Exclusive: Julie Anne Robinson, fresh off an Emmy nomination for directing Bridgerton, has optioned Vanessa Riley’s recently released novel Island Queen to develop for television via her UK-based Longboat Pictures production company, with Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh attached to executive produce.
Island Queen is based on the true story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, who was born enslaved, bought her freedom and became one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the early 1800s Caribbean. Longboat Pictures secured the novel at the manuscript stage.
Robinson and Longboat co-founder and former ITV Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea, will executive produce, along with Andoh.
“Vanessa has crafted a groundbreaking and inspiring story that vividly depicts the remarkable life of Dorothy Thomas,” Robinson said. “We are so excited to be bringing it to the screen, and I could not be happier to have this opportunity to continue the collaboration with Adjoa that began on Bridgerton.
Island Queen is based on the true story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, who was born enslaved, bought her freedom and became one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the early 1800s Caribbean. Longboat Pictures secured the novel at the manuscript stage.
Robinson and Longboat co-founder and former ITV Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea, will executive produce, along with Andoh.
“Vanessa has crafted a groundbreaking and inspiring story that vividly depicts the remarkable life of Dorothy Thomas,” Robinson said. “We are so excited to be bringing it to the screen, and I could not be happier to have this opportunity to continue the collaboration with Adjoa that began on Bridgerton.
- 7/15/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC has put in development Eden, a mystery drama written/executive produced by The Brave creator Dean Georgaris, a Latinx family drama written/exec produced by Valentina Garza and a chef comedy written by Jimmy O. Yang & Jeremy Yadegari, with Aseem Batra supervising.
The three projects hail from Julie Anne Robinson’s CannyLads Productions, which also recently sold drama Level to NBC, penned by Sean Finegan. Universal TV, where CannyLads is under a deal, is the studio. Robinson executive produces all projects with CannyLads’ head of development Kelly Pancho. Robinson is also attached to direct the Valentina Garza project, Level and the Yang/Yadegari comedy.
In Georgaris’ Eden, a small team of military and scientists journey above the Arctic Circle to the site of a terrible nuclear accident more than 10 years ago. Their mission: find out how and why the reactor is mysteriously coming back online.
Georgaris executive produces alongside Michael Aguilar.
The three projects hail from Julie Anne Robinson’s CannyLads Productions, which also recently sold drama Level to NBC, penned by Sean Finegan. Universal TV, where CannyLads is under a deal, is the studio. Robinson executive produces all projects with CannyLads’ head of development Kelly Pancho. Robinson is also attached to direct the Valentina Garza project, Level and the Yang/Yadegari comedy.
In Georgaris’ Eden, a small team of military and scientists journey above the Arctic Circle to the site of a terrible nuclear accident more than 10 years ago. Their mission: find out how and why the reactor is mysteriously coming back online.
Georgaris executive produces alongside Michael Aguilar.
- 11/13/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios has taken a minority stake in Longboat Pictures, the UK-based drama producer co-founded by BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated director Julie Anne Robinson and former ITV commissioner Victoria Fea.
The financial details of the deal and the size of the Sky stake were not disclosed. It represents the Comcast-owned company’s second drama investment in recent weeks after it partnered with The Lighthouse, the production outfit established by former BBC Studios drama chiefs Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts.
Sky said the deal will enable Longboat to strengthen and expand its creative team. The producer will work closely with Sky Studios to develop content for Sky channels and other networks.
Longboat was founded in 2018. Robinson developed and executive produced The Catch with Shonda Rhimes, and the NBC series I Feel Bad alongside Amy Poehler. Her director credits include Nurse Jackie and Orange Is The New Black, and...
The financial details of the deal and the size of the Sky stake were not disclosed. It represents the Comcast-owned company’s second drama investment in recent weeks after it partnered with The Lighthouse, the production outfit established by former BBC Studios drama chiefs Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts.
Sky said the deal will enable Longboat to strengthen and expand its creative team. The producer will work closely with Sky Studios to develop content for Sky channels and other networks.
Longboat was founded in 2018. Robinson developed and executive produced The Catch with Shonda Rhimes, and the NBC series I Feel Bad alongside Amy Poehler. Her director credits include Nurse Jackie and Orange Is The New Black, and...
- 5/6/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios has taken a minority stake in new drama producer Longboat Pictures, founded by “Bridgerton” director Julie Anne Robinson and former ITV executive Victoria Fea.
