Count Arthur Strong is coming back for a third TV series.
The comedy will air seven new episodes on BBC One, with both Steve Delaney and Rory Kinnear reprising their roles.
A reboot of the original radio show, Count Arthur Strong stars Delaney as an ex-variety star, while Kinnear plays Michael, the son of his old performing partner.
Delaney said: "I'm thrilled, delighted and humbled that BBC One have requested another series of Count Arthur Strong. Where do I sign? Quick, before they change their minds!"
Co-writer Graham Linehan added: "Very happy to hear that Arthur, Michael and the gang will have more adventures. And we've got some crackers lined up for this series."
Critics were divided when Count Arthur Strong first aired on TV in 2013, with BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow describing the show as "Marmite" after recommissioning the comedy for a second series.
However, Linehan later suggested: "I...
The comedy will air seven new episodes on BBC One, with both Steve Delaney and Rory Kinnear reprising their roles.
A reboot of the original radio show, Count Arthur Strong stars Delaney as an ex-variety star, while Kinnear plays Michael, the son of his old performing partner.
Delaney said: "I'm thrilled, delighted and humbled that BBC One have requested another series of Count Arthur Strong. Where do I sign? Quick, before they change their minds!"
Co-writer Graham Linehan added: "Very happy to hear that Arthur, Michael and the gang will have more adventures. And we've got some crackers lined up for this series."
Critics were divided when Count Arthur Strong first aired on TV in 2013, with BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow describing the show as "Marmite" after recommissioning the comedy for a second series.
However, Linehan later suggested: "I...
- 5/22/2015
- Digital Spy
Count Arthur Strong is back, with Steve Delaney's comic creation having earned not just a second series but a promotion to BBC One.
The first series - broadcast back in 2013 - earned a BAFTA nomination but split the critics, with even Janice Hadlow - controller of BBC Two - describing the show as "Marmite".
Ahead of series two's launch, Digital Spy spoke to the sitcom's co-writer - BAFTA winner Graham Linehan - about the new episodes, the demise of TV criticism and why the studio sitcom is due a comeback.
Count Arthur Strong is back and now you're on BBC One - was that something you knew going in?
"We definitely didn't know about it beforehand. They showed the BBC a couple of episodes and they liked it, I guess. So yeah, that was kind of a nice surprise for us."
The general impression seems to be that BBC One...
The first series - broadcast back in 2013 - earned a BAFTA nomination but split the critics, with even Janice Hadlow - controller of BBC Two - describing the show as "Marmite".
Ahead of series two's launch, Digital Spy spoke to the sitcom's co-writer - BAFTA winner Graham Linehan - about the new episodes, the demise of TV criticism and why the studio sitcom is due a comeback.
Count Arthur Strong is back and now you're on BBC One - was that something you knew going in?
"We definitely didn't know about it beforehand. They showed the BBC a couple of episodes and they liked it, I guess. So yeah, that was kind of a nice surprise for us."
The general impression seems to be that BBC One...
- 1/6/2015
- Digital Spy
Count Arthur Strong is moving to BBC One for its second series.
The comedy - which divided critics when it debuted on BBC Two earlier this year - will air seven new episodes beginning next month.
The co-writer of the comedy, Graham Linehan, confirmed the news via Twitter earlier today (October 31).
Count Arthur Strong stars Steve Delaney as the title character - an ex-variety star - and Rory Kinnear as Michael, the son of his old performing partner.
Count Arthur Strong will be moving from BBC2 to BBC1 for the run of the second series early next year. Booyadeux. @BBCOne
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) October 31, 2014
Back in August, BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow defended the decision to recommission the series, admitting that it is "a bit Marmite" in its appeal.
Last week, it was announced that Delaney's Count Arthur Strong will embark on a tour of the UK next year.
Watch...
The comedy - which divided critics when it debuted on BBC Two earlier this year - will air seven new episodes beginning next month.
The co-writer of the comedy, Graham Linehan, confirmed the news via Twitter earlier today (October 31).
Count Arthur Strong stars Steve Delaney as the title character - an ex-variety star - and Rory Kinnear as Michael, the son of his old performing partner.
Count Arthur Strong will be moving from BBC2 to BBC1 for the run of the second series early next year. Booyadeux. @BBCOne
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) October 31, 2014
Back in August, BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow defended the decision to recommission the series, admitting that it is "a bit Marmite" in its appeal.
Last week, it was announced that Delaney's Count Arthur Strong will embark on a tour of the UK next year.
Watch...
- 10/31/2014
- Digital Spy
BBC Two is 50 - the British Broadcasting Corporation's second eldest child hits the half-century mark this Sunday (April 20) and, in those five decades, has delivered some phenomenally popular and powerful programming.
Kim Shillinglaw has a lot to live up to - with every channel controller from the very first, Michael Peacock, to the most recent, Janice Hadlow, serving up a range of diverse, entertaining and even groundbreaking shows.
Since 1964, BBC Two has become renowned as a home for great comedy - from the surreal The League of Gentlemen and Shooting Stars, to much-loved classics like The Likely Lads and The Goodies and modern favourites such as The Trip and The Wrong Mans.
But there's a tradition of fine drama too - running from the original The Forsyte Saga (1967) to Line of Duty (2012-present) and taking in such iconic series as I, Claudius (1976) and Edge of Darkness (1985).
Meanwhile, popular entertainment and...
Kim Shillinglaw has a lot to live up to - with every channel controller from the very first, Michael Peacock, to the most recent, Janice Hadlow, serving up a range of diverse, entertaining and even groundbreaking shows.
Since 1964, BBC Two has become renowned as a home for great comedy - from the surreal The League of Gentlemen and Shooting Stars, to much-loved classics like The Likely Lads and The Goodies and modern favourites such as The Trip and The Wrong Mans.
But there's a tradition of fine drama too - running from the original The Forsyte Saga (1967) to Line of Duty (2012-present) and taking in such iconic series as I, Claudius (1976) and Edge of Darkness (1985).
Meanwhile, popular entertainment and...
- 4/14/2014
- Digital Spy
Kim Shillinglaw has been announced as the new Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four.
She will take over in the two positions from Janice Hadlow, who stood down from the roles earlier this year.
Shillinglaw is currently the Head of Science and Natural History Commissioning for the BBC, and has commissioned 200 hours' worth of TV each year.
Programmes have included Stargazing, factual dramas The Challenger and Castles In The Sky, Trust Me I'm A Doctor, the Doctor Who Lecture, Frozen Planet and Horrible Histories.
She said in a statement: "BBC Two has always been one of the most creative channels in the world, with a huge range of quality programming. I'm delighted and honoured by the prospect of working with the best of our British talent and programme makers.
"I look forward to taking it and BBC Four to the next phase of great, thought-provoking and lively TV for British audiences.
She will take over in the two positions from Janice Hadlow, who stood down from the roles earlier this year.
Shillinglaw is currently the Head of Science and Natural History Commissioning for the BBC, and has commissioned 200 hours' worth of TV each year.
Programmes have included Stargazing, factual dramas The Challenger and Castles In The Sky, Trust Me I'm A Doctor, the Doctor Who Lecture, Frozen Planet and Horrible Histories.
She said in a statement: "BBC Two has always been one of the most creative channels in the world, with a huge range of quality programming. I'm delighted and honoured by the prospect of working with the best of our British talent and programme makers.
"I look forward to taking it and BBC Four to the next phase of great, thought-provoking and lively TV for British audiences.
