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Somewhere on the M1, between London and The North, a sleepy James Norton is sprawled out in the back of a car. It’s a very nice car, he tells me, with lots of leg room. The fields flanking the motorway are getting snowier as he travels up the country. The star of Happy Valley and McMafia is wearing a “big, baggy tracksuit” and plans to have a “hefty snooze” after our interview, because he can’t stay awake on long drives. He laughs at my line of questioning – about his appearance and surroundings – telling me, “You’re going to twist this so it sounds like I’m the Queen of Sheba!”

There is a good reason why I’m asking the 37-year-old actor, in the least suggestive way possible, to describe where he is and what he’s wearing on the phone. He can’t meet in person or jump on Zoom.

Daisy Ridley will star in and executive produce the series adaptation of Nina de Gramont’s best-selling novel “The Christie Affair” for Miramax TV, which is set to develop and produce the murder mystery. The series is set to be a reimagining of Agatha Christie’s 11-day disappearance in 1926, which mirrored many elements of the mystery genre the late author was known for.

Ridley will play Nan O’Dea, the mistress of Christie’s husband, who the series will center on. Throughout the show, Nan discovers that her life becomes entwined with Christie’s in ways that neither could ever expect. Writer Juliette Towhidi is adapting the script for television; her previous credits include “Calendar Girls”, “Death Comes to Pemberley,” “Testament of Youth” and “The Essex Serpent.”

Gramont’s novel was published by St. Martin’s Press this February and became a No. 1 bestseller in the U.K., and was included...

Daisy Ridley, best known for her breakout role in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” will be starring in and executive producing the upcoming Miramax TV limited series “The Christie Affair.” The project is based on Nina de Gramont’s best-selling novel, which reimagines beloved mystery novelist Agatha Christie’s real-life 11-day disappearance.

Miramax TV will develop and produce the murder mystery, with British writer Juliette Towhidi (“The Essex Serpent”) adapting the script. The logline is as follows: In 1926, when her husband’s affair became public, Agatha Christie vanished for 11 days. In this reimagining, told through the eyes of her husband’s mistress Nan O’Dea (Ridley), Nan and Agatha become entwined in each other’s lives in ways neither expected.

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‘Hill House’ Duo Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy Jump From Netflix to Amazon Studios With New Overall Deal

Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Rich Green, Jeremy Bell and DJ Goldberg are executive producing.

Exclusive: The Outlaws and Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson has joined the cast of Netflix’s romantic drama series One Day.

Tomlinson, best known for starring in BBC drama Poldark between 2015 and 2019, is coming off the second season of Stephen Merchant comedy The Outlaws, which is already playing on BBC iPlayer in the UK and set to join Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. on August 5.

In One Day, she will play Sylvie, who in David Nicholls’ original novel forms a relationship with male lead Dexter Mayhew.

Last month, we revealed This is Going to Hurt breakout Ambika Mod and The White Lotus‘ Leo Woodall had landed the leads in the adaptation, playing on-off lovers Emma Morley and Mayhew, respectively.

Tomlinson is known for roles in films such as Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Colette and Love Wedding Repeat, and had starring roles in Poldark, The White Queen, Death Comes to Pemberley...

Exclusive: Miramax TV has optioned the rights to Nina de Gramont’s upcoming novel The Christie Affair, a reimagining of Agatha Christie’s 11-day disappearance, to develop and produce as a limited series. British writer Juliette Towhidi (Calendar Girls) is set to pen the adaptation.

In 1926, when her husband’s affair became public, Agatha Christie vanished for eleven days. This reimagining is told through the eyes of her husband’s mistress, Nan O’Dea. Agatha and Nan transform from competitors to unlikely allies while the world around them remains cloaked in the dark, unable to grasp the complexities of each woman’s relationship to her past and her female identity. Set mostly in the beautiful and historic British spa town of Harrogate, The Christie Affair is part sweeping love story– but not the one you expect — part exploration of the bonds...

MGM in 1940 was just the movie factory to turn out a smart, compact version of the Jane Austen novel, with Greer Garson in fine form and Laurence Olivier possibly slumming but also contributing a flawless performance. Robert Z. Leonard’s direction is invisible but does no harm; adaptors Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin telescope events and concoct an even happier ending, all with great skill. Sorry, despite persistent rumors, the story hasn’t a single zombie.

Pride and Prejudice

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1940 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 118 min. / Street Date July 14, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99

Starring: Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Rutherford, Frieda Inescort, Edmund Gwenn, Heather Angel, Marsha Hunt.