The outfit was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Robinson and ex-itv commissioner Fea. The deal marks the latest investment for Sky Studios, which recently took a minority stake in “Luther” producer Hilary Salmon’s new outfit The Lighthouse, and previously invested in Wendy Darke’s natural history outfit True to Nature.
Under the deal, Sky Studios’ investment will allow Longboat to accelerate growth and expand its creative team. The production outfit will work with Sky Studios to develop content for distribution on the Sky platforms, as well as other networks.
Robinson previously directed both theater and award-winning TV shows in the U.K., before moving to Los Angeles, where her directing credits include “The Good Place,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Grace & Frankie.
The outfit was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Robinson and ex-itv commissioner Fea. The deal marks the latest investment for Sky Studios, which recently took a minority stake in “Luther” producer Hilary Salmon’s new outfit The Lighthouse, and previously invested in Wendy Darke’s natural history outfit True to Nature.
Under the deal, Sky Studios’ investment will allow Longboat to accelerate growth and expand its creative team. The production outfit will work with Sky Studios to develop content for distribution on the Sky platforms, as well as other networks.
Robinson previously directed both theater and award-winning TV shows in the U.K., before moving to Los Angeles, where her directing credits include “The Good Place,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Grace & Frankie.
- 5/6/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios, the production arm of the Comcast-owned European pay TV giant Sky, has bolstered its drama investments for the second time in under a month, taking a minority stake in the new TV-focused production outfit Longboat Pictures.
Longboat was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Julie Anne Robinson, a Shondaland grad who executive produced The Catch and has directed episodes of OrangeIis the New Black, The Good Place and Grey's Anatomy, and Victoria Fea, who spent eight years as senior drama commissioner for ITV, where she was behind series such as A Confession, Manhunt and Little Boy Blue.
The deal — which will enable ...
Longboat was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Julie Anne Robinson, a Shondaland grad who executive produced The Catch and has directed episodes of OrangeIis the New Black, The Good Place and Grey's Anatomy, and Victoria Fea, who spent eight years as senior drama commissioner for ITV, where she was behind series such as A Confession, Manhunt and Little Boy Blue.
The deal — which will enable ...
Excluisve: Julie Anne Robinson has set up five projects — three dramas — through her CannyLads production company. They include hourlong Snap at Fox, from Whiskey Cavalier creator David Hemingson; Love And… at NBC, from Greek creator Sean Smith; and The Bunker at NBC, from graphic novelist and writer Joshua Hale Fialkov; as well as single-camera half-hours The Park at NBC, from A. P. Bio creator Mike O’Brien & Shelly Gossman; and Post Office, also at NBC, from writer Amy Hubbs.
All five projects hail from Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios. They stem from the new first-look deal BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated director Robinson inked at the studio in July. She is executive producing and attached to direct all five, with CannyLads Head of Development Kelly Pancho co-executive producing.
Snap, which has a script commitment plus penalty, is co-production between between Universal TV and Fox Entertainment.
All five projects hail from Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios. They stem from the new first-look deal BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated director Robinson inked at the studio in July. She is executive producing and attached to direct all five, with CannyLads Head of Development Kelly Pancho co-executive producing.
Snap, which has a script commitment plus penalty, is co-production between between Universal TV and Fox Entertainment.
- 11/13/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated director Julie Anne Robinson is staying put at Universal Television, renewing her first-look deal with the studio for two more years. Under the pact, Robinson will develop and executive produce through her CannyLads scripted and will direct projects for all platforms. At CannyLads, Robinson will continue to be joined by Head of Development Kelly Pancho.
“As a producer, Julie Anne’s eye for unexpected source material and her tenacity throughout the creative process consistently yields results,” said Jim Donnelly, Universal Television Evp of Comedy Development and Erin Underhill, Evp of Drama Development. “And as a director, she always deliverers pilots with a distinctive look and feel that stand out from the rest.”
Robinson developed and executive produced The Catch with Shonda Rhimes, and the NBC series I Feel Bad alongside Amy Poehler. Most recently, she directed the comedy pilot Like Magic for NBC, which she also developed.
“As a producer, Julie Anne’s eye for unexpected source material and her tenacity throughout the creative process consistently yields results,” said Jim Donnelly, Universal Television Evp of Comedy Development and Erin Underhill, Evp of Drama Development. “And as a director, she always deliverers pilots with a distinctive look and feel that stand out from the rest.”
