Latest news with #JamieBell
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
River City campaign claims Scots will lose 15 hours of drama
The union has also warned there is 'no guarantee' that the three new shows - legal drama Counsels, comic thriller Grams and gang warfare series The Young Team - will continue after their initial runs for six episodes each. Read more: It has highlighted how 33 hours of River City have been made across three blocks of production on the show in the space of 12 months in recent years. BBC Scotland has said it will be 'moving' the £9 million it currently spends on River City into the three new commissions as part of plans to spend £95 million on Scottish drama over the next three years. BBC Scotland has announced plans to bring River City to an end in the autumn of 2026. (Image: BBC) Counsels, Grams and The Young Team were announced after the BBC had already confirmed a number of new made-in-Scotland shows, including the crime family drama Mint, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd's new series Half Man, which he will star in opposite Jamie Bell, and psychological thriller, which will see Outlander and Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle in the lead role. Equity has hit back at the BBC after being accused of spreading 'mistruths' over the potential impact of the loss of River City. The actors' union had claimed that the long-running soap had attracted more than half a million viewers on average for each episode and is outperforming other drama series. BBC Scotland insisted the actual audience figure for River City was just 200,000, and pointed out this is well below the numbers who watched other shows like Shetland, Vigil and Granite Harbour last year. They have also criticised Equity for suggesting that cast and crew would be imported from England to make the new shows, and insisted they would all involve Scottish writers reflecting Scottish culture and voices. However Equity Scotland official Marlene Curran said BBC Scotland's response to the campaign had merely highlighted a 'refusal to engage with the real issues at play.' She added: 'Equity's decision to protect jobs, training opportunities and careers in the entertainment industry does not hinge on viewing figures alone. As we have said from the start, the cancellation of River City will have a disproportionately negative impact on Scottish performers. 'It provides pathways and training opportunities, as well as longer term work, for those who would not be able to enter or sustain a career in an otherwise precarious, London-centric, and often exclusionary industry. 'What's more, the hours of programming proposed for the new drama series that are to 'replace' River City pale in comparison. 'On our calculation, a season of River City comprises 33 hours in total (66 episodes x 30 minutes). In contrast, the hours slated for the three proposed new series combined is 18 (6 episodes x 1 hour x 3 series). 'People in Scotland who pay the BBC license fee are therefore losing at least 15 hours of drama – with no guarantee as to what comes after these series end.' BBC Scotland has criticised Equity for making 'damaging' claims about the new drama series it had announced and insisted it was 'fully committed' to ensuring that Scottish talent would be hired to work on them. However Equity has highlighted how two of the three companies making the new dramas are based in London. Ms Curran said: 'We have had no guarantee from BBC Scotland that they will provide a similar number of training opportunities or jobs as the current level offered by River City. 'As part of its public broadcasting duties, as outlined in the Royal Charter, the BBC has a duty to 'to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom's nations and regions.' 'We fail to see how the closure of River City lives up to this duty.' A spokesperson for BBC Scotland said: "As we have always made clear, the decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures, which have dropped to an average of 200,000 per episode, considerably lower than other BBC dramas. "Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. 'We are clear that we will be making fewer hours of drama, despite spending more on it. "However, this is in line with audience expectations - making shorter-run, higher-impact content which attracts larger audiences than long-running formats like River City. "Due to the complex production requirements of these dramas, the number of weeks cast and crew are employed are often similar – and sometimes greater - as the longer-running formats. 'The BBC in Scotland is open for business and remains committed to reflecting Scottish voices in drama. This is about value for money for the audience. We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95m over the next three years. 'As previously stated, River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026. "We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities.' BBC Scotland said it was "standard practice" for dramas to be commissioned on a series-by-series basis. Its spokeswoman added: "The ambition is always to have a returning brand should the audience demand it. "All companies producing our three new dramas – Counsels, Grams, The Young Team - have Scottish bases and Scottish based senior editorial figures. All shows have Scottish senior creatives. "Many Scottish companies have HQs elsewhere including BBC Studios who make River City who have their HQ in London. All lead writers on our new dramas are Scottish. "It's too early to talk about production teams as they haven't crewed up, but these shows will meet the Ofcom criteria. "The Scottish drama scene and Scottish drama crews are hugely respected both locally and globally so the plan will be to draw on that local expertise for these new shows. "Scotland makes multiple drama series a year employing multiple Scottish freelancers and this will continue through the new and returning titles."
