Year: 2017

BFI Radio Times Festival 2017
BFI events

Full details of the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival

14 February 2017 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Although March might be a bit of a wash-out for tele at the BFI, April is looking a whole lot more promising thanks to the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival. I’ve already given you the highlights, but the BFI has now provided the rundown for the whole thing, including some shiny new events, special guests and even some archive French TV featuring Tom Baker. Being lazy, I’ve copied and pasted the whole shebang below.

New special guests* announced today include: Dame Maggie Smith (DOWNTON ABBEY), Aidan Turner (POLDARK), Claire Foy (THE CROWN), Stephen Daldry (THE CROWN), Sir Ridley Scott (TABOO), Charlie Brooker (BLACK MIRROR), Rowan Atkinson (MAIGRET), Jenna Coleman (VICTORIA), Susanne Bier (THE NIGHT MANAGER), Joe Wicks (THE BODY COACH), Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley (HEMSLEY + HEMSLEY), Tom Kerridge (TOM KERRIDGE’S PROPER PUB FOOD), Jack Thorne (NATIONAL TREASURE), Jed Mercurio (LINE OF DUTY), Lee Mack (NOT GOING OUT), Barry Cryer (I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE), Adam Hills (THE LAST LEG/PARALYMPICS), Simon Nye (THE DURRELLS)

Guests join those names already announced: Michael Palin (MONTY PYTHON), Steven Moffat (DOCTOR WHO, SHERLOCK), Mark Gatiss (SHERLOCK), Julie Walters (NATIONAL TREASURE/DINNER LADIES), Keeley Hawes (THE DURRELLS), Josh O’Connor (THE DURRELLS), Simon Nye (THE DURRELLS), Freida Pinto (GUERRILLA), Babou Ceesay (GUERRILLA), Walter Iuzzolino (WALTER PRESENTS), Jacqueline Wilson (TRACY BEAKER), Judith Kerr (THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA), Michael Morpurgo (WAR HORSE) and Helen and Rob from The Archers

The BFI and Radio Times today announce the full line-up for the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival, celebrating the current golden age of TV with more than 40 events featuring some of the biggest names on the small screen. The new events announced today include the stars, writers and producers of some of the biggest TV shows of the year; including The Crown, Victoria, The Night Manager, Line of Duty, Poldark, Sherlock, Black Mirror and Strictly Come Dancing. Joining the line-up of TV stars is acclaimed director Sir Ridley Scott, who will be in conversation following a screening on Saturday 8 April of The Author of Beltraffio (TF1 1974), a precious gem which has recently been rediscovered by the BFI National Archive, and was directed by Sir Ridley’s brother, the late Tony Scott. This TV drama has been unseen since its UK transmission in 1976 and stars Doctor Who’s fourth Time Lord Tom Baker.

Other highlights announced today include:

IN CONVERSATION:

  • Dame Maggie Smith will make a rare appearance onstage on Saturday 8 April; the legendary Downton Abbey actor will reflect on her life on stage and screen.
  • The satirical writer and broadcaster Charlie Brooker will talk about his work including Screenwipe, Dead Set and the award-winning Black Mirror as well as his TV influences on Sunday 9 April.
  • Comedians Lee Mack and Barry Cryer have spent many years writing sketches and sitcoms for television; join these two giants of comedy on Sunday 9 April as they discuss their craft and comedies past, present and future.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:

  • Opening the Festival on Friday 7 April will be an event dedicated to Maigret starring Rowan Atkinson. Atkinson will be joined by exec producer John Simenon, son of original Maigret creator Georges Simenon, to talk about bringing the enigmatic sleuth to the small screen.
  • A panel discussion about Netflix’s lavish drama The Crown with executive producer Stephen Daldry, Claire Foy, who plays the Queen, and more cast and crew TBA will take place on Saturday 8 April. The discussion will offer audiences an insight into the making of this majestic drama which recently won Golden Globes for actor Claire Foy and for Best Drama.
  • On Saturday 8 April Victoria stars Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes will take a break from filming the second series, along with writer-creator Daisy Goodwin and executive producer Damien Timmer, to discuss ITV’s Sunday night hit drama.
  • The compelling adaptation of John le Carré’s book The Night Manager became one of the TV highlights of 2016; on Sunday 9 April Oscar-winning director Susanne Bier, executive producers Simon Cornwell and Stephen Garrett, and cast member Alistair Petrie will explain how they created such brilliant water-cooler TV that kept us on the edge of our seats.
  • On Saturday 8 April there will be a special Poldark event, with the drama’s leading man Aidan Turner, writer Debbie Horsfield and executive producer Damien Timmer. Audiences will also get a glimpse of series three, due to be aired this autumn.
  • On Sunday 9 April join Doctor Who executive producer Brian Minchin, and cast members to talk about the joys and challenges of making the world’s longest-running sci-fi series. With a sneak preview of clips from the upcoming series, set to be the last full series for Moffat and for star Peter Capaldi.
  • Moffat’s other worldwide smash for the BBC is the marvellous re-imagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s great detective Sherlock, co-written and co-created by Mark Gatiss and exec-produced by Moffat’s wife Sue Vertue. An event on Sunday 9 April will see a discussion of the compelling sound of Sherlock with Gatiss and Vertue along with composers David Arnold and Michael Price.
  • Join writer Jed Mercurio and members of the cast of Line of Duty on Saturday 8 April as they discuss the latest series of the compelling drama as it moves to BBC One and the dark word of AC12 and police corruption.
  • Meet the unsung stars of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday 8 April; executive producer Louise Rainbow, talent executive Vinnie Shergill, director of choreography Jason Gilkison and head of costume Vicky Gill are some of the team responsible for putting together the glitziest programme on TV.
  • On Sunday 9 April athletes Libby Clegg and Susie Rogers will be joined by comedian and Last Leg host Adam Hills to discuss how Channel 4’s exciting, dedicated coverage of The Paralympics has changed public attitudes towards those who are physically different.
  • Join the country’s best-loved wordsmith Susie Dent on Saturday 8 April as she vacates Countdown’s dictionary corner to take audiences on an entertaining and informative journey across the rolling landscape of the English language.