Robinson developed and executive produced The Catch with Shonda Rhimes, and the NBC series I Feel Bad alongside Amy Poehler. Most recently, she directed the comedy pilot Like Magic for NBC, which she also developed.
- 7/23/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s something comforting about the predictability of a period piece novel adaptation in the Masterpiece Theater tradition. Knowing the story, or even just the rhythms of the genre, there are rarely many surprises. The women will toss off witticisms and cry careful, pretty tears; the men will steel their jaws and declare their love, ideally after reluctantly falling for a woman they hadn’t considered before. There will be romance, heartbreak, births, deaths. Even when it’s not a great adaptation, it’s at least familiar, and that can go a long way.
“Vanity Fair” is counting on just such leniency. It’s neither terrible nor amazing, but at the very least, it’s efficient.
In seven episodes spanning years of social climbing, devastating warfare, and undulating class dynamics, this latest version of William Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” enlists a game cast to follow Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke), an...
“Vanity Fair” is counting on just such leniency. It’s neither terrible nor amazing, but at the very least, it’s efficient.
In seven episodes spanning years of social climbing, devastating warfare, and undulating class dynamics, this latest version of William Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” enlists a game cast to follow Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke), an...
- 12/14/2018
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
British broadcaster ITV and Death in Paradise producer Red Planet Pictures are developing a family drama from newcomer writer Devin Doyle after he won their talent discovery scheme.
Dublin-based writer Doyle won the Red Planet Prize 2018, which is run by Tony Jordan’s production company and the commercial network and will now work with the two firms to develop his project Devoted Wife and Mother. The award is intended to recognize talented writers who can create “fresh, original and inspiring popular drama” projects.
Doyle’s Devoted Wife and Mother script follows a woman as she has her life turned upside down when her debt dealing husband is kidnapped with a £500,000 ransom deadline for 5pm that day. He will work closely with Kate Rowland to develop the project; Rowland has previously worked with writers including Lee Hall (War Horse), Stephen Butchard (The Child in Time) and Sarah Phelps (And Then There Were None).
“I’m excited,...
Dublin-based writer Doyle won the Red Planet Prize 2018, which is run by Tony Jordan’s production company and the commercial network and will now work with the two firms to develop his project Devoted Wife and Mother. The award is intended to recognize talented writers who can create “fresh, original and inspiring popular drama” projects.
Doyle’s Devoted Wife and Mother script follows a woman as she has her life turned upside down when her debt dealing husband is kidnapped with a £500,000 ransom deadline for 5pm that day. He will work closely with Kate Rowland to develop the project; Rowland has previously worked with writers including Lee Hall (War Horse), Stephen Butchard (The Child in Time) and Sarah Phelps (And Then There Were None).
“I’m excited,...
- 9/24/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Tech giants’ production spend predicted to overtake traditional players.
David Abraham has suggested that more UK content could be produced for the FAANGs than the public service broadcasters (PSBs) in just three to five years’ time.
Speaking at the Rts London Conference, the former Channel 4 chief executive outlined a scenario in the medium term when Amazon and Netflix have doubled their current spend with UK producers and Apple will be where Netflix currently is.
In the meantime, he said, the PSBs have a “three-to-five-year period where their relationship with audiences can evolve”.
“iPlayer, ITV Hub and All4 were all...
David Abraham has suggested that more UK content could be produced for the FAANGs than the public service broadcasters (PSBs) in just three to five years’ time.
Speaking at the Rts London Conference, the former Channel 4 chief executive outlined a scenario in the medium term when Amazon and Netflix have doubled their current spend with UK producers and Apple will be where Netflix currently is.
In the meantime, he said, the PSBs have a “three-to-five-year period where their relationship with audiences can evolve”.
“iPlayer, ITV Hub and All4 were all...
- 9/18/2018
- by Max Goldbart Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Harlots Commissioner Victoria Fea has established a new production company with The Catch producer and Orange Is The New Black director Julie Anne Robinson after leaving British broadcaster ITV.
The pair have established Blue Jar Pictures, backed by entrepreneur David Wong, to produce “mainstream” series for U.S. and UK networks.
Fea, who has also commissioned series including Anna Friel-fronted crime drama Marcella, period drama Victoria and cop drama Unforgotten, has been with the broadcaster for eight years. She joined from Line Of Duty producer World Productions, where she worked on series including BBC drama Waking The Dead.
