As a child who grew up wandering in and out of pubs waiting for my mother to finish her shift, I would have frequent encounters with the eccentric locals who, more often than not, chose to spend their time regaling customers with the same old stories, most of which were either embellished to the nth degree or completely fabricated. It’s these types of characters that lie at the heart of Sean Lyons’ tall tale comedy Smoking Dolphins, a pub-set short which takes these archetypes and finds the similarities they share with double-dealing politicians. Lyons has had great success with Smoking Dolphins on the festival circuit and we’re excited to now be presenting the online premiere for audiences worldwide. It’s clever, funny and really well-constructed, an element of the film we discuss with Lyon in our in-depth interview below where he also reveals the advice on blocking he received from James Mangold.
- 4/3/2024
- by James Maitre
- Directors Notes
“I wasn’t happy at the way my activities were characterized and think they were misrepresented wilfully by other forms of the media.”
That is the verdict of ex-BBC Chair Richard Sharp, who was forced to resign almost a year ago after failing to declare his role in the facilitation of an £800,000 ($1.07B) loan facility for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Speaking for the first time about his experience, the former Goldman Sachs banker told the BBC’s Today podcast a “false narrative” had developed around his actions, and “once it’s out there, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“If it compromised my position, which the noise and the affair did, then the most important interests were what was in the interests of the BBC, not Richard Sharp,” he added. “If you looked at social media it was pretty clear that the priorities should be not...
That is the verdict of ex-BBC Chair Richard Sharp, who was forced to resign almost a year ago after failing to declare his role in the facilitation of an £800,000 ($1.07B) loan facility for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Speaking for the first time about his experience, the former Goldman Sachs banker told the BBC’s Today podcast a “false narrative” had developed around his actions, and “once it’s out there, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“If it compromised my position, which the noise and the affair did, then the most important interests were what was in the interests of the BBC, not Richard Sharp,” he added. “If you looked at social media it was pretty clear that the priorities should be not...
- 3/28/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Forget “Saltburn” – now, it’s up to BBC Three’s series “Boarders” to take an honest look at Britain’s most exclusive private schools.
“You hear so many horror stories about these places, but it’s a rite of passage. So many of our PMs and people of power went there. I think there is something called ‘boarding school syndrome’ when you deal with politicians who exhibit complete lack of compassion. That’s what they learnt there,” explains Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who created the show.
His actor, Josh Tedeku, agrees.
“I went to Oxford recently and there is a similar vibe. My friend would say: ‘This is where Boris Johnson went, this is where Rishi Sunak went.’ You start to understand why they are all so loopy.”
“I loved the place, they shot ‘Harry Potter’ there and I was just nerding out. Then, I met someone who watched ‘Boarders’ and...
“You hear so many horror stories about these places, but it’s a rite of passage. So many of our PMs and people of power went there. I think there is something called ‘boarding school syndrome’ when you deal with politicians who exhibit complete lack of compassion. That’s what they learnt there,” explains Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who created the show.
His actor, Josh Tedeku, agrees.
“I went to Oxford recently and there is a similar vibe. My friend would say: ‘This is where Boris Johnson went, this is where Rishi Sunak went.’ You start to understand why they are all so loopy.”
“I loved the place, they shot ‘Harry Potter’ there and I was just nerding out. Then, I met someone who watched ‘Boarders’ and...
- 3/22/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Only a few years after the death of the so-called Yorkshire Ripper, the true-crime series The Long Shadow, premiering on Sundance Now and AMC+ on Thursday, March 21, presents the “definitive depiction of the desperate five-year hunt” for the serial killer as his killing spree continued. That investigation was also the subject of the recent Netflix docuseries The Ripper, but if you don’t know the story already — and you don’t mind spoilers for The Long Shadow’s cat-and-mouse manhunt — read on for the terrible backstory. The Yorkshire Ripper was the press’ appellation for Peter Sutcliffe, an English serial killer who died at age 74 in 2020. Per The Guardian, a spokesperson for Boris Johnson said that the United Kingdom’s then-prime minister’s thoughts were “with those who lost their lives, the survivors, and with the families and the friends of Sutcliffe’s victims.” Brian Booth, the chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation,...
- 3/20/2024
- TV Insider
“Tough choices and hard decisions” are to come at the BBC. That is the verdict of new Chair Samir Shah, who kicked off his tenure today by setting his stall out in an all-staff email that urged greater diversity of “class and thought” in the corporation’s news coverage.
The email, seen by Deadline, lays bare the tricky financial predicament the BBC finds itself in – having found itself shy of around £100M ($126M) due to the latest license fee settlement and facing rampant inflation – by saying “we will still need to live within our means in a tough financial situation.”
“That involves thinking very hard about what we should stop doing or do very differently,” it adds. “My role – and that of the Board – is to work with the organisation as we confront hard choices and tough decisions.”
Shah, who is replacing the disgraced Richard Sharp and has worked for...
The email, seen by Deadline, lays bare the tricky financial predicament the BBC finds itself in – having found itself shy of around £100M ($126M) due to the latest license fee settlement and facing rampant inflation – by saying “we will still need to live within our means in a tough financial situation.”
“That involves thinking very hard about what we should stop doing or do very differently,” it adds. “My role – and that of the Board – is to work with the organisation as we confront hard choices and tough decisions.”
Shah, who is replacing the disgraced Richard Sharp and has worked for...
- 3/4/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Fox New host Tucker Carlson claimed that Moscow is a far nicer place when compared to any city in America.
“I am a patriotic American and I grieve when I see that the president is a non compos mentis, and that in my country, it is considered very rude to say that,” Carlson said during an interview at the World Government Summit 2024. “And you sort of wonder how did you get to a place where you have an incompetent president who’s driven, not simply the standard of living, but life expectancy downward and no one feels free to say that that’s not a political observation, it’s a statement of fact which is provable empirically.”
“And the most radicalizing thing for me in the eight days I spent in Moscow was not just the leader of the country [Vladimir Putin], who, of course, is impressive,” he claimed.
“I am a patriotic American and I grieve when I see that the president is a non compos mentis, and that in my country, it is considered very rude to say that,” Carlson said during an interview at the World Government Summit 2024. “And you sort of wonder how did you get to a place where you have an incompetent president who’s driven, not simply the standard of living, but life expectancy downward and no one feels free to say that that’s not a political observation, it’s a statement of fact which is provable empirically.”
“And the most radicalizing thing for me in the eight days I spent in Moscow was not just the leader of the country [Vladimir Putin], who, of course, is impressive,” he claimed.
- 3/1/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
“If I were Boris Johnson, I wouldn’t want to read it” said the Sunday Times review of Rachel Clarke’s Covid-19 NHS frontline memoir Breathtaking. If I were Boris Johnson, and capable of experiencing shame, I wouldn’t want to watch this humane, truth-telling TV adaptation either.
Breathtaking is not about Boris Johnson or the corridors of power; it’s an unvarnished record of what happened in the corridors and wards of NHS hospitals during the Coronavirus pandemic. Over three one-hour episodes based on Clarke’s experiences and research interviews, it follows fictional consultant Dr Abbey Henderson (Joanne Froggatt) and colleagues through the early days and the worst of the virus.
Why should we have to go through all of that again on screen – wasn’t once enough? Perhaps. But if your pandemic, like mine, was more about sourdough and Joe Wicks than pain and loss, then it feels...
Breathtaking is not about Boris Johnson or the corridors of power; it’s an unvarnished record of what happened in the corridors and wards of NHS hospitals during the Coronavirus pandemic. Over three one-hour episodes based on Clarke’s experiences and research interviews, it follows fictional consultant Dr Abbey Henderson (Joanne Froggatt) and colleagues through the early days and the worst of the virus.
