Agent Carter star Hayley Atwell and King Charles III’s Tamara Lawrance are to lead the cast of David Heyman’s BBC drama The Long Song.
The pair are to front the three-part series, which tells the story of dying days of slavery in Jamaica, alongside a supporting cast, which includes British comedy legend Lenny Henry.
The Long Song starts in 1838 on the British-ruled Caribbean island as three hundred years of slavery came to a chaotic end. The series follows July, a strong-willed young female slave on a Jamaican plantation, played by Lawrance, who goes from being a slave to the mother of a gentleman. The story is told from July’s perspective as she looks back over her life. Atwell plays her odious mistress Caroline Mortimer, while War and Peace’s Jack Lowden plays a charming new island arrival.
Henry stars as Godfrey, Doña Croll (EastEnders) as Old July,...
The pair are to front the three-part series, which tells the story of dying days of slavery in Jamaica, alongside a supporting cast, which includes British comedy legend Lenny Henry.
The Long Song starts in 1838 on the British-ruled Caribbean island as three hundred years of slavery came to a chaotic end. The series follows July, a strong-willed young female slave on a Jamaican plantation, played by Lawrance, who goes from being a slave to the mother of a gentleman. The story is told from July’s perspective as she looks back over her life. Atwell plays her odious mistress Caroline Mortimer, while War and Peace’s Jack Lowden plays a charming new island arrival.
Henry stars as Godfrey, Doña Croll (EastEnders) as Old July,...
- 7/12/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
David Heyman is a busy man; in addition to boarding Quentin Tarantino's next film, the Harry Potter producer is adapting Andrea Levy's novel The Long Song into a high-end drama for BBC One. The Long Song, which tells the story of dying days of slavery in Jamaica, is produced by Heyman's Heyday Television, a joint venture with NBC Universal, and will be written by Sarah Williams, who co-wrote BBC One's Small Island with Paula Milne and ITV's Case Sensitive. The project had…...
- 11/28/2017
- Deadline TV
For many actors, Downton Abbey was their first big break in television.
But not everyone can be a Lord Grantham or a Carson. For many - whether they chose to leave or were written out - their fortunes changed after exiting the ITV drama.
So after the news that Dan Stevens has joined Beauty and the Beast, Digital Spy looks at the careers (so far!) of 9 actors who have bowed out of Highclere Castle...
1. Ed Speleers
After starring in series three, four and five of Downton, Ed Speleers left Jimmy Kent behind for another role in a big budget British TV drama.
We most recently saw him in the part of Edward Seymour in Wolf Hall, and he will also star in upcoming films Remainder and Howl. Most prominently, he's been cast alongside Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter in Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.
2. Amy Nuttall...
But not everyone can be a Lord Grantham or a Carson. For many - whether they chose to leave or were written out - their fortunes changed after exiting the ITV drama.
So after the news that Dan Stevens has joined Beauty and the Beast, Digital Spy looks at the careers (so far!) of 9 actors who have bowed out of Highclere Castle...
1. Ed Speleers
After starring in series three, four and five of Downton, Ed Speleers left Jimmy Kent behind for another role in a big budget British TV drama.
We most recently saw him in the part of Edward Seymour in Wolf Hall, and he will also star in upcoming films Remainder and Howl. Most prominently, he's been cast alongside Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter in Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.
2. Amy Nuttall...
- 3/5/2015
- Digital Spy
At a PBS TCA panel last month, Mr Selfridge creator Andrew Davies said that while no decision had been made on a second season, he’d already written the first episodes and was “very confident” of a renewal. He had reason to be. ITV today commissioned 10 more hourlong episodes of the period drama that stars Jeremy Piven as entrepreneur and department store revolutionary Harry Selfridge. Shooting starts in April in Greater London and Kent for a 2014 airdate that will coincide with the centenary of World War I. The first season kicks off on PBS next month. Since launching on ITV in January, the show has a consolidated average audience of 8.5M and drew 9.4M to its peak episode. The second season will be set in 1914, just ahead of the Great War, and will add new castmembers. Also, joining Davies as lead writers will be Kate Brooke (Case Sensitive, Making Of...
