EastEnders writer Tony Jordan has written a new BBC One film about the life of Barbara Windsor. The one-off 90-minute drama “will tell the heart-warming story of Barbara Windsor, the Cockney kid with a dazzling smile and talent to match.” The official synopsis reads: “Preparing to perform in the theatre that evening, Babs takes us on a journey … >
It looks like the BBC’s plan to launch a new paid-for subscription service rivalling Netflix and Amazon Prime is looking increasingly likely to go ahead. The white paper on the future of the BBC issued by the government last week says it “welcomes the BBC’s commitment to develop and test some form of additional subscription services.” BBC bosses have held discussions with potential … >
BBC One is making a new drama series based on Philip Pullman’s epic fantasy trilogy of novels, His Dark Materials. His Dark Materials has been published in more than 40 languages and has sold worldwide close to 17.5 million copies. Previous adaptations include Nicholas Hytner’s two-part stage production of His Dark Materials at the National Theatre … >
Award-winning Irish soap Red Rock will be shown daily on BBC Daytime later this year. Written by Peter McKenna (EastEnders, Casualty), the 40-part series premiered in Ireland in 2015. Red Rock is set around the busy police precinct in a fictional seaside town just outside of Dublin, Red Rock follows the Hennessys and the Kielys, two local warring families. … >
BBC One has announced the commission of a new true crime drama from Silent Witness writer Ed Whitmore and Born To Kill writer Tracey Malone. Rillington Place is based on the real life multiple murders that took place around the late 1940s/early 1950s at the notorious address in Notting Hill. The three 60-minute episodes will … >
BBC One has ordered a new psychological thriller series from the makers of The Missing and Indian Summers. Requiem is written and created by Kris Mrksa (The Slap, Underbelly). Mrksa commented: “Requiem is the show I’ve always wanted to make. To be making it with the team at New Pictures, and for the BBC, a … >
The Secret of Crickley Hall writer Joe Ahearne will write and direct a chilling new mini-series for BBC One next year. The Replacement will examine the darker side of working women, motherhood and the issues that arise from making “the right choice”. Joe Ahearne has previously written episodes of Da Vinci’s Demons, This Life and Ultraviolet. … >
Citizen Khan will return to BBC One later this year for a fifth season. Set in Birmingham’s Sparkhill area, the family sitcom launched on BBC One in 2012 and the fourth season began last October. > Buy the complete Season 1-3 box set on Amazon. The show’s creator Adil Ray will be back in the … >
Fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials will be pleased to hear that the BBC has long-term plans for their upcoming TV adaptation. The commission of a new drama series based on the epic fantasy trilogy of novels was announced last year by Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One and Polly Hill, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning. … >
The writer of Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York will adapt E.M. Forster’s classic novel Howards End for BBC One this year. Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan commented: “I’m very proud to have been entrusted with this adaptation of Howards End for the BBC. The book belongs to millions of readers past and present; … >