MASTERCLASSES:

  • How to Become a Social Media Star on Saturday 8 April with guests Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) and the Hemsley Sisters (Hemsley + Hemsley), will reveal how they turned themselves into lifestyle gurus, TV presenters, and social media stars.
  • BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne will give a masterclass on Sunday 9 April, speaking about his influences and work at the forefront of British TV’s current golden age including National Treasure, Skins, Shameless and The Fades and his forthcoming adaption of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials for the BBC.

TREASURES FROM THE BFI NATIONAL ARCHIVE:

  • Sir Ridley Scott will be in discussion following a screening of his brother Tony’s TV drama Author of Beltraffio (TF1, 1974) which has remained unseen since its UK transmission in 1976. This drama was the British contribution to a five-part series of Henry James stories made for French TV in 1974 and stars Tom Baker.
  • The Festival programmers have plundered the BFI National Archive to put together a collection of memorable moments from Tom Jones’ outstanding ATV series This Is Tom Jones (1969-1971); on Saturday 8 April audiences will be able to revel in clips of special stars such as Dusty Springfield and Stevie Wonder performing one-off duets with their host.
  • TV Dinners with Tom Kerridge on Saturday 8 April will celebrate larger-than-life cookery stars such as Fanny Cradock and even Vincent Price, bringing us up to date via Mary Berry and Delia Smith with clips drawn from the BFI National Archive and hosted by the Michelin-starred chef and TV cookery star Tom Kerridge.

FAMILY EVENTS:

  • On Sunday 9 April there will be a preview of two brand new episodes from CBBC’s top football drama Jamie Johnson. Hear from the writers, selected cast and crew, plus a special celebrity guest, after the screening.

EVENTS WITH RADIO TIMES EXPERTS:

  • Spoiler alert! How to Write About Television on Saturday 8 April will see Radio Times’ TV Editor Alison Graham, Deputy TV Editor David Butcher and RT’s Choices writers share a few secrets of the previewer’s art.
  • The Making of a Cover Star on Saturday 8 April sees Radio Times Art Director Shem Law and prolific Radio Times photographer Don Smith discuss 90 years of iconic covers and what it takes to create them.

What TV’s on at the BFI in March 2017? Including Reporting History: Kate Adie in Conversation

14 February 2017 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

March looks like it’s going to be a quiet month at the BFI for TV lovers. In fact, there’s precisely one event happening and that’s a chat with Kate Adie about her career. Still, Kate Adie’s cool so that’s pretty good.

Monday 6 March
18:15 NFT1
Reporting History: Kate Adie in Conversation 
TRT 90min
Kate Adie is one of the UK’s most trusted and respected journalists. Her incisive and informative reporting from the front line has bought contemporary history into the living rooms of millions of viewers and provided us all with a global perspective on major events. As the BBC’s Chief News Correspondent her assignments have included: the final NATO intervention in Kosovo; the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster; the massacre at Dunblane; the SAS lifting of the Iran Embassy Siege in London; and the Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing in 1989. Join Adie as she discusses her amazing career alongside fascinating clips, followed by a chance for you to ask your own questions. 
Tickets £16, concs £12 (Members pay £1.70 less)

Champions’ priority booking: February 6 11.30am
Members’ priority booking opens: February 7 11.30am
Public booking opens: February 14 11.30am

Prices
Members: £10.10
Member concs: £7.55
Non-members: £11.75
Non-member concs: £9.20
Under 16s £6.00

Reduced prices for weekday matinees. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.
As always, visit the BFI web site for more details.

