Talk about cinematic ecstasy. Has any film captured the ‘90s rave generation like Human Traffic? Justin Kerrigan’s 1999 pilled-up cult classic is a rave-centric romp through a carnage-fuelled Cardiff weekend – a love-letter to getting loaded, featuring the first performance from Danny Dyer, and early turns from John Simm, Andrew Lincoln, and Shaun Parkes. The film has remained a firm favourite over the decades – and 25 years on, Empire celebrates its impact and ongoing legacy in a brand new anniversary feature, speaking to Kerrigan, Dyer and Simm about their memories of its madcap making.
Just like the on-screen antics, the creation of Human Traffic was something of a non-stop party – with all involved not holding back in bringing the good vibes to the screen. Take that legendary “Nice one, bruvva!” scene, in which Dyer’s Moff and Simm’s Jip end a phone call in endearingly chaotic style. “We pushed that to the absolute fucking extreme,...
Just like the on-screen antics, the creation of Human Traffic was something of a non-stop party – with all involved not holding back in bringing the good vibes to the screen. Take that legendary “Nice one, bruvva!” scene, in which Dyer’s Moff and Simm’s Jip end a phone call in endearingly chaotic style. “We pushed that to the absolute fucking extreme,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Jedi galore. A dark, murderous mystery plot. A Wookiee with a lightsaber. Star Wars is back with a series like no other – get ready for The Acolyte, exploring a brand new era of the galaxy, 100 years before The Phantom Menace. The new issue of Empire takes a world-exclusive deep dive into the show with creator Leslye Headland and her sprawling ensemble cast – and you can pick it up on newsstands from Thursday 11 April.
For now, take a sneak peek inside the issue and see what’s in store…
The Acolyte
An even longer time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there were Jedi everywhere – and an unseen enemy in the shadows. Empire delves into an all new era of Star Wars with The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland, speaking to the likes of Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Joonas Suotamo, Manny Jacinto, and...
For now, take a sneak peek inside the issue and see what’s in store…
The Acolyte
An even longer time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there were Jedi everywhere – and an unseen enemy in the shadows. Empire delves into an all new era of Star Wars with The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland, speaking to the likes of Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Joonas Suotamo, Manny Jacinto, and...
- 4/10/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Zdf Latest To ‘Race Across The World’
A six-part series based on Studio Lambert’s Race Across the World is set to air on German pubcaster Zdf in spring 2025. Planning is underway for casting and filming is set for the fall, with All3Media’s German producer, Tower, attached to make the show. Kirstin Benthaus-Gebauer will be the producer with Friederike Haedecke, Johannes Geiger, Thorsten Haas and Daniel Nemetschek the editors. The original BBC show has run to strong ratings in the UK for three seasons and one celebrity series. New seasons of both versions have been commissioned after the the first ep of the celebrity run drew 6.2 million viewers, consolidating the format’s position among the BBC’s top factual programs. The German deal, struck with distributor All3Media International, marks the fifth international version of the show, coming after three seasons on TV2 in Denmark, an upcoming production on MTV Katsomo and MTV3 in Finland,...
A six-part series based on Studio Lambert’s Race Across the World is set to air on German pubcaster Zdf in spring 2025. Planning is underway for casting and filming is set for the fall, with All3Media’s German producer, Tower, attached to make the show. Kirstin Benthaus-Gebauer will be the producer with Friederike Haedecke, Johannes Geiger, Thorsten Haas and Daniel Nemetschek the editors. The original BBC show has run to strong ratings in the UK for three seasons and one celebrity series. New seasons of both versions have been commissioned after the the first ep of the celebrity run drew 6.2 million viewers, consolidating the format’s position among the BBC’s top factual programs. The German deal, struck with distributor All3Media International, marks the fifth international version of the show, coming after three seasons on TV2 in Denmark, an upcoming production on MTV Katsomo and MTV3 in Finland,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: John Simm and Nikki Amuka-Bird are leading a mystery thriller series titled I, Jack Wright for Federation Stories and UKTV.
Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones) will also feature.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe scribe Chris Lang is penning I, Jack Wright, which Federation is producing and distributing via its UK arm. A number of deals have already been struck for Scandi public broadcasters Yle, Dk, Nrk and Srk. Deadline understands a deal with the BBC is close.
Shooting will begin this month on the series that stars double-bafta nominee Simm as Gray Wright. When the provisions of Jack’s final will and testament are made known, his third wife Sally (Amuka-Bird) and sons are shocked to discover they have been largely cut out of his enormous fortune. As Dci Morgan and DC Jones delve further into the case, they realize Jack’s cause of death was in fact murder.
Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones) will also feature.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe scribe Chris Lang is penning I, Jack Wright, which Federation is producing and distributing via its UK arm. A number of deals have already been struck for Scandi public broadcasters Yle, Dk, Nrk and Srk. Deadline understands a deal with the BBC is close.
Shooting will begin this month on the series that stars double-bafta nominee Simm as Gray Wright. When the provisions of Jack’s final will and testament are made known, his third wife Sally (Amuka-Bird) and sons are shocked to discover they have been largely cut out of his enormous fortune. As Dci Morgan and DC Jones delve further into the case, they realize Jack’s cause of death was in fact murder.
- 2/12/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“Ooh, jukebox” – the words uttered by the Fourteenth Doctor when invited to nosey around the Fifteenth Doctor’s new Tardis in the closing moments of 60th anniversary special “The Giggle”.
Ooh, jukebox indeed. Specifically, the Doctor’s jukebox is a 1946-designed Wurlitzer 1015 nicknamed “The Bubbler” on account of the bubbles that move through its colourful tubes as it plays tunes. Even more specifically, we’ve seen the same make and model of jukebox twice before on Doctor Who, once on the set of Clara’s 1950s-Diner Tardis, and once five billion years into the future on Platform One, where the great and the good are gathered to watch the imminent destruction of planet Earth.
Whether or not it’s supposed to be the self-same jukebox from those previous appearances, or simply something shiny that caught the Doctor’s eye, the songs it plays are significant. Production designer Phil Sims explained...
Ooh, jukebox indeed. Specifically, the Doctor’s jukebox is a 1946-designed Wurlitzer 1015 nicknamed “The Bubbler” on account of the bubbles that move through its colourful tubes as it plays tunes. Even more specifically, we’ve seen the same make and model of jukebox twice before on Doctor Who, once on the set of Clara’s 1950s-Diner Tardis, and once five billion years into the future on Platform One, where the great and the good are gathered to watch the imminent destruction of planet Earth.
Whether or not it’s supposed to be the self-same jukebox from those previous appearances, or simply something shiny that caught the Doctor’s eye, the songs it plays are significant. Production designer Phil Sims explained...
- 1/17/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Get ready for a new month at BritBox! While the British streamer is only adding a handful of new titles this month ahead of more additions in February like Sir Lenny Henry’s “Three Little Birds,” its new picks, which includes psychological thriller mini-series “The Ex-Wife” and Season 2 of a popular Scottish crime series, are not to be missed.
Find out what’s coming to BritBox in January!
7-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month BritBox.com What Shows and Movies Are Coming to BritBox in January 2024? “The Ex-Wife” | Thursday, Jan. 11
Initially released on Paramount+ in the United States, the psychological thriller based on Jess Ryder’s novel of the same name and adapted by “Downton” Abbey actor Catherine Steadman follows Tasha, a young woman living an idyllic life with a perfect house, a loving husband, and a beautiful daughter. However, her husband’s ex-wife will not leave their family alone, intent on staying in the picture,...
Find out what’s coming to BritBox in January!