- 2/8/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
ITV has ordered a new drama based on novel The Ice Cream Girls. Dorothy Koomson's 2010 work will be adapted by Case Sensitive writer Kate Brooke. Jodhi May (Strike Back) and Lorraine Burroughs (Lip Service) will play the lead roles in ITV1's version, which enters production in Dublin at the end of August. The Ice Cream Girls tells the story of two women who were accused of murdering their schoolteacher as teenagers. Seventeen years later, both Serena Gorringe (Burroughs) and Poppy Carlisle (May) must confront their dark, shared history. Set in a seaside town, the three-part thriller will also star Martin (more)...
- 8/28/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
ITV1 has reportedly cancelled crime drama Case Sensitive after two series. The show - based on the novels of Sophie Hannah - followed cops DS Charlie Zailer (Olivia Williams) and DC Simon Waterhouse (Darren Boyd). Boyd broke the news of the show's axe on Twitter, writing: "Those of you who enjoyed Case Sensitive, I'm sorry to report that ITV have decided not to make any more. Shame, but them's the breaks." The actor later tweeted at author Hannah: "A real shame we won't get to explore Charlie & Simon anymore. Was a pleasure and a joy working with you." The first series of Case Sensitive attracted an average of 5.64m viewers in 2011, (more)...
- 8/1/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale all posted strong showings on Friday evening (July 13), overnight audience data has revealed. Coronation Street on ITV1 featured a dramatic storyline involving Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and his estranged wife Leanne (Jane Danson). The first of Friday's two instalments was seen by 7.58m viewers (36.1% audience share) at 7.30pm, with 144k watching later on ITV+1. 7.84m (33.4%) tuned in for the second episode at 8.30pm, with 218k watching on timeshift. A number of scenes in the episodes were edited out of respect for the family of late Stone Roses fan Christopher Brahney. Emmerdale's 6.05m viewers gave the channel a 30.6% audience share between 7pm and 7.30pm. 104k also watched the episode an hour later on timeshift. Meanwhile, Case Sensitive thrilled 3.57m (15.3%) at 9pm, (more)...
- 7/14/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale all posted strong showings on Friday evening (July 13), overnight audience data has revealed. Coronation Street on ITV1 featured a dramatic storyline involving Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and his estranged wife Leanne (Jane Danson). The first of Friday's two instalments was seen by 7.58m viewers (36.1% audience share) at 7.30pm, with 144k watching later on ITV+1. 7.84m (33.4%) tuned in for the second episode at 8.30pm, with 218k watching on timeshift. A number of scenes in the episodes were edited out of respect for the family of late Stone Roses fan Christopher Brahney. Emmerdale's 6.05m viewers gave the channel a 30.6% audience share between 7pm and 7.30pm. 104k also watched the episode an hour later on timeshift. Meanwhile, Case Sensitive thrilled 3.57m (15.3%) at 9pm, (more)...
- 7/14/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
It's been quite a year for Darren Boyd - the 41-year-old actor has starred in the likes of Holy Flying Circus and Dirk Gently, won a BAFTA for his role in Sky comedy Spy and now he's back with a new two-part special of his ITV detective drama Case Sensitive. Based on Sophie Hannah's novel series and also starring Olivia Williams, series two of Case Sensitive is based on the 2009 book 'The Other Half Lives' and sees DS Charlie Zailer (Williams) and DC Simon Waterhouse (Boyd) back to solve another twisted crime. Digital Spy got Darren on the phone to chat about the new episodes, his recent success and whether he's planning to fit more Case Sensitive into his busy schedule... Were you happy with the reaction to Case Sensitive last year? It averaged 6m viewers on its debut...
"Ecstatic - are you (more)...
"Ecstatic - are you (more)...
- 7/10/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
The actor talks about her family
My parents have always been cool. They even became surrogates to friends of mine who didn't have such supportive parents. Ours was a liberal-left household, so I didn't have any problem with questioning authority – which drove my teachers crazy.
