Stars: Idris Elba, Adam Pally, Stockard Channing, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor | Created by John Whittington, Toby Ascher
Taking place between the events of Sonic 2 and Sonic 3, Knuckles (Idris Elba) has a mammoth task on his hands while trying to settle into Earth’s ways. Deputy Sheriff Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) is being trained in the way of an Echidna warrior, but there’s a new villain on the scene — The Buyer (Rory McCann), a former lackey of Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carey) who seeks to obtain Knuckles’ power.
Perhaps there’s an argument to be made that all franchised movies should get a little TV teaser in between waiting for installments as a little treat for their patience. Knuckles is exactly that for fans of Sonic, effortlessly picking up where the events of Sonic 2 left off. It’s rare that a TV programme will begin by walking you through...
Taking place between the events of Sonic 2 and Sonic 3, Knuckles (Idris Elba) has a mammoth task on his hands while trying to settle into Earth’s ways. Deputy Sheriff Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) is being trained in the way of an Echidna warrior, but there’s a new villain on the scene — The Buyer (Rory McCann), a former lackey of Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carey) who seeks to obtain Knuckles’ power.
Perhaps there’s an argument to be made that all franchised movies should get a little TV teaser in between waiting for installments as a little treat for their patience. Knuckles is exactly that for fans of Sonic, effortlessly picking up where the events of Sonic 2 left off. It’s rare that a TV programme will begin by walking you through...
- 4/29/2024
- by Jasmine Valentine
- Nerdly
American TV bosses obviously didn’t learn many lessons from “Episodes,” the Showtime/BBC co-production which brilliantly skewered the habit of adapting British sitcoms, and removing all nuances, subtleties, and idiosyncrasies in the process. In the 13 years since its premiere, there’s been numerous failed pilots (“Spy”), ratings disasters (“Free Agents”), and entire series considered unfit for public consumption (“Us and Them”) which originated across the pond. Now the most singular UK comedy of the 2010s is going transatlantic.
The BAFTA-nominated “Friday Night Dinner” — which served up 37 episodes from 2011-2020 —stemmed from creator Robert Popper’s real-life secular Jewish family and their weekly Shabbat meals, explaining why everything from its suburban London home to its lovable oddballs feels so wonderfully specific. Disappointingly, Amazon Freevee’s “Dinner with the Parents” is as generic as its title.
The 10-part series on Freevee does attempt to retain some of the original’s quirks.
The BAFTA-nominated “Friday Night Dinner” — which served up 37 episodes from 2011-2020 —stemmed from creator Robert Popper’s real-life secular Jewish family and their weekly Shabbat meals, explaining why everything from its suburban London home to its lovable oddballs feels so wonderfully specific. Disappointingly, Amazon Freevee’s “Dinner with the Parents” is as generic as its title.
The 10-part series on Freevee does attempt to retain some of the original’s quirks.
- 4/18/2024
- by Jon O'Brien
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Gina Lyons, a producer on the pilot of Dreaming Whilst Black and Amazon Freevee’s upcoming Dinner with the Parents, has launched a comedy indie to amplify working class, female voices.
Gobby Girl Productions recently closed finance on a £1.3M ($1.6M) British feature film starring big talent that will roll cameras in June. The company is also nearing greenlight on two shows for UK broadcasters.
Lyons has been a freelance producer for several years and launched the outfit as a vehicle for her shows after seeing the inequality faced by working-class women in the industry. The indie’s website points to recent research which found that 40% of Brits nominated for key awards at the Oscars, BAFTAs and Mercury prize over the past decade went to private school, while only 6% of the British population are privately educated.
Gina Lyons
Gobby Girl will therefore focus on amplifying these voices and has already got the ball rolling.
Gobby Girl Productions recently closed finance on a £1.3M ($1.6M) British feature film starring big talent that will roll cameras in June. The company is also nearing greenlight on two shows for UK broadcasters.
Lyons has been a freelance producer for several years and launched the outfit as a vehicle for her shows after seeing the inequality faced by working-class women in the industry. The indie’s website points to recent research which found that 40% of Brits nominated for key awards at the Oscars, BAFTAs and Mercury prize over the past decade went to private school, while only 6% of the British population are privately educated.
Gina Lyons
Gobby Girl will therefore focus on amplifying these voices and has already got the ball rolling.
- 4/3/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
1705. England is a mess. Society is crooked. The rich stamp on the poor and nobody, from the gouty magistrates to Queen “Brandy Nan” Anne, is doing a damn thing about it. The people need a hero, and Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack’s Sally Wainwright has written them one in Nelly Jackson.
Played by Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland, Nell is a kickass 18th century action hero infused with supernatural strength by her spirit sidekick Billy Blind (a winged Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso). Between those two, Nell’s younger sisters, a formerly enslaved servant, and a louche conman, they’re going to save the world. Or maybe just Tottenham.
Renegade Nell is an eight-part British historical adventure series. In a mirror universe, it might have aired in the Saturday teatime slot on BBC One in the Doctor Who, Robin Hood, Merlin and Atlantis vein, just made with more cash and more women,...
Played by Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland, Nell is a kickass 18th century action hero infused with supernatural strength by her spirit sidekick Billy Blind (a winged Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso). Between those two, Nell’s younger sisters, a formerly enslaved servant, and a louche conman, they’re going to save the world. Or maybe just Tottenham.
Renegade Nell is an eight-part British historical adventure series. In a mirror universe, it might have aired in the Saturday teatime slot on BBC One in the Doctor Who, Robin Hood, Merlin and Atlantis vein, just made with more cash and more women,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Friday Night Dinner knows the truth about families. Not that they bicker, mock and childishly compete – sitcom’s known about that since Steptoe & Son. No, Friday Night Dinner knows that families aren’t made up of people; they’re made up of odd habits.
Did you ever invite a friend home from school and pray that none of your family’s Weird Stuff would leak out into the playground the next day? That your mum’s special word for a fart wouldn’t follow you down the corridor into Maths, and the dinner hall wouldn’t echo with the high-pitched voice in which you all talk to the dog? Perhaps you hoped against hope that your brother wouldn’t be wearing his comedy Viz Buster Gonad t-shirt, that no-one would see the wooden clothes peg holding open the choke on your dad’s car, and that nobody would call...
Did you ever invite a friend home from school and pray that none of your family’s Weird Stuff would leak out into the playground the next day? That your mum’s special word for a fart wouldn’t follow you down the corridor into Maths, and the dinner hall wouldn’t echo with the high-pitched voice in which you all talk to the dog? Perhaps you hoped against hope that your brother wouldn’t be wearing his comedy Viz Buster Gonad t-shirt, that no-one would see the wooden clothes peg holding open the choke on your dad’s car, and that nobody would call...
- 3/13/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Dinner with the Parents has a premiere date. Amazon Freevee has announced the premiere date for the new comedy series with the release of a trailer. Inspired by the British comedy Friday Night Dinner, the streaming service ordered the show in July 2022.
Starring Michaela Watkins, Dan Bakkedahl, Carol Kane, Henry Hall, Daniel Thrasher, and Jon Glaser, the Dinner with the Parents series follows the Friday night dinners of the close-knit Langer family.
Read More…...
Starring Michaela Watkins, Dan Bakkedahl, Carol Kane, Henry Hall, Daniel Thrasher, and Jon Glaser, the Dinner with the Parents series follows the Friday night dinners of the close-knit Langer family.
Read More…...
- 3/8/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Exclusive: BAFTA-nominated Friday Night Dinner director Steve Bendelack is helming a comedy movie about an ageing rock band who reunites.
Bill & Ben Productions and Night Tide Films are combining on Heavenly Waters, which will shoot in Greece later this year.
Heavenly Waters tells the story of a rock band who, after an acrimonious split in the 1970s, agree to come together in Greece to scatter the ashes of their biggest fan, but things don’t go according to plan.
The pic is the writing debut of producer Kim Leggatt and actor David Schaal.
Bendelack is a two-time BAFTA nominee who was nominated in 2012 for Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner. He has also helmed a wealth of iconic British comedies including Spitting Image, Little Britain, The Royle Family and Mr Bean’s Holiday.
Heavenly Waters reunites Leggatt with producers Ben Timlett and Bill Jones.