7-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month BritBox.com What Shows and Movies Are Coming to BritBox in January 2024? “The Ex-Wife” | Thursday, Jan. 11
Initially released on Paramount+ in the United States, the psychological thriller based on Jess Ryder’s novel of the same name and adapted by “Downton” Abbey actor Catherine Steadman follows Tasha, a young woman living an idyllic life with a perfect house, a loving husband, and a beautiful daughter. However, her husband’s ex-wife will not leave their family alone, intent on staying in the picture,...
- 12/20/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
There truly has never been a better time to be a Doctor Who fan.
Not only do we have the three long-awaited 60th anniversary episodes mere weeks away (even if we are still waiting on an official release date beyond “November!”), we’re then getting the return of the Doctor Who festive special with a brand-new Doctor and companion on the way in Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, not to mention the shiny new series 14 launching some time in 2024.
But in the mean time, the surprise 60th anniversary celebration announcements keep on coming – and the BBC’s latest Doctor Who news is a biggie:
The Entire Doctor Who Back Catalogue Is Coming To BBC iPlayer!
From 1st November, BBC iPlayer will host over 800 episodes of Doctor Who, including all the classic series from the very first Doctor, William Hartnell, right the way through to the 1996 TV movie with Paul McGann.
Not only do we have the three long-awaited 60th anniversary episodes mere weeks away (even if we are still waiting on an official release date beyond “November!”), we’re then getting the return of the Doctor Who festive special with a brand-new Doctor and companion on the way in Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, not to mention the shiny new series 14 launching some time in 2024.
But in the mean time, the surprise 60th anniversary celebration announcements keep on coming – and the BBC’s latest Doctor Who news is a biggie:
The Entire Doctor Who Back Catalogue Is Coming To BBC iPlayer!
From 1st November, BBC iPlayer will host over 800 episodes of Doctor Who, including all the classic series from the very first Doctor, William Hartnell, right the way through to the 1996 TV movie with Paul McGann.
- 10/10/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Tall Story Pictures, the ITV Studios label behind returning dramas such as The Bay and Grace, has named Phil Hunter as Executive Producer. The news follows yesterday’s announcement that former Tall Story producer Patrick Schweitzer has moved to Red Production Company as CEO.
Hunter will work across projects both in production and development, and will be EP on the next series of Grace, the ITV drama which is an adaptation of Peter James’ award winning novels, starring John Simm as Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace.
Most recently, Hunter was co-producer on the Apple TV+ show Criminal Record starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo. Prior to that, he was executive producer on five seasons of ITV’s Vera.
Other credits include producing Midsomer Murders for Bentley Productions, as well as working as a producer and script editor on a range of shows such as Hollyoaks, EastEnders, Holby City and Hustle.
Hunter will work across projects both in production and development, and will be EP on the next series of Grace, the ITV drama which is an adaptation of Peter James’ award winning novels, starring John Simm as Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace.
Most recently, Hunter was co-producer on the Apple TV+ show Criminal Record starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo. Prior to that, he was executive producer on five seasons of ITV’s Vera.
Other credits include producing Midsomer Murders for Bentley Productions, as well as working as a producer and script editor on a range of shows such as Hollyoaks, EastEnders, Holby City and Hustle.
- 9/26/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Life on Mars will not have another sequel series after all. The creators of the UK series have announced that the planned spin-off, titled Lazarus, will not be happening, per Deadline.
The original Life on Mars series aired for two seasons on BBC One between 2006 and 2007. Starring John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, and Marshall Lancaster, the sci-fi series follows a cop (Simm) from 2006 who finds himself thrown back in time to 1970s Manchester.
A spin-off series titled Ashes to Ashes, featuring Keeley Hawes as a police officer who is shot in 2008 and wakes up in 1981, ran for three seasons in the UK. ABC ran its own version of Life on Mars starring Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel. It was cancelled after one season but viewers still...
The original Life on Mars series aired for two seasons on BBC One between 2006 and 2007. Starring John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, and Marshall Lancaster, the sci-fi series follows a cop (Simm) from 2006 who finds himself thrown back in time to 1970s Manchester.
A spin-off series titled Ashes to Ashes, featuring Keeley Hawes as a police officer who is shot in 2008 and wakes up in 1981, ran for three seasons in the UK. ABC ran its own version of Life on Mars starring Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel. It was cancelled after one season but viewers still...
- 6/5/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
There’s an elite tier of TV dramas that stay with you, vividly, for decades after they air, and seventies-set sci-fi crime drama Life on Mars was the perfect example. So fervent was the show’s fanbase, that even 15 years after it aired – introducing us to detective Sam Tyler (Grace’s John Simm), who has a car crash in 2006 and wakes up mysteriously trapped in 1973 – the news of a planned revival during a lockdown live tweet-along in 2020 was enthusiastically received.
This revival was later fittingly dubbed Lazarus – once again named after a David Bowie song, like Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes – but we’ve now received the sad confirmation from the show’s creators that the reboot won’t be going ahead after all:
It is with a heavy heart that the creators of #LifeOnMars have confirmed that the highly anticipated revival show, #Lazarus, will no longer be moving forward.
This revival was later fittingly dubbed Lazarus – once again named after a David Bowie song, like Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes – but we’ve now received the sad confirmation from the show’s creators that the reboot won’t be going ahead after all:
It is with a heavy heart that the creators of #LifeOnMars have confirmed that the highly anticipated revival show, #Lazarus, will no longer be moving forward.
- 6/5/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Life on Mars was one of the UK’s most popular dramas when it aired a decade and a half ago, and its many fans were geared up for the highly anticipated revival show Lazarus.
However, the show’s creators Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah have announced this will no longer be happening. The team took to social media on Saturday to report to fans:
It is with a heavy heart that the creators of #LifeOnMars have confirmed that the highly anticipated revival show, #Lazarus, will no longer be moving forward.
Many thanks to Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah for these past 3 years in your efforts to reunite Sam Tyler & Gene Hunt...
However, the show’s creators Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah have announced this will no longer be happening. The team took to social media on Saturday to report to fans:
It is with a heavy heart that the creators of #LifeOnMars have confirmed that the highly anticipated revival show, #Lazarus, will no longer be moving forward.
Many thanks to Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah for these past 3 years in your efforts to reunite Sam Tyler & Gene Hunt...
- 6/4/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s tough to say goodbye. Endeavour’s ninth series concluded over a decade spent with the Cowley Station (later Thames Valley) gang, so it’s only natural for fans feeling bereft to seek out their favourites’ next steps. Having hung up his Fred Thursday hat, Roger Allam can be seen this year on screen and stage, while Shaun Evans is taking on a very different kind of crime drama role.
From Endeavour production company Mammoth Screen, there’s a new period drama co-production, plus the return of series creator Russell Lewis’ next ITV detective drama, starring John Simm. Find all the info below.
Shaun Evans – True Crime Serial Killer Drama Delia Balmer (w/t)
Actor-director Shaun Evans is currently filming the role of real-life serial killer John Sweeney in a new ITV true crime drama. Evans will star opposite Anna Maxwell-Martin, who plays Sweeney’s former girlfriend Delia Balmer in the four-part series,...
From Endeavour production company Mammoth Screen, there’s a new period drama co-production, plus the return of series creator Russell Lewis’ next ITV detective drama, starring John Simm. Find all the info below.
Shaun Evans – True Crime Serial Killer Drama Delia Balmer (w/t)
Actor-director Shaun Evans is currently filming the role of real-life serial killer John Sweeney in a new ITV true crime drama. Evans will star opposite Anna Maxwell-Martin, who plays Sweeney’s former girlfriend Delia Balmer in the four-part series,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The Masked Singer is back on our screens, turning the nation into at-home detectives as they try to figure out who this year’s celebrity contestants are.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
- 2/4/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
The Masked Singer is back on our screens, turning the nation into at-home detectives as they try to figure out who this year’s celebrity contestants are.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
- 1/21/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
The Masked Singer is back on our screens, turning the nation into at-home detectives as they try to figure out who this year’s celebrity contestants are.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
The singing competition series, in which celebrities compete anonymously behind giant anthropomorphic costumes, returned on New Year’s Day, with the first group of contestants all performing.
