The screenwriter about to become a studio mogul; the boardgame inventor whose next drama will launch Apple’s foray into television; the Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? creator nominated for an Oscar – there are many ways to paraphrase the extraordinary career of Steven Knight. Let’s start, however, with the blacksmith’s son who launched a million haircuts.
Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return this September as they announce the new dance pairings.
A Black And White Killing: The Case That Shook America centres on the tragic death of Larnell Bruce, a young black man who was run over outside a convenience store in 2016 by Russel Courtier, a member of white supremacist gang European Kindred.
CCTV footage of the incident was released shortly afterwards and went viral across the US, causing many to question if Bruce was killed because of the colour of his skin.
Former England goalkeeper David James MBE is one of the first celebrities announced joining this year's Strictly line-up.
James began his career at Watford F.C and went on to lift the League Cup for Liverpool and contribute to Portsmouth’s success in the FA Cup.
Best Interests tells the story of two parents who must make a life-changing decision that no one could ever want to make.
Andrew and Nicci’s daughter, Marnie, suffers from a life-threatening condition to the extent that medical staff have suggested that it would be in her best interests to be allowed to die to end any suffering.
Andrew and Nicci struggle to contemplate the decision and launch a legal battle to prevent their daughter’s death.
For an example of the passionate perfectionism of drama producer Damien Timmer, look no further than the press screening of the first episode of ITV drama Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman.
Is it just me, or does this account of the relentless march of Sky feel less like a window into the “future of entertainment” and more the TV equivalent of ancient history?
There are glorious deeds and all-conquering heroes. Step forward Jeremy Darroch, and the man who appointed him CEO of Sky, James Murdoch. Not forgetting the tragic fate of doomed and misguided rivals: hold your heads in shame, Setanta and a host of others.
In May 2018, the top two UK parties, as measured in opinion polls and real votes cast in elections, were Labour and the Conservatives. A year later, they had been displaced by the Brexit Party and the Liberal Democrats.
One man’s journey during just three of those 12 months helps to illustrate this wacky new world of UK politics. In March 2019, he left one party to help create another, which started with one name, changed to a different one and then changed back. He then joined a third party, saying that he should probably have gone with it in the first place.
While ITV2’s summer sizzler Love Island has gone some way to bringing that back, for television dramas the choice is now so vast that everyone is watching something different. And, thanks to TV on-demand, even if people are watching the same series, it’s likely to be at a different pace.
My week starts the way it has done most Mondays for the past three years – sitting in a university library. There’s one big difference. At this time of year, there is a veil of calm. The underlying current of stress has dissipated. It’s a big change from the tensions of exam season a month ago.
Chairs stand unoccupied and academic books are tossed aside. I am finally on my last chapter. This one is entitled “The real world of television”.
