The actor, who has starred in everything from sitcoms to Shakespeare, talks about his family rows over Brexit, having his phone hacked – and why he did not want to be like Laurence Olivier
Robert Lindsay was sitting on the set of The Fever Syndrome at London’s Hampstead theatre, having his photo taken. Instantly recognisable everywhere since his stupidly handsome days – playing the eponymous Marxist in the BBC’s sitcom Citizen Smith from 1977 to 1980 – his face nevertheless, at 72, has an unexpected quality. It’s craggier than you remember, and much more relaxed than you’d expect. Content, even.
The Fever Syndrome is a family drama set in New York, where the adult children of an eminent IVF scientist are congregating in his creaky brownstone to have a number of things out. It’s a powerful, moving work – “in the audience, every night, we’ve had people sobbing” – of which he...
Robert Lindsay was sitting on the set of The Fever Syndrome at London’s Hampstead theatre, having his photo taken. Instantly recognisable everywhere since his stupidly handsome days – playing the eponymous Marxist in the BBC’s sitcom Citizen Smith from 1977 to 1980 – his face nevertheless, at 72, has an unexpected quality. It’s craggier than you remember, and much more relaxed than you’d expect. Content, even.
The Fever Syndrome is a family drama set in New York, where the adult children of an eminent IVF scientist are congregating in his creaky brownstone to have a number of things out. It’s a powerful, moving work – “in the audience, every night, we’ve had people sobbing” – of which he...
- 4/19/2022
- by Zoe Williams
- The Guardian - Film News
Actor Peter Vaughan, best known for his performances as Maester Aemon on “Game of Thrones” and Harry “Grouty” Grout on the BBC sitcom “Porridge,” has died at the age of 93. According to his agent Sally Long-Innes, Vaughan passed away “at approximately 10:30 this morning” and “died peacefully with his family around him.”
Read More: Review: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Episode 7 ‘The Gift’ Doesn’t Bounce Back From Last Week’s Trauma
The actor began his career at the Wolverhampton Repertory theater company before joining the army during World War II where he served as an officer in Normandy, Belgium and then later, the Far East. After the war, he returned to the stage where he played a bevy of roles for many years.
His first film performance was in Ralph Thomas’ 1959 film “The 39 Steps,” a loose remake of the Alfred Hitchcock film by the same name, but his first lead...
Read More: Review: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Episode 7 ‘The Gift’ Doesn’t Bounce Back From Last Week’s Trauma
The actor began his career at the Wolverhampton Repertory theater company before joining the army during World War II where he served as an officer in Normandy, Belgium and then later, the Far East. After the war, he returned to the stage where he played a bevy of roles for many years.
His first film performance was in Ralph Thomas’ 1959 film “The 39 Steps,” a loose remake of the Alfred Hitchcock film by the same name, but his first lead...
- 12/6/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Peter Vaughan, best known for his role as Maester Aemon on Game of Thrones, has passed away. He was 93.
The actor’s agent confirmed the news on Tuesday morning, with a statement published to Deadline indicating that he died peacefully surrounded by his family. A cause of death is unknown at this time.
Vaughan appeared in nearly a dozen episodes during the first five seasons of GoT, portraying the blind maester of the Night’s Watch. His other TV credits included BBC sitcoms Porridge and Citizen Smith, as well as the ITV drama Chancer, starring opposite a young Clive Owen.
The actor’s agent confirmed the news on Tuesday morning, with a statement published to Deadline indicating that he died peacefully surrounded by his family. A cause of death is unknown at this time.
Vaughan appeared in nearly a dozen episodes during the first five seasons of GoT, portraying the blind maester of the Night’s Watch. His other TV credits included BBC sitcoms Porridge and Citizen Smith, as well as the ITV drama Chancer, starring opposite a young Clive Owen.
- 12/6/2016
- TVLine.com
Peter Vaughan, known to legions of Game of Thrones fans as Maester Aemon in the HBO series, has died at the age of 93.
