A Thousand Blow is now streaming on DisneyPlus UK and Hulu.
Daniel Mays will be appearing on Sunday Brunch on Sunday 23 February 10AM Channel 4
Interviews:
The i Paper – The actor on his new role in visceral TV drama ‘A Thousand Blows’, class prejudice in theatre, and why more and more actors are out of work
Youtube:
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“A Thousand Blows”, an epic new series set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London, from the mind of Steven Knight, acclaimed creator of the global hit series, Peaky Blinders. A Thousand Blows S1 (6×60’) is coming to Disney+ in the UK and Ireland, Hulu in the U.S. and select other countries on Disney+ in 2025. A second series (6×60’) has completed production, with further details to be announced. The series is produced by The Story Collective in a co-production with Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions.
This series stars Malachi Kirby (“Small Axe”) as Hezekiah Moscow, who finds himself thrust into the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial revolution London’s East End from Jamaica. Drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene, he meets Mary Carr, played by Erin Doherty (“The Crown”), leader of The Forty Elephants – the notorious all-female London gang – as they battle for survival on the streets. As Hezekiah sharpens his new skills, he comes up against Sugar Goodson, played by Stephen Graham (“Boiling Point”, “Boardwalk Empire”), a seasoned and dangerous boxer and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.
The wider ensemble cast includes Francis Lovehall as Hezekiah’s best friend Alec Munroe, Jason Tobin as Mr Lao and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward “Treacle” Goodson. The Forty Elephants includes Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody, Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond, Nadia Albina as Verity Ross, Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long, Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer and Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover. Additional cast includes Susan Lynch as Jane Carr, Daniel Mays as William ‘Punch’ Lewis, Adam Nagaitis as the Earl of Lonsdale, Gary Lewis as Jack Mac, Tom Davis as Charlie Mitchell and Robert Glenister as Indigo Jeremy.
The thrilling series is brought to life by acclaimed screenwriter Steven Knight, starring and executive produced by Stephen Graham. Steven Knight is the lead writer for the series, with episodes also written by a group of new voices including Ameir Brown, Insook Chappell, Harlan Davies and Yasmin Joseph. The series is directed, and executive produced by Tinge Krishnan and Nick Murphy, alongside Ashley Walters and Coky Giedroyc.
“A Thousand Blows” S1 (6×60’) is created, written and executive produced by Steven Knight. Starring and executive produced by Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters for Matriarch Productions, Damian Keogh and Kate Lewis for The Story Collective, and Tom Miller and Sam Myer for Water & Power Productions. Award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga acts as executive producer on the series with Tom Miller as Series Producer and Barrington Robinson and Jo Johnson as producers. The Original series is executive produced for Disney+ by Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content.
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Mike (Daniel Mays) lives alone in a quiet village. He wakes one morning with muddy feet. Intrigued to know what he’s getting up to in the middle of the night, he sets his phone to record the room next time he goes to bed. Reviewing the footage in the morning, he’s shocked to see that in the early hours he sits bolt upright in bed and sleepwalks out of the room! Mike buys a GoPro and straps it to his head the next night. And when he follows the footage of his sleepwalking self on a journey from wakefulness to a horrifying nightmare…
The Awakening spent the Autumn doing the worldwide film festival rounds to rave reviews.
We’ll update with more information if we have any on a wider release.
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The BBC has acquired Lynley, an upcoming contemporary update of the compelling mystery crime series based on the best-selling novels by Elizabeth George, for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Leo Suter (Vikings: Valhalla) and Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) star as the unconventional detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers in the series, currently in production in Ireland. They are joined by Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders), Niamh Walsh (The English Game), Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) and Joshua Sher (Vera).
Made by production company Playground (Wolf Hall, All Creatures Great and Small), the four-part series was commissioned by BritBox US in association with the BBC.
Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done.
Daniel Mays plays DCI Brian Nies, the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team, whose aversion to Lynley is partly born of his own insecurities about class and partly because he knows he’s no longer the smartest person in the room.
Niamh Walsh stars as Helen Clyde, an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case; Michael Workeye as tech specialist Tony Bekele; and Joshua Sher as forensic scientist, Simon St. James.
Author Elizabeth George says: “I’m thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and Britbox and the production expertise of Playground. Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration.”
Writer and Executive Producer Steve Thompson says: “It’s a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George’s iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious.”
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “There is so much to enjoy in this new and exciting adaptation, both for fans of Elizabeth George’s gripping novels and of the BBC’s iconic The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, and for viewers yet to encounter the magnetic attraction of Lynley.”
