‘Father Ted’ star joins ‘East is East’ play in Brighton

Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in East is East next month. Ayub Khan Din’s critically acclaimed play opens at Theatre Royal in Brighton on Thursday 11 June before embarking on a 16-week national tour. McLynn commented: “I am very excited to be part of this production. The play by Ayub Khan … >

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‘Count Arthur Strong’ to return for Season 3

BBC One has commissioned a third season of Count Arthur Strong. The BAFTA-nominated comedy series launched on BBC Two in 2013, moving to BBC One for its second season earlier this year. Seven new 30-minute episodes will begin filming next year , written by Graham Linehan (Father Ted) and the central character’s creator, Steve Delaney. … >

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‘Merlin’ director joins ‘Doctor Who’ Season 9

Justin Molotnikov is directing an upcoming two-parter in the new season of Doctor Who. It is not yet known if the story is Episodes 9-10 (believed to be written by Mark Gatiss) or Season 9’s two-part finale (written by Steven Moffat). The news was confirmed on his online CV. Molotnikov has previously directed episodes of … >

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‘Orphan Black’ Season 4 confirmed

BBC America has renewed Orphan Black for a fourth season. Season 3 began in the US last month and is expected to air in the UK on BBC Three this summer. The conspiracy thriller will return for ten new episodes in 2016, Deadline reports. BBC America president Sarah Barnett commented: “Orphan Black is an entirely … >

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BBC One orders Bronte sisters drama by ‘Happy Valley’ writer

Last Tango in Halifax creator Sally Wainwright will return to BBC One with a new one-off drama about the Bronte sisters. The Happy Valley writer will also direct the 120-minute film. To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters revolves around the three sisters’ increasingly difficult relationship with their brother Branwell, who in the last three years … >

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Catherine Tate’s ‘Nan’ will return to BBC One in 2016

Doctor Who star Catherine Tate is bringing Britain’s best-loved OAP back to BBC One, following the success of last year’s one-off special. Two new half-hour episodes, written by Catherine Tate, Brett Goldstein and Dan Swimer, will be filmed later this year and will air on BBC One in 2016. The character originally appeared in BBC One’s … >

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‘Skins’ star joins cast of ‘Endeavour’ as new regular

Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass) has joined the cast of Endeavour. The actress – who played Franky in Seasons 5-6 of E4’s teen drama, Skins – will appear as WPC Shirley Trewlove in the period crime drama’s third season. The new regular character is described as “thorough, determined and forthright”, who “quickly draws the … >

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Toby Whithouse on possibility of ‘Being Human’ return

Being Human creator Toby Whithouse has revealed that he’d only bring back the show if he had a “stunning and revolutionary idea”. The supernatural comedy-drama launched on BBC Three in 2008 and the fifth season concluded in 2013. Whithouse told BBC Writersroom: “We all know shows that have outstayed their welcome, or been cynically resurrected. … >

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Reece Shearsmith and Sharon Rooney join BBC Two’s dark comedy ‘Stag’

BBC Two’s new comedy-thriller about the Stag weekend from hell has begun filming in Scotland. Created by Jim Field Smith (producer/director of The Wrong Mans) and George Kay (The Tunnel), Stag follows a meek schoolteacher (Jim Howick – Peep Show), his future brother-in-law (Stephen Campbell Moore – Our Zoo) and several obnoxious friends on a deer-stalking … >

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