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Murder in a Small Town is a mystery crime drama series created by Ian Weir. Based on The Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries novel series by author L.R. Wright, the Fox series is set in the small idyllic town of Gibsons and it follows the story of the new police chief Karl Alberg after he leaves the city and comes to town to get some peace of mind and find a new partner, but he is soon confronted with various crimes that he has to solve with the help of his team. Murder in a Small Town stars Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk in the lead roles with James Cromwell, Stana Katic, Mya Lowe, and Aaron Douglas starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the murder mysteries, complex relationships, and compelling characters in Murder in a Small Town...
Murder in a Small Town is a mystery crime drama series created by Ian Weir. Based on The Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries novel series by author L.R. Wright, the Fox series is set in the small idyllic town of Gibsons and it follows the story of the new police chief Karl Alberg after he leaves the city and comes to town to get some peace of mind and find a new partner, but he is soon confronted with various crimes that he has to solve with the help of his team. Murder in a Small Town stars Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk in the lead roles with James Cromwell, Stana Katic, Mya Lowe, and Aaron Douglas starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the murder mysteries, complex relationships, and compelling characters in Murder in a Small Town...
- 9/25/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
People looking for a great new library of content often turn to BritBox. You’ll get strong female characters, compelling mysteries, and much of the best entertainment produced overseas. Whether you’re just sampling the service on its 7-day free trial or whether you’re ready to become a regular subscriber, we’ve pulled together some of the best titles to get you started.
7-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month BritBox.com Shetland March 10, 2013
Created from the novels by award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, Shetland follows Di Jimmy Perez and his team as they investigate crime within the close knit island community. In this isolated and sometimes inhospitable environment, the team have to rely on a uniquely resourceful style of policing.
Line of Duty June 26, 2012
A drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit.
Blue Lights March 27, 2023
Follows rookie police officers working in Belfast, a city in which...
7-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month BritBox.com Shetland March 10, 2013
Created from the novels by award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, Shetland follows Di Jimmy Perez and his team as they investigate crime within the close knit island community. In this isolated and sometimes inhospitable environment, the team have to rely on a uniquely resourceful style of policing.
Line of Duty June 26, 2012
A drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit.
Blue Lights March 27, 2023
Follows rookie police officers working in Belfast, a city in which...
- 7/8/2024
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
Vera is coming to an end. ITV has revealed that season 14 will end the long-running mystery series based on the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves. The drama series will come to a close with two 120-minute episodes, which are currently being filmed. In the US, the series is available on BritBox and Roku,
Brenda Blethyn has played the titular character since Vera’s premiere in 2011, over more than 50 episodes. The British series revolves around a nearly retired detective chief inspector who is obsessive about her work.
Read More…...
Brenda Blethyn has played the titular character since Vera’s premiere in 2011, over more than 50 episodes. The British series revolves around a nearly retired detective chief inspector who is obsessive about her work.
Read More…...
- 4/23/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Fan favorite British crime drama Vera will be ending after its upcoming 14th season on ITV.
The show’s star, Brenda Blethyn, who portrays the title character, said in a statement, “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the North East and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Keep reading to find out more…
The final season will only consist of 2 episodes.
The show’s star, Brenda Blethyn, who portrays the title character, said in a statement, “Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the North East and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Keep reading to find out more…
The final season will only consist of 2 episodes.
- 4/23/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
ITV has confirmed that the fourteenth series of Vera will be the last. The details of the show ending are right here.
Brenda Blethyn’s career has been prolific, from playing timid librarian Alison opposite Simon Callow in Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen’s wonderful 1980s sitcom Chance In A Million to her BAFTA winning turn as Cynthia in Mike Leigh’s 1996 film Secrets And Lies.
For over a decade, Blethyn has played the softly spoken yet dogged detective Vera Stanhope, created by author Ann Cleeves.
Stanhope, always kitted out in her trusty trenchcoat and hat, and her team, who include DC Joe Ashworth (David Leon), Kenmy Lockhart (Jon Morrison), DC Mark Edwards (Riley Jones) and DS Aiden Heady (Kenny Doughty) solve crimes in and around Northumberland.
ITV has now confirmed that the 14th series of Vera will be the last, though.
In a statement to the channel, Blethyn said,...
Brenda Blethyn’s career has been prolific, from playing timid librarian Alison opposite Simon Callow in Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen’s wonderful 1980s sitcom Chance In A Million to her BAFTA winning turn as Cynthia in Mike Leigh’s 1996 film Secrets And Lies.
For over a decade, Blethyn has played the softly spoken yet dogged detective Vera Stanhope, created by author Ann Cleeves.
Stanhope, always kitted out in her trusty trenchcoat and hat, and her team, who include DC Joe Ashworth (David Leon), Kenmy Lockhart (Jon Morrison), DC Mark Edwards (Riley Jones) and DS Aiden Heady (Kenny Doughty) solve crimes in and around Northumberland.
ITV has now confirmed that the 14th series of Vera will be the last, though.
In a statement to the channel, Blethyn said,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
One of ITV’s longest-running drama series is coming to an end after 14 seasons.
Brenda Blethyn-starring detective show Vera will finish at the end of the next season, its star announced today. The show produced by Silverprint Pictures will return for a 14th and final series in the form of two 120-minute episodes to be filmed this summer.
Double-Oscar nominee Blethyn has been leading Vera for more than a decade. She stars as the retired detective based on the Ann Cleeves novels. Vera plods along in a dishevelled state but has a calculating mind and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and colleagues. The show airs on BritBox in the U.S.
Vera has been on TV for more than 50 episodes and tends to air its seasons in short runs that are watched by millions per episode.
Blethyn, who was Oscar nominated for Mark Herman...
Brenda Blethyn-starring detective show Vera will finish at the end of the next season, its star announced today. The show produced by Silverprint Pictures will return for a 14th and final series in the form of two 120-minute episodes to be filmed this summer.
Double-Oscar nominee Blethyn has been leading Vera for more than a decade. She stars as the retired detective based on the Ann Cleeves novels. Vera plods along in a dishevelled state but has a calculating mind and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and colleagues. The show airs on BritBox in the U.S.
Vera has been on TV for more than 50 episodes and tends to air its seasons in short runs that are watched by millions per episode.
Blethyn, who was Oscar nominated for Mark Herman...
- 4/22/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Dci Vera Stanhope is about to solve her final mystery.
The British crime drama Vera, which airs across the pond on ITV (and streams Stateside via BritBox and Roku Channel), will come to an end with its upcoming 14th season, ITV announced Monday.
