It’s “What have you been watching?”, your chance to recommend anything you’ve been watching this week
As suspected, the weather gods have been having some yucks this week, haven’t they? On top of that, the bank holiday and my slightly unpredictable workload means that I didn’t quite get round to reviewing everything I’d intended to. Sigh.
But I have at least now watched all of Safe, so I’ll be reviewing that soon, maybe even tomorrow, and I should have time to play proper catch-up with a few other series this weekend, too, including Foxtel (Australia)’s Picnic at Hanging Rock and ABC (Australia)’s Mystery Road, which starts on Sunday. Tabula Rasa might even get that promised viewing and since I’ve seen a couple of movies at the cinema, as well, Movie Monday might be making at appearance, too. Plus I might even finish watching the first season of Cobra Kai.
Let’s not over-promise, though, even if the regular viewing list is about to plummet to virtually nothing, thanks to the end of the spring season in the US. Indeed, after the jump, as well as the latest episodes of The Americans, Bron/Broen (The Bridge), Legion and Westworld, I’ll be talking about the season finales of The Good Fight, Killing Eve and Krypton. 0See you in a mo as we watch that viewing list get cut in half…
Every couple of weeks so often, TMINE flags up what new TV events BAFTA is holding around the UK
It’s been a while since the previous BAFTA post on TMINE, principally because BAFTA hasn’t been doing anything TV-related. However, there’s four – count ’em – new events lined up air between now and the first week of July, so let’s look at them.
TV Preview: Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
Thursday, 7 June 2018 – 6:45pm
Princess Anne Theatre, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly
A preview of the new BBC Two series followed by a Q&A Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, in conversation with Charlie Higson.
Lifelong friends Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer have more in common than just their love of comedy – they have both recently suffered from heart disease and directly faced their own mortality.
We observe them as they re-connect with each other and share their personal and often hilarious experiences of life while testing the parameters of true friendship… on a soggy riverbank.
Experienced angler Paul takes Bob to some of the most tranquil and naturally beautiful places in the UK to try to teach him the peaceful art of fishing, while Bob reveals his new found culinary skills by cooking health conscious meals for Paul.
In this funny and poignant six part series they candidly discuss everything from showbusiness to solitude to relationships and romance, while trying to catch some of the most significant species of fish in the country.
This is as much an insight into the hearts and minds of two of the UK’s best loved comics as it is about capturing the extreme exhilaration and occasional monotony of one of the most popular past times in the UK.
Thursday, 14 June 2018 – 6:45pm
Princess Anne Theatre, 195 Piccadilly, London
A preview of a new episode of the compelling story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16 year judicial battle that followed. Followed by a Q+A with creator and director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade.
On December 9, 2001, in Durham, North Carolina, a 911 call summoned police to Kathleen Peterson’s house, where they discovered her lifeless body at the foot of a staircase. Her husband, Michael, a local public figure and successful novelist, quickly becomes the prime suspect. In October 2003, as his distraught children look on, Michael Peterson is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife. Twelve years after his five-month trial ends with a life sentence, four years after a startling twist wins him release under house arrest, Michael Peterson now faces his final trial.
Netflix will air three brand new episodes alongside the original 2004 series. We will be screening a recap episode (run time 25 minutes) followed by episode 12 (run time 45 minutes).
Saturday, 16 June 2018 – 10:25am
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
A screening of the hit BBC Three comedy exploring the lives of young people in modern rural Britain, focusing on cousins Kerry and Kurtan and their lives in the Cotswolds.
This Country was recently awarded the Breakthrough Talent award at this year’s BAFTA Craft Awards and is nominated in multiple categories at the BAFTA Television Awards taking place in May.
There is an allocation of free tickets to this screening exclusively for BAFTA Cymru members. Please email Vicki to reserve your place.
More information about the full festival line-up can be found at www.craftofcomedy.com
Full festival passes are available at a discounted rate for BAFTA Cymru members. Please contact [email protected] with your BAFTA membership number.
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Showcase: TV Comedy
Monday, 2 July 2018 – 7:00pm
Princess Anne Theatre, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly
A showcase of three TV comedy script extracts by emerging UK writing talent, selected by an industry jury.