Cinematography: Karl Freund

Film Editor: Robert Kern

Original Music: Herbert Stothart

Written by Aldous Huxley, Jane Murfin from the book by Jane Austen

Produced by Hunt Stromberg

Directed by Robert Z. Leonard

I...

“Bohemian Rhapsody” co-producer New Regency has launched a London-based international TV division, recruiting former Scott Free exec Ed Rubin to run the new operation and hiring Emma Broughton from The Ink Factory (“The Night Manager”) as head of scripted.

New Regency produced “The Revenant,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Birdman.” It recently opened up shop in London and hired former Lionsgate and eOne exec Charlotte Thorp to head international sales.

The newly minted New Regency Television International will work up high-end international scripted projects. It will fund and develop TV drama from the ground up and co-produce with others.

Rubin has worked in both film and TV. His TV credits include Bafta-nominated “The Crimson Petal & The White” and “Death Comes to Pemberley.” Broughton was head of creative at The Ink Factory, the production company run by John Le Carré’s sons, and has developed various Le Carré projects as well...

Italy’s expanding Effe TV has inked a flurry of deals for high-end international dramas from players such as Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Endemol Shine and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, from which it picked up the BBC’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel “The War of the Worlds.”

All six acquired dramas are based on literary properties. The deals signal the ambition of Effe TV, a subsidiary of Italian publisher and bookseller Feltrinelli Group, “to bring top international products to Italian TV audiences,” said Riccardo Chiattelli, director of the company’s Laf channel. The channel airs on Sky Italia, the Italian unit of Comcast-owned paybox Sky.

Besides the BBC’s three-part “War of the Worlds,” which toplines Rafe Spall (“The Big Short”) and Eleanor Tomlinson (“Poldark”) and is being produced by ITV-owned Mammoth Screen, Laf has also picked up three seasons of crime drama “Cardinal,” an...

In a category long dominated by anti-heroes — from James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano to Bryan Cranston’s Walter White — a good guy is poised to take the trophy this year. There are some villains in the mix, of course — we’re looking at you, “Westworld” — but the momentum resides with two of TV’s most emotional men, who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Brown and Rhys both play husbands and fathers who will do anything for those they love, though Rhys admittedly takes it to the extreme.

The Case for Sterling K. Brown

The reigning champion for his work on the first season of “This Is Us,” Brown has become a familiar presence on the Emmy stage — he also claimed a statue for “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” where he embodied Chris Darden, standing out amid a sea of A-list co-stars. The twin trophies are a...

Jason Clarke has been tapped to star opposite Helen Mirren in the HBO/Sky limited drama series Catherine the Great.

Written by Nigel Williams and directed by BAFTA and Emmy winner Philip Martin, the four-episode series is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great (Mirren). Catherine wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century; strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated, she was the definition of the modern woman.

Produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures, the limited series will follow Catherine toward the end of her reign and her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Clarke), a Russian military commander who became Catherine’s lover, favored statesman and life-long friend. Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together...

Matthew Rhys and Jamie Dornan are set to star in the BBC’s “Death and Nightingales,” a three-part historical drama set in 19th-century Northern Ireland.

The show marks a reunion for Dornan with writer-director Allan Cubitt, who he previously worked with on crime drama “The Fall” between 2013-2016. It will be the first time “The Americans” star Rhys has worked with Cubitt.

Ann Skelly also stars in the show, which is produced by Imaginarium Productions and Soho Moon for BBC Two. It is adapted by Cubitt from a novel by Eugene McCabe.

Set in Northern Ireland in 1885, “Death and Nightingales” is a story of love, betrayal, deception and revenge that follows a young woman’s struggles to control her own destiny. The action takes place over a 24-hour period during which Skelly’s character, Beth Winters, decides on her 25th birthday to escape her limited life and difficult relationship with...

The love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy has been told again and again onscreen, and each adaptation has in its own way addressed themes of class, social etiquette and romance that Jane Austen wove into the 1813 classic, Pride and Prejudice. But now Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, in theaters Feb. 5, introduces a whole new slew of themes: the undead, for example, and martial arts and lots and lots of blood and gore. The film has Cinderella star Lily James playing Elizabeth, who in this version just happens to be leading a small army of sword-toting society women in...

The wait is almost over, Ultimate Night of the Living Dead #3 issues will be released on February 24th. Also in this round-up: details on The X-Files UFO event, Shudder's partnership with Sundance Film Festival, two Doctor Who Blu-rays, Yoga Hosers comic, and House Shark.

Ultimate Night of the Living Dead #3: "For those of you that have been looking for our 3rd issues, your patience will be rewarded. Issue 3 Super Packs and individual titles will be released on February 24th, 2016.

