In any given year, British TV can be relied on to provide plenty in the way of crime drama, and 2023 was no different. Between these returning series and newcomers A Town Called Malice, Blue Lights, Marlow, Payback, Rebus, Steeltown Murders, The Gold, The Sixth Commandment, Wolf and more, crime continued to flourish on the small screen.
Happily though, that was far from all that UK TV offered this year. There was fantasy too, in the form of Netflix’s South London super-powers drama Supacell, ghost detective series Lockwood & Co., Greek and Roman mythology series Kaos, and sci-fi in Prime Video’s The Rig.
Add to all those the romances, dramas inspired by real-life, and several other book adaptations, period and otherwise plus music-based dramas Champion and This Town, and it was a pretty full slate.
January Stonehouse
Succession‘s Matthew Macfadyen and Crossfire‘s Keeley Hawes star in this three-part ITV drama,...
Happily though, that was far from all that UK TV offered this year. There was fantasy too, in the form of Netflix’s South London super-powers drama Supacell, ghost detective series Lockwood & Co., Greek and Roman mythology series Kaos, and sci-fi in Prime Video’s The Rig.
Add to all those the romances, dramas inspired by real-life, and several other book adaptations, period and otherwise plus music-based dramas Champion and This Town, and it was a pretty full slate.
January Stonehouse
Succession‘s Matthew Macfadyen and Crossfire‘s Keeley Hawes star in this three-part ITV drama,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Music legend Elton John has credited late former England manager Graham Taylor for having “saved his life”.
The 76-year-old singer admitted a foul-mouthed confrontation from the then-Watford boss, in which he warned the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ hitmaker his drinking and drug taking was “letting down” himself and the club shocked him into receiving help for his issues, reports Female First UK.
An extract from new book ‘Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor and Elton John Saved a Football Club, a Town and Each Other’ published by The Sunday Times newspaper revealed Elton said: “I’ve no doubt that Graham saved my life. Without him, I would have been lost.”
As per Female First UK, on December 26, 1981, Elton — who owned the club — immediately poured himself a whisky when he and Graham arrived at the Vicarage Road stadium, and the next day, the manager arrived early for a board meeting in order to privately confront his boss.
The 76-year-old singer admitted a foul-mouthed confrontation from the then-Watford boss, in which he warned the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ hitmaker his drinking and drug taking was “letting down” himself and the club shocked him into receiving help for his issues, reports Female First UK.
An extract from new book ‘Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor and Elton John Saved a Football Club, a Town and Each Other’ published by The Sunday Times newspaper revealed Elton said: “I’ve no doubt that Graham saved my life. Without him, I would have been lost.”
As per Female First UK, on December 26, 1981, Elton — who owned the club — immediately poured himself a whisky when he and Graham arrived at the Vicarage Road stadium, and the next day, the manager arrived early for a board meeting in order to privately confront his boss.
- 11/13/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Music legend Elton John has credited late former England manager Graham Taylor for having “saved his life”.
The 76-year-old singer admitted a foul-mouthed confrontation from the then-Watford boss, in which he warned the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ hitmaker his drinking and drug taking was “letting down” himself and the club shocked him into receiving help for his issues, reports Female First UK.
An extract from new book ‘Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor and Elton John Saved a Football Club, a Town and Each Other’ published by The Sunday Times newspaper revealed Elton said: “I’ve no doubt that Graham saved my life. Without him, I would have been lost.”
As per Female First UK, on December 26, 1981, Elton — who owned the club — immediately poured himself a whisky when he and Graham arrived at the Vicarage Road stadium, and the next day, the manager arrived early for a board meeting in order to privately confront his boss.
The 76-year-old singer admitted a foul-mouthed confrontation from the then-Watford boss, in which he warned the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ hitmaker his drinking and drug taking was “letting down” himself and the club shocked him into receiving help for his issues, reports Female First UK.
An extract from new book ‘Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor and Elton John Saved a Football Club, a Town and Each Other’ published by The Sunday Times newspaper revealed Elton said: “I’ve no doubt that Graham saved my life. Without him, I would have been lost.”
As per Female First UK, on December 26, 1981, Elton — who owned the club — immediately poured himself a whisky when he and Graham arrived at the Vicarage Road stadium, and the next day, the manager arrived early for a board meeting in order to privately confront his boss.
- 11/13/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The 2000s was a strange time for genre filmmaking and especially science fiction. While sci-fi cinema was in theory thriving, that was mainly thanks to the presence of franchises that were, in fact, their own mini-genres (like Star Wars and Star Trek). Then there were superhero films, always sort of a cousin to sci-fi, with the X-Men and Spider-Man series both exploding and the Marvel Cinematic Universe making its debut with Iron Man (2008) just as the decade came to a close.
But there were some top-shelf literary adaptations as well. Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) was a flawed yet powerful expansion of a Brian Aldiss story while his War of the Worlds (2005) and Minority Report (2002) were outstanding takes on classic tales from H.G. Wells and Philip K. Dick (there might have been no sci-fi filmmaker more consistent at the time than The Beard). Other remakes or adaptations,...