Lynley (4×90’) is created and written by Steve Thompson (Vienna Blood, Sherlock), Ed Bazalgette (Marie Antoinette S2, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die) serves as lead director with Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders, Love/Hate) as series producer. The executive producers are Steve Thompson, David Stern and Colin Callender for Playground, Robert Schildhouse, Stephen Nye, Jon Farrar and Jess O’ Riordan for BritBox, Kate Woods for BBC Studios and Sue Deeks for the BBC. The drama will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.
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Mark Gatiss writes and stars as the erudite and unconventional Gabriel Book who, from his antiquarian bookshop, helps the police to solve a variety of mysterious crimes. With three main cases in the series, each storyline spans two-episode instalments. The series will air on Alibi in 2025.
Further cast include Polly Walker (Bridgerton, Line of Duty) as Book’s colourful wife, Trottie, alongside Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack, Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky Ones, Quiz) as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison (Still Up, World on Fire) as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.
The series also features a wealth of guest stars including Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare, Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow, Code 404) as Eric Wellbeloved, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies, The Great) as Stewart Howard, Paul McGann (Annika, Doctor Who) as Mr Kind, Michael Workéyè (Playdate, This is Going to Hurt) as Billy Fox, Luke Norris (Poldark, The Girl Before) as Jesse MacKendrick, Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, Concordia) as Felix and many more.
London, 1946, is the dynamic, dangerous and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama, with the whip-smart and debonair Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the story: a maverick consultant detective to the local police. The thousands of books that line the shelves of his shop provide him with all the knowledge he needs to solve even the most puzzling of crimes.
Book has gathered around him a host of lovable, damaged misfits whom he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. His wife Trottie (Walker) runs the wallpaper shop next door. She’s a charismatic adventuress whom Book loves deeply but not physically, for they are in a ‘lavender’ marriage to help conceal Book’s sexual orientation in a time when it was illegal to be gay.
Bookish marries post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times, creating a fast-paced and stylish detective drama.
Bookish is the latest U&Original series for Alibi and will air in 2025.
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Great News that Moonflower Murders premieres on Saturday 16 November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 21:15 and Episode 2 follows at 22:20. Tune in Saturday evenings as the series continues to episode 6.
Daniel Mays returns as Chubb/Locke in this Magpie Murders sequel.
The six-part series is written by Anrthony Horowitz, directed by Rebecca Gatward (Bad Sisters), series produced by Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders) and executive produced by Jill Green, Eleventh Hour Films. Moonflower Murders is a sequel to the acclaimed Magpie Murders which launched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer earlier this year to 6.4 million viewers.
Returning in the lead roles they originated in Magpie Murders, are Academy Award-nominee Lesley Manville (The Crown, Phantom Thread, Mum) as book editor turned sleuth Susan Ryeland and Timothy McMullan (Patrick Melrose, The Crown) as famous literary detective Atticus Pünd.
Alongside Manville and McMullan, returning members of the Magpie Murders cast include Alexandros Logothetis (The Island, Exelixi) as Andreas, Daniel Mays (Des, The Long Shadow) as Locke/Chubb, Claire Rushbrook (Sherwood, Wilderness) as Kate, Conleth Hill (The Power of Parker, Game of Thrones) as Alan Conway, Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood, Dracula) as James, and Sanjeev Kohli (River City, Dog Squad) as Sajid Khan.
New cast members include Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Nolly) as Parris/Berlin, Rosalie Craig (Anatomy of A Scandal, The Queen’s Gambit) as Lisa/Melissa, Pippa Bennett-Warner (A Bit of Light, Gangs of London) as Madeline and Adrian Rawlins (Slow Horses, Living) as Lawrence/Lance.
Anthony Horowitz says: “I’ve been watching the filming of Moonflower Murders with joy. We’re back with the same cast, including Lesley Manville, Tim McMullan and Danny Mays – but this time we’ve got a whole new box of tricks to present as literary editor Susan Ryeland untangles another book within a book and another series of unfathomable murders. I can’t wait to show it to our audience.”
Moonflower Murders is the second novel in Horowitz’s Susan Ryeland series. Published in 2020, it was lauded as “a richly plotted, head-spinning novel” by the New York Times and picks up where Magpie Murders left off.
Susan has left publishing and is living in Crete with her long-time boyfriend, Andreas. But her idyll is disturbed by the shadow of a murder committed at a British country hotel eight years ago. Alan Conway visited the hotel and wrote a novel based on what happened there. Cecily Treherne, the young woman who helps run the hotel, read the book and believed the wrong man had been arrested. Now she has disappeared.