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix quietly adds 'one of the best films ever' and 'a modern classic' to its streaming service
Netflix has quietly added an 'inspiring' World War Two movie based on a true story to its catalogue - which fans have dubbed 'one of the best films ever' and 'a modern classic'. Defiance, a 2008 historical drama, features James Bond actor Daniel Craig and the star of American crime drama Ray Donovan, Liev Schreiber as Tuvia and Zus Bielski. They tell the incredible true tale of the Bielski brothers, four Polish Jewish rebels who took on the Nazis by forming a vigilante resistance group in German-occupied Belarus. The other two brothers, Asael and Aron, are respectively played by British actors Jamie Bell, known for his debut role in the 2000 film Billy Elliot, and George MacKay, who led Sam Mendes's 2019 war film 1917. The story is based on historian Nechama Tec's 1993 book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, about the eponymous group the brothers led during World War Two. Fans have been amazed by the film, only added to Netflix two days ago - taking to the internet to express their admiration. They tell the incredible true tale of the Bielski brothers, four Polish Jewish rebels who took on the Nazis by forming a vigilante resistance group in German-occupied Belarus One viewer said, The Mirror reports: 'For me, one of the best films ever. So inspiring and tragic at the same time. Worth watching.' Another added: 'I still find it crazy that this film is not considered a modern classic, with its stunning cinematography, fantastic performances and gripping story.' Someone else said on Rotten Tomatoes it was a 'strong', 'heart-warming' and 'must-see' film: 'I loved this movie... I also love the characters, the history of these events that are told - they are true, makes it mind-blowing!' Another similarly said: 'Outstanding! A must-watch!' One weighed in: 'This is a great true story film about Jewish people hiding and fighting against the Germans in a forest. 'They create a community and survive on whatever they can eat and build shelters against the harsh winter. 'The acting is great, the scenery is great and it was gripping and moving. Great film if you're into World War Two.' One particularly enthused viewer left a very long review, rating it '11/10': 'This masterpiece is beyond my all-time favourite I've ever watched... Fans have been amazed by the film, only added to Netflix two days ago - taking to the internet to express their admiration 'I am so mind blown [about] how good this movie is, words can hardly describe the enjoyment I had watching it. Probably the most underrated movie ever made.' The brothers survived Germany's initial invasion of eastern Poland, now Belarus, in June 1941 - but by December, their parents and two of their eight other siblings had been killed. As the Nazis continued to persecute Jews, the Bielski brothers sought refuge in the woods near their home in 1942, first bringing their other family with them, then welcoming in others - eventually sheltering some 1,200 people at their peak. With Tuvia as their leader, they assembled weapons and created a guerilla force which attacked Nazi occupiers, until the area the camp was in was liberated in July 1944. Directed by Edward Zwick, known for his Oscar-winning production work on 1998's Shakespeare in Love, Defiance received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for its score, by prolific film composer James Newton Howard. It was filmed in the middle of Lithuania, only 200km from the original camp - and cast extras with personal ties to Jews saved by the Bielskis. It comes after another war film dubbed a 'masterpiece' and 'infinitely better than anything made in Hollywood' became free to stream. Titled The Winter War, originally Talvisota, the military drama first hit screens back in 1989 and stars Taneli Mäkelä and Timo Torikka, amongst others. Based on Antti Tuuri's 1984 book, Talvisota, the film goes back to 1939 and delves into when Finland tackled the Soviet army Based on Antti Tuuri's 1984 book, Talvisota, the film goes back to 1939 and delves into when Finland tackled the Soviet army. The war raged on for 105 more days 'in extreme conditions, through a cold and hostile winter,' according to the synopsis. Since its release, the film has received raving reviews from fans over the years and is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. The Winter War has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 88 per cent and many viewers have taken to the site to leave their verdicts. One penned: 'A relatively less known Finnish master piece about The Winter War 1939-40. 'One of first 'gritty, realistic war movies', if not The First, which had direct or indirect influence to most war movies directed after it. 'No Hollywoodisms, no artificial forced plot, no superheroes, no glorification of war.'
