Today, BritBox, the premiere streaming destination for British television offering the biggest and best collection of unmissable British television, announced a dynamic slate of upcoming Original series.
Sharing a suspenseful teaser, BritBox announced that the thrilling new mystery Passenger, led by Wunmi Mosaku (Loki), will premiere in October. In the captivating screenwriting debut of actor Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), inexplicable crimes haunt the fictional village of Chadder Vale, where perhaps more is afoot than meets the eye.
Barry Sloane (Revenge), David Threlfall (Shameless), and Rowan Robinson (A Haunting in Venice) also star in the atmospheric crime drama.
Summer will see the powerful return of gritty, impactful crime dramas, starting with the June 13 return of Blue Lights. A breakout hit in the UK, the Belfast-based series delves into complex local politics through the lens of a police drama.
Multi-bafta-nominated The Responder returns July 11 for a new season, once again led by Martin Freeman...
Sharing a suspenseful teaser, BritBox announced that the thrilling new mystery Passenger, led by Wunmi Mosaku (Loki), will premiere in October. In the captivating screenwriting debut of actor Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), inexplicable crimes haunt the fictional village of Chadder Vale, where perhaps more is afoot than meets the eye.
Barry Sloane (Revenge), David Threlfall (Shameless), and Rowan Robinson (A Haunting in Venice) also star in the atmospheric crime drama.
Summer will see the powerful return of gritty, impactful crime dramas, starting with the June 13 return of Blue Lights. A breakout hit in the UK, the Belfast-based series delves into complex local politics through the lens of a police drama.
Multi-bafta-nominated The Responder returns July 11 for a new season, once again led by Martin Freeman...
- 5/21/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
The already iconic police procedural Blue Bloods is coming to an end. This is an excellent opportunity to remember other TV shows about law enforcement officers – both bad cops and real detectives.
1. The Sommerdahl Murders, 2020-...
The action takes place in the coastal town of Helsingor. The series tells the story of Dan and Marianne Sommerdahl, who work together as police officers. The man has a best friend – Flemming Torp. His help in investigating crimes can hardly be overestimated, as well as in the collapse of the Sommerdahl relationship.
Flemming and Marianne, who is disappointed in her constantly busy husband, become closer faster than Dan can solve a new case. But police work cannot be distracted by family drama, and the trio must work together for the sake of the rule of law.
The Sommerdahl Murders is based on the books by the popular Danish crime writer Anna Grue. But unlike the literary source,...
1. The Sommerdahl Murders, 2020-...
The action takes place in the coastal town of Helsingor. The series tells the story of Dan and Marianne Sommerdahl, who work together as police officers. The man has a best friend – Flemming Torp. His help in investigating crimes can hardly be overestimated, as well as in the collapse of the Sommerdahl relationship.
Flemming and Marianne, who is disappointed in her constantly busy husband, become closer faster than Dan can solve a new case. But police work cannot be distracted by family drama, and the trio must work together for the sake of the rule of law.
The Sommerdahl Murders is based on the books by the popular Danish crime writer Anna Grue. But unlike the literary source,...
- 5/19/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
‘If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry’ isn’t just the correct British response to any exasperating situation, it must also be Tony Schumacher’s screenwriting mantra. His crime drama The Responder would be unwatchably bleak if it wasn’t also so bloody funny.
Series one put response officer Chris Carson (Martin Freeman) through the wringer so thoroughly that it was a wonder he survived. His childhood pal Carl, a small-time drug dealer who’d been paying him for police intel, didn’t, and in a characteristically heroic/risky attempt to help Carl’s widow, Chris gave her the rucksack of stolen cocaine that had kicked off all this mess. Now it’s six months later and guess what? Chris’ problems are far from over.
Series two of The Responder is just as buzzing with life and wry observation as the first. Chris’ night-time police patrols offer up a...
Series one put response officer Chris Carson (Martin Freeman) through the wringer so thoroughly that it was a wonder he survived. His childhood pal Carl, a small-time drug dealer who’d been paying him for police intel, didn’t, and in a characteristically heroic/risky attempt to help Carl’s widow, Chris gave her the rucksack of stolen cocaine that had kicked off all this mess. Now it’s six months later and guess what? Chris’ problems are far from over.
Series two of The Responder is just as buzzing with life and wry observation as the first. Chris’ night-time police patrols offer up a...
- 5/5/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
At the start of The Responder’s first series, written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher, the cracks were already showing in Martin Freeman’s police officer Chris Carson. He was depressed, angry, and having panic attacks.
A former inspector who’d been demoted to response policing when his squad came under suspicion of corruption, Chris had spent the last three years working night patrols in Liverpool city centre. He was unpopular at work and considered a loose cannon best left alone. His shift pattern meant that he barely saw his wife Kate (MyAnna Buring) and their young daughter Tilly. His wages couldn’t cover the fees at the care home for his dementia-suffering mother (Rita Tushingham). He wanted to be a good bobby, but under-funded public services made him at best, a sticking plaster on the desperate needs of his drug-flooded and impoverished community.
For help, Chris had turned to...