But there were some top-shelf literary adaptations as well. Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) was a flawed yet powerful expansion of a Brian Aldiss story while his War of the Worlds (2005) and Minority Report (2002) were outstanding takes on classic tales from H.G. Wells and Philip K. Dick (there might have been no sci-fi filmmaker more consistent at the time than The Beard). Other remakes or adaptations,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Spoiler Alert: This column contains spoilers from “The Last Supper Part Two: Entrée,” the Season 2 finale of “And Just Like That,” now streaming on Max.
Before the second season of “And Just Like That” even premiered, we knew that Kim Cattrall would (briefly) return as her “Sex and the City” character Samantha Jones. The ratings rationale for bringing back such a beloved figure were obvious enough, but creatively, the move seemed oddly self-defeating. After an awkward start, the sequel series had finally started to establish its own identity. What was the point of reminding viewers what they were missing, let alone with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo featuring no other cast members?
But to my great surprise, Cattrall’s appearance in the 11th and final episode of Season 2 was both effective and, against all odds, organic. The two-part finale, titled “The Last Supper,” was all about saying goodbye and paying tribute...
Before the second season of “And Just Like That” even premiered, we knew that Kim Cattrall would (briefly) return as her “Sex and the City” character Samantha Jones. The ratings rationale for bringing back such a beloved figure were obvious enough, but creatively, the move seemed oddly self-defeating. After an awkward start, the sequel series had finally started to establish its own identity. What was the point of reminding viewers what they were missing, let alone with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo featuring no other cast members?
But to my great surprise, Cattrall’s appearance in the 11th and final episode of Season 2 was both effective and, against all odds, organic. The two-part finale, titled “The Last Supper,” was all about saying goodbye and paying tribute...
- 8/24/2023
- by Alison Herman
- Variety Film + TV
Betta St. John, who portrayed the lovely island girl Liat in the original Broadway production of South Pacific and starred as a princess alongside Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in the MGM romantic comedy Dream Wife, has died. She was 93.
St. John died June 23 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Brighton, England, her son, TV producer Roger Grant, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The California native played one of the survivors of an airline crash, who is chased by a crocodile in Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957) — the first Tarzan film in 15 years and the first one in color — and then returned for Tarzan the Magnificent (1960). Both films starred Gordon Scott as the King of the Jungle.
St. John also starred with Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth and Robert Taylor in All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953); with Victor Mature, Piper Laurie and Vincent Price in the 3-D adventure Dangerous...
St. John died June 23 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Brighton, England, her son, TV producer Roger Grant, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The California native played one of the survivors of an airline crash, who is chased by a crocodile in Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957) — the first Tarzan film in 15 years and the first one in color — and then returned for Tarzan the Magnificent (1960). Both films starred Gordon Scott as the King of the Jungle.
St. John also starred with Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth and Robert Taylor in All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953); with Victor Mature, Piper Laurie and Vincent Price in the 3-D adventure Dangerous...
- 7/7/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sex and the City centered on the dating and professional life of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her three best friends. Carrie was a writer who wrote about dating, sex, and relationships. However, that wasn’t her only passion. Carrie was also a “fashion girl.”
In fact, Carrie only wore one clothing item multiple times throughout the six seasons of Satc.
Sarah Jessica Parker seen on the set of “And Just Like That…” the follow-up series to “Sex and the City”| James Devaney/Gc Images) Sarah Jessica Parker had a close relationship with the ‘Sex and the City costume designer
Sex and the City fans know that fashion was a religion for Carrie Bradshaw. In addition to her iconic shoe collection, she also had some stunning wardrobe pieces that really shifted the way that fashion was seen and displayed on television.
When it came to fashion, Parker had a...
In fact, Carrie only wore one clothing item multiple times throughout the six seasons of Satc.
Sarah Jessica Parker seen on the set of “And Just Like That…” the follow-up series to “Sex and the City”| James Devaney/Gc Images) Sarah Jessica Parker had a close relationship with the ‘Sex and the City costume designer
Sex and the City fans know that fashion was a religion for Carrie Bradshaw. In addition to her iconic shoe collection, she also had some stunning wardrobe pieces that really shifted the way that fashion was seen and displayed on television.
When it came to fashion, Parker had a...
- 4/15/2023
- by Aramide Tinubu
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
2018’s “A Very English Scandal,” based on the 2016 book of the same name by John Preston, ended up a critical darling for BBC with lots of overseas appeal. Now, Blueprint Pictures is back for a new iteration of the miniseries, “A Very British Scandal,” with an all-new serial ripped straight from the British tabloids.
What’s the focus of the new series?
Continue reading ‘A Very British Scandal’ Trailer: Claire Foy & Paul Bettany Are Socialites That Fall From Grace In Amazon Series Coming In April at The Playlist.