- 4/11/2014
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street, Broadchurch's Olivia Colman and Luther actor Idris Elba were the big winners at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards on Tuesday (March 18) at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Broadchurch won the award for Drama Serial, with Colman picking up the Female Actor prize. Educating Yorkshire won Best Documentary Series as star Michael Steer hit out at Education Secretary Michael Gove in his acceptance speech.
Corrie, which was nominated alongside Casualty and Emmerdale, followed its previous Best Soap wins this year at the NTAs, Broadcast and Tric Awards with the Soap and Continuing Drama gong.
Other winners on the night included Elba taking the Male Actor award for his role in Luther, Brendan O'Carroll for Comedy Performance for Mrs Brown's Boys and Plebs for Scripted Comedy.
Game of Thrones claimed the International Award, Alan Carr won the prize for Entertainment Performance for Chatty Man and Stephen Fry...
Broadchurch won the award for Drama Serial, with Colman picking up the Female Actor prize. Educating Yorkshire won Best Documentary Series as star Michael Steer hit out at Education Secretary Michael Gove in his acceptance speech.
Corrie, which was nominated alongside Casualty and Emmerdale, followed its previous Best Soap wins this year at the NTAs, Broadcast and Tric Awards with the Soap and Continuing Drama gong.
Other winners on the night included Elba taking the Male Actor award for his role in Luther, Brendan O'Carroll for Comedy Performance for Mrs Brown's Boys and Plebs for Scripted Comedy.
Game of Thrones claimed the International Award, Alan Carr won the prize for Entertainment Performance for Chatty Man and Stephen Fry...
- 3/19/2014
- Digital Spy
BBC Two has announced details of an upcoming five-part drama series.
London Spy comes from Child 44 author Tom Rob Smith, and will shoot later this year before airing in 2015.
The thriller series is centred around an "innocent, young romantic" named Danny who gets caught up in a world of espionage and conspiracy.
It will be set on a London street that houses the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service on one side and the headquarters of the gay clubbing scene on the other.
Hedonistic Danny falls for the antisocial Alex after a chance encounter from both sides of the street, before Alex suddenly disappears. Danny must now decide whether he has what it takes to find out what happened to him.
Speaking about his first television drama, creator Tom Rob Smith said: "It's very exciting to have one of the best production companies in the country, Working Title, produce...
London Spy comes from Child 44 author Tom Rob Smith, and will shoot later this year before airing in 2015.
The thriller series is centred around an "innocent, young romantic" named Danny who gets caught up in a world of espionage and conspiracy.
It will be set on a London street that houses the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service on one side and the headquarters of the gay clubbing scene on the other.
Hedonistic Danny falls for the antisocial Alex after a chance encounter from both sides of the street, before Alex suddenly disappears. Danny must now decide whether he has what it takes to find out what happened to him.
Speaking about his first television drama, creator Tom Rob Smith said: "It's very exciting to have one of the best production companies in the country, Working Title, produce...
- 2/14/2014
- Digital Spy
Janice Hadlow has announced she is to step down as BBC Two controller.
She will now take on a wider role within the TV division.
Hadlow has run BBC Two since November 2008, and will remain in her position until early March.
Her new role will include developing new series, seasons and special TV events across different platforms on the BBC, and will advise director of television Danny Cohen and other controllers.
Hadlow's departure will occur shortly before BBC Two's 50th anniversary in April.
Cohen described Hadlow as an "extraordinarily successful" leader. He said: "Janice truly understands how to make the popular good and the good popular.
"Her intellectual and creative skills are formidable and I am very glad indeed that she has decided to stay with us in BBC Television in a new senior role."
Hadlow added: "There's nothing quite like BBC Two anywhere else in television, and, as it approaches its 50th birthday,...
She will now take on a wider role within the TV division.
Hadlow has run BBC Two since November 2008, and will remain in her position until early March.
Her new role will include developing new series, seasons and special TV events across different platforms on the BBC, and will advise director of television Danny Cohen and other controllers.
Hadlow's departure will occur shortly before BBC Two's 50th anniversary in April.
Cohen described Hadlow as an "extraordinarily successful" leader. He said: "Janice truly understands how to make the popular good and the good popular.
"Her intellectual and creative skills are formidable and I am very glad indeed that she has decided to stay with us in BBC Television in a new senior role."
Hadlow added: "There's nothing quite like BBC Two anywhere else in television, and, as it approaches its 50th birthday,...
- 2/11/2014
- Digital Spy
Love Productions director Richard McKerrow has admitted that his company were against the idea of moving The Great British Bake Off to BBC One.
The Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry baking reality show, which achieved record ratings for BBC Two in 2013, will be moved to BBC One when it returns for a new series in the autumn.
The search for the next Great British Bake Off
Commenting on the decision, McKerrow told The Guardian: "Commercially, it's nice to do it for a channel where you have only got to get 2 million viewers. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, so my first instinct was – why do we have to move to 1? We love making programmes for BBC2, [controller] Janice Hadlow is absolutely brilliant."
McKerrow said that he understood the "different pressures" that the BBC bosses were under and accepted that when a show gets over 8 million viewers, keeping it on BBC Two is impossible.
The Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry baking reality show, which achieved record ratings for BBC Two in 2013, will be moved to BBC One when it returns for a new series in the autumn.
The search for the next Great British Bake Off
Commenting on the decision, McKerrow told The Guardian: "Commercially, it's nice to do it for a channel where you have only got to get 2 million viewers. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, so my first instinct was – why do we have to move to 1? We love making programmes for BBC2, [controller] Janice Hadlow is absolutely brilliant."
McKerrow said that he understood the "different pressures" that the BBC bosses were under and accepted that when a show gets over 8 million viewers, keeping it on BBC Two is impossible.
- 1/13/2014
- Digital Spy
London – The BBC is turning to one of Britain's best-known TV satirists to take a look at the U.K. public broadcaster itself. BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow and Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning at the BBC, have ordered W1A, writer John Morton’s follow-up to hit comedy series Twenty Twelve, a satire tied to the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The show from BBC In-House Comedy will see actor Hugh Bonneville's Twenty Twelve character Ian Fletcher, the now ex-head of the fictional "Olympic Deliverance Commission," take up his next big job -- the again fictional
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- 12/6/2013
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BBC Two has commissioned a follow-up to its comedy Twenty Twelve.
W1A will follow Hugh Bonneville's Ian Fletcher as he takes on his next big job as Head of Values at the BBC.
In his new role, Ian's job task is to reshape and redefine the BBC "in particular for Licence Fee Renegotiation and Charter Renewal in 2016 and 2017".
The new four-part series will also see Jessica Hynes reprising her role of Siobhan Sharpe, but will otherwise feature new situations and characters.
Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two, said: "Twenty Twelve was one of BBC Two's stand out comedy hits last year, and I'm absolutely thrilled that John Morton and the fantastic off-screen team are coming together again as well as some of our most loved characters from the first series."
Morton added: "It isn't a demolition job on anybody or anything, and it isn't one giant in-joke,...
W1A will follow Hugh Bonneville's Ian Fletcher as he takes on his next big job as Head of Values at the BBC.
In his new role, Ian's job task is to reshape and redefine the BBC "in particular for Licence Fee Renegotiation and Charter Renewal in 2016 and 2017".
The new four-part series will also see Jessica Hynes reprising her role of Siobhan Sharpe, but will otherwise feature new situations and characters.
Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two, said: "Twenty Twelve was one of BBC Two's stand out comedy hits last year, and I'm absolutely thrilled that John Morton and the fantastic off-screen team are coming together again as well as some of our most loved characters from the first series."
Morton added: "It isn't a demolition job on anybody or anything, and it isn't one giant in-joke,...