Why should we have to go through all of that again on screen – wasn’t once enough? Perhaps. But if your pandemic, like mine, was more about sourdough and Joe Wicks than pain and loss, then it feels...
- 2/19/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was the surprise warm-up act at a prestigious film industry event in London on Wednesday night that saw Oppenheimer director — and BAFTA and Oscar front runner — Christopher Nolan receive the British Film Institute Fellowship Award for his outstanding contribution to cinema.
The premier hailed Nolan — whose credits also include the Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk — as “undoubtedly one of our preeminent filmmakers.”
However, before doing so, he delivered quips with an aplomb that had guests seated in the ballroom of London’s Rosewood Hotel in stitches.
“Politics is showbusiness for ugly people,” Sunak declared. The room liked that one, even though the line’s a golden oldie.
“So, I was pleasantly surprised,” he continued, “when I was recently mistaken for Timothée Chalamet.”
Then with a well-timed pause, he added, “At least, I think that’s why they were shouting ‘Wonka’ at me.”
The room...
The premier hailed Nolan — whose credits also include the Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk — as “undoubtedly one of our preeminent filmmakers.”
However, before doing so, he delivered quips with an aplomb that had guests seated in the ballroom of London’s Rosewood Hotel in stitches.
“Politics is showbusiness for ugly people,” Sunak declared. The room liked that one, even though the line’s a golden oldie.
“So, I was pleasantly surprised,” he continued, “when I was recently mistaken for Timothée Chalamet.”
Then with a well-timed pause, he added, “At least, I think that’s why they were shouting ‘Wonka’ at me.”
The room...
- 2/15/2024
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
A model of Princess Diana’s personal jaguar, the door to Number 10 Downing Street and two porcelain corgis comprised some of the memorable The Crown props sold at auction last night, which raised more than $2M.
With an appearance from Alex Jennings, who played former King Edward VIII in the first two seasons of the Netflix smash, all of the props that were up for sale sold at the auction, which was held at Bonhams in London. The majority of proceeds will be donated by The Crown producer Left Bank to fund apprenticeships.
The sale of the 473 props landed around £1.7M ($2.15M), which was more than £1M ahead of the pre-sale estimate. The top-selling prop was the Jaguar used to portray Princess Diana’s personal car, which fetched more than £70,000.
Other big hitters included the Downing Street replica door, which Boris Johnson was initially rumored to be considering buying, a reproduction of the coronation chair,...
With an appearance from Alex Jennings, who played former King Edward VIII in the first two seasons of the Netflix smash, all of the props that were up for sale sold at the auction, which was held at Bonhams in London. The majority of proceeds will be donated by The Crown producer Left Bank to fund apprenticeships.
The sale of the 473 props landed around £1.7M ($2.15M), which was more than £1M ahead of the pre-sale estimate. The top-selling prop was the Jaguar used to portray Princess Diana’s personal car, which fetched more than £70,000.
Other big hitters included the Downing Street replica door, which Boris Johnson was initially rumored to be considering buying, a reproduction of the coronation chair,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Doctor Rachel Clarke and ex-junior doctors Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah have teamed up to make Covid drama Breathtaking, here’s the trailer.
It is perhaps no surprise that following the most tumultuous, traumatic time in our recent history, writers quickly opened Final Draft and began to try to make some sense of it all.
Jack Thorne’s astonishingly powerful film Help, which starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, shone a light on the brutal reality or running a care home during the pandemic.
Michael Winterbottom and Keiron Quirke aimed their anger at the political side of things, with Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson in mini series This England, while writer Stephen Knight and director Doug Liman took a more lighthearted approach with comedy drama Lockdown, which saw Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor stage a diamond heist in Harrods.
Jed Mercurio is no stranger to medical dramas, drawing on his...
It is perhaps no surprise that following the most tumultuous, traumatic time in our recent history, writers quickly opened Final Draft and began to try to make some sense of it all.
Jack Thorne’s astonishingly powerful film Help, which starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, shone a light on the brutal reality or running a care home during the pandemic.
Michael Winterbottom and Keiron Quirke aimed their anger at the political side of things, with Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson in mini series This England, while writer Stephen Knight and director Doug Liman took a more lighthearted approach with comedy drama Lockdown, which saw Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor stage a diamond heist in Harrods.
Jed Mercurio is no stranger to medical dramas, drawing on his...
- 2/8/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
The details of Hm Queen Elizabeth’s final days and hours have been revealed in a book, which includes her personal aide’s memo of the moment of her death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in September 2022.
The book, by royal author Robert Hardman, extracted in the Daily Mail, includes a memo written by her secretary Sir Edward Young, which now sits in the Royal Archive. The note was written after Young was informed by the Queen’s doctor of her death. It reads:
“Dougie [Glass, Gp] in at 3.25. Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. Death has to be registered in Scotland. Agree 3.10pm. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.”
The book also reveals that King Charles was on his way back to Balmoral from his nearby Scottish home when he received the news of his mother’s death. It was during a phone call...
The book, by royal author Robert Hardman, extracted in the Daily Mail, includes a memo written by her secretary Sir Edward Young, which now sits in the Royal Archive. The note was written after Young was informed by the Queen’s doctor of her death. It reads:
“Dougie [Glass, Gp] in at 3.25. Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. Death has to be registered in Scotland. Agree 3.10pm. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.”
The book also reveals that King Charles was on his way back to Balmoral from his nearby Scottish home when he received the news of his mother’s death. It was during a phone call...
- 1/13/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Like it or loath it, Gb News is a trailblazer.
The news station, backed by Brexit-supporting billionaire Paul Marshall, crash-landed on British screens in June 2021, but overcame tech and studio fails to establish itself as a genuine force, with a loyal following of around 3M viewers a month and an ability to set the agenda — if not always for the right reasons.
The channel provoked Rupert Murdoch into launching TalkTV and forced Sky News, the established commercial leader, into a major rethink of its schedule. Gb News is now the channel of choice for over half of Tory party members, the people who picked Britain’s prime minister in 2022. Former Pm Boris Johnson will join its presenting ranks as early as this month, Deadline hears.
In securing this foothold, Gb News’ brand of opinionated broadcasting has begun to reinvent the idea of a news channel in the UK. It has...
The news station, backed by Brexit-supporting billionaire Paul Marshall, crash-landed on British screens in June 2021, but overcame tech and studio fails to establish itself as a genuine force, with a loyal following of around 3M viewers a month and an ability to set the agenda — if not always for the right reasons.
The channel provoked Rupert Murdoch into launching TalkTV and forced Sky News, the established commercial leader, into a major rethink of its schedule. Gb News is now the channel of choice for over half of Tory party members, the people who picked Britain’s prime minister in 2022. Former Pm Boris Johnson will join its presenting ranks as early as this month, Deadline hears.
In securing this foothold, Gb News’ brand of opinionated broadcasting has begun to reinvent the idea of a news channel in the UK. It has...
- 1/8/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Is Bodyguard Season 2 still happening with Richard Madden, and when could the series be released on Netflix?
When Will Bodyguard Season 2 Release?
Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio joked about a Season 2 renewal on April Fool’s Day 2022, as he shared a hilarious fake poster that pictured Richard Madden’s David Budd alongside former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Read full article on The Direct.
When Will Bodyguard Season 2 Release?
Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio joked about a Season 2 renewal on April Fool’s Day 2022, as he shared a hilarious fake poster that pictured Richard Madden’s David Budd alongside former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 12/21/2023
- by Sam Hargrave
- The Direct
European TV powerhouses Zdf Studios and France TV Distribution are partnering as producers on Berlin-based Boogie Entertainment’s new crime drama “Blood Red Thread.”