Follow as Evans County continues to fall into the grips of an undead invasion. See the invasion from 10 different perspectives.

Sh*t’s about to get real."

---------

The X-Files UFO: "It’s an Out-Of-This-World X-Files Experience That Fans Won’t Want to Miss

Come See the UFO Today in Los Angeles At The Grove (189 Grove Dr., La) from 8:00 Am – 10:00 Pm

Share your Pictures on Your Favorite...

Emma Thompson both wrote and stars in this latter-day Jane Austen adaptation, blessed with fine locations and costumes, a congenial cast and attentive direction by Ang Lee. Kate Winslet consolidates her newfound stardom as a second Austen husband-seeker, lost in a maze of family intrigues and betrayals. But none are so severe as to prevent faith, hope and charity from prevailing in the end. Sense and Sensibility Blu-ray Twilight Time Limited Edition 1995 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 136 min. / Ship Date November 10, 2015 / available through Twilight Time Movies / 29.95 Starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Gemma Jones, Tom Wilkinson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Greg Wise, Lucy Steele, Harriet Walter, Imelda Staunton, Emilie François, Robert Hardy, Hugh Laurie. Cinematography Michael Coulter Original Music Patrick Doyle Written by Emma Thompson from the book by Jane Austen Produced by Lindsay Doran Directed by Ang Lee

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Jane Austen is certainly back in the chips these days,...

Rebecca Front is to star in 'Doctor Who'. The 51-year-old actress will be reunited with her 'The Thick of It' co-star Peter Capaldi - who plays the titular Time Lord - for her guest role in the next series of the BBC sci-fi series in a two-part adventure that sees the return of shape-shifting aliens the Zygons. However, her role is a closely guarded secret. As well as having previously acted alongside Capaldi, Front has also appeared as Mrs. Bennett, the mother of Jenna-Louise Coleman - who plays companion Clara Oswald in 'Doctor Who' - in 'Death Comes To Pemberley'. Front...

Rebecca Front is heading to Doctor Who.

The Thick of It actress will reunite with her former co-star Peter Capaldi when she appears in the forthcoming Zygon two-parter later this year.

Details of the role she will play in the episodes are currently a closely guarded secret.

Front will also reunite with Jenna Coleman, whom she starred alongside in BBC One period drama Death Comes to Pemberley.

The Zygon two-parter will also feature the returns of Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart and Ingrid Oliver as Osgood.

Peter Harness has penned the story, which is said to have an enormous cliffhanger.

Michelle Gomez will also return as Missy in the opening episodes of series 9, while Rufus Hound, Paul Kaye, Jaye Griffiths and Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams will also guest star during the series.

Meanwhile, Capaldi will meet fans of the show at the Official Doctor Who Festival in London this November.

PBS’s Masterpiece producing public broadcasting channel Wgbh announced this morning it had “optioned” the novel The Signature Of All Things, written by Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert and “inspired by the true-life adventures of real 19th century female botanical explorers.” UK film and TV production company Origin Pictures, helmed by David Thompson, is developing the project; Origin's recent titles include Death Comes To Pemberley starring Matthew Rhys, and Woman I…...

UKTV's Drama channel will join the company's on-demand service UKTV Play.

The channel will launch on the service later this week, with classics such as Agatha Christie, Death Comes to Pemberley and Birds of a Feather among programmes available to watch.

Drama joins fellow UKTV channels Dave, Yesterday and Really on the service which is available on iOS, Android, PC and YouView.

UKTV's director of commercial and business development Dan Fahy said: "UKTV Play is proving popular with viewers and we want to give them even more access to UKTV's great programming, when and where they want.

"The addition of Drama's well known and loved programming reinforces UKTV Play's position as a must-have on-demand service for our audience, especially as we continue to launch UKTV Play on to more platforms."

UKTV Play launched in 2014, with Dave and Really programmes such as Storage Hunters, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and Most Haunted available to watch,...

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"The Boxtrolls"

Laika's latest stop-motion film is about a kiddo named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) who is raised by a gaggle of trolls under the streets of Cheesebridge. It got pretty good reviews, as well as an Oscar nomination, and while it hasn't snatched up as many eyes and hearts as "Coraline" or "ParaNorman," it's still a solid kid's movie. The Blu-ray includes audio commentary from directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, as well as a few other extra goodies.

"Lucy"

Scarlett Johansson's actioner has been available digitally, but now you can snag it on Blu-ray.

"My Winnipeg"

Guy Maddin's wonderfully weird ode to his hometown is finally on Criterion. In addition to your typical Criterion updates -- a high-def digital video transfer,...

