Latest news with #Hullraisers
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on 'entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential'. Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose division's companies and partners have made Channel 4 shows such as Hullraisers and The Undeclared War, told the Media And Telecoms 2025 And Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that the broadcaster's plan is 'ridiculous' and 'it won't work'. He added that those 'who run in-house production businesses' know that when you start 'you lose money for the first three years'. He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an 'institutional knowledge of how to run a production business'. Mr Garvie said: 'It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market.' However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with 'good people' it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is 'unsustainable', and added: 'The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire).' Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: 'Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?' She added: 'The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy… to be a producer.' Ms Mahon also dismissed a 'coming together' of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has 'such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem' because of the 'plurality and competition'. She added: 'I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience.' Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. '(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost,' he said. 'Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it.' It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a 'fantastic programme', but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK. He claimed that streamers would not make issue-led dramas such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and Hillsborough as they are too British-focused, and voiced concerns that public broadcasters do not have the money to finance such commissions.
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
'Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on "entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential" (Image: PA ) Channel 4 has been called "ridiculous" for planning to set up an in-house production arm by a boss at leading studio company Sony. Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on "entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential". Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose division's companies and partners have made Channel 4 shows such as Hullraisers and The Undeclared War, told the Media And Telecoms 2025 And Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that the broadcaster's plan is "ridiculous" and "it won't work". He added that those "who run in-house production businesses" know that when you start "you lose money for the first three years". He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an "institutional knowledge of how to run a production business". Mr Garvie said: "It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market." Article continues below However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with "good people" it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is "unsustainable", and added: "The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire)." Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: "Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?" She added: "The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy... to be a producer." Ms Mahon also dismissed a "coming together" of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has "such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem" because of the "plurality and competition". She added: "I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience." Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. "(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost," he said. "Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it." Article continues below It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a "fantastic programme", but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK. He claimed that streamers would not make issue-led dramas such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and Hillsborough as they are too British-focused, and voiced concerns that public broadcasters do not have the money to finance such commissions.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Deer Shed Festival announces huge lineup for 15th anniversary
The annual Deer Shed Festival in North Yorkshire has unveiled more acts for their 15th anniversary. The festival, which takes place at Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, has announced more music, theatre, literature, and comedy acts to take the stage between July 25 to 28, 2025. Hull comedian Lucy Beaumont has been revealed as headlining the festival. The stand-up comedian, screenwriter, broadcaster, and Taskmaster alumnus is best known for her 'hilariously deadpan' solo shows inspired by her life in Hull, her Channel 4 show Hullraisers. Her appearances on panel shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You?, and Have I Got News for You? Deer Shed Festival will also feature more emerging comics and musicians such as Ignacio Lopez, Frankie Monroe, Kathryn Joseph, and Sam Amidon. A series of 'thought-provoking' events from Right to Roam have also been announced, as well as the Wheels and Feet Roller Skating Disco, arts and crafts, a laser maze, and a Nerf gun arena. Deer Shed Festival director, Megan Evans, said: "It's so exciting getting more of our lineup out there after keeping it a secret for so long! "We're over the moon that Lucy Beaumont is joining us in Baldersby Park this year, as kindred northern spirits we've loved everything she's done and cannot wait to hear more of her hilarious tales of Hull and beyond." The festival will also include a cinema, theatre, and performance arts programmes, and other activities such as adventure school, floating sound baths, retro gaming, yoga, and wild swimming. Ms Evans added: "We're proud to be welcoming plenty of emerging comics this year too, with rising stars like Ignacio Lopez and Frankie Monroe bound to have us in hysterics. "Similarly, we've bolstered our musical lineup with even more exciting new talent to celebrate our 15th birthday in style. "We're lucky to be welcoming old friends and new up to Topcliffe for one of our best years yet." The festival is designed to be a "brilliant experience for all ages," and a spokesperson said: "Deer Shed is a festival for everyone - families, friends, and fans." The full music lineup for Deer Shed 2025 includes Wunderhorse, Kae Tempest, The Big Moon, Idlewild, Sprints, Antony Szmierek, Big Special, Bodega, Divorce, Fulu Miziki, Hamish Hawk, Honeyglaze, Ibibio Sound Machine, Joan As Police Woman, Joshua Burnside, Kathryn Joseph, King Hannah, Maruja, Moonchild Sanelly, Nadia Reid, Rich(ard) Dawson, Roddy Woomble, Sam Amidon, The Bug Club, The Scratch, The Unthanks, Alice Boyd, Anchorsong, Benefits, Black Found, Chris Brain, Honesty, Jacob Alon, Keg, Mandrake Handshake, Naima Bock, Nancy Williams, Sheherazaad, The None, The Sick Man of Europe, Olive Grinter, Roís, Silver Gore, The Pill, Spielmann, Tommy WA, Ugly, Yoshika Colwell, Zawedde, Across the Tracks (DJ), Get in Her Ears (DJ), and Rory Hoy (DJ). For more information and to buy tickets, visit