A former inspector who’d been demoted to response policing when his squad came under suspicion of corruption, Chris had spent the last three years working night patrols in Liverpool city centre. He was unpopular at work and considered a loose cannon best left alone. His shift pattern meant that he barely saw his wife Kate (MyAnna Buring) and their young daughter Tilly. His wages couldn’t cover the fees at the care home for his dementia-suffering mother (Rita Tushingham). He wanted to be a good bobby, but under-funded public services made him at best, a sticking plaster on the desperate needs of his drug-flooded and impoverished community.
For help, Chris had turned to...
- 5/5/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Martin Freeman and Tony Schumacher – the star and creator respectively – join us this week to chat The Responder, which returns for its second series. Plus, we investigate some Tudor crimes with Shardlake and some cold war espionage with Spy/Master.
None of which can prepare you for what Boyd’s been watching this week, which not only sees a surprise sprint for the finish line with a show he’d been behind on, but a rather unexpected ‘factual’ show, that dovetails with this week’s listener question to see a podcast far more concerned about measurements than it has any right to be.
Listen to the episode on your podcast app of choice or the player above. And if you want to subscribe to Pilot TV+, find all the details here.
None of which can prepare you for what Boyd’s been watching this week, which not only sees a surprise sprint for the finish line with a show he’d been behind on, but a rather unexpected ‘factual’ show, that dovetails with this week’s listener question to see a podcast far more concerned about measurements than it has any right to be.
Listen to the episode on your podcast app of choice or the player above. And if you want to subscribe to Pilot TV+, find all the details here.
- 4/29/2024
- by James Dyer
- Empire - TV
Martin Freeman-starring series “The Responder” has revealed first-look photos of its anticipated second season.
Produced by Fremantle’s Dancing Ledge Productions, it’s set to debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on May 5 and will be available on BritBox this summer. Fremantle is handling global distribution. It has also released a trailer.
Written by Tony Schumacher, it will see its conflicted protagonist, police officer Chris, “trying to find his way out of the woods.”
“I am abusing this metaphor, but it’s an evolution. He thinks his life is going to be O.K.,” Schumacher told Variety.
“He has decided to take matters into his own hands,” added Freeman, as Chris finally – and reluctantly – tries therapy.
“He goes: ‘I am going to give it a go, maybe I will learn something.’ It’s about putting yourself in a situation where you can actually get some help. He is...
Produced by Fremantle’s Dancing Ledge Productions, it’s set to debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on May 5 and will be available on BritBox this summer. Fremantle is handling global distribution. It has also released a trailer.
Written by Tony Schumacher, it will see its conflicted protagonist, police officer Chris, “trying to find his way out of the woods.”
“I am abusing this metaphor, but it’s an evolution. He thinks his life is going to be O.K.,” Schumacher told Variety.
“He has decided to take matters into his own hands,” added Freeman, as Chris finally – and reluctantly – tries therapy.
“He goes: ‘I am going to give it a go, maybe I will learn something.’ It’s about putting yourself in a situation where you can actually get some help. He is...
- 4/29/2024
- by Marta Balaga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Martin Freeman returns for The Responder series 2, which is heading to the BBC in early May: here’s the trailer for the show.
The first series of psychological drama The Responder held a mirror up to the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing. Written by former Merseyside police officer Tony Schumacher, the show was equal parts a thrilling police procedural and intense character study, with a tour de force performance by Martin Freeman at the centre. It was one of the biggest dramas of 2022, winning Freeman an International Emmy for Best Actor and several BAFTA nominations. Half of the first series was directed by Philip Barantini, who went on to direct the brilliant Boiling Point.
Set and filmed in Liverpool, it followed Chris Carter, an inspector, as he gets demoted and begins working the night shift. The drama interspersed scenes of Chris tackling various crimes...
The first series of psychological drama The Responder held a mirror up to the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing. Written by former Merseyside police officer Tony Schumacher, the show was equal parts a thrilling police procedural and intense character study, with a tour de force performance by Martin Freeman at the centre. It was one of the biggest dramas of 2022, winning Freeman an International Emmy for Best Actor and several BAFTA nominations. Half of the first series was directed by Philip Barantini, who went on to direct the brilliant Boiling Point.
Set and filmed in Liverpool, it followed Chris Carter, an inspector, as he gets demoted and begins working the night shift. The drama interspersed scenes of Chris tackling various crimes...
- 4/22/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
BAFTA gave out their Craft Awards on Sunday, 23 April. As with the Primetime Emmys, the British academy also devotes a weekend to celebrating the creative arts. The BAFTA TV Craft Awards are split into 20 categories, with six devoted to fictional programming, six to factual programming, and a further four in combined fields.
The BBC medical drama “This is Going to Hurt” won three awards — Editing (Fiction), Scripted Casting, and Writer (Drama) for show creator Adam Kay. Kay adapted his best-selling memoir, which chronciled his experiences as a doctor in the NHS. Kay won in a stacked category that included Pete Jackson (“Somewhere Boy”), Alice Oseman (“Heartstopper) and Tony Schumacher (“The Responder”). “This is Going to Hurt” will contend at the Emmys in the limited series categories.
Meanwhile, Writer (Comedy) went to Lisa McGee for her work on “Derry Girls,” which follows a teenage girl and family in friends in 1990s Northern Ireland.
