Articles about PBS
BBC preps Call the Midwife Xmas double
FIRST LOOK: Call the Midwife will return to the BBC this Christmas with, for the first time, a two-part festive story.
Getting Around
The stars of Around the World in 80 Days – David Tennant, Ibrahim Koma and Leonie Benesch – tell DQ about their adventure making this globetrotting period drama, which is pitched as a family-friendly take on Jules Verne’s classic tale.
New Blood
The team behind Vienna Blood talk about reuniting amid the pandemic to film the second season of the period drama, in which a young advocate of Sigmund Freud helps a veteran detective crack murder cases in 1900s Austria.
A world of their own
Writer Ashley Pharoah, director Steve Barron and executive producers Simon Crawford Collins and Lionel Uzan recall their journey together in making Around the World in 80 Days, starring David Tennant as Phileas Fogg.
The politics of shame
Stars Hugh Laurie, Helen McCrory and Pippa Bennett-Warner join writer David Hare to discuss his four-part miniseries Roadkill, about a shameless politician pursuing his ambitions while others plot to bring him down.
Under the Influence: Susanne Simpson
The executive producer of anthology drama strand Masterpiece on PBS reveals how the works of iconic filmmakers led her to produce documentaries before tuning into scripted series.
Revisiting Downton
Creator and writer Julian Fellowes and executive producer Gareth Neame look back on the origins of hit period drama Downton Abbey, discussing how it rejuvenated a genre and came to fascinate audiences around the world.
Timeless tale
Benedict Cumberbatch and Kelly Macdonald star in a feature-length adaptation of Ian McEwan’s acclaimed novel The Child in Time that very nearly didn’t get made. DQ chats to the stars and screenwriter Stephen Butchard about the film’s journey to the screen.
Time for a change
Benedict Cumberbatch takes centre stage in The Child in Time, Stephen Butchard’s adaptation of Ian McEwan’s haunting novel about loss and grief. The star tells DQ about shaking off his more famous alter-ego and stepping into a producer role.
US continues love affair with La Plante
PBS in the US picks up Lynda La Plante’s Tennison, acclaimed author Rose Tremain makes her TV drama debut and Australia backs indigenous writing talent.
BBC1 drama dominates UK viewing
BBC1 has had a storming start to the year thanks to dramas like Happy Valley and The Night Manager, while CBS CEO Les Moonves has given an unofficial renewal commitment to a slate of shows.
What’s comes after the ‘golden age’ of drama?
The talking point in TV circles continues to be whether we are at the point of ‘peak drama’ and, if so, how long it can last – but shouldn’t we just enjoy this golden age?
Billions attracts millions, Midwife delivers
Showtime’s new series Billions attracted record ratings on its debut, the BBC’s Call the Midwife continues to captivate audiences and NBCUniversal analyses Netflix ratings.
Playing to win: What next for Playground Entertainment?
Playground Entertainment UK’s Louise Pedersen and Sophie Gardiner reveal what’s next for the prodco following the runaway success of Wolf Hall.
Time to play the game of Emmys
With Games of Thrones picking up the most Primetime Emmy nominations this week, Andy Fry considers the competition it faces and the omissions from this year’s shortlist, and also looks at two US summer series whose future is far from secure.