- 12/5/2013
- Digital Spy
News Louisa Mellor 29 Nov 2013 - 07:38
Sky is looking to commission original UK sci-fi and fantasy drama. This is good news...
At last night's Moonfleet launch, Sky One controller Adam Macdonald announced that the channel was keen to commission original UK sci-fi and fantasy drama in the coming years. It's a sentiment echoed in a recent Broadcast interview, in which Macdonald said, "quick-witted science fiction plays well with Sky audiences, and I’m intrigued by fantasy worlds that have layer upon layer of lore". If that intrigue makes it onto the screen, it could play out well for genre fans across UK audiences, and not just Sky subscribers.
We've seen it happen countless times; one channel enjoys a success, and another attempts to match it. It happened between the BBC and ITV with The Paradise and Mr Selfridge, Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs, as just a few (not to mention the twin dancing,...
Sky is looking to commission original UK sci-fi and fantasy drama. This is good news...
At last night's Moonfleet launch, Sky One controller Adam Macdonald announced that the channel was keen to commission original UK sci-fi and fantasy drama in the coming years. It's a sentiment echoed in a recent Broadcast interview, in which Macdonald said, "quick-witted science fiction plays well with Sky audiences, and I’m intrigued by fantasy worlds that have layer upon layer of lore". If that intrigue makes it onto the screen, it could play out well for genre fans across UK audiences, and not just Sky subscribers.
We've seen it happen countless times; one channel enjoys a success, and another attempts to match it. It happened between the BBC and ITV with The Paradise and Mr Selfridge, Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs, as just a few (not to mention the twin dancing,...
- 11/29/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Eddie Izzard is to star in an upcoming BBC Two science drama.
The comic actor will portray radar developer Robert Watson Watt in the one-off film Castles in the Sky.
The film will centre around the Scotsman's flight to invent the detection system with a group of British scientists.
Breaking Bad's Laura Fraser will play Izzard's wife Margaret, while other cast members will include Alex Jennings (The Queen), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder) as Winston Churchill, David Hayman (Trial And Retribution) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).
Izzard said of the project: "I feel very privileged to be playing the role of Robert Watson-Watt. Hopefully our production will allow him, along with Arnold 'Skip' Wilkins and their team, to finally take their places in the pantheon of British greats of World War II, as the inventors of radar."
Elsewhere, BBC Two has also commissioned a new five-part series titled Human Universe, presented by Professor Brian Cox.
The comic actor will portray radar developer Robert Watson Watt in the one-off film Castles in the Sky.
The film will centre around the Scotsman's flight to invent the detection system with a group of British scientists.
Breaking Bad's Laura Fraser will play Izzard's wife Margaret, while other cast members will include Alex Jennings (The Queen), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder) as Winston Churchill, David Hayman (Trial And Retribution) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).
Izzard said of the project: "I feel very privileged to be playing the role of Robert Watson-Watt. Hopefully our production will allow him, along with Arnold 'Skip' Wilkins and their team, to finally take their places in the pantheon of British greats of World War II, as the inventors of radar."
Elsewhere, BBC Two has also commissioned a new five-part series titled Human Universe, presented by Professor Brian Cox.
- 11/27/2013
- Digital Spy
Only Connect is to move from BBC Four to BBC Two, it has been announced.
Victoria Coren's popular quiz show is currently in its seventh series, and is regularly one of the most-watched shows on the multichannels.
The show features teams attempting to find connections between seemingly unrelated clues. It launched in September 2008, and has also spawned 14 celebrity specials.
An eighth series will air on BBC Four in spring 2014, before its ninth series launches on BBC Two.
BBC Two and Four controller Janice Hadlow said: "BBC Four has a proud tradition of growing successful shows and I'm delighted Only Connect is making the move to BBC Two where I hope it will connect with an even broader audience."
Victoria Coren said: "I and the rest of the Only Connect team are hugely excited about our Icarus-like flight towards the sun of mainstream broadcasting. If our wings start melting, I'll just flap harder.
Victoria Coren's popular quiz show is currently in its seventh series, and is regularly one of the most-watched shows on the multichannels.
The show features teams attempting to find connections between seemingly unrelated clues. It launched in September 2008, and has also spawned 14 celebrity specials.
An eighth series will air on BBC Four in spring 2014, before its ninth series launches on BBC Two.
BBC Two and Four controller Janice Hadlow said: "BBC Four has a proud tradition of growing successful shows and I'm delighted Only Connect is making the move to BBC Two where I hope it will connect with an even broader audience."
Victoria Coren said: "I and the rest of the Only Connect team are hugely excited about our Icarus-like flight towards the sun of mainstream broadcasting. If our wings start melting, I'll just flap harder.
- 10/18/2013
- Digital Spy
The Great British Bake Off is moving to BBC One in 2014, it has been confirmed.
Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry's baking reality show has been a phenomenal success on BBC Two, winning record ratings year after year.
"I've championed The Great British Bake Off from the very start and believe the time is absolutely right to bring the show to an even broader audience on BBC One," said BBC One controller Charlotte Moore.
"I've watched the series grow over the last few years and earn a special place in the nation's hearts. It's inspiring and warm storytelling at its best which celebrates the huge talent of enthusiastic and passionate bakers from all over the country. It's been fantastic to watch it flourish on BBC Two, and I can assure viewers I will continue to cherish it on BBC One."
Bake Off, which is made by Love Productions, was launched...
Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry's baking reality show has been a phenomenal success on BBC Two, winning record ratings year after year.
"I've championed The Great British Bake Off from the very start and believe the time is absolutely right to bring the show to an even broader audience on BBC One," said BBC One controller Charlotte Moore.
"I've watched the series grow over the last few years and earn a special place in the nation's hearts. It's inspiring and warm storytelling at its best which celebrates the huge talent of enthusiastic and passionate bakers from all over the country. It's been fantastic to watch it flourish on BBC Two, and I can assure viewers I will continue to cherish it on BBC One."
Bake Off, which is made by Love Productions, was launched...
- 10/15/2013
- Digital Spy
Feature Andrew Blair 30 Aug 2013 - 06:14
Andrew reports back from the BBC 2 and 4 'Meet the Controller' session at this year's Edinburgh International Television Festival...
BBC 2 and BBC 4 are not, at first glance, providing huge beefy slabs of geek-meat for us to sink our teeth into. However, we like to think we cover a broad remit here at Den of Geek, and you can be a geek about anything. Personally, I think there's overlap between arguments over as 'the Doctor's race and/or gender' and 'the squad numbers worn by Colin Hendry during his time at Rangers F.C.'.
You may note the number of BBC 2 dramas and comedies that have geek appeal: Parade's End. The Fall. The Thick Of It. All reviewed on this site. You may be a fan of cakes, cats and sewing, in which case, BBC 2 is totally your friend. You may have noticed Ivan Radford's...
Andrew reports back from the BBC 2 and 4 'Meet the Controller' session at this year's Edinburgh International Television Festival...
BBC 2 and BBC 4 are not, at first glance, providing huge beefy slabs of geek-meat for us to sink our teeth into. However, we like to think we cover a broad remit here at Den of Geek, and you can be a geek about anything. Personally, I think there's overlap between arguments over as 'the Doctor's race and/or gender' and 'the squad numbers worn by Colin Hendry during his time at Rangers F.C.'.
You may note the number of BBC 2 dramas and comedies that have geek appeal: Parade's End. The Fall. The Thick Of It. All reviewed on this site. You may be a fan of cakes, cats and sewing, in which case, BBC 2 is totally your friend. You may have noticed Ivan Radford's...
