News

Exclusive: Sheridan Smith and Céline Buckens have been cast as sisters in The Castaways, a Paramount+ drama series based on Lucy Clarke’s novel.

Smith will play Lori and Buckens is her sibling Erin in the thriller, which marks Clarke’s second series adaptation for Paramount+’s UK service.

After they have a huge flight, Lori boards a plane to Fiji, while Erin does not. The flight never arrives at its tropical destination and months later no wreckage has been located. Erin suddenly hears Lori’s credit card has been used on a remote Fijian island and she later recognizes the pilot on CCTV. She boards a plane to Fiji to track down the truth.

The show jumps between the perspectives of the two sisters, with Erin undertaking an investigation in the modern day and Lori struggling to survive after surviving a crash on a remote island. The truth about...

Since they were given their heads, the big auteurs of modern TV have been its screenwriters. So “No Return” can be taken various ways. It’s an ITV series from Red Production Company, which has attracted huge heat producing Russell T. Davies’ “It’s a Sin” and “Years and Years.”

It’s sold by Studiocanal, Europe’s biggest film-tv production-distribution powerhouse which owns Red Production Company and is behind the “Paddington” franchise, multiple Liam Neeson hit thrillers and upcoming Western, “Django.”

In production since July, it’s billed as compelling event drama, starring BAFTA award winning actress Sheridan Smith (“Mrs Biggs”).

But it’s also the latest from Danny Brocklehurst, now one of the U.K.’s preeminent screenwriters.

Few have his range or pedigree. After learning his craft from two of the greatest TV voices of working class Britain, Paul Abbott (“Shameless”) and Jimmy McGovern, he wrote half of Harlan Coben...

In today’s Global Bulletin, Time’s Up U.K. publishes safety guidelines for auditions, reporting and working with intimacy; Discovery U.K. posts its 10th consecutive record Q1, and Rai and Amazon team on the winning bid for World Cup 2022 rights in Italy.

Guidelines

Time’s Up U.K. has published the “Time’s Up Guide to Working in Entertainment,” a collection of three guides constructed as a reference material for arts and entertainment workers to stay informed of their rights, industry-specific norms and practical ways they can help to ensure their safety in the workplace. All three guides are available, free to download at the Time’s Up U.K. website.

The Time’S Up UK Guide to Working in Entertainment

Developed in collaboration with Time’s Up in the U.S., Time’s Up U.K. also reached out to key British industry organizations including BAFTA, Bectu, BFI,...

Sticky Pictures. Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane is among the first acquisitions by a new Us online comedy channel.

The six-part musical comedy will screen on NBCUniversal.s SeeSo, an ad-free subscription service which will launch in January 1 on streaming platforms and connected devices for $US3.99 per month.

Commissioned by the ABC, the first live-action prime time series from Sticky Pictures centres on two mismatched housemates: Sammy J, a hopeless, down-and-out lawyer who, six years into his legal career, is yet to win a case, and Randy, a cheating, gambling, drinking divorcee who happens to be a purple puppet. Written by and starring Sammy J and Randy and produced by Donna Andrews, the series airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 9.30pm. The cast includes. Nathan Lovejoy (This is Littleton, At Home with Julia), Georgia Chara (Wentworth, Home and Away), Samantha Healy (Mrs Biggs, McLeod.s Daughters) and an alpaca named Kerry.

Six-part musical comedy Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane will premiere on ABC TV on October 14 2015. .

It is the first prime time series for Australia.s very own Sticky Pictures in association with ABC TV, Film Victoria and Screen Australia. .

This is the first comedy television series for Sammy J and Randy..

The series is about two mismatched housemates from the comedic duo, Sammy J and Randy.

Sammy J is a hopeless, down-and-out lawyer who, six years into his legal career, is yet to win a case. .

Randy is a cheating, gambling, drinking divorcee who also happens to be a purple puppet..

Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane also stars Nathan Lovejoy (This is Littleton, At Home with Julia), Georgia Chara (Wentworth, Home and Away) and Samantha Healy (Mrs Biggs, McLeod.s Daughters) and, in his debut role, an alpaca named Kerry.

Sticky Pictures chief executive and executive producer,...

Sheridan Smith is so good that ITV has decided to dedicate an entire season to her talents.

The best of her work will air next month on ITV Encore, so if you missed any of her acclaimed dramas, now is the time to do something about it.

The channel will be broadcasting dramas like Cilla, The Widower, The Scapegoat and Mrs Biggs from Saturday (August 1).

ITV's recent drama Black Work, which saw Smith star as a police officer searching for answers about her husband's death, will also be repeated as part of the season.

Earlier this year, the 34-year-old triumphed at the National Television Awards, winning the prize for Best Drama Performance for her performance in Cilla.

Meanwhile, Smith recently confirmed that she will play Fanny Brice in a new West End production of Funny Girl.