Set in the “glamorous and cutthroat” world of fashion, the six-part series – also described as “stylish, witty and outrageous” – will expose various challenges the industry is facing, all the while following businessmen who rule the boardroom and clash with “divas of design,” both battling for power.
Filming will take place in the U.K., France and Germany, with delivery scheduled for August 2025.
“We set out to try and describe a fashion world that felt real, that explored what fashion does in society. It holds up a mirror to our vanities and insecurities, it reflects our need for reinvention, our hope to be desirable and current,” showrunner and lead writer Timothy Prager explained to Variety.
“We seem to instinctively accept the disconnect between façade and reality when...
Set in the “glamorous and cutthroat” world of fashion, the six-part series – also described as “stylish, witty and outrageous” – will expose various challenges the industry is facing, all the while following businessmen who rule the boardroom and clash with “divas of design,” both battling for power.
Filming will take place in the U.K., France and Germany, with delivery scheduled for August 2025.
“We set out to try and describe a fashion world that felt real, that explored what fashion does in society. It holds up a mirror to our vanities and insecurities, it reflects our need for reinvention, our hope to be desirable and current,” showrunner and lead writer Timothy Prager explained to Variety.
“We seem to instinctively accept the disconnect between façade and reality when...
- 12/19/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC is one step closer to getting its new chair following the resignation of Richard Sharp earlier this year.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which interviewed Samir Shah earlier this week, has officially approved his appointment but expressed “disappointment” over the longtime TV executive’s unwillingness “to express a view on fundamental principles, such as board level interference in the BBC and other bodies and on political impartiality.”
The committee has requested that if Shah is officially appointed for the role, he re-appear again for questioning within three months to “demonstrate that he has considered and addressed the concerns.”
Because the BBC is a publicly funded public service broadcaster, effectively held in trust for the public by the U.K. government, the culture secretary and Prime Minister are involved in appointing the broadcaster’s chair. After they confirm their preferred candidate, in this case Juniper TV CEO Shah, the...
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which interviewed Samir Shah earlier this week, has officially approved his appointment but expressed “disappointment” over the longtime TV executive’s unwillingness “to express a view on fundamental principles, such as board level interference in the BBC and other bodies and on political impartiality.”
The committee has requested that if Shah is officially appointed for the role, he re-appear again for questioning within three months to “demonstrate that he has considered and addressed the concerns.”
Because the BBC is a publicly funded public service broadcaster, effectively held in trust for the public by the U.K. government, the culture secretary and Prime Minister are involved in appointing the broadcaster’s chair. After they confirm their preferred candidate, in this case Juniper TV CEO Shah, the...
- 12/15/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
New BBC Chair Samir Shah laid down a marker across multiple topics this morning, announcing his intentions to review the corporation’s reporting guidelines on the Israel-Hamas war, addressing concerns around financing and saying he was told he is “mad” to be taking on the role.
While questioning whether Gary Lineker had broken social media guidelines with his latest Twitter (now X) scandal, he also acknowledged “criticism” over the way the broadcaster has covered the Israel-Hamas war, a highly charged topic since October 7.
Were he to be appointed chair, the former head of the BBC’s political news programs said he would “review” the matter, especially whether the BBC should be referring to Hamas as “terrorists,” a source of controversy that the BBC has faced up to over past weeks.
“It seems to me there is enough in terms of criticism of the way the BBC has covered this war,...
While questioning whether Gary Lineker had broken social media guidelines with his latest Twitter (now X) scandal, he also acknowledged “criticism” over the way the broadcaster has covered the Israel-Hamas war, a highly charged topic since October 7.
Were he to be appointed chair, the former head of the BBC’s political news programs said he would “review” the matter, especially whether the BBC should be referring to Hamas as “terrorists,” a source of controversy that the BBC has faced up to over past weeks.
“It seems to me there is enough in terms of criticism of the way the BBC has covered this war,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, here we go again with a busy old week in TV and film. Max Goldbart penning the newsletter. Read on and sign up here.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
- 12/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Blyth is exchanging the Hunger Games for a hospital bed. The British actor, who plays a young Coriolanus Snow in Francis Lawrence’s Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has signed on to play the lead role in Michael Winterbottom’s new adaptation of the Ernst Hemingway WWI classic A Farewell to Arms.
Blyth will play Frederic Henry, a volunteer ambulance driver who is injured in Italy during the first World War and falls in love with his nurse.
The Hemingway novel, first published in 1929 and closely based on the writer’s own experience as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Italian Army on the Isonzo Front, A Farewell to Arms has been adapted multiple times in the past, including in 1932 with Gary Cooper in the Frederic Henry role, in 1957 starring Rock Hudson, and as a 1966 mini-series with George Hamilton as Henry.
Winterbottom’s feature version...
Blyth will play Frederic Henry, a volunteer ambulance driver who is injured in Italy during the first World War and falls in love with his nurse.
The Hemingway novel, first published in 1929 and closely based on the writer’s own experience as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Italian Army on the Isonzo Front, A Farewell to Arms has been adapted multiple times in the past, including in 1932 with Gary Cooper in the Frederic Henry role, in 1957 starring Rock Hudson, and as a 1966 mini-series with George Hamilton as Henry.
Winterbottom’s feature version...
- 12/7/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Juniper TV CEO Samir Shah is set to become the new chair of the BBC, the U.K.’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer said today.
Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee in the U.K. for what’s known as “pre-appointment scrutiny” before officially taking up the role, which is worth £160,000 a year.
The BBC is one of the U.K.’s public service broadcasters and is also publicly owned, effectively held in trust by the government for the U.K. public. Convention dictates that the candidate for chair is “recommended” to King Charles II and the Lord President of the Council (currently Penny Mordaunt) by the secretary of state for culture (currently Lucy Frazer) and the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following a hearing with the Cms committee and subsequent report.
“With a career spanning more than...
Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport committee in the U.K. for what’s known as “pre-appointment scrutiny” before officially taking up the role, which is worth £160,000 a year.
The BBC is one of the U.K.’s public service broadcasters and is also publicly owned, effectively held in trust by the government for the U.K. public. Convention dictates that the candidate for chair is “recommended” to King Charles II and the Lord President of the Council (currently Penny Mordaunt) by the secretary of state for culture (currently Lucy Frazer) and the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following a hearing with the Cms committee and subsequent report.
“With a career spanning more than...
- 12/6/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
British TV vet Samir Shah has been unveiled as the new BBC Chair, coming with a major decision on the licence fee imminent.
Shah, who runs production company Juniper TV and used to be a senior BBC News exec, has been appointed by the government several months after the resignation of Richard Sharp, who left the corporation after just two years amidst the conflict-of-interest scandal involving the facilitation of a potential loan for Boris Johnson.
Shah has been working on and off in TV for four decades and is well known in industry circles. He used to run the BBC’s political journalism shows and was a non-exec director during the ‘Crowngate’ affair involving Queen Elizabeth II, at which point he advised Director General Mark Thompson over a scandal that led to the resignation of BBC One Controller Peter Fincham. He bought Juniper in 1998 and has made shows for the likes of the BBC,...
Shah, who runs production company Juniper TV and used to be a senior BBC News exec, has been appointed by the government several months after the resignation of Richard Sharp, who left the corporation after just two years amidst the conflict-of-interest scandal involving the facilitation of a potential loan for Boris Johnson.
Shah has been working on and off in TV for four decades and is well known in industry circles. He used to run the BBC’s political journalism shows and was a non-exec director during the ‘Crowngate’ affair involving Queen Elizabeth II, at which point he advised Director General Mark Thompson over a scandal that led to the resignation of BBC One Controller Peter Fincham. He bought Juniper in 1998 and has made shows for the likes of the BBC,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
A string of high-profile figures from the entertainment world attended a march against antisemitism on the streets of London yesterday, in what is thought to be the biggest rally of its kind for nearly 90 years.
