“HE’S working his way through Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes casts.
“He’ll be casting Keeley Hawes in Prey 3, probably. I would’t be surprised.”
Philip Glenister talking to me about his role as prison officer David Murdoch in the second series of Prey, created and again written by Chris Lunt.
Joking about the fact he follows on from former Life On Mars – and Mad Dogs – co-star John Simm who appeared in the acclaimed first series.
“IT is by any measure an extraordinary drama.”
Prof Sir Alec Jeffreys talking to me about Code of a Killer, a heartbreaking, powerful and brilliant TV production written by Michael Crompton.
Revealing the story of how DNA fingerprinting was discovered and then used in a double murder investigation.
It was a real honour to be asked to write the ITV interviews for this moving 2 x 90 minute drama, which begins at 9pm on Easter Monday.
Including an unforgettable day in the very same laboratory at Leicester University where Sir Alec experienced that ‘Eureka Moment’ on September 10 1984.
“IT was a very physical role, lots of running, hanging off bridges and climbing fences, hard work.
“But I must say I absolutely loved it.”
John Simm talking about his lead role as Det Sgt Marcus Farrow in Prey, a three-part ITV thriller written by Chris Lunt.
I spoke to John on location during filming on a cold and wet day at the start of January.
And again later when he had returned from making the first episodes of Intruders in Vancouver and was about to begin work on The Village 2.
While Chris and I chatted at ITV’s new Trafford / Media City HQ on January 6 – the official first day in that site’s history after the move from Quay Street in Manchester.
A fresh and exciting TV writer – currently bound for Hollywood – at the dawn of a new era for ITV in the North West.
You can read my interviews via the link to the ITV press pack / production notes below.
“MY name is Bert Middleton. I’m the second oldest man in Britain.
“This is the last thing I’ll do so you better listen carefully…”
Old Bert (David Ryall) talks to a modern day TV documentary crew in the opening moments of new BBC1 drama serial The Village.
Before we go back to the summer of 1914.
“The summer the bus came.”
“I couldn’t have a better time than I’m having now.”
Jim Broadbent was nominated for another BAFTA TV Award this week, for his role in Any Human Heart.
I met up with him again back in January to talk about his latest TV project – BBC1’s Exile.
Our round table chat included a look back at his career and his next part, alongside Meryl Streep.
“WHO invented this?”
Tom Ronstadt, played by John Simm, is in a pub, unimpressed with the world of karaoke.
“Have you any Smiths, Leonard Cohen?” he asks his screen sister Nancy (Olivia Colman), perusing the songbook in three-part BBC1 thriller Exile.
Who then proceeds to treat the locals to her version of Britney Spears’ Toxic.
There is much to love about Danny Brocklehurst’s drama, with a script as fresh as the day Morrissey first waved gladioli on Top Of The Pops while singing This Charming Man.
“DON’T measure me against him. He’s won an Oscar,” smiles John Simm.
We’re sat in a conference room at BBC TV Centre in west London, where a few days before I’d also interviewed Jim Broadbent.
John and Jim co-star in superb new BBC1 drama Exile, to be screened over three consecutive nights from Sunday May 1.
Relaxed in a grey V-neck jumper, white T-shirt and blue jeans, an unshaven John was in good spirits during the small round table chat back in January.
Where the conversation ranged from Hamlet to Harry and Paul via Exile, Doctor Who and Sam Tyler.
“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?'”
Destined to be discussed long into the night once it’s screened.
Firstly, let me say yet again that I know just how lucky I am to be able to see episodes of Ashes in advance.
Plus interviewing the cast on set and elsewhere.
But mixed with the excitement of seeing episode one is a sadness that now there are just seven left to go.
“WAIT for the New Year’s Day episode.
“Your brain will blow up,” promised Russell T Davies.
Tonight I was among a lucky few hundred people invited to BBC TV Centre to see Doctor Who: The End Of Time…part one.
Followed by a Q&A with Russell, John Simm and Bernard Cribbins.
Life of Wylie 