Can Susan uncover the secret hidden in the book and find Cecily before it is too late?
Filming on Moonflower Murders took place in Dublin and Crete. Moonflower Murders will be available to stream in the US on PBS.org, the PBS App and the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Video Channel. In the UK, the series will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Moonflower Murders is a co-Production of Eleventh Hour Films for MASTERPIECE and BBC in association with Salt Films. It is distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Television and PBS Distribution in North America.
You can catch up with Magpie Murders on iPlayer.
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PBS/Masterpiece announced today that Moonflowers Murders will premiere in the US on September 15th. Daniel Mays returns as DCI Chubb/Locke!
Moonflower Murders: The second of Anthony Horowitz’s adaptation of his own bestselling Susan Ryeland/Atticus Pünd series, Moonflower Murders picks up in the aftermath of Magpie Murder’s riveting finale, as book editor-turned-sleuth (turned hotelier) Susan Ryeland is living in Crete with her longtime boyfriend, Andreas. But her idyll is disturbed by the shadow of a murder committed at a British country hotel eight years ago. Alan Conway, Susan’s prima donna former author, visited the hotel and wrote a novel based on what happened there—a novel that later led Cecily Treherne, who helps run the hotel, to believe that the wrong man is behind bars. Now Cecily has disappeared. Can Susan uncover the secret hidden in the book and find Cecily before it’s too late?
Returning to their Magpie Murders lead roles are Lesley Manville (World on Fire, The Crown, Phantom Thread) as smart and feisty amateur sleuth Susan Ryeland and Timothy McMullan (Patrick Melrose, The Crown) as famous literary detective Atticus Pünd. Viewers will recognize, returning to their single or dual roles, Alexandros Logothetis as Andreas, Daniel Mays (Franklin) as Locke/Chubb, Claire Rushbrook (Home Fires) as Kate, Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) as Alan Conway, Matthew Beard (Funny Woman, Vienna Blood) as James, and Sanjeev Kohli as Sajid Khan.
New cast members include Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Nolly) as Parris/Berlin, Rosalie Craig (Anatomy of a Scandal, The Queen’s Gambit) as Lisa/Melissa, Pippa Bennett-Warner (Roadkill, Gangs of London) as Madeline, and Adrian Rawlins (Mary & George, Slow Horses) as Lawrence/Lance.
Check back for updates a we get closer to the US premiere as well as for information on the UK premiere on BBC.
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Daniel Mays and other past graduates represented RADA today, 29th May, during the Royal Visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla. RADA is celebrating their 120th Anniversary and the King has recently become the new Patron; taking over from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Daniel and Queen Camilla reminisced about the Queen’s evening at Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre with family.
A lovely and exciting day for all involved!
Learn more about RADA here
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It’s been a busy and exciting week for Daniel Mays including the announcement that he has joined the cast of the upcoming Mark Gatiss series Bookish for UKTV’s Alibi channel. Filming commences soon in Belgium.
UKTV’s catalogue of original drama continues to grow, with the commission of six-part series, Bookish (6×70′) for its specialist crime drama channel Alibi. The UKTV original series has been created by Emmy Award-winning writer Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock) and is produced by Eagle Eye Drama. As international partner, Beta Film will handle the world sales.
Mark Gatiss writes and stars as the erudite and unconventional Gabriel Book who, from his antiquarian bookshop, helps the police to solve a variety of mysterious crimes. With three main cases in the series, each storyline spans two-episode instalments. The series will air on Alibi in 2025.
Mark Gatiss said To misquote Goodfellas: “All my life I’ve wanted to be a detective!” I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this series to the screen, and to plunge viewers into our intoxicating version of post-War London. It’s an under-examined time and an under-examined world and Bookish is the strange, funny and thrilling show that I’ve always wanted to make.
Starring alongside Mark Gatiss will be Polly Walker (Bridgerton, Line of Duty) who plays Book’s colourful wife Trottie. Bookish will also feature a wealth of guest stars, including Joely Richardson (The Gentleman, The Ballad of Renegade Nell), Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow, Code 404) and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, Concordia). Other returning core cast members include Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack, Olivier award-winner Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky ones, Quiz) as Inspector Bliss and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.
London, 1946 is the dynamic, dangerous and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama, with the eccentric Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the story: a self-appointed consultant detective to the local police. The thousands of books that line the shelves of his shop provide him with all the knowledge he needs.
Book has gathered around him a host of lovable, damaged misfits whom he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. His wife Trottie (Walker) runs the wallpaper shop next door. She’s a charismatic adventuress whom Book loves deeply but not physically, for they are in a ‘lavender’ marriage to help conceal Book’s sexual orientation in a time when it was illegal to be gay.