I think my parents invented "Is that your final answer?" before Chris Tarrant. My father would do mock cross-examinations with me and my sister Sophie at the dinner table. Both my parents are QCs, though my dad is retired now. I would then ask other children questions in the same way, so they were terrified of me. But it didn't matter to me: I was a slightly precocious, argumentative child who enjoyed my parents' company and didn't like other kids very much. On playdates, I would end up in the kitchen talking to their mums and dads.
I don't remember my parents nagging or punishing us.
My parents have always been cool. They even became surrogates to friends of mine who didn't have such supportive parents. Ours was a liberal-left household, so I didn't have any problem with questioning authority – which drove my teachers crazy.
I think my parents invented "Is that your final answer?" before Chris Tarrant. My father would do mock cross-examinations with me and my sister Sophie at the dinner table. Both my parents are QCs, though my dad is retired now. I would then ask other children questions in the same way, so they were terrified of me. But it didn't matter to me: I was a slightly precocious, argumentative child who enjoyed my parents' company and didn't like other kids very much. On playdates, I would end up in the kitchen talking to their mums and dads.
I don't remember my parents nagging or punishing us.
- 6/22/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
The story behind the making of the film and the religious storm it caused are the subject of Holy Flying Circus
As Brian Cohen, the hapless hero of Monty Python's Life of Brian, finds out, it can be tricky stepping into the shoes of someone worshipped by all. And the fear of not passing muster is on the minds of all six actors cast as Pythons for a BBC comedy drama about the release of the film in 1979.
Holy Flying Circus will tell the story of the making of Life of Brian and the righteous fury that surrounded the release of its satirical take on the gospels. It is the first attempt to dramatise the activities of the sextet who transformed the nature of comedy in this country and produced a British film now critically regarded as one of the very best.
Coming together this summer to play Michael Palin,...
As Brian Cohen, the hapless hero of Monty Python's Life of Brian, finds out, it can be tricky stepping into the shoes of someone worshipped by all. And the fear of not passing muster is on the minds of all six actors cast as Pythons for a BBC comedy drama about the release of the film in 1979.
Holy Flying Circus will tell the story of the making of Life of Brian and the righteous fury that surrounded the release of its satirical take on the gospels. It is the first attempt to dramatise the activities of the sextet who transformed the nature of comedy in this country and produced a British film now critically regarded as one of the very best.
Coming together this summer to play Michael Palin,...
- 8/15/2011
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
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Scott and Bailey returns to ITV. co. ITV
So far, 2011 has been a good year for ITV dramas as 8 of the 10 most watched British TV dramas were produced by the network. ITV’s great eight were Scott & Bailey, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Marchlands, Vera, Case Sensitive, Kidnap & Ransom, Injustice and Monroe. Four of the shows are set to return to the network in 2012. Leading the way will be the medical drama Monroe which stars James Nesbitt who is currently working on the Hobbit movie. Brenda Blethyn as the brooding Vera will be back, as will Olivia Williams in Case Sensitive. Scott and Bailey completes the quartet of returning dramas although ITV have not ruled out the possibility that some of the other hits of 2011 could be revived for 2012.
Us based fans of hit...
Scott and Bailey returns to ITV. co. ITV
So far, 2011 has been a good year for ITV dramas as 8 of the 10 most watched British TV dramas were produced by the network. ITV’s great eight were Scott & Bailey, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Marchlands, Vera, Case Sensitive, Kidnap & Ransom, Injustice and Monroe. Four of the shows are set to return to the network in 2012. Leading the way will be the medical drama Monroe which stars James Nesbitt who is currently working on the Hobbit movie. Brenda Blethyn as the brooding Vera will be back, as will Olivia Williams in Case Sensitive. Scott and Bailey completes the quartet of returning dramas although ITV have not ruled out the possibility that some of the other hits of 2011 could be revived for 2012.
Us based fans of hit...
- 7/26/2011
- by admin
Sky have announced the latest addition to their growing comedy slate, Spy, which will transmit this Autumn on Sky 1 HD. The series tells the story of Tim (Daren Boyd – pictured above), a single father trying to win back the respect and affections of his horribly precocious nine year old son, Marcus. In the hope of proving that he is not a complete loser, Tim quits his dead-end job but his life changes forever when he is accidentally recruited as a trainee spy for MI5.