Sky has announced details of two new dramas.

Stephen Mangan will star in new Sky Arts drama Birthday, playing a pregnant man awaiting the birth of his daughter.

The drama is written by Joe Penhall, and is an adaptation of his 2012 Royal Court play of the same name. Roger Michell (Notting Hill) is on board as director.

Mangan will play Ed, while Anna Maxwell Martin (Death Comes to Pemberley) will star as his high-flying wife, who is by his side as he prepares to deliver their child.

Mangan said: "We've long known that Birthday would make a wonderful TV drama, and we're delighted that Sky Arts shared our vision.

"Now, for the first time, viewers are able to get right into the delivery room to witness the spectacle of a heavily pregnant man in all his hormonal, bloated, mammary-swollen glory; up close and (maybe a little too) personal."

Meanwhile, Sky Living will air The Five,...

P.D. James took the classic British detective story into tough modern terrain, complete with troubled relationships and brutal violence, and never accepted that crime writing was second-class literature. James, who has died at age 94, is best known as the creator of sensitive Scotland Yard sleuth Adam Dalgliesh. But her wickedly acute imagination ranged widely, inserting a murder into the mannered world of Jane Austen in Death Comes to Pemberley and creating a bleak dystopian future in The Children of Men.Publisher Faber and Faber said James died peacefully on Thursday at her home in Oxford, southern England. Faber, James' publisher for more than 50 years,...

One of the most prolific and beloved of British crime novelists, P.D. James, passed away today in Oxford, England. Best known for her series of detective novels centering around Scotland Yard Commander/poet Adam Dagliesh, James was 94. Her non-Dagliesh book, Children Of Men, was the basis for Alfonso Cuaron’s 2006 Oscar nominated film of the same name. She also recently was the impetus for Death Comes To Pemberley, a BBC and Masterpiece miniseries based on her novel that imagines Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice characters later in life and faced with a murderous scandal. Several of her earlier books were also transferred to the small screen including Death Of An Expert Witness, Unnatural Causes, A Taste For Death, Devices And Desires, A Mind To Murder and Death In Holy Orders.

Phyllis Dorothy James White was born in Oxford in 1920 and began writing in the mid-50s. Her first Dagliesh novel,...

London – P.D. James took the classic British detective story into tough modern terrain, complete with troubled relationships and brutal violence, and never accepted that crime writing was second-class literature. James, who has died at age 94, is best known as the creator of sensitive Scotland Yard sleuth Adam Dalgliesh. But her wickedly acute imagination ranged widely, inserting a murder into the mannered world of Jane Austen in Death Comes to Pemberley and creating a bleak dystopian future in The Children of Men. See more Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 James told the Associated Press in 2006 that

read more...

Someone in lemur heaven is getting a fantastic nature lesson right now, that’s for sure.

Jovian, the lemur who starred as Zoboo on PBS’ hit nature series Zoboomafoo, died Monday at the age of 20, the network has confirmed. From 1999 to 2001, Jovian yucked it up opposite Zoboomafoo hosts (and real-life brothers) Chris and Martin Kratt.

“He was very social and calm,” Martin Kratt says of his former co-star. “He was young and good-looking and very gentle.”

According to the Duke Lemur Center, which Jovian called home, the star is survived by partner Pia and brother Julian, as well as seven children and four grandchildren.

Net 8Pm 8:30Pm 9Pm 9:30Pm 10Pm 10:30Pm ABC Once Upon a Time Resurrection Revenge CBS > Fox The Simpsons Brooklyn Nine Family Guy Mulaney NBC Football Night in America Sunday Night Football: Ravens at Steelers Misc Skyscraper Live with Nik Wallenda (Discovery, 7-9Pm) The Walking Dead (AMC)Olive Kitteridge (HBO, 9-11Pm))Death Comes to Pemberley (PBS)2014 BAFTA […]...

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a person in want of a good project will adapt Pride and Prejudice-if not always to dazzling effect. The latest take, a two-part miniseries called Death Comes to Pemberley, premiered yesterday on PBS. And if there's anything P&P fans like almost as much as Austen's book, it's consuming and then critiquing the various interpretations of it. Which is why we're taking this opportunity to rank 13 different iterations of Pride & Prejudice, from the best (the 1995 miniseries starring Colin Firth is a nigh-untouchable high point) to the significantly less great. 1. Pride and Prejudice (miniseries...

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Bound by Flesh"

If you're a fan of "American Horror Story: Freak Show," you'll want to get to know sideshow stars Daisy and Violet Hilton. Leslie Zemeckis writes and directs this doc about the world-famous conjoined twins.

