The Friday News Roundup: The Unintentionally Shorter Edition
Anyway – back to British things! Click through for a look at all (most of?) the news that’s fit to type from the world of British entertainment this week, including Luther, Downton Abbey, Titanic, Being Human, Doctor Who, Upstairs Downstairs, an American remake of Mistresses and lots more!
BBC crime drama Luther to move from the small screen to the big screen – I’m assuming this must be the plan for after Series Three wraps/airs?
For those who are curious about Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes’ Titanic – here are a handful of British reviews to whet your appetite until we see it for ourselves in a couple of weeks. (Remember the UK is airing this series weekly, so these are focused on the first episode, which screened this weekend.)
Downtown Abbey star Hugh Bonneville apparently wants to do a role in Shameless.
Love this story – the Queen herself dropped in unannounced at the wedding of John and Frances Canning at Manchester Town Hall in northern England last Friday.
There’s lots of coverage online of the first official Doctor Who Convention which took place last weekend in Cardiff – some quick links to check out for highlights. BBC America’s Anglophenia blog has more in-depth coverage as well.
More photos of the newest Who Companion, Jenna-Louise Coleman, courtesy of the Radio Times.
Doctor Who is returning to America to film an episode in New York this year.
And speaking of returns, looks like the Daleks are coming back for Doctor Who Series 7.
Interesting piece from Forbes on why Doctor Who needs a male Companion.
Fantastic British “Hey, It’s That Guy!” actor Ciaran Hinds has been cast in upcoming USA Network drama Political Animals.
Ed Speelers – best known for his role in dragon riding fantasy film Eragon – is joining the cast of Downton Abbey. Looks like Carson’s getting a new footman to train!
Alyssa Milano is set to star in the American remake of Mistresses. I don't even know what inspired them to do a remake of Mistresses in the first place, but okay.
Jamie Dornanto to star alongside Gillian Anderson in upcoming BBC Two drama The Fall.
Sci-fi drama Being Human is renewed for a fifth season.
The Daily Mail seems to think that the low ratings for Upstairs Downstairs mean we might not see a Series 3. Distressing!
BBC America is bringing White Heat and Inside Men to America this Spring.
Transport for London is releasing special edition Oyster cards to commemorate the Summer Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Hilarious: Downton Abbey characters re-imagined as dogs. And a reminder: if you haven’t seen the “Downton Arby’s” parody yet? Go watch it right now.
White Heat’s David Gyasi to guest star in Doctor Who.
Gillian Anderson talks about Great Expectations and turning down a role in Downton Abbey.
The Daily Mail, always classy, posits that the less-than-stellar performance of Upstairs Downstairs is damaging the long-time friendship between creators Jean Marsh and Dame Eileen Aitkins.
In what actually sounds a lot like the premise for a new sitcom, Prince Harry moves in with Prince William and Kate!
EastEnders Lacey Turner, Doctor Who’s Nina Touissant-White, Black Mirror’s Phoebe Fox and The Inbetweeners’ Hannah Tointon are set to star in new ITV2 drama Switch, about four young 20-something witches living in London.
Popular British satire Yes, Prime Minister to return to UK TV screens.
A Starz exec says that another Torchwood revival is still possible. (I have feelings about that, but, well…perhaps another time.)
Watch interviews with multiple members of the cast of Julian Fellowes’ Titanic about why the ship’s story is still so impactful today.
A nice piece in the Express about Maria Doyle Kennedy – better known to many as the horrible Vera Bates in Downton Abbey, but who plays a much more likeable character in Titanic.
Beryl Vertue – one of the producers of Sherlock – says that the television industry puts too much weight on ratings. (Agreed!)
Speaking of Sherlock – here’s something silly for my fellow Benedict Cumberbatch enthusiasts. This ad for Jaguar will make you smile.