The BBC medical drama “This is Going to Hurt” won three awards — Editing (Fiction), Scripted Casting, and Writer (Drama) for show creator Adam Kay. Kay adapted his best-selling memoir, which chronciled his experiences as a doctor in the NHS. Kay won in a stacked category that included Pete Jackson (“Somewhere Boy”), Alice Oseman (“Heartstopper) and Tony Schumacher (“The Responder”). “This is Going to Hurt” will contend at the Emmys in the limited series categories.
Meanwhile, Writer (Comedy) went to Lisa McGee for her work on “Derry Girls,” which follows a teenage girl and family in friends in 1990s Northern Ireland.
- 4/23/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Just as the Primetime Emmys recognize a slew of categories during a weekend devoted to celebrating the Creative Arts, so too do the BAFTAs. The BAFTA TV Craft Awards honor various achievements across 20 different categories. An even dozen of these are devoted to fictional programming, another six to factual, and four are in combined fields. Winners of these awards were handed out in a ceremony on Sunday, April 23, three weeks before the main event. (Here’s the full list of BAFTA TV Awards nominations.) Scroll down for the complete list of BAFTA TV Craft Award winners.
Fiction
Costume Design
“The Crown”
“Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared”
X – “The Essex Serpent”
“The English”
Director (Fiction)
Dearbhla Walsh, “Bad Sisters”
Hugo Blick, “The English”
Lucy Forbes, “This is Going to Hurt”
X – William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy”
Editing (Fiction)
“The Crown”
“Andor”
“Slow Horses”
X – “This is Going to Hurt”
Emerging Talent...
Fiction
Costume Design
“The Crown”
“Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared”
X – “The Essex Serpent”
“The English”
Director (Fiction)
Dearbhla Walsh, “Bad Sisters”
Hugo Blick, “The English”
Lucy Forbes, “This is Going to Hurt”
X – William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy”
Editing (Fiction)
“The Crown”
“Andor”
“Slow Horses”
X – “This is Going to Hurt”
Emerging Talent...
- 4/23/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Adult Material star Siena Kelly has boarded BBC Three witch drama Domino Day, as the show’s EP Laurence Bowen spotlights his indie Dancing Ledge’s work with new writers.
Domino Day, which comes from first-time writer and Dancing Ledge Writer in Residence (Wir) Lauren Sequeira, is an irreverent comedy-drama about modern dating in which the protagonist uses dating apps to hunt, rather than find love.
Kelly, who was BAFTA nominated for her role in Channel 4’s Adult Material, will play Domino, a powerful young witch who is haunted by her need to feed on the energy of others, a hunger that only grows, despite her attempt to start her life over in Manchester. She is desperately seeking a community who can help her understand her feelings but, unbeknownst to her, she is being tracked by a coven of witches.
Kelly is joined by up-and-comers Babirye Bukilwa (We Hunt Together...
Domino Day, which comes from first-time writer and Dancing Ledge Writer in Residence (Wir) Lauren Sequeira, is an irreverent comedy-drama about modern dating in which the protagonist uses dating apps to hunt, rather than find love.
Kelly, who was BAFTA nominated for her role in Channel 4’s Adult Material, will play Domino, a powerful young witch who is haunted by her need to feed on the energy of others, a hunger that only grows, despite her attempt to start her life over in Manchester. She is desperately seeking a community who can help her understand her feelings but, unbeknownst to her, she is being tracked by a coven of witches.
Kelly is joined by up-and-comers Babirye Bukilwa (We Hunt Together...
- 3/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Just as the Primetime Emmys recognize a slew of categories during a weekend devoted to celebrating the Creative Arts, so too do the BAFTAs. The BAFTA TV Craft Awards honor various achievements across 20 different categories. An even dozen of these are devoted to fictional programming, another six to factual, and four are in combined fields. Winners of these awards will be revealed during a ceremony on Sunday, April 23. That’s three weeks before the main event. (Here’s the full list of BAFTA TV Awards nominations.)
Fiction
Costume Design
“The Crown”
“Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared”
“The Essex Serpent”
“The English”
Director (Fiction)
Dearbhla Walsh, “Bad Sisters”
Hugo Blick, “The English”
Lucy Forbes, “This is Going to Hurt”
William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy”
Editing (Fiction)
“The Crown”
“Andor”
“Slow Horses”
“This is Going to Hurt”
Emerging Talent (Fiction)
Jack Rooke (writer), “Big Boys”
Lynette Linton (director), “My Name is Leon...
Fiction
Costume Design
“The Crown”
“Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared”
“The Essex Serpent”
“The English”
Director (Fiction)
Dearbhla Walsh, “Bad Sisters”
Hugo Blick, “The English”
Lucy Forbes, “This is Going to Hurt”
William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy”
Editing (Fiction)
“The Crown”
“Andor”
“Slow Horses”
“This is Going to Hurt”
Emerging Talent (Fiction)
Jack Rooke (writer), “Big Boys”
Lynette Linton (director), “My Name is Leon...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
The BBC/AMC co-production “This is Going to Hurt” and the BBC One crime drama “The Responder” lead the 2023 BAFTA TV Awards nominations with six bids apiece. They contend for Best Mini-Series and Best Drama Series respectively while their leading men — Ben Whishaw and Martin Freeman — compete against each other in the catch-all category of Best Drama Actor.
Likewise in Best Drama Writing where Adam Kay, who adapted his bestselling memoir about life as a doctor in the NHS, and “The Responder” creator Tony Schumacher face off. “The Responder” featured players Adelayo Adedayo and Josh Finan were also cited.