- 8/29/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
BBC Two boss Janice Hadlow has revealed that she has been inundated with spinoff ideas following the success of The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee.
Hadlow, who was speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, revealed that one of the ideas sent to her was for a knitting reality competition show.
"We got a lot of proposals for knitting," she said. "People saying, 'Sewing works so lets find another handicraft'."
Hadlow confirmed that she snubbed the idea, commenting: "It is best to think what did we learn from Sewing Bee, not how do we do it with crochet."
Bake Off launched its fourth series earlier this week with huge ratings on BBC Two.
Sewing Bee will return for a second series in 2014 after becoming a surprise hit earlier this year.
Hadlow, who was speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, revealed that one of the ideas sent to her was for a knitting reality competition show.
"We got a lot of proposals for knitting," she said. "People saying, 'Sewing works so lets find another handicraft'."
Hadlow confirmed that she snubbed the idea, commenting: "It is best to think what did we learn from Sewing Bee, not how do we do it with crochet."
Bake Off launched its fourth series earlier this week with huge ratings on BBC Two.
Sewing Bee will return for a second series in 2014 after becoming a surprise hit earlier this year.
- 8/22/2013
- Digital Spy
London -- U.K. public broadcaster the BBC has ordered a raft of fresh fact-based programming to feed BBC Two and BBC Four, including a car racing documentary fronted by The Wire alum Idris Elba. BBC Two and BBC Four controller Janice Hadlow announced the new shows after delivering an overview of her channels at this year's Edinburgh International Television Festival. Elba will front the two-hour special for BBC Two, which aims to chart the colorful origins and secret history of the car-racing scene, taking the popular actor from his door step in Hackney, London to U.S. racetracks, via
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- 8/22/2013
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow has defended the decision to recommission Count Arthur Strong.
The sitcom - co-written by star Steve Delaney and The It Crowd's Graham Linehan - has divided critics but will return for a second series.
"Comedy is the hardest thing," said Hadlow at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. "I think pre-watershed comedy's particularly difficult – it's very competitive, everyone's looking for a pre-watershed success.
"Because we haven't had a huge amount of pre-watershed comedy, people are perhaps not looking for it there yet – people need to get more familiar with the idea that there can be quite technicolor laughs quite early on BBC Two, so we'll hang on in there."
Hadlow did acknowledge that Count Arthur Strong is "a bit Marmite" in its appeal.
"You either really, really find it funny or you really don't," she said. "I think what you can't do on BBC Two...
The sitcom - co-written by star Steve Delaney and The It Crowd's Graham Linehan - has divided critics but will return for a second series.
"Comedy is the hardest thing," said Hadlow at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. "I think pre-watershed comedy's particularly difficult – it's very competitive, everyone's looking for a pre-watershed success.
"Because we haven't had a huge amount of pre-watershed comedy, people are perhaps not looking for it there yet – people need to get more familiar with the idea that there can be quite technicolor laughs quite early on BBC Two, so we'll hang on in there."
Hadlow did acknowledge that Count Arthur Strong is "a bit Marmite" in its appeal.
"You either really, really find it funny or you really don't," she said. "I think what you can't do on BBC Two...
- 8/22/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC Two has announced a number of new drama and factual commissions.
Idris Elba will front a new two-part documentary for BBC Two - the Luther star will explore the colourful origins and secret history of the car racing scene in Idris Elba: King of Speed.
On the drama front, Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid will lead BBC Two's wartime series 37 Days.
The factual serial will chart the pivotal days between the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 and the declaration of war between Britain and Germany on August 4.
Sinead Cusack, Tim Pigott-Smith, Bill Paterson and Kenneth Cranham will also star in the series, from writer Mark Hayhurst (Hitler on Trial).
Ian Hislop will front a new three-part series Olden Days, exploring the British obsession with nostalgia and our own past, while Fern Britton will present horticultural competition series Grow, Make, Eat: The Great Allotment Challenge.
Following...
Idris Elba will front a new two-part documentary for BBC Two - the Luther star will explore the colourful origins and secret history of the car racing scene in Idris Elba: King of Speed.
On the drama front, Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid will lead BBC Two's wartime series 37 Days.
The factual serial will chart the pivotal days between the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 and the declaration of war between Britain and Germany on August 4.
Sinead Cusack, Tim Pigott-Smith, Bill Paterson and Kenneth Cranham will also star in the series, from writer Mark Hayhurst (Hitler on Trial).
Ian Hislop will front a new three-part series Olden Days, exploring the British obsession with nostalgia and our own past, while Fern Britton will present horticultural competition series Grow, Make, Eat: The Great Allotment Challenge.
Following...
- 8/22/2013
- Digital Spy
Edinburgh – BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow on Thursday discussed the network's recent successes, the issue of diversity of on-air talent, the importance of ratings for the U.K. public broadcaster and the challenges of finding comedy hits for the early evening hours. The executive, who oversees the U.K. public broadcaster's second-largest channel, also the annual Edinburgh International Television Festival about the type of programs she is currently looking for. The Guardian is the main sponsor of the festival. During a Q&A, Hadlow was asked why British network generally don't make big drama orders like U.S.
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- 8/22/2013
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
![Michael Palin in The Meaning of Life (1983)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNTQ5OTMyMzQ2MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTk5MzAxMw@@._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,39,500,281_.jpg)
Actor, comedian, and perpetual wanderlust-suffer Michael Palin has been cast in "The Wipers Times," a World War I drama to air on BBC Two. Palin has hosted a number of documentary series in recent years, -- his travel series "Palin's Travels" was decidedly brilliant -- but this is his first TV acting role since the 1990s.
"The Wipers Times" is based on the true story of a satirical newspaper put out by soldiers while encamped in Belgium in 1916, after one soldier (Captain Fred Roberts, to be played by Ben Chaplin) discovers a printing press in a bombed-out ruin.
"Just like the original Wipers Times, this new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs," BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow tells BBC News. With a "Monty Python" alum on board, the jokes and spoofs should be good.
The drama also features Emilia Fox,...
"The Wipers Times" is based on the true story of a satirical newspaper put out by soldiers while encamped in Belgium in 1916, after one soldier (Captain Fred Roberts, to be played by Ben Chaplin) discovers a printing press in a bombed-out ruin.
"Just like the original Wipers Times, this new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs," BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow tells BBC News. With a "Monty Python" alum on board, the jokes and spoofs should be good.
The drama also features Emilia Fox,...
- 7/2/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Ian Hislop has co-written a new historical drama for BBC Two.
The Wipers Times - set against the backdrop of the First World War - stars Ben Chaplin, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Emilia Fox.
Michael Palin and Steve Oram will also appear in the drama, which tells the tale of two soldiers who produced a satirical 'trench newspaper' - The Wipers Times.
The Wipers Times - penned by Hislop and Nick Newman - is described as "a story of the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity".
"Just like the original Wipers Times, this new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs," said BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow.
"I am delighted to be bringing such a brilliant drama and cast to BBC Two."
The Wipers Times will be directed by The Bletchley Circle's Andy de Emmony.
The Wipers Times - set against the backdrop of the First World War - stars Ben Chaplin, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Emilia Fox.
Michael Palin and Steve Oram will also appear in the drama, which tells the tale of two soldiers who produced a satirical 'trench newspaper' - The Wipers Times.
The Wipers Times - penned by Hislop and Nick Newman - is described as "a story of the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity".
"Just like the original Wipers Times, this new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs," said BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow.
"I am delighted to be bringing such a brilliant drama and cast to BBC Two."