Tim (Darren Boyd – Case Sensitive, Green Wing, Dirk Gently) struggles as he attempts to juggle family life and his professional life without his secret being discovered, least of all by Marcus, (newcomer Jude Wright). Supervising Tim at work is irrepressible MI5 boss, The Examiner, played by Robert Lindsay (My Family) who teaches the recruits his own unorthodox approach to the espionage game.
Adding to the chaos...
Tim (Darren Boyd – Case Sensitive, Green Wing, Dirk Gently) struggles as he attempts to juggle family life and his professional life without his secret being discovered, least of all by Marcus, (newcomer Jude Wright). Supervising Tim at work is irrepressible MI5 boss, The Examiner, played by Robert Lindsay (My Family) who teaches the recruits his own unorthodox approach to the espionage game.
Adding to the chaos...
- 5/11/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Sky1 has announced that it has ordered a new comedy called Spy. The show stars Darren Boyd as a single father called Tim who quits his job in an attempt to impress his 9-year-old son Marcus (Jude Wright). However, Tim's life is shaken up when he is accidentally recruited as a trainee at MI5. He ends up having to balance his family life with his new career and struggles to keep it a secret. Boyd recently starred in Whites and Case Sensitive and has also worked in shows including Dirk Gently and Green Wing. The six-part series will also star My Family's Robert Lindsay as Tim's boss The Examiner, Dolly Wells as his ex-wife Judith, Tom Goodman-Hill as Judith's boyfriend Philip, and Mathew Baynton as Tim's friend Chris. Elsewhere, (more)...
- 5/10/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Four new crime dramas, all brimming with acting talent, offer conclusive proof of British TV's inferiority
Exile (BBC1) | iPlayer
The Shadow Line (BBC2) | iPlayer
Vera (ITV1) | ITV Player
Case Sensitive (ITV1) | ITV Player
Government statistics suggest that crime is declining in all areas except television, where various initiatives have failed to arrest its continuing commission. No amount of celebrity chefs nor property shows have done the trick. Not even costume dramas with bonnets and butlers. The truth is that when placed against the draw of a bloody murder or a violent rape, the rest of TV is about as effective as a community support officer at an armed robbery.
Last week no fewer than four new crime dramas made their fanfared debuts. Each one bore the trace of a handsome budget and loving attention, each one made confident demands – whether temporal or cerebral – on the viewer, and each one left...
Exile (BBC1) | iPlayer
The Shadow Line (BBC2) | iPlayer
Vera (ITV1) | ITV Player
Case Sensitive (ITV1) | ITV Player
Government statistics suggest that crime is declining in all areas except television, where various initiatives have failed to arrest its continuing commission. No amount of celebrity chefs nor property shows have done the trick. Not even costume dramas with bonnets and butlers. The truth is that when placed against the draw of a bloody murder or a violent rape, the rest of TV is about as effective as a community support officer at an armed robbery.
Last week no fewer than four new crime dramas made their fanfared debuts. Each one bore the trace of a handsome budget and loving attention, each one made confident demands – whether temporal or cerebral – on the viewer, and each one left...
- 5/7/2011
- by Andrew Anthony
- The Guardian - Film News
Game of Thrones steadied its UK audience to around 510k last night for Sky Atlantic, early viewing figures indicate. Starring Sean Bean, the medieval fantasy drama - recently renewed by Us network HBO for a second season - grabbed 506k (1.9%) in the 9pm hour for its latest instalment 'Lord Snow'. After a 200k drop last week from its premiere on April 18, Game of Thrones lost only a tiny proportion of its audience this week. Predictably, Glee led the Monday night multichannel charge with a combined 1.6m - 1.23m (4.5%) on E4 and 349k an hour later on +1. Leading at 9pm on the terrestrials, new ITV1 thriller Case Sensitive - starring Olivia Williams and Darren Boyd - kicked off with 5.14m (18.8%), adding 271k on ITV1 +1. Case Sensitive knocked John Simm drama Exile which fell to 4.12m (15.1%), down 240k (more)...
- 5/3/2011
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
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