The other Best Drama nominees are Apple TV+’s “Bad Sisters,” BBC One’s “Sherwood” and Channel 4’s “Somewhere Boy.” “Bad Sisters,” which is a strong Emmy contender, earned five nominations in total including a bid for supporting actress Anne-Marie Duff.
Netflix’s “The Crown,” BBC/Amazon’s “The English,...
Likewise in Best Drama Writing where Adam Kay, who adapted his bestselling memoir about life as a doctor in the NHS, and “The Responder” creator Tony Schumacher face off. “The Responder” featured players Adelayo Adedayo and Josh Finan were also cited.
The other Best Drama nominees are Apple TV+’s “Bad Sisters,” BBC One’s “Sherwood” and Channel 4’s “Somewhere Boy.” “Bad Sisters,” which is a strong Emmy contender, earned five nominations in total including a bid for supporting actress Anne-Marie Duff.
Netflix’s “The Crown,” BBC/Amazon’s “The English,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Following closely behind, Bad Sisters, The Crown, The English and Slow Horses also received five nominations apiece.
BBC dramas This is Going To Hurt and The Responder lead the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards with six nominations each.
Both dramas have received nods in the leading actor category for Ben Wishaw and Martin Freeman’s performances.
Sister’s This is Going To Hurt is up for best drama mini series, while Dancing Ledge’s The Responder, which has been recomissioned for a second series, makes the list for best drama series.
The two dramas...
BBC dramas This is Going To Hurt and The Responder lead the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards with six nominations each.
Both dramas have received nods in the leading actor category for Ben Wishaw and Martin Freeman’s performances.
Sister’s This is Going To Hurt is up for best drama mini series, while Dancing Ledge’s The Responder, which has been recomissioned for a second series, makes the list for best drama series.
The two dramas...
- 3/22/2023
- by Heather Fallon Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
BAFTA has pulled the curtain back on its Television Awards nominations, and This Is Going To Hurt and The Responder are leading the chase for a famous bronze mask.
The BBC dramas each have six nominations across the BAFTA Television Awards and BAFTA Television Craft Awards, including Leading Actor for Ben Whishaw and Martin Freeman.
Whishaw plays junior doctor Adam Kay in This Is Going To Hurt, which was co-produced by AMC. Freeman features as an urgent response police officer in The Responder.
This Is Going To Hurt is nominated for Mini Series, while The Responder will compete in the Drama Series race. Adam Kay and Tony Schumacher will both do battle in the Writer: Drama category at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
The BBC has a total of 81 nominations, putting it comfortably ahead of its nearest rival Channel 4, which has 33 nominations. Netflix scooped 24 nominations, while Apple TV+ was...
The BBC dramas each have six nominations across the BAFTA Television Awards and BAFTA Television Craft Awards, including Leading Actor for Ben Whishaw and Martin Freeman.
Whishaw plays junior doctor Adam Kay in This Is Going To Hurt, which was co-produced by AMC. Freeman features as an urgent response police officer in The Responder.
This Is Going To Hurt is nominated for Mini Series, while The Responder will compete in the Drama Series race. Adam Kay and Tony Schumacher will both do battle in the Writer: Drama category at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
The BBC has a total of 81 nominations, putting it comfortably ahead of its nearest rival Channel 4, which has 33 nominations. Netflix scooped 24 nominations, while Apple TV+ was...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re bereft. Happy Valley has ended for good. No more Catherine and Clare having mugs of tea on the back step, no more Sgt Cawood dressed like RoboCop, no more Ryan, no more Tommy Lee Royce. It went out with a bang, but still we’re bereft. What could possibly fill that gap?
Luckily for fans, creator Sally Wainwright has a healthy back-catalogue including comedy At Home With the Braithwaites, Last Tango in Halifax, Unforgiven, Gentleman Jack and more, plus highwaywoman drama The Ballad of Renegade Nell coming this year to Disney+, so you could start there. And try the below, a hand-picked selection of great dramas – some crime, some not – that carry a flavour of Happy Valley’s brilliant writing, real-feeling characters and unforgettable performances.
Last Tango in Halifax
Stream on: BBC iPlayer (UK), Netflix (US)
Wainwright was inspired by her mother’s late-in-life love story to write this Bafta-winning 5-series BBC drama.
Luckily for fans, creator Sally Wainwright has a healthy back-catalogue including comedy At Home With the Braithwaites, Last Tango in Halifax, Unforgiven, Gentleman Jack and more, plus highwaywoman drama The Ballad of Renegade Nell coming this year to Disney+, so you could start there. And try the below, a hand-picked selection of great dramas – some crime, some not – that carry a flavour of Happy Valley’s brilliant writing, real-feeling characters and unforgettable performances.
Last Tango in Halifax
Stream on: BBC iPlayer (UK), Netflix (US)
Wainwright was inspired by her mother’s late-in-life love story to write this Bafta-winning 5-series BBC drama.
- 2/6/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Rebecca Ferguson, series producer on BBC hits including The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, has been snapped up by the new-look BBC drama commissioning team, Deadline can reveal.
Ferguson effectively replaces This is Going to Hurt commissioner Mona Qureshi, who moved to Netflix several months ago.
She has been freelancing with the team since May and became a permanent Drama Commissioning Editor last month.