The likes of Maureen Lipman, Eddie Marsan and It’s a Sin star Tracy Ann-Oberman were at the march, which is reported to have attracted more than 100,000 people. Others who attended included former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, Countdown host Rachel Riley and comedian David Baddiel. Marsan, Baddiel and Riley were amongst those who addressed the crowds.
Organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), the rally took place to counter heightened concerns over antisemitism among Jewish communities in multiple European countries since the attack on October 7 by Hamas on Israel – which saw the kidnap of 200 civilians and killing of around 1,400 – and the war that has followed.
There was a 1,300% increase in antisemitic...
The likes of Maureen Lipman, Eddie Marsan and It’s a Sin star Tracy Ann-Oberman were at the march, which is reported to have attracted more than 100,000 people. Others who attended included former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, Countdown host Rachel Riley and comedian David Baddiel. Marsan, Baddiel and Riley were amongst those who addressed the crowds.
Organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), the rally took place to counter heightened concerns over antisemitism among Jewish communities in multiple European countries since the attack on October 7 by Hamas on Israel – which saw the kidnap of 200 civilians and killing of around 1,400 – and the war that has followed.
There was a 1,300% increase in antisemitic...
- 11/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC host Carol Vorderman has claimed she has been sacked by the broadcaster over her public criticism of the U.K. government.
On Wednesday afternoon local time Vorderman published a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming management at BBC Wales had “decided I must leave” because she had breached the broadcaster’s impartiality guidelines with her social media posts.
Vorderman, who rose to fame on Channel 4 gameshow “Countdown,” has presented an entertainment show on BBC Radio Wales for five years. She has been outspoken in her criticism of the U.K. Government, in particular of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on social media and in interviews.
BBC director general Tim Davie has been an ardent champion of impartiality at the broadcaster although it is a philosophy that is applied patchily across the corporation’s many employees and freelancers. Last month the BBC introduced new social media guidelines following controversy over sports anchor Gary Lineker,...
On Wednesday afternoon local time Vorderman published a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming management at BBC Wales had “decided I must leave” because she had breached the broadcaster’s impartiality guidelines with her social media posts.
Vorderman, who rose to fame on Channel 4 gameshow “Countdown,” has presented an entertainment show on BBC Radio Wales for five years. She has been outspoken in her criticism of the U.K. Government, in particular of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on social media and in interviews.
BBC director general Tim Davie has been an ardent champion of impartiality at the broadcaster although it is a philosophy that is applied patchily across the corporation’s many employees and freelancers. Last month the BBC introduced new social media guidelines following controversy over sports anchor Gary Lineker,...
- 11/8/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The U.K. government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, plans to present the much-debated Media Bill to the parliament in London in the new legislative period, including regulation of streaming services in line with TV networks, King Charles III said in his first King’s Speech on Tuesday.
The speech, drawn up by the government but read by the monarch, outlines the various laws that the government plans to pursue in the new parliamentary session.
The Media Bill would, among other things, force streaming services, from Netflix and Amazon Prime to the likes of Disney+, follow the code of conduct set out by media regulator Ofcom, whose rules around harmful material have applied to the national broadcasters for decades, or face fines of up to £250,000 ($308,000) or restrictions in the U.K., if they break them.
The conservative U.K. government had outlined some of these plans in a white paper...
The speech, drawn up by the government but read by the monarch, outlines the various laws that the government plans to pursue in the new parliamentary session.
The Media Bill would, among other things, force streaming services, from Netflix and Amazon Prime to the likes of Disney+, follow the code of conduct set out by media regulator Ofcom, whose rules around harmful material have applied to the national broadcasters for decades, or face fines of up to £250,000 ($308,000) or restrictions in the U.K., if they break them.
The conservative U.K. government had outlined some of these plans in a white paper...
- 11/7/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Cleese, founder member of seminal British comedy group Monty Python, has said that they were “early targets of cancel culture.”
Cleese was speaking with The Sunday Times about his new Gb News chat show “The Dinosaur Hour,” which has an episode on cancel culture. Monty Python’s 1979 film “Life of Brian” caused a furore when it released among some members of the Christian community.
“You could say that we were early targets of cancel culture,” Cleese told The Sunday Times. “People don’t like to have their cherished ideas punctured or questioned. We all love to live in our own closed systems of thought, to be surrounded by people who think a bit like us. This is what happens on the internet too, where you get these blasted echo chambers. It’s why comedy is even more important today as a way of pricking those bubbles, opening them up,...
Cleese was speaking with The Sunday Times about his new Gb News chat show “The Dinosaur Hour,” which has an episode on cancel culture. Monty Python’s 1979 film “Life of Brian” caused a furore when it released among some members of the Christian community.
“You could say that we were early targets of cancel culture,” Cleese told The Sunday Times. “People don’t like to have their cherished ideas punctured or questioned. We all love to live in our own closed systems of thought, to be surrounded by people who think a bit like us. This is what happens on the internet too, where you get these blasted echo chambers. It’s why comedy is even more important today as a way of pricking those bubbles, opening them up,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson has landed at the upstart Gb News network, the U.K. equivalent of Fox News Channel, as a TV presenter, series producer and on-air pundit.
Johnson will join the right wing TV channel in 2024 and be a commentator for Gb News coverage of the U.K. general election expected next year and the U.S. presidential election across the Atlantic. “Gb News is an insurgent channel with a loyal and growing following. I am excited to say I will be joining shortly — and offering my frank opinions on world affairs,” Johnson said in a statement on Friday.
In July 2022, Johnson resigned as leader of Britain amid a mass revolt by his own governing Conservative Party, which put an end to his three years in power. Johnson also resigned as a member of Parliament from his Uxbridge constituency to give himself a freer rein to write books,...
Johnson will join the right wing TV channel in 2024 and be a commentator for Gb News coverage of the U.K. general election expected next year and the U.S. presidential election across the Atlantic. “Gb News is an insurgent channel with a loyal and growing following. I am excited to say I will be joining shortly — and offering my frank opinions on world affairs,” Johnson said in a statement on Friday.
In July 2022, Johnson resigned as leader of Britain amid a mass revolt by his own governing Conservative Party, which put an end to his three years in power. Johnson also resigned as a member of Parliament from his Uxbridge constituency to give himself a freer rein to write books,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Boris Johnson, the British prime minister who resigned from office last year mired in controversy, has signed as a presenter for Gb News, the provocative British news channel.
Gb News said Johnson will join as a presenter, program maker, and commentator next year. It did not disclose the value of his deal.
“Gb News is an insurgent channel with a loyal and growing following. I am excited to say I will be joining shortly – and offering my frank opinions on world affairs,” Johnson said.
“I will be talking about the immense opportunities for Global Britain – as well as the challenges – and why our best days are yet to come.”
We’re delighted to announce some very exciting news…https://t.co/BRg8ZgTy1X pic.twitter.com/FD0wz0Urkt
— Gb News (@Gbnews) October 27, 2023
Johnson was forced to quit as Pm after a string of scandals, including hosting staff parties...
Gb News said Johnson will join as a presenter, program maker, and commentator next year. It did not disclose the value of his deal.
“Gb News is an insurgent channel with a loyal and growing following. I am excited to say I will be joining shortly – and offering my frank opinions on world affairs,” Johnson said.
“I will be talking about the immense opportunities for Global Britain – as well as the challenges – and why our best days are yet to come.”
We’re delighted to announce some very exciting news…https://t.co/BRg8ZgTy1X pic.twitter.com/FD0wz0Urkt
— Gb News (@Gbnews) October 27, 2023
Johnson was forced to quit as Pm after a string of scandals, including hosting staff parties...