Robinson will continue to run her Canny Lads Productions shingle, which signed a two-year overall deal with Universal TV in May 2017. She has recently sold a number of projects including high-stakes crime drama Capital with Carol Mendelsohn and a political murder mystery drama with The Art of More creator Chuck Rose,...
The pair have established Blue Jar Pictures, backed by entrepreneur David Wong, to produce “mainstream” series for U.S. and UK networks.
Fea, who has also commissioned series including Anna Friel-fronted crime drama Marcella, period drama Victoria and cop drama Unforgotten, has been with the broadcaster for eight years. She joined from Line Of Duty producer World Productions, where she worked on series including BBC drama Waking The Dead.
Robinson will continue to run her Canny Lads Productions shingle, which signed a two-year overall deal with Universal TV in May 2017. She has recently sold a number of projects including high-stakes crime drama Capital with Carol Mendelsohn and a political murder mystery drama with The Art of More creator Chuck Rose,...
- 9/13/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Fox (Lewis) and Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) are joining the third season of ITV’s hit royals drama Victoria (first look pictured), with filming now underway in the UK.
Produced by Mammoth Screen as a co-production with Masterpiece, and created by writer and producer Daisy Goodwin, the new series sees Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) reprise her role as the eponymous young Queen, alongside Tom Hughes (Paula) as Prince Albert. Fox will play charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora.
Also joining the cast are actor and comedian John Sessions (The Loch) as Prime Minister John Russell, Lily Travers (Kingsman) as the Duchess of Monmouth, Nicholas Audsley (The White Princess), David Burnett (The Mummy) and Emily Forbes (Endeavour).
Starting in 1848, the third installment of the period drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on...
Produced by Mammoth Screen as a co-production with Masterpiece, and created by writer and producer Daisy Goodwin, the new series sees Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) reprise her role as the eponymous young Queen, alongside Tom Hughes (Paula) as Prince Albert. Fox will play charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora.
Also joining the cast are actor and comedian John Sessions (The Loch) as Prime Minister John Russell, Lily Travers (Kingsman) as the Duchess of Monmouth, Nicholas Audsley (The White Princess), David Burnett (The Mummy) and Emily Forbes (Endeavour).
Starting in 1848, the third installment of the period drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on...
- 5/21/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ready Player One star lines up alongside Johnny Flynn and Michael Palin in Thackeray adaptation.
Vanity Fair, the adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, has pre-sold into eight territories at Miptv.
Deals have been struck for Australia (BBC First), New Zealand (Tvnz), Spain (Movistar+), Canada (CBC), the Netherlands (Npo 2), Sweden (Svt), Norway (Nrk) and Finland (Yle).
Produced by Mammoth Screen (Poldark) and Amazon Studios (who produced the upcoming BBC version of King Lear), the series stars Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) as heroine Becky Sharp, who navigates through the pitfalls of early 19th century British society.
Vanity Fair, the adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, has pre-sold into eight territories at Miptv.
Deals have been struck for Australia (BBC First), New Zealand (Tvnz), Spain (Movistar+), Canada (CBC), the Netherlands (Npo 2), Sweden (Svt), Norway (Nrk) and Finland (Yle).
Produced by Mammoth Screen (Poldark) and Amazon Studios (who produced the upcoming BBC version of King Lear), the series stars Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) as heroine Becky Sharp, who navigates through the pitfalls of early 19th century British society.
- 4/9/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Ready Player One star lines up alongside Johnny Flynn and Michael Palin in Thackeray adaptation.
Vanity Fair, the adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, has pre-sold into eight territories at Miptv.
Deals have been struck for Australia (BBC First), New Zealand (Tvnz), Spain (Movistar+), Canada (CBC), the Netherlands (Npo 2), Sweden (Svt), Norway (Nrk) and Finland (Yle).
Produced by Mammoth Screen (Poldark) and Amazon Studios (who produced the upcoming BBC version of King Lear), the series stars Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) as heroine Becky Sharp, who navigates through the pitfalls of early 19th century British society.
Vanity Fair, the adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, has pre-sold into eight territories at Miptv.
Deals have been struck for Australia (BBC First), New Zealand (Tvnz), Spain (Movistar+), Canada (CBC), the Netherlands (Npo 2), Sweden (Svt), Norway (Nrk) and Finland (Yle).
Produced by Mammoth Screen (Poldark) and Amazon Studios (who produced the upcoming BBC version of King Lear), the series stars Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) as heroine Becky Sharp, who navigates through the pitfalls of early 19th century British society.
