This is the end of This Is England - and bringing his powerful working-class saga to a close would seem no mean feat for series mastermind Shane Meadows. Both the original movie and its TV spinoffs have been of a spectacularly high quality, Meadows' truthful scripts and the scarily authentic performances of the cast fostering our deep investment in the characters.
That said, last week's episode was a devastating outpouring of emotion that set the stage superbly for this grand finale, with Milky (Andrew Shim) plotting revenge on Combo (Stephen Graham) - the reformed thug who once viciously assaulted him.
In its final TV outing, This Is England finally addresses that brutal moment from the '03 film - something that until now it's always danced around. There's a feeling of coming full circle that permeates this finale from the off, Meadows opening with one last example of his trademark montage.
That said, last week's episode was a devastating outpouring of emotion that set the stage superbly for this grand finale, with Milky (Andrew Shim) plotting revenge on Combo (Stephen Graham) - the reformed thug who once viciously assaulted him.
In its final TV outing, This Is England finally addresses that brutal moment from the '03 film - something that until now it's always danced around. There's a feeling of coming full circle that permeates this finale from the off, Meadows opening with one last example of his trademark montage.
- 10/4/2015
- Digital Spy
"De-de-de-ding-ding / dig-a-dig-a-ding / a-flinky-flonk / wanky-shank ding-dong."
So this is England, 1990 - and Shane Meadows' latest follow-on from his 2006 film appears, on the surface, to be the saga's sunniest outing to date.
Our first reunion with the gang - 2010's This Is England '86 - was perhaps the most bleak. Replete with rape, murder and betrayal, it was to be admired rather than enjoyed.
The following year's '88 didn't spare the heartbreak either, but ended on a more optimistic note - and the beginning of '90 follows through on that, kicking off with a more positive outlook.
First episode 'Spring' - the four episodes being divided into the four seasons - opens with some good-natured larks, as Gadget (Andrew Ellis), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Milky (Andrew Shim) wangle a free school lunch off of dinner lady kitchen boss Lol (Vicky McClure).
Milky's insistence that "the good times will come again" is...
So this is England, 1990 - and Shane Meadows' latest follow-on from his 2006 film appears, on the surface, to be the saga's sunniest outing to date.
Our first reunion with the gang - 2010's This Is England '86 - was perhaps the most bleak. Replete with rape, murder and betrayal, it was to be admired rather than enjoyed.
The following year's '88 didn't spare the heartbreak either, but ended on a more optimistic note - and the beginning of '90 follows through on that, kicking off with a more positive outlook.
First episode 'Spring' - the four episodes being divided into the four seasons - opens with some good-natured larks, as Gadget (Andrew Ellis), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Milky (Andrew Shim) wangle a free school lunch off of dinner lady kitchen boss Lol (Vicky McClure).
Milky's insistence that "the good times will come again" is...
- 9/13/2015
- Digital Spy
As This Is England ’90 comes to TV, we look back over the rest of Shane Meadows’ brutal, funny and warmly empathetic series…
Try a bit of mental calculation: how many punches in total would you say you’ve seen thrown on screen? Bloodied faces? Kicks to the head? Unless you’ve kept your TV and film intake to a strict diet of family animation (and even then…), that total is likely to be swirling around the thousands.
Now, think of the number of times an on-screen attack has stopped your breath in your chest. When each kick has landed with nauseating weight and filled you not with ringside exhilaration but with dread. In short, how often have you been made to really care about an act of on-screen violence?
That was Shane Meadows’ aim in This Is England, the 2006 feature film that introduced the world to Shaun, Woody, Lol, Combo,...
Try a bit of mental calculation: how many punches in total would you say you’ve seen thrown on screen? Bloodied faces? Kicks to the head? Unless you’ve kept your TV and film intake to a strict diet of family animation (and even then…), that total is likely to be swirling around the thousands.
Now, think of the number of times an on-screen attack has stopped your breath in your chest. When each kick has landed with nauseating weight and filled you not with ringside exhilaration but with dread. In short, how often have you been made to really care about an act of on-screen violence?
