The Casual Vacancy: BAFTA Q&A

“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.

Lucan: Interviews

“THERE are an awful lot of things that are plausible and just a few things that are probable.”

Rory Kinnear talking to me about new two-part ITV drama Lucan, which tells a story most will not know.

He plays the Lord who created a headline-grabbing mystery after murdering his children’s nanny Sandra Rivett (Leanne Best).

Having mistaken her in a darkened basement kitchen for his wife Lady Lucan (Catherine McCormack).

And then vanishing – never to be seen again.

“IT’S not a challenge you could turn down. You’ve got half a novel.

“My wife calls me, ‘The man who’s finished off Dickens.’

“Which I think is unfair.”

The Mystery of Edwin Drood director Diarmuid Lawrence speaking at the British Film Institute in London last month.

Ahead of the two-part BBC2 adaptation at 9pm tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow.