BBC

Paul Mescal talks mental health, complex love and that famous silver chain

Credit: BBC

The role of Connell Waldron was his first acting credit outside of drama school and the buzz around his performance is still continuing over a year later. 

“To still be in the conversation is really exciting and gratifying,” says Mescal, who was nominated for an RTS Award for his role in the hit series.  

Mescal’s meteoric rise to stardom at the start of a global pandemic is far from the ‘conventional’ way to break into the industry. 

BBC releases first look images of Jamie Dornan in The Tourist

Jamie Dornan (Credit: BBC)

The six-part thriller sees Jamie Dornan (The Fall) as a British man who is ruthlessly pursued through the unforgiving Australian outback by a tank truck determined to drive him off the road. 

This leads to a dangerous cat and mouse game, which sees The Man end up seriously wounded in hospital but miraculously alive. 

He may be alive, but he can no longer remember who he is and dark figures from his past are still chasing him. 

Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones talks awkward auditions, literary adaptations and Where The Crawdads Sing

Credit: BBC

With the world stuck indoors, the adaptation of Sally Rooney's best-selling novel was the perfect recipe for a lockdown sensation. It captured the hearts of viewers, before breaking them and putting them back together again. 

Before its television debut, Normal People already had a loyal legion of literary fans, including star Daisy Edgar-Jones. 

Danny Boy Preview and Q&A

Actor Toby Jones, director Sam Miller, writer Robert Jones and executive producer Sue Horth discuss the making of factual drama Danny Boy, the story of a young man’s journey from medal-winning hero to alleged killer, and his search for truth in the fog of war. 

The royal watch

“Modernisation” is a dangerous word for broadcasters when it comes to coverage of the Royal Family. So, too, is “journalism” if it intrudes too far into the ceremonial. Both are immediately construed by critics, especially those who like to bash the BBC, to mean the abandonment of tradition and a lack of respect for the monarchy. 

Our Friend in the North West: Cat Lewis

MediaCity in Salford, Greater Manchester, began its rapid expansion into a world-­leading TV production centre 10 years ago, when BBC staff moved in soon after Dock 10 launched its new studios and post-production business.

Back in 2007, when Salford City Council and the Peel Group won their joint bid to house the BBC’s new northern base, I received a call from a very animated Felicity Goodey, the main visionary behind the project.

Comfort Classic: Our Friends in the North

Our Friends in the North (Credit: BBC)

Few TV dramas deserve the epithet “Shakespearean” or “Tolstoyan” more than Peter Flannery’s Our Friends in the North, which turns 25 this year. 

The BBC Two series was epic in scale, using more than 160 actors and 3,000 extras to tell the story of post-war Britain, its people and its dirty politics. It is also the tale of four Newcastle friends, who grow up and grow old over three decades. And it is both moving and magnificent. 

New BBC drama Dodger to star Christopher Eccleston, David Threlfall, Billy Jenkins and Saira Choudhury

Billy Jenkins as Dodger (credit: BBC)

The ten-part series will see Christopher Eccleston (The A Word) star as Fagin, with David Threlfall taking the role of Sir Charles Rowan, the Chief of Police. Billy Jenkins (The Crown) will star as the titular Dodger, with Saira Choudhury (Life) as Nancy.

Written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery, with a guest episode written by Charlie Higson, Dodger will follow the iconic pickpocket and his gang as they weave through London to fulfil Fagin’s light-fingered demands and avoid the hangman’s noose.