The former Film4 and Broadchurch indie Kudos exec has a lot on her plate already, working across huge BBC shows including The Capture, Happy Valley and Doctor Who. Deadline revealed on Tuesday that Heyday Television deepfake thriller The Capture’s second season has been promoted to the coveted August Bank Holiday slot.
Ferguson, who series-produced the Martin Freeman-starring police drama The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, will also develop her own slate. The Responder, which aired on BritBox in the U.
Ferguson effectively replaces This is Going to Hurt commissioner Mona Qureshi, who moved to Netflix several months ago.
She has been freelancing with the team since May and became a permanent Drama Commissioning Editor last month.
The former Film4 and Broadchurch indie Kudos exec has a lot on her plate already, working across huge BBC shows including The Capture, Happy Valley and Doctor Who. Deadline revealed on Tuesday that Heyday Television deepfake thriller The Capture’s second season has been promoted to the coveted August Bank Holiday slot.
Ferguson, who series-produced the Martin Freeman-starring police drama The Responder and The Trial of Christine Keeler, will also develop her own slate. The Responder, which aired on BritBox in the U.
- 8/11/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The hit BBC One police drama series The Responder premiered on January 24 to critical acclaim. The show, which features an ensemble of A-listers, wowed audiences and earned a thumbs-up from even the harshest of critics. The success of the show might be explained by the fact that it was written by Tony Schumacher, who was a former Merseyside Police officer. Here’s a description of the plot of the show, according to Dm Talkies: “The Responder,” follows a corrupt police officer, Chris Carson, who is on the brink of madness yet tries to save the truth inside him by performing one
Meet The Cast Of “The Responder”...
Meet The Cast Of “The Responder”...
- 7/15/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
“I try and make the job work.” So says the title character of BritBox’s new six-part police drama The Responder, which stars Sherlock Emmy winner Martin Freeman as worn-out patrol officer Chris Carson. Working nights and responding to emergency situations that range from neighbor disputes to acts of violence, Chris is struggling mentally with the stress of the job and its effect on his family, including wife Kate (MyAnna Buring). In our video interview, Freeman tells TV Insider he was drawn to the role on the strength of the writing by former police officer Tony Schumacher. “He wasn’t trying to please me as a reader,” Freeman says. “He was writing what he wanted to write, and I always respond very favorably to that ’cause he wasn’t trying to grab my attention and impress me with loads of stuff going on. He got you to the inner life of this person very quickly.
- 5/26/2022
- TV Insider
Renewals
The BBC has renewed four of its top rated dramas – “The Tourist,” “The Responder,” “Vigil” and “Time.”
Thriller “The Tourist,” starring Jamie Dornan and Shalom Brune-Franklin, is the highest-rating drama of 2022 so far, having launched with 12 million viewers and all six episodes were the most-watched episodes on BBC iPlayer in January.
The second biggest new drama of 2022 so far is crime thriller “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman, which launched with some 10 million viewers across 30 days. Like the first season, the second will be set and filmed in Liverpool.
In 2021, Scotland-set submarine mystery “Vigil,” starring Suranne Jones, was the U.K.’s most-watched new drama launch since “Bodyguard” in 2018. It drew an audience of over 13 million viewers across 30 days for episode one, and the series overall had an average of 12.6 million viewers. The second season will also be set in Scotland.
Prison drama “Time,” starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham,...
The BBC has renewed four of its top rated dramas – “The Tourist,” “The Responder,” “Vigil” and “Time.”
Thriller “The Tourist,” starring Jamie Dornan and Shalom Brune-Franklin, is the highest-rating drama of 2022 so far, having launched with 12 million viewers and all six episodes were the most-watched episodes on BBC iPlayer in January.
The second biggest new drama of 2022 so far is crime thriller “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman, which launched with some 10 million viewers across 30 days. Like the first season, the second will be set and filmed in Liverpool.
In 2021, Scotland-set submarine mystery “Vigil,” starring Suranne Jones, was the U.K.’s most-watched new drama launch since “Bodyguard” in 2018. It drew an audience of over 13 million viewers across 30 days for episode one, and the series overall had an average of 12.6 million viewers. The second season will also be set in Scotland.
Prison drama “Time,” starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham,...
- 3/22/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: BBC Studios has started drumming up interest internationally for The Birth of Daniel F Harris, the latest young adult drama from End of the F***ing World producer Clerkenwell Films.
Channel 4’s show is one of two UK entries in the Series Mania International Competition and was given a world premiere to hundreds of viewers as the Lille event gets underway.
BBC Studios, which debuted The Birth of Daniel F Harris at last month’s Showcase, co-financed with Channel 4 and therefore rest of the world rights are up for grabs.
Much like Charlie Covell’s BAFTA-winning smash hit End of the F**ing World for Channel 4 and Netflix, exec producer Petra Fried, who runs Clerkenwell with Wim De Greef, and writer Pete Jackson are hoping that this latest offering’s “authenticity of character” and “dark humorous underbelly” will appeal to buyers around the world, and they are speaking to the global streamers.
Channel 4’s show is one of two UK entries in the Series Mania International Competition and was given a world premiere to hundreds of viewers as the Lille event gets underway.
BBC Studios, which debuted The Birth of Daniel F Harris at last month’s Showcase, co-financed with Channel 4 and therefore rest of the world rights are up for grabs.
