Exclusive: Stephen Graham, Dave Johns, Jill Halfpenny star in wrestling comedy; first look.
Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire), Dave Johns (I, Daniel Blake) and Jill Halfpenny (Humans) have been set for comedy Walk Like A Panther, which is now underway in the Yorkshire, England for Fox International Productions.
Screen can reveal the first look at the project, on which British director Dan Cadan makes his feature debut from his own original screenplay.
The ensemble British cast also includes Sue Johnston (Downton Abbey), Lindsey Coulson (EastEnders), Julian Sands (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Jason Flemyng (Snatch), Stephen Tompkinson (Wild At Heart), Michael Socha (This Is England) and hip hop artist/poet Scroobius Pip (Taboo).
The story revolves around a group of ‘80s wrestlers who are forced to don the lycra one last time when their beloved local pub is threatened by closure.
Led by father-son duo, Mark (Graham) and Trevor Bolton (Johns), the unlikely bunch of underdog heroes...
Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire), Dave Johns (I, Daniel Blake) and Jill Halfpenny (Humans) have been set for comedy Walk Like A Panther, which is now underway in the Yorkshire, England for Fox International Productions.
Screen can reveal the first look at the project, on which British director Dan Cadan makes his feature debut from his own original screenplay.
The ensemble British cast also includes Sue Johnston (Downton Abbey), Lindsey Coulson (EastEnders), Julian Sands (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Jason Flemyng (Snatch), Stephen Tompkinson (Wild At Heart), Michael Socha (This Is England) and hip hop artist/poet Scroobius Pip (Taboo).
The story revolves around a group of ‘80s wrestlers who are forced to don the lycra one last time when their beloved local pub is threatened by closure.
Led by father-son duo, Mark (Graham) and Trevor Bolton (Johns), the unlikely bunch of underdog heroes...
- 5/31/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The Sun's TV Mag reports ITV plans to revive the Wild at Heart TV show. Set in South Africa, Wild at Heart features an English ex-pat veterinarian, who along with his family, sets out to rehabilitate a game reserve and start an animal hospital.
The cast of Wild at Heart includes: Stephen Tomkinson, Deon Stewardson, Nomsa Xaba, Thapelo Mokoena, Lucy-Jo Hudson, Hayley Mills, Amanda Holden, and Olivia Scott-Taylor. Holden broke the news in a weekend interview.
Read More…...
The cast of Wild at Heart includes: Stephen Tomkinson, Deon Stewardson, Nomsa Xaba, Thapelo Mokoena, Lucy-Jo Hudson, Hayley Mills, Amanda Holden, and Olivia Scott-Taylor. Holden broke the news in a weekend interview.
Read More…...
- 5/3/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
A TV show adaptation of Deborah Harkness fantasy novel A Discovery of Witches is in the works, HitFix has confirmed. Deadline first reported the news. On the team developing it for TV is Julie Gardner — Whovians know her as an executive producer for Doctor Who and Torchwood. Greenlighting its development makes sense after the early success of The Magicians (the Syfy series got a season 2 renewal today). Much like Magicians is adapted from a book that’s a darker, more adult alternative to Harry Potter, Harkness’ novels are the more mature answer to the Ya vampire/supernatural craze. Discovery of Witches has both the romance of stately old libraries — main character Diana Bishop is researching at Oxford — and the romance of forbidden love (Diana, a witch, falls for Matthew, a vampire — a big no-no in this world where vampires and witches have been enemies for generations). Harkness has also come...
- 2/8/2016
- by Emily Rome
- Hitfix
Book author El James has tightened her iron grip over the creative direction of Fifty Shades Darker, the green-lit follow-up to this year’s hit erotic romance, now that her husband Niall Leonard has closed a deal to pen the script for the sequel.
Rumor had it that James herself wanted to scribe the adaptation of her bestselling book, after being dissatisfied with the experience of working with director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel on Fifty Shades of Grey. Leonard, though obviously still close enough to his wife that she’ll be able to have the final say over every aspect of the sequel, may be better-qualified. He’s a novelist with titles like Crusher, Incinerator and Shredder, but he’s also written scripts in the past, for shows like Ballykissangel, Holby City, Monarch in the Glen and Wild at Heart. He landed the job after writing an outline for the sequel,...
Rumor had it that James herself wanted to scribe the adaptation of her bestselling book, after being dissatisfied with the experience of working with director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel on Fifty Shades of Grey. Leonard, though obviously still close enough to his wife that she’ll be able to have the final say over every aspect of the sequel, may be better-qualified. He’s a novelist with titles like Crusher, Incinerator and Shredder, but he’s also written scripts in the past, for shows like Ballykissangel, Holby City, Monarch in the Glen and Wild at Heart. He landed the job after writing an outline for the sequel,...
- 4/23/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Niall Leonard will be writing the screenplay to Fifty Shades Of Grey follow-up, Fifty Shades Darker...