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Baby Reindeer creator: My next show will be 'more dramatic'
The writer and actor suggested the six-part drama Half Man, which he will star in along with Jamie Bell, will examine the 'euphoric, captivating and exhilarating' parts of male relationships and camaraderie, as well as how they can go wrong. In a Vanity Fair interview, he suggested the new show, which is set and is being filmed in and around Glasgow, would 'borrow from the same world of broken people' as Baby Reindeer, which was based on Gadd's own experiences of being stalked, and "traverses the darkest human experiences." Commissioned for BBC One and BBC Scotland, Half Man, which Gadd has written and is executive producing, was announced shortly before Baby Reindeer premiered on Netflix. Spanning almost 40 years, from the 1980s to the present day, it focuses on the relationship between the main characters, brothers Ruben and Niall, played by Gadd and Bell respectively, who are said to have become estranged. Richard Gadd wrote and starred in Baby Reindeer. (Image: Supplied) The official synopsis states: 'Half Man will cover the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. 'The series will capture the wild energy of a changing city - a changing world, even - and try to get to the bottom of the difficult does it mean to be a man?' Speaking to Vanity Fair, Gadd said: 'It's about two dysfunctional brothers, but their relationship is a little weirder than brothers. You meet them in a very peculiar situation, and you don't really know why or how they got there, and they're having a very weird conversation. 'It then flashes back to six epochs in their lives, six different moments, one in each episode, and you start to understand how they've gotten to this point. 'It's an exploration of masculinity, and I'm reticent to say toxic masculinity because I think that expression has become quite tired. 'But, for something to be toxic, it has to be intoxicating first. Drugs are toxic, but they're intoxicating. 'I really wanted to get some sort of understanding back into male camaraderie and male relationships. The euphoric, captivating, and exhilarating parts of that, as well as how it all goes wrong. 'I would say it borrows from the same world of broken people as Baby Reindeer, but it's probably a little more dramatic—though it still has comedy moments. It borrows from a similar world and traverses the darkest human experiences, but it's a little more on the dramatic end. 'Every episode is hourlong, which is a huge challenge in itself because Baby Reindeer was half-hour-ish.' Gadd admitted he had found it 'a little surreal' working on Half Man over the last year while he has been grappling with the huge success of Baby Reindeer, which won Emmy and Golden Globe awards, and the worldwide media interest the show has generated. He said: 'It has been two shows back-to-back without even a day's break, and in the past year, I've been writing the (new) show, acting in the show, producing the show, while all this stuff has been going on. 'It has been so hard amongst press calls, and legal calls, and your neighbors knocking, and your exes messaging you to say the press are at their door. But we're actually filming now.' Gadd said viewers would see 'a very new Jamie Bell' in Half Man. He added: 'I'm such a control freak when it comes to my work, though I've been told not to use that phrase…I'm very fastidious, or obsessive, or whatever. And I've always felt resistant to fame in my shows, because sometimes famous actors come with certain caveats or demands. 'Jamie is by far the most famous person I've ever worked with, and he's completely reframed my opinion of fame, because he is so humble. He throws in, he takes notes, he brings great ideas, and he has a great attitude. He's funny, and kind, and all those things. I've worked with actors who were one-eighth as famous as he is, who almost derail a set with how difficult they are. And if he can do it, there's no excuses for anybody. 'I think he's really going to shine in the show, and there are times when I look at him and think, oh wow, people are going to see a very new Jamie Bell.'
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Gadd films upcoming BBC drama Half Man with Jamie Bell in Glasgow after missing out on BAFTA
Richard Gadd got to work on his upcoming BBC drama, Half Man, on Monday after missing out on BAFTA TV Award. The creator and executive producer, 36, who will also star in the mini-series was joined on set in Glasgow by actor Jamie Bell, 39. Six-episode drama Half Man 'follows estranged 'brothers' Niall (Jamie) and Ruben (Richard) after Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall's wedding,' according to the BBC. As filming commenced in Scotland, Richard was seen on behind the camera wrapped up in a blue padded coat and a baseball cap. Jamie got into character wearing a smart wool coat, with a jumper and grey trousers as he walked through the streets. The series will take part over 40 years from the 1980s to the present day and cover 'the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way,' the BBC reports. Richard's Netflix smash Baby Reindeer won key awards at this year's BAFTA's however he lost out on Leading Actor to Lennie James for his role in Mr Loverman. Jessica Gunning took home Best Supporting Actress for her role as Martha in Baby Reindeer. The Netflix hit, said to be inspired by the real-life experiences of creator Richard Gadd, sees his character Donny being hounded by crazed stalker Martha (Jessica) after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works. Yorkshire-born Jessica beat her fellow Baby Reindeer star, trans actress Nava Mau, who played Donny's girlfriend. Speaking on stage on Sunday at she said: 'Hello, cheeky chops, gosh, thank you Bafta, wow', before joking that she used to pretend to be a dog in her garden. 