Vanity Fair: Interviews

“THIS is Vanity Fair.

“A world where everyone is striving for what is not worth having.”

(William Makepeace Thackeray)

August 2017. Bloomsbury Centre Baptist Church, London WC2.

Gathered in the church’s ‘Friendship Centre’ were the cast, production team, executives and the rest of the team involved in ITV’s new adaptation of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair.

With screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes announcing herself as “assistant to the author”.

I had already read all seven of her sparkling scripts.

But it was here in this room that they were first brought alive during an almost day long script read-through.

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Arthur & George: Martin Clunes

Arthur (Martin Clunes) and George (Arsher Ali).

“SUCCESS is a terrible mistress.”

Martin Clunes is about to star on screen as Sherlock novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

With Arthur & George starting on ITV at 9pm on Monday (March 2).

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Julian Barnes.

Before starting work at the end of March on a seventh series of Doc Martin.

Both TV dramas produced by his wife Philippa Braithwaite.

You might think life is simple for a successful actor like Martin.

Aside from having to answer yet another tedious question about whether Men Behaving Badly will ever return.

I’ve heard him being asked that dozens of times over the years and the answer remains, of course, no.

But despite always putting on an entertaining show during interviews, usually with a bit of edge, he can be – like most actors – a sensitive soul.

So it was no surprise to learn at the ITV launch for the new three-part drama that Martin has previously “bailed out” of other productions.

Even after signing the contract to appear in them.

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The Town: Interviews

“THIS town – it’s all secrets. Everyone knows something you don’t.”

Sherlock star Andrew Scott leads the cast of three-part ITV1 drama The Town.

A contemporary story also featuring Martin Clunes, Charlotte Riley, Julia McKenzie, Gerard Kearns, Kelly Adams and remarkable teenage newcomer Avigail Tlalim.

It’s Olivier-award winning writer Mike Bartlett’s first TV drama and begins on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesday December 5.

Unlocking a mystery over three hours of a fresh and intriguing drama.

I had the pleasure of interviewing seven cast members for ITV1’s production notes / press pack.

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