Much like Charlie Covell’s BAFTA-winning smash hit End of the F**ing World for Channel 4 and Netflix, exec producer Petra Fried, who runs Clerkenwell with Wim De Greef, and writer Pete Jackson are hoping that this latest offering’s “authenticity of character” and “dark humorous underbelly” will appeal to buyers around the world, and they are speaking to the global streamers.
- 3/21/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
As global consumers turn towards series produced in their own countries and other non-us content, developing authentic stories for local markets might be the key to global success, pointed out participants of the Berlinale Series Market opening on Monday.
“Great successes can come from anywhere. That’s the biggest learning,” said Jens Richter, CEO at Fremantle Media International, calling South Korean surprise smash “Squid Game” – repeatedly mentioned throughout the event – another “steppingstone towards creating more openness,” – also when it comes to the European market.
As pointed out by executive director at Ampere Analysis Guy Bisson, kicking off the “Mission: Europe. How Local Markets Muscle Up” panel, co-hosted by Film und Medien Stiftung Nrw, “Europe is playing the quality game.” With new markets emerging as production powerhouses, including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, certain Benelux countries and Scandinavia, he also noticed some clear patterns emerging such as period-set local stories, adapted from existing,...
“Great successes can come from anywhere. That’s the biggest learning,” said Jens Richter, CEO at Fremantle Media International, calling South Korean surprise smash “Squid Game” – repeatedly mentioned throughout the event – another “steppingstone towards creating more openness,” – also when it comes to the European market.
As pointed out by executive director at Ampere Analysis Guy Bisson, kicking off the “Mission: Europe. How Local Markets Muscle Up” panel, co-hosted by Film und Medien Stiftung Nrw, “Europe is playing the quality game.” With new markets emerging as production powerhouses, including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, certain Benelux countries and Scandinavia, he also noticed some clear patterns emerging such as period-set local stories, adapted from existing,...
- 2/15/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Fremantle has sold out most major territories worldwide on the Martin Freeman-led BBC One smash hit “The Responder,” consolidating the acclaimed crime drama’s contention, even at this early stage, to become one of Europe’s top series of 2022.
Banner deals take in France (Canal Plus), Italy (Disney Plus), Germany’s (Magenta TV). Spain (Movistar Plus) and Russia & Cis (Viasat), all leading pay/SVOD operators.
The sales come as Fremantle, thanks to “The Responder,” “Cross Fire,” “Suspect” and “This Sceptred Isle” looks set to see an unprecedented four U.K. premium dramas finishing production in 2022. Led by “Fellow Travelers,” its English-language sales lineup for 2023 looks equally bullish.
In all, in 2022 Fremantle’s U.K. drama output will more than double compared to the previous year, said Jens Richter, at Fremantle’s global sales arm, Fremantle International, which he oversees as CEO.
That, however, is part of larger global surge.
Banner deals take in France (Canal Plus), Italy (Disney Plus), Germany’s (Magenta TV). Spain (Movistar Plus) and Russia & Cis (Viasat), all leading pay/SVOD operators.
The sales come as Fremantle, thanks to “The Responder,” “Cross Fire,” “Suspect” and “This Sceptred Isle” looks set to see an unprecedented four U.K. premium dramas finishing production in 2022. Led by “Fellow Travelers,” its English-language sales lineup for 2023 looks equally bullish.
In all, in 2022 Fremantle’s U.K. drama output will more than double compared to the previous year, said Jens Richter, at Fremantle’s global sales arm, Fremantle International, which he oversees as CEO.
That, however, is part of larger global surge.
- 2/10/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: A former Skins star, a Criminal Defense Solicitor and a TV writer have been selected for training body ScreenSkills third New Writers Programme delivered by The Responder producer Dancing Ledge Productions.
Larissa Hope, Abigail Rolling and Jess Jackson will be paired with New Girl writer Camilla Blackett, Unforgotten scribe Chris Lang and The Long Song’s Sarah Williams respectively, with a fourth unannounced awardee set to link up with Giri/Haji’s Joe Barton.
The scheme, which is carried out in association with ITV, has been running for three years and the 2022 edition will be fully funded by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund.
The budding writers are given a non-refundable bursary to write a pilot episode for their own original TV series. The mentor will give feedback through the writing process, provide the benefit of their expertise, offer encouragement and help place the project with a production company and/or broadcaster.
Larissa Hope, Abigail Rolling and Jess Jackson will be paired with New Girl writer Camilla Blackett, Unforgotten scribe Chris Lang and The Long Song’s Sarah Williams respectively, with a fourth unannounced awardee set to link up with Giri/Haji’s Joe Barton.
The scheme, which is carried out in association with ITV, has been running for three years and the 2022 edition will be fully funded by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund.
The budding writers are given a non-refundable bursary to write a pilot episode for their own original TV series. The mentor will give feedback through the writing process, provide the benefit of their expertise, offer encouragement and help place the project with a production company and/or broadcaster.
- 1/27/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s doubtful the Police Operational Handbook has a chapter on calling clients nonces and threatening to chuck Yorkshire terriers off a balcony, but that’s how PC Chris Carson gets the job done. He’s been around long enough to know that the protocol is unworkable. A city like Liverpool on a night shift is a Wild West – try to police it to the letter of the law and he’d go mad.