Bill & Ben Productions and Night Tide Films are combining on Heavenly Waters, which will shoot in Greece later this year.
Heavenly Waters tells the story of a rock band who, after an acrimonious split in the 1970s, agree to come together in Greece to scatter the ashes of their biggest fan, but things don’t go according to plan.
The pic is the writing debut of producer Kim Leggatt and actor David Schaal.
Bendelack is a two-time BAFTA nominee who was nominated in 2012 for Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner. He has also helmed a wealth of iconic British comedies including Spitting Image, Little Britain, The Royle Family and Mr Bean’s Holiday.
Heavenly Waters reunites Leggatt with producers Ben Timlett and Bill Jones.
- 3/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ has launched the trailer for Noel Fielding-led comedy ‘The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin,’ which premieres globally on March 1st.
The six-episode Apple Original centres on Dick Turpin (Fielding), who sets out on a journey of wildly absurd escapades when he’s made the reluctant leader of a band of outlaws — and tasked with outwitting corrupt lawman and self-appointed thief-taker Jonathan Wilde (Hugh Bonneville).
In this irreverent retelling set in the 18th century, Turpin is the most famous but least likely of highway robbers, whose success is defined mostly by his charm, showmanship and great hair. Together with his gang of lovable rogues, Turpin rides the highs and lows of his new endeavours, including a brush with celebrity, all whilst trying to escape the clutches of the thief-taker.
Starring alongside Fielding in the ensemble cast are Ellie White (“The Windsors”), Marc Wootton (“High & Dry”), Duayne Boachie...
The six-episode Apple Original centres on Dick Turpin (Fielding), who sets out on a journey of wildly absurd escapades when he’s made the reluctant leader of a band of outlaws — and tasked with outwitting corrupt lawman and self-appointed thief-taker Jonathan Wilde (Hugh Bonneville).
In this irreverent retelling set in the 18th century, Turpin is the most famous but least likely of highway robbers, whose success is defined mostly by his charm, showmanship and great hair. Together with his gang of lovable rogues, Turpin rides the highs and lows of his new endeavours, including a brush with celebrity, all whilst trying to escape the clutches of the thief-taker.
Starring alongside Fielding in the ensemble cast are Ellie White (“The Windsors”), Marc Wootton (“High & Dry”), Duayne Boachie...
- 2/5/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Following in the footsteps of Aardman Animations legends Peter Lord, David Sproxton and Nick Park, a new wave of creators are driving the company forward. While its celebrated franchises, such as Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run are still much loved, and it has four Oscars wins with nine further nominations under its belt, Aardman is also focused on nurturing new talent, such as the creators of Oscar nominated short film “Robin Robin,” and series, such as “Lloyd of the Flies” and “The Very Small Creatures.”
Speaking to Variety from Aardman’s headquarters on Spike Island, Bristol, in the West of England, two of the creative minds behind “Lloyd of the Flies,” Aardman’s first CGI series, explain how the show evolved. In other articles, Variety speaks to Dan Ojari and Mikey Please, the creators of “Robin Robin,” and Lucy Izzard, the creator of “The Very Small Creatures.
Speaking to Variety from Aardman’s headquarters on Spike Island, Bristol, in the West of England, two of the creative minds behind “Lloyd of the Flies,” Aardman’s first CGI series, explain how the show evolved. In other articles, Variety speaks to Dan Ojari and Mikey Please, the creators of “Robin Robin,” and Lucy Izzard, the creator of “The Very Small Creatures.
- 1/22/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount+ today announced that the new original drama series Sexy Beast will premiere exclusively on the service in the U.S. and international territories where available on January 25. The eight episode series stars James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, Angels in America) as Gal Dove, Emun Elliott (The Rig, The Gold) as Don Logan, Tamsin Greig (Episodes, Friday Night Dinner) as Cecilia, Stephen Moyer (Shots Fired, True Blood) as Teddy Bass, and Sarah Greene (Bad Sisters, Normal People) as Deedee Harrison. Produced by AC Chapter One and Anonymous Content, in association with Paramount Television International Studios, the prequel series explores the origins of Gal (McArdle) and Don’s (Elliott) complicated relationship as they find themselves descending into ... Read more...
- 12/4/2023
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
Dominic Cooper, Tamsin Greig and Eddie Marsan are among the names joining Anne-Marie Duff on season 2 of Channel 4 and BritBox International drama series Suspect.
Filming on the drama’s second run is underway, with Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, The Lazarus Project), Celine Buckens (Showtrial, The Ex-Wife), Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, For Life) and Gina McKee (Bodyguard, Our Friends in the North) joining Cooper (Preacher, Mamma Mia!), Greig (Friday Night Dinner, Belgravia) and Marsan.
Duff stars in the series as Dr Susannah Newman. In the eight-part series, she is on a desperate quest to track down a self-confessed serial killer before he kills again that night. When a mysterious new client Jon (Cooper) admits under hypnosis that he is a murderer and intends on killing another young female that evening, Susannah knows he must be stopped at all costs.
Filming on the drama’s second run is underway, with Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, The Lazarus Project), Celine Buckens (Showtrial, The Ex-Wife), Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, For Life) and Gina McKee (Bodyguard, Our Friends in the North) joining Cooper (Preacher, Mamma Mia!), Greig (Friday Night Dinner, Belgravia) and Marsan.
Duff stars in the series as Dr Susannah Newman. In the eight-part series, she is on a desperate quest to track down a self-confessed serial killer before he kills again that night. When a mysterious new client Jon (Cooper) admits under hypnosis that he is a murderer and intends on killing another young female that evening, Susannah knows he must be stopped at all costs.
- 11/15/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“Mamma Mia!” star Dominic Cooper has joined the second season of U.K. police drama “Suspect.”
Fronted by Anne-Marie Duff (“Bad Sisters”), “Suspect” tells the story of bereaved psychotherapist Dr Susannah Newman (Duff) as she tries to track down a serial killer before he strikes again. The Channel 4 show is an adaptation of Danish series Forhøret (“Face to Face”) created by Christoffer Boe.
Cooper joins as a mysterious new client, Jon Fallow, who claims under hypnosis to be a murderer. When he reveals his plan to kill again, Susannah knows he must be stopped. Before the police arrive Jon escapes and Susannah sets out on a deadly mission to save his next victim’s life.
“I’m so pleased to be returning to ‘Suspect’ to be able to dig deeper into the character of Dr Susannah Newman,” said Duff. “Expect lots of twists, turns and revelations alongside more questions to be answered.
Fronted by Anne-Marie Duff (“Bad Sisters”), “Suspect” tells the story of bereaved psychotherapist Dr Susannah Newman (Duff) as she tries to track down a serial killer before he strikes again. The Channel 4 show is an adaptation of Danish series Forhøret (“Face to Face”) created by Christoffer Boe.
Cooper joins as a mysterious new client, Jon Fallow, who claims under hypnosis to be a murderer. When he reveals his plan to kill again, Susannah knows he must be stopped. Before the police arrive Jon escapes and Susannah sets out on a deadly mission to save his next victim’s life.
“I’m so pleased to be returning to ‘Suspect’ to be able to dig deeper into the character of Dr Susannah Newman,” said Duff. “Expect lots of twists, turns and revelations alongside more questions to be answered.
- 11/15/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The Buccaneers is a period drama series created by Katherine Jakeways. The Apple TV+ series is based on an unfinished novel of the same name by Edith Warton, the series revolves around a group of young American women in 1870s London as both American and British cultures clash because of the wildly different approach to their traditions. The Buccaneers stars Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Matthew Broome, Josh Dylan, Barney Fishwick, and Aubri Ibrag. So, if you loved the Apple TV+ series here are some similar shows you could watch next.
The Buccaneers (BritBox & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – BBC One
Synopsis: A lavish, star-studded adaptation of Edith Wharton’s final book. In London for the season, four beautiful Americans charm the impoverished English aristocracy with their vivacity and wealth. But it all turns to ashes.
Gentleman Jack (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – HBO
Synopsis: Set in the changing world of 1832 England...
The Buccaneers (BritBox & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – BBC One
Synopsis: A lavish, star-studded adaptation of Edith Wharton’s final book. In London for the season, four beautiful Americans charm the impoverished English aristocracy with their vivacity and wealth. But it all turns to ashes.