Bookish marries post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times, creating a fast-paced and stylish detective drama.
The UKTV Original series has been commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama for UKTV, and ordered by Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama are Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino. The series is co-written with Matthew Sweet and will be directed by Carolina Giammetta (Suspect S2, Hollington Drive) and produced by Christopher Arcache (Hotel Portofino).
Helen Perry said: “UKTV is the home for writers’ passion projects, and we are so proud to be working with the exceptionally talented Mark Gatiss on his, along with the effervescent team at Eagle Eye. Mark’s unique detective thriller is full of wit and heart, with a central platonic love story that is sure to enthral audiences. And because Book is a gay man, at a time when it was illegal to be so, we are proud that the drama shines a light on an important LGBTQ+ story. The star-studded cast Eagle Eye have already put together is tribute to the sure-fire hit Bookish is to become.”
Emma Ayech added: “The story and setting of this brand-new drama is perfect for the Alibi audience and I’m excited to see how the wonderful cast and crew bring it to life on screen. We have a wealth of UKTV original dramas coming down the track and I’m thrilled we’re adding this fantastic addition into the mix.”
Jo McGrath, chief creative officer for Eagle Eye Drama said: “There are some characters, some ideas that just leap off the page and demand to be realised. Book, Trottie and the clever crimes Mark Gatiss has woven around the precinct of Archangel Lane is one of those projects. The answer to every crime can be found in a book and in Bookish, Mark Gatiss has created a unique, memorable and stand out new detective series.”
Oliver Bachert, chief distribution officer, Beta Film commented: “With Bookish, we are thrilled to unveil a truly unique and compelling series that blends a classic detective story with the rich tapestry of post-war London, brought to life by the brilliant Mark Gatiss. With its mix of mystery, history, and heartfelt drama, it is another milestone in our successful partnership with Eagle Eye Drama. Bookish is sure to become a great example of a sophisticated crime drama and instant classic for audiences around the world. We’re proud to bring this exciting series to the global stage.”
The series is being produced in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter.
Check back for more updates on this exciting new series!
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Apple TV’s sweeping and epic drama Franklin is now available to stream worldwide! The first 3 episodes are available now with new episodes released every Friday through 17 May.
Daniel Mays stars as Edward Bancroft.
Franklin a new limited series starring and executive produced by Academy, Emmy and AFI Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Douglas, will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes of its eight-episode season on Friday, April 12, followed by one new episode every Friday through May 17, 2024.
Based on Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff’s book, “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America,” “Franklin” explores the thrilling story of the greatest gamble of Benjamin Franklin’s career. In December 1776, Franklin is world famous for his electrical experiments, but his passion and power are put to the test when — as the fate of American independence hangs in the balance — he embarks on a secret mission to France.
At age 70, without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced an absolute monarchy to underwrite America’s experiment in democracy. By virtue of his fame, charisma and ingenuity, Franklin outmaneuvered British spies, French informers and hostile colleagues to engineer the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with England in 1783. The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin’s most vital service to his country, without which America could not have won the Revolution. Diplomats and historians still regard it as the greatest single tour of duty by an ambassador in our nation’s history.
The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin’s most vital service to his country, without which America could not have won the Revolution. Diplomats and historians still regard it as the greatest single tour of duty by an ambassador in our nation’s history.
The drama also stars Noah Jupe (“A Quiet Place”) as Temple Franklin, Thibault de Montalembert (“Call My Agent!”) as Comte de Vergennes, Daniel Mays (“Line of Duty”) as Edward Bancroft, Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”) as Madame Brillon, Eddie Marsan (“Ray Donovan”) as John Adams, Assaad Bouab (“Call My Agent!”) as Beaumarchais, Jeanne Balibar (“Irma Vep”) as Madame Helvetius and Theodore Pellerin (“There’s Someone Inside Your House”) as Marquis de Lafayette.
In addition to Douglas, the creative team includes Emmy and WGA Award-winning writer and executive producer Kirk Ellis, and Emmy, WGA and Pulitzer Prize Award-nominated writer and executive producer Howard Korder. Emmy and DGA Award-winning director Tim Van Patten serves as director and executive producer. Richard Plepler executive produces through EDEN Productions, Tony Krantz through Flame Ventures, and Philippe Maigret and Mark Mostyn also executive produce. Stacy Schiff also serves as co-executive producer. “Franklin” is a coproduction between ITV Studios America and Apple Studios.
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