“YOU know what? I just love the miracle days.”
It begins tonight with both an expanded regular cast and hospital world.
If you liked Monroe the first time around, then you’re going to love series two.
Creator and writer Peter Bowker is always a guarantee of top quality drama.
And Monroe is one of the very best things you will see on British television.
“I’m looking forward to all sorts of things,” exclaims Matthew Crawley.
He’s talking to his wife-to-be Lady Mary in the first episode of Downton Abbey series three.
I’m guessing you’re also looking forward to all sorts of Downton fun in the coming weeks.
So you will find only the mildest of spoilers below.
Will Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) wedding go ahead without a hitch?
Or will there be last minute complications?
Can Downton be saved in the face of a financial crisis?
And how long before Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle) hits his cell mate?
I saw the 90 minute opening episode and highlights from the rest of the series at the London press launch way back in July.
The verdict of the massed ranks of Her Majesty’s Press?
Julian Fellowes’ Downton is very much back on top form.
I know Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and co have their critics.
But, frankly, I could watch Mr Carson (Jim Carter) saying, “That treacle tart just hit the spot,” all night long.
“I did feel an extra responsibility to get this right,” says Outnumbered star Claire Skinner.
“I’ve rarely been so proud to be part of something,” adds Clare Higgins, currently on screen in Parade’s End.
Both are talking about their roles in new six-part ITV1 drama series Homefront.
As the name suggests, it focuses on the home lives of Army wives and also their husbands, partners, brothers and sons when they’re not fighting in Afghanistan.
I interviewed Claire and Clare for the ITV press pack / production notes along with Nicola Stephenson, Antonia Thomas, Warren Brown, George Costigan, Greg Wise and producer Kim Crowther.
The Bletchley Circle is an intriguing three-part drama which begins on ITV1 at 9pm this Thursday (Sept 6).
And also the second of the four ITV Drama press packs I worked on this summer.
Including my interviews with lead cast members Anna Maxwell Martin, Rachael Stirling, Sophie Rundle and Julie Graham.
Plus producer Jake Lushington, writer Guy Burt and costume designer Anna Robbins.
The second of my ITV Drama Press Pack interviews:
“If there was ever a story that typified that crime doesn’t pay, this would be it,” says Daniel Mays.
“It’s a controversial story. Ronnie Biggs divides opinion, even to this day. To some he represents a folk hero. But others said, ‘Lock him up and throw away the key.’
“My biggest challenge is to test people’s pre-conceived ideas of who he is. It’s such an incredible story and it merits being told.”
I’ve been lucky enough this summer to write the interviews for four ITV Drama press packs – otherwise known as production notes.
One of the projects was Mrs Biggs, a superb five-part series which begins on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesday September 5 with a 90 minute opening episode.
Back in February I interviewed the real Mrs Biggs – Charmian – who acted as a consultant on the drama.
And followed that with later interviews involving Sheridan Smith, who plays her on screen, Daniel Mays (Ronnie Biggs) plus writer and executive producer Jeff Pope.
COMEDIAN, actor and writer Eric Sykes died today after a short illness. He was 89.
I last met him in the summer of 2005 ahead of the autumn broadcast of an ITV1 South Bank Show profile.
That interview appeared in the the Manchester Evening News a month or so later – and is online below.
NO time machines were required when Matt Smith travelled back to the London Olympics of 1948.
An era of post-war austerity, rationing and that certain kind of British spirit.
Bert And Dickie is a BBC1 drama telling the real life story of two young men from different sides of the river.
Bert Bushnell, played by Matt, was a “chippy” single sculler from Maidenhead in search of solo Olympic glory.
Instead finding himself paired with Eton and Oxford educated Dickie Burnell (Sam Hoare) in the double sculls.
SHE’S the legend of the Streetcars’ switch who is never seen.
But has had plenty to say since she discovered the wonders of Twitter.
Actor Steve Huison knows her better than most.
I spoke to him again recently ahead of his Manchester stage performance this week.
ONE of my earliest encounters with Brenda Blethyn was when she played Miriam Dervish in Outside Edge.
She gave full interview value then and has done so ever since.
While retaining that mischievous twinkle in her eye and ability to giggle.
We met up again earlier this year to talk all things Vera – ahead of the drama’s return to ITV1 at 9pm this Sunday night.
Life of Wylie 