Gentleman Jack (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – HBO
Synopsis: Set in the changing world of 1832 England...
- 11/13/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
The CW is giving an early vote of confidence to another imported series.
Everyone Else Burns has been renewed for a second season on the network, it was announced today by Brad Schwartz.
The series premiere is set for Thursday, October 26 (9:30-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt).
"Everyone Else Burns is a brilliant and bitingly funny series that is as much about family as it is about the end of days," commented Schwartz.
"There is truly no other comedy on television like it, and we are thrilled to work alongside the immensely talented writers and producers to bring the uniquely hilarious Lewis family to The CW for another season."
The series follows the Lewises, a strictly religious family who believe the world will end within the decade.
Related: The Way Home Season 2: Everything...
The CW is giving an early vote of confidence to another imported series.
Everyone Else Burns has been renewed for a second season on the network, it was announced today by Brad Schwartz.
The series premiere is set for Thursday, October 26 (9:30-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt).
"Everyone Else Burns is a brilliant and bitingly funny series that is as much about family as it is about the end of days," commented Schwartz.
"There is truly no other comedy on television like it, and we are thrilled to work alongside the immensely talented writers and producers to bring the uniquely hilarious Lewis family to The CW for another season."
The series follows the Lewises, a strictly religious family who believe the world will end within the decade.
Related: The Way Home Season 2: Everything...
- 10/24/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
In a vote of confidence for its latest acquisition, The CW has picked up Season 2 of Everyone Else Burns ahead of its Stateside debut.
The British comedy, which bowed on the UK’s Channel 4 in January, received a Season 2 renewal in May. The six-episode first season premieres Thursday, Oct. 26 at 9:30/8:30c on The CW, behind “new” episodes of Canadian imports Son of a Critch, Run the Burbs and Children Ruin Everything.
More from TVLineSophie Turner’s Recently Wrapped <em>Joan</em> Series ‘Is Going to Be Awards Bait,’ Says CW Boss — ‘She Is <em>Phenomenal</em>‘The CW Orders 2 New Scripted (!!) Series,...
The British comedy, which bowed on the UK’s Channel 4 in January, received a Season 2 renewal in May. The six-episode first season premieres Thursday, Oct. 26 at 9:30/8:30c on The CW, behind “new” episodes of Canadian imports Son of a Critch, Run the Burbs and Children Ruin Everything.
More from TVLineSophie Turner’s Recently Wrapped <em>Joan</em> Series ‘Is Going to Be Awards Bait,’ Says CW Boss — ‘She Is <em>Phenomenal</em>‘The CW Orders 2 New Scripted (!!) Series,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
The CW network has picked up a second season of U.K. comedy “Everyone Else Burns” ahead of the show’s first season debuting on the U.S. broadcaster.
Part of the CW’s acquisition-heavy fall slate, a programming lineup set by new owner Nexstar to avoid impacts of the now-ended writers strike and ongoing actors strike, “Everyone Else Burns” Season 1 originally aired on Channel 4 in the U.K. in January. It will premiere Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on the CW.
Per its official logline, “Everyone Else Burns” centers on the Lewises, a strictly religious family who believe the world will end within the decade. Patriarch David longs for the church to promote him. Long-suffering Fiona hungers for a life beyond sermons and squash. Aaron (Harry Connor) is a model young believer – except his drawings feature the rest of the family burning in hell. And anxious 17-year-old Rachel...
Part of the CW’s acquisition-heavy fall slate, a programming lineup set by new owner Nexstar to avoid impacts of the now-ended writers strike and ongoing actors strike, “Everyone Else Burns” Season 1 originally aired on Channel 4 in the U.K. in January. It will premiere Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on the CW.
Per its official logline, “Everyone Else Burns” centers on the Lewises, a strictly religious family who believe the world will end within the decade. Patriarch David longs for the church to promote him. Long-suffering Fiona hungers for a life beyond sermons and squash. Aaron (Harry Connor) is a model young believer – except his drawings feature the rest of the family burning in hell. And anxious 17-year-old Rachel...
- 10/24/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Tubi has acquired Aardman Animations’ series Lloyd of the Flies.
The series, originally for Citv in the UK, will be badged as a Tubi Original in the U.S. and Canada. It will launch exclusive on the free streaming service on August 6.
The 52-episode series follows Lloyd, a young fly who is the middle child of 451, who lives in an apple with his long-suffering parents, cheeky little sister and 224 maggots. Along with his best friend, woodlouse Abacus, his faces endless endless awkward, annoying and occasionally life-threatening situations largely of his own devising, because when you’re only one centimeter high, even tiny problems can lead to massive consequences.
Tom Rosenthal plays Lloyd and Alex Lawther, who we revealed on Friday is among the leads for new FX series Alien plays Abacus. Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Teresa Gallagher...
The series, originally for Citv in the UK, will be badged as a Tubi Original in the U.S. and Canada. It will launch exclusive on the free streaming service on August 6.
The 52-episode series follows Lloyd, a young fly who is the middle child of 451, who lives in an apple with his long-suffering parents, cheeky little sister and 224 maggots. Along with his best friend, woodlouse Abacus, his faces endless endless awkward, annoying and occasionally life-threatening situations largely of his own devising, because when you’re only one centimeter high, even tiny problems can lead to massive consequences.
Tom Rosenthal plays Lloyd and Alex Lawther, who we revealed on Friday is among the leads for new FX series Alien plays Abacus. Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Teresa Gallagher...
- 7/25/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The CW on Thursday became the fourth broadcast network (after CBS, NBC and ABC; Fox punted) to unveil its schedule for the 2023-24 TV season. What does the in-transition, Nexstar-owned netlet have penciled in for fall, and what’s on hold until midseason?
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♦ All American, one of two veteran shows picked up thus far by the “new” CW,...
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Carbonell Joins Medical Drama, Xo, Kitty Castings and MoreClipped Trailer: Laurence Fishburne and Ed O'Neill Go One-on-One in Hulu's Take on L.A. Clippers ScandalMayor of Kingstown Season 3 Trailer Promises 'Next Level' Drama for Mike & Co. - Watch
♦ All American, one of two veteran shows picked up thus far by the “new” CW,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: The CW has picked up Everyone Else Burns, Channel 4’s apocalypse comedy about a religious sect starring Friday Night Dinner’s Simon Bird.
The show, which was the first to come from Emily in Paris producer Jax Media’s UK office and is co-produced with Universal International Studios, is expected to be be unveiled as part of the network’s fall lineup.
Penned by up-and-comers Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor, Everyone Else Burns stars Bird as David, a misguided patriarch living in a small religious sect in Manchester. David, who believes the world will end in apocalypse, is losing a grip over his family, with each character going on their own personal journey with regard their hyper-religious upbringing. Kate O’Flynn, Lolly Adefope, Kadiff Kirwan and Morgana Robinson also star.
Everyone Else Burns was well received by critics and achieved decent ratings when it aired on Channel 4 earlier this year.
The show, which was the first to come from Emily in Paris producer Jax Media’s UK office and is co-produced with Universal International Studios, is expected to be be unveiled as part of the network’s fall lineup.
Penned by up-and-comers Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor, Everyone Else Burns stars Bird as David, a misguided patriarch living in a small religious sect in Manchester. David, who believes the world will end in apocalypse, is losing a grip over his family, with each character going on their own personal journey with regard their hyper-religious upbringing. Kate O’Flynn, Lolly Adefope, Kadiff Kirwan and Morgana Robinson also star.
Everyone Else Burns was well received by critics and achieved decent ratings when it aired on Channel 4 earlier this year.
- 5/18/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Guardian has deleted and apologized for a Martin Rowson cartoon of outgoing BBC Chairman Richard Sharp after the image was accused of evoking anti-Semitic tropes.
The British broadsheet newspaper removed the cartoon from its website on Saturday following a social media backlash, in which figures from the Jewish community voiced their shock.
Sharp resigned as the BBC’s Chairman on Friday after he failed to properly declare his role in facilitating an £800,000 ($1M) loan guarantee for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Rowson’s illustration pictured a grinning caricature of Sharp, who is Jewish. He has an enlarged nose and is carrying a Goldman Sachs office box, apparently stuffed with gold and a squid.