The Wipers Times will be directed by The Bletchley Circle's Andy de Emmony.
- 7/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Actress to play lead role in drama series set against an international political backdrop.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is to play the lead role in Hugo Blick’s drama series The Honourable Woman for BBC Two and Sundance Channel.
Shooting starts in July in London on the thriller set against an international political backdrop written and directed by BAFTA award winner Blick. The Honourable Woman is set in the UK, the Middle East and America, and will film on location.
It will be broadcast on BBC Two and the Sundance Channel in 2014.
Following the murder of a Palestinian business man, Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra find themselves placed under the scrutiny of both Whitehall and the Secret Intelligence Service. Nessa is then forced to confront the true nature of her business empire, inherited from her father who was a Zionist arms procurer.
Gyllenhaal commented: “I couldn’t put the scripts down. Nessa is such...
Maggie Gyllenhaal is to play the lead role in Hugo Blick’s drama series The Honourable Woman for BBC Two and Sundance Channel.
Shooting starts in July in London on the thriller set against an international political backdrop written and directed by BAFTA award winner Blick. The Honourable Woman is set in the UK, the Middle East and America, and will film on location.
It will be broadcast on BBC Two and the Sundance Channel in 2014.
Following the murder of a Palestinian business man, Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra find themselves placed under the scrutiny of both Whitehall and the Secret Intelligence Service. Nessa is then forced to confront the true nature of her business empire, inherited from her father who was a Zionist arms procurer.
Gyllenhaal commented: “I couldn’t put the scripts down. Nessa is such...
- 6/28/2013
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Actress to play lead role in drama series set against an international political backdrop.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is to play the lead role in Hugo Blick’s drama series The Honourable Woman for BBC Two and Sundance Channel.
Shooting starts in July in London on the thriller set against an international political backdrop written and directed by BAFTA award winner Blick. The Honourable Woman is set in the UK, the Middle East and America, and will film on location.
It will be broadcast on BBC Two and the Sundance Channel in 2014.
Following the murder of a Palestinian business man, Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra find themselves placed under the scrutiny of both Whitehall and the Secret Intelligence Service. Nessa is then forced to confront the true nature of her business empire, inherited from her father who was a Zionist arms procurer.
Gyllenhaal commented: “I couldn’t put the scripts down. Nessa is such...
Maggie Gyllenhaal is to play the lead role in Hugo Blick’s drama series The Honourable Woman for BBC Two and Sundance Channel.
Shooting starts in July in London on the thriller set against an international political backdrop written and directed by BAFTA award winner Blick. The Honourable Woman is set in the UK, the Middle East and America, and will film on location.
It will be broadcast on BBC Two and the Sundance Channel in 2014.
Following the murder of a Palestinian business man, Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra find themselves placed under the scrutiny of both Whitehall and the Secret Intelligence Service. Nessa is then forced to confront the true nature of her business empire, inherited from her father who was a Zionist arms procurer.
Gyllenhaal commented: “I couldn’t put the scripts down. Nessa is such...
- 6/28/2013
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Mark Gatiss has written and directed a new version of Mr James's The Tractate Middoth for BBC Two.
The drama will be accompanied by a new documentary on James presented by Gatiss called Ghost Writer.
Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow said: "It's a pleasure to bring Mark Gatiss back to BBC Two with a new look at one of Britain's genre-defining writers."
In the documentary, Gatiss will follow James's footsteps, travelling from Suffolk to Eton and King's College, Cambridge.
The BBC promises the programmes, executive produced by Michael Poole, will "reinvigorate the long and popular BBC Two tradition of a festive ghost story for audiences to enjoy over Christmas".
The shows are part of a range of arts programmes for BBC Two announced today (June 12).
The others are three-part series A Very British Renaissance presented by Dr James Fox, four-part BBC America co-production My God, It's Full Of Stars:...
The drama will be accompanied by a new documentary on James presented by Gatiss called Ghost Writer.
Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow said: "It's a pleasure to bring Mark Gatiss back to BBC Two with a new look at one of Britain's genre-defining writers."
In the documentary, Gatiss will follow James's footsteps, travelling from Suffolk to Eton and King's College, Cambridge.
The BBC promises the programmes, executive produced by Michael Poole, will "reinvigorate the long and popular BBC Two tradition of a festive ghost story for audiences to enjoy over Christmas".
The shows are part of a range of arts programmes for BBC Two announced today (June 12).
The others are three-part series A Very British Renaissance presented by Dr James Fox, four-part BBC America co-production My God, It's Full Of Stars:...
- 6/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Up The Women has been commissioned for a second series on BBC Two.
The sitcom is written by and stars Jessica Hynes and also features Rebecca Front.
It will return for six half-hour episodes made by BBC In-House Comedy and Baby Cow Productions.
Hynes said: "I am very pleased that the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Request Women's Suffrage, Biccprws, will continue to convene on the British Broadcasting Corporation.
"Our members are thrilled and our passion for social change through militancy burns brighter than ever."
She added: "We are composing an incendiary pamphlet and designing our very own Biccprws egg cosies to celebrate this momentous occasion. Up The Women!"
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow, who recommissioned the series, added: "I'm delighted to welcome the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle to BBC Two.
"With brilliant writing from Jessica Hynes and a fabulous cast including Rebecca Front, Judy Parfitt and Adrian Scarborough, Up The Women...
The sitcom is written by and stars Jessica Hynes and also features Rebecca Front.
It will return for six half-hour episodes made by BBC In-House Comedy and Baby Cow Productions.
Hynes said: "I am very pleased that the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Request Women's Suffrage, Biccprws, will continue to convene on the British Broadcasting Corporation.
"Our members are thrilled and our passion for social change through militancy burns brighter than ever."
She added: "We are composing an incendiary pamphlet and designing our very own Biccprws egg cosies to celebrate this momentous occasion. Up The Women!"
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow, who recommissioned the series, added: "I'm delighted to welcome the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle to BBC Two.
"With brilliant writing from Jessica Hynes and a fabulous cast including Rebecca Front, Judy Parfitt and Adrian Scarborough, Up The Women...
- 6/12/2013
- Digital Spy
✒Some of those who relished the Pirandellian spectacle of the BBC's coverage of the Queen's visit to New Broadcasting House on Friday (climaxing in especially postmodern fashion with her contribution to a Radio 4 special about, well, her visit to New Broadcasting House) consulted the maps for BBC staff of the "goldfish bowl" newsroom, as previously reproduced in MediaGuardian. And, yes, the spot where Hm stood as she appeared panto-style behind the news presenters is the No 1 no-go area, marked "please don't stand here".
✒This wasn't the only instance of royal scorn for the rules, as she wore a hat in the newsroom and was accompanied by an equerry equipped with a sword, both contrary to BBC guidelines though more alarmingly so in the latter case. At one point it seemed possible the sword might come in to use, when a second chap in military garb could be glimpsed making a...
✒This wasn't the only instance of royal scorn for the rules, as she wore a hat in the newsroom and was accompanied by an equerry equipped with a sword, both contrary to BBC guidelines though more alarmingly so in the latter case. At one point it seemed possible the sword might come in to use, when a second chap in military garb could be glimpsed making a...
- 6/9/2013
- by Monkey
- The Guardian - Film News
John Plunkett is joined this week by Media Guardian acting editor Jason Deans and Broadcast editor Lisa Campbell. Together they dissect the week's media stories, checking their privileges as they go.
Single documentaries strand Modern Times is coming back, thanks to BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow – but will the budgets and quality match up to the original?