News: Lucifer renewed; Edward James Olmos is a biker; new Star Trek recruits; + more

14 February 2017 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Canadian TV

New UK TV show casting

  • Russell Brand, Sally Phillips, Mark Williams et al to guest on BBC One’s Hospital People

US TV

US TV show casting

  • Adina Porter, Brian White and Lili Simmons to recur on Ray Donovan

New US TV show casting

What have you been watching? Including Fortitude, The Great Indoors, The Magicians, Powerless and Son of Zorn

13 February 2017 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

It’s “What have you been watching?”, my chance to tell you what movies and TV I’ve been watching recently and your chance to recommend anything you’ve been watching.

It’s been a bumper week for new shows. I’ve already reviewed Superior Donuts (US: CBS), 24: Legacy (US: Fox; UK: Fox UK), APB (US: Fox) and Legion (US: Fox; UK: Fox UK), and passed a third-episode verdict on Cardinal (Canada: CTV/Super Écran; UK: BBC Four), but that still leaves me with Imposters (US: TNT), Newton’s Law (Australia: ABC) and Riverdale (US: The CW; UK: Netflix) to review or pass third-episode verdicts on. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on getting all of them done, but as I’m taking Wednesday off, there might be a slight delay.

But after the jump, this week’s look at the latest episodes of the regulars: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Fortitude, The Great Indoors, Lethal Weapon, The Magicians, Man Seeking Woman, Powerless, Son of Zorn, and Timeless

Continue reading “What have you been watching? Including Fortitude, The Great Indoors, The Magicians, Powerless and Son of Zorn”

The BarrometerA Barrometer rating of 2

Third-episode verdict: Cardinal (Canada: CTV/Super Écran; UK: BBC Four)

13 February 2017 Rob Buckley 4 Comments

In Canada: Wednesdays, 10 pm ET/PT, CTV
In Canada (en Français): Thursdays, 10pm, Super Écran
In the UK: Acquired by BBC Four for broadcast in 2017

Cardinal is now big news in the UK. With a lot of the ‘world shows’ I review, particularly Canadian ones, I don’t usually expect them to ever end up on UK TV by normal means, although that’s slowly been changing. But Canada’s CTV isn’t really a network that the UK acquires from, so I had thought the chances were even slimmer that anyone but the most dedicated would get to see it outside Canada.

But as of Friday, Cardinal has become not just BBC Four’s first ever Canadian acquisition but, I think, UK TV’s first CTV acquisition. How extraordinary.

You can see from watching it why this would be. Unlike many CTV shows, Cardinal is beautifully made and more to the point, it’s Nordic/Canadian Noir that’ll slot ever so nicely into BBC Four’s Saturday night foreign crime drama schedule. 

Adapted from the first of Giles Blunt’s six ‘John Cardinal Mysteries’, Forty Words For Sorrow, Cardinal sees Billy Campbell (Helix, The Killing (US), The Rocketeer) playing the eponymous Cardinal, a Canadian police detective in the fictional Algonquin Bay, who investigates the disppearance of a young girl. Unable to find her, he goes off the rails and is demoted, but a year later, the body of the girl turns up and he is reassigned to what is now a murder case, working alongside new recruit Karine Vanasse (Pan Am, Revenge).

Now the first episode is a tour de force, giving us a genuinely interesting slice of Canadian life in Algonquin Bay, a decent mystery to be solved and subtle performances from the main cast. After that, episode two is a bit of a climb down, consisting largely of people sitting in rooms talking. There’s still the show’s established feel for police procedure and shunning of glossy US police clichés in favour of the plausible and what’s affordable for a small Canadian police department. But it’s people sitting around talking.

Indeed, when the killers show up in episode two, you barely realise they’re the killers, it’s all so low key. It’s only in episode three that everything starts to become evident and the show becomes a cat-and-mouse game between Cardinal and his quarries. And it’s here that Cardinal and I might part ways, because although it’s still a beautifully crafted piece of work, something to which it owes a great deal of credit to director Podz, it’s still Nordic/Canadian Noir and we enter the realm of the dotty serial killer. As a genre trope, that’s fine, if you like that kind of thing, but I’m not a big fan of watching hours of outright sadism, even if it’s all very tastefully done.

The show’s also a little unfocused, with a key plot thread of the first three episodes being the question of whether Cardinal is a corrupt cop, with a covert internal investigation taking up rather a lot of the show’s time. Whether he is or he isn’t, Campbell’s Cardinal is so sad and joyless that it feels like kicking a man when he’s down to even be thinking it, and you can bet, thanks to the side-plot involving his sick wife, that there’s a sad reason for any corruption if it’s true.

Those reservations aside, if Nordic Noir is your thing, Cardinal is a very fine addition to the genre, as beautiful to watch as Ófærð (Trapped) and as well acted as Forbrydelsen (The Killing).