"Nightbreed: The Director's Cut"

This is the first time that Clive Barker's original cut has been released, with 40 minutes of fresh footage. The limited edition release comes with the theatrical cut, as well as a third disc of extras, but it's already sold out. Still, the regular release has the long-awaited director's cut, Barker audio commentary, and some other goodies that make it a worthwhile investment for fans.

The Complete Jacques Tati

This seven-disc Criterion set comes with Tati's six features, plus...

This weekend, Keanu Reeves plays a retired legendary assassin out for revenge in the bloody action movie "John Wick," "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is now streaming on Netflix, while Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" will be available on October 25, and the new CW dramedy "Jane the Virgin" airs its third episode Monday night at 9 p.m. with its first two episodes available now on Hulu.

Also in theaters this weekend: In "Ouija," a group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. "White Bird in a Blizzard" follows a teenage girl (Shailene Woodley) whose life is thrown into chaos when her mother (Eva Green) disappears. "Laggies" stars Keira Knightley as a 28-year-old in the throes of a quarter-life crisis who goes to live with her new 16-year-old (Chloe Grace Moretz) after her boyfriend proposes to her. "Citizenfour" follows...

If there isn’t enough bloodshed in Pride and Prejudice for your taste, Death Comes to Pemberley (premiering this Sunday on Masterpiece on PBS) has murder, a hysterical Bennet (played by Doctor Who‘s Jenna Coleman) and Matthew Rhys (The Americans) as the dashing Mr. Darcy.

Adapted from P.D. James’ novel, the miniseries picks up after the events of the Jane Austen classic, when Pemberley is rocked by a whodunit. In TVLine’s exclusive first look, Lydia Bennet (Coleman) arrives at the estate, screaming bloody murder, and a slap is the only thing capable of calming her down. (Naturally, the excitable Mrs.

The National Television Awards 2015 longlist nominations have been announced and voting is now (October 14) open.

Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the NTAs celebrate the best and most popular TV and are exclusively voted for by viewers. The 2015 awards take place at London's O2 on January 21.

The Nta shortlist will be announced in January when the final round of voting begins. Viewers can vote for free online at nationaltvawards.com or by calling the Nta vote form request line 0844 646 2060.

Full list of 2015 nominations:

Chat Show Host

Adam Hills

Alan Carr

Graham Norton

Jonathan Ross

Michael McIntyre

Paul O'Grady

Piers Morgan

Sarah Millican

Comedy

Benidorm

Big School

Birds of a Feather

Blandings

Boomers

Citizen Khan

Derek

Mrs Brown's Boys

Not Going Out

Outnumbered

The Big Bang Theory

The Wrong Mans

W1A

Daytime

Animal Saints and Sinners

Antiques Road Trip

Bargain Hunt

BBC Breakfast

Coach Trip

Escape to the Country

Father Brown

Fifteen to One

Flog It!

October is officially upon us, and we're in for an entire new slew of television premieres -- not to mention a few finales. This month is packed with returning favorites and a crop of freshman shows that are poised to be hits ("The Affair," anyone?) and Moviefone's rounded up a day-by-day schedule so you can prepare in advance for a major TV binge. Check out what's on October's docket right here -- and pssst brand new shows are in bold, plus we included a few must-watch previews!

October 1 9/8c Criminal Minds (CBS) 10/9c Stalker (CBS) 10/9c The Bridge Finale (FX) 11/10c Death Valley (Cmt) 11/10c Girl Code (MTV)

October 2 8/7c The Vampire Diaries (CW) 9/8c Bad Judge (NBC) 9/8c Gracepoint (Fox) 9/8c Reign (CW) 9:30/8:30c A To Z (NBC)

October 3 8/7c Last Man Standing (ABC) 8/7c On The Menu (TNT) 10/9c Kendra on Top (We)

October 4 9/8c Survivor's...

James Norton gave nightmares to millions of viewers earlier this year, when he starred as the villainous Tommy Lee Royce in BBC One's Happy Valley.

The British actor - who has previously starred in Rush, Doctor Who and Death Comes to Pemberley - is about to show his range by taking on a role that couldn't be more different than Tommy.

Grantchester is ITV's latest crime drama set in the 1950s, and sees Norton as vicar Sidney Chambers. He teams up with detective Geordie Keating (Robson Green) in solving crimes in the Cambridgeshire village.

Digital Spy caught up with Norton ahead of the show's launch next month.

Grantchester is not just another period crime drama

"I think [the 1950s] is a great period, a lot of stuff's changing. What Daisy [Coulam, writer] does so brilliantly, and what distances this from a classic murder mystery, is that each episode, without being contrived, looks at...

