lovem3

“DO not go gentle into that good night.”

There’s no drifting away in new TV drama series Love And Marriage.

The six part serial follows three generations of the Paradise family and has every chance of becoming another drama hit for ITV.

Written by Stewart Harcourt and directed by Debbie Isitt and Roger Goldby, it begins with Pauline Paradise (Alison Steadman) retiring from her job as a school lollipop lady.

She’s married to ‘Silent Ken’ (Duncan Preston) – a man of few words and, it appears, even fewer to say to his wife after 41 years of marriage.

As Alison Steadman explained at the press launch: “They forget to look and see the other person.”

Frankie

“THE world is my patient.”

Meet Frankie, played by Eve Myles.

District nurse, small town heroine and Ken Bruce addict.

Who loves to boogie at any time of the day or night.

The tracks of her years begin on BBC1 at 9pm tomorrow (Tuesday May 14) in a new six-part drama series written by Lucy Gannon.

The Fall

“THEY don’t know him. But he knows them.”

The Fall is one of the most compelling drama series I’ve seen in recent years.

A top class script matched by superb cast performances, direction by Jakob Verbruggen, editing, soundtrack and anything else you’d care to pick from the end credits.

David Tennant as Aiden Hoynes.
David Tennant as Aiden Hoynes.

AN invite to the premiere press screening of The Politician’s Husband last Friday night.

Followed by a Q&A with acclaimed writer Paula Milne, whose many credits include White Heat, The Night Watch and The Politician’s Wife.

We were shown the first two episodes, of three in total.

Including terrific performances from David Tennant and Emily Watson.

The series begins on BBC2 at 9pm tonight (Thursday April 25) and comes recommended.

Below is the story I wrote the next morning, which subsequently appeared here this week.

Followed by my transcript of that Q&A with Paula, hosted by BBC Drama boss Ben Stephenson.

Bailey & Scott.
Bailey & Scott.

SCOTT & Bailey series three begins on ITV at 9pm this Wednesday.

I’ve seen the first four episodes (of eight in total) and all involved have raised the bar once again.

For what it’s worth, I think it’s the best series yet.

It was my pleasure to carry out the cast interviews for ITV’s Production Notes / Press Pack.

The Village

“MY name is Bert Middleton. I’m the second oldest man in Britain.

“This is the last thing I’ll do so you better listen carefully…”

Old Bert (David Ryall) talks to a modern day TV documentary crew in the opening moments of new BBC1 drama serial The Village.

Before we go back to the summer of 1914.

“The summer the bus came.”

Lacey Turner as Molly Dawes.
Lacey Turner as Molly Dawes.

FALL in you horrible lot…

Our Girl is a 90-minute drama on BBC1 at 9pm this Sunday.

Written by Tony Grounds and starring Lacey Turner, I highly recommend it.

A story of one young person’s struggle and hope for the future.

You can learn more in my story below, published the day after the London press launch earlier this month.

Followed by my transcript of the Q&A with Lacey, Tony and producer Ken Horn.

Doctor Who - Series 7B

“AND the Doctor’s greatest secret will be revealed.”

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat speaking at a London press conference last Friday morning.

The content of which was embargoed until now, just after midnight in the early hours of Monday, together with the new pics which also feature on this page.

We were shown The Bells of Saint John – the opening episode of series 7b – written by Steven Moffat.

To be screened on BBC1 and BBC America on Saturday March 30.

The media preview was followed by that Q&A with Matt Smith (the Doctor), Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara) and Steven Moffat.

You can read my full transcript further down this blog, edited to remove any major spoilers.

Luke Newberry as Kieren Walker.
Luke Newberry as Kieren Walker.

IT looked like it would be an intriguing drama.

And lived up to expectations.

In The Flesh is a three-part BBC3 series starting at 10pm on Sunday (March 17) and also heading to BBC America.

It’s been trailed as a zombie drama but is much more than that.

Written by first-time TV writer Dominic Mitchell and directed by Jonny Campbell, it stars Luke Newberry as Kieren Walker and Emily Bevan as Amy Dyer.

Idris Elba as John Luther.
Idris Elba as John Luther.

THE stars of BBC Drama gathered in London last night for a preview of what is to come in 2013.

Along with leading writers, directors, producers and executives.

With members of Her Majesty’s Media – me included – also invited along to the event at The King’s Fund in Cavendish Square.