His agent Sally Long-Innes confirmed the news Tuesday.
"This is to confirm that very sadly Peter Vaughan passed away at approximately 10.30 this morning," she said. "He died peacefully with his family around him."
Vaughan was a veteran of British TV, starring in shows including Citizen Smith, Chancer, Our Friends in the North and Silk. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as the feared Grouty in the prison-based comedy series Porridge. He also played Aemon Targaryen, Maester of the...
His agent Sally Long-Innes confirmed the news Tuesday.
"This is to confirm that very sadly Peter Vaughan passed away at approximately 10.30 this morning," she said. "He died peacefully with his family around him."
Vaughan was a veteran of British TV, starring in shows including Citizen Smith, Chancer, Our Friends in the North and Silk. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as the feared Grouty in the prison-based comedy series Porridge. He also played Aemon Targaryen, Maester of the...
- 12/6/2016
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Louisa Mellor Dec 6, 2016
Veteran British actor Peter Vaughan, most recognised in recent years for playing Maester Aemon in Game Of Thrones, has died...
Some sad news. Veteran British actor Peter Vaughan, whose screen career stretched from the 1950s until 2015, has passed away at the age of ninety-three. His agent's announcement confirmed that he died peacefully at home this morning with his family around him.
Vaughan's most recent television role was as Maester Aemon in HBO's Game Of Thrones, a series he left just last year and on which he was a favourite of both the showrunners and recurring co-star Kit Harington for the breadth of his experience and anecdotes.
Peter Vaughan's acting career spanned a remarkable seven decades and included roles for which he will be fondly remembered, including that of Harry 'Grouty' Grout in Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' BBC sitcom Porridge. He also brought several literary...
Veteran British actor Peter Vaughan, most recognised in recent years for playing Maester Aemon in Game Of Thrones, has died...
Some sad news. Veteran British actor Peter Vaughan, whose screen career stretched from the 1950s until 2015, has passed away at the age of ninety-three. His agent's announcement confirmed that he died peacefully at home this morning with his family around him.
Vaughan's most recent television role was as Maester Aemon in HBO's Game Of Thrones, a series he left just last year and on which he was a favourite of both the showrunners and recurring co-star Kit Harington for the breadth of his experience and anecdotes.
Peter Vaughan's acting career spanned a remarkable seven decades and included roles for which he will be fondly remembered, including that of Harry 'Grouty' Grout in Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' BBC sitcom Porridge. He also brought several literary...
- 12/6/2016
- Den of Geek
Louisa Mellor Nov 22, 2016
Tony Robinson’s revisionist Robin Hood children’s comedy series, out now on limited edition DVD, was a hoot…
In the mid-eighties, my teenage sister amused herself by teaching me to say “a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle”. Not being a six-year-old well-versed in the rhetorical techniques of social emancipation, I didn’t get it. (I’d seen a flea circus; why mightn’t fish find a use for bikes?) My feminist awakening was obviously going to have to wait.
See related DC Comics movies: upcoming UK release dates calendar Batman V Superman: where does it leave the Justice League? Batman V Superman: Michael Shannon fell asleep watching it Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
But not long, it turned out. One copy of Babette Cole’s Princess Smartypants picked from the Year Three reading table later and I was feeling pretty woke.
Tony Robinson’s revisionist Robin Hood children’s comedy series, out now on limited edition DVD, was a hoot…
In the mid-eighties, my teenage sister amused herself by teaching me to say “a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle”. Not being a six-year-old well-versed in the rhetorical techniques of social emancipation, I didn’t get it. (I’d seen a flea circus; why mightn’t fish find a use for bikes?) My feminist awakening was obviously going to have to wait.
See related DC Comics movies: upcoming UK release dates calendar Batman V Superman: where does it leave the Justice League? Batman V Superman: Michael Shannon fell asleep watching it Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
But not long, it turned out. One copy of Babette Cole’s Princess Smartypants picked from the Year Three reading table later and I was feeling pretty woke.