What’s the focus of the new series?
Continue reading ‘A Very British Scandal’ Trailer: Claire Foy & Paul Bettany Are Socialites That Fall From Grace In Amazon Series Coming In April at The Playlist.
- 3/22/2022
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
People have been interested in trying to uncover the secrets of their ancestors for thousands of years, but curiously, the Western world only started to take archaeology seriously as a profession in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, it was a huge craze. A zeal for exploration had let to treasures being discovered in all sorts of unexpected places. Few of these, however, would come anywhere close to the discoveries made at Sutton Hoo in 1938, when a curious landowner employed a working class man with an impressive reputation to investigate old mounds, resulting in one of the finest preserved examples of an Anglo-Saxon ship burial.
In this dramatisation of events, based on John Preston's historical novel, the landowner, Mrs Pretty, is played by Carey Mulligan, some two decades younger than her character but clearly relishing the different opportunities this offers her, whilst Ralph Fiennes steps in to play the.
In this dramatisation of events, based on John Preston's historical novel, the landowner, Mrs Pretty, is played by Carey Mulligan, some two decades younger than her character but clearly relishing the different opportunities this offers her, whilst Ralph Fiennes steps in to play the.
- 3/10/2021
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
A sweeping score inspired by Britain’s pre-wwii landscape has signalled Stefan Gregory’s entry into feature films, with the composer making his debut as part of Simon Stone’s The Dig.
The Netflix drama about the 1939 Sutton Hoo treasure discovery stars Ralph Fiennes as real-life architect Basil Brown and Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty, the landowner from whose estate the Anglo Saxon artefacts were uncovered.
The screenplay was written by Moira Buffini as an adaption of John Preston’s novel of the same name.
Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Murray Ferguson, Gabrielle Tana, and Ellie Wood produced the film.
The accompanying music includes intimate piano and chamber pieces, as well as grandiose strings to enhance the discoveries within the story.
Gregory said trial and error was used to compose music that reflected the tone of the film.
“So much of it was inspired by the landscape and the beautiful shots of the film,...
The Netflix drama about the 1939 Sutton Hoo treasure discovery stars Ralph Fiennes as real-life architect Basil Brown and Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty, the landowner from whose estate the Anglo Saxon artefacts were uncovered.
The screenplay was written by Moira Buffini as an adaption of John Preston’s novel of the same name.
Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Murray Ferguson, Gabrielle Tana, and Ellie Wood produced the film.
The accompanying music includes intimate piano and chamber pieces, as well as grandiose strings to enhance the discoveries within the story.
Gregory said trial and error was used to compose music that reflected the tone of the film.
“So much of it was inspired by the landscape and the beautiful shots of the film,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Working Title has optioned TV rights to bestselling author John Preston’s non-fiction book “Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell.”
The book, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books, earlier this month, charts British media mogul Robert Maxwell’s rise, fall and mysterious death.
The project, being developed as a limited TV series, will be produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (pictured). Working Title head of drama Surian Fletcher-Jones will oversee development, with a view to commencing production later this year.
In February 1991, Maxwell had finally outwitted Rupert Murdoch, and completed his purchase of the ailing New York Daily News when he drowned at sea just nine months later, having fallen off his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. The incident could have been an accident, suicide or, as some conspiracists claim, murder, leading to the collapse of his empire and family.
Preston said: “Robert Maxwell is one of the fascinating,...
The book, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books, earlier this month, charts British media mogul Robert Maxwell’s rise, fall and mysterious death.
The project, being developed as a limited TV series, will be produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (pictured). Working Title head of drama Surian Fletcher-Jones will oversee development, with a view to commencing production later this year.
In February 1991, Maxwell had finally outwitted Rupert Murdoch, and completed his purchase of the ailing New York Daily News when he drowned at sea just nine months later, having fallen off his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. The incident could have been an accident, suicide or, as some conspiracists claim, murder, leading to the collapse of his empire and family.
Preston said: “Robert Maxwell is one of the fascinating,...
- 2/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Working Title has optioned TV rights to author John Preston’s new non-fiction book Fall: the Mystery of Robert Maxwell.
The book, published by Viking on February 4, chronicles the business tycoon’s rise, scandalous fall and untimely death. A Czech immigrant to the UK, Maxwell built a publishing empire, and became an MP, before he was found dead overboard from his yacht in 1991; it was posthumously discovered that he had improperly used funds from the Mirror Publishing group’s pension pot to cover his other companies from bankruptcy. His youngest child is Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently charged with sex trafficking crimes related to her links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Working Title’s Head of Drama Surian Fletcher-Jones will oversee the project’s development as a limited series, which will be produced by the company’s founders Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
“Robert Maxwell is one of the fascinating,...