Among the group was Phoenix, who was shown in their Vt standing within a grand castle and explaining in a posh accent that “I am rather hot, aren’t I?”
“Fire” by Kasabian then played as Phoenix said that they had risen from the ashes and been “born anew” and “reincarnated”.
They also said that they were good with “mysteries” and “following a trail”, while Phoenix was shown inspecting foot prints with a magnifying glass.
Phoenix’s first performance was a jazz version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While performing, they sang with an American accent.
- 1/14/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Warning: contains major spoilers for Doctor Who The Power of the Doctor
In a Q&a session alongside a screening of “The Power of the Doctor,” departing showrunner Chris Chibnall discussed his desire to pack the episode full of easter eggs, layering in the past, present, and future of the long-running programme.
While the story itself may have been somewhat messy as a result – more on that in our spoiler-packed review – there’s no denying there’s a lot here for long-time Doctor Who fans to sink their teeth into, with some references being more obscure than others. There’ll be spoilers ahead as we dig in…
Tegan Jovanka
Two classic companions returning in a single outing means there’s plenty of opportunities for nostalgic nods, and while Tegan is slightly less well served in the easter egg department than Ace, she has her moments:
When facing a fatal fall...
In a Q&a session alongside a screening of “The Power of the Doctor,” departing showrunner Chris Chibnall discussed his desire to pack the episode full of easter eggs, layering in the past, present, and future of the long-running programme.
While the story itself may have been somewhat messy as a result – more on that in our spoiler-packed review – there’s no denying there’s a lot here for long-time Doctor Who fans to sink their teeth into, with some references being more obscure than others. There’ll be spoilers ahead as we dig in…
Tegan Jovanka
Two classic companions returning in a single outing means there’s plenty of opportunities for nostalgic nods, and while Tegan is slightly less well served in the easter egg department than Ace, she has her moments:
When facing a fatal fall...
- 10/23/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Pastor Mick Fleming – a former drug dealer who found God and set up a church that would one day be visited by Prince William and his wife Catherine – is set to be the subject of a new drama series called “The Pastor,” Variety can exclusively reveal.
Herd have optioned Fleming’s life rights.
“Top Boy” director Brady Hood is already in talks to helm the project, which is set to shoot in the U.K. and Portugal, while Andrew Knott and William Ash (“Twisting My Melon”) have signed on to write the screenplay.
Herd will oversee the shoot in the U.K. while their production partner Moviebox will oversee Portugal.
Fleming shot to fame in December 2020 when he became the subject of a BBC News report that was watched by 50 million people. In the throes of the pandemic Fleming, a former drug dealer, set up a church and project that included delivering food,...
Herd have optioned Fleming’s life rights.
“Top Boy” director Brady Hood is already in talks to helm the project, which is set to shoot in the U.K. and Portugal, while Andrew Knott and William Ash (“Twisting My Melon”) have signed on to write the screenplay.
Herd will oversee the shoot in the U.K. while their production partner Moviebox will oversee Portugal.
Fleming shot to fame in December 2020 when he became the subject of a BBC News report that was watched by 50 million people. In the throes of the pandemic Fleming, a former drug dealer, set up a church and project that included delivering food,...
- 9/7/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Nine. That’s the number of Doctor Who episodes that Wilfred Mott has appeared in so far. Just nine. And he was nearly in none.
Bernard Cribbins, a legend who spent seven decades acting and entertaining after joining a theatre club in Oldham as Assistant Stage Manager aged 14, was cast in “Voyage of the Damned” as Stan, selling newspapers from a kiosk as the aliens of the starship Titanic beam down and away again. It was intended as a cameo appearance only, but Howard Attfield was ill. Due to return as Donna Noble’s dad Geoff, Attfield filmed some scenes for Series 4 opener “Partners in Crime” before retiring from the role. He died shortly afterwards.
Behind the scenes, there had been hope that Attfield would have been able to act in the Sontaran two-parter, but his condition deteriorated and his wife said he could not carry on. It was at this point,...
Bernard Cribbins, a legend who spent seven decades acting and entertaining after joining a theatre club in Oldham as Assistant Stage Manager aged 14, was cast in “Voyage of the Damned” as Stan, selling newspapers from a kiosk as the aliens of the starship Titanic beam down and away again. It was intended as a cameo appearance only, but Howard Attfield was ill. Due to return as Donna Noble’s dad Geoff, Attfield filmed some scenes for Series 4 opener “Partners in Crime” before retiring from the role. He died shortly afterwards.
Behind the scenes, there had been hope that Attfield would have been able to act in the Sontaran two-parter, but his condition deteriorated and his wife said he could not carry on. It was at this point,...
- 8/2/2022
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
John Simm: ‘Danny Dyer and I went to Creamfields and every clubber had seen the film. We got hundreds of off-their-nut people coming up and hugging us’
I wanted to make a film about what me and my friends got up to on weekends. The 90s club scene was amazing. The rave generation was about love, the ecstasy worked and the music was underground – advertising hadn’t ruined it. Apart from the odd bad boy, the people were nice, eccentric characters who danced like loons all night.
I wanted to make a film about what me and my friends got up to on weekends. The 90s club scene was amazing. The rave generation was about love, the ecstasy worked and the music was underground – advertising hadn’t ruined it. Apart from the odd bad boy, the people were nice, eccentric characters who danced like loons all night.
- 5/2/2022
- by Interviews by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
Beyond Rights and Insight TV Team Up for New Branded Block
Beyond Rights and top millennial-targeted digital channels provider Insight TV have struck a new alliance, which will see the launch of Beyond branded blocks on Insight TV’s science and technology-centered InWonder channel. The Beyond branded blocks will initially play on primetime weekends in North America, drawing from Beyond Rights’s extensive catalogue of science and engineering programming with such titles as “How Hacks Work” and “Wicked Inventions.” “We will work closely together over the coming months to measure the audience response, looking to build towards a range of branded Fast channels,” said David Smyth, CEO of Beyond Rights.
Prime Entertainment Group Boosts Docu Slate with Zona Mixta Acquisitions
Paris-based documentary producer and distributor Prime Entertainment Group has picked up some historical documentaries from Spanish production shingle Zona Mixta in a bid to diversify its catalog of high-end documentaries.
Beyond Rights and top millennial-targeted digital channels provider Insight TV have struck a new alliance, which will see the launch of Beyond branded blocks on Insight TV’s science and technology-centered InWonder channel. The Beyond branded blocks will initially play on primetime weekends in North America, drawing from Beyond Rights’s extensive catalogue of science and engineering programming with such titles as “How Hacks Work” and “Wicked Inventions.” “We will work closely together over the coming months to measure the audience response, looking to build towards a range of branded Fast channels,” said David Smyth, CEO of Beyond Rights.
Prime Entertainment Group Boosts Docu Slate with Zona Mixta Acquisitions
Paris-based documentary producer and distributor Prime Entertainment Group has picked up some historical documentaries from Spanish production shingle Zona Mixta in a bid to diversify its catalog of high-end documentaries.
- 4/5/2022
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Game of Thrones is readying a return to Westeros in 2022 with House of the Dragon. Set around 200 years in the past, during the height of the Targaryens’ incestuous, dragon-riding royal reign, the series is the first of HBO’s ongoing prequel pursuits. However, it also represents an enormously expensive mulligan, since it arrives in the aftermath of an extravagant pilot produced for a completely different prequel project, which was not picked up and still languishes unseen by audiences. Interestingly, new details have surfaced regarding the nixed project’s price tag and how it directly led to the prequel series that will ultimately arrive.