Philomena, Mrs Biggs, The Widower and most recently Cilla - Jeff Pope has made a career out of plowing real-life stories to produce drama on both the big and small screen; and it's paid off, with the writer winning two BAFTAs and an Academy Award.

His latest accolade is a BAFTA TV Special Award - an honour presented in recognition of an outstanding creative contribution to television, with previous recipients including TV exec Jane Tranter, director Paul Greengrass and dramatist Alan Clarke.

Pope started his career in journalism - working as a reporter and researcher - and says the skills he learned have kept him "in good stead" throughout his career as a screenwriter.

"It was dealing with stories - things that had happened, facts," he explains. "It's getting the material and shaping it."

Pope also credits his journalistic roots with inspiring his passion for 'true to life' drama - series,...

The writer of ITV's Cilla biopic will be honoured with this year's BAFTA TV Special Award.

Jeff Pope, whose other works include Mrs Biggs, Mo and Appropriate Adult, is receiving the accolade for his creative contribution to television.

The award was last presented in honour of Alan Clarke in 2009.

Pope said: "Alan Clarke was a hero of mine, and I am delighted to have been honoured with this award in his name.

"I have been lucky enough to work with some extraordinarily talented people, and this is a moment in my life to look back with gratitude to all those who have helped me achieve.

"Writing is all about facing down the tyranny of the blank screen, but my message to all aspiring writers is that once you've hit that first key, you discover it's really not so difficult as you'd imagined."

The British Academy Television Awards will be hosted...

Daniel Mays has joined the cast of BBC Two's Line of Duty.

The Mrs Biggs actor will star in the upcoming third series as Sergeant Danny Waldron, whose "unpredictable behaviour is becoming a threat to colleagues and suspects".

He joins Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar in the cast of Jed Mercurio's police drama.

The new series - which will begin filming in Belfast later this month - will see AC-12 called in to investigate Waldron's conduct.

Mays said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the unbelievably talented cast of Line of Duty series three. Jed Mercurio has once again delivered a thrilling and emotionally raw script which I feel incredibly honoured to be a part of."

Mercurio added: "I'm deeply grateful to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to work on another series of Line of Duty.

"I'm very much looking forward to resuming a...

Sheridan Smith has said that she started crying in traffic after realising she missed her Nta win on Wednesday night (January 21).

The actress, who won Best Drama Performance for Cilla, was late to the ceremony due to being stuck in a cab and missed her name being read out as the winner.

Speaking to reporters including Digital Spy backstage, Smith said: "Do you know what, I couldn't believe I won when I was in the car.

"I'd been filming since 5 this morning so they would let me go early, and they let me go at four and so I got ready, got in the car, and something's happened, I think. I'm not lying.

"There's definitely something – honestly, something happened. Anyway, there's traffic everywhere. I'm not lying, I was in a cab for three hours. And then I got a phone call going, 'Where are you?' And then they said...

ITV Encore is to air its first original series.

The Frankenstein Chronicles is a modern reworking of Mary Shelley's 1818 horror classic, Broadcast reports.

Sean Bean is attached to star as John Marlott, a detective who must battle a creature born of dark science.

ITV Encore launched in June 2014. Though primarily intended as a showcase for ITV's most successful drama series, including Broadchurch and Mrs Biggs, the channel will air more original commissions from 2015.

The Frankenstein Chronicles is planned as a six-part, hour-long series, and is in development with producers Rainmark Films.

The project's lead actor Bean currently stars in Us cable drama Legends, which airs on Sky1 in the UK.

Pretty much the first thing Digital Spy saw when making our way down the stairs to the Grand Room in London's Grosvenor House, location of the TV BAFTAs after-party, was Danny Dyer posing with a young boy as his dad took a picture, presumably making the little guy beam by complimenting his "lovely" mini tux.

That's the kind of event we're talking about here - an event where a star arguably still best known for playing violent, foul-mouthed British gangsters can take a moment to make some kid's night. Everyone was happy. Everyone was in a friendly mood. And everyone was ready to party.

But first, these people needed some food. Some hit the red carpet way back at 5pm after a good couple of hours of preparation, and then had to sit through an entire awards ceremony. If Claudia Winkleman displays half as much passion about Strictly as she did about dessert,...

ITV Encore has announced details of its upcoming launch week highlights.

Broadchurch will air for the first time since its original transmission last year, airing all eight parts across Monday to Thursday from June 9.

The episodes will air in double bill slots on the new subscription channel, which will be available on Sky Channel 123.

The new channel will focus on the best of ITV's drama series of recent years.

Meanwhile, Sheridan Smith and Danny Mays's Mrs Biggs will air during the first few weeks, along with The Ice Cream Girls and Rory Kinnear's Lucan.

David Suchet's final four instalments of Poirot will also air on the channel, as well as Whitechapel and Dci Banks from the beginning of their runs.

ITV's Director of Television Peter Fincham said: "Drama is a genre that we know audiences love, and we have worked with some fantastic talent, both on and off screen,...