With over a half a billion dollars banked from this year's Fifty Shades Of Grey movie, it's surprising that it's taken Universal Pictures so long to get moving on the second book of E L James' trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker. But, as you probably know, things haven't really been too straightforward.
Director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who was signed up to direct the entire trilogy of Fifty Shades films, quit the sequel. It had been little secret that she and E L James didn't exactly see eye to eye, and given that James has creative sign-off over the movies, it was a fight that ultimately only one person could win.
Also not returning is screenwriter Kelly Marcel. And the report had been that James herself was to have a go at penning the script for Fifty Shades Darker.
With over a half a billion dollars banked from this year's Fifty Shades Of Grey movie, it's surprising that it's taken Universal Pictures so long to get moving on the second book of E L James' trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker. But, as you probably know, things haven't really been too straightforward.
Director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who was signed up to direct the entire trilogy of Fifty Shades films, quit the sequel. It had been little secret that she and E L James didn't exactly see eye to eye, and given that James has creative sign-off over the movies, it was a fight that ultimately only one person could win.
Also not returning is screenwriter Kelly Marcel. And the report had been that James herself was to have a go at penning the script for Fifty Shades Darker.
- 4/23/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
I have to admit, I never saw this coming, but with the mass exodus from the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise following the release of the first film -- both screenwriter Kelly Marcel and director Sam Taylor-Johnson are not returning -- word was author E.L. James wanted to write the screenplay for the film's sequel, Fifty Shades Darker. Well, it turns out that ain't happening, but in James' case it seems they may have got the next best thing, her husband, Niall Leonard. THR has the news and come to learn Leonard has written for several TV shows since the mid-'90s, though, admittedly none I'd ever heard of. The film' producer, Michael De Luca, however seems on the Leonard train saying, "Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty." I don't know, in the...
- 4/23/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
While the search continues for a new author-approved director to replace the recently-exited Sam Taylor-Johnson, Fifty Shades Darker now at least has a screenwriter. The sequel to Fifty Shades Of Grey will be adapted from E.L. James's novel by Niall Leonard.This will have gone down well with James, because Leonard is her husband. It should mean, if you will, that screenwriter and author stay on the same page, avoiding the 'creative differences' that dogged the first movie.Leonard doesn't yet have any other big screen or Hollywood credits to his name, but does have a long background in British TV. He wrote episodes of Wire In The Blood, Wild At Heart, Monarch Of The Glen and Hornblower, among many others (there's a smutty Hornblower / Fifty Shades joke here somewhere, but we'll leave you to make it yourselves). He also directed episodes of The Bill.It's further evidence of...
- 4/23/2015
- EmpireOnline
The studio got a $567 million global grosser out of that deal, but finally they have to deal with a writer with a lot of power. For the second installment "Fifty Shades Darker," they lost director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who fought with the opinionated James during production. Many wondered if studio chief Donna Langley, who pursued the project and landed it, would give James the assignment to write the next screenplay. Now Variety reports that James's husband Niall Leonard (British TV's “Wild at Heart” and “Wire in the Blood") will adapt the screenplay for “Fifty Shades Darker.” Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will return as the kinky lovers of the piece, as James, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca produce. De Luca recently left his job as Sony production chief to return to full-time producing, moving his production shingle to Universal. Next up: finding a director who can handle intimate sex scenes and work cooperatively with James.
- 4/22/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
You may not know the name Niall Leonard, but he's the better (maybe kinkier?) half of E.L. James, the best-selling author of the "Fifty Shades Of Grey" trilogy. As has been well-documented by now, she's been very vocal about the big screen adaptation of her work, battling director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who has since departed the franchise. One of the holdups in getting "Fifty Shades Darker" going has been settling on a screenwriter — James wanted to write the script herself, Universal would rather her not. Well, a solution has been found. The aforementioned Niall Leonard has been tasked with the gig. He's a writer for British television ("Wire In The Blood," "Wild At Heart"), and surely his famous wife, who has very particular demands about her cinematic erotica, will have no influence on his adaptation. (Yes indeed folks, that's sarcasm). But we suppose Universal is just happy the matter is settled.
- 4/22/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
El James has turned to her husband Niall Leonard to write the Fifty Shades of Grey screenplay sequel.
Leonard replacing Fifty Shades of Grey screenwriter Kelly Marcel for the project is another major shake-up for the mega franchise, as director Sam Taylor-Johnson won't be back either.
Leonard is an established television writer, having worked on the acclaimed series Monarch of the Glen, Wire in the Blood and Wild at Heart.
A creative change of some kind was expected for the upcoming sequel, given that James acknowledged clashing with director Taylor-Johnson in an interview with Digital Spy.
"It was hard in places," the author-producer told us.
"But any creative process they're going to have disagreements between all sorts of people but we got there in the end and I think the fans will be really pleased."