That was Shane Meadows’ aim in This Is England, the 2006 feature film that introduced the world to Shaun, Woody, Lol, Combo,...
- 9/9/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
This Is England '90 now has an air date.
The final chapter in the series will begin on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm.
Two years after the events of This Is England '88, the upcoming four-part outing follows the same group of youths in the north of England including Lol (Vicky McClure), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Woody (Joe Gilgun).
Flip (Perry Fitzpatrick), Higgy (Joe Dempsie), Smell (Rosamund Hanson), Kelly (Chanel Cresswell), Harvey (Michael Socha), Trev (Danielle Watson), Gadget (Andrew Ellis) and Milky (Andrew Shim) are back as well.
This Is England '90 is written by Shane Meadows and Jack Thorne. Meadows is also behind the camera.
The miniseries will premiere its first episode at the Edinburgh International Television Festival later this month.
The final chapter in the series will begin on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm.
Two years after the events of This Is England '88, the upcoming four-part outing follows the same group of youths in the north of England including Lol (Vicky McClure), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Woody (Joe Gilgun).
Flip (Perry Fitzpatrick), Higgy (Joe Dempsie), Smell (Rosamund Hanson), Kelly (Chanel Cresswell), Harvey (Michael Socha), Trev (Danielle Watson), Gadget (Andrew Ellis) and Milky (Andrew Shim) are back as well.
This Is England '90 is written by Shane Meadows and Jack Thorne. Meadows is also behind the camera.
The miniseries will premiere its first episode at the Edinburgh International Television Festival later this month.
- 8/21/2015
- Digital Spy
Channel 4 has confirmed that This Is England '90 will air next year
The Shane Meadows drama will conclude with a four-part series in 2015, set two years after the events of This Is England '88.
This Is England '90 will follow the same group of youths in the North, including Lol (Vicky McClure), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Woody (Joe Gilgun).
The director said: "We will see an enormous transformation in the lives of our cast over these final four stories as Shaun writes his final chapter with the gang he loves."
Piers Wenger, Channel 4 Head of Drama, added: "We might feel like we've grown up with Lol, Woody, Shaun and the gang but what Shane has planned for them in these final four parts will ensure that they are in our hearts forever."
Milky (Andrew Shim), Smell (Rosamund Hanson), Gadget (Andrew Ellis), Harvey (Michael Socha), Kell (Chanel Cresswell), Trev...
The Shane Meadows drama will conclude with a four-part series in 2015, set two years after the events of This Is England '88.
This Is England '90 will follow the same group of youths in the North, including Lol (Vicky McClure), Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Woody (Joe Gilgun).
The director said: "We will see an enormous transformation in the lives of our cast over these final four stories as Shaun writes his final chapter with the gang he loves."
Piers Wenger, Channel 4 Head of Drama, added: "We might feel like we've grown up with Lol, Woody, Shaun and the gang but what Shane has planned for them in these final four parts will ensure that they are in our hearts forever."
Milky (Andrew Shim), Smell (Rosamund Hanson), Gadget (Andrew Ellis), Harvey (Michael Socha), Kell (Chanel Cresswell), Trev...
- 10/1/2014
- Digital Spy
A folk duo embark on an ill-fated tour in British comedy drama, Benny & Jolene. Here's Ryan's review of a disappointing film...
As long as there are musicians, there’ll be managers and producers promising gigs, audiences, record deals and huge stardom. The fickleness of fame and the music industry have been part and parcel of movies as varied as This Is Spinal Tap, The Fabulous Stains and Anvil! The Story Of Anvil, and British comedy drama Benny & Jolene cuts a similar cautionary groove.
The title’s teen folk duo (respectively, Submarine’s Craig Roberts and Fresh Meat’s Charlotte Ritchie) are precisely one album and one single into a new record deal, and they appear to be on the cusp of breakthrough success: they have an appearance booked on ITV’s This Morning, and there’s a festival gig booked to mark the launch of their debut LP.
In reality,...