- 10/27/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is joining controversial network Gb News as an anchor and producer.
Johnson, who is set to start his role in the new year, will play “a key role in the channel’s coverage of both the U.K. general election and the U.S. elections next year,” the network said in a statement.
He is also set to create and host a new series about “the power of Britain around the world” and will also occasionally anchor live specials in front of audiences around the U.K.
“Hi folks, Boris Johnson here,” the former leader said in a video announcing the move. “I’m excited to say I’m shortly going to be joining you on Gb News. And I’m going to be giving this remarkable new TV channel my unvarnished views on everything from Russia, China, the war in Ukraine — how we...
Johnson, who is set to start his role in the new year, will play “a key role in the channel’s coverage of both the U.K. general election and the U.S. elections next year,” the network said in a statement.
He is also set to create and host a new series about “the power of Britain around the world” and will also occasionally anchor live specials in front of audiences around the U.K.
“Hi folks, Boris Johnson here,” the former leader said in a video announcing the move. “I’m excited to say I’m shortly going to be joining you on Gb News. And I’m going to be giving this remarkable new TV channel my unvarnished views on everything from Russia, China, the war in Ukraine — how we...
- 10/27/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The name’s Cox, Brian Cox. He’s the Emmy-nominated star of HBO’s hit show Succession and the soothing voice of McDonald’s advertisements. While Cox voices the poetic narration of eating french fries for the double arches, he is also voicing his point-of-view on the perceived antiquated nature of Ian Fleming’s 007 James Bond. Cox enters the world of the MI6 agent with his new reality competition show, 007: Road to a Million. Much like Christopher Nolan, James Bond played an important role in Brian Cox’s life and he feels passionately about the character.
BingeHulu recently reported on Cox’s recent interview with RadioTimes for the October-November issue in which Cox talks about his new show. When considering the notion of modernizing Bond for a more politically correct time, the blunt and outspoken star of Succession shared his thoughts when reflecting on Daniel Craig’s recent incarnation.
BingeHulu recently reported on Cox’s recent interview with RadioTimes for the October-November issue in which Cox talks about his new show. When considering the notion of modernizing Bond for a more politically correct time, the blunt and outspoken star of Succession shared his thoughts when reflecting on Daniel Craig’s recent incarnation.
- 10/27/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Tim Davie urged MPs to put themselves in the shoes of a Palestinian civillian last night in a rare address to the Conservative Party’s influential 1922 Committee.
Under questioning about the BBC’s refusal to label Hamas as “terrorists,” the Director General is understood to have said that lawmakers should consider what a Palestinian person would think to see the BBC taking a UK government line and therefore looking like an arm of the British state, according to Politico.
A BBC spokesman said: “We are impartial… it’s not about being neutral, it’s about being able to report in the UK, in Gaza, in the Middle East, whereas if the BBC is seen to be an arm of the UK government, that makes our journalism very difficult and it impacts the way it’s perceived and trusted.”
Davie’s rare address to 1922, the Conservative grouping that oversees administration of...
Under questioning about the BBC’s refusal to label Hamas as “terrorists,” the Director General is understood to have said that lawmakers should consider what a Palestinian person would think to see the BBC taking a UK government line and therefore looking like an arm of the British state, according to Politico.
A BBC spokesman said: “We are impartial… it’s not about being neutral, it’s about being able to report in the UK, in Gaza, in the Middle East, whereas if the BBC is seen to be an arm of the UK government, that makes our journalism very difficult and it impacts the way it’s perceived and trusted.”
Davie’s rare address to 1922, the Conservative grouping that oversees administration of...
- 10/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sharing memories of Queen Elizabeth II continues following the one-year anniversary of her death. King Charles III’s former butler is opening up about a cherished memory of the late monarch breaking protocol. The result? Him doing something “not many people can say they’ve done” with the queen.
A former royal butler ‘skipped next to’ Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth II | Ben Stansall – Wpa Pool/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth running through the halls of royal residences? While the idea may sound highly unlikely, it did actually happen, according to Grant Harrold.
Former butler to the queen’s oldest son, the now-King Charles, Harrold shared a special memory of the late monarch following the anniversary of her death on Sept. 8, 2023.
“I remember once running with the queen down a corridor, which not many people can say they’ve done,” he said, speaking on behalf of Slingo. “It was before a...
A former royal butler ‘skipped next to’ Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth II | Ben Stansall – Wpa Pool/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth running through the halls of royal residences? While the idea may sound highly unlikely, it did actually happen, according to Grant Harrold.
Former butler to the queen’s oldest son, the now-King Charles, Harrold shared a special memory of the late monarch following the anniversary of her death on Sept. 8, 2023.
“I remember once running with the queen down a corridor, which not many people can say they’ve done,” he said, speaking on behalf of Slingo. “It was before a...
- 9/17/2023
- by Mandi Kerr
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Martin Clunes & Louis Ashbourne Serkis Land ITV Drama
Martin Clunes has landed his next ITV drama, playing a farmer confronted with dark forces seeping into his rural community opposite Andy Serkis’s son. Out There will depict the stealthy, surreptitious invasion of the land Nathan Williams cherishes, with devastating consequences as his livelihood, homestead and family life are threatened by local county lines drugs dealers. The show also starring Louis Ashbourne Serkis as Nathan’s son Johnny is being penned by Ed Whitmore and Marc Evans and produced by Doc Martin star Clune’s Buffalo Pictures, which he runs with Philippa Braithwaite. “Out There couldn’t be more different from Doc Martin” he said. “It’s pretty dark, but definitely a story worth telling.” Clunes also worked with Evans and Whitmore on hit ITV drama Manhunt.
BBC Policy Boss Scores Premier League Role
The BBC’s policy boss Claire Sumner...
Martin Clunes has landed his next ITV drama, playing a farmer confronted with dark forces seeping into his rural community opposite Andy Serkis’s son. Out There will depict the stealthy, surreptitious invasion of the land Nathan Williams cherishes, with devastating consequences as his livelihood, homestead and family life are threatened by local county lines drugs dealers. The show also starring Louis Ashbourne Serkis as Nathan’s son Johnny is being penned by Ed Whitmore and Marc Evans and produced by Doc Martin star Clune’s Buffalo Pictures, which he runs with Philippa Braithwaite. “Out There couldn’t be more different from Doc Martin” he said. “It’s pretty dark, but definitely a story worth telling.” Clunes also worked with Evans and Whitmore on hit ITV drama Manhunt.
BBC Policy Boss Scores Premier League Role
The BBC’s policy boss Claire Sumner...
- 9/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The British monarchy has always been a blend of grandeur and an intricate ballet of protocol, with Queen Elizabeth II at its helm for many decades. Ensuring the comfort of the royals and their distinguished guests, the subtle cues and reminders form a vital part of the royal playbook.
Carrie Johnson, wife of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, recently provided a unique insight into these discreet royal practices. Her recounting provides an intimate glance into the silent yet ever-present reminders of royal etiquette, especially during their stay at the historical Balmoral Castle.
Queen Elizabeth reminded her guests of Royal Protocol in a very subtle manner
Carrie Johnson recently shared an intriguing peek into the discreet ways royal aides ensure everything goes seamlessly in the royal household.
While at Balmoral, Scotland, as guests of Queen Elizabeth, the Johnsons became privy to these hidden procedures.
One particular day at Balmoral, Carrie...
Carrie Johnson, wife of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, recently provided a unique insight into these discreet royal practices. Her recounting provides an intimate glance into the silent yet ever-present reminders of royal etiquette, especially during their stay at the historical Balmoral Castle.