An adaptation of James's erotic novel Fifty Shades Darker is set for a 2016 release.
Watch...
Leonard replacing Fifty Shades of Grey screenwriter Kelly Marcel for the project is another major shake-up for the mega franchise, as director Sam Taylor-Johnson won't be back either.
Leonard is an established television writer, having worked on the acclaimed series Monarch of the Glen, Wire in the Blood and Wild at Heart.
A creative change of some kind was expected for the upcoming sequel, given that James acknowledged clashing with director Taylor-Johnson in an interview with Digital Spy.
"It was hard in places," the author-producer told us.
"But any creative process they're going to have disagreements between all sorts of people but we got there in the end and I think the fans will be really pleased."
An adaptation of James's erotic novel Fifty Shades Darker is set for a 2016 release.
Watch...
- 4/22/2015
- Digital Spy
Amanda Holden wants to star in a Bollywood movie. The 44-year-old blonde is a huge fan of the Hindi language films - India's biggest movie export - and says staring in one is one of her last remaining ambitions. During her impressive career, Amanda has appeared in several TV shows - including 'Wild at Heart' and 'Cutting It' - acted on the stage in numerous musicals and is currently a judge on 'Britain's Got Talent' and a co-presenter on 'This Morning' but she is yet to add a Bollywood project to her CV. Discussing Ed Sheeran's impending Bollywood role on 'This...
- 3/9/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Masterpiece and PBS announced a second season for "Mr. Selfridge," starring Jeremy Piven as the flamboyant American entrepreneur who founded the famous Selfridge's department store. The first season garnered great success in the U.S. ratings, and the show was recently nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series.The cast also features Frances O'Connor as Harry Selfridge's wife, Rose, Aisling Loftus as Agnes Towler, Katherine Kelly as Lady Mae, Grégory Fitoussi as Henri Leclair, Trystan Gravelle as Victor Colleano, Amanda Abbington as Miss Mardle, Tom Goodman-Hill as Roger Grove, and Ron Cook as Mr. Crabb. Joining the cast this season are Polly Walker ("John Carter"), Cal Macaninch ("Warriors," "Wild at Heart") as Mr Thackeray and Aidan McArdle ("Jane Eyre," "Einstein's Big Idea"). Currently filming in the UK, the second season picks up the story in 1914, as the store celebrates its fifth anniversary in business. However, with World.
- 7/23/2013
- by Madeline Raynor
- Indiewire
Jeremy Piven can breathe easy; he's lined up work for another year. PBS has renewed the series "Mr. Selfridge" -- which stars "Entourage" alum Piven as the brazen, titular department-store entrepreneur -- for a second season on "Masterpiece Classic," the network said Monday. The new season will premiere in 2014. Also read: California Tax Credits: 'Purge 2,' 'Entourage' Movie Among Projects Ok'd The second season of the series, which is filming in the U.K., includes new cast additions Polly Walker ("John Carter"), Cal Macaninch ("Wild at Heart") and Aidan McArdle ("Jane Eyre"). "I'm absolutely...
- 7/22/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Polly Walker and Aidan McArdle have joined the cast of Mr Selfridge.
Prisoners' Wives star Walker and Garrow's Law actor McArdle will appear opposite Jeremy Piven in the ITV drama's second series.
McArdle will play Lord Loxley - estranged husband of Lady Mae Loxley (Katherine Kelly), while Walker is cast as Delphine Day - a Bohemian novelist and businesswoman who befriends Harry Selfridge's wife Rose (Frances O'Connor).
Ten new episodes of Mr Selfridge - set four years after the events of the first series - began filming in London this week.
Series two will follow Harry Selfridge's efforts to keep his department store afloat as the Great War approaches.
Wild at Heart's Cal Macaninch will also join the hit period drama as Mr Thackeray - the store's new head of fashion.
"ITV Studios is thrilled to be making a second series of Mr Selfridge," said Kate Lewis, executive producer for ITV Studios.
Prisoners' Wives star Walker and Garrow's Law actor McArdle will appear opposite Jeremy Piven in the ITV drama's second series.
McArdle will play Lord Loxley - estranged husband of Lady Mae Loxley (Katherine Kelly), while Walker is cast as Delphine Day - a Bohemian novelist and businesswoman who befriends Harry Selfridge's wife Rose (Frances O'Connor).
Ten new episodes of Mr Selfridge - set four years after the events of the first series - began filming in London this week.
Series two will follow Harry Selfridge's efforts to keep his department store afloat as the Great War approaches.
Wild at Heart's Cal Macaninch will also join the hit period drama as Mr Thackeray - the store's new head of fashion.
"ITV Studios is thrilled to be making a second series of Mr Selfridge," said Kate Lewis, executive producer for ITV Studios.
