Television

Bookish – Daniel Mays Joins Mark Gatiss Series

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!

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9 and Instagram @danielmays9 and Threads @danielmays9

The Kemps: All True

On Friday, Daniel Mays was announced as joining the cast of The Kemps: All True.

Spandau Ballet global superstars Gary and Martin Kemp are to star in a new one-off spoof documentary, playing themselves recording a new album.

Made by BBC Studios, The Kemps: All True will see Rhys Thomas OBE interview the pair about their lives and careers following Spandau Ballet’s 40th anniversary celebrations in December. As part of Spandau Ballet, the pair have sold more than 25 million albums with 23 hit singles worldwide, and in 2011 they received a BMI award after hit single True became one of the most played songs in US history.

As well as looking back at their musical history, The Kemps: All True sees the Kemps other passions: Martin attempts to launch a new film franchise and Gary plans a new Vegan meat-substitute, Wonge.

Perry Benson (The Real McCoy, Operation Good Guys, Benidorm, Oh You Rang M’Lord?) features as their brother ‘Ross Kemp’. The Kemps: All True also features Simon Day (The Life Of Rock with Brian Pern, The Fast Show), Anna Maxwell Martin (Line Of Duty, Motherland), Daniel Mays (Line Of Duty, Good Omens), Alan Ford (Snatch, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels), Shirlie Holliman (Pepsi & Shirlie), Lucy Montgomery (Tracey Ullman’s Show, The Life Of Rock With Brian Pern, The Fast Show), Tony Way (Extras, Black Books, After Life) and Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who).

Martin Kemp says: “After being known as Roman Kemp’s dad for a few months, I’m really happy to be getting back in the limelight and being known for being that one from Spandau Ballet who hit someone over the head with an ashtray in EastEnders; as well as spending some time with my brothers, Gary and Ross.”

Gary Kemp says: “I’m thrilled that the BBC is making this probing documentary into the lives of my brother and me, and great to be in the delicate yet blood-stained hands of the wonderful Rhys Thomas. Anyone who knows Rhys’s work can expect a little more probing than is usual. Our lawyers await.”

Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy says: “I had to look up the word hagiography in relation to this… as it’s the complete opposite of that. Fair play to Gary and Martin for being good sports and going along with the screwball comedy brain of Rhys Thomas.”

Cassian Harrison, Controller of BBC Four, says: “It’s ‘True’ that BBC Four has always supported the most outstanding talents in British music. After 40 years, the Kemp brothers are clearly indestructible and we’re delighted we can assist them in their attempts to go for ‘Gold’ again. I for one wish them the best of luck!”

The Kemps: All True is a BBC Studios production for BBC Four. It has been commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Controller of BBC Four, and Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy, and will be Executive Produced by Ben Caudell. Rhys Thomas will direct and produce and the BBC Commissioning Editor is Alex Moody.

Transmission details will be confirmed in due course

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk

Porters Premieres Tonight!

We cannot wait for 10PM this evening to see Daniel Mays in Porters series 2 on the Dave Channel!

Danny joins the cast as Anthony De La Mer:
A new Porter, Anthony, is in town as, unknown to Frankie and Simon, Tillman has headed off temporarily to a religious retreat. Anthony and Frankie have form and find themselves instantly in conflict when he tries to take a cut of her black-market perfume empire. Will he last the week…?

Episode Guide from UK Comedy

If you miss the episode at 10PM you can catch up online at UKTV or with the repeats over the next week:

  • Friday 15th March 2019 at 1:00am
  • Monday 18th March 2019 at 11:20pm
  • Wednesday 20th March 2019 at 11:00pm

Tune in Thursday evenings at 10PM!

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk

Line of Duty – Series 3 on BBC One

Line of Duty moves to its new home on BBC One soon! Ahead of the much-anticipated series 4 premiere, BBC One will be showing the critically acclaimed series 3 which stars Daniel Mays.

Daniel Mays stars as Sergeant Danny Waldron, the highly proficient leader of an Armed Response Unit whose unpredictable behaviour is becoming a threat to colleagues and suspects. When AC-12 are called in to investigate Danny’s conduct, even they could find themselves in the firing line. Mays joins returning cast Martin Compston as Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott, Vicky McClure as Detective Constable Kate Fleming and Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings.