The Goldman Sachs box is a reference to Sharp’s former employer, which was famously described by Rolling Stone as “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel...
The British broadsheet newspaper removed the cartoon from its website on Saturday following a social media backlash, in which figures from the Jewish community voiced their shock.
Sharp resigned as the BBC’s Chairman on Friday after he failed to properly declare his role in facilitating an £800,000 ($1M) loan guarantee for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Rowson’s illustration pictured a grinning caricature of Sharp, who is Jewish. He has an enlarged nose and is carrying a Goldman Sachs office box, apparently stuffed with gold and a squid.
The Goldman Sachs box is a reference to Sharp’s former employer, which was famously described by Rolling Stone as “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel...
- 4/29/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exec will report into Spt’s president of international productions Wayne Garvie.
Sony Pictures Television (Spt) has appointed Big Talk managing director Matthew Justice to the newly created role of EVP, head of UK & Europe.
Justice, who announced earlier this week that he was stepping down from The Outlaws producer Big Talk after 16 years, will report into Wayne Garvie, Spt’s president of international productions.
Justice will manage Spt’s international studio operations and European co-productions business, and work closely with Spt production labels and joint ventures. These include: Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials), Eleven Films (Sex Education), Left Bank Pictures...
Sony Pictures Television (Spt) has appointed Big Talk managing director Matthew Justice to the newly created role of EVP, head of UK & Europe.
Justice, who announced earlier this week that he was stepping down from The Outlaws producer Big Talk after 16 years, will report into Wayne Garvie, Spt’s president of international productions.
Justice will manage Spt’s international studio operations and European co-productions business, and work closely with Spt production labels and joint ventures. These include: Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials), Eleven Films (Sex Education), Left Bank Pictures...
- 4/27/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
In what is likely to be considered a major poach, Sony Pictures Television has hired Mathew Justice — a seasoned U.K. industry vet and currently managing director of the ITV Studios-owned Big Talk — for the newly created role of executive vp, head of U.K. and Europe.
Reporting to Spt president of international productions Wayne Garvie, Justice will directly manage the company’s International Studio operations and European co-productions business, as well as work closely with Spt International Production’s wholly owned and joint venture production companies in the region, which include Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry), Eleven Films (Sex Education) and Left Bank Pictures (The Crown). He joins later this year.
“Joining Wayne and the team at Spt is an opportunity that dreams are made of,” said Justice. “The Spt labels are outstanding, so it is a rare honor to get to work with them and the people behind them.
Reporting to Spt president of international productions Wayne Garvie, Justice will directly manage the company’s International Studio operations and European co-productions business, as well as work closely with Spt International Production’s wholly owned and joint venture production companies in the region, which include Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry), Eleven Films (Sex Education) and Left Bank Pictures (The Crown). He joins later this year.
“Joining Wayne and the team at Spt is an opportunity that dreams are made of,” said Justice. “The Spt labels are outstanding, so it is a rare honor to get to work with them and the people behind them.
- 4/27/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Television has appointed Matthew Justice as executive VP and head of U.K. and Europe.
In the newly created role, he will report into Wayne Garvie, president of International Productions. Justice will directly manage Spt’s international studio operations and European co-productions business, as well as work closely with Spt International Production’s wholly-owned and joint venture production companies in the region, which includes Bad Wolf, Eleven Films and Left Bank Pictures.
Justice most recently served as managing director at ITV Studios-backed Big Talk. He will start at Spt later this year.
Garvie said: “Matthew is a highly respected figure in the U.K. television and film industry — together he and Kenton Allen have built Big Talk into a significant international player. A smart operator, a strategic thinker and, just as importantly, a very good person, Matthew brings just what we need to build our UK and...
In the newly created role, he will report into Wayne Garvie, president of International Productions. Justice will directly manage Spt’s international studio operations and European co-productions business, as well as work closely with Spt International Production’s wholly-owned and joint venture production companies in the region, which includes Bad Wolf, Eleven Films and Left Bank Pictures.
Justice most recently served as managing director at ITV Studios-backed Big Talk. He will start at Spt later this year.
Garvie said: “Matthew is a highly respected figure in the U.K. television and film industry — together he and Kenton Allen have built Big Talk into a significant international player. A smart operator, a strategic thinker and, just as importantly, a very good person, Matthew brings just what we need to build our UK and...
- 4/27/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Big Talk Productions is renaming itself Big Talk Studios and is reshuffling its top team as Matthew Justice departs after 16 years.
The British producer behind Amazon’s The Outlaws is rebranding with an eye on the U.S., where it has just wrapped Dinner With The Parents for Freevee, a remake of Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner.
Managing Director Justice is leaving in the fall for a new role, which is expected to be announced later this week. He has worked at Big Talk for 16 years and has a close relationship with CEO Kenton Allen, which will continue as part of a transition process over the coming months.
Justice has Executive Produced films such as Attack the Block and BAFTA-winning series including Rev and Him & Her. He helped oversee Big Talk’s sale to ITV Studios in 2013 for £30M ($37M).
Big Talk’s new logo
Christina Angeloudes, Big...
The British producer behind Amazon’s The Outlaws is rebranding with an eye on the U.S., where it has just wrapped Dinner With The Parents for Freevee, a remake of Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner.
Managing Director Justice is leaving in the fall for a new role, which is expected to be announced later this week. He has worked at Big Talk for 16 years and has a close relationship with CEO Kenton Allen, which will continue as part of a transition process over the coming months.
Justice has Executive Produced films such as Attack the Block and BAFTA-winning series including Rev and Him & Her. He helped oversee Big Talk’s sale to ITV Studios in 2013 for £30M ($37M).
Big Talk’s new logo
Christina Angeloudes, Big...
- 4/24/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
He’s Mike in the hit BBC sitcom Ghosts. He’s a contestant on the latest series of Taskmaster. But perhaps most importantly, he’s the composer of the new hit song ‘One On A Barge Pole… For Meeee.’
Okay, so we slightly embellished that last fact, but Kiell Smith-Bynoe is Having A Bit Of A Moment right now, and fast becoming a household name. And it’s about bloody time.
Here’s where you can catch up on the wealth of existing Ksb goodness, from sitcoms to shorts to the unsung genius of his Channel 4 sketch show:
More Than Just Ghosts: Kiell is a Sitcom King
Yes, he’s probably best known for playing Mike – Alison’s lovable husband, Christmas Dinner-Maker Extraordinaire and co-owner of Button House – in Ghosts, but Kiell Smith-Bynoe’s sitcom chops go far beyond that. In fact, he’s had roles in many of the most celebrated,...
Okay, so we slightly embellished that last fact, but Kiell Smith-Bynoe is Having A Bit Of A Moment right now, and fast becoming a household name. And it’s about bloody time.
Here’s where you can catch up on the wealth of existing Ksb goodness, from sitcoms to shorts to the unsung genius of his Channel 4 sketch show:
More Than Just Ghosts: Kiell is a Sitcom King
Yes, he’s probably best known for playing Mike – Alison’s lovable husband, Christmas Dinner-Maker Extraordinaire and co-owner of Button House – in Ghosts, but Kiell Smith-Bynoe’s sitcom chops go far beyond that. In fact, he’s had roles in many of the most celebrated,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
This is why I don’t do interviews,” says Simon Bird. “I regret everything I say.” I’ve just asked the 38-year-old star of The Inbetweeners and Friday Night Dinner about Rishi Sunak. In his 2021 mid-pandemic stand-up special Debrief, Bird suggested that Sunak, then chancellor of the Exchequer, was “personally culpable for gross negligence manslaughter”, branding his Eat Out to Help Out scheme an “act of terrorism”. “There was definitely an element of comic hyperbole there,” he tells me, somewhat pragmatically. “I don’t feel like it’s my place really to get into politics. Although, I mean, the reason you’re bringing it up is because I literally did get into politics... I’ve totally contradicted myself. But how do I feel about him being prime minister? Well, I don’t think I’ll be voting for him. And I’ll probably leave it at that.”
As I chat...
As I chat...