- 4/9/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Adrian Lester to judge entered script ideas.
ITV Drama is partnering with UK indie TV outfit Red Planet Pictures (Life On Mars) on its annual scriptwriting competition.
Source: Red Planet Pictures
Life On Mars
The Red Planet Prize will offer script development opportunities with ITV to one emerging UK writer.
Ten shortlisted finalists will be invited to a pitching masterclass with Red Planet CEO Tony Jordan, ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill and senior drama commissioner Victoria Fea, and actor Adrian Lester.
Candidates will then be asked to write ten pages of their original series idea, with the strongest pitches being further developed and then a final four being invited to a final interview.
Kate Rowland, founder of the BBC Writersroom, will work with the winning screenwriter to further develop their project.
Previous finalists of the Red Planet Prize include Robert Thorogood, who has since created the BBC One series Death In Paradise.
Tony Jordan commented:...
ITV Drama is partnering with UK indie TV outfit Red Planet Pictures (Life On Mars) on its annual scriptwriting competition.
Source: Red Planet Pictures
Life On Mars
The Red Planet Prize will offer script development opportunities with ITV to one emerging UK writer.
Ten shortlisted finalists will be invited to a pitching masterclass with Red Planet CEO Tony Jordan, ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill and senior drama commissioner Victoria Fea, and actor Adrian Lester.
Candidates will then be asked to write ten pages of their original series idea, with the strongest pitches being further developed and then a final four being invited to a final interview.
Kate Rowland, founder of the BBC Writersroom, will work with the winning screenwriter to further develop their project.
Previous finalists of the Red Planet Prize include Robert Thorogood, who has since created the BBC One series Death In Paradise.
Tony Jordan commented:...
- 12/20/2017
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Adrian Lester to judge entered script ideas.
ITV Drama is partnering with UK indie TV outfit Red Planet Pictures (Life On Mars) on its annual scriptwriting competition.
Source: Red Planet Pictures
Life On Mars
The Red Planet Prize will offer script development opportunities with ITV to one emerging UK writer.
Ten shortlisted finalists will be invited to a pitching masterclass with Red Planet CEO Tony Jordan, ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill and senior drama commissioner Victoria Fea, and actor Adrian Lester.
Candidates will then be asked to write ten pages of their original series idea, with the strongest pitches being further developed and then a final four being invited to a final interview.
Kate Rowland, founder of the BBC Writersroom, will work with the winning screenwriter to further develop their project.
Previous finalists of the Red Planet Prize include Robert Thorogood, who has since created the BBC One series Death In Paradise.
ITV Drama is partnering with UK indie TV outfit Red Planet Pictures (Life On Mars) on its annual scriptwriting competition.
Source: Red Planet Pictures
Life On Mars
The Red Planet Prize will offer script development opportunities with ITV to one emerging UK writer.
Ten shortlisted finalists will be invited to a pitching masterclass with Red Planet CEO Tony Jordan, ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill and senior drama commissioner Victoria Fea, and actor Adrian Lester.
Candidates will then be asked to write ten pages of their original series idea, with the strongest pitches being further developed and then a final four being invited to a final interview.
Kate Rowland, founder of the BBC Writersroom, will work with the winning screenwriter to further develop their project.
Previous finalists of the Red Planet Prize include Robert Thorogood, who has since created the BBC One series Death In Paradise.
- 12/20/2017
- by Tom Grater
- Screen Daily Test
ITV has commissioned a new six-part drama series written by Simon Nye.
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's trilogy of Corfu memoirs that includes My Family and Other Animals.
"Gerald Durrell's novels are some of the warmest, wittiest books of the last century," said executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle.
"It is no wonder they are so well loved. It is a real treat to be working on them with the brilliant Simon Nye. I hope that his obvious love of the characters and the material will be hugely infectious."
The series has been commissioned by ITV's director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.
November said: "The Durrells is a rollercoaster adventure drama. The characters are struggling with the eternal dilemmas of family life when Louisa sets her heart on moving to Corfu.
"It's a unique and engaging drama and we're delighted to be...
The Durrells is based upon Gerald Durrell's trilogy of Corfu memoirs that includes My Family and Other Animals.
"Gerald Durrell's novels are some of the warmest, wittiest books of the last century," said executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle.
"It is no wonder they are so well loved. It is a real treat to be working on them with the brilliant Simon Nye. I hope that his obvious love of the characters and the material will be hugely infectious."