While HBO’s initial Game of Thrones prequel attempt never bore an official title, reports revealed it to be a story of ancient proportions, set thousands of years earlier, which—based on the elaborate history in creator George R.R. Martin’s literary lore—earned it de facto...
While HBO’s initial Game of Thrones prequel attempt never bore an official title, reports revealed it to be a story of ancient proportions, set thousands of years earlier, which—based on the elaborate history in creator George R.R. Martin’s literary lore—earned it de facto...
- 12/1/2021
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: UK publicists Donna Mills and Emma Jackson, longtime reps at London-based Premier Communications, have launched new publicity agency Tapestry London.
The company will specialise in actor and filmmaker representation, with the majority of their clients based in Europe and represented by the company globally.
Their impressive roster of clients includes Michaela Coel, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Claire Foy, James Norton, Ashley Walters and Sam Mendes.
Also on the roster are Agnes O’Casey , Anne-Marie Duff , Anthony Boyle, Bertie Carvel , Daisy Haggard, Denise Gough, Earl Cave , Emily Watson, George MacKay , Georgina Campbell , Dame Harriet Walter, Himesh Patel , Joe Alwyn , Joe Cole, Joe Gilgun, John Simm , Kyle Soller, Leila Farzad, Maxine Peake, Paapa Essiedu, Ruth Madeley, Sarah Solemani , Sverrir Gudnasson, Sheila Atim, Stacy Martin , Tom Hughes , Vicky Krieps, Viveik Kalra, Will Poulter and Will Sharpe.
The duo told us: “Having worked together for the best part of a decade, we couldn’t...
The company will specialise in actor and filmmaker representation, with the majority of their clients based in Europe and represented by the company globally.
Their impressive roster of clients includes Michaela Coel, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Claire Foy, James Norton, Ashley Walters and Sam Mendes.
Also on the roster are Agnes O’Casey , Anne-Marie Duff , Anthony Boyle, Bertie Carvel , Daisy Haggard, Denise Gough, Earl Cave , Emily Watson, George MacKay , Georgina Campbell , Dame Harriet Walter, Himesh Patel , Joe Alwyn , Joe Cole, Joe Gilgun, John Simm , Kyle Soller, Leila Farzad, Maxine Peake, Paapa Essiedu, Ruth Madeley, Sarah Solemani , Sverrir Gudnasson, Sheila Atim, Stacy Martin , Tom Hughes , Vicky Krieps, Viveik Kalra, Will Poulter and Will Sharpe.
The duo told us: “Having worked together for the best part of a decade, we couldn’t...
- 8/10/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
[Editor’s note: The following review contains spoilers for “Dead Simple,” the first installment of BritBox’s “Grace.”]
British crime author Peter James is an unqualified success: He’s written 36 novels and sold more than 20 million copies of those books, which have been translated into 37 languages. For the unfamiliar, let me share a sampling of the Amazon reviews for 2005’s “Dead Simple,” the first novel in his 16-book series starring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace:
-“The book has made me angry!”
-“A rather silly plot”
-“Phobia Alert!!!”
-“No one acts the way they should.”
Judging by these reviews, “Dead Simple,” as it turns out, has been very faithfully adapted by BritBox — the online streaming service co-owned by the BBC and ITV — for its first dip into original programming. The plot of the BritBox version is truly insane, apparently much like the book, and it’s only thanks to the solid, empathetic performance of John Simm as...
British crime author Peter James is an unqualified success: He’s written 36 novels and sold more than 20 million copies of those books, which have been translated into 37 languages. For the unfamiliar, let me share a sampling of the Amazon reviews for 2005’s “Dead Simple,” the first novel in his 16-book series starring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace:
-“The book has made me angry!”
-“A rather silly plot”
-“Phobia Alert!!!”
-“No one acts the way they should.”
Judging by these reviews, “Dead Simple,” as it turns out, has been very faithfully adapted by BritBox — the online streaming service co-owned by the BBC and ITV — for its first dip into original programming. The plot of the BritBox version is truly insane, apparently much like the book, and it’s only thanks to the solid, empathetic performance of John Simm as...
- 4/27/2021
- by Ann Donahue
- Indiewire
BritBox, the BBC and ITV’s joint-venture streamer, has acquired ITV’s John Simm drama Grace for the U.S. and Canada. The service will premiere the drama on April 27.
Told as two feature-length episodes, Grace is an adaptation of Peter James’ Roy Grace crime novels from Endeavour creator Russell Lewis. It is a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.
It is based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.
The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the last chance saloon running inquiries into long-forgotten cold cases with little prospect of success. Following another...
Told as two feature-length episodes, Grace is an adaptation of Peter James’ Roy Grace crime novels from Endeavour creator Russell Lewis. It is a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.
It is based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.
The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the last chance saloon running inquiries into long-forgotten cold cases with little prospect of success. Following another...
- 3/18/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC+ has picked up a trio of foreign crime dramas to premiere in the U.S., AMC Networks announced Thursday.
“Kin,” starring Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne and Aidan Gillen; “Too Close,” starring “Chernobyl” alum Emily Watson; and “Cold Courage,” starring John Simm, will all roll out on the streaming service later this year. “Cold Courage” will be the first to debut on Thursday, March 11, with the other two to follow later this year.
“Cold Courage,” produced by Lionsgate, is an adaptation of the series of novels by Finnish journalist Pekka Hiltunen. The series centers on Mari, a fierce psychologist, and Lia, a shy graphic artist, who are drawn together through the “Studio” — a clandestine group of like-minded people operating off the grid, dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt. Simm, Caroline Goodall and Arsher Ali star in the series from writers David Joss Buckley and Brendan Foley.
“Kin,” starring Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne and Aidan Gillen; “Too Close,” starring “Chernobyl” alum Emily Watson; and “Cold Courage,” starring John Simm, will all roll out on the streaming service later this year. “Cold Courage” will be the first to debut on Thursday, March 11, with the other two to follow later this year.
“Cold Courage,” produced by Lionsgate, is an adaptation of the series of novels by Finnish journalist Pekka Hiltunen. The series centers on Mari, a fierce psychologist, and Lia, a shy graphic artist, who are drawn together through the “Studio” — a clandestine group of like-minded people operating off the grid, dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt. Simm, Caroline Goodall and Arsher Ali star in the series from writers David Joss Buckley and Brendan Foley.
- 2/18/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
AMC+ announced on Thursday that it has has acquired the rights to three crime drama series: Cold Courage, Kin and Too Close.
The first to premiere on the streaming service is Lionsgate’s Cold Courage, which will hit AMC+ on Thursday, March 11. Based on the award-winning and best-selling novels from Finnish journalist Pekka Hiltunen, Cold Courage follows two women as they collide during a series of murders in present-day London. Mari (Pihla Viitala), a fierce psychologist, and Lia (Sofia Pekkari), a shy graphic artist, are drawn together through the “Studio” – a clandestine group of like-minded people operating off the grid, dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt.
John Simm appears as populist politician Arthur Fried and joins fellow cast-members Caroline Goodall and Arsher Ali. Jakob Eklund, Peter Coonan and Matteo Simoni also star.
The series was adapted for the screen by David Joss Buckley and Brendan Foley.
The first to premiere on the streaming service is Lionsgate’s Cold Courage, which will hit AMC+ on Thursday, March 11. Based on the award-winning and best-selling novels from Finnish journalist Pekka Hiltunen, Cold Courage follows two women as they collide during a series of murders in present-day London. Mari (Pihla Viitala), a fierce psychologist, and Lia (Sofia Pekkari), a shy graphic artist, are drawn together through the “Studio” – a clandestine group of like-minded people operating off the grid, dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt.