- 4/25/2013
- Digital Spy
Stephen Tompkinson is returning to the BBC for the first time in nine years. The veteran actor will star in new drama 'Truckers' this autumn, his first major role since ITV's 'Wild At Heart' was axed in April. In the show he will play divorced father-of-one Malachi Davies, who works for a family haulage firm and faces a mid-life crisis. The show sees him reunite with writer Billy Ivory, who he first worked with on a remake of 'Minder' 20 years ago. He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Occasionally, I've been able to say yes to a project without seeing a script.
- 4/23/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Stephen Tompkinson is returning to the BBC for the first time in nine years. The veteran actor will star in new drama 'Truckers' this autumn, his first major role since ITV's 'Wild At Heart' was axed in April. In the show he will play divorced father-of-one Malachi Davies, who works for a family haulage firm and faces a mid-life crisis. The show sees him reunite with writer Billy Ivory, who he first worked with on a remake of 'Minder' 20 years ago. He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Occasionally, I've been able to say yes to a project without seeing a script.
- 4/23/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson are expecting a baby girl. The 'Coronation Street' actor and his wife - who he married in 2009 - are ''so excited'' about the news they will welcome a daughter into the world later this year, and when they found out the 'Wild At Heart' actress ''screamed the house down''. Alan said: ''We are so excited, we feel very lucky. It really took a hold on me, I was like, 'Wow'.'' Lucy-Jo added: ''I've always wanted a little girl. I screamed the house down when I found out.'' The couple were able to find out the news in...
- 4/22/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Britain's Got Talent judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden locked lips for the cameras at the launch of the talent show today (April 11).
Posing with fellow judge and show boss Simon Cowell, Dixon and Holden had no reservations about puckering up with each other as the music mogul looked on.
After pecking each other on the lips, Dixon, 34, and Holden, 42, kissed Cowell, 53, on each cheek.
The launch for the ITV show, which returns to screens this weekend, saw the three judges attend without fellow panellist David Walliams.
Meanwhile, Holden also posed for photographers on the red carpet with a pair of Union Jack boxer shorts. She was seemingly making reference to her revelation this week that Cowell does not wear underwear.
The former Wild at Heart actress had previously said: "Of course, I know an awful lot about [Simon] - I know where the bodies are buried.
"But I can give you one outrageous exclusive.
Posing with fellow judge and show boss Simon Cowell, Dixon and Holden had no reservations about puckering up with each other as the music mogul looked on.
After pecking each other on the lips, Dixon, 34, and Holden, 42, kissed Cowell, 53, on each cheek.
The launch for the ITV show, which returns to screens this weekend, saw the three judges attend without fellow panellist David Walliams.
Meanwhile, Holden also posed for photographers on the red carpet with a pair of Union Jack boxer shorts. She was seemingly making reference to her revelation this week that Cowell does not wear underwear.
The former Wild at Heart actress had previously said: "Of course, I know an awful lot about [Simon] - I know where the bodies are buried.
"But I can give you one outrageous exclusive.
- 4/11/2013
- Digital Spy
Monty Python fans will love this London musical, infused as it is with vintage sketches and nods to the great British troupe's classic Holy Grail movie. Indeed, fittingly for a show created by comedy gods, Eric Idle plays the Almighty - though not in person: his appearance is limited to a video projection that nonetheless is a pleasant addition to the show. Stephen Tompkinson (who TV viewers will know from various primetime shows including Drop The Dead Donkey or Wild At Heart) is effective as King Arthur, adept at clowning and convincing as the exasperated leader of a higgedly-piggedly set of idiot knights. Familiar scenes abound and those with even the slightest knowledge of Python will recognise the Knights of Ni, a deadly attack-rabbit and - inarguably one of the show's highlights - the fabulous and thickly-accented French soldiers who (more)...
- 1/18/2013
- by By David Moynihan
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street's Alan Halsall has been struggling to cope with the loss of Bill Tarmey. Lucy-Jo Hudson, Halsall's wife of five years, revealed that the couple have been grieving for their friend and former co-star, who died in November aged 71. "Losing Bill has affected us both but it has hit Al especially hard," she told the Daily Star. "In his early days at Corrie he was like a surrogate dad to Al and guided him. "He taught him how to be professional and shared his words of wisdom. He will always be a legend and Al will never forget what he's done for him." The Wild at Heart actress continued: "We're still in touch with Bill's wife Alma. She knows what a close bond they had so she gave Al Bill's watch, which he never takes off." Hudson further commented that Tarmey would have been (more)...
- 1/10/2013
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Dawn Steele has confessed that she was "hysterical" after filming the final episode of Wild at Heart. The actress, who plays Alice Trevanion in the long-running ITV1 drama, became emotional after realising it was the final time she would work with the cast and crew. "It had a very good run, we are very lucky to be going out one last time," Steele told The Mirror. "For me, it has been the best job I have ever done, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we will probably never get to do that again. "At the end we had a big party (more)...