Cilla Black said that she was asked to host Blind Date because she was "the most sexless person on TV".

The actress and singer, who will be honoured at the 2014 Arqiva BAFTA Television Awards for her outstanding contribution to television entertainment over the last 50 years, was also the person who pushed to get the show on UK television.

"Blind Date was based on an Australian show called Perfect Match, which I first saw when I was on tour there," Black told The Guardian.

"I couldn't understand why it wasn't on British TV."

Alan Boyd, who eventually became the show's producer, told Black that Blind Date would never make it past the Independent Broadcasting Authority due to it's sexual connotations.

"Later, he told me that when he was trying to come up with the right presenter he tried to think of the most sexless person on TV," Black continued. "He said it was me.

ITV Encore has been detailed in a new advert.

Launching on June 9 on Sky channel 123, the brand new pay channel will be dedicated to playing ITV's best dramas.

The output has been described as "another chance to see, or a fresh opportunity to discover, some of the best ITV drama of recent times".

It will show programmes such as Broadchurch, Downton Abbey, The Widower, The Ice Cream Girls, Mrs Biggs, Lucan, Vera, Whitechapel and Dci Banks.

ITV chief executive Adam Crozier recently said that the channel was part of its strategy to become the most-watched channel in the UK.

"A key part of our strategy is to become the most-watched, most-loved and most-talked-about family of free and pay channels for every household and every advertiser in the UK," Crozier explained.

Encore will be ITV's first new channel in eight years. It launches as part of a four-year partnership with Sky.

ITV has announced casting details for its upcoming Cilla Black drama.

The White Queen star Aneurin Barnard will feature as Cilla's husband Bobby in the three-part series, opposite Sheridan Smith in the title role.

Ed Stoppard (The Politician's Husband) will star as Brian Epstein, while John Henshaw (Downton Abbey) will play Cilla's father John White.

Melanie Hill (Waterloo Road) rounds out the cast as Cilla's mother Priscilla.

Cilla - from Philomena writer Jeff Pope - will focus on the singer-turned-presenter's rise to fame in 1960s Liverpool.

The drama follows the unknown Priscilla White as she pursues her dreams of stardom, begins a relationship with future husband Bobby Willis, and meets legendary music manager Brian Epstein.

It will also feature Black's friendship with The Beatles, and how their success helped launch her career.

Cilla begins filming in March and April in Liverpool, and will feature many of the...

ITV has set the roster for its upcoming four-part miniseries that follows the lives and loves of both historical and fictional characters in 1666 London as The Great Fire rages. Broadchurch‘s Andrew Buchan, Rose Leslie (Utopia, Game Of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Jack Huston (American Hustle, Boardwalk Empire) and Daniel Mays (Mrs Biggs, Welcome To The Punch) have each taken on key roles in the production from Fleming and Mistresses‘ Ecosse Films. Inspired by the real events of 1666 when nearly half of London was destroyed in less than a week, the drama is written by Tom Bradby, political editor of ITN and author of Shadow Dancer. The story unfolds over four consecutive days as the fire takes hold of the city and the people desperately attempt to overcome the flames amid a threat to the monarchy. Buchan will play humble baker Thomas Farriner in whose shop the fire began on September...

Sheridan Smith has signed up to play Cilla Black in a new drama for ITV.

The three-part series from Philomena writer Jeff Pope, will focus on the singer-turned-presenter's rocky rise to fame in 1960s Liverpool.

The drama will follow the unknown Priscilla White - Black's real name - as she pursues her dreams of stardom, embarks on a relationship with future husband Bobby Willis, and meets legendary manager Brian Epstein.

The series will also tell the story of Black's friendship with The Beatles, and how their success and links to industry bosses helped to shape her career.

Smith - who won a BAFTA Television Award for her role in Mrs Biggs last year - will reunite with the programme's executive producer Pope and director Paul Whittington for the project.

Describing Black's story as "fascinating", Smith said: "So thrilled to be back at ITV for such an exciting project and to...

If the 3rd annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards could be categorised as a David vs Goliath battle between The Rocket and The Great Gatsby, Goliath is the hands-down winner.

Baz Luhrmann.s opulent romantic drama won six awards tonight, for best film, director, adapted screenplay, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting actor Joel Edgerton and supporting actress Elizabeth Debicki.

That.s in addition to the six awards in craft categories plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects bestowed on Luhrmann.s film on Tuesday.

Kim Mordaunt's The Rocket, which had 12 nominations versus 14 for Gatsby, had to be content with just one trophy, for Mordaunt.s original screenplay.

The outcome is likely to reignite the debate about the near-impossibility of comparing a lavishly-mounted 3D film financed by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, which cost $160 million, with an independently-funded Lao-set film from a first-time director budgeted at about $2 million.

The Great Gatsby dominated. Aacta.s technical and short films awards today, collecting gongs in all six craft categories for which it was nominated, plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects.

