Sir Kenneth Branagh – more Mankell & more Wallander in 2012

Following their most recent on-screen efforts together in My Week with Marilyn, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh will, again, join forces in an adaptation of Henning Mankell’s Italian Shoes. Branagh is no stranger to the work of the Swedish author as he is currently filming the third season of Mankell’s Wallander series for […]

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BBC's 2012 Shakespeare Olympiad

A long-time tradition of BBC programming will be ramped up a notch in 2012 as part of the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad and Festival. Television adaptations of the works of William Shakespeare have been announced that include both documentaries and plays. BBC viewers will be treated to the likes of Richard II, Henry […]

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PBS' Masterpiece brings Great Expectations in 2012

While BBC One viewers will get an early Christmas present to unwrap, fear not, PBS faithful, the upcoming BBC production of the Charles Dickens classic, Great Expectations, is scheduled to premiere as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series in Spring 2012. The classic novel will be the centerpiece of both the Beeb’s and PBS’ bicentenary celebration […]

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Giving thanks for British television brilliance

No matter where you are this Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a traditional time to take a moment and think about family and friends and the things you are thankful for. When it comes to the best that television has to offer, one can’t help but think of a few genuine gems from across the pond that […]

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It's an All Creatures Great & Small Christmas

More presents coming by way of the BBC to UK telly watchers as part of the annual blockbuster Christmas line-up. Word comes via the Guardian of an All Creatures Great and Small prequel, entitled Young Herriot which will focus on the vets early years in 1930’s Glasgow. The original series, based on the diaries of […]

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A Downton Abbey Christmas

As avid U.S. viewers of Downton Abbey are acutely aware, lucky UK telly watchers have already been treated to an early Christmas with the recent completion of the second series of the hit ITV series. But wait. There’s one more present to unwrap. Even though the Downton Abbey Christmas Special broadcast schedule has not yet […]

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Poirot and Miss Marple ↑ — Prime Suspect ↓

Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot The news couldn’t be any better for television drama fans, no matter which side of the pond you’re waking up to today. As tweeted a couple of days ago by the brilliant David Suchet (@David_Suchet), there are more Hercule Poirot episodes in the works from ITV. The upcoming season of Poirot […]

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Downton Abbey 2: 62 days and counting

As telly watchers in the UK wake up to the realization that last night was the final episode of Downton Abbey 2 until Christmas, separation anxiety will soon kick in as they await the season finale. Not much sympathy, I’m afraid, from long-standing U.S. members of the worldwide chapter of the DA2 support group who continue […]

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Page Eight – The Grid is calling, tonight on PBS

As I have consistently said, Bill Nighy could read the phone book and I’d be a happy telly watcher. PBS’ Masterpiece series continues to outdo itself week after week. This past year alone has seen numerous gems such as Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Sherlock, Zen and, most recently, Case Histories which starred Jason Isaacs. Tonight’s presentation, Page […]

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