BFI events

What TV’s on at the BFI in May 2020? Including Isolation Stories

Whenever it can, TMINE lets you know what TV the BFI will be presenting at the South Bank in London

So, for obvious reasons, the BFI hasn’t been putting on too many events of late. Everything’s been cancelled, in fact. That means there’s not been much cause for me to report its schedule of late.

However, next month, the BFI will be putting on one programme, at least – and maybe more as time moves on. And this is it:

Programme

Tuesday 5 May

20:00 BFI YouTube Channel

Free online panel discussion with the team behind ITV’s Isolation Stories
ITV 2020. Dir Paul Whittington. Eddie Marsan, Sheridan Smith, Angela Griffin, Robert Glenister, David Threlfall and more

BFI will host an online panel discussion with the award-winning team behind ITV’s new drama, Isolation Stories, the first lockdown TV drama which responds to and reflects on what families are going through during weeks of isolation. The panel discussion will stream before the broadcast of the second episode, and will give audience a chance to hear from exec producer Jeff Pope (Philomena), cast Eddie Marsan (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell), Angela Griffin (Coronation Street), director Paul Whittington (White House Farm), writer Gaby Chiappe (The Level) and producer Tom Dunbar (A Confession).

Isolation Stories will air on ITV at 9pm over four consecutive nights from Monday 4 May. Each 15 minute episode was filmed observing the strict rules of lockdown with actors and their families filming the scenes themselves watched remotely by the directors. Assembled in conditions the production company has never faced before and written and directed by an award-winning team, the series features moments that are funny, sad, heart-warming and poignant.

Starring Sheridan Smith, Darren Boyd, Angela Griffin, Robert Glenister alongside his son Tom Glenister, David Threlfall, Eddie Marsan and Marsan’s two sons as well as Philip Jackson, Leanne Best and Michael Jibson.

The first episode entitled Mel, follows heavily pregnant, and fed up with life, Mel (Sheridan Smith) as she faces having to go through birth without the married father of her child – who has chosen to stay with his wife and family. Other episode explore father-son dynamics, a self-absorbed hypochondriac’s virtual sessions with his psychiatrist and a grandfather who tries to mend his broken family whilst observing social distancing.

The panel will be hosted by writer and broadcaster Mark Lawson giving audiences a chance to hear the unique challenges in producing this fascinating series and the highly topical issues it raises for us all. The public can submit their questions for the panel to @BFI on Twitter and by using the hashtag #IsolationStories. All questions must be submitted by 2pm on Monday 4 May.

Tickets £18, concs £15 (Members pay £2 less)

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Streaming TV

What have you been watching? Including The Secrets She Keeps and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

It’s “What have you been watching?”, your chance to recommend to fellow TMINE readers anything you’ve been watching this week

Previously on TMINE

Look at that. I reviewed some tele. It’s almost like this is a TV blog or something. This week, I’ve let you know all about One Lane Bridge (New Zealand: TVNZ1) and Defending Jacob (Apple TV+). But that’s not all I’ve watched…

Rashida Jones and Kenya Barris in Netflix’s #blackAF

Next on TMINE

Coming up after the jump, I’ll be reviewing The Secrets She Keeps (Australia: Ten; UK: BBC Four) and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (US: Showtime; UK: Sky Atlantic). But there’s more TV on the way this week – as usual, though, Covid-19 rules apply to the following new shows: I have every intention of watching all of them, but might not be able to, for one reason or another.

In the US, HBO will be giving us skating show Betty but that’s about it. However, on the streaming services, Netflix will be offering us Summertime, Almost Happy, Hollywood, and Into The Night, while Apple TV+ gives us its first UK show, Trying. Meanwhile, Amazon has Upload for us.

I’ve also just noticed that Amazon now has season 3 of Baron Noir (France: Canal+). I’d love to watch that but you can only rent or buy it, and I’m cheap. You might not be, though.

I’m going to try at least one of those, I reckon. Maybe more. How about you?

The regulars

After the jump, it’s the usual regulars: For Life, Mystery Road, What We Do In The Shadows and Westworld. See you in a mo!

Continue reading “What have you been watching? Including The Secrets She Keeps and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”
Australian and New Zealand TV

Acorn TV launches in the UK today – and they’ve made a trailer

Acorn TV is a US channel that functions a little like Walter Presents does for us in the UK – except it also lets Americans enjoy the best of British TV as well.

(Obviously, for me, that’s ‘best’, but YMMV)

Now it’s launching in the UK today on Roku, Fire TV, Android and Apple mobile, Apple TV and (soon) Amazon Channels and Apple TV Channels. And here’s the trailer.

Continue reading “Acorn TV launches in the UK today – and they’ve made a trailer”
Queen Sono
News

Queen Sono, Validé renewed; Talking Heads remake; + more

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