The series has been commissioned by ITV's director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.
November said: "The Durrells is a rollercoaster adventure drama. The characters are struggling with the eternal dilemmas of family life when Louisa sets her heart on moving to Corfu.
"It's a unique and engaging drama and we're delighted to be...
- 6/18/2015
- Digital Spy
Joanne Froggatt will lead a brand new ITV drama based on the true story of serial killer Mary Ann Cotton.
The Downton Abbey star will play the Victorian poisoner in the two-part series.
At first a loving wife and mother, Mary Ann struggles with poverty and caring for her ailing husband, and soon becomes ruthless to pursue her desires and a better life.
Mary Ann's methods leave no visible scars on the victims, allowing her to remain unsuspected for a long time in a Victorian society unable to believe that a woman would be capable of such crimes.
Through adultery, bigamy, fraud and murder, Mary Ann makes a better life for herself but runs the risk of eventually being caught.
ITV's controller of drama Victoria Fea said: "Dark Angel is an extraordinary and chilling true story.
"We're delighted to have an actress of Joanne Froggatt's calibre in the lead role.
The Downton Abbey star will play the Victorian poisoner in the two-part series.
At first a loving wife and mother, Mary Ann struggles with poverty and caring for her ailing husband, and soon becomes ruthless to pursue her desires and a better life.
Mary Ann's methods leave no visible scars on the victims, allowing her to remain unsuspected for a long time in a Victorian society unable to believe that a woman would be capable of such crimes.
Through adultery, bigamy, fraud and murder, Mary Ann makes a better life for herself but runs the risk of eventually being caught.
ITV's controller of drama Victoria Fea said: "Dark Angel is an extraordinary and chilling true story.
"We're delighted to have an actress of Joanne Froggatt's calibre in the lead role.
- 6/5/2015
- Digital Spy
He’s faced off against many movie characters over the years, including an army of Orcs and James Bond, and soon prolific actor Sean Bean will face another formidable foe in The Frankenstein Chronicles, a six-part miniseries set to air on ITV Encore. Bean will play Inspector John Marlott in the 1800’s-set show, a man assigned to capture a killer who melds body parts together in a manner reminiscent of Victor Frankenstein.
Press Release - “ITV today confirmed commission of The Frankenstein Chronicles, a thrilling and terrifying re-imagining of the Frankenstein myth as a six-part period crime drama to be produced by Rainmark Films.
Incorporating elements from the investigative and horror genres with an extraordinary hero at its centre, Inspector John Marlott, played by multi-awarding winning leading actor Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Accused) will be taken on a terrifying journey in pursuit of a chilling and diabolical foe.
Press Release - “ITV today confirmed commission of The Frankenstein Chronicles, a thrilling and terrifying re-imagining of the Frankenstein myth as a six-part period crime drama to be produced by Rainmark Films.
Incorporating elements from the investigative and horror genres with an extraordinary hero at its centre, Inspector John Marlott, played by multi-awarding winning leading actor Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Accused) will be taken on a terrifying journey in pursuit of a chilling and diabolical foe.
- 11/17/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Sheridan Smith will star in new ITV drama Black Work.
The Cilla actress will play Jo Gillespie in the "riveting thriller" from writer Matt Charman.
The three-part story follows Smith's character as she sets out to discover who murdered her husband Ryan, an undercover policeman who was shot dead in mysterious circumstances.
Jo, who also works as a police officer, must face the difficult truth about her marriage as she continues with her investigation. She is wracked with guilt following her attachment to one of Ryan's colleagues.
The drama will also explore Jo's strained relationships with her daughter and stepson in the wake of Ryan's death.
Charman said: "Sheridan Smith is a dream to write for because as an actress there's really nothing she can't do.
"And Black Work is a story that pushes her to the limit - it makes her character Jo Gillespie doubt herself, her family, her friends,...
The Cilla actress will play Jo Gillespie in the "riveting thriller" from writer Matt Charman.
The three-part story follows Smith's character as she sets out to discover who murdered her husband Ryan, an undercover policeman who was shot dead in mysterious circumstances.
Jo, who also works as a police officer, must face the difficult truth about her marriage as she continues with her investigation. She is wracked with guilt following her attachment to one of Ryan's colleagues.
The drama will also explore Jo's strained relationships with her daughter and stepson in the wake of Ryan's death.
