“THAT’S happening all round the country to 41-year-olds who look like me.
“But nobody gets to see that on the telly.”
Sally Lindsay is talking about her main storyline in new BBC1 six-part drama series Ordinary Lies.
Written by Danny Brocklehurst and made by Red Productions.
One sentence alone that should have you tuning in to the opening episode at 9pm next Tuesday (March 17).
“I hope I’m not intruding…”
Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall – and our television screens – in a new BBC1 (and PBS) adaptation of Winston Graham’s novels.
Some, like me, will be old enough to remember the iconic 1970s’ Poldark TV series starring Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees.
While younger viewers may have no idea what all the fuss is about.
Aidan Turner, who takes the title role in the 2015 series, admits he initially had to enlist the help of Google to find out what Poldark was.
“OVER my dead body, Andrew…”
Rory Kinnear as Barry Fairbrother in BBC1’s new three-part adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy.
Jo Rowling’s first novel for an adult audience, published in 2012, became a global best-seller with over six million copies sold to date.
The 3 x 60 minute television adaptation, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Jonny Campbell, begins on BBC1 at 9pm on Sunday Feb 15.
Set in what appears to be the idyllic English village of Pagford.
Those who have read the 500-page book will know that it deals with how we live today, including issues of community and responsibility.
“WE always hear, ‘Golden age of British drama.’
“It’s not. It’s a golden age of British acting talent.
“We have never been so blessed in this country. It is incredible.”
Jimmy McGovern speaking at the London BAFTA launch of Moving On series six last month.
Five new stand alone dramas by up and coming writers starting on BBC1 at 2:15pm tomorrow (Monday Nov 10).
TWO sons. Two mothers.
“I thought they were going for a pizza…”
If you have plans for Sunday night, cancel them now.
Common (BBC1, 9pm Sunday) is yet another classic drama by writer Jimmy McGovern.
Matched by the talents of a cast including Nico Mirallegro, Susan Lynch, Daniel Mays and Jodhi May, plus director David Blair.
The 90-minute film tells the story of Johnjo O’Shea, played by Nico, who gives his cousin and two mates a lift to get a pizza.
But Johnjo is unaware his three passengers are going to “have a word” with a local loudmouth.
As he sits outside waiting in the car for his pizza, one of the trio takes offence to a young innocent bystander and stabs him.
“I’LL make a note of the fact that you apologised profusely…in tears.”
Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood in tonight’s Happy Valley episode three. (BBC1 9pm)
Sally Wainwright’s brilliant script matched, yet again, by Sarah’s work on screen.
In a series reminding us that Sally’s writing CV includes dramas like Unforgiven, as well as Last Tango In Halifax, Scott and Bailey and At Home With The Braithwaites.
Back in March I attended the London launch of this six-part drama, followed by a Q&A.
A few hours later I wrote the story further down this page, which has not gone online – so best put that right now.
“THERE’S nothing so dangerous as a headstrong girl who knows her own mind.”
Jessica Brown Findlay is mean, moody and muddy as Mary Yellan in a terrific three-part BBC1 adaptation of Jamaica Inn.
The former Downton Abbey star deserves to shake off all mentions of Lady Sybil and sentences that begin like this one after her dark and brooding performance as Mary.
Screenwriter Emma Frost stays faithful to Daphne du Maurier’s novel while adding her own stamp on the Cornish classic.
With BAFTA award-winning director Philippa Lowthorpe weaving yet more screen magic across three hours of drama.
The death of Roger Lloyd Pack last night is a great loss.
He will, of course, be remembered in headlines as Trigger in Only Fools And Horses and Owen in The Vicar of Dibley.
But as many have already pointed out, his TV, film and stage career encompassed a huge variety of roles.
Including a truly extraordinary performance in a two-hour ITV drama called What We Did On Our Holiday, screened in October 2006.
It made a big impact at the time and still resonates today.
My 2006 feature on Roger is below.
“THIS is not just a robbery. This is an attack on the very cornerstone of England.”
The Great Train Robbery is a new two-part BBC1 drama which tells the story of the crime of the century from both sides.
Feature length A Robber’s Tale and A Copper’s Tale star Luke Evans as robbery mastermind Bruce Reynolds and Jim Broadbent as the detective who caught him.
Writer Chris Chibnall details for the first time on screen the minute by minute drama of the 1963 robbery, along with the story of how it was planned – and what went wrong.
Then turning his attention to the specially assembled squad of Scotland Yard detectives and the investigation that tracked down the gang and brought them to justice.
It’s a story of one man taking on the Establishment….and losing.
Along with a gripping tale of two teams of men both intent on achieving their goals on different sides of the law.
The first surprise about new BBC1 fantasy adventure drama Atlantis is that it begins in the modern day.
Our young hero Jason (Jack Donnelly) is about to dive in a one man submarine to find the wreckage of his father’s long lost sub.
Later finding himself naked on a beach with only the sand between his toes for company.
The 13-part Saturday night series continues to surprise as we venture into the mythical city of Atlantis and meet some legendary names.
Including brilliant but innocent Greek maths genius Pythagoras (Robert Emms) – “the triangle guy”.
And a different take on strong man Hercules, played by Mark Addy, who explains: “I’m not fat. I’m big boned.”
Atlantis is the BBC’s replacement for Merlin and comes, in part, from the team behind that show.
Life of Wylie 