Martin Freeman

BBC announces remake of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads

Left to right: Jodie Comer, Monica Dolan, Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Sarah Lancashire, Lesley Manville, Lucian Msamati, Maxine Peake, Rochenda Sandall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Imelda Staunton and Harriet Walter (Credit: BBC)

Ten of the original monologues will be remade and two new ones, written by Bennett last year, will also be showcased.

Produced by Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and Kevin Loader, filming will take place at the BBC Elstree Studios using current sets.

The monologues tell stories that are important and timely, all while allowing the actors to perform despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Jeff Pope discusses writing drama and looks back at his life in TV

Caroline Frost and Jeff Pope (Credit: Phil Lewis/Media24)

Speaking to the RTS he said: “It meant that people came to me with their ideas. Steve Coogan came to me with Philomena (Coogan and Pope’s screenplay was nominated for an Oscar and won best screenplay at the Venice Film Festival).

“Success gets you meetings, but it still doesn’t get something past the finishing line if it’s not good enough…It also means you can be more ambitious and more expansive.”

Martin Freeman on storytelling, Sherlock and his new drama A Confession

Although he assures me he’s “too old to play Tim [again]”, you can see the similarities he shares with his famous character.

He is affable and self-deprecating, joking that he thinks the real Steve Fulcher, who he plays in upcoming ITV drama A Confession, was happy for him to play him - although might have wished for “someone taller, maybe?”

With more than 80 film and TV credits to his name, Freeman has starred in everything from cult classic TV series to huge blockbuster franchises.

Sky announces new parenting comedy Breeders with Martin Freeman

Created by Peep Show writer Simon Blackwell, comedian Chris Addison and Martin Freeman (Sherlock), Breeders will explore the complex feelings of parenting and the paradox of the love and hatred parents feel towards their children.

Co-creator Freeman (Sherlock) will also star in the sitcom as a doting father who discovers he is not the man he thought he was.