As long as there are musicians, there’ll be managers and producers promising gigs, audiences, record deals and huge stardom. The fickleness of fame and the music industry have been part and parcel of movies as varied as This Is Spinal Tap, The Fabulous Stains and Anvil! The Story Of Anvil, and British comedy drama Benny & Jolene cuts a similar cautionary groove.
The title’s teen folk duo (respectively, Submarine’s Craig Roberts and Fresh Meat’s Charlotte Ritchie) are precisely one album and one single into a new record deal, and they appear to be on the cusp of breakthrough success: they have an appearance booked on ITV’s This Morning, and there’s a festival gig booked to mark the launch of their debut LP.
In reality,...
- 6/5/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Benny & Jolene is micro-budget British indie does This is Spinal Tap. While not quite a mockumentary, this film covers the same fruitful territory of disastrous gigs, incompetent managers, brainless hangers-on and inter-band conflict. Yet, while Spinal Tap were a heavy metal band powered by twin engines of egotism and stupidity, Benny & Jolene are hamstrung by shyness, naivety and a total inability to speak up for themselves.
Benny (Craig Roberts) and Jolene (Charlotte Ritchie) are a two piece folk band with a surprise number one single under their belt. We meet them as they’re being awkwardly thrust into the world of the minor celebrity with an appearance on daytime TV show This Morning. The two are endearingly awkward, tripping over their words and telling stories that don’t really go anywhere, their normality in stark contrast to the tanned slickness of the presenters.
This is, unfortunately, the peak of their career.
Benny (Craig Roberts) and Jolene (Charlotte Ritchie) are a two piece folk band with a surprise number one single under their belt. We meet them as they’re being awkwardly thrust into the world of the minor celebrity with an appearance on daytime TV show This Morning. The two are endearingly awkward, tripping over their words and telling stories that don’t really go anywhere, their normality in stark contrast to the tanned slickness of the presenters.
This is, unfortunately, the peak of their career.
- 5/30/2014
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Normal 0 false false false En-gb X-none X-none In 1990's England three friends embark on a crazy night out akin to Human Traffic. Narrator, Jack (Jamie Blackley, Misfits), confesses he hates "rioters... politicians... archive footage... mobs... skin heads... goths... films where people talk to the camera..” as a montage of archive footage is shown, immediately suggesting Director/Writer, Justin Edgar (Large) is trying to be clever in his second feature, We Are The Freaks.
Jack explicitly states “This isn't a teen movie" but setting and content don't quite match this claim. Jack and pals are immature pre-university age, either miserably failing, arrogantly choosing to opt out or expectantly awaiting University acceptance letters; Jack plans to study to be a writer, Parsons (Mike Bailey, Skins) is content coasting and Chunks (Sean Teale, Skins) is happy living off the allowances his guilt-ridden extremely rich divorced parents dole out.
Set in Birmingham, opening with...
Jack explicitly states “This isn't a teen movie" but setting and content don't quite match this claim. Jack and pals are immature pre-university age, either miserably failing, arrogantly choosing to opt out or expectantly awaiting University acceptance letters; Jack plans to study to be a writer, Parsons (Mike Bailey, Skins) is content coasting and Chunks (Sean Teale, Skins) is happy living off the allowances his guilt-ridden extremely rich divorced parents dole out.
Set in Birmingham, opening with...
- 5/29/2014
- Shadowlocked
British comedy needs a constant supply of new blood, and the latest infusion is Benny & Jolene, from feature directing debutant Jamie Adams and Fresh Meat actress Charlotte Ritchie, alongside Submarine star Craig Roberts. Check out a new clip from the film here, featuring Ritchie and Rosamund Hanson. brightcove.createExperiences();The story sees Ritchie's Jolene, a rising folk singer, facing the aftermath of a sudden breakthrough. The music industry is trying to persuade her to become more commercial, but her writing partner Benny (Roberts) is firmly resistant, and Jolene finds herself pulled between the two as she sets off to play at a Festival.The film was inspired by the Mumblecore efforts of the Duplass brothers and has an improvisational style, but promises a mix of comedy and heart that bodes well. Benny & Jolene also stars Dolly Wells, Tom Rosenthal , Nick Mohammed, and Ian Smith, and hits UK cinemas on June...