The co-production Top of the Lake bagged two TV trophies while Matchbox Pictures. Nowhere Boys, created by Tony Ayres, was named best children.s TV series.

The TV documentary prize went to Redesign My Brain, which explores the revolutionary new science of brain plasticity, written and directed by Paul Scott and produced by Isabel Perez and Scott for ABC TV.

Writer-director Nick Verso's The Last Time I Saw Richard, produced by John Molloy, was honoured as best short fiction film. Developed and funded through Screen Australia.s Springboard program, the short is a prequel to the upcoming feature film Boys In The Trees, tracing the friendship between two teenagers in a mental health clinic in...

Actor and comedian Shane Bourne will host this year.s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTAs), broadcast in a 90-minute presentation on Thursday, January 30, at 8.30pm on Network Ten.

Bourne will lead the night of peer-voted awards, live performances and special appearances from personalities across the Australian television and film industry.

AFI | Aacta CEO, Damian Trewhella, said .We are delighted Shane will host the 3rd Aacta Awards Ceremony. Shane is an AFI Award winner and audience favourite, and a well loved and respected member of the screen industry.. Bourne said, .I am really looking forward to being involved in the 3rd Aacta Awards and providing the social lubricant to help ensure a great night for all as we celebrate the year.s achievements in television and film. And if the official after party is just a fraction as good as the scenes from The Great Gatsby then...

ITV has announced details of a new three-part factual drama based on the crimes of convicted murderer Malcolm Webster.

Reece Shearsmith and Sheridan Smith will star in The Widower, which has been co-written by award-winning factual drama screenwriter and filmmaker Jeff Pope (Mrs Biggs).

Pope also serves as executive producer of the series, with Paul Whittington (Mrs Biggs, Vera) as director.

The Widower takes place over a 13-year period, and follows Webster, who sets about poisoning and murdering his first wife, attempting to do the same to his second wife and moving on to a further scheme to deceive his third fiancée.

Sheridan Smith stars as first wife Claire Morris, who wed Webster in September 1993.

Jeff Pope, Head of Factual Drama, ITV Studios, said: "This is a quite extraordinary story, far more chilling than any fiction. Webster was a banal, almost benign face of evil.

"He was so clever at...

Classics professor Mary Beard also honoured at 23rd Women in Film and TV Awards event at Hilton hotel, London

Angela Rippon has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at an event recognising women in broadcasting. The 69-year-old, who also presents BBC1's Rip-Off Britain, collected her prize from the BBC director-general, Tony Hall, at the Sky Women in Film and TV (Wftv) Awards in London.

Others feted at the event included the actor Sheridan Smith, who took the best performance award for her portrayal of great train robber Ronnie Biggs's wife Charmian in the ITV drama Mrs Biggs. The academic Mary Beard, who has worked on many historical documentary series, took the best presenter award at the 23rd annual awards event, staged at the Park Lane Hilton hotel.

Rippon was the first regular female newsreader on national television in Britain, beginning her journalism career more than half a...

Sheridan Smith and Angela Rippon were among the winners at the Sky Women in Film & TV Awards today (06.12.13). The 32-year-old actress won the Mac Best Performance Award for her portrayal of Ronnie Bigg's wife Charmian Biggs in TV drama 'Mrs Biggs'. Angela, 69, was presented with the Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award by BBC Director General Tony Hall in recognition of her 50-year career which has seen her work as a newsreader, journalist, TV correspondent and a presenter on shows such as 'Top Gear', 'Antiques Roadshow' and 'Cash in the Attic'. Lenny Henry was on hand to accept Sheridan's award on...

Sheridan Smith and Angela Rippon were among the winners at this year's Women in Film and TV Awards.

The 23rd annual ceremony was held today (December 6) at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in London, hosted by Ruby Wax.

Angela Rippon received the Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by BBC Director General Tony Hall.

The prize recognises Rippon's contribution to the industry for over 50 years, including her work as a journalist and newsreader, and presenting roles on shows such as Antiques Roadshow and Come Dancing.

Sheridan Smith was awarded the Mac Best Performance Award for her role in Mrs Biggs.

Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi presented the Nep Visions Presenter Award to Mary Beard, for her work as a female TV academic and fighting against Twitter trolls.

Call the Midwife executive producer Pippa Harris received the Envy Producer Award, while Last Tango in Halifax creator Sally Wainwright was handed the Technicolour Writing Award.

Actress Sheridan Smith, producer Pippa Harris, and director Penny Woolcock are among the honorees at the 23rd annual Sky Women in Film and TV awards in London.

The 2013 Eon Lifetime Acheivement award goes to broadcaster Angela Rippon.

Nearly 1,000 industry guests are in attendance at the Park Lane Hilton in London. Ruby Wax hosts this year’s event.