Endemol Worldwide Distribution has struck a development and distribution deal with Feel Films, currently working on feature The Song of Names.

The super-indie’s international arm will provide development funding and deficit financing for Feel Film​s to produce scripted projects in the UK, Us and global markets in return for first-look distribution rights.

Feel Films is currently co-producing BBC1 drama Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in association with Cuba Pictures, Cite Amerique and Far Moor Media.

The indie was set up Nick Hirschkorn in 2004 and produced Sky 1’s Tim Roth drama Skellig in 2009. It also produces commercials and is working on feature film The Song of Names.

Endemol Worldwide Distribution chief executive Cathy Payne said it was cementing the relationship with Feel Films as it gears up to launch 6 x 60-minute Napoleonic War drama Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell at Mipcom.

The deal is Endemol Worldwide Distribution’s latest first-look deal following its agreement with Mam Tor, the...

It may be hard to believe, but NBC's "Friends" is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. It debuted on the peacock network September 22, 1994. A new archival search offers up a load of photos and cast videos from that first season. When the show premiered, the cast of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were barely known to the public. Aniston and Kudrow would go on to Emmy wins for the comedy while all three men were also nominated. The show finally won as Best Comedy Series at the Emmys for its eighth season in 2002. It finished its run on NBC after 10 seasons in May, 2004. E! Online -Break- Kate Aurthur offers up 10 fall television shows that should make you excited and four to avoid completely. On her "excited" list are: "The Affair," "The Chair," "Death Comes to Pemberley," "The Flash," "How to Get Away with Murder,...

Exclusive: Co-pro Hunter’s Prayer marks largest investment and first Us production for fund.

Screen Yorkshire has made its biggest production investment to date on $25m Us-uk co-production Hunter’s Prayer (previously known as For The Dogs).

Avatar and Clash of the Titans star Sam Worthington will star as an assassin in director Jonathan Mostow’s (Terminator 3) thriller, which is due to shoot in the UK and Hungary in 2015.

The film is the first Us production to get backing from Screen Yorkshire, which would not reveal the amount invested but confirmed it to be above £1m.

Casting is currently underway on the female lead. Emma Roberts and Hailee Steinfeld were both previously linked to the project but are no longer in the frame.

Based on the novel For The Dogs by Kevin Wignall, the script has been adapted for the screen by Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris.

Producers are [link...

Brace yourselves, Austenites: PBS’s Pride & Prejudice-inspired miniseries Death Comes to Pemberley will not feature any soaked shirts. But it will showcase The Americans’ always swoonworthy Matthew Rhys, second from left, as the esteemed Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The action in Pemberley—adapted from British author P.D. James’ best-seller—picks up six years after the events of Jane Austen’s classic novel and finds Lizzy Bennet’s better half reluctantly helping defend his troublemaking in-law George Wickham (Matthew Goode, restrained at right) after Wickham crashes an important event and confesses to committing the ultimate party foul: murder. Talking to EW, Rhys insists Pemberley (airing Oct.

In advance of Peter Capaldi’s first season as the infamous Doctor, BBC America released a teaser trailer for the eighth season of Doctor Who. The network also announced that the upcoming season’s feature-length premiere episode, “Deep Breath,” will air Saturday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m. Et.

At a mere 15 seconds, the teaser is cryptic. “Clara, be my pal, tell me, am I a good man,” the Doctor asks. “I don’t think I know who the Doctor is anymore,” Clara responds. What does it all mean?!

Here’s what we do know: Fans caught a glimpse of Capaldi (The Fifth Estate,...

To help ease our pain after the announcement that Doctor Who won't be having a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, here's a short promo teaser. The Doctor seems to be struggling with whether he's a good man or not. The BBC America also announced that the first episode of Season 8, called "Deep Breath," will air on Saturday, August 23rd at 8:00pm. Here's some additional information from the press release:

The episode ushers in an exciting new era for the show as Peter Capaldi (The Musketeers, The Thick of It) steps into the role of the Doctor. Fans first got a glimpse of Capaldi's Doctor in November's 50th Anniversary Special, and again in the final minutes of last year's Christmas Special, but the upcoming season premiere marks the first full episode for the Twelfth Doctor.

Capaldi will be joined by Jenna Coleman (Death Comes to Pemberley), who returns as companion Clara Oswald,...