- 1/23/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Exclusive: Creatives from Jax Media and Universal International Studios (Uis) have talked up “subverting traditional narratives” by bringing “heart and warmth” to upcoming Channel 4 religious comedy Everyone Else Burns.
The Simon Bird-starrer is the first to hail from Jax’s UK office, headed up by former Baby Cow exec Molly Seymour, and follows a family in a religious sect who believe the world is going to end. Bird stars as misguided patriarch David, with Kate O’Flynn, Lolly Adefope, Kadiff Kirwan and Morgana Robinson opposite the Inbetweeners alum.
Speaking to Deadline, Jax President Brooke Posch and Seymour said creators Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor never intended to poke fun at the subject matter. Each character goes on their own personal journey and there are nuances to the way in which they relate to their hyper-religious upbringing. The writers, who are currently working on an adaptation of their stage show Fix...
The Simon Bird-starrer is the first to hail from Jax’s UK office, headed up by former Baby Cow exec Molly Seymour, and follows a family in a religious sect who believe the world is going to end. Bird stars as misguided patriarch David, with Kate O’Flynn, Lolly Adefope, Kadiff Kirwan and Morgana Robinson opposite the Inbetweeners alum.
Speaking to Deadline, Jax President Brooke Posch and Seymour said creators Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor never intended to poke fun at the subject matter. Each character goes on their own personal journey and there are nuances to the way in which they relate to their hyper-religious upbringing. The writers, who are currently working on an adaptation of their stage show Fix...
- 1/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
To mark the release of Plebs: Soldiers of Rome on 12th December, we’ve been given a copy to give away on DVD.
Plebs follows the lives of three hapless young men from the suburbs as they try to get laid, hold down jobs and climb the social ladder in the big city… of Rome in 23Bc. Penned by Sam Leifer (How Not to Live Your Life) and Tom Basden (After Life) and starring Tom Rosenthal (Friday Night Dinner), Ryan Sampson (Brassic) and Jonathan Pointing (London Kills) alongside a stellar cast and inspired guest stars Including a host of TV favourites: Amanda Holden, Danny Dyer, Maureen Lipman, Simon Callow, Shaun Williamson, Lauren Socha, Tim Key, James Fleet, Michelle Keegan, Miriam Margolyes, Ellie Taylor and David Bamber.
In Plebs: Soldiers Of Rome Marcus, Grumio, Jason and Aurelius join the army in peacetime in the hope of gaining respect, to succeed in their ongoing search for romance,...
Plebs follows the lives of three hapless young men from the suburbs as they try to get laid, hold down jobs and climb the social ladder in the big city… of Rome in 23Bc. Penned by Sam Leifer (How Not to Live Your Life) and Tom Basden (After Life) and starring Tom Rosenthal (Friday Night Dinner), Ryan Sampson (Brassic) and Jonathan Pointing (London Kills) alongside a stellar cast and inspired guest stars Including a host of TV favourites: Amanda Holden, Danny Dyer, Maureen Lipman, Simon Callow, Shaun Williamson, Lauren Socha, Tim Key, James Fleet, Michelle Keegan, Miriam Margolyes, Ellie Taylor and David Bamber.
In Plebs: Soldiers Of Rome Marcus, Grumio, Jason and Aurelius join the army in peacetime in the hope of gaining respect, to succeed in their ongoing search for romance,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Apple TV+ is looking to bring some magic to its lineup with a limited series based on the podcast Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy, our sister site Variety reports.
Only Murders in the Building co-creator John Hoffman will write and exec-produce the half-hour project, which is in the development stage. It will be “told from various perspectives and is about two of the greatest showman-magicians in history who push the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme — until tragedy reframes and opens up an entirely new mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show,” per the official logline.
More from...
Only Murders in the Building co-creator John Hoffman will write and exec-produce the half-hour project, which is in the development stage. It will be “told from various perspectives and is about two of the greatest showman-magicians in history who push the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme — until tragedy reframes and opens up an entirely new mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show,” per the official logline.
More from...
- 10/28/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Michaela Watkins and Veep alum Dan Bakkedahl will lead the cast of Amazon Freevee’s series Dinner with the Parents, a remake of the long-running British comedy Friday Night Dinner, which is being produced by CBS Studios and Big Talk.
In the single-camera Dinner with the Parents, which has a straight-to-series order, two brothers in their 20s go to their mom (Watkins) and dad’s (Bakkedahl) for dinner each week and somehow get through it without actually, physically, dying of embarrassment.
Bakkedahl plays the dad, Harvey Langer, a “dad joke” in human form. He a suburban dentist trying to fend off a midlife crisis by wearing aloha shirts and playing in a garage band called the Spin Dentists. Desperate for attention, Harvey finds a way to make every Friday night about him.
Watkins plays the mom, Jane Langer. She just left a teaching job after 25 years and...
In the single-camera Dinner with the Parents, which has a straight-to-series order, two brothers in their 20s go to their mom (Watkins) and dad’s (Bakkedahl) for dinner each week and somehow get through it without actually, physically, dying of embarrassment.
Bakkedahl plays the dad, Harvey Langer, a “dad joke” in human form. He a suburban dentist trying to fend off a midlife crisis by wearing aloha shirts and playing in a garage band called the Spin Dentists. Desperate for attention, Harvey finds a way to make every Friday night about him.
Watkins plays the mom, Jane Langer. She just left a teaching job after 25 years and...
- 10/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon Freevee has picked up Icons Unearthed: Star Wars for the UK, the doc series that features the first tell-all on-camera interview with George Lucas’ former wife Marcia Lucas.
The landmark series aired over the summer in the U.S. on Vice TV and has since been renewed for a second season, which will showcase The Simpsons.
Icons Unearthed takes a deep dive into the Star Wars universe and features the first on-camera interview with the creator’s former wife and the original trilogy’s Oscar-winning editor.
Produced by the Nacelle Company and directed by Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us), Icons Unearthed travels to all 50 U.S. states along with Tunisia, England, Canada and Italy, featuring interviews with others involved with the series including Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Paul Hirsch, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, Ken Ralston, John Dykstra, Howard Kazanjian, Julian Glover, Ian McDiarmid, Gus Lopez,...
The landmark series aired over the summer in the U.S. on Vice TV and has since been renewed for a second season, which will showcase The Simpsons.
Icons Unearthed takes a deep dive into the Star Wars universe and features the first on-camera interview with the creator’s former wife and the original trilogy’s Oscar-winning editor.
Produced by the Nacelle Company and directed by Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us), Icons Unearthed travels to all 50 U.S. states along with Tunisia, England, Canada and Italy, featuring interviews with others involved with the series including Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Paul Hirsch, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, Ken Ralston, John Dykstra, Howard Kazanjian, Julian Glover, Ian McDiarmid, Gus Lopez,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Harry Landis, known for his appearances in Friday Night Dinner and EastEnders, has died at the age of 90.
The star, who played Mr Morris – the bad-tempered boyfriend of Frances Cuka’s Grandma Nellie – in the Channel 4 comedy Friday Night Dinner from 2012 to 2014, died on Monday (12 September), his agent confirmed.
A statement on social media read: “Sad news. Our lovely client Harry Landis has passed to spirit.
“Harry had an amazing career and gained a new following in later life as Mr Morris in Friday Night Dinner. It was a privilege to have worked with him as a client. Harry you will be sadly missed. Rip.”
Landis’s Friday Night Dinner co-star Tracy-Ann Oberman, who played Auntie Val in the show, reacted to the news on Twitter, writing: “Bloody loved #HarryLandis. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.”
The sitcom’s creator Robert Popper wrote: “He was a brilliantly funny,...
The star, who played Mr Morris – the bad-tempered boyfriend of Frances Cuka’s Grandma Nellie – in the Channel 4 comedy Friday Night Dinner from 2012 to 2014, died on Monday (12 September), his agent confirmed.
A statement on social media read: “Sad news. Our lovely client Harry Landis has passed to spirit.
“Harry had an amazing career and gained a new following in later life as Mr Morris in Friday Night Dinner. It was a privilege to have worked with him as a client. Harry you will be sadly missed. Rip.”
Landis’s Friday Night Dinner co-star Tracy-Ann Oberman, who played Auntie Val in the show, reacted to the news on Twitter, writing: “Bloody loved #HarryLandis. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.”