John Simm appears as populist politician Arthur Fried and joins fellow cast-members Caroline Goodall and Arsher Ali. Jakob Eklund, Peter Coonan and Matteo Simoni also star.
The series was adapted for the screen by David Joss Buckley and Brendan Foley.
- 2/18/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
The reintroduction of the Master, this time as a woman, during Peter Capaldi’s rookie season of Doctor Who, is perhaps what essentially fuelled Jodie Whittaker’s debut as the first female Doctor. And now, the actress who portrayed Missy has expressed an interest in reprising her role.
The quirky unpredictable villainess was a far cry from previous incarnations of the Master in terms of characterization, but Michelle Gomez’s spectacular acting chops and her unique dynamic with the 12th Doctor made her one of Steven Moffat’s most interesting additions to the lore of the sci-fi universe. But alas, things didn’t end well for Missy the last time she butted heads with the Doctor.
As you may remember, during the season 10 finale, the big bad finally decided to stand with her old friend. John Simm’s incarnation, meanwhile, had other intentions and wouldn’t allow that to happen.
The quirky unpredictable villainess was a far cry from previous incarnations of the Master in terms of characterization, but Michelle Gomez’s spectacular acting chops and her unique dynamic with the 12th Doctor made her one of Steven Moffat’s most interesting additions to the lore of the sci-fi universe. But alas, things didn’t end well for Missy the last time she butted heads with the Doctor.
As you may remember, during the season 10 finale, the big bad finally decided to stand with her old friend. John Simm’s incarnation, meanwhile, had other intentions and wouldn’t allow that to happen.
- 12/18/2020
- by Jonathan Wright
- We Got This Covered
Whether it was Christopher Eccleston’s 9th Doctor or David Tennant’s 10th, whenever Captain Jack Harkness was on screen, the chemistry was off the charts. Now, fans can barely contain their excitement for his return during this year’s Doctor Who Holiday Special episode, and next to Jodie Whittaker’s first female Doctor, no less.
Whovians know Jack as an individual with certain tendencies that The Doctor usually rebukes. But the established dynamic between Tennant and John Barrowman will definitely undergo a lot of changes when the latter appears in front of Thirteen. The actor first reprised Jack in season 12’s “Fugitive of the Judoon,” though that was basically showrunner Chris Chibnall’s way of teasing the fandom to the brink of exhaustion.
Now, after forgoing the penultimate episode and the finale, Barrowman will be back during the Holiday Special episode, “Revolution of the Daleks.” Speaking with Entertainment Weekly in a new interview,...
Whovians know Jack as an individual with certain tendencies that The Doctor usually rebukes. But the established dynamic between Tennant and John Barrowman will definitely undergo a lot of changes when the latter appears in front of Thirteen. The actor first reprised Jack in season 12’s “Fugitive of the Judoon,” though that was basically showrunner Chris Chibnall’s way of teasing the fandom to the brink of exhaustion.
Now, after forgoing the penultimate episode and the finale, Barrowman will be back during the Holiday Special episode, “Revolution of the Daleks.” Speaking with Entertainment Weekly in a new interview,...
- 12/1/2020
- by Jonathan Wright
- We Got This Covered
Doctor Who just introduced a new incarnation of the Master in its twelfth season this year, and the latest story from the rumor mill is claiming that season 13 might follow that up with an episode featuring multiple Masters. The sci-fi series has a long history of bringing different Doctors together to save the universe, but this would only be the second time that the Time Lord’s nemesis has crossed paths with their other selves.
This intel comes from YouTube channel The Tardis Zone and the host warns that it’s just a rumor at this stage. According to him, though, showrunner Chris Chibnall and his team might be planning a “multi Master story.” It’s not yet known exactly which versions of the villain will be included, but the channel says that the episode will be “recasting” the Masters played by Roger Delgado and Anthony Ainley in the classic series.
This intel comes from YouTube channel The Tardis Zone and the host warns that it’s just a rumor at this stage. According to him, though, showrunner Chris Chibnall and his team might be planning a “multi Master story.” It’s not yet known exactly which versions of the villain will be included, but the channel says that the episode will be “recasting” the Masters played by Roger Delgado and Anthony Ainley in the classic series.
- 11/8/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
BritBox Acquires ‘Cold Courage’
BritBox UK has acquired Viaplay and Lionsgate’s John Simm-fronted political drama Cold Courage. The BBC and ITV-owned streamer will premiere the eight-part series on September 3, telling the story of how two Finnish women get drawn into a clandestine group dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt. Based on the award-winning and best-selling books by Pekka Hiltunen, Cold Courage was written by BAFTA-nominated David Joss Buckley (Hinterland) and Brendan Foley (The Riddle). The series is produced by Markku Flink and Pauli Pentti, and directed by Agenta Fagerstrom-Olsson and Kadir Ferati Balci. Fredrik Ljungberg, Jon Petersson, Kjartan Por Pordarson, Cormac Fox, Tom Hameeuw, Peter De Maegd and Marc B. Lorber are executive Pproducers.
Banijay Recruits Owain Walbyoff As Commercial Chief
Banijay has hired former Endemol Shine Group executive Owain Walbyoff to the newly-created role of chief commercial officer. Walbyoff will be...
BritBox UK has acquired Viaplay and Lionsgate’s John Simm-fronted political drama Cold Courage. The BBC and ITV-owned streamer will premiere the eight-part series on September 3, telling the story of how two Finnish women get drawn into a clandestine group dedicated to righting the wrongs of the powerful, influential and corrupt. Based on the award-winning and best-selling books by Pekka Hiltunen, Cold Courage was written by BAFTA-nominated David Joss Buckley (Hinterland) and Brendan Foley (The Riddle). The series is produced by Markku Flink and Pauli Pentti, and directed by Agenta Fagerstrom-Olsson and Kadir Ferati Balci. Fredrik Ljungberg, Jon Petersson, Kjartan Por Pordarson, Cormac Fox, Tom Hameeuw, Peter De Maegd and Marc B. Lorber are executive Pproducers.
Banijay Recruits Owain Walbyoff As Commercial Chief
Banijay has hired former Endemol Shine Group executive Owain Walbyoff to the newly-created role of chief commercial officer. Walbyoff will be...
- 8/25/2020
- by Jake Kanter and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
John Simm is one of the most popular versions of the Master ever, thanks to his turns in three two-part storylines across the revived series of Doctor Who. He first appeared as the Doctor’s eternal nemesis at the end of season 3’s “Utopia” (2007), with Derek Jacobi’s incarnation regenerating into him. In the penultimate episode, “The Sound of Drums,” it’s revealed that the Master is, in fact, Harold Saxon, the mysterious and malevolent politician who’s been referenced throughout the season.
In the Russell T. Davies era, each season would have a recurring word or phrase that would be repeated throughout the episodes before it was explained in the finale. Though the reveal that the Master was actually Saxon, elected to the position of Prime Minister in “Sound of Drums,” came as a big shock to fans, maybe it shouldn’t have, as the clue was in the character’s name all along.
In the Russell T. Davies era, each season would have a recurring word or phrase that would be repeated throughout the episodes before it was explained in the finale. Though the reveal that the Master was actually Saxon, elected to the position of Prime Minister in “Sound of Drums,” came as a big shock to fans, maybe it shouldn’t have, as the clue was in the character’s name all along.
- 6/17/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
Back in February (remember February? Pubs and high streets and butterflying blithely in and out of shops and cafes as carefree as a 19th century Parisian flaneur? I digress), Den of Geek ran an interview with Life on Mars co-creator Matthew Graham.