Tune in to BBC ONE:
Episode 1: 11 March at 00:05
Episode 2: 11 March at 01:05
Episode 3: 13 March at 00:15
Episode 4: 13 March at 01:15
Episode 5: 14 March at 01:00
Episode 6: 15 March at 00:45

All series 3 episodes will be available again on iPlayer but only for a week.  Binge watching will be necessary!

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk

The Great Fire: Episode Three

Itv’s The Great Fire continues on Thursday, 30 October with episode three:

Episode three
Thomas returns to the city in search of Sarah to see the fire spreading with alarming speed across the capital. In Whitehall the King’s angry to learn his orders to create fire-breaks have been ignored by his advisors…

(more…)

Common: BBC One

Common will air on BBC One Sunday, 6 July ( time TBD).

When seventeen-year-old Johnjo O’Shea gives his friends an impromptu lift to a pizza parlour, he doesn’t expect to find himself charged with murder.

Jimmy McGovern’s new 90-minute film for BBC One, Common, is set in the north west of England and based on the UK’s controversial Joint Enterprise Law.

Seventeen-year-old Johnjo O’Shea gives his cousin Tony and some mates a last-minute lift in his brother Patrick’s car. They tell him they’re going for pizza, but Johnjo doesn’t know that they’re in fact going to ‘have a word’ with a local loudmouth who needs putting in his place.

As Johnjo waits in the car, one of their number, Kieran, takes offence with an innocent bystander Thomas – who is fatally stabbed.

The murder victim is the eldest child of Margaret and Tommy, who has become estranged from his family after a bitter divorce. Struggling to make ends meet on her own, Margaret is nevertheless determined to give Thomas the send-off he deserves.

When Johnjo’s parents find out about the lift they’re horrified, and concerned for their naive son. As they argue about what he should tell the police, Johnjo makes his own way to the police station and asks for DI Hastings – a career copper used to doing battle with ‘no comment’.

Hastings can’t believe his luck as Johnjo lays the blame squarely with Kieran. However, Hastings wants everyone possible to be tried for murder and with the Joint Enterprise doctrine at his disposal, that includes Johnjo.

In the battle for justice, Johnjo and his family find that not being present at the murder scene is no defence.

Cast: Nico Mirallegro (Johnjo O’Shea); Susan Lynch (Margaret Ward); Jodhi May (Coleen O’Shea); Daniel Mays (Tommy Ward); Andrew Tiernan (Peter O’Shea); Robert Pugh (DI Hastings); Michelle Fairley (Shelagh Wallace); Philip Hill Pearson (Tony Wallace); Andrew Ellis (Kieran Gillespie); Jack McMullen (Colin McCabe); Ben Smith (Patrick O’Shea); Louise Delamere (DC Pearson); Finn Atkins (Karen O’Shea); Samantha Oliver (Julie Ward); Harry McMullen (Thomas Ward) and Sir Michael Gambon (Royal Courts Judge).

BBC Press Release

Daniel Mays & Tom Hollander to star in AMC’s Knifeman

Huge news today that Daniel Mays will be starring in AMC’s Knifeman with Tom Hollander:

“Set in 18th century London, Knifeman will focus on the untold story of a charming, arrogant, decorum-breaking genius who challenges societal norms to transform his visions into cutting-edge discoveries. A surgeon or “barber” in a time when blood-letting and praying was the norm, John Tattersal is a hard drinking, hard living man not afraid to push the boundaries of modern medicine, even if it takes digging up a few graves to do it.

While he makes his living running an unlicensed operating theatre out of his residence, he picks up extra cash harvesting organs for his brother Julian, favorite son and prized physician of the St. Stephen’s teaching hospital. Knifeman is a fast paced, entertaining romp filled with emotion, tackling dark themes with a biting wit. The pilot was written by Rolin Jones (United States of Tara) and developed by Jones and Ron Fitzgerald (Last Resort), both of whom will serve as executive producers. Media Rights Capital (House of Cards), Josh Donnen and Robert Zotnowski are also executive producers. Knifeman is inspired by the biography of John Hunter by Wendy Moore, “The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching and the Birth of Modern Surgery”

More news as we are able to say!