Chris, played by Martin Freeman, is going mad. He knows that’s not the right language to use, not on a shift, or in one of the scant counselling sessions he’s been given to fix what his wife calls the “lifetime of shit in his head”, but mad is what he means. Chris is losing it – his temper, his grip, his dying mother, his marriage – and, depending on how a plot involving a homeless heroin...
Chris, played by Martin Freeman, is going mad. He knows that’s not the right language to use, not on a shift, or in one of the scant counselling sessions he’s been given to fix what his wife calls the “lifetime of shit in his head”, but mad is what he means. Chris is losing it – his temper, his grip, his dying mother, his marriage – and, depending on how a plot involving a homeless heroin...
- 1/26/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
As Mipcom rolled on at Cannes, U.K. public service broadcaster BBC held a preview of its upcoming scripted titles for journalists at an event on Monday presided over by Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama.
A hot button topic of discussion in recent weeks has been the matter of “distinctively British content.” Hours before he was removed from office, John Whittingdale, then Minister for Media and Data, told the Royal Television Society convention at Cambridge that the government intended to introduce a White Paper that includes a requirement for such content.
“If it’s set in Britain and made in Britain by our public service broadcasters, then it should be distinctively British,” Whittingdale had said.
These proposals were rubbished during a BFI London Film Festival event last week by “Succession” writer Lucy Prebble and “His Dark Materials” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” writer Jack Thorne.
“We consider...
A hot button topic of discussion in recent weeks has been the matter of “distinctively British content.” Hours before he was removed from office, John Whittingdale, then Minister for Media and Data, told the Royal Television Society convention at Cambridge that the government intended to introduce a White Paper that includes a requirement for such content.
“If it’s set in Britain and made in Britain by our public service broadcasters, then it should be distinctively British,” Whittingdale had said.
These proposals were rubbished during a BFI London Film Festival event last week by “Succession” writer Lucy Prebble and “His Dark Materials” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” writer Jack Thorne.
“We consider...
- 10/12/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC has unveiled the first image from new police drama “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman.
Written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher and made by Dancing Ledge Productions (“The Salisbury Poisonings”), Freeman stars as Chris, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised urgent response officer who is forced to take on a new rookie partner (Adelayo Adedayo).
Together, they realize that survival in a high-pressure, relentless night-time world will depend on them either helping or destroying each other.
The BBC drama, which was unveiled last year as part of a slate from first-time TV writers working with the public broadcaster, is billed as “holding a mirror up” to the extremes of life on the front line of British policing. The gritty police genre is a big hit with local audiences, who lapped up the latest season of BBC’s “Line of Duty,” which pulled in a record-breaking 12.8 million overnight viewers.
“Tony Schumacher’s scripts...
Written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher and made by Dancing Ledge Productions (“The Salisbury Poisonings”), Freeman stars as Chris, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised urgent response officer who is forced to take on a new rookie partner (Adelayo Adedayo).
Together, they realize that survival in a high-pressure, relentless night-time world will depend on them either helping or destroying each other.
The BBC drama, which was unveiled last year as part of a slate from first-time TV writers working with the public broadcaster, is billed as “holding a mirror up” to the extremes of life on the front line of British policing. The gritty police genre is a big hit with local audiences, who lapped up the latest season of BBC’s “Line of Duty,” which pulled in a record-breaking 12.8 million overnight viewers.
“Tony Schumacher’s scripts...
- 5/20/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Women In Motion launches a special International Women’s Day podcast featuring Jane Fonda and Jameela Jamil, Amazon Prime Video announces a new women-fronting original series in India, BritBox heads to Amazon Prime Channels in the U.K., Keshet International acquires three new titles ahead of the London TV Screenings, BBC One unveils new casting for “The Responder,” Young Films Foundation beefs up its writing talent scheme and Paramount Plus goes all in on promoting its service in Latin America.
Podcast
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Kering and Pomellato have released a new special edition of the “Women In Motion” podcast featuring a conversation with Jane Fonda and “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil.
The new podcast is part of Pomellato for Women, an initiative focusing on female leadership which Jane Fonda has contributed to for the past four years. Fonda was also...
Podcast
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Kering and Pomellato have released a new special edition of the “Women In Motion” podcast featuring a conversation with Jane Fonda and “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil.
The new podcast is part of Pomellato for Women, an initiative focusing on female leadership which Jane Fonda has contributed to for the past four years. Fonda was also...
- 3/8/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC and ITV have agreed to fund a Dancing Ledge mentoring scheme for new writers and directors. With the funding, 16 “A-list” writers will select and guide a group of people looking to break into the television industry. The writers will receive a bursary to write a pilot episode for a series, while directors will be funded to work as a second unit director on a TV production. Past mentors have included Jed Mercurio, Jimmy McGovern, Jack Thorne and Lucy Prebble on the first iteration of the scheme in 2018. McGovern’s mentee Tony Schumacher was recently commissioned to pen BBC One drama The Responder, starring Martin Freeman. Dancing Ledge is backed by Fremantle and has made shows including Netflix original Delhi Crime.
Banijay Rights has hired John Richards from Endemol Shine International as CFO, while Roisin Thomas will remain chief operating officer. Both will report to new CEO Cathy Payne,...
Banijay Rights has hired John Richards from Endemol Shine International as CFO, while Roisin Thomas will remain chief operating officer. Both will report to new CEO Cathy Payne,...