- 11/21/2016
- Den of Geek
Louisa Mellor Oct 14, 2016
Dave’s first original sitcom by Baby Cow Productions sees The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley zapped to a fantasy dimension...
Having brought Red Dwarf out of retirement in 2009 successfully enough to keep it out, Dave has taken another punt on scripted comedy. A cautious punt, you might say, on the basis of short three-part series Zapped.
See related Sherlock series 4 trailer breakdown Sherlock series 4: first 2 episode titles revealed Sherlock: an on-screen history of series 4's Culverton Smith
You can understand the timid approach. Until Yonderland, fantasy sitcom has been a rough business. It’s pricy and niche, at least on TV. BBC Two’s Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire cost a packet in comparison to most half-hour comedies, and failed to cross over from fantasy fans to a mainstream audience.
Radio has seen the most successful examples, from Anil Gupta’s Elvenquest to...
Dave’s first original sitcom by Baby Cow Productions sees The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley zapped to a fantasy dimension...
Having brought Red Dwarf out of retirement in 2009 successfully enough to keep it out, Dave has taken another punt on scripted comedy. A cautious punt, you might say, on the basis of short three-part series Zapped.
See related Sherlock series 4 trailer breakdown Sherlock series 4: first 2 episode titles revealed Sherlock: an on-screen history of series 4's Culverton Smith
You can understand the timid approach. Until Yonderland, fantasy sitcom has been a rough business. It’s pricy and niche, at least on TV. BBC Two’s Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire cost a packet in comparison to most half-hour comedies, and failed to cross over from fantasy fans to a mainstream audience.
Radio has seen the most successful examples, from Anil Gupta’s Elvenquest to...
- 10/14/2016
- Den of Geek
Citizen Smith will not be returning to our screens, despite actor Robert Lindsay hyping up a possible comeback for Wolfie.
Lindsay told The Independent that the rise of Jeremy Corbyn to hot favourite to lead the Labour Party had inspired talk of a reboot.
However, the family of the show's creator John Sullivan have rejected any plans to bring back the hit BBC sitcom.
"These stories are news to us - and we own the rights to the series," said Jim Sullivan of Shazam Productions.
"It's not the first time that people have suggested bringing the series back but that is not something we would want to do.
"Every episode of Citizen Smith was written by Dad - all the lines, ideas and plots were his.
"As we have said about Only Fools and Horses, the show only ever had one writer and it is going to stay that way.
Lindsay told The Independent that the rise of Jeremy Corbyn to hot favourite to lead the Labour Party had inspired talk of a reboot.
However, the family of the show's creator John Sullivan have rejected any plans to bring back the hit BBC sitcom.
"These stories are news to us - and we own the rights to the series," said Jim Sullivan of Shazam Productions.
"It's not the first time that people have suggested bringing the series back but that is not something we would want to do.
"Every episode of Citizen Smith was written by Dad - all the lines, ideas and plots were his.
"As we have said about Only Fools and Horses, the show only ever had one writer and it is going to stay that way.
- 9/11/2015
- Digital Spy
Robert Lindsay has confirmed he is in talks to reprise his role as Wolfie in 'Citizen Smith'. The 'My Family' star was approached by a production house who are keen to bring back the popular BBC sitcom, which had four series from 1977 to 1980 and he thinks it's a ''fantastic idea'' for his socialite character to return as a politician running for the Labour Party. He revealed: ''There are moves afoot in the industry to bring Citizen Smith back with some respected figures that I very much admire. ''I've been chased by a production company which is very much trying to...