The book, published by Viking on February 4, chronicles the business tycoon’s rise, scandalous fall and untimely death. A Czech immigrant to the UK, Maxwell built a publishing empire, and became an MP, before he was found dead overboard from his yacht in 1991; it was posthumously discovered that he had improperly used funds from the Mirror Publishing group’s pension pot to cover his other companies from bankruptcy. His youngest child is Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently charged with sex trafficking crimes related to her links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Working Title’s Head of Drama Surian Fletcher-Jones will oversee the project’s development as a limited series, which will be produced by the company’s founders Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
“Robert Maxwell is one of the fascinating,...
- 2/17/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
With Jeffrey Epstein’s former lover Ghislaine Maxwell already the subject of several upcoming documentaries, powerhouse Brit producers Working Title have turned their attention to her notorious father.
The company has optioned the TV rights to Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell from John Preston — author of A Very English Scandal and The Dig (which was recently adapted for film by Netflix) — and published earlier this month by Viking, with plans to turn it into a limited series.
The book delivers the definitive account of the business tycoon’s extraordinary rise, scandalous fall and mysterious death, attempting to disentangle the man from the monster ...
The company has optioned the TV rights to Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell from John Preston — author of A Very English Scandal and The Dig (which was recently adapted for film by Netflix) — and published earlier this month by Viking, with plans to turn it into a limited series.
The book delivers the definitive account of the business tycoon’s extraordinary rise, scandalous fall and mysterious death, attempting to disentangle the man from the monster ...
- 2/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Jeffrey Epstein’s former lover Ghislaine Maxwell already the subject of several upcoming documentaries, powerhouse Brit producers Working Title have turned their attention to her notorious father.
The company has optioned the TV rights to Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell from John Preston — author of A Very English Scandal and The Dig (which was recently adapted for film by Netflix) — and published earlier this month by Viking, with plans to turn it into a limited series.
The book delivers the definitive account of the business tycoon’s extraordinary rise, scandalous fall and mysterious death, attempting to disentangle the man from the monster ...
The company has optioned the TV rights to Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell from John Preston — author of A Very English Scandal and The Dig (which was recently adapted for film by Netflix) — and published earlier this month by Viking, with plans to turn it into a limited series.
The book delivers the definitive account of the business tycoon’s extraordinary rise, scandalous fall and mysterious death, attempting to disentangle the man from the monster ...
- 2/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Kindred spirits Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes preside over the discovery of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial in this gently understated period drama
This bittersweet tale of the unearthing of the Sutton Hoo treasures on the eve of the second world war has gentle charm to spare. Adapted by screenwriter Moira Buffini from the historical novel by John Preston, it’s a melancholy whimsy about common purpose, new friendship and the persistence of the past, bogged down occasionally by a somewhat superfluous romantic subplot but buoyed up by Mike Eley’s lush cinematography, which beautifully captures the lonely beauty of the open English landscapes.
Ralph Fiennes is Basil Brown, the self-taught, working-class archaeologist who wears his immense learning lightly, and who rides his panniered bike under imposing skies, now darkening with the impending threat of war with Germany. Basil’s demeanour is quiet and unassuming, but there’s a steely defiance beneath the surface deference,...
This bittersweet tale of the unearthing of the Sutton Hoo treasures on the eve of the second world war has gentle charm to spare. Adapted by screenwriter Moira Buffini from the historical novel by John Preston, it’s a melancholy whimsy about common purpose, new friendship and the persistence of the past, bogged down occasionally by a somewhat superfluous romantic subplot but buoyed up by Mike Eley’s lush cinematography, which beautifully captures the lonely beauty of the open English landscapes.
Ralph Fiennes is Basil Brown, the self-taught, working-class archaeologist who wears his immense learning lightly, and who rides his panniered bike under imposing skies, now darkening with the impending threat of war with Germany. Basil’s demeanour is quiet and unassuming, but there’s a steely defiance beneath the surface deference,...
- 1/31/2021
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on January 28th, 2021, reviewing the new film “The Dig,” streaming on Netflix beginning January 29th, 2021, Plus a preview of the virtual and online Sundance Film Festival.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
In “The Dig,” Carey Mulligan portrays a British matriarch named Edith Pretty, who owns land that she believes contains ancient artifacts. She hires a local self-taught archeologist, Basil Brown (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes), who makes one of the greatest British treasure discovery in history – a burial ship from England’s pre-history – right as World War II was beginning.
“The Dig” is available to stream on Netflix beginning January 29th. Featuring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Ben Chaplin and Archie Barnes. Screenplay adapted by Moira Buffini, based on the novel by John Preston. Directed by Simon Stone. Rated “PG-13”
Click here for Patrick McDonald’s full on-air...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
In “The Dig,” Carey Mulligan portrays a British matriarch named Edith Pretty, who owns land that she believes contains ancient artifacts. She hires a local self-taught archeologist, Basil Brown (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes), who makes one of the greatest British treasure discovery in history – a burial ship from England’s pre-history – right as World War II was beginning.