Speaking with us to mark the forthcoming tenth anniversary of the Ashes to Ashes finale, Graham revisited his and Ashley Pharoah’s cult BBC sci-fi crime shows, and bemoaned the lack of a proper ending for John Simm’s character Di Sam Tyler.
“We never got to tie up John,” said Graham, referencing John Simm’s premature exit from the role after two series.
A revival idea however, that would give Di Sam Tyler a final exit and close the Life on Mars door for good, was in the works.
During a Twitter watch-along of Life on Mars’ first episode by Graham and Pharoah held last night at...
Speaking with us to mark the forthcoming tenth anniversary of the Ashes to Ashes finale, Graham revisited his and Ashley Pharoah’s cult BBC sci-fi crime shows, and bemoaned the lack of a proper ending for John Simm’s character Di Sam Tyler.
“We never got to tie up John,” said Graham, referencing John Simm’s premature exit from the role after two series.
A revival idea however, that would give Di Sam Tyler a final exit and close the Life on Mars door for good, was in the works.
During a Twitter watch-along of Life on Mars’ first episode by Graham and Pharoah held last night at...
- 4/2/2020
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The return of the Master in season 12 of Doctor Who has divided some fans, with little explanation of what happened to the seemingly rehabilitated, or at least partially rehabilitated, Missy. Sacha Dhawan’s intense take on the character, revealed in the latest season’s two-part opener, was a throwback to a more unhinged and sadistic version of the Time Lord, compared to where we saw the character during the Capaldi era. And a new theory put out by ScreenRant says that Dhawan’s Master is actually a previous regeneration, and likely one that preceded Missy, but came after John Simm’s portrayal.
In this context, the Master would still be a more straightforward villain, and closer to the manic energy of Simm’s incarnation. Although it’s always a bit hard to work out Doctor Who continuity, the theory suggests that Dhawan’s Master roughly overlaps with Matt Smith’s Doctor.
In this context, the Master would still be a more straightforward villain, and closer to the manic energy of Simm’s incarnation. Although it’s always a bit hard to work out Doctor Who continuity, the theory suggests that Dhawan’s Master roughly overlaps with Matt Smith’s Doctor.
- 1/19/2020
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
Kayti Burt Jan 10, 2020
The Doctor Who cast discusses meeting the Master and incorporating more Classic Who into their era.
Warning: This Doctor Who article contains Major spoilers for the two-part Season 12 premiere. Proceed at your own peril. If you'd rather, you can read our spoiler-free review of the premiere here.
While Jodie Whittaker's first season of Doctor Who kept things fresh with mainly new villains for the Thirteenth Doctor and her companions to face off against, Season 12 has brought back the Doctor's "best enemy": The Master, played brilliantly by Sacha Dhawan (the youngest actor to play the role).
Den of Geek had the chance to chat with Jodie Whittaker (the Doctor), Mandip Gill (Yaz), and Tosin Cole (Ryan) about what it was like playing opposite Dhawan's Master, and what the actor brings to the table...
Who is the Master?
First seen in the 1971 Doctor Who episode "Terror of the Autons,...
The Doctor Who cast discusses meeting the Master and incorporating more Classic Who into their era.
Warning: This Doctor Who article contains Major spoilers for the two-part Season 12 premiere. Proceed at your own peril. If you'd rather, you can read our spoiler-free review of the premiere here.
While Jodie Whittaker's first season of Doctor Who kept things fresh with mainly new villains for the Thirteenth Doctor and her companions to face off against, Season 12 has brought back the Doctor's "best enemy": The Master, played brilliantly by Sacha Dhawan (the youngest actor to play the role).
Den of Geek had the chance to chat with Jodie Whittaker (the Doctor), Mandip Gill (Yaz), and Tosin Cole (Ryan) about what it was like playing opposite Dhawan's Master, and what the actor brings to the table...
Who is the Master?
First seen in the 1971 Doctor Who episode "Terror of the Autons,...
- 1/9/2020
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Doctor Who and The Catch star John Simm is to star in an adaptation of Peter James’ Roy Grace crime novels from Endeavour creator Russell Lewis for ITV.
The British commercial broadcaster has ordered Grace, a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, which produced ITV’s The Nightly Show and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.
The series will comprise two feature-length episodes and will be based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.
Simm, who also starred in HBO’s first Game of Thrones prequel pilot, will play the tenacious detective.
The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the...
The British commercial broadcaster has ordered Grace, a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, which produced ITV’s The Nightly Show and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.
The series will comprise two feature-length episodes and will be based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.
Simm, who also starred in HBO’s first Game of Thrones prequel pilot, will play the tenacious detective.
The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the...
- 12/19/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Shameless creator Paul Abbott is rebooting his award-winning BBC One drama State of Play, which inspired the Russell Crowe movie of the same name.
Deadline can reveal that 16 years after the original show aired, Abbott is in active development on a new series of the political thriller having previously flirted with bringing back the drama in the Noughties.
Produced by Red Arrow Studios-backed Endor Productions, the original series of State of Play featured a stellar cast including David Morrissey, John Simm, Bill Nighy, James McAvoy and Kelly MacDonald.
Morrissey played politician Stephen Collins, whose researcher is killed on the London Underground. Journalist Cal McCaffrey (Simm) and his editor Cameron Foster (Nighy) investigate, uncovering a complex story that reveals links between government and big business.
Abbott has long wanted to return to the characters, coming closest to revisiting the show in 2006/2007 when he wrote scripts taking forward the stories...
Deadline can reveal that 16 years after the original show aired, Abbott is in active development on a new series of the political thriller having previously flirted with bringing back the drama in the Noughties.
Produced by Red Arrow Studios-backed Endor Productions, the original series of State of Play featured a stellar cast including David Morrissey, John Simm, Bill Nighy, James McAvoy and Kelly MacDonald.
Morrissey played politician Stephen Collins, whose researcher is killed on the London Underground. Journalist Cal McCaffrey (Simm) and his editor Cameron Foster (Nighy) investigate, uncovering a complex story that reveals links between government and big business.
Abbott has long wanted to return to the characters, coming closest to revisiting the show in 2006/2007 when he wrote scripts taking forward the stories...
- 11/1/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Game of Thrones” prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts is not going to series at HBO, Variety has confirmed with sources.
The cast and crew of the pilot were recently informed that HBO had passed on the project. The potential series was set to take place thousands of years prior to the events of the original series.
HBO declined to comment.
In addition to Watts, the pilot starred Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, Toby Regbo, Miranda Richardson, Marquis Rodriquez, John Simm, Richard McCabe, John Heffernan, and Dixie Egerickx.
Jane Goldman co-created the project with George R.R. Martin, whose “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series served as the basis for “Game of Thrones.” Goldman and Martin wrote the story, with Goldman writing the teleplay. She would also have served as showrunner. She and Martin were executive producers along with Sj Clarkson,...
The cast and crew of the pilot were recently informed that HBO had passed on the project. The potential series was set to take place thousands of years prior to the events of the original series.
HBO declined to comment.
In addition to Watts, the pilot starred Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, Toby Regbo, Miranda Richardson, Marquis Rodriquez, John Simm, Richard McCabe, John Heffernan, and Dixie Egerickx.
Jane Goldman co-created the project with George R.R. Martin, whose “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series served as the basis for “Game of Thrones.” Goldman and Martin wrote the story, with Goldman writing the teleplay. She would also have served as showrunner. She and Martin were executive producers along with Sj Clarkson,...
- 10/29/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The “Game of Thrones” prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts has been scrapped by HBO, TheWrap has learned.