In other news. Channel 4 releases a new second-screen app, there's more fallout at the BBC from the Digital Media Initiative fiasco and Jemima Kiss has a reality check for culture secretary Maria Miller, over plans to curb the sharing of illicit content on the web.
Plus Rebecca Nicholson recovers from this week's Games of Thrones to review ITV1's Love and Marriage and new import The Americans.
John PlunkettMatt HillJason DeansJemima KissRebecca Nicholson...
Single documentaries strand Modern Times is coming back, thanks to BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow – but will the budgets and quality match up to the original?
In other news. Channel 4 releases a new second-screen app, there's more fallout at the BBC from the Digital Media Initiative fiasco and Jemima Kiss has a reality check for culture secretary Maria Miller, over plans to curb the sharing of illicit content on the web.
Plus Rebecca Nicholson recovers from this week's Games of Thrones to review ITV1's Love and Marriage and new import The Americans.
John PlunkettMatt HillJason DeansJemima KissRebecca Nicholson...
- 6/7/2013
- by John Plunkett, Matt Hill, Jason Deans, Jemima Kiss, Rebecca Nicholson
- The Guardian - Film News
BBC Two has announced details of its new show Airport Live.
Presented by Dan Snow, Anita Rani and Dallas Campbell, the factual programme will come live from Heathrow for one hour over four consecutive nights.
Airport Live promises to follow aircraft from the moment that they enter Heathrow's airspace to when they depart.
Snow will be reporting live from the air traffic control tower, while Rani and Campbell will both be studying the science, engineering and logistics of air travel.
The airport, which covers five square miles and processes 200,000 passengers every day, is one of the busiest in the world.
Speaking about the series, Snow said: "Air travel has become an everyday luxury that we take for granted, but behind the scenes it's a fascinating web of processes all precisely managed to maintain equilibrium.
"Over four nights we'll get the chance to see how it all works. We'll take a...
Presented by Dan Snow, Anita Rani and Dallas Campbell, the factual programme will come live from Heathrow for one hour over four consecutive nights.
Airport Live promises to follow aircraft from the moment that they enter Heathrow's airspace to when they depart.
Snow will be reporting live from the air traffic control tower, while Rani and Campbell will both be studying the science, engineering and logistics of air travel.
The airport, which covers five square miles and processes 200,000 passengers every day, is one of the busiest in the world.
Speaking about the series, Snow said: "Air travel has become an everyday luxury that we take for granted, but behind the scenes it's a fascinating web of processes all precisely managed to maintain equilibrium.
"Over four nights we'll get the chance to see how it all works. We'll take a...
- 5/21/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC Two drama Murder has been commissioned for a full series.
Murder: Joint Enterprise won 'Best Single Drama' at Sunday night's (May 12) BAFTA Television Awards and an extended series will now follow.
"Murder was one of the most striking and distinctive single dramas on BBC Two last year and I'm delighted to see it turn into a series," said BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow.
Joint Enterprise - which aired in August 2012 - starred Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) and Karla Crome (Misfits) as two young people caught up in a murder investigation, with both characters directly addressing the camera to tell their side of the story.
Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama, said: "It is testament to the talented team behind Murder that it will return to BBC Two as a series. It is a truly innovative way of telling crime stories in a unique way and its BAFTA for 'Best Single' reinforces this.
Murder: Joint Enterprise won 'Best Single Drama' at Sunday night's (May 12) BAFTA Television Awards and an extended series will now follow.
"Murder was one of the most striking and distinctive single dramas on BBC Two last year and I'm delighted to see it turn into a series," said BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow.
Joint Enterprise - which aired in August 2012 - starred Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) and Karla Crome (Misfits) as two young people caught up in a murder investigation, with both characters directly addressing the camera to tell their side of the story.
Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama, said: "It is testament to the talented team behind Murder that it will return to BBC Two as a series. It is a truly innovative way of telling crime stories in a unique way and its BAFTA for 'Best Single' reinforces this.
- 5/14/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow will look after BBC Four during an interim period while the broadcaster searches for a replacement for Richard Klein.
Klein announced yesterday (May 8) that he would be leaving BBC Four to take over as director of factual at ITV.
Hadlow will be assisted by channel exec Adam Barker and schedulers Don Cameron and Owen Courtney, reports Broadcast.
Whoever takes over at BBC Four will have to handle a significantly reduced budget and a channel that no longer develops original drama output.
The BBC's new director of television Danny Cohen has two controller positions to fill, including his own former job as controller of BBC One.
BBC Drama boss Ben Stephenson and ITV's director of entertainment Elaine Bedell are believed to be in the running for the BBC One job.
Klein announced yesterday (May 8) that he would be leaving BBC Four to take over as director of factual at ITV.
Hadlow will be assisted by channel exec Adam Barker and schedulers Don Cameron and Owen Courtney, reports Broadcast.
Whoever takes over at BBC Four will have to handle a significantly reduced budget and a channel that no longer develops original drama output.
The BBC's new director of television Danny Cohen has two controller positions to fill, including his own former job as controller of BBC One.
BBC Drama boss Ben Stephenson and ITV's director of entertainment Elaine Bedell are believed to be in the running for the BBC One job.
- 5/8/2013
- Digital Spy
Bill Nighy is to star in two sequels to BBC Two film Page Eight.
The 63-year-old will reprise his role as MI5 spy Johnny Worricker in Turks & Caicos and Salting The Battlefield from writer/director David Hare.
Christopher Walken, Winona Ryder, Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes will also star in Turks & Caicos, which will see Worricker forced to deal with an old girlfriend and the CIA.
Salting The Battlefield will show Nighy appear opposite Saskia Reeves, Judy Davis and Ewen Bremner in a tale that sees Worricker in exile and on the run across Europe.
"We have assembled a most extraordinary cast for these two films," said Hare. "I think there may be two reasons - first and foremost, because so many actors want to appear alongside Bill Nighy, but secondly, because people responded so strongly to the feeling of Page Eight – all the fun of spy fiction, I hope,...
The 63-year-old will reprise his role as MI5 spy Johnny Worricker in Turks & Caicos and Salting The Battlefield from writer/director David Hare.
Christopher Walken, Winona Ryder, Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes will also star in Turks & Caicos, which will see Worricker forced to deal with an old girlfriend and the CIA.
Salting The Battlefield will show Nighy appear opposite Saskia Reeves, Judy Davis and Ewen Bremner in a tale that sees Worricker in exile and on the run across Europe.
"We have assembled a most extraordinary cast for these two films," said Hare. "I think there may be two reasons - first and foremost, because so many actors want to appear alongside Bill Nighy, but secondly, because people responded so strongly to the feeling of Page Eight – all the fun of spy fiction, I hope,...
- 5/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Applications have opened for one of the most important jobs in British Television: The Controller Of BBC One
The job became advertised today on the BBC Website, following Danny Cohen’s resignation of the job, after he was promoted to Director of Television by new Director General Tony Hall.
Charlotte Moore is currently the acting controller of BBC One, while senior executives begin the task of selecting a permanent candidate for the job. Rumoured names for the role include: Ben Stephenson, the current controller of BBC Drama; Janice Hadlow, current controller of BBC Two; Zai Bennett, current controller of BBC Three; and even Peter Fincham, the current head of ITV.
The BBC describe the job of Controller of BBC One as a job that “unites and inspires the nation with high-quality programmes across a range of genres…”
The BBC are looking for a well recognised industry figure, with a strong editorial and creative reputation,...
The job became advertised today on the BBC Website, following Danny Cohen’s resignation of the job, after he was promoted to Director of Television by new Director General Tony Hall.
