Author: ianwylie

Spooks: Richard Armitage Extras

Richard Armitage as Lucas

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.

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Murderland: Robbie Coltrane

Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane

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.

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George Best: This Charming Man


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.

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Midsomer Murders, Stephen Fry and Twitter


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.

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An Hour With Stephen Fry


IF you could bottle the spirit of Stephen Fry, the world would be a much better place.
I was lucky enough to be among a small group of journalists who spent an hour with him this morning.
The occasion was the London Studios press launch for series three of ITV1’s Kingdom, on screen this summer.
We saw the first episode, which was surprisingly poignant and moving.
Then in walked Mr Fry for a press conference.
As you can see from this ITV pic taken at the event, he’s looking very well after losing five-and-a-half stone since the end of last year.
I’ve attended Q&As with Stephen before.
Today he was again on top form, giving us the benefit of that brilliant mind, while stressing that he’s a normal flawed human being, just like everyone else.

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Ashes To Ashes: Death Of A Princess


CAN we trust the Gene Genie?

You’ll get the answer in episode two of the new series of Ashes To Ashes.

I’ve just watched a preview DVD for a second time, having left several days to get over a jaw-dropping moment the first time I saw it.

In particular, a word that rocks Gene back on his heels.

As usual, I won’t spoil the work of Ashes co-creator and episode writer Matthew Graham by revealing it in advance.

But just watch what Ray (Dean Andrews) does in the split second cut to the next scene.

Attention to detail is just one of the many reasons why I love Ashes To Ashes.
In a world where, yes…everything is still significant.

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