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.
SOME TV dramas divide opinion more than most.
White Heat appears to have fallen into that category over the last six weeks.
I almost gave up on this BBC2 series after the second episode.
And am now very glad I didn’t.
Tonight’s (Thursday April 12) final hour repays the investment viewers have put in to the previous five.
It began filming in east London last summer just before riots broke out in Britain’s cities.
A four-part BBC1 drama with something important to say about misconceptions, stereotypes, jumping to conclusions, gang culture, the consequences of our actions and the way we live today.
Screened this week, One Night was acclaimed by many who saw it as one of the best television dramas of 2012 to date, set to live long in the memory.
Including a stunning performance by young actor Billy Matthews as 13-year-old birthday boy Alfie – his first ever TV role.
So why did the schedulers relegate the haunting drama series from 9pm primetime to a 10:35pm graveyard slot?
“THERE’S a lot of worries about at the moment.
“I can look at poverty and wealth. That’s what this series gives me the ability to be able to do.”
Can money bring you happiness?
Writer Kay Mellor has something to say about that in BBC1 drama The Syndicate, which begins at 9pm tonight (Tuesday March 27).
HOW is your blood pressure today?
You only have to watch BBC2’s current documentary series The Tube to discover how stressed many London commuters are.
And then there’s kitchen salesman Ted, played by Douglas Hodge, in new TV drama One Night.
“THE truth will surface.”
Titanic is about to set sail on screen in 86 countries.
ITV1 viewers in the UK will see the new £11m production as a four part serial, starting at 9pm on Sunday March 25.
With the final episode broadcast on Sunday April 15 – exactly 100 years to the day that Titanic sank in the Atlantic.
It begins in Canada on Wed March 21.
While ABC viewers in America have to wait until April 14.
IT was acclaimed as one of the best drama series of last year.
Becoming the highest rated new British TV drama of 2011 with 9.4 million viewers.
And returns next week for a second series, this time of eight episodes.
I’m pleased to report that Scott & Bailey 2012 is on fine form with an extra spring in its step.
Not least thanks to the performances of leading ladies Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp.
Plus Amelia Bullmore as their boss Gill Murray.
CHARMIAN Brent is a remarkable woman with quite a story to tell.
She’s known to the world as Charmian Biggs, the wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.
The couple divorced in 1976 and she has continued to live in Australia.
But to many their lives remain entwined.
Now ITV are to tell the story in detail from Charmian’s perspective for the first time.
Today it was officially confirmed that Sheridan Smith will play the title role in five-part drama Mrs Biggs.
“THIS is London…”
A BBC Radio announcer and the chimes of Big Ben herald the return of Upstairs Downstairs.
Its first full BBC1 series following the three episodes screened at Christmas 2010.
Keeley Hawes (Lady Agnes Holland) and Ed Stoppard (Sir Hallam Holland) again lead the line upstairs at 165 Eaton Place.
With Alex Kingston arriving in episode one as Dr Blanche Mottershead, the younger sister of Lady Holland.
IT was the highest rated new British TV drama of 2011.
And is due to return to our screens next month (March).
I spent several days last month interviewing the cast of Scott & Bailey series two.
Nine interviews in total for the new series ITV Press Pack.
Life of Wylie 