Charlotte Moore is currently the acting controller of BBC One, while senior executives begin the task of selecting a permanent candidate for the job. Rumoured names for the role include: Ben Stephenson, the current controller of BBC Drama; Janice Hadlow, current controller of BBC Two; Zai Bennett, current controller of BBC Three; and even Peter Fincham, the current head of ITV.
The BBC describe the job of Controller of BBC One as a job that “unites and inspires the nation with high-quality programmes across a range of genres…”
The BBC are looking for a well recognised industry figure, with a strong editorial and creative reputation,...
- 5/3/2013
- by Connor Macgregor
- Obsessed with Film
Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer have revealed that they are "over the moon" to be back on BBC Two with their new sitcom House of Fools.
The duo, who have starred in Shooting Stars, Bang Bang... and The Smell Of... on BBC Two in the past, will shoot the new series later this year. House of Fools will air in 2014.
Set in "Bob's grubby flat", the studio audience sitcom will feature Matt Berry, Dan Skinner, Daniel Simonsen and Morgana Robinson.
Vic and Bob are flatmates on the show and they will have lots of unwanted visitors including lady-obsessed lothario Beef (Berry), ex-con Bosh (Skinner) and man-eater Julie (Robinson).
In the same way that Shooting Stars bent the rules of the panel show, the duo's sitcom promises to be filled with "uniquely surreal jokes, physical nonsense, daft songs, unimaginable props and impossible situations".
Shane Allen, BBC's new comedy commissioner, said: "Vic...
The duo, who have starred in Shooting Stars, Bang Bang... and The Smell Of... on BBC Two in the past, will shoot the new series later this year. House of Fools will air in 2014.
Set in "Bob's grubby flat", the studio audience sitcom will feature Matt Berry, Dan Skinner, Daniel Simonsen and Morgana Robinson.
Vic and Bob are flatmates on the show and they will have lots of unwanted visitors including lady-obsessed lothario Beef (Berry), ex-con Bosh (Skinner) and man-eater Julie (Robinson).
In the same way that Shooting Stars bent the rules of the panel show, the duo's sitcom promises to be filled with "uniquely surreal jokes, physical nonsense, daft songs, unimaginable props and impossible situations".
Shane Allen, BBC's new comedy commissioner, said: "Vic...
- 4/26/2013
- Digital Spy
Great British Sewing Bee has been given a second series.
The BBC confirmed today that the show will return in 2014 for a 6 x 60-minute run.
Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow said: "I'm delighted that BBC Two viewers have taken this series to their hearts.
"It has proved that an ill-fitting zip or badly placed dart can make for compelling television in much the same way as a soggy bottom on Great British Bake Off and I can't wait for the next series."
Last night's series finale was watched by 2.7 million viewers.
Great British Sewing Bee was hosted by Claudia Winkleman and featured eight competitors, the winner being 81-year-old Ann.
The series is commissioned for BBC Features by Hadlow, alongside commissioning editor Alison Kirkham and commissioning executive Emma Willis.
It will be executive produced by Anna Beattie for Love Productions.
The BBC confirmed today that the show will return in 2014 for a 6 x 60-minute run.
Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow said: "I'm delighted that BBC Two viewers have taken this series to their hearts.
"It has proved that an ill-fitting zip or badly placed dart can make for compelling television in much the same way as a soggy bottom on Great British Bake Off and I can't wait for the next series."
Last night's series finale was watched by 2.7 million viewers.
Great British Sewing Bee was hosted by Claudia Winkleman and featured eight competitors, the winner being 81-year-old Ann.
The series is commissioned for BBC Features by Hadlow, alongside commissioning editor Alison Kirkham and commissioning executive Emma Willis.
It will be executive produced by Anna Beattie for Love Productions.
- 4/24/2013
- Digital Spy
Keeley Hawes, Robert Lindsay and Jessica Raine have joined the cast of BBC Two's Line of Duty.
The trio will appear alongside Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar when the police drama returns for a second series.
The BBC have announced that the series will be comprised of six hour-long episodes focusing on a new police corruption story.
Hawes will appear as new character Di Lindsay Denton, who is the only surviving police officer after a convoy is ambushed.
The actress said: "I'm thrilled to be joining the cast of Line of Duty, and after reading Jed's incredible scripts I can't wait to take my character, Di Lindsay Denton, on the epic journey he has created for her.
"I loved the first series, so it's a real pleasure to be part of series two and working alongside such talented actors like Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Robert Lindsay.
The trio will appear alongside Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar when the police drama returns for a second series.
The BBC have announced that the series will be comprised of six hour-long episodes focusing on a new police corruption story.
Hawes will appear as new character Di Lindsay Denton, who is the only surviving police officer after a convoy is ambushed.
The actress said: "I'm thrilled to be joining the cast of Line of Duty, and after reading Jed's incredible scripts I can't wait to take my character, Di Lindsay Denton, on the epic journey he has created for her.
"I loved the first series, so it's a real pleasure to be part of series two and working alongside such talented actors like Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Robert Lindsay.
- 4/14/2013
- Digital Spy
Three other programmes nominated four times: Accused and Last Tango in Halifax, and BBC2 Alfred Hitchcock film, The Girl
It was only to be expected that the BBC's acclaimed coverage of the London Olympics would be recognised at the Bafta television awards.
But with three nominations, including Danny Boyle's spectacular opening ceremony, the Olympics has still ended up with one fewer than the BBC2 sitcom that spoofed the preparations for the Games, Twenty Twelve.
The comedy about the fictional Olympic Deliverance Commission and their hapless efforts to stage the 2012 Games is in the running for best sitcom in the nominations announced on Tuesday, with three of its stars, Olivia Colman, Jessica Hynes and Hugh Bonneville also nominated.
Three other programmes have been nominated four times: the two BBC1 drama series Accused and Last Tango in Halifax, and BBC2's film about Alfred Hitchcock, The Girl.
Written and directed by John Morton,...
It was only to be expected that the BBC's acclaimed coverage of the London Olympics would be recognised at the Bafta television awards.
But with three nominations, including Danny Boyle's spectacular opening ceremony, the Olympics has still ended up with one fewer than the BBC2 sitcom that spoofed the preparations for the Games, Twenty Twelve.
The comedy about the fictional Olympic Deliverance Commission and their hapless efforts to stage the 2012 Games is in the running for best sitcom in the nominations announced on Tuesday, with three of its stars, Olivia Colman, Jessica Hynes and Hugh Bonneville also nominated.
Three other programmes have been nominated four times: the two BBC1 drama series Accused and Last Tango in Halifax, and BBC2's film about Alfred Hitchcock, The Girl.
Written and directed by John Morton,...
- 4/10/2013
- by John Plunkett
- The Guardian - Film News
Food and Drink is due to return on the BBC next year. MasterChef star Michel Roux Jr will host the new version, which will return to BBC Two for six episodes in 2013. The original series ran on BBC Two from 1982 to 2001. Simon Bates, Jilly Goolden, Oz Clarke and Michael Barry were among the stars of the first run. The BBC stated that Roux Jr will help viewers take on recipes with a host of celebrity chefs, while also examining food trends, consumer issues and other debates and discussions. "It is an honour to be involved in the exciting re-launch of Food and Drink," said Roux Jr. "The original programme inspired many and with Britain's appreciation for good food having grown so much in the last 30 years, I am looking forward to exploring fantastic food and drink with old and new friends." Janice Hadlow, controller of BBC Two, said: (more)...