“The Dig” is available to stream on Netflix beginning January 29th. Featuring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Ben Chaplin and Archie Barnes. Screenplay adapted by Moira Buffini, based on the novel by John Preston. Directed by Simon Stone. Rated “PG-13”
Click here for Patrick McDonald’s full on-air...
- 1/30/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
On the eve of World War II, a self-taught archaeologist was hired by a local woman to excavate her land. She thought it might contain Viking remnants. But what was unearthed in the ground was more significant than she could have imagined: Buried in the ground was a ship that lay 89-feet-wide and 35-feet-tall, filled with graves and bodies and jewels from the early Anglo-Saxon period. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes team up for this real-life discovery in “The Dig,” with a script by director Simon Stone and Maori Buffini, inspired by the events chronicled in John Preston’s book of the same name.
Continue reading ‘The Dig’: Carey Mulligan & Ralph Fiennes Can’t Seem To Excavate Excitement In This Sleepy True Story [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Dig’: Carey Mulligan & Ralph Fiennes Can’t Seem To Excavate Excitement In This Sleepy True Story [Review] at The Playlist.
- 1/29/2021
- by Asher Luberto
- The Playlist
In “The Dig,” when various characters make their way out to the location that gives the film its name, the sky is rarely the same. As the story progresses from a one-man job that may or may not validate a widower’s curiosity to a more momentous historical find worth dramatizing over 80 years later, the clouds over Suffolk come and go, with all the corresponding shades overhead.
That simple avoidance of painting this whole tale with a single brush is one key way that director Simon Stone zags against some of the standard pitfalls of historical retellings. Based on the 2007 John Preston novel of the same name, “The Dig” also takes its cues from the details surrounding the 1939 Sutton Hoo discovery, which found centuries-old remnants of a past civilization buried beneath unassuming mounds on the property of Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan).
In “The Dig,” Edith enlists the help of local...
That simple avoidance of painting this whole tale with a single brush is one key way that director Simon Stone zags against some of the standard pitfalls of historical retellings. Based on the 2007 John Preston novel of the same name, “The Dig” also takes its cues from the details surrounding the 1939 Sutton Hoo discovery, which found centuries-old remnants of a past civilization buried beneath unassuming mounds on the property of Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan).
In “The Dig,” Edith enlists the help of local...
- 1/29/2021
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
When Simon Stone’s The Dig begins with Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) towing his bicycle across the water in a boat towards Sutton Hoo, it’s natural to align our expectations with an archeological adventure. Because he’s labeled “difficult” by the museum that more or less told Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) her desire to excavate the mounds present on her land isn’t worth their effort with war looming, the two prove themselves to be a perfect pair of underestimated and ignored figures on the cusp of finding something great. The first whiff of the treasure she always believed was there and he expertly deciphers the whereabouts of finally turns the heads of those who initially turned their backs and we settle in for a conflict amidst the dirt.
While Moira Buffini’s script (as adapted from John Preston’s novel) does include that inevitable struggle (Does ownership of...
While Moira Buffini’s script (as adapted from John Preston’s novel) does include that inevitable struggle (Does ownership of...
- 1/25/2021
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes unearth an Anglo-Saxon burial ship, but leave their emotions interred, in this robustly English drama
The Dig is actually not a very earthy film, though there is intelligence and sensitivity and a good deal of English restraint and English charm, thoroughly embodied by the fine leading performers Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes. But the passions mostly stay buried, and the movie is disconcertingly structured in such a way that we are first asked to invest in these two intriguingly complex personalities, but then – just when their emotions might get disinterred – the focus shifts to a younger pair with more obvious romantic potential, played by Johnny Flynn and Lily James. Mulligan and Fiennes look like two characters who have been written out of their own soap opera. This doesn’t stop The Dig being engaging, and with a beautiful sense of landscape.
It is based on...
The Dig is actually not a very earthy film, though there is intelligence and sensitivity and a good deal of English restraint and English charm, thoroughly embodied by the fine leading performers Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes. But the passions mostly stay buried, and the movie is disconcertingly structured in such a way that we are first asked to invest in these two intriguingly complex personalities, but then – just when their emotions might get disinterred – the focus shifts to a younger pair with more obvious romantic potential, played by Johnny Flynn and Lily James. Mulligan and Fiennes look like two characters who have been written out of their own soap opera. This doesn’t stop The Dig being engaging, and with a beautiful sense of landscape.
It is based on...
- 1/13/2021
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Johnny Flynn (Stardust), Ben Chaplin (The Nevers), Ken Stott (The Hobbit) and Monica Dolan (Eye In The Sky) are joining Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James in UK period feature The Dig.
Production is now underway in the UK on the drama, which is being financed and distributed by Netflix.
Set on the eve of WWII, The Dig follows a wealthy widow (Mulligan) who hires an amateur archaeologist (Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her Sutton Hoo estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of it’s uncertain future.
Simon Stone (The Daughter), director of recent London stage hit Yerma with Billie Piper, is directing the movie from Philomena and The Duchess producer Gabrielle Tana. Ellie Wood, Clerkenwell Films’ Murray Ferguson and Carolyn Marks Blackwood are producing alongside Tana.