Queen Elizabeth reminded her guests of Royal Protocol in a very subtle manner
Carrie Johnson recently shared an intriguing peek into the discreet ways royal aides ensure everything goes seamlessly in the royal household.
While at Balmoral, Scotland, as guests of Queen Elizabeth, the Johnsons became privy to these hidden procedures.
One particular day at Balmoral, Carrie...
- 9/13/2023
- by Perry Carpenter
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The UK government has said it was “important” to raise questions with the BBC about the Huw Edwards scandal amid concerns it could have called the broadcaster’s independence into question.
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer took the unusual step in July of holding talks with BBC director general Tim Davie over the “deeply concerning” allegations that news anchor Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images.
Frazer was questioned about her intervention during a hearing held by the House of Lords’ influential Communications and Digital Committee on Wednesday. Committee chair Baroness Stowell said it was not “standard” for the government to be in contact with the director general over a BBC operational matter.
Stowell suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Frazer to have engaged with the chair of the BBC board, which is responsible for holding the corporation to account. Dame Elan Closs Stephens is the...
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer took the unusual step in July of holding talks with BBC director general Tim Davie over the “deeply concerning” allegations that news anchor Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images.
Frazer was questioned about her intervention during a hearing held by the House of Lords’ influential Communications and Digital Committee on Wednesday. Committee chair Baroness Stowell said it was not “standard” for the government to be in contact with the director general over a BBC operational matter.
Stowell suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Frazer to have engaged with the chair of the BBC board, which is responsible for holding the corporation to account. Dame Elan Closs Stephens is the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Winterbottom’s production company Revolution Films is opening an Italian outpost, Variety can exclusively confirm.
The production outfit, known for films and TV series including the Boris Johnson-inspired “This England” and the upcoming TIFF contender “Shoshana,” is in the process of setting up an office in the country, say sources with knowledge of the expansion. Longtime Revolution exec Melissa Parmenter will be running the new branch.
Revolution has increasingly been working in Italy in recent years and a source tells Variety the company is looking to make more films there. “Shoshana” (which was previously titled “Promised Land”) is set in Israel but was entirely shot in Italy. The film, which will premiere at TIFF on Friday, is set during the British Mandate of Palestine in the 1930s, when the daughter of an Israeli revolutionary (Irina Starshenbaum) falls in love with a British soldier (played by Douglas Booth).
“Shoshana...
The production outfit, known for films and TV series including the Boris Johnson-inspired “This England” and the upcoming TIFF contender “Shoshana,” is in the process of setting up an office in the country, say sources with knowledge of the expansion. Longtime Revolution exec Melissa Parmenter will be running the new branch.
Revolution has increasingly been working in Italy in recent years and a source tells Variety the company is looking to make more films there. “Shoshana” (which was previously titled “Promised Land”) is set in Israel but was entirely shot in Italy. The film, which will premiere at TIFF on Friday, is set during the British Mandate of Palestine in the 1930s, when the daughter of an Israeli revolutionary (Irina Starshenbaum) falls in love with a British soldier (played by Douglas Booth).
“Shoshana...
- 9/5/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Setting aside all the necessary caveats about art and artists, Roman Polanski’s “The Palace” throws a greater fact into stark relief. For all the digital ink we spill, journalists and critics are more often than not responsive to wider industry forces, and in Polanski’s case – as in the wider European industry — something has definitely shifted.
Heck, you could even the place the specific date to Feb. 28, 2020 – the night Polanski’s Venice Grand Jury Prize winner “An Officer and a Spy” won best director at France’s Cesar awards, prompting boos, a few notable walkouts, and a clash between protesters and police out in the streets. Two weeks prior, the French academy’s board of directors resigned in scandal.
So the fact that Polanski’s 2019 film has yet to find U.S. distribution is not a particular surprise; the fact that his follow-up, “The Palace,” has had similar tough...
Heck, you could even the place the specific date to Feb. 28, 2020 – the night Polanski’s Venice Grand Jury Prize winner “An Officer and a Spy” won best director at France’s Cesar awards, prompting boos, a few notable walkouts, and a clash between protesters and police out in the streets. Two weeks prior, the French academy’s board of directors resigned in scandal.
So the fact that Polanski’s 2019 film has yet to find U.S. distribution is not a particular surprise; the fact that his follow-up, “The Palace,” has had similar tough...
- 9/2/2023
- by Ben Croll
- The Wrap
Exclusive: BritBox International is stacking the shelves with more high-profile UK drama series.
The streamer has acquired North American rights to The Sixth Commandment and U.S. rights to This England. Both series, which are based on real events, have made significant noise in the UK and their acquisition follow on from BritBox’s July captures of cop series Granite Harbour and psychological drama The Ex-Wife.
The Sixth Commandment will play as a BritBox Original. The series, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings), is inspired by the BAFTA-nominated documentary Catching A Killer: A Diary From the Grave.
It follows one of the most complex criminal cases in recent British history and tells the story of inspirational teacher Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall), and charismatic young student Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), who meet and bond over their love of...
The streamer has acquired North American rights to The Sixth Commandment and U.S. rights to This England. Both series, which are based on real events, have made significant noise in the UK and their acquisition follow on from BritBox’s July captures of cop series Granite Harbour and psychological drama The Ex-Wife.
The Sixth Commandment will play as a BritBox Original. The series, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings), is inspired by the BAFTA-nominated documentary Catching A Killer: A Diary From the Grave.
It follows one of the most complex criminal cases in recent British history and tells the story of inspirational teacher Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall), and charismatic young student Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), who meet and bond over their love of...
- 8/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The Daleks have appeared in every series of Doctor Who since it returned in 2005, after being in 14 stories in the show’s original run. It’s understandable: without the success of the Daleks in 1963 it’s unlikely Doctor Who would be on TV today. The two are so intertwined that when people think of the Doctor, they can’t help but think of the Daleks. Being so closely connected in such a long-running show though, has its drawbacks: the Daleks always return, but their credibility as a threat has diminished.
Former showrunner Steven Moffat described the Daleks as “the most reliably defeated enemies in the universe”. Moffat (and Mark Gatiss) therefore gave them a victory, and then rested them, relatively speaking, with cameo appearances in series six and ten. Under Moffat’s predecessor Russell T. Davies, the villains reached their logical conclusion of trying to destroy everything in the universe that wasn’t Dalek.
Former showrunner Steven Moffat described the Daleks as “the most reliably defeated enemies in the universe”. Moffat (and Mark Gatiss) therefore gave them a victory, and then rested them, relatively speaking, with cameo appearances in series six and ten. Under Moffat’s predecessor Russell T. Davies, the villains reached their logical conclusion of trying to destroy everything in the universe that wasn’t Dalek.
- 8/8/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Veep creator Armando Iannucci is bringing to London’s West End his first play – a satire on former UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Variety reports that Iannucci – Oscar-nominated for his screenplay In the Loop – has called the play Pandemonium: Being a Scornful Account of the Activities of Mr Boris Johnson and ‘Others’ during the Pandemic and its Aftermath, which will debut at the Soho Theatre on December 1.
The play will be directed by Patrick Marber, previously Oscar-nominated for his Notes on a Scandal screenplay, and a Tony Award winner for Leopoldstadt.
Iannucci is also hard at work on a new stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 political satire Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Variety quotes Iannucci, one of the UK’s most celebrated political satirists with Veep and previously In the Thick of It skewering the British government’s conduct,...
Variety reports that Iannucci – Oscar-nominated for his screenplay In the Loop – has called the play Pandemonium: Being a Scornful Account of the Activities of Mr Boris Johnson and ‘Others’ during the Pandemic and its Aftermath, which will debut at the Soho Theatre on December 1.
The play will be directed by Patrick Marber, previously Oscar-nominated for his Notes on a Scandal screenplay, and a Tony Award winner for Leopoldstadt.