- 9/11/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Robert Lindsay has confirmed he is in talks to reprise his role as Wolfie in 'Citizen Smith'. The 'My Family' star was approached by a production house who are keen to bring back the popular BBC sitcom, which had four series from 1977 to 1980 and he thinks it's a ''fantastic idea'' for his socialite character to return as a politician running for the Labour Party. He revealed: ''There are moves afoot in the industry to bring Citizen Smith back with some respected figures that I very much admire. ''I've been chased by a production company which is very much trying to...
- 9/8/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
House of Cards
Kieran Kinsella
David Croft
If you write a list of your 10 favorite British TV sitcom characters, probably half of them were created by comic genius David Croft. His creations include Mr Humphries (Are You Being Served?), Sergeant Major ‘Shut up’ Williams (It Ain’t Half Hot Mum) Herr Flick (Allo, Allo) and Corporal Jones (Dad’s Army). Like many great comedy writers, Croft collaborated with others including Jimmy Perry and David Floyd. Few writers though could match his creativity or career longevity. Such was Croft’s popularity that he was a regular guest on the British TV convention circuit right up until his death at the age of 89.
Paul Abbott
BAFTA and Emmy winning writer Paul Abbott, rose from humble origins to become one of the most successful writers in British TV history. His hard-hitting dramas are far removed from the idyllic world of Marple and Midsomer Murders.
Kieran Kinsella
David Croft
If you write a list of your 10 favorite British TV sitcom characters, probably half of them were created by comic genius David Croft. His creations include Mr Humphries (Are You Being Served?), Sergeant Major ‘Shut up’ Williams (It Ain’t Half Hot Mum) Herr Flick (Allo, Allo) and Corporal Jones (Dad’s Army). Like many great comedy writers, Croft collaborated with others including Jimmy Perry and David Floyd. Few writers though could match his creativity or career longevity. Such was Croft’s popularity that he was a regular guest on the British TV convention circuit right up until his death at the age of 89.
Paul Abbott
BAFTA and Emmy winning writer Paul Abbott, rose from humble origins to become one of the most successful writers in British TV history. His hard-hitting dramas are far removed from the idyllic world of Marple and Midsomer Murders.
- 7/31/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Hayley Atwell
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media are providing some much needed relief to those of us who are still upset about the BBC’s decision to cancel Zen. The Brit-loving DVD distributors are giving a U.S. debut to the Sky crime drama Falcon. Ok, so it’s not set in Rome but Seville is a pretty good setting as it is a fascinating city steeped in history and culture. No, Rufus Sewell isn’t in it but it does feature Kiwi actor Marton Csokas, who I am told is equally popular with the ladies.
As with Zen, the producers of Falcon got their inspiration from a popular series of crime novels. Wisely or not, the producers of both shows decided that all or most of the characters should have decidedly British accents despite the fact that they are in Italy or Spain. That element of the show takes some...
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media are providing some much needed relief to those of us who are still upset about the BBC’s decision to cancel Zen. The Brit-loving DVD distributors are giving a U.S. debut to the Sky crime drama Falcon. Ok, so it’s not set in Rome but Seville is a pretty good setting as it is a fascinating city steeped in history and culture. No, Rufus Sewell isn’t in it but it does feature Kiwi actor Marton Csokas, who I am told is equally popular with the ladies.
As with Zen, the producers of Falcon got their inspiration from a popular series of crime novels. Wisely or not, the producers of both shows decided that all or most of the characters should have decidedly British accents despite the fact that they are in Italy or Spain. That element of the show takes some...
- 6/30/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
From Meryl Streep's Iron Lady to Spitting Image and the Spice Girls, Observer writers and critics pick the films, books, art, music and TV that show Thatcher's lasting influence
Art, chosen by Laura Cumming
Treatment Room (1983)
In Richard Hamilton's installation, Thatcher administered her own harsh medicine from a video above the operating table with the viewer as helpless patient: a case of kill or cure.
Taking Stock (1984)
Hans Haacke portrayed Thatcher enthroned, nose in the air like a gun-dog, surrounded by images of Queen Victoria, the Saatchi brothers and, ominously, Pandora. Caused national furore.
