An all-star cast of acclaimed talent are set to appear in Sky Arts’ new and exclusive comedy and drama strand, Playhouse Presents…, beginning this month.
Starring Brenda Blethyn, Trevor Eve, Stephen Fry, Richard E. Grant, Sheila Hancock, John Hurt, Tom Jones, Eddie Marsan, Gina McKee, Paul O’Grady, Martin Shaw, Stellan Skarsgård, David Tennant, Emma Thompson, Russell Tovey, Zoe Wanamaker and Olivia Williams, the series of one-off comedies and dramas has been commissioned by Sky Arts as an evolution of the Playhouse series, which champions innovative productions and original writing.
The Minor Character
Thursday 12th April 2012, 9pm
Drama written by Will Self and starring David Tennant as Will, the artist, who observes life in minute detail, providing a witty and acerbic critique of his life. When a tragedy occurs, Will is forced to reconsider the trust he has in the urban-suburban, middle-class landscape of his middle-aged friends.
Nellie and Melba
Thursday 19th April 2012, 9pm
Melba teaches ballroom dancing and likes to play whist. Her 51 year-old son still lives at home working at the dreaded social security office. His dream is to go onto the stage which, despite a catalogue of disasters, he triumphantly does – with a little help from his mother. Co-written by Paul O’Grady and Sandi Toksvig. Starring Paul O’Grady, Sheila Hancock, Rosie Cavaliero and Jonathan D. Ellis.
Nixon’s the One
Thursday 26th April 2012, 9pm
Comedy-drama starring Harry Shearer (This is Spinal Tap) as Nixon. This is a verbatim account of Nixon’s time in the Oval office, based on more than 198 hours of recordings made between February 1971 and 1973. This brilliant film is a fascinating account of his controversial and often farcical time in office. Also stars Henry Goodman as Henry Kissinger.
King of the Teds
Thursday 3rd May 2012, 9pm
Drama by Jim Cartwright. Tina works part time as a cleaner. Ron’s been made redundant by the bottle factory. The lives of this long-term married couple are turned upside-down with the surprise visit of their best friend from the fifties and deep feelings are rekindled. With Tom Jones, Alison Steadman and Brenda Blethyn.
City Hall
Thursday 10th May 2012, 9pm
Riding a wave of popular opinion after footage of her defiant stance against London rioters becomes an internet hit, an ordinary woman finds herself as the capital’s first female Mayor. With Olivia Williams, Rhashan Stone, Lucy Punch and Martin Shaw.
Care
Thursday 17th May 2012, 9pm
Stars Gina McKee as Natalie, a nurse whose relationship with an elderly patient and other residents on the notorious Byker Estate forces her to confront her own fears and isolation.
The Snipist
Thursday 24th May 2012, 9pm
Drama by Matthew Holness and starring Douglas Henshall and the voice of John Hurt. Set in a post-apocalyptic Britain, a lone sniper (Henshall) must fend off plague carriers and rescue stranded communities in order to survive. But is this landscape of a destroyed civilisation all that it seems?
Walking the Dogs
Thursday 31st May 2012, 9pm
An intruder breaks into the Queen’s bedroom at dawn. They discuss love, family and personal freedom before the police arrive to take him away. With Emma Thompson, Eddie Marsan and Russell Tovey.
The Man
Thursday 7th June 2012, 9pm
Hidden in an exclusive hotel, a cabal of powerful individuals debates international politics, economics and war. A chilling look at how an unelected few control the fate of the masses. Written by Sandi Toksvig. With Stephen Fry, Hayley Atwell, Zoe Wanamaker and Stellan Skarsgård.
The Other Woman
Thursday 14th June 2012, 9pm
Life imitates art as a successful TV writer and his actress wife’s failing marriage is mirrored in the show he writes and she stars in. But can they work out their problems on screen or is their relationship doomed to fail? With Geraldine James, Richard E Grant, Trevor Eve and Tom Ellis.
Psychobitches
Thursday 21st June 2012, 9pm
Psychobitches takes famous females from history and puts them in the psychiatrist’s chair. Our therapist is tasked with trying to help these celebrated women through various issues they may have from Lady Godiva with her obsessive compulsive stripping disorder to Beatrix Potter who believes the animals really do talk to her to Eva Braun who has trouble finding Mr Right. Psychobitches is about celebrating outstanding women from history and all their gloriously bonkers issues.
Are you looking forward to Playhouse Presents…? Let us know below…