The sitcom’s creator Robert Popper wrote: “He was a brilliantly funny,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
The “Sexy Beast” prequel series at Paramount+ has found its cast, Variety has learned.
The original U.K. drama will star James McArdle as Gal Dove and Emun Elliott as Don Logan, the roles played by Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley respectively in the original 2000 film.
The show follows Gal and Don as best friends and small-time thieves living the good life in ‘90s East London. The series will explore Gal and Don’s complicated relationship as Gal finds himself descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s, while falling in love with DeeDee.
Sarah Greene is Deedee, a captivating adult film star, who has the potential to turn Gal’s whole life upside down. DeeDee was played by Amanda Redman in the film
Stephen Moyer is Teddy Bass, a rising name in the gangster world, who Gal and Don are offered...
The original U.K. drama will star James McArdle as Gal Dove and Emun Elliott as Don Logan, the roles played by Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley respectively in the original 2000 film.
The show follows Gal and Don as best friends and small-time thieves living the good life in ‘90s East London. The series will explore Gal and Don’s complicated relationship as Gal finds himself descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s, while falling in love with DeeDee.
Sarah Greene is Deedee, a captivating adult film star, who has the potential to turn Gal’s whole life upside down. DeeDee was played by Amanda Redman in the film
Stephen Moyer is Teddy Bass, a rising name in the gangster world, who Gal and Don are offered...
- 8/8/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Freevee Hands Straight-To-Series Order To U.S. Remake Of British Comedy ‘Friday Night Dinner’
Exclusive: Friday Night Dinner is coming to the U.S.
Amazon Freevee has handed a straight-to-series order to Dinner with the Parents, a remake of the long-running British comedy, which comes from former Late Show with David Letterman writer Jon Beckerman, The Outlaws producer Big Talk and CBS Studios.
It marks the fourth attempt to remake the show — which ran for nearly 10 years in the UK on Channel 4 — in the U.S. and the first to get past the development stage. It has scored a 10-episode order.
2022 Amazon Freevee Pilots & Series Orders
The British series, which ran for six seasons from 2011-20, is centered around the regular dinner experience of the middle class British Jewish Goodman family every Friday night.
The U.S. version of the half-hour single-camera comedy will follow much of this. It is centered around two brothers in their 20s go to their mom and dad...
Amazon Freevee has handed a straight-to-series order to Dinner with the Parents, a remake of the long-running British comedy, which comes from former Late Show with David Letterman writer Jon Beckerman, The Outlaws producer Big Talk and CBS Studios.
It marks the fourth attempt to remake the show — which ran for nearly 10 years in the UK on Channel 4 — in the U.S. and the first to get past the development stage. It has scored a 10-episode order.
2022 Amazon Freevee Pilots & Series Orders
The British series, which ran for six seasons from 2011-20, is centered around the regular dinner experience of the middle class British Jewish Goodman family every Friday night.
The U.S. version of the half-hour single-camera comedy will follow much of this. It is centered around two brothers in their 20s go to their mom and dad...
- 7/13/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
British broadcaster Channel 4 has ordered an apocalyptic comedy series starring Friday Night Dinner and The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird.
The ad-supported, public service broadcaster has handed the six-part order to Jax Media, the company behind series including Netflix’s Russian Doll and HBO Max’s Search Party, and Universal International Studios, the London-led global production arm of the NBCU studio.
Everyone Else Burns explores life in a hyper-religious community and asks: how does an idiosyncratic family navigating modern day life protect themselves from eternal hell fire?
Bird stars alongside Kate O’Flynn, Amy James-Kelly, Lolly Adefope, Al Roberts, Soph Galustian, Harry Connor, Ali Khan, Lloyd Griffith, Kadiff Kirwan, Morgana Robinson, Arsher Ali, Liam Williams, Kath Hughes, and Seb Cardinal.
It is a coming-of-age comedy about a Mancunian family and the puritanical Christian sect they are devoted to. Will patriarchal David Lewis ever ascend the church ranks and become an Elder?...
The ad-supported, public service broadcaster has handed the six-part order to Jax Media, the company behind series including Netflix’s Russian Doll and HBO Max’s Search Party, and Universal International Studios, the London-led global production arm of the NBCU studio.
Everyone Else Burns explores life in a hyper-religious community and asks: how does an idiosyncratic family navigating modern day life protect themselves from eternal hell fire?
Bird stars alongside Kate O’Flynn, Amy James-Kelly, Lolly Adefope, Al Roberts, Soph Galustian, Harry Connor, Ali Khan, Lloyd Griffith, Kadiff Kirwan, Morgana Robinson, Arsher Ali, Liam Williams, Kath Hughes, and Seb Cardinal.
It is a coming-of-age comedy about a Mancunian family and the puritanical Christian sect they are devoted to. Will patriarchal David Lewis ever ascend the church ranks and become an Elder?...
- 5/3/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
No, there won’t be any more Inbetweeners. But what else would you like to ask the Friday Night Dinner actor and Days of the Bagnold Summer director?
There’s a lot more to Simon “Will from The Inbetweeners” Bird than meets the eye. As he’s said himself, he’ll probably never quite get away from his role at the posh one with the briefcase in three Channel 4 series and two films of Iain Morris and Damon Beesley’s teenage-angst-ridden sitcom. Although he had a damn good try as slightly less annoying son, Adam, in six series of Channel 4’s gone, but not forgotten, Friday Night Dinner.
Bird made his West End debut in 2017’s The Philanthropist with Charlotte “Ghosts” Ritchie, Lily Cole, Tom Rosenthal and Matt “Toast of London” Berry. In a three-star review, the Guardian’s Michael Billington described Bird’s performance as: “Funny rather than sad.
There’s a lot more to Simon “Will from The Inbetweeners” Bird than meets the eye. As he’s said himself, he’ll probably never quite get away from his role at the posh one with the briefcase in three Channel 4 series and two films of Iain Morris and Damon Beesley’s teenage-angst-ridden sitcom. Although he had a damn good try as slightly less annoying son, Adam, in six series of Channel 4’s gone, but not forgotten, Friday Night Dinner.
Bird made his West End debut in 2017’s The Philanthropist with Charlotte “Ghosts” Ritchie, Lily Cole, Tom Rosenthal and Matt “Toast of London” Berry. In a three-star review, the Guardian’s Michael Billington described Bird’s performance as: “Funny rather than sad.
- 4/13/2022
- by Rich Pelley
- The Guardian - Film News
As BBC Studios gears up for its annual showcase, where it introduces its upcoming hot projects to international buyers, U.K.-based Jonathan Blyth, BBC Studios’ director of comedy, and Kelly Miller, BBC Studios’ Los Angeles-based senior VP of scripted strategy, sat down with Variety to discuss what’s on their comedy slate, working with streamers and the biggest challenges they’re currently facing.
What do you look for in a comedy?
Kelly Miller (Km): It’s all about authentic storytelling, that lived-in experience, a talent who has something to say. Those are the comedies and the shows that are most resonant with audiences around the world, but particularly here in the U.S.
Jonathan Blyth (Jb): Talent is very much at the heart — front and centre. If you look at our showcase slate, we’re working with some of the best in the industry, whether that’s...
What do you look for in a comedy?
Kelly Miller (Km): It’s all about authentic storytelling, that lived-in experience, a talent who has something to say. Those are the comedies and the shows that are most resonant with audiences around the world, but particularly here in the U.S.
Jonathan Blyth (Jb): Talent is very much at the heart — front and centre. If you look at our showcase slate, we’re working with some of the best in the industry, whether that’s...
- 2/22/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sally Wainwright, Daisy May Cooper and the hosts of Top Gear, along with senior BBC execs, will address next month’s BBC Studios Showcase, as the commercial outfit unveils a packed lineup for the online-only event.
The Showcase, which takes place from February 28 to 2 March, will also feature Romesh Ranganathan speaking about his comedy Avoidance, comedian Lee Mack on gameshow format The 1% Club and will include an interview with the stars of Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper’s new Channel 4 sitcom I Hate You.
Gentleman Jack creator Wainwright will give exclusive insight into the third and final series of BBC One’s Happy Valley and This Country creator Cooper’s will discuss her upcoming comedy thriller.