Iannucci is also hard at work on a new stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 political satire Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Variety quotes Iannucci, one of the UK’s most celebrated political satirists with Veep and previously In the Thick of It skewering the British government’s conduct,...
- 8/5/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio has penned an ITV drama about a doctor in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic starring Joanne Froggatt.
Mercurio co-wrote Breathtaking with Rachel Clarke, the author of the 2021 novel that the show is based on, and Prasanna Puwanarajah, who played Martin Bashir in The Crown Season 5. All three are qualified doctors.
Filming wrapped quietly earlier this year in Belfast.
Breathtaking is based on Clarke’s unflinching memoir having looked after the most gravely unwell patients in the early days of the pandemic. Amid the tensions, fatigue and rising death toll, she witnessed the courage of patients and NHS staff alike in conditions of unprecedented adversity.
Golden Globe-winner Froggatt, who most recently starred in James Graham’s BBC drama Sherwood, played lead Dr Abbey Henderson and Craig Viveiros (The War of the Worlds) was director.
“Everyone has felt privileged to dramatise Rachel Clarke...
Mercurio co-wrote Breathtaking with Rachel Clarke, the author of the 2021 novel that the show is based on, and Prasanna Puwanarajah, who played Martin Bashir in The Crown Season 5. All three are qualified doctors.
Filming wrapped quietly earlier this year in Belfast.
Breathtaking is based on Clarke’s unflinching memoir having looked after the most gravely unwell patients in the early days of the pandemic. Amid the tensions, fatigue and rising death toll, she witnessed the courage of patients and NHS staff alike in conditions of unprecedented adversity.
Golden Globe-winner Froggatt, who most recently starred in James Graham’s BBC drama Sherwood, played lead Dr Abbey Henderson and Craig Viveiros (The War of the Worlds) was director.
“Everyone has felt privileged to dramatise Rachel Clarke...
- 7/25/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Eva Longoria and Stanley Tucci’s CNN Original Series food docs are set to travel the world.
Banijay Rights has acquired global distribution rights outside the U.S. to Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico and Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy, both of which follow the Hollywood stars on culinary journeys. Gold Rush producer Raw TV is behind both series and were for CNN.
Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico follows the Desperate Housewives star, director, producer and activist as she explores the lands of her Mexican ancestors to see who the country’s rich culture, landscape and history have shaped its cuisine over six episodes.
Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy sees the actor indulging his passion for Italian cooking and explore the stories and people behind the European country’s fabled cuisine. Tucci, who has Italian ancestry on both sides, visits food markets and hidden trattorias over two seasons comprising a total of 14 episodes.
Banijay Rights has acquired global distribution rights outside the U.S. to Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico and Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy, both of which follow the Hollywood stars on culinary journeys. Gold Rush producer Raw TV is behind both series and were for CNN.
Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico follows the Desperate Housewives star, director, producer and activist as she explores the lands of her Mexican ancestors to see who the country’s rich culture, landscape and history have shaped its cuisine over six episodes.
Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy sees the actor indulging his passion for Italian cooking and explore the stories and people behind the European country’s fabled cuisine. Tucci, who has Italian ancestry on both sides, visits food markets and hidden trattorias over two seasons comprising a total of 14 episodes.
- 7/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
UK regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into shows hosted by politicians on Gb News and TalkTV, including one featuring a segment on Donald Trump’s civil trial.
The first investigation concerns former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation for right-leaning Gb News in which the recently-knighted Boris Johnson supporter covered a breaking news story about the verdict involving the former Potus.
State of the Nation received 40 Ofcom complaints. Both Gb News and TalkTV have of late been using politicians to host topical shows but they have consistently stayed within the realms of the regulator’s Broadcasting Code as they are allowed to interview other politicians and discuss topical issues as long as due impartiality is met. Rees-Mogg’s show may have strayed as politicians are not allowed to act as newsreaders unless under “exceptional circumstances.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of Talk TV’s Richard Tice...
The first investigation concerns former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation for right-leaning Gb News in which the recently-knighted Boris Johnson supporter covered a breaking news story about the verdict involving the former Potus.
State of the Nation received 40 Ofcom complaints. Both Gb News and TalkTV have of late been using politicians to host topical shows but they have consistently stayed within the realms of the regulator’s Broadcasting Code as they are allowed to interview other politicians and discuss topical issues as long as due impartiality is met. Rees-Mogg’s show may have strayed as politicians are not allowed to act as newsreaders unless under “exceptional circumstances.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of Talk TV’s Richard Tice...
- 7/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Elan Closs Stephens, who has assumed charge as acting BBC chair following the resignation of Richard Sharp, has spoken out about her predecessor and the process of appointing her successor.
Sharp resigned in April over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, Closs Stephens’ first day as acting BBC chair, a Q&a with BBC presenter Tina Daheley was shared with the corporation’s staff.
When asked what she would say to people who feel the BBC’s reputation has been damaged by what happened with Richard Sharp, Closs Stephens said: “There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months. All of us feel a debt of gratitude to Richard for the way in which...
Sharp resigned in April over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, Closs Stephens’ first day as acting BBC chair, a Q&a with BBC presenter Tina Daheley was shared with the corporation’s staff.
When asked what she would say to people who feel the BBC’s reputation has been damaged by what happened with Richard Sharp, Closs Stephens said: “There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months. All of us feel a debt of gratitude to Richard for the way in which...
- 6/28/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC’s Acting Chair Elan Closs Stephens has said staff and the board at the UK network were “unnerved” by events of the past few months.
Cross’ predecessor, Richard Sharp, stood down after a report found he had breached appointment rules by failing to properly declare his role in securing former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson access to an £800,000 ($1M) loan.
A BBC probe cleared Sharp of any conflict of interest issues but noted he should have made “relevant declarations at the outset of his tenure” that he had attempted to introduce a Canadian businessman, Sam Blyth, to the UK’s Cabinet Secretary. Blyth went on help Johnson secure the loan.
“There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the Board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months,” said Closs...
Cross’ predecessor, Richard Sharp, stood down after a report found he had breached appointment rules by failing to properly declare his role in securing former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson access to an £800,000 ($1M) loan.
A BBC probe cleared Sharp of any conflict of interest issues but noted he should have made “relevant declarations at the outset of his tenure” that he had attempted to introduce a Canadian businessman, Sam Blyth, to the UK’s Cabinet Secretary. Blyth went on help Johnson secure the loan.
“There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the Board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months,” said Closs...
- 6/28/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: BBC Director General Tim Davie was in contact with a senior government official on the day he suspended Gary Lineker, raising questions about whether he was pressured to punish the presenter for breaking impartiality rules.
Documents obtained by Deadline reveal that Davie was in dialogue with Polly Payne, Director General of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), on March 10. Emails between the BBC and the Dcms show that Payne and Davie’s conversations were unscheduled.
The papers cast fresh light on the biggest crisis of Davie’s tenure after he suspended Match of the Day host Lineker for tweeting that government asylum policy had echoes of Nazi Germany. Lineker was swiftly reinstated three days later following a weekend of chaos, in which his colleagues effectively went on strike and BBC sports coverage fell off air.
The revelation that Davie spoke to the Dcms has raised eyebrows among BBC staff,...
Documents obtained by Deadline reveal that Davie was in dialogue with Polly Payne, Director General of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), on March 10. Emails between the BBC and the Dcms show that Payne and Davie’s conversations were unscheduled.
The papers cast fresh light on the biggest crisis of Davie’s tenure after he suspended Match of the Day host Lineker for tweeting that government asylum policy had echoes of Nazi Germany. Lineker was swiftly reinstated three days later following a weekend of chaos, in which his colleagues effectively went on strike and BBC sports coverage fell off air.