More from TVLineCoronation Street's John Savident Dead at 86Piers Morgan, Good Morning Britain Part Ways Amid Investigation Into Host's Disparaging Meghan Markle CommentsLove Island UK Remembers Presenter Caroline Flack, While ITV Chief Says 'Door Was Left Open' for Her Return
Season 14 will consist of only two episodes, but they will each span two hours.
“Working on Vera...
The British crime drama Vera, which airs across the pond on ITV (and streams Stateside via BritBox and Roku Channel), will come to an end with its upcoming 14th season, ITV announced Monday.
More from TVLineCoronation Street's John Savident Dead at 86Piers Morgan, Good Morning Britain Part Ways Amid Investigation Into Host's Disparaging Meghan Markle CommentsLove Island UK Remembers Presenter Caroline Flack, While ITV Chief Says 'Door Was Left Open' for Her Return
Season 14 will consist of only two episodes, but they will each span two hours.
“Working on Vera...
- 4/22/2024
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
Brenda Blethyn has announced that she is departing the long-running detective series “Vera” after its upcoming 14th season, which will also be its last.
Filming on the final season will take place this summer in Northumberland and North East England, and will consist of two 120-minute episodes. “Vera” first aired in May 2011 and was inspired by Ann Cleeves’ bestselling “Vera Stanhope” novels.
“Working on ‘Vera’ has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years,” the 78-year-old Blethyn said in a statement. “I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent,...
Filming on the final season will take place this summer in Northumberland and North East England, and will consist of two 120-minute episodes. “Vera” first aired in May 2011 and was inspired by Ann Cleeves’ bestselling “Vera Stanhope” novels.
“Working on ‘Vera’ has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years,” the 78-year-old Blethyn said in a statement. “I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent,...
- 4/22/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Warning: contains spoilers for the Shetland series eight finale.
When Di Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) was asked at the end of Shetland series eight when she’d be leaving the isles, she answered: “Actually, not for a while.” Having repaired her relationship with her estranged brother and dealt with some old demons, Ruth planned to stick around. Long enough it seems, to lead the cast of Shetland series nine and ten.
The BBC has commissioned two further series of the picturesque crime drama starring Jensen in the lead role of Di Calder. Filming on series nine begins in March 2024, with filming on series 10 to follow in 2025. Fans can expect the show to return to BBC One either in late 2024 or early 2025. We’ll keep you posted as more news arrives.
Overall viewing figures for series eight were in line with those of previous series according to the BBC, meaning there...
When Di Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) was asked at the end of Shetland series eight when she’d be leaving the isles, she answered: “Actually, not for a while.” Having repaired her relationship with her estranged brother and dealt with some old demons, Ruth planned to stick around. Long enough it seems, to lead the cast of Shetland series nine and ten.
The BBC has commissioned two further series of the picturesque crime drama starring Jensen in the lead role of Di Calder. Filming on series nine begins in March 2024, with filming on series 10 to follow in 2025. Fans can expect the show to return to BBC One either in late 2024 or early 2025. We’ll keep you posted as more news arrives.
Overall viewing figures for series eight were in line with those of previous series according to the BBC, meaning there...
- 3/12/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Warning: contains plot spoilers for Shetland series eight, episode two.
The Shetland islands only have a population of 22,000 – roughly a tenth of the number of people who go to Glastonbury Festival – so up there, you can expect to run into the same faces time and again. It’s no different for Scottish actors on TV. There are only a finite number, and in a long-running series like BBC One’s Shetland, sometimes cast-members get recycled from one role to another.
That’s what happened with Ann Louise Ross, the actor who plays farmer and widower Agnes Moffat in Shetland series eight. We first met Agnes in episode one, when (temporary Di) Tosh is investigating a series of livestock murders. Several of Agnes’ sheep have been found with their throats cut and daubed in their blood with a mysterious symbol.
In episode two, that same symbol is also found tattooed on...
The Shetland islands only have a population of 22,000 – roughly a tenth of the number of people who go to Glastonbury Festival – so up there, you can expect to run into the same faces time and again. It’s no different for Scottish actors on TV. There are only a finite number, and in a long-running series like BBC One’s Shetland, sometimes cast-members get recycled from one role to another.
That’s what happened with Ann Louise Ross, the actor who plays farmer and widower Agnes Moffat in Shetland series eight. We first met Agnes in episode one, when (temporary Di) Tosh is investigating a series of livestock murders. Several of Agnes’ sheep have been found with their throats cut and daubed in their blood with a mysterious symbol.
In episode two, that same symbol is also found tattooed on...
- 11/8/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Now that Endeavour has ended for good, there are a few obvious places for fans to go in search of more of the crossword-solving, bitter-drinking, classics-quoting Oxford detective. The first are Colin Dexter’s novels, which established the character. The second is the original ITV show Inspector Morse based on those books, which starred John Thaw in the title role for 33 feature-length episodes between 1987 and 2000. Thirdly, there’s sequel Lewis, which continued the story of Morse’s underling Robbie through his own inspector days, and which also ran for 33 episodes, up until 2015. Both are currently streamable on BritBox in the UK and US, as well as Itvx, and PBS Masterpiece.
The likelihood though, is that those three will have already been exhausted by Morse devotees, so here are some recommendations of detective shows with a touch of Endeavour about them, whether it’s a melancholic lead with a brilliant mind,...
The likelihood though, is that those three will have already been exhausted by Morse devotees, so here are some recommendations of detective shows with a touch of Endeavour about them, whether it’s a melancholic lead with a brilliant mind,...
- 7/4/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Vera really likes to keep us waiting. Series 11 of this beloved British detective series began broadcasting back in summer 2021, and after four episodes were released between then and January 2022, there’s been a year-long unexplained wait for the last two feature-length episodes of the series, which finally began airing on ITV1 on Sunday 15th January.
But like buses, you wait for one series of Vera and two arrive at once, as straight after Series 11 finishes we’ll be getting four more weekly episodes making up Series 12 as well, starting on 29th January.
Not only that, there’s another Vera instalment, The Rising Tide, on the way later this year, based on Ann Cleeves’s latest Vera novel of the same name.
So what can we expect from the upcoming episodes of Vera? More gruesome murders, of course, and more stunning Northumberland scenery, but there’s also going to be more...
But like buses, you wait for one series of Vera and two arrive at once, as straight after Series 11 finishes we’ll be getting four more weekly episodes making up Series 12 as well, starting on 29th January.
Not only that, there’s another Vera instalment, The Rising Tide, on the way later this year, based on Ann Cleeves’s latest Vera novel of the same name.