Presenters of awards included BBC Director General Tony Hall, actors Peter Capaldi, Ashley Walters, Julie Walters and James Corden, and BFI London Film Festival director Clare Stewart

Wftv CEO Kate Kinninmont said: “We have a new talent award which this year goes to Kelly Marcel for creating Terra Nova for Steven Spielberg, scripting Saving Mr Banks for Tom Hanks and now being commissioned to bring Fifty Shades of Grey to our screens.

“Sheridan Smith walked away with our acting award for her role as Mrs Biggs, and Clio Barnard won the directing award for her exquisite feature film, The Selfish Giant.

“It...

Sheridan Smith and Angela Rippon were among the winners at the Sky Women in Film & TV Awards today (06.12.13). The 32-year-old actress won the Mac Best Performance Award for her portrayal of Ronnie Bigg's wife Charmian Biggs in TV drama 'Mrs Biggs'. Angela, 69, was presented with the Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award by BBC Director General Tony Hall in recognition of her 50-year career which has seen her work as a newsreader, journalist, TV correspondent and a presenter on shows such as 'Top Gear', 'Antiques Roadshow' and 'Cash in the Attic'. Lenny Henry was on hand to accept Sheridan's award on...

BBC has ordered a biopic of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy produced by the BBC’s comedy arm and Harvey Weinstein’s Us indie.

The broadcaster has commissioned Stan and Ollie from BBC’s in-house comedy division, in association with The Weinstein Company and Lookout Point.

Stan and Ollie is a 90-minute one-off biopic that will be written by Mrs Biggs screenwriter Jeff Pope. It will tell the story of the duo’s 1953 UK tour, which followed a split from their mentor, studio politics and a run of poorly received films.

After the tour and following an acrimonious divorce and alimony battles, Hardy became ill, suffered a heart attack and eventually died, while Laurel never performed again.

Stan and Ollie was ordered by Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning and former BBC1 controller Danny Cohen. It will be produced by BBC’s Saurabh Kakkar, Lookout Point’s Simon Vaughan and Harvey Weinstein.

It will be...

The BBC has a Laurel and Hardy biopic in the works.

Stan and Ollie - a 90-minute one-off drama - will be penned by Mrs Biggs writer Jeff Pope, reports Broadcast.

The biopic will pick up at the tail end of the pair's comedy career in 1953, as they embark on an ill-fated UK tour.

"Stan and Ollie is Jeff's love letter to two pioneers and enduring giants of screen comedy," said Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning at the BBC.

"It beautifully captures the deep emotional bond forged over a lifelong partnership as they reflect on their rollercoaster careers through the prism of this final UK farewell tour.

"An epic story about the world's most famous comedy double-act to date told with great insight and heart."

A comedy duo of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, Englishman Stan Laurel and the Us-born Oliver Hardy rose to fame in...

The Great Gatsby has been nominated in 14 categories and The Rocket is in contention for 12 at the third annual Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts Awards.

In TV, Top of the Lake top scored with 10 nominations ahead of eight apiece for Mrs Biggs, Power Games: The Packer- Murdoch Story and Redfern Now series 2.

Gatsby and The Rocket are vying for best film with Dead Europe, Mystery Road, Satellite Boy and Tim Winton.s The Turning.

A total of 50 productions has been nominated across 39 awards categories. The Nsw Government announced today it would renew its partnership agreement for a further three years, from 2015-2017.

Aacta has signed a three-year deal with Foxtel which entails pay-tv rights and further collaborations. Aacta/AFI CEO Damian Trewhella tells If that in future years this may take the form of deeper coverage on Foxtel before or after the awards, spotlighting creative talent.

The Gatsby remake...

Mojo | Antony And Cleopatra | 12 Angry Men | Solid Air | A Strange Wild Song; The Man In The Moone | The Recruiting Officer

Mojo, London

There's a star-studded approach to casting in Jez Butterworth's play about London gangs, Mojo. Harry Potter's Rupert Grint makes his stage debut after years of Ron Weasley, while Downton Abbey's Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle) adds to his years of fine theatrical endeavour. The top-notch cast also includes Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Peter And Alice) and Daniel Mays (Mrs Biggs). Mojo, featuring rival gangs and grisly goings-on in 1950s Soho over the kidnap of a teenage pop star, was the first debut play to be performed on the Royal Court's main stage in 40 years since the kitchen-sink classic Look Back In Anger. It was a huge success, becoming a film in 1997, and Butterworth has since written the multi-award-winning Jerusalem. A surefire hit return.

Harold Pinter Theatre, SW1, Wed...

Shows and talent from 19 countries make up the roster of nominees for this year’s International Emmy Awards, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said today at Mipcom. The 41st annual event takes place on November 25th in New York where J.J. Abrams will receive the 2013 Founders Award and Rtl’s Anke Schäferkordt will receive the 2013 Directorate Award. Among the nominees are Sean Bean as Best Actor for the BBC’s Accused; Sheridan Smith as Best Actress for ITV’s Mrs Biggs; last year’s Oscar nominated documentary 5 Broken Cameras; and France’s drama series Les Revenants which is getting a U.S. redo courtesy of A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. For a full list of nominees, turn the page: Arts Programming Hello?! Orchestra Mbc / San Media South Korea Soundtrack Geronimo Bvba Belgium Multiple Views – La Máquina Loca (The Crazy Machine) TV Unam / El Caiman Films / Alebrije...