- 4/30/2014
- EmpireOnline
Getting its world premiere at the London Comedy Film Festival earlier this year, Jamie Adams’ directorial debut, Benny & Jolene, is just weeks away from arriving in cinemas this summer.
Charlotte Ritchie (Fresh Meat) and Craig Roberts (Submarine) top a great cast, and with its June release date fast approaching, Verve have released a great first clip from the film, teasing a little of the comedy, and difficulty, of traversing the music industry as two young rising musicians.
Benny and Jolene are a folk duo, supposedly on the up. But 19 year old Jolene is having trouble convincing her writing partner Benny to become more commercial. Too many industry types get involved, leaving Jolene feeling dazed and confused and Benny marginalised. Now they are on a crowded tour busy on their way to a festival in the most beautiful, yet remote, location – forcing them to confront their ambitions and emotions for the first time.
Charlotte Ritchie (Fresh Meat) and Craig Roberts (Submarine) top a great cast, and with its June release date fast approaching, Verve have released a great first clip from the film, teasing a little of the comedy, and difficulty, of traversing the music industry as two young rising musicians.
Benny and Jolene are a folk duo, supposedly on the up. But 19 year old Jolene is having trouble convincing her writing partner Benny to become more commercial. Too many industry types get involved, leaving Jolene feeling dazed and confused and Benny marginalised. Now they are on a crowded tour busy on their way to a festival in the most beautiful, yet remote, location – forcing them to confront their ambitions and emotions for the first time.
- 4/14/2014
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Charlotte Ritchie attending the "Benny Tamera Foster attending the "Benny Rosamund Hanson attending the "Benny Matt Johnson attending the "Benny Laura Patch attending the "Benny Charlotte Ritchie - "Benny & Jolene" World Premiere - Arrivals - BFI Southbank - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos Rosamund Hanson and brother Julian Hanson - "Benny & Jolene" World Premiere - Arrivals - BFI Southbank - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos Tamera Foster - "Benny & Jolene" World Premiere - Arrivals - BFI Southbank - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos Charlotte Ritchie - "Benny & Jolene" World Premiere - Arrivals - BFI Southbank - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos Charlotte Ritchie - "Benny & Jolene"...
- 1/27/2014
- by M&C
- Monsters and Critics
Verve Pictures has acquired UK rights to Jamie Adams’ feature debut, starring Submarine’s Craig Roberts and Fresh Meat’s Charlotte Ritchie.
Benny & Jolene will receive its UK premiere at the Loco London Comedy Film Festival in January 2014 and will be released theatrically in the UK by Verve in the spring.
The film centres on an up-and-coming folk duo, with 19-year-old Jolene having trouble convincing writing partner Benny to go more commercial.
The cast also includes Rosamund Hanson, Tom Rosenthal, Dolly Walls, Ian Smith, Nick Mohammed, Laura Patch and Keiron Self.
Adams directs from his own script and also serves as producer alongside executive producer Jon Rennie.
Verve is set to release Destin Daniel Cretton’s Short Term 12 across the UK this weekend.
Benny & Jolene will receive its UK premiere at the Loco London Comedy Film Festival in January 2014 and will be released theatrically in the UK by Verve in the spring.
The film centres on an up-and-coming folk duo, with 19-year-old Jolene having trouble convincing writing partner Benny to go more commercial.
The cast also includes Rosamund Hanson, Tom Rosenthal, Dolly Walls, Ian Smith, Nick Mohammed, Laura Patch and Keiron Self.
Adams directs from his own script and also serves as producer alongside executive producer Jon Rennie.
Verve is set to release Destin Daniel Cretton’s Short Term 12 across the UK this weekend.
- 10/31/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Screenterrier spotted We Are The Freaks, a new teen comedy directed by Justin Edgar and produced by Alex Usborne at 104 Films back in March last year when it started filming.
Starring two Skins alumni, Mike Bailey (represented by Waring and McKenna) and Sean Teale (also Waring and McKenna), alongside fast-rising star Jamie Blackley (represented by United Agents).