- 4/27/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
In this week’s International TV Newswire, Spain’s Laliga announces details of Saturday night’s LALIGASantader Fest; Argentina’s Incaa updates: Red Arrow wheels and deals; and Fremantle’s Dancing Ledge Productions promotes Chris Carey to managing director.
La Liga, Universal Music Team for Laliga Santander Fest
More than fifty artists and high-profile soccer players have united remotely to participate in Laliga Santander Fest, a digital musical festival to be held Saturday night as part of the Spanish soccer league’s La Liga Stay at Home initiative to entertain fans and raise funds for the fight against the spread of Covid-19 while filling the broadcast hole left since the suspension of nearly all live sports worldwide.
The festival will be live broadcast in more than 180 countries simultaneously at 1 p.m. Est via La Liga’s traditional broadcast partners internationally and domestically. It will also be streamed on the league...
La Liga, Universal Music Team for Laliga Santander Fest
More than fifty artists and high-profile soccer players have united remotely to participate in Laliga Santander Fest, a digital musical festival to be held Saturday night as part of the Spanish soccer league’s La Liga Stay at Home initiative to entertain fans and raise funds for the fight against the spread of Covid-19 while filling the broadcast hole left since the suspension of nearly all live sports worldwide.
The festival will be live broadcast in more than 180 countries simultaneously at 1 p.m. Est via La Liga’s traditional broadcast partners internationally and domestically. It will also be streamed on the league...
- 3/27/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has declared its commitment to being the “primary incubator of story-telling talent in the UK”.
The BBC has declared its commitment to being the “primary incubator of story-telling talent in the UK” by commissioning a quartet of first-time TV writers, along with another Sally Rooney adaptation.
Drama controller Piers Wenger revealed a single film adaptation of Kit de Waal’s My Name Is Leon written by The Last Tree director Shola Amoo, revolving around a mixed-race boy growing up in 1980s Britain. It is directed by Kibwe Tavares (a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2012) and is being produced...
The BBC has declared its commitment to being the “primary incubator of story-telling talent in the UK” by commissioning a quartet of first-time TV writers, along with another Sally Rooney adaptation.
Drama controller Piers Wenger revealed a single film adaptation of Kit de Waal’s My Name Is Leon written by The Last Tree director Shola Amoo, revolving around a mixed-race boy growing up in 1980s Britain. It is directed by Kibwe Tavares (a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2012) and is being produced...
- 2/25/2020
- by 1101315¦Max Goldbart Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The BBC has commissioned a slate of four dramas from first-time TV writers, including a police series starring The Hobbit and Sherlock actor Martin Freeman as a night shift officer in the British city of Liverpool.
The Responder is written by Tony Schumacher, a former police officer who is fulfilling a lifelong ambition to write for the screen. He has been mentored by Accused scribe Jimmy McGovern and been part of the BBC Writers Room emerging writers initiative.
His six-part BBC Two series features Freeman as cop Chris, who works night shifts with his new rookie partner, Rachel. Each episode centers on a different shift, and the series is described as “wildly funny and painfully tragic.” Chris is dealing with a marriage that is breaking down while policing Liverpool’s criminal underbelly, and the show deals with the realities of policing in Britain and the complexities of Freeman’s character.
The Responder is written by Tony Schumacher, a former police officer who is fulfilling a lifelong ambition to write for the screen. He has been mentored by Accused scribe Jimmy McGovern and been part of the BBC Writers Room emerging writers initiative.
His six-part BBC Two series features Freeman as cop Chris, who works night shifts with his new rookie partner, Rachel. Each episode centers on a different shift, and the series is described as “wildly funny and painfully tragic.” Chris is dealing with a marriage that is breaking down while policing Liverpool’s criminal underbelly, and the show deals with the realities of policing in Britain and the complexities of Freeman’s character.
- 2/25/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
On December 11, a month after Army Major Nidal Hassan allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at a Texas military base, killing 13, the Fort Hood community will come together for a spirit-lifting event that will feature an appearance by Nick Jonas and a performance from Houston rapper Chamillionaire.
The free event, called Fort Hood Community Strong, will take place at Hood Stadium. It is described as a day of "healing, fun and entertainment" aimed at bringing some joy to the more than 349,000 military personnel, family members, retirees and civilian employees who live on the massive base and were impacted by the November 5 shooting.
In addition to a meet-and-greet with military troops and families by Jonas, the day will feature a set from Chamillionaire, an acoustic set from Staind singer Aaron Lewis, a performance from the Zac Brown Band, and appearances by comedian Dana Carvey, actor Gary Sinise, the Houston Texans cheerleaders,...
The free event, called Fort Hood Community Strong, will take place at Hood Stadium. It is described as a day of "healing, fun and entertainment" aimed at bringing some joy to the more than 349,000 military personnel, family members, retirees and civilian employees who live on the massive base and were impacted by the November 5 shooting.
In addition to a meet-and-greet with military troops and families by Jonas, the day will feature a set from Chamillionaire, an acoustic set from Staind singer Aaron Lewis, a performance from the Zac Brown Band, and appearances by comedian Dana Carvey, actor Gary Sinise, the Houston Texans cheerleaders,...
- 12/8/2009
- by Gil Kaufman
- MTV Newsroom
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