Billie Piper has joined the cast of drama 'Foxtrot'. The 'Doctor Who' actress will star alongside Ben Whishaw and Lindsay Duncan in Sky Arts' 'Playhouse Presents' play, which tells the story of a gang heist gone wrong and is written by playwright Polly Stenham. As well as Billie - who is married to Laurence Fox - 'Mrs Biggs' star Daniel Mays and Top Boy's Ashley Walters will star in another Sky 'Playhouse' project, 'Nightshift', in which the pair will portray two policeman working overnight in south east London. Jed Mercurio, who created 'Line of Duty', is putting together a new medical...

Doctor Who and Broadchurch were among the major winners at the 2013 TVChoice Awards this evening (September 9).

Coronation Street and EastEnders walked away with two awards apiece at the annual ceremony, which took place at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Doctor Who fought off competition from Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Waterloo Road to win 'Best Drama'.

The long-running sci-fi series was also honoured with the 'Outstanding Contribution Award' as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in November.

Meanwhile, ITV's Broadchurch won 'Best New Drama', with star David Tennant winning 'Best Actor' for his lead role in the Chris Chibnall murder mystery.

Miranda Hart beat Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) and Sheridan Smith (Mrs Biggs) to win 'Best Actress' for her performance in Call The Midwife.

Coronation Street won 'Best Soap', with Michelle Keegan winning in the 'Best Soap Actress' category. David Witts and Shane Richie won 'Best Soap...

ITV has ordered a new two-part drama based on the life of Lord Lucan.

Skyfall's Rory Kinnear will play the flamboyant aristocrat in Lucan, from Mrs Biggs writer Jeff Pope.

Christopher Eccleston will appear as Lucan's friend and famed gambling club host John Aspinall.

Michael Gambon has also been cast in the drama, which will chart Lucan's exploits as a member of the infamous Clermont set and the collapse of his marriage.

Lucan will also explore the murder of Sandra Rivett - nanny to Lucan's children - and what role the man himself may have played in the crime.

"The story of Lord Lucan continues to mystify and intrigue us," said ITV's director of drama commissioning Steve November.

"Jeff's reputation for award-winning factual drama goes before him, and these new scripts offer a compelling insight into the events surrounding Lucan's disappearance."

Lucan will begin shooting in August in and around London.

July 26th, 2013, 12:50pm– It was just confirmed yesterday that Rupert Grint would be playing Sweets in the Jez Butterworth play Mojo. But you can already reserve your tickets today! We have received the following official announcement from Rupert‘s representatives which also gives instructions as to how to book early advanced tickets for the show’s preview run: Rupert Grint Makes West End Debut In “Mojo” This Autumn, Rupert Grint will make his stage debut in a new production of Jez Butterworth’s Olivier award-winning play Mojo, directed by Ian Rickson. Tickets officially go on sale for this limited season in September but sign up now for exclusive access to the first few weeks of performances at special preview prices. Set against the fledgling rock ‘n’ roll scene of 50s Soho, this savagely funny play delves into the sleazy underworld and power games of London’s most infamous district.

Doctor Who and Broadchurch are among the shows nominated for the 2013 TV Choice Awards.

The shortlist for the awards, which will take place at The Dorchester in London on September 9, also includes nods for E4's Made in Chelsea, Gillian Anderson's The Fall and The Great British Bake Off.

Doctor Who will compete against Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Waterloo Road in the 'Best Drama Series' category.

Meanwhile, Broadchurch is up against The Fall, Ripper Street and Mr Selfridge for the title of 'Best New Drama'.

Who newcomer Jenna Coleman has been nominated in the 'Best Actress' category alongside Olivia Colman (Broadchurch), Miranda Hart (Call the Midwife) and Sheridan Smith (Mrs Biggs).

Matt Smith and David Tennant - who will appear together in Doctor Who's upcoming 50th anniversary episode - have both been nominated for 'Best Actor' for their performances in Who and Broadchurch.

They are pitted...

Sheridan Smith was spotted dressed in seashells on the set of Harry Hill's debut movie in Blackpool yesterday (June 11).

The 31-year-old actress, who won a BAFTA last month for her role in Mrs Biggs, wore different sized shells all over her head and body, with bits of seaweed hanging down from her waist and orange starfish for fingers as she filmed scenes for The Harry Hill Movie at the seaside resort.

Smith stars as "an undersea shell person" who steals Hill's heart, while Julie Walters plays Hill's grandmother and Matt Lucas his estranged Alsatian-raised twin brother Otto.

Julian Barratt, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers are also set to feature in the supporting cast.

