Bridgerton

Netflix UK's Anna Mallett on Bridgerton, British television's creative edge and the RTS Convention

For someone responsible for ensuring that the UK production pipeline for the worlds biggest streamer runs smoothly, Anna Mallett sounds very composed. But then this highly experienced executive spent 13 years at the BBC – where she ended up as Managing Director, Production, at BBC Studios – and knows the UK production business inside out. 

UKTV releases first look images of Alibi original drama I, Jack Wright

Nikki Amuka-Bird and Eden Hollingsworth stand in a church in funeral attire, unsmiling

The suicide of successful businessman Jack Wright sends his already-fractured family into a tailspin. As if grieving wasn’t difficult enough, his third wife Sally and two sons are left reeling by the discovery that they have been largely left out of the will.

The police investigate Wright’s death, and begin to suspect foul play. When difficult questions emerge about members of the Wright family, decades’ worth of feuds and resentments bubble up to the surface.

Eloise, Benedict or Francesca: Which Bridgerton sibling will be leading series four?

With the Netflix series no longer following the order of Julia Quinn’s series of novels, it was up in the air as to which sibling would take centre stage for the fourth series of the regency era drama. But Netflix and Shondaland have now revealed that Luke Thompson’s (Dunkirk) character, Benedict Bridgerton, will be leading the upcoming series, putting us back in book order.

Further casting announced for Mark Gatiss drama Bookish

The Alibi logo superimposed in front of a forest

Bookish follows the proprietor of an antiquarian bookshop as he assists the police in solving crimes.

Though not a detective by trade, Gabriel has all the knowledge he needs in the books lining his shelves. Set in postwar London, the consultant sleuth has to conceal his sexuality with a ‘lavender marriage’ to Trottie, played by Polly Walker (Bridgerton).

From Great Expectations to Bridgerton: how TV period dramas are breaking the mould

History can be measured by recurrent events, such as the Olympics and American presidential elections that come around every four years. Both, as it happens, take place again this year.

Television drama is less regularly repetitive, but adaptations of Dickens’s Great Expectations were screened by the BBC in 1959, 1967, 1981, 2011 and 2023. The lengthier interval either side of the millennium was filled by major film versions that became fixtures in the TV schedules.

Further casting details revealed for Mark Gatiss’s postwar detective romp Bookish

Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker in 1940s dress, holding a clapperboard for slate one take oneBookish

Joining the cast is Blake Harrison (World on Fire), who plays Sergeant Morris, with Rosie Cavaliero (Funny Woman), Amanda Drew (The Gold) and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Great) appearing as guest stars. In addition, Tom Forbes (Rules of the Game), Luke Norris (Poldark), Ella Bruccoleri (Passenger) and Michael Workéyè (This is Going to Hurt) will also guest star.