Category: THE WRITERS ROOM
From Russia with love
The Cold War has proven to be a popular subject for TV drama in the past couple of years. Russian series Optimisty (The Optimists), created by Michael Idov, continues that trend.
The Fearless factor
After working on Homeland for the past four seasons, British writer Patrick Harbinson is bringing his own brand of conspiracy thriller back to the UK. He tells DQ the story behind Fearless.
On the Boardwalk
Terence Winter recalls the origins of Prohibition-era drama Boardwalk Empire and explains how he created the characters and conflict that would carry the show through five seasons on HBO.
Jordan’s journey
British writer Tony Jordan tells DQ how his creative process changes from project to project, discussing series including Hooten & The Lady, Dickensian and TV movie Babs.
Perfect Storm
A family of priests are at the centre of Herrens Veje (Ride Upon the Storm), Danish writer Adam Price’s follow-up to political drama Borgen.
Back in the room
DQ visits Big Light Productions to see a writers room in practice as executive producer Frank Spotnitz works on a second season of Ransom.
Armchair detectives
It’s not whodunnit but who will do it in the case of Welsh drama 35 Diwrnod (35 Days), which starts with a murder and rewinds to see how events led to the killing. DQ hears more about the series from writer Siwan Jones.
Settling down in Jamestown
Bill Gallagher reveals the origins of Sky1’s historical drama Jamestown, which charts the early days of the first British settlers as they embark on their lives in America, among them a group of women destined to be married to the men of the colony.
Above and beyond
Writer Manuela Dias tells DQ about Justiça (Above Justice), a Brazilian drama that follows the fate of four people arrested on a single night.
Living the dream
Tony Grisoni enthuses about the merits of collaboration as he discusses career highlights including Southcliffe and Red Riding and reveals more about new projects The City & The City and Philip K Dick anthology Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
Bringing Bosch to life
As Amazon’s original crime drama Bosch heads into its third season, award-winning author Michael Connnelly tells DQ how his literary creation has been brought to life on the small screen – and why he thinks the series can run and run.
Reading between the lines
A trio of the world’s hottest television writers – Bill Gallagher, Victoria Madden and Sarah Phelps – discuss their latest projects and reveal how they find their voice for the small screen.
Cold War heats up
Deutschland 83 co-creator and head writer Anna Winger reveals her surprise at the international success of the German Cold War drama and teases what’s in store for viewers in Deutschland 86.
Eyes on Adi
Eyewitness creator Adi Hasak reveals the story behind bringing Norwegian drama Øyevitne to US television and explains why he stayed faithful to the original source material.
Going on Thirteen
Writer Marnie Dickens reveals the origins of online network BBC3’s first original drama, Thirteen, which was also her first major television series.
Beside the seaside
As hit Danish drama Badehotellet (Seaside Hotel) returns for a fourth season, creators and writers Stig Thorsboe and Hanna Lundblad reveal the inspiration behind this blue-sky period drama.
Going against the current
Australian filmmaker Robert Connolly is bringing his brand of edgy and original content to the small screen with dramas including Barracuda and new series The Warriors.
And Then There Was Sarah Phelps
Screenwriter Sarah Phelps tells DQ how she is reinventing Agatha Christie for a new audience, first with And Then There Were None and now with two-part drama The Witness for the Prosecution.
Sister’s doing it for itself
UK indie producer Sister Pictures, which is adapting Naomi Alderman’s The Power for TV, is giving centre stage to distinctive female characters and writers. Meanwhile, Julia Roberts has signed up for an adaptation of a novel by Maria Semple.
Westworld and The Crown head Golden Globe noms
The nominations for the 2017 Golden Globes Awards were unveiled this week. As always, Game of Thrones will be the TV show to beat, but there are some strong contenders…