ONE of the busiest times of year for below stairs journalists who write about TV.
With Christmas deadlines fast approaching.
Including transcribing and writing up interviews with many of the stars of the BBC line-up officially made public yesterday.
So not much time to post a detailed blog today.
Instead, I thought some might like to see these newly released images of BBC1’s Upstairs Downstairs.
PIRATES of the Caribbean star Mackenzie Crook sips a cup of tea as the sun streams in from the garden behind him.
June 3 2010 in north London, just around the corner from his own house – once owned by Peter Sellers.
“It wasn’t the reason we bought it,” he smiles. “We decided to buy the house and then found out that Peter Sellers had lived there in the fifties, for about three years.
“I love that about it. I’ve got a great set of photos from when he lived there. A journalist came round and interviewed him and took photos of him in the house.
“So I’ve got a nice photo of Peter Sellers opening my front door.”
Mackenzie was here to talk about his role in the second story of Jimmy McGovern’s new drama series Accused on BBC1 next Monday.
YOU are going to be seeing a lot more of Stephen Lord.
Not just in his latest TV role in BBC1’s Casualty.
But in a range of projects, too numerous to fit in to today’s Manchester Evening News feature below.
Stephen’s CV includes playing Jonno in Common As Muck – one of my all-time favourite series, written by former binman William Ivory.
BACK from a screening plus Q&A tonight for new BBC1 drama series Accused.
With writer Jimmy McGovern, producer Sita Williams and actor Christopher Eccleston, who plays Willy in the first story next Monday.
I asked Jimmy about his recent comments that TV drama should say more about the world we live in today and not rely on costumes, irony and pastiche.
Taken as a criticism of, among other dramas, Downton Abbey – which he has never seen.
What was his reaction to the flak his comments attracted?
THERE was a lot of love in the room for Coronation Street last night.
A special event at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank, hosted by both the BFI and BAFTA, to salute the longest running drama serial in the world.
It began with a big screen outing for the first three episodes, originally broadcast half a century ago.
Followed by an hour-long panel discussion featuring Tony Warren – “the father of Coronation Street” – plus current producer Phil Collinson, executive producer Kieran Roberts and cast members Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and David Neilson (Roy Cropper).
Which threw up several interesting stories, including an explantion by Phil of how the axeman does not cometh when a new producer arrives.
With some “terrified” cast members hiding from him when he began the job earlier this year.
IT appears Terry Waite has warmed to The Royle Family.
Creators Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash tell tonight how they were worried about offending the former Beirut hostage in their last Christmas Day BBC1 special.
In what’s billed as their first major TV interview together, they recall the Royle quiz in a caravan during The Golden Egg Cup:
IT’S no secret that Christopher Eccleston is one of my favourite actors.
Maybe yours too?
He’s a class act and as intelligent off screen as on.
I spoke to him recently – on the day after the government’s spending cuts were announced – about his role in episode one of Jimmy McGovern’s new BBC1 series Accused.
Which includes his character Willy calling a banker a name I can’t repeat here.
My interview with Chris is in today’s Manchester Evening News, and also online below with a few extras I couldn’t fit into the main article.
“WHAT if there was one time in your life when everything made sense?
“What wouldn’t you do to go back?”
Lucas / John tries to explain to Ruth why he’s risking everything for a new life with Maya (Laila Rouass).
Before giving Ms Evershed (Nicola Walker) marriage advice.
Spooks series nine, episode eight, brings the 2010 season to a close with Section D hunting one of their own.
“IT feels a lot harder now than when I started,” said writer John Fay.
“There’s definitely more writers and actors out of work. There’s less getting done.
“And I do think that comes down to money. If people aren’t investing in it, then it’s not getting made, is it?'”
“THE dream is over now…”
Spooks series nine, episode seven.
Where we finally get some answers about Lucas North / John Bateman and Vaughn Edwards.
And much more.
Life of Wylie 