The cast also includes Michael Smiley, Rosamund Hanson, and Adam Gillen, and the film is set to premiere at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Check out the trailer below!
Starring two Skins alumni, Mike Bailey (represented by Waring and McKenna) and Sean Teale (also Waring and McKenna), alongside fast-rising star Jamie Blackley (represented by United Agents).
The cast also includes Michael Smiley, Rosamund Hanson, and Adam Gillen, and the film is set to premiere at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Check out the trailer below!
- 6/18/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Exclusive: Justin Edgar’s teen comedy stars Michael Smiley and Jamie Blackley. Watch the first trailer here.
104 Films’ We Are The Freaks has been chosen as the opening film of the Bornshorts film festival in Denmark, which runs September 12-14.
Written and directed by Justin Edgar, the anarchic “anti-teen comedy” about three misfits on a disastrous night out, is set against the social and political turmoil of 1990.
Rosamund Hanson, Mike Bailey, Sean Teale, Adam Gillen, Hera Hilmar and Amber Anderson also star.
Profile: Justin Edgar and Alex Usborne, 104 Films
Metrodome will release the film in the UK later this year, following its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and market premiere at Luff.
The film is produced by Alex Usborne and Justin Edgar for their UK production company 104 Films, with Gareth Jones and Colin Pons as executive producers. Metfilm Post are co-financiers.
Edgar said: “I am delighted that We Are The Freaks has been invited...
104 Films’ We Are The Freaks has been chosen as the opening film of the Bornshorts film festival in Denmark, which runs September 12-14.
Written and directed by Justin Edgar, the anarchic “anti-teen comedy” about three misfits on a disastrous night out, is set against the social and political turmoil of 1990.
Rosamund Hanson, Mike Bailey, Sean Teale, Adam Gillen, Hera Hilmar and Amber Anderson also star.
Profile: Justin Edgar and Alex Usborne, 104 Films
Metrodome will release the film in the UK later this year, following its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and market premiere at Luff.
The film is produced by Alex Usborne and Justin Edgar for their UK production company 104 Films, with Gareth Jones and Colin Pons as executive producers. Metfilm Post are co-financiers.
Edgar said: “I am delighted that We Are The Freaks has been invited...
- 6/18/2013
- by sarah.cooper@screendaily.com (Sarah Cooper)
- ScreenDaily
Having made a real name for himself in his feature debut, Richard Ayoade’s Submarine, Craig Roberts continues to impress with a slew of promising projects on his upcoming slate, including Dan Beers’ Premature with Alan Tudyk and Nicholas Stoller’s Townies with Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, and Rose Byrne. But before all that, we can look forward to seeing him star alongside the brilliant Charlotte Ritchie in Jamie Adams’ feature debut, Jolene: The Indie Folk Star.
Adams’ movie is eyeing a debut at Raindance this autumn, and is then set to tour the film at a handful of universities around the country in successive weeks, ahead of a DVD/VOD release around Christmas 2013. And with Jolene now approaching the end of post-production, we’ve got the brilliant first trailer to share.
Summer 2012, England and Wales.
Jolene (19), an indie folk star, is having trouble convincing her writing partner Benny (20) to become more commercial.
Adams’ movie is eyeing a debut at Raindance this autumn, and is then set to tour the film at a handful of universities around the country in successive weeks, ahead of a DVD/VOD release around Christmas 2013. And with Jolene now approaching the end of post-production, we’ve got the brilliant first trailer to share.
Summer 2012, England and Wales.
Jolene (19), an indie folk star, is having trouble convincing her writing partner Benny (20) to become more commercial.
- 5/10/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
While Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have been rightly celebrated for creating some of the best, most observant comedy of the last few years in "The Office" and "Extras," the success and brilliance of those shows have been possible due to their willingness to eviscerate the main characters. David Brent and Andy Millman both have their ego and hubris splashed heavily with buckets of cold water throughout both series. What has made both of those shows rise beyond their seeming sitcom trappings, has been the greater character truths that arrive as their grand ambitions face hard and harsh reality.