Ordered to pilot last year, the untitled project from George R.R. Martin and “Kingsman” screenwriter Jane Goldman is set thousands of years before the events of the original “Game of Thrones” series in the era known as the Age of Heroes.
Along with Watts, the now-dead show’s cast includes “Harry Potter” alum Miranda Richardson, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie (who will next appear in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars Episode IX”), Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim (“Harlots”), Ivanno Jeremiah (“Black Mirror”), Georgie Henley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), Alex Sharp (“To the Bone”), Toby Regbo (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”), Marquis Rodriguez, John Simm, Richard McCabe, John Heffernan and Dixie Egerickx.
Ordered to pilot last year, the untitled project from George R.R. Martin and “Kingsman” screenwriter Jane Goldman is set thousands of years before the events of the original “Game of Thrones” series in the era known as the Age of Heroes.
Along with Watts, the now-dead show’s cast includes “Harry Potter” alum Miranda Richardson, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie (who will next appear in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars Episode IX”), Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim (“Harlots”), Ivanno Jeremiah (“Black Mirror”), Georgie Henley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), Alex Sharp (“To the Bone”), Toby Regbo (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”), Marquis Rodriguez, John Simm, Richard McCabe, John Heffernan and Dixie Egerickx.
- 10/29/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
HBO is going to back to Westeros… again. The pay-cable network is nearing a pilot order for a second spinoff of its hugely popular “Game of Thrones” series, this one based on the Targaryen family, TheWrap has learned.
HBO declined to comment on the potential spinoff, which was first reported by Deadline, but an individual with knowledge of the project confirmed the report’s accuracy to TheWrap.
The series is from “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin and “Colony” co-creator Ryan Condal. It would be set 300 years before the events of the HBO fantasy series, which wrapped its eight-season run earlier this year. Representatives for Condal and Martin did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read: Production Has Wrapped on 'Game of Thrones' Prequel Pilot, HBO's Casey Bloys Says
During this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour, HBO programming president Casey Bloys...
HBO declined to comment on the potential spinoff, which was first reported by Deadline, but an individual with knowledge of the project confirmed the report’s accuracy to TheWrap.
The series is from “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin and “Colony” co-creator Ryan Condal. It would be set 300 years before the events of the HBO fantasy series, which wrapped its eight-season run earlier this year. Representatives for Condal and Martin did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read: Production Has Wrapped on 'Game of Thrones' Prequel Pilot, HBO's Casey Bloys Says
During this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour, HBO programming president Casey Bloys...
- 9/12/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Turns out George R.R. Martin may not have been getting your hopes up about additional “Game of Thrones” spinoffs after all.
Soon after HBO programming president Casey Bloys revealed during the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday that production had wrapped on the untitled “GoT” prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts, he told TheWrap the pay-tv channel is still “possibly” considering ordering pilots for additional spinoff projects that are in development.
“I think we have one or two more scripts,” he told us. “But we’re gonna see what happens with this one.”
Bloys wouldn’t say if he meant the decision to order another pilot will be made after this one (which is now in editing) is or isn’t ordered to series, or after the potential show airs. Actually, he wouldn’t...
Soon after HBO programming president Casey Bloys revealed during the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday that production had wrapped on the untitled “GoT” prequel pilot starring Naomi Watts, he told TheWrap the pay-tv channel is still “possibly” considering ordering pilots for additional spinoff projects that are in development.
“I think we have one or two more scripts,” he told us. “But we’re gonna see what happens with this one.”
Bloys wouldn’t say if he meant the decision to order another pilot will be made after this one (which is now in editing) is or isn’t ordered to series, or after the potential show airs. Actually, he wouldn’t...
- 7/24/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Production has wrapped on HBO’s Naomi Watts-led “Game of Thrones” prequel pilot, which began shooting in Belfast, Ireland this summer, Casey Bloys said during the Television Critics Association press tour on Wednesday.
The HBO programming boss also addressed the online petition that was started by fans asking the pay-tv channel to remake the final season of “GoT” with “competent writers” (a dig at showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss) which he says “shows a lot of enthusiasm.”
“Look, I take all of the activity around the finale as — there are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end,” Bloys told reporters. “I think that just comes with the territory.”
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Star Conleth Hill Calls Final-Season Backlash 'a Media-Led Hate Campaign'
“The petition,...
The HBO programming boss also addressed the online petition that was started by fans asking the pay-tv channel to remake the final season of “GoT” with “competent writers” (a dig at showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss) which he says “shows a lot of enthusiasm.”
“Look, I take all of the activity around the finale as — there are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end,” Bloys told reporters. “I think that just comes with the territory.”
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Star Conleth Hill Calls Final-Season Backlash 'a Media-Led Hate Campaign'
“The petition,...
- 7/24/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel has yet to be given an official title, but that’s not stopping George R.R. Martin from trying to dub it himself. The author has referred in the past to the series as The Long Night, which the network has denied as being the name. In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, however, the writer revealed what he hopes to be the moniker for the show when all is said and done.
“I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” he says. “That would be pretty good.”
Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but such a title would be a fitting representation of how many fans feel on Sunday nights now that the original series is over. The prequel has been filming under the production label of Blood Moon, though...
“I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” he says. “That would be pretty good.”
Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but such a title would be a fitting representation of how many fans feel on Sunday nights now that the original series is over. The prequel has been filming under the production label of Blood Moon, though...
- 7/9/2019
- by Evan Lewis
- We Got This Covered
Get ready to experience the Tenth Doctor’s last adventures in the best possible way. The BBC is releasing a limited edition Blu-Ray Steelbook containing David Tennant’s last five episodes of Doctor Who. Whovians might already own the stories but they won’t want to miss this due to the incredible artwork and abundance of special features.
The Steelbook contains every episode from Christmas 2008 to New Year 2010. There was no full season that year and instead the Tenth Doctor’s era was rounded out with a few specials linked by an ongoing storyline. The episodes in question are “The Next Doctor,” “The Planet of the Dead,” “The Waters of Mars” and “The End of Time: Parts 1 and 2.”
From the first special in which he encounters a man who appears to be his next regeneration (The Walking Dead‘s David Morrisey), the unifying theme of the run is the Doctor...
The Steelbook contains every episode from Christmas 2008 to New Year 2010. There was no full season that year and instead the Tenth Doctor’s era was rounded out with a few specials linked by an ongoing storyline. The episodes in question are “The Next Doctor,” “The Planet of the Dead,” “The Waters of Mars” and “The End of Time: Parts 1 and 2.”
From the first special in which he encounters a man who appears to be his next regeneration (The Walking Dead‘s David Morrisey), the unifying theme of the run is the Doctor...
- 7/4/2019
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: Agatha Raisin producer Free@Last TV is developing a TV detective drama based on Freeman Wills Crofts’ classic Inspector French novels with Cold Courage writer Brendan Foley.
Wills Crofts, a railway engineer turned author, was a peer of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler and was thought to be highly regarded by these writers.
Set in 1920s Ireland, Scotland and England, Inspector French is a dogged world-class detective banished from Scotland Yard to post-partition Northern Ireland where he battles to introduce modern policing techniques to a reluctant force.
Books include Inspector French’s Greatest Case, Inspector French and the Cheyne Mystery and Inspector French and the Starvel Tragedy.
Foley, who recently wrote John Simm-fronted Finnish political drama Cold Courage for Viaplay and Lionsgate, initially tracked down the rights to Crofts’ books at the Society of Authors before penning a script.
He told Deadline that the adaptation would be “as...
Wills Crofts, a railway engineer turned author, was a peer of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler and was thought to be highly regarded by these writers.
Set in 1920s Ireland, Scotland and England, Inspector French is a dogged world-class detective banished from Scotland Yard to post-partition Northern Ireland where he battles to introduce modern policing techniques to a reluctant force.