So what can we expect from the upcoming episodes of Vera? More gruesome murders, of course, and more stunning Northumberland scenery, but there’s also going to be more...
- 1/16/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
ITV orders detective series; WarnerMedia, Blue Ant Media and Rogo Productions strengthen teams; Comedy Central orders Rhod Gilbert show; “Frankenstein” adaptation in the works; and Netflix looks for African writers.
U.K. broadcaster ITV has commissioned four-part crime drama “The Long Call” from ITV Studios label Silverprint Pictures.
The drama is inspired by the best-selling novel from award-winning writer Ann Cleeves, creator of series “Vera” and “Shetland.” “Des” and “Baptiste” screenwriter Kelly Jones will write all four episodes in her first solo series. The narrative is led by flawed protagonist, Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, who has returned to live in a small community in North Devon with his husband, Jonathan. It’s a place Matthew walked away from 20 years ago after being rejected by his family. Now he’s back to take charge of his first major murder.
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series. Silverprint Pictures...
U.K. broadcaster ITV has commissioned four-part crime drama “The Long Call” from ITV Studios label Silverprint Pictures.
The drama is inspired by the best-selling novel from award-winning writer Ann Cleeves, creator of series “Vera” and “Shetland.” “Des” and “Baptiste” screenwriter Kelly Jones will write all four episodes in her first solo series. The narrative is led by flawed protagonist, Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, who has returned to live in a small community in North Devon with his husband, Jonathan. It’s a place Matthew walked away from 20 years ago after being rejected by his family. Now he’s back to take charge of his first major murder.
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series. Silverprint Pictures...
- 11/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Silverprint Pictures, the ITV Studios-owned production label behind the long-running ITV series Vera, is turning its attentions to its next Ann Cleeves adaptation for ITV.
The production outfit will reimagine The Long Call as a four-part series for ITV, with Des and Baptiste writer Kelly Jones penning the drama in what will be her first standalone series.
The Long Call was published last year and is the first in a series of Two Rivers novels set in the English county of Devon. It follows detective Matthew Venn as he returns to an evangelical community in which he grew up to attend his father’s funeral.
He is soon embroiled in the investigation of a murder close to his new home when the body of a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck is found on the beach. It draws Venn back into a community where...
The production outfit will reimagine The Long Call as a four-part series for ITV, with Des and Baptiste writer Kelly Jones penning the drama in what will be her first standalone series.
The Long Call was published last year and is the first in a series of Two Rivers novels set in the English county of Devon. It follows detective Matthew Venn as he returns to an evangelical community in which he grew up to attend his father’s funeral.
He is soon embroiled in the investigation of a murder close to his new home when the body of a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck is found on the beach. It draws Venn back into a community where...
- 11/17/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
To mark the release of Vera: Series 10 on 2nd March, we’ve been given 1 copy to give away on DVD.
Renowned actress Brenda Blethyn returns as the unorthodox but brilliant Dci Vera Stanhope in four compelling new feature-length episodes of this hit crime drama. The indomitable Vera and her trusted team unravel more complex cases, exploring stories of corporate corruption, organised crime and deeply buried personal guilt. An entrepreneur’s murder delivers no shortage of suspects, and the discovery of a teenager’s body floating near a salmon farm reveals a tangled web of deceit between two families. The murder of a cleaner whose death occurred several hours after the killer blow landed sends Vera on an intriguing trail, and it soon becomes clear that not all is as it seems when a wealthy betting shop tycoon is killed during a home invasion. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Northumberland,...
Renowned actress Brenda Blethyn returns as the unorthodox but brilliant Dci Vera Stanhope in four compelling new feature-length episodes of this hit crime drama. The indomitable Vera and her trusted team unravel more complex cases, exploring stories of corporate corruption, organised crime and deeply buried personal guilt. An entrepreneur’s murder delivers no shortage of suspects, and the discovery of a teenager’s body floating near a salmon farm reveals a tangled web of deceit between two families. The murder of a cleaner whose death occurred several hours after the killer blow landed sends Vera on an intriguing trail, and it soon becomes clear that not all is as it seems when a wealthy betting shop tycoon is killed during a home invasion. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Northumberland,...
- 3/2/2020
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
ITV and BritBox’s long-running detective drama Vera is returning for an 11th season.
The announcement was made by star Brenda Blethyn at the Winter TCA Press Tour.
The show stars Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, a middle-aged employee of the Northumberland & City Police, who plods along in a disheveled state but has a calculating mind. The series is based on novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves.
The tenth season started airing on ITV on January 12 2020 and it airs on U.S. streaming service BritBox on January 21.
“We’re going to start working this year and you’ll see it next year,” said Blethyn. Exec producer Phil Hunter added, “Yes, there’ll be more Vera beyond series 10, which is fantastic news.”
This comes as the producers admitted to ambitions of remaking the evergreen series in the U.S. – following a long tradition of British cop shows being remade over the pond.
The announcement was made by star Brenda Blethyn at the Winter TCA Press Tour.
The show stars Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, a middle-aged employee of the Northumberland & City Police, who plods along in a disheveled state but has a calculating mind. The series is based on novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves.
The tenth season started airing on ITV on January 12 2020 and it airs on U.S. streaming service BritBox on January 21.
“We’re going to start working this year and you’ll see it next year,” said Blethyn. Exec producer Phil Hunter added, “Yes, there’ll be more Vera beyond series 10, which is fantastic news.”
This comes as the producers admitted to ambitions of remaking the evergreen series in the U.S. – following a long tradition of British cop shows being remade over the pond.
- 1/15/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV-backed producer Silverprint Pictures is to adapt crime novel The Long Call, from Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves, for television.
The producer, which recently produced Tom Riley-fronted Dark Heart, has optioned the book, which is the first novel in Cleeves’ Two Rivers series, from Rebecca Watson at Valerie Hoskins Associates on behalf of literary agent Sara Menguc.
Silverprint has previously adapted Cleeves’ Shetland, which has run for five seasons on the BBC, and Brenda Blethyn-fronted Vera, which was recently renewed for a tenth season by ITV.
The book, which is published by Pan Macmillan on September 5, is set in North Devon, where the author spent her teenage years. It follows the reserved and complex Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, as well as an ensemble of characters, evoking the stark beauty of the North Devon coastline, and a community where murder and intrigue bubble just beneath the surface.
The producer, which recently produced Tom Riley-fronted Dark Heart, has optioned the book, which is the first novel in Cleeves’ Two Rivers series, from Rebecca Watson at Valerie Hoskins Associates on behalf of literary agent Sara Menguc.
