📰 At the end of last year... I had a great time talking with Tom and Katie @tribuneuk about the importance of working class drama, Play For Today and the writing of Special Measures.
A lovely chat as part of a fascinating article on TV.
🎬 Special Measures is still streaming on @channel5_tv (link also in bio)
#PlayForToday #Teaching #ukteachersofinstagram #ukdrama #teacher
A surreal and amazing moment, seeing a letter about Special Measures featured in the @radiotimes .
The messages I've received about the show have been so lovely, and very much appreciated. You can still watch on @channel5_tv (link in bio).
Also...I promise, Liz from Edinburgh isn't one of my pen names...
Lots of great TV this year so here are a few things that stood out for me in no particular order...
1) Pluribus...this was a genuine surprise of a show, which is quite rare now. It's a beautifully shot show that takes a big sci-fi idea; an alien virus turns the world into a utopian/dystopian hive mind but makes it about one person's struggle with grief and loneliness. A brilliant bit of TV.Â
2) ANDOR...run and created by the amazing Tony Gilroy. The second and final series is charged with politics, tension, and suspense throughout. Top notch character work throughout and has some standout episodes in a remarkable show that's one of the best of the year.Â
3) I Fought The Law...an underrated gem on TV this year. Telling a fascinating true story, this is an emotional gut punch of a drama that stayed with me long after I'd finished it. Brims with empathy in the script that radiates out through and a top central performance from Sheridan Smith.Â
4) The Studio...another surprise show, the pace never lets up, the kinetic camera work adds to the fluidity and relentless energy. It's got great jokes and does that old fashioned thing of having interesting self-contained episodic stories while also having a great supporting cast. Loved this show..
5) Unforgivable...Jimmy McGovern always delivers first class drama, and this is no exception. With a tough central question and theme, the drama is all about asking questions and showing people as they are, good and bad. I wish it was a longer series, and there are some lines in this that I'm still thinking about. This has also got a phenomenal leading performance from Bobby Schofield.Â
6) Amandaland...from the team that created Motherland, this show is different but also the same, in all the best ways. Some brilliant joke writing on display throughout, as well as great character work. Fleshing out Amanda in ways that she needed to lead a show, while also giving her a new and funny supporting cast. Looking forward to more in the new year.Â
7) Dept Q...A great new detective show, showrun and written by screenwriting legend Scott Frank. This had a compelling case at the centre of it, but lots of great character scenes.
With Ofsted turning up out of the blue and the head of English quitting on the same day how will Amy make it through the day? #PlayForToday #channel5 #SpecialMeasures
First look at our next episode of Play For Today: Special Measures. Airing on the 11th of December at 9pm on Channel 5. #PlayForToday #channel5 #SpecialMeasures
Our next episode of Play For Today: Special Measures comes out on the 11th December at 9pm on Channel 5. See you there!
#PlayForToday #channel5 #SpecialMeasures
🎬 Really nice to hear last night’s Front Row delivering a brilliant deep dive into the history and future of Play for Today.
I was thrilled that my episode, Special Measures, got a mention, alongside praise for the powerhouse performances of @jessicakate_plummer , @austinhaynesactor , and @paddyrowan
#PlayForToday #SpecialMeasures #FrontRow #channel5 @_jackmcloughlin_@laproductionsuk
PLAY FOR TODAY is coming soon to @channel5_tv and will include new original stories SPECIAL MEASURES by Lee Thompson (@leethomps89 ) and NEVER TOO LATE by Lydia Marchant (@lydia_marchant ) and Simon Warne.
#SpecialMeasures
