes the Vice-President of I.P. Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions from Technicolor, Alison Warner (UK); Sky Drama Head of Development, Lindsay Salt (UK); Creative Artists Agency TV Scripted Agent, Michael Gordon (Us); Steel Springs Pictures Producer Peter Lawson (Us); Cornerstone Films Co-President, Mark Gooder (Us); Head Gear Films Finance Associate Marlon Vogelgesang (Us); A24 Films Head of International Business, Sasha Lloyd (Us) and AMC/Sundance Vice President of International Programming, Chris Loveall (Us).
"Each brings with them outstanding experience from around the world and invaluable insights into developing and overseeing successful film and television productions,...
The screenwriter of Speed and showrunner of FX's Justified, Graham Yost, is the star attraction at Spa's upcoming Screen Forever conference, joined by execs from Sky Drama, CAA, AMC and A24.
.We are thrilled to have such esteemed industry leaders at the Screen Forever International Partnership Market," Screen Producers Australia Chief Executive Matthew Deaner said..
The line-up so far includes the Vice-President of I.P. Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions from Technicolor, Alison Warner (UK); Sky Drama Head of Development, Lindsay Salt (UK); Creative Artists Agency TV Scripted Agent, Michael Gordon (Us); Steel Springs Pictures Producer Peter Lawson (Us); Cornerstone Films Co-President, Mark Gooder (Us); Head Gear Films Finance Associate Marlon Vogelgesang (Us); A24 Films Head of International Business, Sasha Lloyd (Us) and AMC/Sundance Vice President of International Programming, Chris Loveall (Us).
"Each brings with them outstanding experience from around the world and invaluable insights into developing and overseeing successful film and television productions,...
- 10/23/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
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