Silverprint has previously adapted Cleeves’ Shetland, which has run for five seasons on the BBC, and Brenda Blethyn-fronted Vera, which was recently renewed for a tenth season by ITV.
The book, which is published by Pan Macmillan on September 5, is set in North Devon, where the author spent her teenage years. It follows the reserved and complex Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, as well as an ensemble of characters, evoking the stark beauty of the North Devon coastline, and a community where murder and intrigue bubble just beneath the surface.
- 8/27/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
With filming now underway, ITV has confirmed Season 9 details of crime drama Vera. Brenda Blethyn is back as the unorthodox but brilliantly perceptive eponymous detective in four feature-length episodes. The first installment, written by Paul Logue, is titled Blind Spot and unfolds as forensic psychologist Joanne Caswell is found dead, her body dumped on a landfill site far from home. She had been looking into the crime of a former patient who had recently committed suicide, and Vera must follow Joanne’s trail to uncover who might have had motive to kill her. Blethyn is joined by an ensemble that includes Peter Davison (Doctor Who), James Atherton (Coronation Street), Jodie McNee (Britannia), Adrian Lukis (Collateral) and Paul Kaye (Game Of Thrones). Kenny Doughty also returns as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy. Completing Vera’s team are Jon Morrison, Riley Jones and Ibinabo Jack. A consistent winner for ITV, Season 8 averaged 8.4M...
- 5/23/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Vera — probably the best contemporary detective drama on British TV — returns to the U.S. with a fifth season being debuted nationally on Acorn TV. Based on novels by Shetland’s Ann Cleeves, Vera is a no nonsense Northumbrian detective with a brusk exterior and a well buried heart. It’s tempting to describe her as a female Wallander but unlike her Swedish counterpart she doesn’t spend half an hour caught up in self-indulgent introspection before uttering a sentence.
I interviewed leading lady Brenda Blethyn last year and she was an absolute delight. The antithesis of her dowdy onscreen persona. At the time, season 5 was very much up in the air. Like most things these days, it’s fate depended very much on the ratings of season 4. Unsurprisingly (in my view) Vera season 4 was one of the few shows in the UK last year to satisfy the TV critics...
I interviewed leading lady Brenda Blethyn last year and she was an absolute delight. The antithesis of her dowdy onscreen persona. At the time, season 5 was very much up in the air. Like most things these days, it’s fate depended very much on the ratings of season 4. Unsurprisingly (in my view) Vera season 4 was one of the few shows in the UK last year to satisfy the TV critics...
- 11/11/2015
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Based on the crime novels by Ann Cleeves, BBC One drama Shetland is adding a trio of new stars to its roster. Game Of Thrones‘ Ciaran Hinds, The Good Wife‘s exiting Archie Panjabi and The Hour‘s Anna Chancellor are all boarding for the third season which is currently shooting in Scotland. Made by ITV Studios for BBC Scotland, Shetland first aired as a two-part drama in 2013 and was expanded to six episodes for its second season which ran last year. Returning star Douglas…...
- 4/9/2015
- Deadline TV
Christopher Eccleston in Accused Acorn Media Rlj Entertainment
British writer Jimmy McGovern is synonymous with quality drama. Consequently, the best and the brightest are queuing up to get their hands on his scripts. Accused is a mere 10 episodes in length and yet the cast includes a veritable who’s who of British drama. Sean Bean and Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Peter Capaldi and Christoper Eccleston (Doctor Who), Juliet Stevenson (The Politician’s Wife), Warren Brown (Luther), and Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) are among the stars appearing in the show.
Each seasons consists of five stand-alone stories centering around an individual who is accused of committing a crime. Generally speaking the accused are guilty but the show isn’t really about nailing suspects, it’s about moral ambiguity and the large grey realm that separates right and wrong. In most, though not all of the stories, the accused parties are somewhat sympathetic.
British writer Jimmy McGovern is synonymous with quality drama. Consequently, the best and the brightest are queuing up to get their hands on his scripts. Accused is a mere 10 episodes in length and yet the cast includes a veritable who’s who of British drama. Sean Bean and Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Peter Capaldi and Christoper Eccleston (Doctor Who), Juliet Stevenson (The Politician’s Wife), Warren Brown (Luther), and Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) are among the stars appearing in the show.
Each seasons consists of five stand-alone stories centering around an individual who is accused of committing a crime. Generally speaking the accused are guilty but the show isn’t really about nailing suspects, it’s about moral ambiguity and the large grey realm that separates right and wrong. In most, though not all of the stories, the accused parties are somewhat sympathetic.
- 10/26/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Vera Season 4 ITV
Vera returned to ITV tonight with On Harbour Street, a story that began innocently enough with D.S. Joe Ashworth’s (David Leon) daughter gently trying to awaken a sleeping passenger on a train. It quickly became apparent that Margaret Kraszewski (Annabel Leventon) wasn’t going to wake up from this sleep. The pensioner had been stabbed, but how could such a crime have gone unnoticed on a busy commuter train?
The investigation got off to a slow start with Margaret’s known acquaintances at a loss to explain a motive for her killing. Eventually, Joe and Vera (Brenda Blethyn) crossed paths with a potential suspect — Dee Sinton — an alcoholic who’d just been thrown out of a shelter where Margaret volunteered. Dee didn’t have much of an opportunity to explain herself before she too wound up dead. Another murder? or an accident? I won’t...
Vera returned to ITV tonight with On Harbour Street, a story that began innocently enough with D.S. Joe Ashworth’s (David Leon) daughter gently trying to awaken a sleeping passenger on a train. It quickly became apparent that Margaret Kraszewski (Annabel Leventon) wasn’t going to wake up from this sleep. The pensioner had been stabbed, but how could such a crime have gone unnoticed on a busy commuter train?
The investigation got off to a slow start with Margaret’s known acquaintances at a loss to explain a motive for her killing. Eventually, Joe and Vera (Brenda Blethyn) crossed paths with a potential suspect — Dee Sinton — an alcoholic who’d just been thrown out of a shelter where Margaret volunteered. Dee didn’t have much of an opportunity to explain herself before she too wound up dead. Another murder? or an accident? I won’t...
- 4/27/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Shetland is to return for a third series on BBC One.
BBC Scotland's crime drama has been recommissioned for a new six-part series, following its recently completed second run.
Douglas Henshall stars as Di Jimmy Perez in the series, which is adapted from Ann Cleeves's Shetland crime novels.