Featuring industry guests producer Lindsay Hughes (Hunderby, Gavin and Stacey) and writer Robert Popper (Friday Night Dinner, Look Around You) who will critique three winning scripts performed by professional actors in front of a live audience as well as sharing insights into their own working processes.
The format selects three 10-minute script extracts from applications sent in by emerging writing talent from all over the country and the pieces have been chosen by industry experts.
Every Friday, TMINE lets you know when the latest TV shows from around the world will air in the UK
Gosh, I was expecting a lot of acquisitions and airdates this week thanks to the LA screenings, but maybe not quite so many and so many countries that aren’t the US. On the acquisitions side, Netflix picked up a whole slew that don’t yet have premiere dates: Northern Rescue (CBC Canada); Ultraviolet (AXN Poland); Champions (NBC US); Marlon (NBC US); and Somewhere Between (ABC US). In fact, some of those haven’t even been made yet.
On top of that, Starz only went and launched a UK version of its network today called Starzplay. As well as a whole bunch of old shows, Sweetbitter and Vida (maybe I will get round to reviewing it one day…) are on there , I noticed. No sign of Counterpart, unfortunately, which suggests that maybe they’re holding out for a buyer for that, although the press release does say Starzplay is going to host all future Starz shows, so maybe there are some rights things going on behind the scenes. Whatever the case, with that catalogue, I’m not sure it’s worth the £4.99 a month price tag, though.
Get Shorty (US: Epix; UK: Sky Atlantic)
Premiere date: Wednesday, June 6, 9pm
Started in the US while I was on holiday, so I’ve no idea if it’s any good, although given it’s based on an Elmore Leonard novel, you’d hope. Here’s the spiel:
Get Shorty follows Miles Daly (Chris O’Dowd), muscle for a Nevada crime ring who tries to become a movie producer in Hollywood as a means to leave his criminal past behind and win back his recently-estranged family. There, he meets Rick Moreweather (Ray Romano), a washed up producer of low quality films who is desperately hanging on to the rungs of Hollywood relevancy and begrudgingly becomes Miles’ partner and guide through the maze of show business. Along with his criminal associate Louis (Sean Bridgers), Miles attempts to keep his worlds from colliding as he balances the demands of filmmaking while keeping the suspicions of the crime ring’s chief – and production bankroll – Amara (Lidia Porto) and her dangerous nephew, Yago (Goya Robles) at bay.
Also involved in the production is ambitious studio executive April Quinn (Megan Stevenson), who started in the business as Rick’s assistant, as well as Miles’ beloved daughter Emma (Carolyn Dodd) – despite objections from Miles’ estranged wife, Katie (Lucy Walters). The ten episode, which is in part based on the Leonard Elmore novel, was developed for television by Davey Holmes and is produced by MGM Television. Holmes also serves as an executive producer alongside Allen Coulter (The Sopranos, Damages) who also directed the first episode. Adam Arkin (The Americans, Billions) directed three episodes of the series and is also a co-executive producer. Epix has already ordered a ten episode second season.
Secret City (Australia: Foxtel; UK: Netflix)
Premiere date: Tuesday, June 26
Anna Torv is a star Australian reporter who uncovers a top secret cover-up that suggests there may even be a Chinese mole in the government. This was one of TMINE’s top shows of 2016 and has been renewed for a second season, so give it a watch (after having read the reviews, first, obviously)
La Forêt (The Forest) (France: France 3; UK: Netflix)
Premiere date: Friday, June 29
Not seen it, but it’s France 3 so could go either way:
In a small and quiet village in the Ardennes, a 16-year-old girl disappears in the forest in the middle of the night. Captain Gaspard Deker, former military and freshly arrived, leads the investigation with Virginie Musso, the local police officer. Soon enough, the leads multiply and one after another the villagers are listed as suspects. Stars Samuel Labarthe and Suzanne Clément.
Wales’ own Ioan Gruffudd plays a brilliant forensic pathologist who with family issues, as well as quite a (surprisingly) deep dark secret of his own, which may or may not involve murder – will his colleagues ever find out and be able to pin it on him? A good combination of serial and episodic mystery that’s usually quirky good fun, sometimes all out comedic, sometimes serious, sometimes just plain silly. But ultimately, it’s really all about Ioan Gruffudd and his performance – which is great. Renewed for a second season.