Six-part BBC One crime drama Happy Valley hails from Sally Wainwright, the prolific UK TV writer and BAFTA-winning creator of Last Tango In Halifax. The series that has had Britain all abuzz over the past month and a half came to its climactic concludsion Tuesday night and drew 6.18M viewers for a 28% share. The finale, which should rise a fair bit when delayed viewings are included, was the second-highest rated of the run after the April 29 debut episode attracted 7.64M viewers. Over the series, it averaged about 6.9M and consistently won its slot. The contemporary show is being called the best drama of the year and Wainwright has said there is potential for a second season. There is no deal for the first season to air in the U.S. as yet, but it’s easily the kind that could turn up on BBC America or PBS. It could even be remade à la Broadchurch,...

Endemol and Origin will jointly develop and finance a new slate of drama series for the UK and international markets, with Ewd as distributor

Producer/distributor Endemol is to enter into an exclusive first-look development and distribution deal with international drama producer Origin Pictures to take effect later this month.

The three-year deal will see Endemol provide development funding in return for exclusive first-look distribution rights on Origin Pictures television titles.

Endemol have an existing relationship with Origin, with Endemol Worldwide Distribution (Ewd) handling the distribution rights for miniseries Death Comes to Pemberley, which launched last year.

David Thompson, the former BBC Films boss who now heads Origin, said the new relationship would “allow our ideas to flourish in the international marketplace”.

Thompson launched Origin in 2008, having run BBC Films for over a decade. Origin Pictures credits include the TV movie Freefall starring Dominic Cooper, BAFTA nominated miniseries The Crimson Petal and the White starring Romola Garai, Chris...

Endemol Worldwide Distribution has pacted with London-based Origin Pictures, makers of recent BBC mini Death Comes To Pemberley, in an exclusive three-year first-look deal. The partners will jointly develop and finance a new slate of drama series for the UK and international markets, marking a further push by Endemol into scripted projects. Endemol will provide development funding and will handle international rights. The pair previously worked together on Death Comes to Pemberley, which launched at Mipcom last October. Origin Pictures, founded in 2008 by former BBC Films exec David Thompson, works across television and features. Its TV credits include BAFTA nominated mini The Crimson Petal And The White and the upcoming BBC One mini Jamaica Inn starring Downton Abbey‘s Jessica Brown Findlay. On the feature side, Origin has produced 2011 horror pic The Awakening and last year’s Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.

Eleanor Tomlinson has joined the cast of BBC One's upcoming new adaptation of Winston Graham's Poldark.

The White Queen actress will star as "fiercely independent heroine" Demelza in the drama.

Aidan Turner will lead the cast as Ross Poldark in the retelling from Debbie Horsfield.

Set in 18th century Cornwall, Poldark is an eight-part hour-long series and will film in Cornwall and Bristol from April.

Poldark will follow the rebellious Ross as he returns from the American War of Independence to Cornwall, discovering that his home county has changed since he has been away.

The BBC previously produced a Poldark series in the 1970s, starring Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark.

The new series will air on BBC One in 2015.

Tomlinson is best known for her roles of Isabel Neville in The White Queen and Georgiana Darcy in Death Comes to Pemberley. She has also starred in episodes of Poirot and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

21 year old Eleanor Tomlinson (represented by Conway Van Gelder Grant) is set to play Demelza opposite Aidan Turner in the new BBC adaptation of the 18th Century saga set in Cornwall, Poldark.

Eleanor, who has been acting since her early teens was in teen comedy Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging, and went on to star opposite Nicholas Hoult in Jack The Giant Slayer. She's recently been seen in two BBC period dramas - The White Queen and Death Comes to Pemberley.

She said of the role:

"I am very excited to have been asked to play Demelza in the BBC’s new adaptation of these classic novels. I am conscious of the fact that the original series had a huge following and was tremendously popular, all I can promise is that I will do my utmost to do justice to the spirit of Winston Graham’s iconic character."

Poldark is...

See-Saw Films and Rsj Films are teaming to produce the period drama series "Banished" for the new premium channel BBC First.

"Cracker" and "Redfern Now" writer/producer Jimmy McGovern is penning the seven-part series which centers on events in the 18th century when Britain established its penal colony in Australia.

The ambitious series follows the lives, loves, relationships and battle for survival of a group of convicts, the marines that guard them and men who govern them.

David Wenham ("300") plays pragmatic idealistic Governor Arthur Phillip who wanted to turn the ramshackle settlement of Sydney into land of opportunity.

Joseph Millson ("Holby City") plays Major Ross, a man who thinks the only chance of survival is to rule with an iron fist. Russell Tovey ("Looking"), Myanna Buring ("Ripper Street") and Julian Rhind-Tutt ("The Hour") play convicts.