Christopher Aird, BBC head of drama production Scotland, said: "Shetland is a really distinctive crime series that has proved hugely popular with audiences both here in Scotland and across the rest of the UK. I am thrilled it has been commissioned for a third outing, and rest assured we have some really exciting plans for viewers from Di Perez and his team."
Producer Elaine Collins of ITV Studios added: "I'm delighted that Shetland has been recommissioned and proud to have made a distinctive Scottish show that is enjoyed all over the UK. It's also been a pleasure to work with outstanding actors like Douglas Henshall,...
BBC Scotland's crime drama has been recommissioned for a new six-part series, following its recently completed second run.
Douglas Henshall stars as Di Jimmy Perez in the series, which is adapted from Ann Cleeves's Shetland crime novels.
Christopher Aird, BBC head of drama production Scotland, said: "Shetland is a really distinctive crime series that has proved hugely popular with audiences both here in Scotland and across the rest of the UK. I am thrilled it has been commissioned for a third outing, and rest assured we have some really exciting plans for viewers from Di Perez and his team."
Producer Elaine Collins of ITV Studios added: "I'm delighted that Shetland has been recommissioned and proud to have made a distinctive Scottish show that is enjoyed all over the UK. It's also been a pleasure to work with outstanding actors like Douglas Henshall,...
- 4/16/2014
- Digital Spy
There's something of the Nordic about Shetland – but sadly no impressive knitwear on show
In the novel Raven Black by Ann Cleeves, from which the first two-part story of Shetland (BBC1) is adapted, it's winter and the islands are covered in a thick layer of snow when a girl's body is discovered. Here they've changed the season, to the very opposite, mid-summer, when it never properly gets dark. Perhaps it was to make filming easier, to literally shed light on proceedings.
Certainly it means we get to see the eerie, sad landscape and grey skies that are so much a part of it. And actually it's just as effective a backdrop – constant light is very nearly as oppressive and depressing as constant dark. A community, including Di Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall), is already on edge through lack of sleep when the body is found. Remember Al Pacino in Insomnia? Like that.
In the novel Raven Black by Ann Cleeves, from which the first two-part story of Shetland (BBC1) is adapted, it's winter and the islands are covered in a thick layer of snow when a girl's body is discovered. Here they've changed the season, to the very opposite, mid-summer, when it never properly gets dark. Perhaps it was to make filming easier, to literally shed light on proceedings.
Certainly it means we get to see the eerie, sad landscape and grey skies that are so much a part of it. And actually it's just as effective a backdrop – constant light is very nearly as oppressive and depressing as constant dark. A community, including Di Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall), is already on edge through lack of sleep when the body is found. Remember Al Pacino in Insomnia? Like that.
- 3/12/2014
- by Sam Wollaston
- The Guardian - Film News
David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities: Watch, 8pm
This 10-part series continues tonight, exploring more animal oddities from the natural world.
In the first of tonight's two episodes Life on Ice, Attenborough picks up a frozen frog and after placing it in warm water, shows how it magically comes back to life within mere minutes.
The wonders continue with Spinners and Weavers as Attenborough explores the properties of spiders' silk, one of nature's most resilient materials.
Shetland: BBC One, 9pm
The island crime drama Shetland returns tonight with a brand new six part series, based on the best-selling novels by Ann Cleeves.
Titled 'Raven Black', the first of a two-part episode sees Douglas Henshall return to Ravenswick as Di Jimmy Perez.
Discovering a young woman has been murdered and her body has been gruesomely pecked by birds, Perez begins to investigate - and the case leads him back...
This 10-part series continues tonight, exploring more animal oddities from the natural world.
In the first of tonight's two episodes Life on Ice, Attenborough picks up a frozen frog and after placing it in warm water, shows how it magically comes back to life within mere minutes.
The wonders continue with Spinners and Weavers as Attenborough explores the properties of spiders' silk, one of nature's most resilient materials.
Shetland: BBC One, 9pm
The island crime drama Shetland returns tonight with a brand new six part series, based on the best-selling novels by Ann Cleeves.
Titled 'Raven Black', the first of a two-part episode sees Douglas Henshall return to Ravenswick as Di Jimmy Perez.
Discovering a young woman has been murdered and her body has been gruesomely pecked by birds, Perez begins to investigate - and the case leads him back...
- 3/11/2014
- Digital Spy
Brenda Blethyn in Vera on AcornTV. RLJEntertainment.com
Two-time Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn was ecstatic when her agent told her she had been cast as the lead role in a new detective series. The show was to be based around the Vera Stanhope novels by author Ann Cleeves. Brenda quickly began reading the novels so she could learn more about her new role.
“I started reading the series and Vera didn’t appear until halfway through the first book. She was described as a lumbering bag lady who looked as if she had nowhere to go. I thought ‘hold on a minute, why have they chosen me for this role,’ but I read on and I fell in love with her.”
In talking to Brenda Blethyn it quickly becomes apparent that she is nothing like the TV detective. She is warm, funny and she has a distinctly Southern accent. She is also quite stylish.
Two-time Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn was ecstatic when her agent told her she had been cast as the lead role in a new detective series. The show was to be based around the Vera Stanhope novels by author Ann Cleeves. Brenda quickly began reading the novels so she could learn more about her new role.
“I started reading the series and Vera didn’t appear until halfway through the first book. She was described as a lumbering bag lady who looked as if she had nowhere to go. I thought ‘hold on a minute, why have they chosen me for this role,’ but I read on and I fell in love with her.”
In talking to Brenda Blethyn it quickly becomes apparent that she is nothing like the TV detective. She is warm, funny and she has a distinctly Southern accent. She is also quite stylish.
- 2/17/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Shetland season two
ITV Studios BBC Scotland drama Shetland returns to BBC1 next month with six all new episodes. The season is split into three, two-part stories: Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning. Douglas Henshall returns to play Detective Jimmy Perez in the drama that’s based around novels by Vera creator Ann Cleeves. Guest stars in the new series include Brian Cox, Alex Norton, Nina Sosanya, David Hayman, John Lynch and Bill Paterson. Meanwhile Vera season 4 is set to air this Spring on ITV.
N Conrad
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Google+ by clicking here.
ITV Studios BBC Scotland drama Shetland returns to BBC1 next month with six all new episodes. The season is split into three, two-part stories: Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning. Douglas Henshall returns to play Detective Jimmy Perez in the drama that’s based around novels by Vera creator Ann Cleeves. Guest stars in the new series include Brian Cox, Alex Norton, Nina Sosanya, David Hayman, John Lynch and Bill Paterson. Meanwhile Vera season 4 is set to air this Spring on ITV.
N Conrad
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Google+ by clicking here.
