“IT’S not really a world I know much about.
“I’m a poncey little actor.”
Philip Glenister talking to me about his role in new six-part thriller The Level.
Which begins on ITV at 9pm this Friday (Sept 30).
Phil plays haulage boss Frank Le Saux in a tale with more than a few twists on the road ahead.
“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.
“WE nearly died in there. Doesn’t it make you think?”
Daniel Cotton (Philip Glenister) asks the question of his father Samuel (Bernard Hill) in From There To Here.
The three part BBC1 drama, written by Peter Bowker, opens with the June 1996 Manchester bomb which destroyed a large part of the city centre.
But this is not a story about the IRA attack. It charts the ripples of that initial trigger on two families across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Last night I attended a screening of episode one at BAFTA in London followed by a Q&A, including Phil and Pete.
You can read my full transcript below, edited very slightly to remove any major spoilers.
WE’RE back in Harley Street as episode two of Hidden begins.
But this time it’s out of hours and after dark.
If you were intrigued by the first hour of Philip Glenister’s new BBC1 drama, then the second 60 minutes should have you hooked.
Even though it’s almost a full eight minutes before Harry Venn appears on screen.
“IT was absolutely misconstrued.
“I didn’t come up with the line at all. It was always their line.
“I’ve never claimed that it was my line in the past and I certainly wouldn’t in the future.”
Philip Glenister gave his side of the “Quattrow” story on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends programme tonight. (Saturday).
Claiming that an interview reference to a “jokey” discussion about the choice of iconic car Gene Hunt should drive in Ashes To Ashes resulted in a mix up.
(Updated Tues Sept 27 with new pics after the embargo expiry)
“I’M just a High Street solicitor.”
Philip Glenister makes a welcome return to BBC1 in new four-part drama Hidden.
Which begins at 9pm on Thursday October 6.
He plays flawed criminal lawyer Harry Venn, who works in a down-at-heel office in London’s Kentish Town.
When not bare-chested in bed, drinking white wine and smoking a cigarette.
Having conducted a between the sheets appointment with ex-wife Lauren, played by Lisa Kay.
ALEX Drake finally made it back to the present day this afternoon.
Or rather Keeley Hawes, who played DI Drake in Ashes To Ashes.
She appeared at a London press launch for her new six-part ITV1 drama series Identity.
But only after getting stuck in traffic on the day the Queen was just down the road at Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament.
IF The Railway Arms is Heaven, I’m staying away from lifts and taking the stairs from now on.
The emotional last ever episode of Ashes To Ashes appears to have had a powerful effect on the majority of the watching audience.
There have been lots of tears and sleepless nights as fans continue to digest the brilliance of those final 60 minutes.
So I’m guessing a few people may like to read the edited transcript of my interview with co-creator Matthew Graham, when he was able to talk freely for the first time about the Mars and Ashes Genieverse.
DIXON Of Dock Green provided the black and white postscript to the last ever episode of Ashes To Ashes.
“So it was all sorted out in the end. And no bones broken, luckily,” said a reassuring PC George Dixon.
It was, after all, only a TV show. But a very special one.
Time for supper and then up those stairs to bed.
A fitting farewell for a drama many obsessed over, with online fan forum The Railway Arms going into meltdown after each episode was screened.
The final emotional hour revealed almost all about DCI Gene Hunt and his world but left just enough ambiguity to keep those web servers humming for some time to come.
If you’ve yet to see the Ashes’ farewell, which finished a few minutes ago, do NOT read any further.
I spoke at length to Ashes co-creator Matthew Graham earlier this week – the first interview he had given where he was able to speak freely about the secrets of Gene’s world and those who found themselves drawn into it.
Keeping a promise he made to me just over three years ago when we conducted a similar interview for use after the final episode of Life On Mars.
“THOSE two should either get a room or kill each other.”
It’s the morning after the night before. Alex is confused and Gene is angry.
The last ever episode of Ashes To Ashes is a real knockout from the opening minute.
Moving on to, among other things, Farringfield Green, a scarecrow, those video tapes and Wham!
Before we reach The End.
Gene Hunt promised “one hell of a last chapter” and he is a man of his word.
Written by co-creator Matthew Graham, it’s an epic farewell that packs a strong emotional punch.
Life of Wylie 