World War Two

The Halcyon: Interviews

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“THE Halcyon gripped me straight away.

“Setting the story within this high-class hotel and also against the backdrop of the Second World War gives you such a huge scope for drama and for what’s to come.”

Steven Mackintosh talking to me about new eight-part drama The Halcyon.

Starting on ITV at 9pm next Monday (January 2).

He plays hotel manager Richard Garland as the series opens in 1940.

Before a return to 1939.

With World War Two and the Blitz soon to impact on London and this five star West End hotel.

As you might imagine, I’ve been on quite a few film and TV sets over the last 35 years.

But the one for The Halcyon – created by production designer Matt Gant – took my breath away.

Let’s just say no-one held back on the budget.

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Home Fires 2: Interviews

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“IT’S a great advert for community and helping each other.

“That sense of community and looking out for one another that we’ve very much lost nowadays.

“I do think there is a huge longing for that.”

Samantha Bond talking to me about the return of Home Fires to ITV at 9pm this Sunday (April 3).

The first series attracted an average audience of 6.2 million and wove its way into the hearts of viewers.

Having interviewed the cast for ITV ahead of that first series it was my pleasure to do the same again for series two.

As good as the opening series was, these six new episodes – set in the summer of 1940 – have really raised the bar.

With some terrific storytelling involving both the Great Paxford characters we know and a few new faces.

All beautifully acted and filmed for a real Sunday night treat.

Again including the award-winning music by composer Samuel Sim.

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