Books include Inspector French’s Greatest Case, Inspector French and the Cheyne Mystery and Inspector French and the Starvel Tragedy.
Foley, who recently wrote John Simm-fronted Finnish political drama Cold Courage for Viaplay and Lionsgate, initially tracked down the rights to Crofts’ books at the Society of Authors before penning a script.
He told Deadline that the adaptation would be “as...
- 7/2/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Game of Thrones” prequel might be the cure for what’s ailing fans who did not care for how Dan Weiss and David Benioff’s ended the main series last month. If Naomi Watts, the star of the currently untitled HBO pilot, is to be believed, you “won’t be let down” by this one, guys.
“It makes me very excited, yeah, goosebumps all over,” Watts, who leads the cast as a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret, told the Associated Press earlier this week. “It is intimidating. It’s very exciting. And yes, having just come off the last series, where the world was blowing up over it. Everything was ‘Game of Thrones’ related. All the advertising on TV, every article — everyone’s jumping on that bandwagon. So, it is scary.”
“But hopefully those fans come along and get to find something new and interesting in this world as well,...
“It makes me very excited, yeah, goosebumps all over,” Watts, who leads the cast as a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret, told the Associated Press earlier this week. “It is intimidating. It’s very exciting. And yes, having just come off the last series, where the world was blowing up over it. Everything was ‘Game of Thrones’ related. All the advertising on TV, every article — everyone’s jumping on that bandwagon. So, it is scary.”
“But hopefully those fans come along and get to find something new and interesting in this world as well,...
- 6/21/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Prequels are coming.
Fans looking for their next fix after “Game of Thrones,” rest assured, plans are already in the works to cash in on George R.R. Martin’s expansive fantasy universe. HBO has been tight-lipped about details, but at least one prequel series has already been ordered with four others in development.
Ancient History
The one confirmed prequel is set thousands of years before the original series. That means we won’t see any familiar faces, but there still could be some recognizable Starks, Lannisters or Baratheons running around Westeros.
The series will show the world plunge into its darkest hour after the Age of Heroes ended long ago. Martin informally referred to the series as “The Long Night” in a blog post, alluding to the winter that lasted a generation nearly 10,000 years ago, and caused widespread terror and famine. The show will explore the origins of the White Walkers,...
Fans looking for their next fix after “Game of Thrones,” rest assured, plans are already in the works to cash in on George R.R. Martin’s expansive fantasy universe. HBO has been tight-lipped about details, but at least one prequel series has already been ordered with four others in development.
Ancient History
The one confirmed prequel is set thousands of years before the original series. That means we won’t see any familiar faces, but there still could be some recognizable Starks, Lannisters or Baratheons running around Westeros.
The series will show the world plunge into its darkest hour after the Age of Heroes ended long ago. Martin informally referred to the series as “The Long Night” in a blog post, alluding to the winter that lasted a generation nearly 10,000 years ago, and caused widespread terror and famine. The show will explore the origins of the White Walkers,...
- 5/20/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
The 1996 Doctor Who television movie remains an intriguing footnote in the history of the franchise, bridging the gap between Classic and New Who without capturing the tone of either. Still, the movie gave us Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor, who has become the star of many official audio dramas from Big Finish, as well as a cameo appearance in a recent Doctor Who season. This October will see the release of the new audio drama Ravenous 4, which will pit McGann against not one but four Masters in a conclusion to the Ravenous series that kicked off in April 2018.
This fascinating premise will feature Geoffrey Beever’s old-school Master, Derek Jacobi’s War Master, Michelle Gomez’s Missy, and in his first reappearance since Doctor Who: The Movie, Eric Roberts’ version of the character. The multi-Master idea, teased to an extent in the recent series with Gomez and John Simm, has...
This fascinating premise will feature Geoffrey Beever’s old-school Master, Derek Jacobi’s War Master, Michelle Gomez’s Missy, and in his first reappearance since Doctor Who: The Movie, Eric Roberts’ version of the character. The multi-Master idea, teased to an extent in the recent series with Gomez and John Simm, has...
- 5/11/2019
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
The number of big-ticket dramas coming to the international market continues to increase as viewers embrace shows from all corners and consume them on a dizzying range of channels and platforms.
In a cluttered landscape, movie-inspired shows and book adaptations have built-in marketing appeal and bring a fan base, which is one way to cut through. There are multiple examples of both at MipTV,
from “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “To Catch a Thief,” to Canneseries opener “Vernon Subutex,” based on the hip French novel.
“The Walking Dead” producer Channing Powell envisages a dystopian future about a technology embedded inside our heads, while other series tackle the populist politics taking hold in many parts of the world. Immigration tales from the past, but with a modern-day relevance are also to the fore.
As thousands of acquisitions execs land in Cannes with checkbooks at the ready, Variety highlights the scripted...
In a cluttered landscape, movie-inspired shows and book adaptations have built-in marketing appeal and bring a fan base, which is one way to cut through. There are multiple examples of both at MipTV,
from “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “To Catch a Thief,” to Canneseries opener “Vernon Subutex,” based on the hip French novel.
“The Walking Dead” producer Channing Powell envisages a dystopian future about a technology embedded inside our heads, while other series tackle the populist politics taking hold in many parts of the world. Immigration tales from the past, but with a modern-day relevance are also to the fore.
As thousands of acquisitions execs land in Cannes with checkbooks at the ready, Variety highlights the scripted...
- 4/8/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s Mip TV in Cannes is facing a major challenge as a slew of the largest international companies have shunned the April market and A-list buyers and producers have joined them.
The increasingly active London screenings in February have taken a noticeable chunk out of the market for the bi-annual Reed Midem-organized show, which is struggling to attract the volume, and quality of participants that attend its October equivalent Mipcom. The spring confab has always been quieter than the fall event but this year many of the big companies are treating it as a secondary sales market rather than the glitzy launch pad for their hot new shows.
Next week’s event will be without the full participation of Endemol Shine Group, BBC Studios and Fox Networks Group Content Distribution, while the beachside will be very quiet as Fremantle is sending less staff than usual and Disney...
The increasingly active London screenings in February have taken a noticeable chunk out of the market for the bi-annual Reed Midem-organized show, which is struggling to attract the volume, and quality of participants that attend its October equivalent Mipcom. The spring confab has always been quieter than the fall event but this year many of the big companies are treating it as a secondary sales market rather than the glitzy launch pad for their hot new shows.
Next week’s event will be without the full participation of Endemol Shine Group, BBC Studios and Fox Networks Group Content Distribution, while the beachside will be very quiet as Fremantle is sending less staff than usual and Disney...
- 4/5/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
2017 was truly the end of an era for Doctor Who. Not only did the Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, exit the show, but so too did longtime showurnner Steven Moffat. Seeing as her Doctor and the man who first brought her on board were departing, Michelle Gomez – who’s played the female Master Missy since 2014 – decided to step down from the world of Who as well.
However, the character could still one day return, as the actress has now suggested – and not for the first time – that she’d be open to doing more of the hit BBC series and bringing Missy back to our screens. Talking to Radio Times, here’s what Gomez had to share when asked if she’d still be interested in returning.
“Oh gosh, yeah, of course I would,” she told the outlet. “I’d love to have a little run-around with [Jodie].
“I don’t know...
However, the character could still one day return, as the actress has now suggested – and not for the first time – that she’d be open to doing more of the hit BBC series and bringing Missy back to our screens. Talking to Radio Times, here’s what Gomez had to share when asked if she’d still be interested in returning.
“Oh gosh, yeah, of course I would,” she told the outlet. “I’d love to have a little run-around with [Jodie].
“I don’t know...
- 4/4/2019
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
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