Speaking about the film previously, TV Burp comic Hill has said: "I'm thrilled at last to be able to tell the world the true story of my hamster's struggle on the big screen...

Daniel Mays is to lead the cast of new BBC One drama Common.

The one-off crime thriller - from writer Jimmy McGovern (Accused, Cracker) - centres on 'joint enterprise' law and tells the tale of four men who flee a fatal stabbing.

Lead actor Mays most recently starred in ITV's BAFTA-winning drama Mrs Biggs and appears in the movie Welcome to the Punch opposite James McAvoy.

Jodhi May (The Ice Cream Girls), Robert Pugh (Game of Thrones), Nico Mirallegro (My Mad Fat Diary) and Susan Lynch (Monroe) form the rest of the Common cast.

"When it comes to casting you always have a 'wish list' - a list of actors who'd be perfect for the parts you have written," said McGovern.

"You never get them of course. They're often too busy or away on holiday or they hate the script or whatever. But on this occasion, I got them all,...

Sienna Miller donned a Matthew Williamson dress and joined her sister, Savannah Miller, to attend the 2013 BAFTA TV Awards in London yesterday. She was nominated for the leading actress award for her role in The Girl but ultimately lost out to actress Sheridan Smith, who won for her role in Mrs Biggs. Sienna has had a busy week, which started with her attending the 2013 Met Gala last Monday alongside Tom Sturridge and friends Cara Delevingne and Kristen Stewart. Sienna and Cara raised some eyebrows when the model posted a photo of herself kissing Sienna at the Met Gala on Instagram. However, Sienna insisted at the BAFTA TV Awards that the kiss was innocent. She said, "I did not snog Cara! She is like my little sister. In fact she kissed me." Don't forget to vote for your favorite celebrities in our Popsugar 100 bracket! You may even get a chance to win a Victoria Beckham handbag.

Perhaps the biggest surprise at the 2013 TV BAFTAs was how much fun they were. Graham Norton set the tone for the evening, managing to bring some cheekiness and belly laughs to proceedings. His zinger about Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery was our personal favourite of the night.

Norton will have made a few BBC execs squirm and sweat with his Operation Yewtree gags as well. The audience in the hall were treated to an even more risqué set of material from Norton as part of his warm-up, which we won't repeat here to keep our lawyers happy.

> BAFTA TV Awards 2013: Olivia Colman, 'Made in Chelsea' lead winners

> BAFTA Television Awards 2013: Winners in full

The winners list was also packed with a healthy amount of surprises and upsets, which will generate plenty of debate over the coming days. The BBC will no doubt be scratching their heads...

Sheridan Smith had frequent ''meltdowns'' on the set of 'Mrs Biggs' and often told bosses to ''re-cast'' her part. Despite her crippling self-doubt, the 31-year-old beauty picked up the prestigious Leading Actress BAFTA at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards last night (12.05.13) for her titular role in the gripping ITV drama about the wife of the Great Train Robber, Ronnie Biggs, and she paid tribute to her ''supportive'' co-stars and crew. Speaking at the event at London's Royal Festival Hall, the stunning blonde - who beat off competition from Sienna Miller, Anne Reid and Rebecca Hall to win her first...

Olivia Colman led the winners at this year's BAFTA Television Awards this evening (May 12).

E4's Made in Chelsea and Sheridan Smith were also victorious at the ceremony hosted by Graham Norton at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Colman secured the 'Female Performance in a Comedy Programme' award for her role in Twenty Twelve and scooped the 'Supporting Actress' award for Accused - 'Mo's Story'.

Colman took to the stage a total of three times at the ceremony, as Twenty Twelve also won the award for 'Situation Comedy'.

Sheridan Smith won her first ever BAFTA for her role as Charmian Biggs in ITV's Mrs Biggs series. The actress was visibly shocked by her success as she took to the stage in tears.

The cast of Made in Chelsea were present to collect their award for 'Reality and Constructed Factual'. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones won the highly contested 'Radio Times Audience Award'...

Digital Spy presents a list of the winners at this year's Arqiva BAFTA Television Awards, which took place tonight (May 12) at London's Royal Festival Hall:

> BAFTA Television Awards 2013 - red carpet pictures

Leading Actor

Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown) - Winner

Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax

Sean Bean - Accused ('Tracie's Story')

Toby Jones - The Girl

Leading Actress

Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax

Rebecca Hall - Parade's End

Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs - Winner

Sienna Miller - The Girl

Supporting Actor

Peter Capaldi - The Hour

Stephen Graham - Accused ('Tracie's Story')

Harry Lloyd - The Fear

Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV, Part 2 (The Hollow Crown) - Winner

Supporting Actress

Anastasia Hille - The Fear

Imelda Staunton - The Girl

Olivia Colman - Accused ('Mo's Story') - Winner

Sarah Lancashire - Last Tango in Halifax

Entertainment Performance

Alan Carr...