After the end of season one's first three episodes (review here) of "Life's Too Short," we last see Warwick Davis standing in a garbage pail, acting as a stand-in opposite a very picky Helena Bonham Carter as she shoots a period movie. It's a riotously funny moment, but in many ways...
After the end of season one's first three episodes (review here) of "Life's Too Short," we last see Warwick Davis standing in a garbage pail, acting as a stand-in opposite a very picky Helena Bonham Carter as she shoots a period movie. It's a riotously funny moment, but in many ways...
- 3/18/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Shooting started on March 5th in Birmingham on teen comedy We Are The Freaks, directed by Justin Edgar and produced by Alex Usborne at 104 Films.
The cast includes two Skins alumni, 23 year old Mike Bailey from Bristol who played Sid in series 1 and 2.
And 19 year old Sean Teale (represented by Waring and McKenna) who stars as Nick in the latest incarnation of Skins characters currently showing on E4.
The young cast also includes 22 year old Rosamund Hanson (represented by Curtis Brown), star of This is England, and 20 year old Jamie Blackley (represented by United Agents), who has just been cast in 300: Battle of Artemisia.
Amber Anderson
Newcomer 20 year old model Amber Anderson (represented by Curtis Brown) also stars, alongside Adam Gillen (represented by Independent Talent) who was recently seen as Brian in Fresh Meat, and Icelandic actress Hera Hilmar (represented by Tavistock Wood), who recently graduated from Lamda.
The...
The cast includes two Skins alumni, 23 year old Mike Bailey from Bristol who played Sid in series 1 and 2.
And 19 year old Sean Teale (represented by Waring and McKenna) who stars as Nick in the latest incarnation of Skins characters currently showing on E4.
The young cast also includes 22 year old Rosamund Hanson (represented by Curtis Brown), star of This is England, and 20 year old Jamie Blackley (represented by United Agents), who has just been cast in 300: Battle of Artemisia.
Amber Anderson
Newcomer 20 year old model Amber Anderson (represented by Curtis Brown) also stars, alongside Adam Gillen (represented by Independent Talent) who was recently seen as Brian in Fresh Meat, and Icelandic actress Hera Hilmar (represented by Tavistock Wood), who recently graduated from Lamda.
The...
- 3/10/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Ricky Gervais is returning to HBO in the faux documentary "Life's Too Short," starring "Star Wars" actor Warwick Davis and guest starring Gervais and a few of his famous friends.
"Life's Too Short," from Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fictional documentary about Davis' life as a little person who's down on his luck, struggling to get back into the spotlight. Davis plays a fictionalized version of himself and runs a talent agency for little people in show business, called "Dwarves for Hire," though he often takes the roles for himself. He also serves as a vice chairman of a society for little people.
Each episode will also feature cameos from some big names, including Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Sting, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Carell and "So You Think You Can Dance" host Cat Deeley. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in supporting roles.
Other cast regulars include Jo Enright...
"Life's Too Short," from Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fictional documentary about Davis' life as a little person who's down on his luck, struggling to get back into the spotlight. Davis plays a fictionalized version of himself and runs a talent agency for little people in show business, called "Dwarves for Hire," though he often takes the roles for himself. He also serves as a vice chairman of a society for little people.
Each episode will also feature cameos from some big names, including Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Sting, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Carell and "So You Think You Can Dance" host Cat Deeley. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in supporting roles.
Other cast regulars include Jo Enright...
- 1/25/2012
- by Crystal Bell
- Huffington Post
Ricky Gervais is returning to HBO in the faux documentary "Life's Too Short," starring "Star Wars" actor Warwick Davis and guest starring Gervais and a few of his famous friends.
"Life's Too Short," from Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fictional documentary about Davis' life as a little person who's down on his luck, struggling to get back into the spotlight. Davis plays a fictionalized version of himself and runs a talent agency for little people in show business, called "Dwarves for Hire," though he often takes the roles for himself. He also serves as a vice chairman of a society for little people.
Each episode will also feature cameos from some big names, including Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Sting, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Carell and "So You Think You Can Dance" host Cat Deeley. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in supporting roles.
Other cast regulars include Jo Enright...