- 12/28/2012
- by By Colin Daniels
- Digital Spy
Dawn Steele ''cried like a baby'' after filming the final episode of 'Wild at Heart'. The 37-year-old actress - who plays Trevanion family matriarch Alice - admits she was was very emotional when shooting on the long-running ITV1 drama, which follows the lives of a family who run a game reserve for wild animals in South Africa, wrapped for good in September. Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, she said: ''For me, it has been the best job I have ever done, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we will probably never get to do that again. ''At the end we had a big party...
- 12/28/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Wild at Heart star Lucy-Jo Hudson has revealed that the show's final episode is "a real tear-jerker" with "no happy ending". The former Coronation Street actress, who plays Rosie Trevanion in the ITV drama, told Digital Spy that its two-hour finale "is going to be a shock for everybody".
"It's actually a real tear jerker this one," she said. "So get the Kleenex ready, because it's gonna make you cry. "[There's] no happy ending. It does have happy moments, but the ending is going to be a shock for everybody. I don't think you'll be expecting it." Hudson added: "I am so proud of the show. It has gone eight years and people are still wanting it to continue, so I'm glad we've managed to go out there and give it a bit of closure. "I think it'll be a brilliant (more)...
"It's actually a real tear jerker this one," she said. "So get the Kleenex ready, because it's gonna make you cry. "[There's] no happy ending. It does have happy moments, but the ending is going to be a shock for everybody. I don't think you'll be expecting it." Hudson added: "I am so proud of the show. It has gone eight years and people are still wanting it to continue, so I'm glad we've managed to go out there and give it a bit of closure. "I think it'll be a brilliant (more)...
- 12/27/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Wild at Heart star Lucy-Jo Hudson has spoken to Digital Spy about best friend Carolynne Poole's "outrageous" elimination from The X Factor. The actress, who plays Rosie Trevanion in ITV's Africa-set drama, said that she hated the idea of Poole's dreams being smashed apart for the sake of making good TV.
"I was furious. I was so angry," the ex-Coronation Street actress told us. "I understand it's all about the entertainment and the fact that it's a bit of a game, but at the end of the day they've just crushed her dreams and not just once, twice." She added: "I just don't know how many times she can take these knock-backs because she's bloody brilliant, she's got everything." Hudson went on to (more)...
"I was furious. I was so angry," the ex-Coronation Street actress told us. "I understand it's all about the entertainment and the fact that it's a bit of a game, but at the end of the day they've just crushed her dreams and not just once, twice." She added: "I just don't know how many times she can take these knock-backs because she's bloody brilliant, she's got everything." Hudson went on to (more)...
- 10/8/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
The cast of 'Wild at Heart' reportedly believe the show has been scrapped because of 'Titanic'. The wildlife drama - which stars Stephen Tompkinson as a British vet running a game reserve in South Africa - is shot on location at the Glen Africa nature reserve and insiders believe ITV have axed the show after seven series because they are desperate to save money after splashing out on the recent mini-series, which was created by 'Downton Abbey' writer Julian Fellowes. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''The feeling is that they sunk so much money into 'Titanic' that they are having...
- 4/20/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Alesha Dixon has refuted suggestions that she and Amanda Holden are rivals on Britain's Got Talent. According to a weekend tabloid report, Holden was concerned former Strictly Come Dancing star Dixon didn't like her after snubbing her birthday invitation. Ex-Wild at Heart actress Holden was said to feel frozen out by producers after the introduction of Dixon. However, Dixon told the Bgt website: "I love Amanda. There were reports over the weekend saying that there is rivalry between us, alongside claims that we're not getting on. "This is (more)...
- 4/16/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Amanda Holden has said that judging Britain's Got Talent is not real work. Speaking to TV Times magazine, the former Wild at Heart actress revealed that she found it easy to return to the ITV talent show after her birth scare. When asked whether it was straining to go back to work, Holden said: "No it wasn't, because I don't consider it work. "I think digging the roads is work, or working 9 to 5. But sitting at a desk pressing a buzzer for a day is a treat." The 41-year-old added: "I was good; I needed something (more)...
- 4/6/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
A second series of Stephen Tompkinson's crime drama Dci Banks has been commissioned by ITV. The Wild At Heart actor will once again portray the titular character for a six-part series based on Peter Robinson's novels. "Dci Banks is now established as a firm favourite within ITV's crime drama slate," said Sally Haynes of the channel's drama commissioning team. "We're delighted so many viewers are appreciating Robert Murphy's adaptations and how the team at Left Bank Pictures are producing Dci Banks." Doc Martin actress Caroline Catz (more)...