Meanwhile, BBC Director General Tim Davie, Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore and new BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell will all speak on future content trends and the BBC’s creative direction.
BBC...
The Showcase, which takes place from February 28 to 2 March, will also feature Romesh Ranganathan speaking about his comedy Avoidance, comedian Lee Mack on gameshow format The 1% Club and will include an interview with the stars of Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper’s new Channel 4 sitcom I Hate You.
Gentleman Jack creator Wainwright will give exclusive insight into the third and final series of BBC One’s Happy Valley and This Country creator Cooper’s will discuss her upcoming comedy thriller.
Meanwhile, BBC Director General Tim Davie, Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore and new BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell will all speak on future content trends and the BBC’s creative direction.
BBC...
- 1/24/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
In upcoming biopic “Golda,” Helen Mirren plays former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir during the 1973 Yom Kippur war, when Israel was invaded by a coalition of Arab states on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
While Mirren is not Jewish, “Golda” is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), who is both Jewish and Israeli, and written by British screenwriter Nicholas Martin (“Florence Foster Jenkins”), who has previously worked with the organization U.K. Jewish Film.
But in the U.K., where production wrapped last month, Mirren’s casting as one of history’s most heroic Jewish women has caused some disquiet. Actor Maureen Lipman (“The Pianist”) highlighted the discussion about what has been termed “Jewface” when she told a newspaper she “disagreed” with Mirren’s casting “because the Jewishness of the character is so integral. I’m sure she will be marvellous, but it would never be...
While Mirren is not Jewish, “Golda” is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), who is both Jewish and Israeli, and written by British screenwriter Nicholas Martin (“Florence Foster Jenkins”), who has previously worked with the organization U.K. Jewish Film.
But in the U.K., where production wrapped last month, Mirren’s casting as one of history’s most heroic Jewish women has caused some disquiet. Actor Maureen Lipman (“The Pianist”) highlighted the discussion about what has been termed “Jewface” when she told a newspaper she “disagreed” with Mirren’s casting “because the Jewishness of the character is so integral. I’m sure she will be marvellous, but it would never be...
- 1/14/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Walken series “The Outlaws” has been renewed for a second season. Walken will also return as Frank Sheldon.
Created by Stephen Merchant (“The Office”) and Elgin James (“Mayans M.C.”) the comedy thriller follows seven convicts completing community service in Bristol, U.K.
The second season, which has already wrapped and is due to air next year, follows on directly from season 1. Both seasons were filmed back to back. The show is a BBC One/Amazon Studios co-production.
Returning alongside Merchant (who both stars in and writes the series) and Walken are Rhianne Barreto (“Honour”), Gamba Cole (“Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle”), Darren Boyd (“Killing Eve”), Clare Perkins (“EastEnders”), Eleanor Tomlinson (“Poldark”), Jessica Gunning (“Back”), Charles Babalola (“Bancroft”), Nina Wadia (“Goodness Gracious Me”), Tom Hanson (“Brassic”) and Aiyana Goodfellow (“Small Axe”).
Julia Davis (“Sally4Ever”), Dolly Wells (“Dracula”), Ian McElhinney (“Game of Thrones”) and Claes Bang (“Dracula”) guest star.
Created by Stephen Merchant (“The Office”) and Elgin James (“Mayans M.C.”) the comedy thriller follows seven convicts completing community service in Bristol, U.K.
The second season, which has already wrapped and is due to air next year, follows on directly from season 1. Both seasons were filmed back to back. The show is a BBC One/Amazon Studios co-production.
Returning alongside Merchant (who both stars in and writes the series) and Walken are Rhianne Barreto (“Honour”), Gamba Cole (“Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle”), Darren Boyd (“Killing Eve”), Clare Perkins (“EastEnders”), Eleanor Tomlinson (“Poldark”), Jessica Gunning (“Back”), Charles Babalola (“Bancroft”), Nina Wadia (“Goodness Gracious Me”), Tom Hanson (“Brassic”) and Aiyana Goodfellow (“Small Axe”).
Julia Davis (“Sally4Ever”), Dolly Wells (“Dracula”), Ian McElhinney (“Game of Thrones”) and Claes Bang (“Dracula”) guest star.
- 11/29/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
In the early 1980s, around the time George Lucas and Richard Marquand were wrapping up “Return of the Jedi” at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, the British film industry entered a precipitous decline. As U.S. funding dried up following new tax rules and a pivot to television, fewer films were made in the U.K. than at any time since the beginning of World War I.
The golden era of 1960s and ’70s production — when Stanley Kubrick shot “2001: A Space Odyssey” at Shepperton Studios, Richard Donner took over Pinewood Studios for “Superman” and Lucas handpicked Elstree for “Star Wars” — was over.
“The British film industry hit rock bottom,” recalls Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission. “Most of our filmmakers had left to go to America. There was tumbleweed blowing through our studios.”
Four decades on, the landscape is unrecognizable. “[The U.K. is] the movie capital of the world right now,...
The golden era of 1960s and ’70s production — when Stanley Kubrick shot “2001: A Space Odyssey” at Shepperton Studios, Richard Donner took over Pinewood Studios for “Superman” and Lucas handpicked Elstree for “Star Wars” — was over.
“The British film industry hit rock bottom,” recalls Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission. “Most of our filmmakers had left to go to America. There was tumbleweed blowing through our studios.”
Four decades on, the landscape is unrecognizable. “[The U.K. is] the movie capital of the world right now,...
- 11/24/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Outlaws producer Big Talk has secured a two-hour UKTV feature about aliens invading the Earth from Ghosts’ Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond.
Airing next year on Dave, We Are Not Alone is set six weeks after an alien invasion and explores the culture clash between humankind and its new alien masters, who are trying to make sense of a planet so confusing that its inhabitants can’t even agree which side of the road to drive on.
Writers Rickard and Willbond, who play Robin and The Captain respectively in BBC1 hit comedy Ghosts and are also part of the writing team on the BBC and CBS version, said they had “never attempted anything so ambitious or ridiculous.”
Big Talk CEO Kenton Allen said: “Shining a light on how stupid humans are, through the prism of some stupid Aliens, with the amazing crew we have assembled, will be stupidly good fun.
Airing next year on Dave, We Are Not Alone is set six weeks after an alien invasion and explores the culture clash between humankind and its new alien masters, who are trying to make sense of a planet so confusing that its inhabitants can’t even agree which side of the road to drive on.
Writers Rickard and Willbond, who play Robin and The Captain respectively in BBC1 hit comedy Ghosts and are also part of the writing team on the BBC and CBS version, said they had “never attempted anything so ambitious or ridiculous.”
Big Talk CEO Kenton Allen said: “Shining a light on how stupid humans are, through the prism of some stupid Aliens, with the amazing crew we have assembled, will be stupidly good fun.
- 11/19/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s upcoming YA feature adaptation The School for Good and Evil has added a bumper crop of new enrollees.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Ben Kingsley, Patti LuPone, Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner) have been cast in the fantasy film being directed by Paul Feig. The six join an already healthy school intake, with Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Sofia Wylie, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young and Michelle Yeoh and Laurence Fishburne already announced.
The School for Good and Evil is based on the bestselling 2013 novel of the same name by Soman Chainani, with ...
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Ben Kingsley, Patti LuPone, Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner) have been cast in the fantasy film being directed by Paul Feig. The six join an already healthy school intake, with Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Sofia Wylie, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young and Michelle Yeoh and Laurence Fishburne already announced.
The School for Good and Evil is based on the bestselling 2013 novel of the same name by Soman Chainani, with ...
- 11/9/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Netflix’s upcoming YA feature adaptation The School for Good and Evil has added a bumper crop of new enrollees.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Ben Kingsley, Patti LuPone, Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner) have been cast in the fantasy film being directed by Paul Feig. The six join an already healthy school intake, with Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Sofia Wylie, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young and Michelle Yeoh and Laurence Fishburne already announced.
The School for Good and Evil is based on the bestselling 2013 novel of the same name by Soman Chainani, with ...