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cast unveiled for new comedy drama The Walsh Sisters, led by Louisa Harland, Caroline Menton and Aidan Quinn
The BBC and RTÉ have announced the lead cast members for new comedy drama series, The Walsh Sisters, inspired by the novels of international bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes. The Walsh Sisters, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, (Hullraisers, Moone Boy), features a chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable family of five sisters, their mother and bemused father. It is part based on two of Keyes' books, the blockbuster novels Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There. The comedy drama is produced by Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films International, with producer Patrick O'Donoghue (The Tourist, Brooklyn, The Wonder) for Irish public broadcaster RTÉ in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights handle international distribution. Headlining the cast are Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell, Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton (Oddity), taking on the role of one of Marian's most-loved characters, sister Rachel. Danielle Galligan (Kin, Spilt Milk, Shadow and Bone) brings oldest sister Claire to life and BAFTA-nominated Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays the fearless baby of the family, Helen. The final Walsh sister will be played by multi-hyphenate stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can't Cope, Won't Cope, How to Adult), who plays Maggie, 'mammy's favourite'. In addition to appearing on screen as Maggie, Dublin-based Preissner, who created RTÉ's ground-breaking comedy drama Can't Cope, Won't Cope, is entrusted with the adaptation of Keyes' much-loved books. As the creative lead and writer across the series, Preissner is joined by Kefi Chadwick (Rivals; Death in Paradise) writing two episodes. Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy) is playing put-upon Jack 'Daddy' Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin; Hope Street; Smother), who recreates eccentric Mammy Walsh. American actress Debi Mazar (Kaos, Younger) has signed up for the part of Chaquie. Caroline Menton says: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be a part of The Walsh Sisters. Rachel is such a beloved character that has resonated with me and countless others around the world for nearly two decades. Hers is a story of hope and I feel so privileged to get the opportunity to bring Rachel to life and be a part of bringing Marian Keyes' iconic Walsh family to the screen.' Louisa Harland adds: 'Couldn't be happier to be part of the Walsh family. These books mean so much to so many.' Other cast members include Gina Moxley who will play Josephine (The Patient Gloria, Here Before) and Jay Duffy (Wheel of Time, Northern Lights) who will play Rachel's complicated love interest Luke Costello. Samuel Anderson (Amandaland, Landscapers) has also been cast as Aidan - Anna's love interest. Billed as 'a comedy about serious things — a pacey, brutally honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister', The Walsh Sisters (6x50') will begin filming soon. Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. But their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood. Marian Keyes is one of the most successful novelists of all time. Her many accolades include five Irish Book Awards and being named Author of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards in 2022. Since her first novel was published in 1995, more than 39 million copies of Keyes' books have been sold around the world, translated into 36 languages. The executive producers are RTÉ's head of drama David Crean and director of co-productions and acquisitions Dermot Horan; Cuba Pictures' joint CEOs Dixie Linder and Nick Marston; Metropolitan Films' producer and director David McLoughlin; Cineflix Rights' James Durie and Tom Misselbrook; Stefanie Preissner; and Marian Keyes and Tony Baines. Read more: BBC to air new drama The Walsh Sisters, based on novels by acclaimed author Marian Keyes SH2
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker to play con artists in ITV heist drama
Actresses Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker are to play skilled con artists in an ITV heist drama exploring 'toxic female friendship'. Gentleman Jack star Jones, 46, has co-created Frauds alongside Hullraisers co-writer Anne-Marie O'Connor, and stars as Bert, who has left a Spanish prison cell on compassionate grounds after a cancer diagnosis. On the pretext of one final multimillion-pound art heist, Bert, who has spent the last decade locked up and is in the final weeks of her life, attempts to lure grifting partner Sam (Whittaker) out of retirement. Jones said: 'Working on Frauds with Anne-Marie and (production company) Monumental for the last two years has been a wild ride. 'We took the idea of toxic female friendship and turned it on its head to give the heist genre an emotional heartbeat. 'I have always wanted to work with Jodie, and now I am. I hope you love Bert and Sam and all they get up to as much as we do.' The six-part series recently began filming in Spain, which is where Sam had been content to live a life of anonymity awaiting Bert's release from a maximum-security prison. O'Connor said: 'Suranne and I wanted to take a look at the importance and fierceness of female friendship and to do it using the propulsive heist genre. 'I am thrilled to be working with Monumental again, and having Jodie joining us alongside Suranne is a dream.' O'Connor and Jones previously collaborated on Maryland, which aired on ITV1 and ITVX. Helen Ziegler, ITV senior drama commissioning editor, said: 'Suranne and Jodie are two incredible actors and it'll be thrilling to see what they bring to the central characters.' Production company Monumental Television is producing Frauds in association with ITV Studios. Frauds is a co-production with TeamAkers, the production company founded by Jones and writer/producer Laurence Akers. O'Connor is also executive producing, along with Jones on behalf of TeamAkers. The series will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
