“I’M so pleased we were able to tell the story and take it through to its natural end […]
Television
“EVERYONE brings their top game to Endeavour.
“We’re very lucky.
“I’m glad people love it because that’s our intention.”
Shaun Evans talking to me about the return of the, now, Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse to the screen.
Starting on ITV at 8pm this Sunday (Feb 4).
The new 2018 series five of Endeavour being the longest yet with six feature-length films.
Infused with a sense of endings and new beginnings.
And further glimpses of the younger Morse’s relationships with women.
“There’s a little bit of action. Not before time, if you ask me,” added Shaun.
“It’s interesting as well. It shows you another side of the character. He is a young man in 1968.
“Joan Thursday (Sara Vickers) is still part of the story.
“His involvement with other women is a subconscious knee-jerk reaction to the history between him and Joan.
“He’s trying to find his place in the world and who he’s going to spend it with.
“His relationships with other women show a slightly more rounded version of the character. I think it’s OK to surprise people.”
All of which is all the more poignant, knowing – as we do – that Morse eventually died alone.
Shaun giving a heartbreaking performance as lost soul Endeavour.
“ONE of the great themes of the story is family, love and loyalty.
“It asks the question, ‘How far would you go to protect the ones you love?’
“People watching will ask themselves, ‘What would I do in that situation? What decisions would you make?’”
Archie Panjabi talking to me about her role as Mona in new drama Next Of Kin.
A six part thriller which begins on ITV at 9pm on Monday (January 8).
One of the must watch television dramas of 2018.
“WHAT I’ve had once or twice is people saying:
‘Oh, hello. I know you…what’s your name again?’
“I say, ‘Rowan Atkinson.’
“And they say, ‘No, no, no.’
“A most peculiar idea where you tell people your name and they don’t believe you.
“Or they assume you’re joking. That you’ve made something up.
“For your identity to be denied to your face is potentially quite disturbing.”
Rowan Atkinson talking to me about his experiences on public transport.
“THERE was something shocking or surprising at every single turn.
“One in five women in London were involved in the sex industry at this time.”
Jessica Brown Findlay talking to me about new drama series Harlots.
Set among the brothels of Soho in the 18th century, this ITV / Hulu production begins in the UK on ITV Encore at 10pm on Monday (March 27).
An ensemble cast of serious acting talent attracted by the intelligent, thought-provoking and witty scripts.
“A lot of people in Scotland know about Peter Manuel.
“But I don’t think many people of my age would be aware of the depth of his crimes.
“It was really shocking when I started looking into it.”
Line of Duty star Martin Compston talking to me about his role as killer Peter Manuel in new three part drama In Plain Sight.
Starting on ITV at 9pm next Wednesday (Dec 7).
It tells the story of police detective William Muncie’s quest to bring Manuel to justice.
“SHE is always chasing the dream in her head.
“Chasing a fairy tale throughout her whole life.”
Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt talking to me about her new screen role as Mary Ann Cotton in Dark Angel.
A 2 x 90 minute drama written by Gwyneth Hughes starting on ITV at 9pm next Monday (Oct 31).
Also coming to MASTERPIECE on PBS in 2017.
Telling the true story of the woman dubbed Britain’s first female serial killer.
With Alun Armstrong as Mary Ann’s father George and Jonas Armstrong as her lover Joe Nattrass.
“IT was one of the most unique television scripts I’d read.”
Katherine Kelly talking to me about HIM, a three-part drama starting on ITV at 9pm this Wednesday (Oct 19).
The script in question was written by award-winning Paula Milne.
A “domestic horror” starring Fionn Whitehead as HIM, the teenager with no name.
Trying to find his way in life while fighting demons within.
As you would expect from Paula, it’s a really intelligent story about, among other things, all of our sons.
With some striking scenes, including one that required the closure of the A40 west of London.
“IT really is an astonishing story. An incredible adventure. Pure and simple.
A story of discovery and imagination…”
Max Irons talking to me about his role as archeologist Howard Carter in Tutankhamun (ITV, 9pm, Sunday October 16).
The four part series does, indeed, tell an astonishing story.
With Sam Neill as Lord Carnarvon, the man with the money – and patience – behind this real life quest.
“YOU start thinking, ‘Is this going to be about small town cops investigating a brutal murder?
‘Or is it going to be something more than that?’
“And it turns out to be something far more than that.”
Robert Glenister talking to me about new eight-part ITV drama Paranoid, made by the Red Production Company.
A truly gripping story filmed in Cheshire and Germany starting at 9pm this Thursday (Sept 22).
Starring Robert as veteran cop Bobby Day, Indira Varma and Dino Fetscher as police colleagues Nina Suresh and Alec Wayfield, Neil Stuke as their boss Michael Niles and Lesley Sharp as murder eyewitness Lucy Cannonbury.
Life of Wylie 