'I sometimes do this kind of cheesy thing where I look back on the younger me and moments in my life, and I imagine the kind of then me, seeing me now, and think, "little did we know,'" she said. Jessica said last year, her and Richard were at the ceremony, and 'little did we know what the year had in store,' while thanking him for changing 'her life'. Elsewhere, Richard is already thinking about his next big collaboration. Jessica Gunning (pictured) took home Best Supporting Actress for her role as Martha in Baby Reindeer at this year's BAFTAs however Richard lost out on Leading Actor to Lennie James The creator and star of the hit series spoke with about a surprise star he's interested in working with. Although he seemingly has a bevy of British and American stars looking to work with him, Gadd sounded excited about the possibility of teaming up with a major wrestler-turned-film star: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. 'I love The Rock. I'm waiting for his call currently,' Gadd joked when asked if he'd consider working with the Jumanji star. 'No, he hasn't been in touch,' Gadd clarified, but he wouldn't mind a call, as he is a 'big wrestling fan.' Even though that fact seems to surprise people, he admitted that one of his dreams would be a 'road trip with me, The Rock, John Cena, and let's just say Bret Hart.' 'I don't know what we'll talk about, but we'll do it,' he continued. 'They'll be talking and I'll just be there... '
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘At times, the pressure was intolerable': Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd on paranoia, portraying abuse and the madness of sudden fame
In the space of a year, Richard Gadd has gone from niche Scottish comedian to global megastar, thanks to the viral success of his autobiographical miniseries Baby Reindeer, documenting his experience of stalking and sexual abuse. Since its release on Netflix in April last year, it has become one of the streamer's Top 10 most viewed shows of all time, won six Emmys, four Golden Globes, and bagged six TV Bafta nominations. It has also been mired in controversy: social media sleuths identified Fiona Harvey as the woman depicted as Gadd's stalker, and she has filed a $170m (£127m) lawsuit against Netflix for defamation. Gadd, 35, is now working on new BBC show Half Man, co-starring Jamie Bell. When we meet in a London hotel, he has the air of a man who is still trying to catch his breath, talking slowly as if still slightly dazed by the whirlwind of the last 12 months. How does it feel to be nominated for six TV Baftas? It was a lovely surprise. Baby Reindeer has been out for quite a while, so my worry was that everyone would have forgotten about it. The biggest surprise was the fact that it blew up in the first place, because nothing about it screamed commercial hit. How has your life changed since Baby Reindeer was released? It came out on a Thursday, and by Sunday people were knocking on my door asking for autographs. I was an arthouse comedian, performing to five people every night, so it was a huge adjustment. I'm still getting used to it. Going to the supermarket comes with a million caveats now. Baby Reindeer is about trying to find fame, which you've done. How does it compare with your expectations? Weirdly, I never wanted fame. I just liked the idea that, one day, I would make a piece of art that was culturally important, because then maybe I would learn to like myself. The biggest emotion that comes with fame is a sort of paranoia in public. It sounds a bit like being stalked … There are people who want to ask you stuff in the worst kind of situations – having a meal and someone pulls up a chair. It can be really awkward. When you made your Edinburgh fringe show in 2016, on which Baby Reindeer is based, the conversation about sexual assault was quite different. Are things improving? It was pre-#MeToo, and quite rare to have someone talk about sexual abuse in art, especially in comedy, and as a man. It felt like social suicide; I thought I would be ostracised. We've now realised how commonplace assault is. The shame around it is dwindling. Last year, Fiona Harvey filed a lawsuit against Netflix. How have you been feeling since? There have been a lot of challenging moments. The show has reached such an extreme pitch – there have been times when I've felt like the pressure was intolerable. It's been a hurricane. I don't think I'm at the point of reflection yet. I need some real time off to figure out how to get my feet back on ground, because I feel very squeezed. Would you ever go back to standup? I get a lot of offers, but think my standup days are over. I never really fitted in – the standup I did was so different and quite dark. People wouldn't book me, because I was a risk, so there was no future in it for me. What TV show have you binge-watched this year? When I'm doing a TV show, I don't watch TV because it influences my writing. Weirdly, I switch off to Hell's Kitchen. Seeing Gordon Ramsay shout at people chills me out before bed. The Bafta Television Awards with P&O Cruises is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer tonight at 7pm. Catch the full lineup of our Bafta TV special launching across the weekend and starring best actor nominees David Tennant, Lennie James, Monica Dolan, Billie Piper, Richard Gadd, Marisa Abela and Sharon D Clarke Read more in the series
