IT is all go once again in Cranford.
The first Monday morning of British Summer Time brought some good news…about Christmas 2009.
That’s when we’ll see a new two-part BBC1 Cranford Christmas special.
Sadly, there can be no return for Philip Glenister, Sir Michael Gambon or Dame Eileen Atkins.
Their characters all died in the original award-winning serial, screened last year.
But Dame Judi Dench will reprise her role as spinster Miss Matty Jenkyns in the serial based on three novels by Knutsford-raised Elizabeth Gaskell.
She will be joined by Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Francesca Annis and Julia McKenzie for the special.
Mrs Gaskell, who later lived in Longsight, based Cranford on Knutsford and told the story against the backdrop of the Manchester railway on its way to Cheshire.
Month: March 2008
IF you were hooked by Ashes To Ashes, then there’s one essential bookmark to have on the world wide interweb.
Fans at The Railway Arms have been able to take ownership of both Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes.
At the same time they’ve exposed some of the nonsense spouted by certain headline-grabbing TV “critics”.
It demonstrates a healthy shift in power from those with an axe to grind and column to fill, to viewers who are more intelligent than many in the media and TV world think.
As Alex Drake said: “Imagine that.”
A number of the posts are more eloquent and perceptive than anything you will read elsewhere.
Is Gene Hunt real? Will the clown return for series two? And did you realise Philip Glenister’s eyes are the colour of the sea?
CAST members have been talking about it for some time.
But here is the actual official announcement of a second series for Ashes To Ashes.
Series two begins filming, as expected, this summer and will be on screen next year.
Below is the release issued just a few minutes ago.
Also click here for the online version of today’s final MEN series one feature.
ONCE there were five. Now only four remain.
Viewers saw police detective Jon Young (second from right) killed off in Sunday’s first episode of ITV1’s He Kills Coppers.
But actor Liam Garrigan didn’t mind his short-lived role.
“I get to be the catalyst for what happens in the second and third episode,” he told us at the series press launch.
Rafe Spall (also pictured below) is another one of the cast members.
The son of Timothy Spall plays troubled and corrupted Sixties’ police detective Frank Taylor.
Frank begins the search for police killer Billy Porter in next Sunday’s episode, with the action then moving on from 1966 to 1971.
Jake Arnott wrote the novel on which this three-part drama is based and was also responsible for BBC2’s The Long Firm.
He explained the background at that press launch.
WHEN the TV awards are handed out next year, two names should be at the head of the list.
Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes have brought Gene Hunt and Alex Drake alive on screen.
Which is quite an achievement when you step back and consider the basic premise of Ashes To Ashes.
The relationship between Gene and Alex ranges from exasperation to genuine affection and love.
No more so than in this week’s series finale.
If you haven’t done so already, you can read my preview of the final episode here.
Regular readers will know of my admiration for Keeley Hawes’ acting.
FORMER Coronation Street star Bruce Jones admits he’s found it hard to escape the shadow of layabout Les Battersby.
In a revealing edition of Celebrity Wife Swap tomorrow night, he says his wife Sandra calls him Les every morning.
She even reckons her idle husband – axed from the show last year – must have written some of the Corrie scripts.
“He wasn’t acting,” insists Sandra.
Bruce broke down in tears while filming the swap with former pop star Sinitta, as you can read in the online version of yesterday’s MEN Pg 3 story here.
Our Good Friday story – see image below – has been picked up by others today.
It’s also sparked a debate on the main MEN site about whether Street bosses should have a change of heart and bring Les back.
ALEX Drake takes the long way home in the final episode of Ashes To Ashes.
Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes said it would be a very good and satisfying ending.
They weren’t wrong.
The final hour of series one, written by Ashley Pharoah, is a classic.
Among many highlights is a speech from the unbreakable Gene Hunt destined to be carved in the annals of TV history.
He also provides a last line to warm the hearts of Gene fans across the globe.
Chris ends up locked in a cell with, among others, Lord Scarman and music star Tom Robinson.
As with Life On Mars, there are echoes and mirrors from the very first episode.
And a revelation that turns Alex’s view of the world upside down, much like the camera angle in the opening moments some eight weeks ago.
THE headline today seems pretty clear.
“Corrie to plan a stage musical.”
But before you rush off to buy best available in the Royal Circle, I should let you know something.
It’s not true.
The tabloid responsible for the story about a Coronation Street invasion of the West End is just a touch off key.
ITV executive Dawn Airey often talks about exploiting the network’s key brands in more effective and creative ways.
And she was thinking aloud recently about what might follow the example of Bad Girls: The Musical.
Dawn was quoted as saying: “Loose Women would be ideal.
LIFE behind the cameras is often not what you might expect.
Actors are real human beings, with all the flaws and insecurities that go with that.
Never make the mistake of confusing performers with the characters they play on screen.
It is all, quite literally, an act.
Never more so than with Steptoe and Son.
Manchester-raised Harry H. Corbett and co-star Wilfrid Brambell were loved by millions.
But they became trapped together by the very success that made them national treasures.
Whatever your plans for tonight, do not miss The Curse Of Steptoe (BBC4, 9pm).
It’s a brilliant drama about the tragedy of Harry and Wilfrid, with marvellous performances from Jason Isaacs and Phil Davis.
RAISED eyebrows at 8am today as the nominations were revealed for next month’s BAFTA TV Awards.
Cranford deservedly received the most nominations and should do well on the night.
But this year it’s also about who was NOT nominated.
No Ant and Dec this year or Jonathan Ross, on top form in 2007 but perhaps too rude for BAFTA.
And nothing for Coronation Street – left out of the battle for Best Continuing Drama for the first time in a decade.
So no trip to London for the Rovers Return regulars. They’ll have to watch the glittering ceremony on the telly.
Meanwhile EastEnders, The Bill, Holby City and last year’s winners Emmerdale get to sit in the posh seats.
The Corrie snub is set to spark quite a debate, not least on the pages of the MEN.
Life of Wylie 