SO Sir Harry survived.
As Hermione Norris (Ros) told me recently: “Spooks without Harry Pearce would be non-existent.”
Fans knew in advance that Ruth was returning.
The big surprise in episode one was Malcolm walking away from The Grid after his decision to retire.
Is that the last we will ever see of him?
Episode two includes the arrival of Malcolm’s replacement Tariq Masood, played by Shazad Latif.
THE end of an era for Doctor Who approached on a screen in central London today.
“It’s been something that I’ll be forever proud of,” David Tennant told us afterwards.
“Filming the very, very final scenes was very sad.”
The Waters Of Mars is as dark and as thrilling an episode of Doctor Who as any I’ve ever seen.
It’s the second of four farewell specials starring David as the tenth Time Lord.
And it foreshadows his departure in a final two-part story to be screened at Christmas.
The hour-long episode, premiered at the press launch today, will be broadcast on BBC1 at 7pm on Sunday Nov 15.
There’s a full transcript below of this morning’s post-screening Q&A with David and outgoing Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.
But first a little background.
THERE was a knock on the dressing room door while I was interviewing Richard Armitage on set for the new series of Spooks.
Yet another crisis had engulfed the small MI5 team responsible for saving us, and the rest of the world, on a weekly basis.
In the face of global warming and the threat of nuclear war, one more vital resource had run out at Thames House.
“There’s a milk shortage on The Grid,” apologised Richard.
So without the benefit of tea, we carried on.
You’d have been proud.
Today’s TV feature on Richard, who plays Lucas North, and the new series is here.
As ever, space was tighter than the Spooks’ milk budget.
So dedicated Spooks – and Richard Armitage fans – may like to read some of the extras below.
REGULAR readers of The Life of Wylie blog over on the MEN Movable Type platform may have been wondering where I’ve been for the last fortnight.
The simple answer is – I’ve gone freelance.
There’s a full explanation here and you can check out today’s first small step as a freelance over at The Guardian’s TV&Radio Blog here.
For those who want to know more about Murderland, check out the below.
Welcome to the new home for Life of Wylie. Archives dating back to June 2006 have been imported […]
THE final is tonight – as Barack Obama marks his 100th day in office.
No-one can accuse judge John Amaechi of failing to promote The Speaker.
He was on BBC Breakfast again this morning, along with the three finalists.
(Actually published on Feb 14 2010. Please open and read in full)
THE full archive of Life of Wylie Ashes To Ashes blog posts for 2007, 2008 and ALL of 2009 is here.
My original blog was hosted by the Movable Type platform used by the MEN but now has a new home here at Wordpress…
“WHAT do you mean, she’s given up fighting?”
Alex Drake stares down the barrel at another bullet in episode three of Ashes To Ashes.
But this time it’s not Arthur Layton pulling the trigger.
GEORGE Best was a charming man.
He’s played by Tom Payne in a new TV drama tonight.
In the 25 years or so before his death, I met and interviewed George a number of times.
Including the morning after his infamous drunken appearance on BBC1’s Wogan chat show in September 1990.
That day’s tabloid headlines had already made their minds up.
Disgraced George had gone too far this time with his foul-mouthed boozed up performance on live TV.
So the morning after the night before, I rang his home in Chelsea.
George’s, then, girlfriend Mary Shatila answered the phone and told me they were about to leave for Manchester.
I met up with them on the concourse at Euston station in London.
Where George, then aged 44, was mobbed by adoring fans.
MIDSOMER Murders has a celebrity fan in Stephen Fry.
Who has also revealed something you might not expect from a devoted user of Twitter.
At the Kingdom press launch this week we learned about some of Stephen’s TV favourites.
And the more unusual spots where he catches up with them.
“I am very happy to sit and watch two hours of Midsomer Murders, or Doc Martin or Marple, especially as I am such a fan of Agatha Christie.
“I love a good whodunit,” he said.
“I also loved Ken Stott’s Messiah and Cracker and Prime Suspect and Wire In The Blood, Trial and Retribution and things that are dark and pretty heavy.
“When I’m away I fill my laptop with TV so that I can enjoy viewing when I am in the Bush.
Life of Wylie 