In the Sleep of Reason (1982)
Mark Wallinger edited Thatcher's 1982 Falklands speech from blink to blink, fading to black in between, emphasising her solipsistic tendency to close her eyes when speaking as if nobody else existed.
The Battle of Orgreave (2001)
Jeremy Deller's restaged the worst conflict of the miners' strike from multiple viewpoints, uniting...
Art, chosen by Laura Cumming
Treatment Room (1983)
In Richard Hamilton's installation, Thatcher administered her own harsh medicine from a video above the operating table with the viewer as helpless patient: a case of kill or cure.
Taking Stock (1984)
Hans Haacke portrayed Thatcher enthroned, nose in the air like a gun-dog, surrounded by images of Queen Victoria, the Saatchi brothers and, ominously, Pandora. Caused national furore.
In the Sleep of Reason (1982)
Mark Wallinger edited Thatcher's 1982 Falklands speech from blink to blink, fading to black in between, emphasising her solipsistic tendency to close her eyes when speaking as if nobody else existed.
The Battle of Orgreave (2001)
Jeremy Deller's restaged the worst conflict of the miners' strike from multiple viewpoints, uniting...
- 4/13/2013
- by Robert McCrum, Kitty Empire, Philip French, Andrew Rawnsley, Euan Ferguson
- The Guardian - Film News
Tube Talk Gold has looked back at many classic sitcoms, but there aren't many shows that can truly hold the mantle of 'Gold', and this month's edition focuses on a truly British institution, featuring some of the UK's most favourite characters, catchphrases and moments for over 20 years.
After a near-miss Us remake starring John 'Luigi from Super Mario Bros' Leguizamo, the legacy of Only Fools and Horses can carry on untarnished.
Only Fools and Horses - Originally broadcast from September 8, 1981 to February 3, 1991 and Christmas specials from 1991 to 2003.
John Sullivan had already created the successful sitcom Citizen Smith for the BBC when he was commissioned to write a new series. Influenced by the popularity of ITV's Minder, he came up with an idea of a cockney market trader in modern-day London. Using a strange old American saying for its title, he wrote a series that would go on to become possibly the UK's best-loved comedy.
After a near-miss Us remake starring John 'Luigi from Super Mario Bros' Leguizamo, the legacy of Only Fools and Horses can carry on untarnished.
Only Fools and Horses - Originally broadcast from September 8, 1981 to February 3, 1991 and Christmas specials from 1991 to 2003.
John Sullivan had already created the successful sitcom Citizen Smith for the BBC when he was commissioned to write a new series. Influenced by the popularity of ITV's Minder, he came up with an idea of a cockney market trader in modern-day London. Using a strange old American saying for its title, he wrote a series that would go on to become possibly the UK's best-loved comedy.
- 3/2/2013
- Digital Spy
A shocking ruling (let's call it the 007 standard) gives undercover police licence to break hearts. It's the hacking of people's lives
Behold a new legal threshold: let's call it the 007 standard. Apparently the law now allows secret agents to get up to all manner of mayhem, just so long as it's something James Bond might have done. Threatening to strangle a woman with her own bikini top? Powering a speedboat, both on and besides the Thames, destroying everything in your wake? Forcing a shark-gun pellet into a man's mouth, so he blows up like a balloon. All fully lawful, m'lud: can I refer the court to Diamonds Are Forever, The World Is Not Enough and Live and Let Die?
This new principle of jurisprudence was unveiled at the high court this week by Mr Justice Tugendhat, as he ruled on whether a case brought by 10 women and one man duped...
Behold a new legal threshold: let's call it the 007 standard. Apparently the law now allows secret agents to get up to all manner of mayhem, just so long as it's something James Bond might have done. Threatening to strangle a woman with her own bikini top? Powering a speedboat, both on and besides the Thames, destroying everything in your wake? Forcing a shark-gun pellet into a man's mouth, so he blows up like a balloon. All fully lawful, m'lud: can I refer the court to Diamonds Are Forever, The World Is Not Enough and Live and Let Die?