Moira Buffini (Harlots) adapted the screenplay based on John Preston’s book.
Production is now underway in the UK on the drama, which is being financed and distributed by Netflix.
Set on the eve of WWII, The Dig follows a wealthy widow (Mulligan) who hires an amateur archaeologist (Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her Sutton Hoo estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of it’s uncertain future.
Simon Stone (The Daughter), director of recent London stage hit Yerma with Billie Piper, is directing the movie from Philomena and The Duchess producer Gabrielle Tana. Ellie Wood, Clerkenwell Films’ Murray Ferguson and Carolyn Marks Blackwood are producing alongside Tana.
Moira Buffini (Harlots) adapted the screenplay based on John Preston’s book.
- 10/8/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“The whole nation was loving it,” recalls Hugh Grant of the real-life political intrigue that inspired “A Very English Scandal.” Grant, who was a teenager at the time the events were unfolding in 1979, remembers it being a “fabulous comedy-drama unfolding in front of us. It had this brilliant sort of ‘Monty Python’ aspect to it because it was really about the absurdity of the British establishment.” Powerful men “ran the country, and if they got into trouble, they backed each other up and hushed up their scandals.” Watch our exclusive video interview with Grant above or listen to the audio version below.
SEEHugh Grant movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
The Amazon limited series recounts the shocking true story of British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe (Grant), who was accused of a conspiracy to murder his gay ex-lover, Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw). It was directed by Stephen Frears,...
SEEHugh Grant movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
The Amazon limited series recounts the shocking true story of British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe (Grant), who was accused of a conspiracy to murder his gay ex-lover, Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw). It was directed by Stephen Frears,...
- 5/2/2019
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
In one of this week’s Intl. TV Newswires, Dr, a classic European drama series producer, announces its plans for 2019 and competing with major international streamers; the U.K. government implements its plan to promote growth in kids TV; Banijay and Clearwood team up, unveiling a new series from “A Very English Scandal” author John Preston; and All3Media joins with MIPCancun on a new format pitching competition for Latin American content creators.
Dr’S Ambitious Local Content Plan, New Series
Danish public broadcaster Dr has announced an evolved drama strategy, and a host of accompanying programs. The objective of the plan is to load up on high-end local content as a means of competing with the global streamers moving in on the territory.
It’s been just over a year since Christian Rank took over as drama director at the company, and he will spearhead the task of developing and implementing the strategy.
Dr’S Ambitious Local Content Plan, New Series
Danish public broadcaster Dr has announced an evolved drama strategy, and a host of accompanying programs. The objective of the plan is to load up on high-end local content as a means of competing with the global streamers moving in on the territory.
It’s been just over a year since Christian Rank took over as drama director at the company, and he will spearhead the task of developing and implementing the strategy.
- 4/2/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Seeking to diversify and bolster its scripted output, Banijay Rights has signed a first-look development deal with Ellie Wood (“Bleak House”), a veteran British producer who founded and runs the independent production company Clearwood Films.
Under the pact, Banjiay Rights and Wood will work together to develop and produce all of Clearwood Films’ TV series for the U.K. and international markets. Banijay Rights will also handle international sales on the shows.
Caroline Torrance, the head of scripted at Banijay Rights, said this “new partnership further bolsters Banijay’s commitment and expertise in scripted programming, and capitalizes on the continued growth we are witnessing in the drama market.”
The first drama to be co-developed by both companies is “Stonehouse,” a spy thriller series based on an idea by John Preston, the author of “A Very English Scandal.”
The series will revolve around the true story of John Stonehouse, the former...
Under the pact, Banjiay Rights and Wood will work together to develop and produce all of Clearwood Films’ TV series for the U.K. and international markets. Banijay Rights will also handle international sales on the shows.
Caroline Torrance, the head of scripted at Banijay Rights, said this “new partnership further bolsters Banijay’s commitment and expertise in scripted programming, and capitalizes on the continued growth we are witnessing in the drama market.”
The first drama to be co-developed by both companies is “Stonehouse,” a spy thriller series based on an idea by John Preston, the author of “A Very English Scandal.”
The series will revolve around the true story of John Stonehouse, the former...
- 3/28/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The 31st-annual USC Libraries Scripter Award honored the year’s best film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based, at a black-tie ceremony on Saturday in the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library at the University of Southern California. This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics (for which I vote) is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race.
Last year’s Scripter winners were “Call Me by Your Name” screenwriter James Ivory (who won the Oscar), and author André Aciman; past winners include “Moonlight,” “The Big Short,” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact, the past eight Scripter Award winners have gone on to win Oscars.
Not this year. Amazon Studios’ limited series “A Very English Scandal,” adapted by Russell T Davies from the book by John Preston, took home the USC Libraries Scripter Award for television, which already competed in the 2018 Emmy race.