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Ben Kingsley, Patti LuPone, Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner) have been cast in the fantasy film being directed by Paul Feig. The six join an already healthy school intake, with Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Sofia Wylie, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young and Michelle Yeoh and Laurence Fishburne already announced.
The School for Good and Evil is based on the bestselling 2013 novel of the same name by Soman Chainani, with ...
- 11/9/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kenton Allen, CEO of London-based outfit Big Talk Productions, has plenty to be pleased about. For the next two weeks, the company he has headed for over a decade will be dominating the Monday night primetime slot on BBC One in the U.K. First, at 8:30 p.m., with “The Goes Wrong Show,” and then at 9 p.m. with “The Outlaws,” about a group of small-time convicts completing community service together and which stars Christopher Walken in his first British television role.
“That doesn’t happen every day,” Allen tells Variety. “That’s quite a big thing for us to have an hour and a half of primetime on the nation’s biggest Psb.”
Allen is ostensibly here to talk about “The Outlaws,” which is written by and stars Stephen Merchant (“Jojo Rabbit”) alongside Walken and “Poldark’s” Eleanor Tomlinson, but in a wide-ranging conversation is happy to discuss everything from the U.
“That doesn’t happen every day,” Allen tells Variety. “That’s quite a big thing for us to have an hour and a half of primetime on the nation’s biggest Psb.”
Allen is ostensibly here to talk about “The Outlaws,” which is written by and stars Stephen Merchant (“Jojo Rabbit”) alongside Walken and “Poldark’s” Eleanor Tomlinson, but in a wide-ranging conversation is happy to discuss everything from the U.
- 10/25/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has appointed Jon Petrie as its new head of comedy. In the role, he will report to chief content officer Charlotte Moore and be responsible for commissioning all scripted comedy on the BBC, iPlayer and the BBC Comedy Association.
Petrie moves over from Broke and Bones, the Netflix-invested indie owned by “Black Mirror” creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones, where he was appointed head of comedy last August. He was previously comedy commissioning editor at Channel 4 where he oversaw “The Windsors,” “Friday Night Dinner” and “Dead Pixels.”
“Jon is a talented creative with a passion for comedy and an impressive track record for spotting new and diverse talent from across the UK and creating mainstream hits,” said Moore. “I’m thrilled he’s joining the BBC as the new director of comedy and can’t wait to start working with him as he leads BBC comedy...
Petrie moves over from Broke and Bones, the Netflix-invested indie owned by “Black Mirror” creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones, where he was appointed head of comedy last August. He was previously comedy commissioning editor at Channel 4 where he oversaw “The Windsors,” “Friday Night Dinner” and “Dead Pixels.”
“Jon is a talented creative with a passion for comedy and an impressive track record for spotting new and diverse talent from across the UK and creating mainstream hits,” said Moore. “I’m thrilled he’s joining the BBC as the new director of comedy and can’t wait to start working with him as he leads BBC comedy...
- 7/9/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Skills Review
The British Film Institute (BFI), in collaboration with skills body ScreenSkills and other industry bodies, has launched a strategic review designed to develop long-term solutions to tackle the current and emerging skills needs of the screen industries. The review will address the issues of improving inclusion of people from underrepresented groups, and the imbalance between London and the southeast of England, which are thriving, and other parts of the U.K.
The focus of the review is film and high-end television production, and its scope is across the entire talent development pipeline, from secondary education, further and higher education through to vocational training, apprenticeships and continuing professional development.
The U.K. Skills Review will be trialed through pilots in 2022-23.
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts said, “Future proofing the industry’s skills is one of our key strategic priorities. This review will help us to stay ahead of...
The British Film Institute (BFI), in collaboration with skills body ScreenSkills and other industry bodies, has launched a strategic review designed to develop long-term solutions to tackle the current and emerging skills needs of the screen industries. The review will address the issues of improving inclusion of people from underrepresented groups, and the imbalance between London and the southeast of England, which are thriving, and other parts of the U.K.
The focus of the review is film and high-end television production, and its scope is across the entire talent development pipeline, from secondary education, further and higher education through to vocational training, apprenticeships and continuing professional development.
The U.K. Skills Review will be trialed through pilots in 2022-23.
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts said, “Future proofing the industry’s skills is one of our key strategic priorities. This review will help us to stay ahead of...
- 6/28/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Hours after the UK government fired the starting gun on a process that could end with Channel 4 being privatized, the backlash has begun, with the likes of Veep creator Armando Iannucci railing against the proposals.
Ministers have launched a consultation on Channel 4’s future and culture secretary Oliver Dowden has said an “alternative ownership model” could be better for the broadcaster, which is behind hits including The Great British Bake Off. The government thinks this will help it prosper amid the streaming revolution.
Channel 4 has been government-owned since its inception in 1982, but is commercially funded and entirely self-sufficient, ploughing all of its profits into the UK’s world-leading independent production sector. A change of ownership structure could see it placed in the hands of new owners, with ministers pointing to the model of Channel 5, which is backed by ViacomCBS.
But Channel 4’s success is close to the heart...
Ministers have launched a consultation on Channel 4’s future and culture secretary Oliver Dowden has said an “alternative ownership model” could be better for the broadcaster, which is behind hits including The Great British Bake Off. The government thinks this will help it prosper amid the streaming revolution.
Channel 4 has been government-owned since its inception in 1982, but is commercially funded and entirely self-sufficient, ploughing all of its profits into the UK’s world-leading independent production sector. A change of ownership structure could see it placed in the hands of new owners, with ministers pointing to the model of Channel 5, which is backed by ViacomCBS.
But Channel 4’s success is close to the heart...
- 6/23/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has announced the cast of The House, its upcoming stop motion dark comedy animation anthology from Nexus Studios. The news was revealed Monday at the Annecy International Film Festival.
Directed by leading stop motion animation directors Emma de Swaef, Marc Roels, Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Paloma Baeza and produced by Nexus Studios, The Dark centers on a house and the three surreal tales of the individuals who made it their home.
“The characters in The House, albeit in different ways, are all trying to make sense of the world and their place within it. It’s about their flawed attempt to conform to an idea of who they think they are or who they think they ought to be,” said Charlotte Basso, Producer. “And whether they manage to break free or not. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better cast: they all embraced the heart of those...
Directed by leading stop motion animation directors Emma de Swaef, Marc Roels, Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Paloma Baeza and produced by Nexus Studios, The Dark centers on a house and the three surreal tales of the individuals who made it their home.
“The characters in The House, albeit in different ways, are all trying to make sense of the world and their place within it. It’s about their flawed attempt to conform to an idea of who they think they are or who they think they ought to be,” said Charlotte Basso, Producer. “And whether they manage to break free or not. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better cast: they all embraced the heart of those...
- 6/14/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The BAFTA Film Awards took place on April 11, and now the time has come for the BAFTA Television Awards to take centre stage. On April 27, the Virgin Media must-see moment award nominees were announced, which saw the likes of Gogglebox, Bridgerton, and Britain's Got Talent featured on the list.
On April 28, the full list of nominees were announced, with The Crown nominated for 10 awards, Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You nominated for eight awards, and Steve McQueen's Small Axe leading the charge with an impressive 15 nominations. On June 6, the full BAFTA Television Awards ceremony took place on BBC One, with I May Destroy You leading the charge after winning two awards.
Comedy Entertainment Programme:
Winner: The Big Narstie Show
Charlie Brooker's Antiviral Wipe
Rob & Romesh Vs
The Ranganation
Daytime
Winner: The Great House Giveaway
Jimmy McGovern's Moving
Richard Osman's House Of
The Chase
Drama...
On April 28, the full list of nominees were announced, with The Crown nominated for 10 awards, Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You nominated for eight awards, and Steve McQueen's Small Axe leading the charge with an impressive 15 nominations. On June 6, the full BAFTA Television Awards ceremony took place on BBC One, with I May Destroy You leading the charge after winning two awards.
Comedy Entertainment Programme:
Winner: The Big Narstie Show
Charlie Brooker's Antiviral Wipe
Rob & Romesh Vs
The Ranganation
Daytime
Winner: The Great House Giveaway
Jimmy McGovern's Moving
Richard Osman's House Of
The Chase
Drama...
- 6/7/2021
- by Navi Ahluwalia
- Popsugar.com
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