The revelation that Davie spoke to the Dcms has raised eyebrows among BBC staff,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Respected British broadcaster Clive Myrie was removed at the last minute from presenting an edition of the BBC’s “News at Ten” last week, according to a report in the U.K.’s Times newspaper.
Myrie was replaced by Jane Hill as the news bulletin presenter on June 16 because BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore had impartiality concerns regarding the ruling Conservative party, per the Times. Earlier that evening, Myrie had hosted the BBC’s “Have I Got News For You,” a satirical comedy quiz show that grills celebrity contestants on the week’s top stories and news, where he made several jokes about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson who had been found guilty of deliberately misleading the U.K. parliament over the ‘partygate’ scandal.
Myrie had opened the show saying: “After being found by the House of Commons committee to have lied repeatedly, Boris Johnson takes the opportunity to deny that...
Myrie was replaced by Jane Hill as the news bulletin presenter on June 16 because BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore had impartiality concerns regarding the ruling Conservative party, per the Times. Earlier that evening, Myrie had hosted the BBC’s “Have I Got News For You,” a satirical comedy quiz show that grills celebrity contestants on the week’s top stories and news, where he made several jokes about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson who had been found guilty of deliberately misleading the U.K. parliament over the ‘partygate’ scandal.
Myrie had opened the show saying: “After being found by the House of Commons committee to have lied repeatedly, Boris Johnson takes the opportunity to deny that...
- 6/22/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A parliamentary inquiry has concluded that former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson actively misled MPs multiple times with his statements in response to the so-called Partygate scandal, in which he and his staff were accused of breaking social distancing rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The conclusion was released today in a report by the Privileges Committee of the House of Commons, which was investigating the scandal. In the report, the Committee said if Johnson were still an MP, it would recommend a suspension for 90 days.
The report also states that two MPs on the committee were in favor of expelling Johnson from the Commons — a move that would have forced an immediate by-election in his former London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
The committee also recommended that Johnson, who resigned as an MP last week after seeing an early draft of the report, should not be granted a former member’s pass to parliament.
The conclusion was released today in a report by the Privileges Committee of the House of Commons, which was investigating the scandal. In the report, the Committee said if Johnson were still an MP, it would recommend a suspension for 90 days.
The report also states that two MPs on the committee were in favor of expelling Johnson from the Commons — a move that would have forced an immediate by-election in his former London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
The committee also recommended that Johnson, who resigned as an MP last week after seeing an early draft of the report, should not be granted a former member’s pass to parliament.
- 6/15/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC director general Tim Davie has called for a “transparent” hiring process for the next chair of the corporation.
The previous BBC chair Richard Sharp resigned over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed temporary acting chair.
Davie appeared before a U.K. Culture Media and Sport Committee parliamentary inquiry on the workings of the BBC on Tuesday and was asked what qualities and skills BBC needs for the new chair. “This is an incredibly precious institution, globally admired complex, right in the heart of the public eye. It needs a world class chair and we need an outstanding candidate to do that,” Davie told the committee.
“From a board point of view, we absolutely believe that a transparent process is critical. It obviously has to be someone who can champion the impartiality and the independence of the BBC,...
The previous BBC chair Richard Sharp resigned over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed temporary acting chair.
Davie appeared before a U.K. Culture Media and Sport Committee parliamentary inquiry on the workings of the BBC on Tuesday and was asked what qualities and skills BBC needs for the new chair. “This is an incredibly precious institution, globally admired complex, right in the heart of the public eye. It needs a world class chair and we need an outstanding candidate to do that,” Davie told the committee.
“From a board point of view, we absolutely believe that a transparent process is critical. It obviously has to be someone who can champion the impartiality and the independence of the BBC,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
One of the biggest personalities in world media and politics is no more.
Whatever you thought of him, Silvio Berlusconi had a seismic impact on the European political sphere and the continent’s broadcasting landscape, in a way that many believe was completely intertwined.
Italy’s longest-serving post-war prime minister and the founder of European networks giant Mediaset died Monday at 86, and the onlookers have swiftly turned to his legacy and the future of his prized media assets. Mediaset, with its powerful Italian and Spanish subsidiaries, is now part of MediaForEurope (Mfe) — a conglomerate with a stake of nearly 30% in German heavyweight ProSiebenSat.1 alongside having TV broadcasting, production, podcasting and publishing assets.
Berlusconi’s route to the top of Europe’s media landscape is well-storied. Born into a middle-class family in Milan just before World War II, the tycoon was known throughout the world as a man who courted controversy wherever he went.
Whatever you thought of him, Silvio Berlusconi had a seismic impact on the European political sphere and the continent’s broadcasting landscape, in a way that many believe was completely intertwined.
Italy’s longest-serving post-war prime minister and the founder of European networks giant Mediaset died Monday at 86, and the onlookers have swiftly turned to his legacy and the future of his prized media assets. Mediaset, with its powerful Italian and Spanish subsidiaries, is now part of MediaForEurope (Mfe) — a conglomerate with a stake of nearly 30% in German heavyweight ProSiebenSat.1 alongside having TV broadcasting, production, podcasting and publishing assets.
Berlusconi’s route to the top of Europe’s media landscape is well-storied. Born into a middle-class family in Milan just before World War II, the tycoon was known throughout the world as a man who courted controversy wherever he went.
- 6/12/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
UK MPs React To Boris Johnson’s Shock Resignation From Parliament – ‘Straight Out Of Trump Playbook’
The reaction to Boris Johnson’s abrupt exit from the UK Parliament where he was previously Prime Minister has been as polarised as you would expect of a politician who, according to his allies remained a unique election-winner and singlehandedly led the nation through Brexit and the Covid pandemic but, to his critics, signified deceit, corruption and all that is wrong with modern politics.
His former Home Secretary Priti Patel – who has been made a Dame in Johnson’s resignation honours list – said:
“Boris Johnson has served our country and his constituency with distinction. He led world in supporting Ukraine, got Brexit done, and was our most electorally successful Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher. Boris is a political titan whose legacy will stand the test of time.”
And fellow Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who has been knighted, called his departure:
‘Disgraceful treatment of a political leader who has made world history.
His former Home Secretary Priti Patel – who has been made a Dame in Johnson’s resignation honours list – said:
“Boris Johnson has served our country and his constituency with distinction. He led world in supporting Ukraine, got Brexit done, and was our most electorally successful Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher. Boris is a political titan whose legacy will stand the test of time.”
And fellow Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who has been knighted, called his departure:
‘Disgraceful treatment of a political leader who has made world history.
- 6/10/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Controversial former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced he is stepping down as a Member of Parliament with immediate effect.
He made the stunning announcement after receiving the findings of an investigation into whether he knowingly misled Parliament over the so-called Partygate scandal, in which he and his staff were accused of wantonly breaking social distancing rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Privileges Committee of the House of Commons is reported to have found him guilty and recommended he be suspended for more than 10 days.
Johnson suggested he was being hounded out of parliament in his bombshell resignation letter on Friday evening.
“I have received a letter from the Privileges Committee making it clear – much to my amazement – that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of parliament,” he wrote.
“They have still not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons…...
He made the stunning announcement after receiving the findings of an investigation into whether he knowingly misled Parliament over the so-called Partygate scandal, in which he and his staff were accused of wantonly breaking social distancing rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Privileges Committee of the House of Commons is reported to have found him guilty and recommended he be suspended for more than 10 days.
Johnson suggested he was being hounded out of parliament in his bombshell resignation letter on Friday evening.
“I have received a letter from the Privileges Committee making it clear – much to my amazement – that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of parliament,” he wrote.
“They have still not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons…...
- 6/9/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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