Last year’s Scripter winners were “Call Me by Your Name” screenwriter James Ivory (who won the Oscar), and author André Aciman; past winners include “Moonlight,” “The Big Short,” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact, the past eight Scripter Award winners have gone on to win Oscars.
Not this year. Amazon Studios’ limited series “A Very English Scandal,” adapted by Russell T Davies from the book by John Preston, took home the USC Libraries Scripter Award for television, which already competed in the 2018 Emmy race.
- 2/10/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Bleecker Street’s Leave No Trace took home the movie prize for best adapted screenplay and Russell T Davies and author John Preston won the TV award for BBC/Amazon’s A Very English Scandal tonight at the 31st annual USC Scripter Awards.
The awards honor the authors of printed works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories.
This year’s film honor, which presented to screenwriters Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, and Peter Rock, whose novel My Abandonment the script was based, will break the Scripter’s eight-year winning streak of winners going on to victory at the Oscars: Leave No Trace can’t win an Academy Award because it wasn’t nominated in the category.
Granik directed the pic, which stars Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie as a military veteran father and his daughter living an unconventional life off-the-grid...
The awards honor the authors of printed works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories.
This year’s film honor, which presented to screenwriters Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, and Peter Rock, whose novel My Abandonment the script was based, will break the Scripter’s eight-year winning streak of winners going on to victory at the Oscars: Leave No Trace can’t win an Academy Award because it wasn’t nominated in the category.
Granik directed the pic, which stars Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie as a military veteran father and his daughter living an unconventional life off-the-grid...
- 2/10/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
“Leave No Trace” has won the USC Libraries Scripter Award for best movie adaptation and “A Very English Scandal” took the television award.
“Leave No Trace,” was adapted by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, based on the 2009 novel “My Abandonment” by Peter Rock. “A Very English Scandal” was adapted by Russell T. Davies from John Preston’s book.
Granik also directed “Leave No Trace,” which stars Ben Foster as an Iraq War veteran suffering from Ptsd and Thomasin McKenzie as his 13-year-old daughter living in isolation in a public park in Portland, Ore., and then in the trackless woods.
The winners were announced Saturday night at USC’s Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library. “Leave No Trace” topped “Black Panther,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” “The Death of Stalin,” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.
“A Very English Scandal,” which centers on the Jeremy Thorpe scandal of the mid 1970s,...
“Leave No Trace,” was adapted by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, based on the 2009 novel “My Abandonment” by Peter Rock. “A Very English Scandal” was adapted by Russell T. Davies from John Preston’s book.
Granik also directed “Leave No Trace,” which stars Ben Foster as an Iraq War veteran suffering from Ptsd and Thomasin McKenzie as his 13-year-old daughter living in isolation in a public park in Portland, Ore., and then in the trackless woods.
The winners were announced Saturday night at USC’s Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library. “Leave No Trace” topped “Black Panther,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” “The Death of Stalin,” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.
“A Very English Scandal,” which centers on the Jeremy Thorpe scandal of the mid 1970s,...
- 2/10/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Leave No Trace” has been named 2018’s best page-to-screen adaptation at the 31st Annual USC Libraries Scripter Award ceremony, which took place on the USC campus on Saturday night.
The award is given to both the screenwriters of a film and the author of the work on which the film is based, meaning the Scripter went to writer-director Debra Granik, screenwriter Anne Rosellini and author Peter Rock, who wrote the 2009 novel “Abandonment” from which the film was adapted.
The win was the result of a vote from a selection committee of critics, authors, screenwriters, producers and academics chaired by USC professor and former WGA, West president Howard Rodman. The victory for “Leave No Trace” came as something of a surprise, with the acclaimed indie beating two Oscar nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay, “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Also Read: 'Leave No Trace' Film Review:...
The award is given to both the screenwriters of a film and the author of the work on which the film is based, meaning the Scripter went to writer-director Debra Granik, screenwriter Anne Rosellini and author Peter Rock, who wrote the 2009 novel “Abandonment” from which the film was adapted.
The win was the result of a vote from a selection committee of critics, authors, screenwriters, producers and academics chaired by USC professor and former WGA, West president Howard Rodman. The victory for “Leave No Trace” came as something of a surprise, with the acclaimed indie beating two Oscar nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay, “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Also Read: 'Leave No Trace' Film Review:...
- 2/10/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The USC Libraries has revealed the finalists for the 31st-annual USC Libraries Scripter Award, which honors the year’s best film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based. This group of academics, industry professionals and critics (for which I vote) is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race.
Last year’s Scripter winners were “Call Me by Your Name” screenwriter James Ivory (who won the Oscar), and author André Aciman; past winners include “Moonlight,” “The Big Short” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact the past eight Scripter Award winners have gone on to win Oscars.
The finalist writers for film adaptation (listed in alphabetical order by film title):
Screenwriters Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole for “Black Panther,” based on the character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Screenwriters Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty and author Lee Israel...