- 2/16/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Vera
B Van Heusen
D.C.I. Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) returns to ITV this weekend in an all new episode based around the gruesome murder of a young physiotherapist. The suspects include badger hunter Robert Doran (Richard Riddell) who was in the area at the time of the killing, and Justin Bishop (Shaun Dingwall) whose wife was killed in a car accident involving the murder victim. Vera’s trusted comrade D.S Joe Ashworth (David Leon) is forced to confront some demons from his own past as the investigation evolves.
Vera is based on a series of novels by recent BestBritishTV interviewee Ann Cleeves. Her other work includes the Shetland mysteries that were recently adapted for TV by the BBC. A second season of Shetland is expected to air some time next year. The new four-part season of Vera will air on Sunday nights at 8pm beginning on 25 August.
B Van Heusen
D.C.I. Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) returns to ITV this weekend in an all new episode based around the gruesome murder of a young physiotherapist. The suspects include badger hunter Robert Doran (Richard Riddell) who was in the area at the time of the killing, and Justin Bishop (Shaun Dingwall) whose wife was killed in a car accident involving the murder victim. Vera’s trusted comrade D.S Joe Ashworth (David Leon) is forced to confront some demons from his own past as the investigation evolves.
Vera is based on a series of novels by recent BestBritishTV interviewee Ann Cleeves. Her other work includes the Shetland mysteries that were recently adapted for TV by the BBC. A second season of Shetland is expected to air some time next year. The new four-part season of Vera will air on Sunday nights at 8pm beginning on 25 August.
- 8/22/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Brian Cox and Julie Graham have joined the cast of BBC One crime drama Shetland.
A six-part second series, based on the Ann Cleeves novels, is now shooting in Scotland.
The new run is comprised of three two-part stories, adapted from the books Raven Black, Blue Lightning and Dead Water.
Scottish actor Cox will appear in Raven Black as Magnus Bain, a social outcast who finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation.
Fellow Scot Julie Graham will star in both the first and third stories as procurator fiscal Rhona Kelly - a new recurring character.
"Rhona is a woman who commands attention so it's a joy to play such a strong female character," said Graham.
"I loved the first series of Shetland and I'm delighted to be joining Dougie [Henshall, who plays lead detective Jimmy Perez] and the rest of the cast as a new returning character."
Shetland launched with a two-parter on BBC One in March,...
A six-part second series, based on the Ann Cleeves novels, is now shooting in Scotland.
The new run is comprised of three two-part stories, adapted from the books Raven Black, Blue Lightning and Dead Water.
Scottish actor Cox will appear in Raven Black as Magnus Bain, a social outcast who finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation.
Fellow Scot Julie Graham will star in both the first and third stories as procurator fiscal Rhona Kelly - a new recurring character.
"Rhona is a woman who commands attention so it's a joy to play such a strong female character," said Graham.
"I loved the first series of Shetland and I'm delighted to be joining Dougie [Henshall, who plays lead detective Jimmy Perez] and the rest of the cast as a new returning character."
Shetland launched with a two-parter on BBC One in March,...
- 7/8/2013
- Digital Spy
Brenda Blethyn's detective show Vera will return for a fourth series, it has been confirmed.
ITV has given the green light to a new run of the crime drama, which will feature four new episodes. Series three of Vera will air this summer.
Filming of the four new 120-minute series four episodes will take place on location in Northumberland between June and October.
Directors Thaddeus O'Sullivan and Will Sinclair will return to the series to oversee production. Paul Rutman, Martha Hillier and Richard Davidson will write the first three films.
David Leon will return as Vera's trusted sidekick Sergeant Joe Ashworth.
Vera is based on a character created by crime novelist Ann Cleeves.
ITV has given the green light to a new run of the crime drama, which will feature four new episodes. Series three of Vera will air this summer.
Filming of the four new 120-minute series four episodes will take place on location in Northumberland between June and October.
Directors Thaddeus O'Sullivan and Will Sinclair will return to the series to oversee production. Paul Rutman, Martha Hillier and Richard Davidson will write the first three films.
David Leon will return as Vera's trusted sidekick Sergeant Joe Ashworth.
Vera is based on a character created by crime novelist Ann Cleeves.
- 4/22/2013
- Digital Spy
ITV Studios Global Entertainment will launch crime drama Shetland in Cannes next week. The ITV Studios-produced show has just been renewed by BBC One for a second season. The series is expanding from its original two parts to become a six-parter the next time around. Douglas Henshall plays detective Jimmy Perez who returns to his home in Scotland to lead a murder investigation. The series is based on the novels by Ann Cleeves. Keshet International, the folks behind the original Israeli format for Homeland, will offer scripted and non-scripted programming at Mip, also expanding into third-party fare for the first time. Included on the slate are Mother’s Day, which has gone to pilot in the U.S. for CBS starring Debra Messing; The A Word, a drama about a five-year-old autistic boy; and The Gordin Cell, which NBC is developing as Mice. New unscripted programming includes trivia game...
- 4/3/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
BBC One has ordered more episodes of crime drama Shetland.
The show - based on Ann Cleeves's novels - will return for a new six-part series, comprised of three two-parters.
Douglas Henshall will reprise the lead role of Detective Jimmy Perez for filming this summer, ahead of a 2014 broadcast.
ITV Studios exec Elaine Collins said: "I'm thrilled by the terrific response we've had to Shetland. The Scottish landscape is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to work again with Douglas Henshall and the team on Ann Cleeves's wonderful Shetland stories."
Shetland launched as a pilot two-parter last month, opening with 6.4m viewers.
The new episodes will be based on Cleeves's stories Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning.
Shetland actor Steven Robertson - who plays PC Sandy Wilson - previously spoke to Digital Spy about his hopes for a full series.
The show - based on Ann Cleeves's novels - will return for a new six-part series, comprised of three two-parters.
Douglas Henshall will reprise the lead role of Detective Jimmy Perez for filming this summer, ahead of a 2014 broadcast.
ITV Studios exec Elaine Collins said: "I'm thrilled by the terrific response we've had to Shetland. The Scottish landscape is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to work again with Douglas Henshall and the team on Ann Cleeves's wonderful Shetland stories."
Shetland launched as a pilot two-parter last month, opening with 6.4m viewers.
The new episodes will be based on Cleeves's stories Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning.
Shetland actor Steven Robertson - who plays PC Sandy Wilson - previously spoke to Digital Spy about his hopes for a full series.