This new principle of jurisprudence was unveiled at the high court this week by Mr Justice Tugendhat, as he ruled on whether a case brought by 10 women and one man duped...
- 1/19/2013
- by Jonathan Freedland
- The Guardian - Film News
If Only Fools And Horses had started in the 21st century, it wouldn't have lasted for more than two series.
Let me explain. Back in the early 1980s, a brand new sitcom was written by John Sullivan, charting the misadventures of a wayward Peckham family, the Trotters. Three generations were spanned in a poky flat, which was part of Nelson Mandela House. The problem was that, when it first went out in 1981, the ratings were deemed to be on the low side. A second series went ahead, but even then, the ratings were not deemed world-shattering. If that had happened today, the show would have been axed quicker than you could shout “Mange Tout!” That's the price you pay for being with a ratings-hungry broadcaster, full of media-savvy trendies with buzzwords and balance sheets.
But luckily, a repeat season was to prove to be Only Fools And Horses' salvation. This time around,...
Let me explain. Back in the early 1980s, a brand new sitcom was written by John Sullivan, charting the misadventures of a wayward Peckham family, the Trotters. Three generations were spanned in a poky flat, which was part of Nelson Mandela House. The problem was that, when it first went out in 1981, the ratings were deemed to be on the low side. A second series went ahead, but even then, the ratings were not deemed world-shattering. If that had happened today, the show would have been axed quicker than you could shout “Mange Tout!” That's the price you pay for being with a ratings-hungry broadcaster, full of media-savvy trendies with buzzwords and balance sheets.
But luckily, a repeat season was to prove to be Only Fools And Horses' salvation. This time around,...
- 5/29/2012
- Shadowlocked
Chris Morris has been bold in his choice of target, but his home-grown jihadists are little more than sitcom characters
Published in 1907, Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent is not only one of the greatest, enduringly relevant novels about terrorism and its varied exponents, but it has increasingly come to be recognised as a darkly comic, savagely ironic masterpiece. Though Hitchcock saw nothing funny in The Secret Agent when he updated it as Sabotage in 1936, his film turns upon wiping the smile off the British public's face.
Verloc, the agent provocateur, is hired to stage an explosion at London's Battersea power station to discredit foreign political agitators. When it proves to be a brief inconvenience met with amused local stoicism, Verloc's angry employers send him the instruction: "London must not laugh", which leads him to arrange the planting of a bomb at Greenwich Observatory. This results in the destruction of his innocent stepson on screen,...
Published in 1907, Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent is not only one of the greatest, enduringly relevant novels about terrorism and its varied exponents, but it has increasingly come to be recognised as a darkly comic, savagely ironic masterpiece. Though Hitchcock saw nothing funny in The Secret Agent when he updated it as Sabotage in 1936, his film turns upon wiping the smile off the British public's face.
Verloc, the agent provocateur, is hired to stage an explosion at London's Battersea power station to discredit foreign political agitators. When it proves to be a brief inconvenience met with amused local stoicism, Verloc's angry employers send him the instruction: "London must not laugh", which leads him to arrange the planting of a bomb at Greenwich Observatory. This results in the destruction of his innocent stepson on screen,...
- 5/8/2010
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
BBC One's long running comedy My Family - which stars Cassandra actress Zoe Wanamaker (The End of the World, New Earth) as Susan and Robert Lindsay (Citizen Smith, GBH) as husband Ben - returns next month (April 2009) with an appearance from John Barrowman! Barrowman apparently appears as a dashing medic from America who comes to Susan's rescue when her handbag is snatched - in what will be the 100th episode of the show. "It was great to be asked to guest star in My Family especially...
- 3/13/2009
- by Christian Cawley info@kasterborous.com
- Kasterborous.com
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