Maigret 2017: Interviews

“YOU can come up with a caricature in a relatively short space of time.

“But if you want a character, that takes longer.

“All characters for me are a voyage of discovery.”

Rowan Atkinson talking to me about how his portrayal of Maigret has developed.

Ahead of Maigret’s Night At The Crossroads (ITV, 8pm Easter Sunday).

Rowan’s third appearance in the role – in a series that has really hit its stride.

Terrific, compelling, thoughtful, top quality drama and so beautifully written, directed and filmed.

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Maigret: Interviews

“I hope people find the stories engaging. I think they will.

“I’m quite good at not doing very much on screen.”

Rowan Atkinson talking to me in Budapest last November while working on two major new TV films.

Maigret (ITV, 9pm Easter Monday) marks his debut in the role of the original television detective who set the benchmark for all who followed.

Adapted from the books by legendary author Georges Simenon.

The casting of the Blackadder and Mr Bean star as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret made headlines around the world when it was first announced last year.

It was fascinating to watch his transformation into the French detective during filming in the Hungarian capital.

Doubling for Paris in the 1950s because it looks far more like that city at that time than modern Paris does today.

Darkness had fallen on location at a former Budapest brewery when shooting wrapped for the day.

The moment for me to interview Rowan in his trailer for the ITV press pack / production notes.

He did not disappoint.

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Love And Marriage Q&A 2

Graeme Hawley and Zoe Telford as Martin and Michelle.

IT starts on ITV at 9pm tonight (Wed June 5).

And comes recommended.

Presuming you have already read the background at:

Love And Marriage: Q&A 1

…here, as promised, is my transcript of the second Q&A at the London press launch.

With all the remaining main cast members, aside from Ashley Jensen (Sarah) who did not attend.

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Love And Marriage: Q&A 1

“DO not go gentle into that good night.”

There’s no drifting away in new TV drama series Love And Marriage.

The six part serial follows three generations of the Paradise family and has every chance of becoming another drama hit for ITV.

Written by Stewart Harcourt and directed by Debbie Isitt and Roger Goldby, it begins with Pauline Paradise (Alison Steadman) retiring from her job as a school lollipop lady.

She’s married to ‘Silent Ken’ (Duncan Preston) – a man of few words and, it appears, even fewer to say to his wife after 41 years of marriage.

As Alison Steadman explained at the press launch: “They forget to look and see the other person.”

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