- 3/20/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Wild at Heart's series seven finale attracted a total of nearly 6.6 million last night (Sunday), overnight data indicates. The South Africa-based family drama, starring Stephen Tompkinson and Jill Halfpenny, attracted 6.38m (23%) to ITV1 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, and a further 187k (0.8%) on +1. ITV's long-running show, which is rumoured to be facing the axe due to falling ratings, hasn't hit an audience of over 6.6m since January. Wild at Heart suffered its biggest dip last month when scheduled mid-series against BBC juggernauts Call the Midwife and Sherlock. Affected by the half-hour clash, Upstairs, Downstairs slumped to 4.77m (17.9%) on BBC One in the 9pm hour, its lowest audience so far. Dependable duo Countryfile (6.31m/25.6%) and Antiques Roadshow (6.28m/22.3%) held up well against Dancing on Ice, (more)...
- 3/12/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Wild at Heart's ratings have fallen and the show may be axed, according to tabloid reports. The long-running ITV1 drama series about vet Danny Trevanion (Stephen Tompkinson) in South Africa has fallen to under 6 million in Sunday night's ratings, a considerable drop-off for a show which has previously attracted over 10 million. A slump in Dancing on Ice ratings on Sunday nights and the success of Call the Midwife on BBC One appear to have affected the series. "Everyone involved knows it's (more)...
- 2/22/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
'Wild at Heart' is facing the axe from ITV1. The safari drama - which focuses on the life of British vet Danny Trevanion (Stephen Tompkinson), who opens up a game reserve in South Africa - has seen its ratings slump from a high of more than 10 million to 5.7 million last week and could now be given the chop by channel bosses. While the cast, including Hayley Mills and Lucy-Jo Hudson, are said to "love" making the series, the costs associated with shooting in South Africa are reportedly causing ITV chiefs to plug on the show after seven seasons. An insider...
- 2/21/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Veteran British actress Hayley Mills was left terrified on the African set of her TV series when an elephant and two hippos charged at her.
The 65 year old stars in U.K. drama Wild At Heart, and scenes for the show are filmed on a nature reserve in South Africa.
Mills took time out from the shoot to explore the area, but she was caught in a dangerous situation when she encountered wild beasts.
The Golden Globe-winning actress tells the Daily Express, "I decided to walk to the lake to see the hippos. As I got closer two huge hippos heaved out of the water towards me.
"I ran as quickly as I could up the hill and as I reached the top an elephant came charging at me. I leapt on to a trailer to get out of the way and it was full of manure."...
The 65 year old stars in U.K. drama Wild At Heart, and scenes for the show are filmed on a nature reserve in South Africa.
Mills took time out from the shoot to explore the area, but she was caught in a dangerous situation when she encountered wild beasts.
The Golden Globe-winning actress tells the Daily Express, "I decided to walk to the lake to see the hippos. As I got closer two huge hippos heaved out of the water towards me.
"I ran as quickly as I could up the hill and as I reached the top an elephant came charging at me. I leapt on to a trailer to get out of the way and it was full of manure."...
- 12/21/2011
- WENN
Wild at Heart. ITV
B Van Heusen
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ITV’s popular drama Wild at Heart will return to the network for a seventh season that will premiere on 8 January at 8.30 p.m. Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele and Hayley Mills resume their roles and joining them in the cast will be Downton Abbey star Robert Bathurst. He takes on the role of Ed Lynch who is billed as a business savvy vet with five years experience working in South Africa. Ed is Danny’s (Stephen Tompkinson) new boss and his business acumen does not mesh well with Danny’s ideology and it does not take long for the duo to fall out with one another.
Wild at Heart was created by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars) and 2012 will be a big year for him as Eternal Law...
B Van Heusen
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ITV’s popular drama Wild at Heart will return to the network for a seventh season that will premiere on 8 January at 8.30 p.m. Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele and Hayley Mills resume their roles and joining them in the cast will be Downton Abbey star Robert Bathurst. He takes on the role of Ed Lynch who is billed as a business savvy vet with five years experience working in South Africa. Ed is Danny’s (Stephen Tompkinson) new boss and his business acumen does not mesh well with Danny’s ideology and it does not take long for the duo to fall out with one another.
Wild at Heart was created by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars) and 2012 will be a big year for him as Eternal Law...
- 12/21/2011
- by admin
A giraffe from ITV1's hit drama series Wild at Heart has been rescued after falling into a swimming pool on the set. Giraffe Lucy, 9, broke on to the Leopard's Den set and the crew were forced to launch an all-night rescue operation to save the animal, which included calling the fire brigade, draining the pool and building steps out of sandbags. Producer Adam Friedlander said: "We are not 100% sure how she fell into the pool but we think she may have been drinking from it and with her head being too low became disorientated and fell in. "The animals on the reserve roam free and we are of course very mindful of their safety and try to interfere with their habitat as little as possible. However, accidents can happen and it appeared Lucy (more)...
- 12/7/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Robert Bathurst
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Downton Abbey star Robert Bathurst is set to join the cast of ITV’s Wild at Heart. Filming for the new season of the show will begin next month. Bathurst will play a veterinary surgeon named Ed Lynch and will join returning cast regulars such as Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele and Hayley Mills. The new season will consist of 10 one hour long episodes that will air some time in 2012. The filming for the new season is largely being carried out in Africa and it is expected to wrap up in February of next year. The second season of Downton Abbey will also be screened on ITV some time in late 2012.
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Downton Abbey star Robert Bathurst is set to join the cast of ITV’s Wild at Heart. Filming for the new season of the show will begin next month. Bathurst will play a veterinary surgeon named Ed Lynch and will join returning cast regulars such as Stephen Tompkinson, Dawn Steele and Hayley Mills. The new season will consist of 10 one hour long episodes that will air some time in 2012. The filming for the new season is largely being carried out in Africa and it is expected to wrap up in February of next year. The second season of Downton Abbey will also be screened on ITV some time in late 2012.
Recent Articles:
British Emmy Nominees
Robin Ellis Interview
BBC Drama: Great Expectations and Inside Men...
- 7/22/2011
- by admin
ITV has ordered a seventh series of its drama Wild At Heart. The show, which stars Stephen Tompkinson and Dawn Steele, focuses on a group of people living on a game park in South Africa. ITV announced that it has ordered ten new episodes, which will begin a few weeks after Danny, Alice, Caroline and Du Plessis lost Leopard's Den. Alice and Caroline return to the UK, while Danny and Du Plessis search for a new place to live. However, Du Plessis makes a decision which causes Danny to reconsider their relationship. Meanwhile, mining boss Peeters (David Butler) continues to cause problems for the family. The new series will also (more)...
- 5/19/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Wild At Heart has been renewed for a seventh season. The ITV1 drama - set in South Africa and starring Hayley Mills and Deon Stewardson - will focus on how veterinarians Danny (Stephen Tompkinson) and Alice Trevanion (Dawn Steele) cope when they lose their home and surgery Leopard's Den, when the show returns to screens next year. ITV drama commissioner Steve November said: "I am delighted that 'Wild At Heart' will be returning to ITV1 in 2012. We can look forward to seeing our favourite characters in new and exciting situations and to seeing significant new characters join the mix."...
- 5/18/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Stephen Tompkinson has admitted that filming Wild At Heart on location in Africa has its dangers. The actor, who plays vet Danny Trevanion in the popular ITV series, revealed that he has clashed with some of the animals that the cast film with. "I've been kicked by a zebra and left with a perfect hoof mark on my right cheek," he told the Pa. "[The on-set vet] has had a wildebeest horn where the sun don't shine... this thing made a beeline for him." However, he insisted that the incidents were just among "the hazards of our work". "A lot of these animals have grown up on the farm because it's (more)...
- 2/7/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Hayley Mills has claimed that she would love to move her family to Africa. The Wild At Heart actress admitted that she has grown to love the country after filming several series of the ITV drama. "I love the land: the vast distances, the mountains and the sky," Mills told What's On TV. "When I go back to London and to my (more)...
- 1/27/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Dawn Steele has confessed that she struggles to look sexy on Wild At Heart. The 35-year-old, who plays vet Alice Collins in ITV's Africa-based drama, accepted that she had to sacrifice glitz and glamour in order to portray such a strong and intelligent character. She admitted to The Mirror: "It’s not a very sexy job. I never get to dress up.
My character is always in boots and khaki trousers and I can never grow my nails - they just get so mucky and dirty on the farm. "Actually, it’s quite nice not to have to be like that. There’s this idea today that everything’s got to be (more)...
My character is always in boots and khaki trousers and I can never grow my nails - they just get so mucky and dirty on the farm. "Actually, it’s quite nice not to have to be like that. There’s this idea today that everything’s got to be (more)...
- 1/15/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Stephen Tompkinson has insisted that he has no intention of quitting Wild At Heart while it continues to perform well. The Sunday night drama made a strong return to ITV1 last night for its sixth series. The episode saw Tompkinson's Danny Trevanion briefly reunited with his ill father, played by Warren Clarke. Asked if he still enjoyed filming the show, the actor told What's On TV: "Yes, I'm not bored of it yet and they always manage to move the story on. "As long as it gets the viewing (more)...
- 1/10/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Some TV shows rumble along year after year without grabbing headlines or awards, shows that have loyal followers yet are somehow under the radar of most viewers. Wild At Heart, returning for its sixth series this Sunday (ITV1, 8.30pm), would fit under this banner. It only really hits the headlines when one of its main stars leaves (Amanda Holden) or is killed in an unfortunate real-life lightening incident (poor Hamley the giraffe).
The simple premise of .suburban UK vet moves his whole family to Africa. sounds fine. But upon viewing this series opener, it... More >>...
The simple premise of .suburban UK vet moves his whole family to Africa. sounds fine. But upon viewing this series opener, it... More >>...