- 9/5/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
A six-part adaptation of best seller Wolf Hall and Hugo Blick's first drama since cult hit The Shadow Line have been confirmed to air on BBC Two. BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow announced the two new big budget dramas at the Edinburgh TV Festival this morning. Wolf Hall, written by Hilary Mantel, has been a huge hit and won the Man Booker Prize. Based in the 1520s, England is facing civil war if Henry VIII dies without a male heir. Thomas Cromwell is stepping into the gap left by the King and is prepared to break the rules, wanting to reshape England to his own and Henry VIII's desires. Hugo Blick's latest work The Honourable Woman centres on a UK Zionist gunrunner's daughter, who inherits her murdered father's company and ends up in a deadly (more)...
- 8/23/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow has defended the disappointing ratings, poor critical response and controversy that surrounded Ricky Gervais's 2011 BBC sitcom Life's Too Short. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Hadlow claimed that "controversy" came hand-in-hand with taking risks, which she said was an intrinsic part of BBC Two's remit as a channel. When asked about Life's Too Short, Hadlow said: "I think part of BBC Two's remit is to take risks. Are you brave enough and are you willing to take risks as a channel? "If you want to take risks, which we do, (more)...
- 8/23/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
![Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall in Bottom (1991)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYjg5YTc1NWYtMjJhMi00NGYyLWJjMDMtNTUxYjVhYWQ2YjIwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc5NjEzNA@@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
![Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall in Bottom (1991)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYjg5YTc1NWYtMjJhMi00NGYyLWJjMDMtNTUxYjVhYWQ2YjIwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc5NjEzNA@@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,1,140,207_.jpg)
BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow has announced a new list of shows at the Media Guardian Edinburgh TV Festival, including a comedy drama for Mitchell and Webb, a reunion for classic sitcom Bottom and a new self-penned sitcom from Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins. Hadlow also revealed at the festival that she was still searching for pre-watershed family comedies to replace Miranda on the channel. Digital Spy revealed earlier today (August 23) that Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson were reuniting for a spinoff of their '90s hit Bottom, titled Hooligan's Island. Based on the Bottom Live show, it features the programme's classic characters Richie Richard and Eddie Hitler, who have found themselves shipwrecked on a tropical hell hole. The violent slapstick that made the original TV series famous is still prominent and a full six-episode (more)...
- 8/23/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Welcome to our first live blog from the MediaGuardian Edinburgh Television Festival. Digital Spy will be bringing you all the news and gossip direct from Scotland, where TV bigwigs and the biggest names of entertainment are gathering for three days to discuss the best (and worst) of British television. The first event of the day is a Meet The Controller session with BBC Two's Janice Hadlow. The channel has (more)...
- 8/23/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Doctor Who thing of the day: An Adventure in Time and Space to tell the story of the show’s creation
So that creation-of-Doctor Who teledrama that Mark Gatiss hinted at last winter? It’s happening. From the official BBC Doctor Who Web site: An Adventure In Space And Time To Mark The Doctor’S 50th Birthday The BBC today announces that a special BBC Two drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who next year. An Adventure in Space and Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who since its first broadcast on 23 November 1963. Exploring all aspects of the longest running science fiction series to date, the special one off 90 minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life. Written by Mark Gatiss, it is Executive Produced by current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. The single drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson Controller, Drama and Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two. Mark Gatiss,...
- 8/10/2012
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
After months of rumors and speculation, the BBC has finally announced a Doctor Who biopic just in time for the show’s 50th Anniversary next year. It will be written by Mark Gatiss and produced by Steven Moffat as they have worked together previously on Doctor Who itself, as well as the hit series Sherlock.
Titled An Adventure In Space And Time, the 90 minute special will take place in the early sixties and look at how the show came to be created. While nothing else has been announced, I’m incredibly excited about the project as Mark Gatiss is a great writer and will no doubt do the show justice. And that’s besides the fact that period dramas such as these are what the BBC does best.
Here’s the official press release by the BBC:
An Adventure In Space And Time To Mark The Doctor’S 50th Birthday...
Titled An Adventure In Space And Time, the 90 minute special will take place in the early sixties and look at how the show came to be created. While nothing else has been announced, I’m incredibly excited about the project as Mark Gatiss is a great writer and will no doubt do the show justice. And that’s besides the fact that period dramas such as these are what the BBC does best.
Here’s the official press release by the BBC:
An Adventure In Space And Time To Mark The Doctor’S 50th Birthday...
- 8/9/2012
- by Juan
- We Got This Covered
BBC Two has picked up Rev for a third series. It was reported back in April that the channel was in negotiations with Big Talk Productions to recommission the series. Rev stars Tom Hollander as Adam Smallbone, a vicar who relocates from a rural parish in Suffolk to an inner-city London church. Development on series three will commence this autumn, with a 2014 air date planned, Variety reports. "We're absolutely delighted to have Rev back on the channel," said BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow. "It's one of the real comedy jewels in BBC Two's crown." Big Talk's Kenton (more)...
- 8/1/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Line of Duty has been recommissioned for a second series by the BBC. The police thriller starring Lennie James, Martin Compston and Vicky McLure will shortly return to BBC Two, it has been confirmed. Janice Hadlow, controller of the channel, said: "I'm so pleased to have this brilliantly realised thriller on BBC Two; it is a wonderful addition to the channel's rich landscape of drama. "With fantastic writing from Jed Mercurio, great characterisation, tightly plotted detail and riveting performances (more)...
- 7/25/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
'The Thick Of It' is returning to TV screens this autumn. The BBC has commissioned a fourth series of the political comedy series, which will consist of seven 30 minute episodes and will be aired on BBC Two, and the channel's Controller Janice Hadlow claims now is the perfect time to welcome back the programme. She said: ''I am delighted to welcome The Thick Of It back to BBC Two. It is an essential part of the BBC Two comedy offering this year. A new Coalition government, what better time for a new series of 'The Thick Of It'.'' The series -...
- 7/12/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
'The Thick Of It' is returning to TV screens this autumn. The BBC has commissioned a fourth series of the political comedy series, which will consist of seven 30 minute episodes and will be aired on BBC Two, and the channel's Controller Janice Hadlow claims now is the perfect time to welcome back the programme. She said: ''I am delighted to welcome The Thick Of It back to BBC Two. It is an essential part of the BBC Two comedy offering this year. A new Coalition government, what better time for a new series of 'The Thick Of It'.'' The series -...
- 7/11/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
The list comprises a mixture of executives, producers, actors and writers, but is it a fair reflection and who has been omitted?
See the list of names in full
No one disputes that women have a long way to go in achieving equal status in broadcasting and film. But it is also easy to fall into the trap of whinging about unfairness, rather than saluting those who win through.
That is the point of the Top 50 Powerlist, relaunched on Thursday by Women in Film & TV, in association with Screen International and Broadcast.
After a first stab in 2010, it is timed to mark and chime with International Women's Day. Tonally, it is striving to change the pitch from minor to major: people of achievement clearly come in both sexes.
Kate Kinninmont, Wftv chief executive, says that in "true womanly style" the list is not arranged in any order, though one ambitious...
See the list of names in full
No one disputes that women have a long way to go in achieving equal status in broadcasting and film. But it is also easy to fall into the trap of whinging about unfairness, rather than saluting those who win through.
That is the point of the Top 50 Powerlist, relaunched on Thursday by Women in Film & TV, in association with Screen International and Broadcast.
After a first stab in 2010, it is timed to mark and chime with International Women's Day. Tonally, it is striving to change the pitch from minor to major: people of achievement clearly come in both sexes.
Kate Kinninmont, Wftv chief executive, says that in "true womanly style" the list is not arranged in any order, though one ambitious...
- 3/8/2012
- by Maggie Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
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