With '2012', 'Accused', 'The Girl' and 'Last Tango In Halifax' all up for four awards tonight, and no 'Sherlock', 'Doctor Who' or even 'Downton Abbey' to steal the limelight, it's all to play for at this year's BAFTA TV Awards ceremony. Here are all the winners, as they happen.

Full nominees list here, Winners In Bold...

Leading Actor

Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story)

Derek Jacobi - Last Tango in Halifax

Toby Jones - The Girl

Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)

Leading Actress

Rebecca Hall - Parade's End

Sienna Miller - The Girl

Anne Reid - Last Tango in Halifax

Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs

Supporting Actor

Peter Capaldi - The Hour

Stephen Graham - Accused (Tracie's Story)

Harry Lloyd - The Fear

Simon Russell Beale - Henry IV Part 2 (The Hollow Crown)

Supporting Actress

Olivia Colman - Accused (Mo's Story)

Anastasia Hille...

BAFTA handed out its TV prizes tonight in London with Olivia Colman taking two awards, one for supporting actress for BBC miniseries Accused and the other as actress in a comedy program for Olympics sitcom Twenty Twelve, which was also named best sitcom. Colman will soon be seen by U.S. audiences in ITV’s recent hit drama Broadchurch. Ben Whishaw was best actor for Neal Street Productions co-production with NBC Universal and Wnet Thirteen/BBC Two, Richard II (Hollow Crown), and top comedy actor was Steve Coogan for Sky Atlantic‘s Welcome To The Places Of My Life. The best drama series was the BBC’s Last Tango In Halifax while HBO‘s Girls was named best international show. Coming into the evening, the BBC and HBO’s Hitchcock film The Girl was among the most nominated programs, but went home empty-handed. Downton Abbey had no nominations. A full...

The awards were handed out on May 12 during a ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall. Read full report here. Drama Series X - Last Tango In Halifax Ripper Street Scott And Bailey Silk Single Drama Everyday The Girl X - Murder Richard II (Hollow Crown) Mini-Series Accused Mrs Biggs Parade's End X - Room At The Top Leading Actress Anne Reid - Last Tango In Halifax Rebecca Hall - Parade's End X - Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs Sienna Miller - The Girl Leading Actor X - Ben Whishaw - Richard II (The Hollow Crown) Derek Jacobi - Last Tango In Halifax Sean Bean - Accused (Tracie's Story) Toby Jones- The Girl Supporting Actress Anastasia Hille - The Fear Imelda Staunton - The Girl X - Olivia Colman - Accused (Mo's Story) Sarah Lancashire - Last Tango In Halifax Supporting Actor Peter Capaldi - The Hour Stephen Graham...

The TV BAFTAs are back this Sunday (May 12) and we're jolly excited. The BAFTAs are the closest that Britain has to its own Emmys, allowing our TV talent to put on their best suits and glad rags and slap each other on the back for a couple of hours.

Graham Norton blends a sharp wit with professionalism as the host, the nominations shortlist pulls off the tricky balance of populist choices with critics' favourites and, most importantly of all, Ant & Dec don't win every single year.

The TV BAFTAs may not always get it right (Towie? Really!), but they take TV seriously and even if they are occasionally a bit stuffy or they get it wrong with a winner, it still gives us a chance to all have a right good row ("So and so was robbed!" "How did that win?!") while sat on our sofas at home.

Who should...

Sheridan Smith has revealed that the prospect of a career in Hollywood "doesn't appeal" to her.

The 31-year-old actress - who has recently starred in Jonathan Creek and ITV's Mrs Biggs - said that she thinks she would miss home too much.

She told Saturday magazine (via Now magazine): "A lot of people try it after being in a big show, like Downton [Abbey].

"That's better, rather than going over to queue for a pilot show. Also everyone's so glam and gorgeous. I'm happy here. It just doesn't appeal. I think I'd hate being away."

Smith admitted that her schedule is "a bit crazy" at the moment.

She explained: "Recently I had to have a spray tan for one job I was working on in Lancaster, then I shot the scenes, got on a train back to London, and had to scrub all the tan off for another job I had the next morning.

Digital Spy presents a list of winners and nominees at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards 2013, hosted by Stephen Mangan from The Brewery in London on Sunday, April 28, 2013:

Breakthrough Talent

Mike Bartlett - The Town

Julie Gearey - Prisoners' Wives

Rhys Thomas - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (Director's Cut)

Tim Whitnall - Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story - Winner

Costume Design

Amy Roberts - Mrs Biggs

Sheena Napier - Parade's End - Winner

Odile Dicks-Mireaux - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)

Lorna Marie Mugan - Ripper Street

Digital Creativity

Steve Boulton, James Rutherford - Channel 4 Paralympics - Winner

Production Team - Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic

Production Team - Foxes Live: Wild in the City

Production Team - The Great British Property Scandal

Director (Factual)

Katharine English - Our War

Ben Chanan - The Plot to Bring Down Britain's Planes - Winner

John Dower...