"Life's Too Short," from Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fictional documentary about Davis' life as a little person who's down on his luck, struggling to get back into the spotlight. Davis plays a fictionalized version of himself and runs a talent agency for little people in show business, called "Dwarves for Hire," though he often takes the roles for himself. He also serves as a vice chairman of a society for little people.
Each episode will also feature cameos from some big names, including Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Sting, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Carell and "So You Think You Can Dance" host Cat Deeley. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in supporting roles.
Other cast regulars include Jo Enright...
- 1/25/2012
- by Crystal Bell
- Aol TV.
Shane Meadows's This Is England '88 provided the outstanding dramatic moments of the week while there was worrying news for bookworms in Imagine
This is England '88 (C4) | 4Od
Tourettes: I Swear I Can Sing (BBC3) | iPlayer
Imagine: Books – The Last Chapter? (BBC1) | iPlayer
Class Dismissed (BBC2) | iPlayer
This Is England, Shane Meadows's coruscating, dark, joyous and hauntingly watchable drama following a gang of friends, desperately amiable misfits, growing up before our eyes in a chill northern town, first exploded on to the big screen five years ago and has now had two TV sequels – the film was set in 1983, the follow-ups in '86 and '88. It is fast becoming not just a drama but our collective memory of the years most of us have lived through together.
We can relive them, and reflect. On all the changes, for good and for ill, the speed of which we...
This is England '88 (C4) | 4Od
Tourettes: I Swear I Can Sing (BBC3) | iPlayer
Imagine: Books – The Last Chapter? (BBC1) | iPlayer
Class Dismissed (BBC2) | iPlayer
This Is England, Shane Meadows's coruscating, dark, joyous and hauntingly watchable drama following a gang of friends, desperately amiable misfits, growing up before our eyes in a chill northern town, first exploded on to the big screen five years ago and has now had two TV sequels – the film was set in 1983, the follow-ups in '86 and '88. It is fast becoming not just a drama but our collective memory of the years most of us have lived through together.
We can relive them, and reflect. On all the changes, for good and for ill, the speed of which we...
- 12/18/2011
- by Euan Ferguson
- The Guardian - Film News
In Shane Meadows’ excellent 2006 film This Is England we saw how a group of young skinheads dealt with life in Thatcher’s England in 1983. That was followed up last year by a Channel 4 t.v. series which caught up with the gang three years later in ’86 and during the summer with the Football World Cup as the main focus point of much of England. We now catch up with them again during the Christmas of ‘88 in a three part special, the first of which aired on our screens last night.
Meadows’ latest outing in 80s Northern England sees the same characters return to our screens with Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Smell (Rosamund Hanson) continuing their relationship, but with Shaun’s attention wandering. Lol (Vicky McClure) is struggling to raise her daughter Lisa, conceived whilst cheating on her then boyfriend Woody (Joe Gilgun) with his best mate Milky (Andrew Shim...
Meadows’ latest outing in 80s Northern England sees the same characters return to our screens with Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Smell (Rosamund Hanson) continuing their relationship, but with Shaun’s attention wandering. Lol (Vicky McClure) is struggling to raise her daughter Lisa, conceived whilst cheating on her then boyfriend Woody (Joe Gilgun) with his best mate Milky (Andrew Shim...
- 12/14/2011
- by D.J. Haza
- Obsessed with Film
Life's Too Short star Rosamund Hanson has dismissed claims that the series is controversial. The actress told the Radio Times that the BBC Two / HBO comedy does not belittle star Warwick Davis. "I don't believe that at all," she said. "I think that's complete nonsense because Warwick was involved in the whole creative process. "I mean, [the show] was Warwick's idea in the first place. How on earth can they say that someone who's created a piece of work themselves [is] being ridiculed by it?" She added: "It's not there to be a controversy creator, it's there as a piece of entertainment." The This Is England actress also admitted that she has found the response to Life's Too Short "overwhelming". "I've (more)...
- 11/25/2011
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Ricky Gervais has begun the production of new series "Life's Too Short", which he promotes in a teaser. The British actor appears with lead star Warwick Davis as well as co-writer and co-creator Stephen Merchant in the sneak peek to explain a bit about the show.