Dan Percival ("Death Comes To Pemberley") and Jeffrey Walker ("Jack Irish") are directing. Filming begins...

Pinewood has announced plans to set up a new studio in Cardiff.

The studio will be based at the former Energy Centre building in Wentloog, First Minister Carwyn Jones and Pinewood Shepperton chief executive Ivan Dunleavy confirmed today (February 17).

The 180,000 sq ft studio is expected to generate around £90 million for the Welsh economy.

"Attracting such an iconic global brand as Pinewood is wonderful news for Wales," Jones said.

"This high-profile investment is of significant economic value to Wales while the partnership between the Welsh government and Pinewood offers a priceless opportunity to promote Wales as a world-class location for film and television production."

Pinewood and Shepperton Studios have released over 1,500 films in more than 75 years, including the James Bond franchise.

Welsh actor Michael Sheen said of the plans: "This is a logical next step, building upon the huge success of the revitalised Welsh entertainment industry.

"It's always a precarious business...

The high-end drama tax breaks have helped attract £150m of foreign investment in the UK industry, according to the latest figures from the British Film Institute (BFI).

A total of £233m ($383m) was invested by both British and overseas companies in drama productions during the first nine months of 2013 following the launch of the government’s tax relief scheme.

CBS’ Elementary and HBO’s Game Of Thrones and Veep were among the 31 qualifying shows, with the £150m ($247m) foreign investment accounting for 64% of the total spend.

The findings have emerged following a panel debate held at BAFTA to discuss the impact of the fledgling financial credit.

Carnival Films managing director Gareth Neame pointed to the growing number of content distribution platforms as driving the global appetite for UK drama.

“It is a golden age in my opinion. Three years ago there was a barrier across the Atlantic. There are no barriers at all now,” he said.

“Platforms...

Peter Capaldi! He was great in The Thick of It as the uber-aggressive and foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker, and if he can bring even half of that gleeful crankiness to his role as the 12th Doctor on Doctor Who then we’re in for a real treat with the season to come. But what is he going to look like in his role as everyone’s favorite time-traveling alien? We had a few fleeting glimpses before, particularly in the 2013 Christmas special, but now the BBC has finally given us a look at his official costume.

So what does it look like? Well, imagine if you will The Matrix, only shot during the Victorian era, and that will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. It’s bound to be controversial. This is Doctor Who we’re talking about after all. Its fans are nothing if not obsessive, and...

Exclusive: ‘71, Death Comes to Pemberley backer aims to invest £1m+ into more productions.

Screen Yorkshire has secured a further £7.5m ($12.3m) from the European Regional Development Fund (Erdf) to invest in film, TV, games and digital production.

The finance boost will be matched by private sector investors on a project-by-project basis.

The backers of ’71, Death Comes to Pemberley and The Great Train Robbery will also look to increase the number of projects in which it invests more than £1m, something it has done once to date.

The agency, which secured the same amount from the Erdf in early 2012, is also in talks with a number of games and digital companies regarding investments.

Since the launch of its Yorkshire Content Fund nearly two years ago, Screen Yorkshire has invested in 18 projects, including TV productions Peaky Blinders, The Great Train Robbery, Death Comes to Pemberley, Jamaica Inn, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Hank Zipzer.

Film investments...

Technically we’ve already seen Peter Capaldi as The Doctor in costume, both in the hawk-like cameo (above) in the 50th anniversary edition of Doctor Who as well as the sneezegeneration in the final moments of the Christmas special. This, though, is something Whovians have been craving a look at for a while – Capaldi in costume.

The show’s Facebook page have just released this behind the scenes picture showcasing Capaldi and Jenna Louise Coleman (shout-out for her as the wayward Lydia Bennett in the Beeb’s recent Death Comes to Pemberley) on set, and Capaldi’s waistcoat and long purple overcoat look like a fine change from the cool teacher-y look of his predecessors. There’s almost some of the Pertwee about him, though I wouldn’t say that to his face.

Here’s the first picture of the man himself in costume – click to make it bigger on the inside.

On the heels of the Doctor’s recent regeneration, BBC America has released the first image of the Twelfth Doctor, Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It), who stepped on set today for his first full day of filming for season eight of the hit series. Capaldi made his first appearance as the Doctor in the show’s 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor, before formally taking over the iconic role in the 2013 Christmas special. Starring alongside Jenna Coleman (Death Comes to Pemberley) as companion Clara, Capaldi will next appear in season eight of Doctor Who, which premieres later this year. Arriving on set in Cardiff to begin filming, Peter Capaldi, said: “New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I'm emerging from the Tardis into a whole other world.” Steven Moffat,...