I’ve worked on television drama, features, commercials and shorts. My television work includes PRIME SUSPECT 1973, VERA and HOME FIRES for ITV, and HOLBY CITY for the BBC. I’ve recently adapted Lynda La Plante’s brilliant novel TENNISON into the six-part PRIME SUSPECT prequel for ITV. I’m represented by Jago Irwin at Independent Talent.
“PRIME SUSPECT 1973” (UK) / “PRIME SUSPECT Tennison” (US)
I’ve read everything Lynda La Plante has published – and watched all her crime drama on TV. Since 1992, I’ve wanted to write an episode of Prime Suspect, but by the time I broke into the industry, it had ended. So when in early 2016, I got a call asking if I wanted to try my hand at adapting Lynda La Plante’s book TENNISON into a six-part series for ITV, I fell off my chair. It’s been the dream gig.
“PRIME SUSPECT: 1973” (“PRIME SUSPECT: TENNISON” in the US). Here’s the blurb from the ITV site:
“This visually-stunning, cinematic drama rewinds to 1970s London to portray the early career of the formidable DCI Jane Tennison, the role that established Oscar® winner Dame Helen Mirren as a household name. We meet Jane as an ambitious, single-minded 22-year-old probationary officer, starting out as a WPC in a world where chauvinism and rule-bending are the norm. Jane’s dedicated, instinctive approach is evident from the start as she is thrown into a brutal murder enquiry, witnessing first-hand the devastating effects of violent crime, as well as experiencing tragic ramifications herself. Immersed in the music, fashion and politics that defined a generation, we follow Jane Tennison as she establishes herself in a man’s world, revealing the complexities of her ambition and personal life that shaped one of television’s most iconic female characters.”
A wonderful cast, led by Stefanie Martini, Sam Reid, Blake Harrison, Alun Armstrong and Ruth Sheen. Directed by David Caffrey, it’s a co-production between ITV and Noho Film & Television. The series is now available on ITV Hub, on DVD and download. It premieres on PBS Masterpiece in the US on 25th June 2017.
“ONE LAST DANCE”
Short film starring Jonathan Pryce, directed by Luke Losey, currently screening at festivals. In competition: Rhode Island Film Festival, LA Shorts Festival, New York Short Film Festival, Manchester Intl Film Festival.
“VERA”
I wrote episode 2, “Tuesday’s Child”, of Vera series 6. Broadcast on 7th February 2016 on ITV. Directed by Jill Robertson, starring Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty, with Jo Hartley, Sean Gilder, Rakie Ayola, Joe Dixon, Jason Done and Brian Fletcher. It’s the one with the body found in the cave, leading Vera to the fairground.
Before that, I wrote “MUDDY WATERS”, episode three of series 5 of VERA, starring Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty, with Mark Bonnar, Alex Reid, Mark Womack, Jennifer Hennessy, Aisling Franciosi and Lee Ross. Directed by Stewart Svaasand. It’s the one with the body in the slurry pit.
“HOME FIRES”
I wrote on the second series of ITV’s popular Second World War drama HOME FIRES. I wrote the second episode, which was broadcast on ITV in April 2016. It’s now on Netflix.
“HOLBY CITY”
I graduated from the 2012/2013 Holby City Writers Scheme and wrote the episode “CRUSH” (S16 E33) for the BBC’s popular medical drama. It was the one with elephant pox and a Tom Jones impersonator in it. Broadcast on BBC1 on 27th May 2014. See Updates for press reviews.
“THE PAINTING”
Writer-Director-Editor of original 6-minute drama, starring Simon Paisley Day and Lesley Vickerage. Available to view in HD on its own website: www.thepainting.co.uk
I wrote the short film “THE BOY IN THE OAK”, which screened at Cannes 2013. Directed by Luke Losey and narrated by Jude Law, with original score by Damon Albarn. The full film is now available to view on the video page.
“CHAMPION OF THE WORLD”, an Olympics-themed 30-min drama directed by Bim Ajadi, broadcast on Film 4 during London 2012. It won BEST BRITISH FILM at the 2013 Deaffest: The UK’s International Deaf Film & Arts Festival and 5 awards (including Best Writer) at the 2014 Gainditzen Film Festival, Spain.
“BLUEBIRD”
This is a sci-fi feature optioned by Polaris Pictures in LA. Screenplay available to read via my agent.
2013 BBC Holby City New Writers Scheme
2012 Red Planet Screenwriting Prize (finalist)
2000 BBC Scriptwriting Award
1978 100m Swimming Certificate
All enquiries: Jago Irwin at Independent Talent.
