Star returns to small screen after 25 years in Luck, an HBO show banking on the lasting appeal of older actors
A quarter of a century after his only previous appearance on the small screen, Dustin Hoffman is set to appear on TV playing a cool, criminally minded gambler in a new HBO drama about the thoroughbred racing business at California's art deco Santa Anita Park.
HBO executives are not the only ones hoping Luck is a wager that pays out: its success would help to challenge the argument that audiences will only embrace youth and beauty. Other long-in-the-tooth actors in the show include Nick Nolte, 70, playing a trainer known simply as the "The Old Man", Michael Gambon, 71, and Dennis Farina, 67, who starred in director Michael Mann's 80s series Crime Story. Whatever the odds, Mann clearly believes age is no hindrance, and indeed may be a dramatic advantage in settings...
A quarter of a century after his only previous appearance on the small screen, Dustin Hoffman is set to appear on TV playing a cool, criminally minded gambler in a new HBO drama about the thoroughbred racing business at California's art deco Santa Anita Park.
HBO executives are not the only ones hoping Luck is a wager that pays out: its success would help to challenge the argument that audiences will only embrace youth and beauty. Other long-in-the-tooth actors in the show include Nick Nolte, 70, playing a trainer known simply as the "The Old Man", Michael Gambon, 71, and Dennis Farina, 67, who starred in director Michael Mann's 80s series Crime Story. Whatever the odds, Mann clearly believes age is no hindrance, and indeed may be a dramatic advantage in settings...
- 1/8/2012
- by Edward Helmore
- The Guardian - Film News
Ifta nominated Northern Irish director Brian Kirk (The Tudors, My Boy Jack) has been signed to direct two episodes in the ten part 'Game of Thrones' series. The HBO show, which goes into production this month, also sees the addition of Michelle Fairley (Best: His Mother's Son) to its impressive cast list which includes Sean Bean, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Lena Headey. Armagh born director Brian Kirk's most recent project, the smash hit 'Father & Son', earned him an Ifta nomination in 2010 and last week broadcast on ITV1 to audiences of over five million. Kirk has also directed the television movie 'My Boy Jack' and 'The Tudors'.
- 6/15/2010
- IFTN
Last night's Bafta TV Awards coverage drew 4.36m (18.3%) for BBC One, according to the latest viewing figures. The Graham Norton-fronted event, which saw Harry Hill beat Jonathan Ross in the Best Entertainment Performance category, was seen by 1.3m fewer viewers than last year's ceremony. 2008's ceremony averaged 5.67m (21.2%) on April 20, while 5.06m (20.9%) tuned in the previous year on May 20, 2007. BBC One's coverage, which aired between 8pm and 10pm, came top during the 9pm hour, but was beaten by ITV1's Heartbeat at 8pm, which took 5.67m (24%). Also on ITV1, the penultimate visit to Hell's Kitchen put in 3.56m (14.7%) at 9pm. Over on BBC Two, Top Gear interested 1.91m (8.1%) at 8pm. The audience then rose to a respectable 2.74m (11.9%) during Best: His Mother's Son, the Tom Payne (more)...
- 4/27/2009
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
'Best: His Mother's Son', a fact-based drama telling the story of footballer George Best's relationship with his mother will screen on Sunday, April 26th on BBC Two Ni at 9pm. The 90 minute drama will be followed by a making of documentary entitled 'Best: Made in Belfast' at 10.30pm. The drama stars Michelle Fairley (A Short Stay In Switzerland) as George's mother Ann and Tom Payne (Waterloo Road) as George. Lorcan Cranitch (Omagh) takes on the role of Dickie Best. Filmed in the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast last year, the script is written by one of Northern Ireland's leading dramatists, Terry Cafolla, who was nominated for a BAFTA for 'Holy Cross'.
- 4/23/2009
- IFTN
Tom Payne is done acting like a teenager. As the Essex, England–born actor pointedly puts it, “I’m 26, and I’m finally getting to play characters in their early twenties.” After a small but attention-grabbing role in Bharat Nalluri’s 2008 romantic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Payne has now been given the opportunity to slip into some adult-size boots. He was recently selected by director Colin Barr to play soccer legend George Best, the 1960s Manchester United superstar who was a notorious party animal and his era’s David Beckham, for a forthcoming BBC biopic. The dashing British actor has the same dark eyes and slender frame as the wing wizard Best, but says the similarities end when it comes to the soccer field: “I recently played my first game since school,” Payne recounts. “After 15 minutes I was knackered. It was all actors, so anytime someone fell...
- 2/26/2009
- by By Kaleem Aftab Photography David Burton
- Interview Magazine
The winners of the 6th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards have been announced at a gala ceremony held in Dublin's Burlington Hotel tonight, 14th of February 2009. Hunger was named Best Film, also picking up IFTAs for Actor in a Lead Role Film Michael Fassbender, Actor in a Supporting Role Film Liam Cunningham, Original Score David Holmes, Production Design Tom McCullagh and Sound Ronan Hill and Mervyn Moore. 'Hunger' actor Michael Fassbender was also presented with the Irish Film Board Rising Star Award. 'The Tudors' won Best Drama Series / Soap, in addition to Director Film Ciaran Donnelly, Actor in a Supporting Role Television Peter O'Toole, Actress in a Supporting Role Television Maria Doyle Kennedy, Costume Design Joan Bergin and Makeup and Hair Sharon Doyle and Dee Corcoran. Kisses director Lance Daly picked up the Director Film Ifta while Martin McDonagh received the Best Script Film Award for 'In Bruges'.
- 2/19/2009
- IFTN
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