Charman said: "Sheridan Smith is a dream to write for because as an actress there's really nothing she can't do.
"And Black Work is a story that pushes her to the limit - it makes her character Jo Gillespie doubt herself, her family, her friends,...
- 8/15/2014
- Digital Spy
Claire Goose has been cast in new drama 'Undeniable'. The former 'Casualty' star will play the part of Jane Fielding, a woman who recognises her mother's murderer 23 years after the crime and is determined to bring them to justice, in the new two-part ITV drama, which has been billed as a ''gripping thriller''. Peter Firth will star alongside Claire as Andrew Bolton, the focus of Jane's attention and the prime suspect for a murder inquiry that has remained unsolved for nearly three decades. Victoria Fea, Director of Drama and Drama Controller for ITV, said: ''Chris Lang's scripts are vivid and compelling,...
- 11/1/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Claire Goose and Peter Firth will lead the cast of the exciting new ITV thriller Undeniable.
The two-parter is written by Chris Lang (A Mother's Son, The Reckoning) and will also star Felix Scott (Doc Martin), Christina Bottomley (Dci Banks) and Pippa Haywood (Scott & Bailey).
The story revolves around Jane Fielding (Goose), who recognises the man who killed her mother 23 years after the murder took place.
Andrew Bolton (Firth) becomes the focus of the reopened murder inquiry and the centre of attention for Fielding.
The press release reveals: "Jane remains defiant. In her heart she believes she's found the man who killed her mother decades earlier. Can she finally learn the truth about who killed her mother, and why?"
ITV's Victoria Fea said: "Undeniable is an original and powerful drama about a women's battle to see the man responsible for her mother's murder brought to justice.
"Chris Lang's scripts are vivid and compelling,...
The two-parter is written by Chris Lang (A Mother's Son, The Reckoning) and will also star Felix Scott (Doc Martin), Christina Bottomley (Dci Banks) and Pippa Haywood (Scott & Bailey).
The story revolves around Jane Fielding (Goose), who recognises the man who killed her mother 23 years after the murder took place.
Andrew Bolton (Firth) becomes the focus of the reopened murder inquiry and the centre of attention for Fielding.
The press release reveals: "Jane remains defiant. In her heart she believes she's found the man who killed her mother decades earlier. Can she finally learn the truth about who killed her mother, and why?"
ITV's Victoria Fea said: "Undeniable is an original and powerful drama about a women's battle to see the man responsible for her mother's murder brought to justice.
"Chris Lang's scripts are vivid and compelling,...
- 11/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Martin Clunes is set to star in new ITV drama 'A Mother's Son'. The 50-year-old actor will be joined by Hermione Norris and Paul McGann in the Chris Lang-written series, which will take place over two 60 minute episodes. The story is set around the murder of a teenage schoolgirl in Suffolk and members of the community who are connected to it. Revealing details of the story, ITV Drama Commissioning team member Victoria Fea said: '''A Mother's Son' is the story of an ordinary mother tormented by her suspicions and thoughts that her son maybe capable of murder. ''She's confronted...
- 5/11/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
London -- ITV Worldwide president and managing director Peter Iacono is thought to be among more than 50 top managers at the broadcaster who began redundancy talks Thursday, following the news that it will cull 600 jobs to cut costs.
A spokesman for ITV confirmed that 51 of the network's 171 top managers are expected to leave the organization, but would not comment on any particular executives, saying only that consultation processes have begun.
Other executives thought to be on their way out include daytime head Adam McDonald, drama commissioner Victoria Fea and award-winning producer Sita Williams.
ITV staffers have been left reeling as redundancy consultations began Thursday, with job losses expected across broadcasting, program sales, drama production and the sports department as well as back-office operations.
"It's a very tense time here now," said one insider who has been tapped for redundancy.
Iacono, a well-liked executive, was hired to join ITV 15 months ago...
A spokesman for ITV confirmed that 51 of the network's 171 top managers are expected to leave the organization, but would not comment on any particular executives, saying only that consultation processes have begun.
Other executives thought to be on their way out include daytime head Adam McDonald, drama commissioner Victoria Fea and award-winning producer Sita Williams.
ITV staffers have been left reeling as redundancy consultations began Thursday, with job losses expected across broadcasting, program sales, drama production and the sports department as well as back-office operations.
"It's a very tense time here now," said one insider who has been tapped for redundancy.
Iacono, a well-liked executive, was hired to join ITV 15 months ago...
- 3/5/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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