- 4/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Vera Season 2. Co. ITV
By Kieran Kinsella
Award winning author Ann Cleeves is one of Britain’s best loved crime fiction writers. The success of novels such as Raven Black and the Shetland Quartet caused her profile to rise and convinced TV network chiefs to bring some of her best loved characters to the small screen. ITV’s hugely successful adaptation of the Vera Stanhope novels is about to enter its third season. Just this week, the BBC reserved back-to-back prime time slots to air their adaptation of Ann Cleeves’ first Shetland tale. Ann kindly agreed to talk to Best British TV about her writing and her thoughts on the TV versions of Vera (Brenda Blethyn) and Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).
When you are writing your novels do you begin by creating a detective and then develop the mystery or do you come up with an idea for a mystery...
By Kieran Kinsella
Award winning author Ann Cleeves is one of Britain’s best loved crime fiction writers. The success of novels such as Raven Black and the Shetland Quartet caused her profile to rise and convinced TV network chiefs to bring some of her best loved characters to the small screen. ITV’s hugely successful adaptation of the Vera Stanhope novels is about to enter its third season. Just this week, the BBC reserved back-to-back prime time slots to air their adaptation of Ann Cleeves’ first Shetland tale. Ann kindly agreed to talk to Best British TV about her writing and her thoughts on the TV versions of Vera (Brenda Blethyn) and Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).
When you are writing your novels do you begin by creating a detective and then develop the mystery or do you come up with an idea for a mystery...
- 3/12/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Douglas Henshall in Shetland. Co. BBC
B Van Heusen
Shetland’s Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) seems to regard crime on the island as a personal affront. You get the impression that the Barbour jacket and tartan shirt wearing detective was hoping the Northern Isles were immune from the type of violent crime that bedevils cities on the mainland. With that being said, it would have been fairly easy for Perez to put on the blinders and ignore the signs suggesting that a “suicide” was something other than a victimless crime. Driven by a desire to protect his step-child and his beloved islands, Perez relied on intuitive detective work to solve the crime. He may have ruffled a few feathers along the way but if we had more honest, down to earth coppers like Perez then the world would be a much safer place.
The BBC have yet to decide whether...
B Van Heusen
Shetland’s Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) seems to regard crime on the island as a personal affront. You get the impression that the Barbour jacket and tartan shirt wearing detective was hoping the Northern Isles were immune from the type of violent crime that bedevils cities on the mainland. With that being said, it would have been fairly easy for Perez to put on the blinders and ignore the signs suggesting that a “suicide” was something other than a victimless crime. Driven by a desire to protect his step-child and his beloved islands, Perez relied on intuitive detective work to solve the crime. He may have ruffled a few feathers along the way but if we had more honest, down to earth coppers like Perez then the world would be a much safer place.
The BBC have yet to decide whether...
- 3/12/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Shetland. co. BBC
N Conrad
The BBC’s latest detective drama made its British TV debut tonight as detective Jimmy Perez waved goodbye to mainland Scotland and set about becoming a crime buster in the archipelago of Shetland. Douglas Henshall (Secrets of Crickley Hall) took on the role of Perez – a softly spoken cop whose low-key style is ideally suited to the windswept isle. If Perez was expecting a quiet homecoming he was in for a rude awakening as not one but two murder mysteries made their way onto his case list.
Stylistically, Shetland was similar to ITV’s Vera which is perhaps unsurprising since both shows are based on novels by Ann Cleeves. For now at least, the BBC have only produced two episodes of Shetland but if it’s half as successful as Cleeves’ other TV adaptation then you can be sure that more episodes will be on the way.
N Conrad
The BBC’s latest detective drama made its British TV debut tonight as detective Jimmy Perez waved goodbye to mainland Scotland and set about becoming a crime buster in the archipelago of Shetland. Douglas Henshall (Secrets of Crickley Hall) took on the role of Perez – a softly spoken cop whose low-key style is ideally suited to the windswept isle. If Perez was expecting a quiet homecoming he was in for a rude awakening as not one but two murder mysteries made their way onto his case list.
Stylistically, Shetland was similar to ITV’s Vera which is perhaps unsurprising since both shows are based on novels by Ann Cleeves. For now at least, the BBC have only produced two episodes of Shetland but if it’s half as successful as Cleeves’ other TV adaptation then you can be sure that more episodes will be on the way.
- 3/10/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
A new murder-mystery series set against the stunning Scottish backdrop of the Shetland Isles debuts on BBC One this Sunday night. Shetland is based on the novels by Ann Cleeves and stars Primeval's Douglas Henshall as lead detective Jimmy Perez.
Also starring is actor and Shetlands native Steven Robertson (Being Human, Luther) who spoke to Digital Spy about the two-part crime drama, his hopes for more Shetland and why the role of PC Sandy Wilson is a nice break from playing killers and creeps...
Shetland is based on a series of books - for those unfamiliar with the novels, what is the show all about?
"This one is based on the novel Red Bones - which is actually the third novel in a quartet. They're all set in various areas of Shetland - a couple of them are real places and a couple were invented by the author [Ann Cleeves].
"Each...
Also starring is actor and Shetlands native Steven Robertson (Being Human, Luther) who spoke to Digital Spy about the two-part crime drama, his hopes for more Shetland and why the role of PC Sandy Wilson is a nice break from playing killers and creeps...
Shetland is based on a series of books - for those unfamiliar with the novels, what is the show all about?
"This one is based on the novel Red Bones - which is actually the third novel in a quartet. They're all set in various areas of Shetland - a couple of them are real places and a couple were invented by the author [Ann Cleeves].
"Each...
- 3/8/2013
- Digital Spy
Brenda Blethyn stars as Dci Vera Stanhope, a gifted detective whose rumpled appearance and sharp tongue give little indication of her acuity in crime solving. Acclaimed in Britain, series one of Vera has made fans in the USA as well. Series two is brought to DVD in this set from Acorn Media Group much to the delight of Vera fans everywhere. Vera Stanhope is not Miss Jane Marple, she is neither quiet nor retiring, but she shares with the indomitable lady sleuth a brilliant deductive mind, able to piece together into a solution clues that are almost inconsequential. This is crime drama at its very best, taken from the award winning novels of Ann Cleeves, and brought to life...
- 1/16/2013
- by June L.
- Monsters and Critics
Vera Acorn Media
By Kieran Kinsella
When Vera burst onto the British TV detective scene last year, she was hailed as ITV’s answer to the BBC’s Wallander. The series was a huge hit in the UK and it was no surprise that network chiefs quickly persuaded actress Brenda Blethyn to return for a second season of the show. Acorn Media released the first series of the show on DVD in the U.S. earlier this year and on November 6 fans of Vera can get their hands on the latest episodes featuring Ann Cleeves’ popular character.