- 1/7/2011
- by Adam Beresford
- TV.com
The cast and crew of ITV drama Wild At Heart are said to be devastated today following the death of Hamley the giraffe. Hamley was described as one of the most-loved animals on the reserve at Glen Afric , where cast including Stephen Tompkinson and Dawn Steele have worked with him for the past five years. The 7-year-old giraffe died after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm yesterday. "We are all desperately upset about the passing of Hamley, who has been part of the Wild At (more)...
- 11/9/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
ITV has confirmed that Warren Clarke has joined the cast of Wild At Heart, as production on the sixth series got under way this week. Stephen Tompkinson and Dawn Steele will return for ten new episodes of the South Africa-based drama, which will begin its new run with the couple on honeymoon in London. However, with the trip cut short, Tompkinson's Danny Travanion is reunited with his estranged father - played by Clarke - who then travels back to meet the extended family in Leopard's den. Speaking of the former Dalziel and Pascoe star's casting, Tompkinson said in a statement: "I first worked (more)...
- 8/13/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Stephen Tompkinson has admitted that he is looking forward to filming the new series of Wild At Heart. The actor, who plays Danny, explained that he often misses the animals on the show. "I find myself dreaming about the animals when I'm back in England," he told What's On TV. "They have a big effect on me and I do miss them. "I can't have pets because I'm away filming a lot so it wouldn't really be (more)...
- 7/6/2010
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Former Hollyoaks actor Barry Sloane is to star in ITV's new crime thriller Dci Banks: The Aftermath. The 29-year-old, best known for playing twisted Niall Rafferty on the Channel 4 soap, will be seen in the role of roguish father Jackie Wray in the forthcoming two-part drama. As announced in March, Dci Banks: The Aftermath is based on a best-selling detective novel written by Peter Robinson and features Wild At Heart star Stephen Tompkinson in its lead part. Charlotte Riley, Andrea Lowe and Samuel Roukin are also in the cast. The story centres around a challenging investigation that follows after police discover a horrific scene at a house. Tompkinson's (more)...
- 6/7/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Stephen Tompkinson is to star in a new crime drama for ITV, it has been announced. The Wild At Heart actor will play the lead role in two-part thriller Dci Banks: Aftermath. The drama is based on Peter Robinson's best-selling detective novel and explores the events that follow after two police officers stumble upon a horrific scene at a house. ITV's Sally Haynes (more)...
- 3/31/2010
- by By Sam Webb
- Digital Spy
The worst thing anyone's said to me? 'Your father has died'
Hayley Mills, 63, was born in London, the daughter of the actor John Mills and the writer Mary Hayley Bell. She began her acting career at the age of 12, when she was cast alongside her father in the 1959 movie Tiger Bay, a performance for which she won a Bafta. She later signed to Walt Disney, for whom starred in Pollyanna and The Parent Trap, and her other film credits include Whistle Down The Wind and Sky West And Crooked. Since 2007, she has been appearing in the ITV series Wild At Heart. She has two sons and divides her time between London and New York, where she lives with her partner.
When were you happiest?
Now. This is the best time of my life.
What is your greatest fear?
I have a horror of being in confined spaces. Potholing is my idea of hell.
Hayley Mills, 63, was born in London, the daughter of the actor John Mills and the writer Mary Hayley Bell. She began her acting career at the age of 12, when she was cast alongside her father in the 1959 movie Tiger Bay, a performance for which she won a Bafta. She later signed to Walt Disney, for whom starred in Pollyanna and The Parent Trap, and her other film credits include Whistle Down The Wind and Sky West And Crooked. Since 2007, she has been appearing in the ITV series Wild At Heart. She has two sons and divides her time between London and New York, where she lives with her partner.
When were you happiest?
Now. This is the best time of my life.
What is your greatest fear?
I have a horror of being in confined spaces. Potholing is my idea of hell.
- 3/6/2010
- by Rosanna Greenstreet
- The Guardian - Film News
Tina O'Brien has revealed that she is inspired by the success of her former Coronation Street co-star Lucy-Jo Hudson. The 26-year-old actress confirmed that she was pleased to see Hudson landing a role in the Ken Loach film Looking For Eric, which was released in June this year. Hudson played killer Katy Harris on the ITV1 soap from 2002 to 2005 before going on to star in Wild At Heart. O'Brien told Celebs On Sunday: "Lucy-Jo is doing really well. She was telling me all about her experience in Cannes off the back of her film Looking For Eric. "She (more)...
- 8/9/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Amanda Holden has revealed that she is hoping to secure more "bitchy" TV roles in the future. The Britain's Got Talent judge starred as catty hairdresser Mia Bevan on BBC drama Cutting It from 2002 to 2004, before later accepting a role as nice girl Sarah Trevanion on ITV1's Wild At Heart. In an interview with Take 5, she explained: "It's great playing bitches. When I started Wild At Heart (more)...
- 8/1/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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