Last year’s Scripter winners were “Call Me by Your Name” screenwriter James Ivory (who won the Oscar), and author André Aciman; past winners include “Moonlight,” “The Big Short” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact the past eight Scripter Award winners have gone on to win Oscars.
The finalist writers for film adaptation (listed in alphabetical order by film title):
Screenwriters Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole for “Black Panther,” based on the character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Screenwriters Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty and author Lee Israel...
- 1/15/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The USC Libraries has unveiled the finalists for the 31st annual Scripter Awards, which honor the year’s best adapted screenplays in film and television along with the works on which they are based. Winners will be announced at a ceremony February 9 at USC’s Doheny Library
This year, a tie in the TV voting resulted in six nominees. Overall, the 2019 Scripter selection committee chose finalists from a field of 90 film and 55 television adaptations.
Last year, the group chose James Ivory’s Call Me By Your Name based on André Aciman original novel on the film side, and Bruce Miller for adapting Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in TV. The latter duo is nominated again this year.
Here’s the full list of this year’s noms:
Film
Black Panther
Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, based on the character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Disney...
This year, a tie in the TV voting resulted in six nominees. Overall, the 2019 Scripter selection committee chose finalists from a field of 90 film and 55 television adaptations.
Last year, the group chose James Ivory’s Call Me By Your Name based on André Aciman original novel on the film side, and Bruce Miller for adapting Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in TV. The latter duo is nominated again this year.
Here’s the full list of this year’s noms:
Film
Black Panther
Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, based on the character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Disney...
- 1/15/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Black Panther,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” “The Death of Stalin,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and “Leave No Trace” have received nominations for the USC Libraries Scripter Award for best movie adaptation.
Due to a tie, six noms were announced on Tuesday in the television category for episodes of “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Looming Tower,” “Patrick Melrose,” “Sharp Objects,” and “A Very English Scandal.”
The Scripter Awards, now in their 31st year, honor the year’s best film and television adaptations, along with the works on which they are based. The USC Libraries will announce the winners on Feb. 9 at the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library.
The scripts for “Black Panther,” “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” received nominations on Jan. 7 for the Writers Guild of America’s adapted screenplay award, along with “A Star Is Born” and “BlacKkKlansman.
Due to a tie, six noms were announced on Tuesday in the television category for episodes of “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Looming Tower,” “Patrick Melrose,” “Sharp Objects,” and “A Very English Scandal.”
The Scripter Awards, now in their 31st year, honor the year’s best film and television adaptations, along with the works on which they are based. The USC Libraries will announce the winners on Feb. 9 at the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library.
The scripts for “Black Panther,” “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” received nominations on Jan. 7 for the Writers Guild of America’s adapted screenplay award, along with “A Star Is Born” and “BlacKkKlansman.
- 1/15/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
If the state of things today is a source of frustration, know that Russell T. Davies is right there with you. “What a mad world we live in at the moment. Everything seems to get hotter and madder and stranger and faster,” he said to IndieWire the day his new miniseries, “A Very English Scandal,” began streaming on Amazon Prime.
The openly gay Welsh writer pointed to the current global sports obsession as just one example of that. “We’re all hopping around Russia celebrating because the World Cup’s there, and all the stuff about the politics of Russia seems to have been forgotten,” he said. “My nighttime television is now full of people celebrating all over Russia, a country that’ll happily lock men like me up. Before the World Cup, we were all going, ‘Oh, is it right to forgive them their laws on homosexual rights? Should...
The openly gay Welsh writer pointed to the current global sports obsession as just one example of that. “We’re all hopping around Russia celebrating because the World Cup’s there, and all the stuff about the politics of Russia seems to have been forgotten,” he said. “My nighttime television is now full of people celebrating all over Russia, a country that’ll happily lock men like me up. Before the World Cup, we were all going, ‘Oh, is it right to forgive them their laws on homosexual rights? Should...
- 7/1/2018
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
Regarded by those who can still remember it as one of the most baffling, shocking and, at times, utterly ridiculous incidents of the 1970s, the Jeremy Thorpe affair became one of the most talked about political scandals of the decade. Despite thousands of column inches, countless books and even a BBC Panorama special on the subject, people are fascinated to this day by the story of how one of the most promising politicians in the country found himself in the docks accused of attempting to have a former gay lover murdered to stop him from going public about the relationship.
Almost 40 years after the scandal first broke, a new 3 part mini series starring Hugh Grant as former Liberal Democrat Leader and North Devon MP Jeremy Thorpe, and Ben Whishaw as his former gay lover Norman Scott, is about to hit the small screen. The series which is based on John Preston...
Almost 40 years after the scandal first broke, a new 3 part mini series starring Hugh Grant as former Liberal Democrat Leader and North Devon MP Jeremy Thorpe, and Ben Whishaw as his former gay lover Norman Scott, is about to hit the small screen. The series which is based on John Preston...
- 5/16/2018
- by Linda Marric
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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