“I’M afraid we don’t have very much time.”
Sir Harry speaks for all Spooks fans in episode two of the final series.
As those sands of time continue to flow inexorably towards The End.
Category Archive: News
SPOOKS returns for its farewell series at 9pm tonight.
With the BBC1 schedulers placing Sir Harry and his team head-to-head against ITV1 drama sensation Downton Abbey.
So far I’ve seen the first two episodes of both Spooks 10 and Downton Abbey 2.
As I’ve said before, I hope drama fans ignore the hyped-up “rivalry” and find the time to watch both.
Geoffrey Streatfeild joins the Spooks regulars this evening as Calum Reed.
JUST under 36 hours to go now until the second series of Downton Abbey begins on ITV1.
As promised, below is my latest feature – published today in the MEN.
A trip north to see Stephen Tompkinson on location between Manchester and Leeds.
He was filming the first full series of ITV1 drama DCI Banks after two pilot episodes last autumn.
Where I also spoke to co-star Andrea Lowe, who re-lives her own real life fire nightmare in the opening story.
And I learned how filming had to be stopped when it was feared the stars were in danger.
My feature is in today’s MEN and below.
Sitting in his trailer, Stephen also compared modern day detective Alan Banks to Gene Hunt.
IT’S back and, I’m pleased to report, better than ever.
Downton Abbey series two begins on ITV1 on Sunday September 18.
My first MEN feature on this much anticipated return is below.
“THIS is a true story. What follows is based on extensive research, interviews and published accounts.
“Some scenes have been created for the purpose of dramatisation.”
So begins Appropriate Adult, ITV1’s two-part Fred West drama.
Or rather the story of how trainee social worker Janet Leach was plunged into the nightmare world of serial killers Fred and Rose West.
I watched both 90 minute instalments of the two-part production in one sitting earlier this month and was hugely impressed by the way it had been handled.
SCHOOL’S out for Waterloo Road in Rochdale.
Production of the drama is to move to Scotland, although how that will be explained on screen is still not clear.
My English exclusive story on the end of an era for the BBC1 show is in today’s MEN here.
With a fuller version below:
DOWNTON Abbey returns for a second series in the UK next month.
My report and photos from last Friday’s Press Launch at Highclere Castle are here.
Among those I spoke to was new Downton recruit Amy Nuttall.
An early taste of the interview – with mild spoilers – was published in Tuesday’s Manchester Evening News, but has yet to go online.
So let’s put that right below, shall we?
AND so we say farewell to The Royal.
ITV1’s long-running 1960s’ drama ended on Sunday evening with a cliffhanger worthy of the Scarborough rocks by the real life location for Elsinby’s St Aidan’s Royal Free Hospital.
Stabbed Dr Gordon Ormerod (Robert Daws) lay at death’s door on the operating table as Mr Rose (Denis Lill) battled to save his life.
Gordon’s tearful wife Dr Jill Weatherill (Amy Robbins) watching through a window, supported by ever marvellous Matron (Wendy Craig).
“YOU’LL find there’s never a dull moment in this house.”
Just one of many classic new lines from Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) in the second series of Downton Abbey.
The press were invited to Downton on Friday for the launch of the eight-part 2011 series, which will be followed by a Christmas special.
Or rather Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the real life location for the “upstairs” scenes in ITV1’s Yorkshire-set global hit.
Life of Wylie 