A seven-episode series, it is a faux documentary like "The Office" and will feature a number of celebrity cameos like "Extras". Those who are set to make appearance are Steve Carell (former star of America's "Office"), Johnny Depp and Sting.
The show follows Davis as a fictionalized version of himself, a person who has fallen on hard times and desperately tries to hustle and connive his way back into the spotlight. Jo Enright joins the regular cast as Davis' wife Sue, while Rosamund Hanson will portray his assistant Cheryl. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in minor roles.
"Life's Too Short" will be...
A seven-episode series, it is a faux documentary like "The Office" and will feature a number of celebrity cameos like "Extras". Those who are set to make appearance are Steve Carell (former star of America's "Office"), Johnny Depp and Sting.
The show follows Davis as a fictionalized version of himself, a person who has fallen on hard times and desperately tries to hustle and connive his way back into the spotlight. Jo Enright joins the regular cast as Davis' wife Sue, while Rosamund Hanson will portray his assistant Cheryl. Gervais and Merchant will also play themselves in minor roles.
"Life's Too Short" will be...
- 6/23/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have begun production on their next comedy series, but they won't be on camera as much with this one as they were in "Extras" and "The Office."
The duo are writing and executive producing "Life's Too Short," a fake documentary starring actor Warwick Davis (Prof. Flitwick in the "Harry Potter" movies) that premieres on the BBC later this year and on HBO in 2012. Davis is playing a version of himself who's fallen on hard times and is scraping his way back into the limelight -- in part by agreeing to let cameras follow him around.
Jo Enright and Rosamund Hanson also star. As with "Extras," the show will also feature a number of celebrity cameos, including ones from American "Office" star Steve Carell, Johnny Depp and Sting. Gervais and Merchant will also have "minor" on-camera parts as themselves, HBO says.
Gervais explains a little bit...
The duo are writing and executive producing "Life's Too Short," a fake documentary starring actor Warwick Davis (Prof. Flitwick in the "Harry Potter" movies) that premieres on the BBC later this year and on HBO in 2012. Davis is playing a version of himself who's fallen on hard times and is scraping his way back into the limelight -- in part by agreeing to let cameras follow him around.
Jo Enright and Rosamund Hanson also star. As with "Extras," the show will also feature a number of celebrity cameos, including ones from American "Office" star Steve Carell, Johnny Depp and Sting. Gervais and Merchant will also have "minor" on-camera parts as themselves, HBO says.
Gervais explains a little bit...
- 6/22/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
After months of speculation, HBO today officially confirmed that it will carry Life's Too Short, the new comedy series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, creators of The Office, Extras and The Ricky Gervais Show. The seven-episode series, which will debut on BBC Two later this year, will air on HBO in 2012. Like The Office and Extras, Life's Too Short is a faux documentary. It stars 3 ft. 6 in. actor Warwick Davis as a fictionalized version of himself: a down-and-out little person desperately trying to hustle and connive his way back into the spotlight. Each episode will feature cameos by stars, including Johnny Depp, Sting and Steve Carell, along with Gervais and Merchant playing themselves in minor roles. Other cast regulars include Jo Enright as Davis’ wife Sue and Rosamund Hanson as his assistant Cheryl. Here is the first teaser released by BBC Two:...
- 6/22/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Shane Meadows' This is England '86 is out on DVD and Pure Movies is giving away three copies! This is England '86 stars Andrew Ellis, Andrew Shim, Chanel Cresswell, Joseph Gilgun, Kriss Dosanjh, Perry Benson, Perry Fitzpatrick, Rosamund Hanson, Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure. Award-winning filmmaker Shane Meadows (This Is England, Dead Man’s Shoes, Somers Town) makes his highly anticipated TV debut This is England ‘86 available to own on DVD from 11 October 2010 courtesy of 4Dvd, and will be packed with fantastic extras including exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, outtakes, deleted scenes and an audio commentary from Shane Meadows.
- 10/10/2010
- by Dan Higgins
- Pure Movies
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