The first, and best story in season two is The Ghost Position. It involves Vera’s investigation of the fire bombing of her former Sergeant’s home. The victim of the crime ends up committing suicide while his daughter is still in intensive care. It doesn’t take Vera long to produce a...
By Kieran Kinsella
When Vera burst onto the British TV detective scene last year, she was hailed as ITV’s answer to the BBC’s Wallander. The series was a huge hit in the UK and it was no surprise that network chiefs quickly persuaded actress Brenda Blethyn to return for a second season of the show. Acorn Media released the first series of the show on DVD in the U.S. earlier this year and on November 6 fans of Vera can get their hands on the latest episodes featuring Ann Cleeves’ popular character.
The first, and best story in season two is The Ghost Position. It involves Vera’s investigation of the fire bombing of her former Sergeant’s home. The victim of the crime ends up committing suicide while his daughter is still in intensive care. It doesn’t take Vera long to produce a...
- 11/6/2012
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Million Dollar Baby actor to appear with Brenda Blethyn in drama about impact of malaria written by Richard Curtis
Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank is to star in a new BBC1 film written by Richard Curtis.
The Million Dollar Baby star will appear alongside Bafta-winner Brenda Blethyn in Mary & Martha, a tale of an American and an English woman brought together by the shared tragedy of losing sons to malaria.
The film will be directed by Australian Phillip Noyce, who drew acclaim for Rabbit-Proof Fence and more recently directed Angelina Jolie in Salt. Mary & Martha is being made by Working Title and will be shown by HBO in America as well as the BBC in the UK.
"I've always wanted to write a film about the fact that when you have children, there's always the possibility of extreme joy and extreme sorrow," said Curtis, the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually.
Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank is to star in a new BBC1 film written by Richard Curtis.
The Million Dollar Baby star will appear alongside Bafta-winner Brenda Blethyn in Mary & Martha, a tale of an American and an English woman brought together by the shared tragedy of losing sons to malaria.
The film will be directed by Australian Phillip Noyce, who drew acclaim for Rabbit-Proof Fence and more recently directed Angelina Jolie in Salt. Mary & Martha is being made by Working Title and will be shown by HBO in America as well as the BBC in the UK.
"I've always wanted to write a film about the fact that when you have children, there's always the possibility of extreme joy and extreme sorrow," said Curtis, the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually.
- 7/17/2012
- by Vicky Frost
- The Guardian - Film News
Douglas Henshall is set to star in a new two part BBC crime drama that is being produced by ITV Studios for BBC Scotland. Shetland is based on a series of novels by Ann Cleeves and as the name implies the show is set in the rugged Scottish isles that share the program’s name.
Henshall plays Detective Jimmy Perez an island native who happens to have a Spanish name. Perez is keen to protect the idyllic isles from outside influences but when an archaeologist stumbles across some human remains, Pereze realizes that the he is going to have more to contend with than sheep rustlers and wind damage from the North Sea gales.
Douglas Henshall in Collision. co. ITV
Henshall’s is perhaps best known for his roles in ITV’s Collision and BBC America’s Primeval. Shetland is written by David Kane (Field of Blood), produced by Sue De Beauvoir...
Henshall plays Detective Jimmy Perez an island native who happens to have a Spanish name. Perez is keen to protect the idyllic isles from outside influences but when an archaeologist stumbles across some human remains, Pereze realizes that the he is going to have more to contend with than sheep rustlers and wind damage from the North Sea gales.
Douglas Henshall in Collision. co. ITV
Henshall’s is perhaps best known for his roles in ITV’s Collision and BBC America’s Primeval. Shetland is written by David Kane (Field of Blood), produced by Sue De Beauvoir...
- 5/11/2012
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Vera Season 2. Co. ITV
N Campion
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter
Brenda Blethyn OBE is set to return to ITV in four all new episodes of last year’s break out hit crime drama Vera. The new season is produced by Elaine Collins and the stories are based on novels by Ann Cleeves.
Julie Graham, John McArdle and Barbara Marten are among the guest stars while season one regulars David Leon, Paul Ritter and Wunmi Mosaku will be returning.
In episode one Vera investigates the fire-bombing of her former sergeant’s home. The attack leaves his daughter in intensive care and Vera is shocked to find that her former co-worker is a shell of the man she once knew. The episode is titled The Ghost Position and it will air on ITV on 22 April at 8 p.m.
Recent Articles:...
N Campion
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter
Brenda Blethyn OBE is set to return to ITV in four all new episodes of last year’s break out hit crime drama Vera. The new season is produced by Elaine Collins and the stories are based on novels by Ann Cleeves.
Julie Graham, John McArdle and Barbara Marten are among the guest stars while season one regulars David Leon, Paul Ritter and Wunmi Mosaku will be returning.
In episode one Vera investigates the fire-bombing of her former sergeant’s home. The attack leaves his daughter in intensive care and Vera is shocked to find that her former co-worker is a shell of the man she once knew. The episode is titled The Ghost Position and it will air on ITV on 22 April at 8 p.m.
Recent Articles:...
- 4/18/2012
- by admin
In The Library Book, published for National Libraries Day on 4 February, twenty-three of the UK’s most outstanding writers describe libraries real or imagined, past, present, and future – why they matter and to whom.
Recognising that without libraries we would not have the writers of today and tomorrow, The Library Book’s contributors are all donating their royalties to The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire more people to read more.
Included in the book are Anita Anand, Julian Barnes, Bella Bathurst, Alan Bennett, Michael Brooks, James Brown, Ann Cleeves, Stephen Fry, Seth Godin, Susan Hill, Tom Holland, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Lucy Mangan, Val McDermid, China Miéville, Caitlin Moran, Kate Mosse, Julie Myerson, Bali Rai, Lionel Shriver, Karin Slaughter, Zadie Smith and Nicky Wire.
Read more...
Recognising that without libraries we would not have the writers of today and tomorrow, The Library Book’s contributors are all donating their royalties to The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire more people to read more.
Included in the book are Anita Anand, Julian Barnes, Bella Bathurst, Alan Bennett, Michael Brooks, James Brown, Ann Cleeves, Stephen Fry, Seth Godin, Susan Hill, Tom Holland, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Lucy Mangan, Val McDermid, China Miéville, Caitlin Moran, Kate Mosse, Julie Myerson, Bali Rai, Lionel Shriver, Karin Slaughter, Zadie Smith and Nicky Wire.
Read more...
- 2/2/2012
- Look to the Stars
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