British TV/General Discussion

Yes, thanks Kevin, I didn't realize that PBS wasn't involved in the production, I took the hosts comments at face-value.

Perhaps they are trying to build momentum for its return?

That was my thinking, Deedee, but at this point who knows as PBS is not involved with the actual production. 

So glad everything went well with your eye operation! 

Guess what, a little tidbit... I was watching E6 of the "Doc Martin" finale season last night - that is the episode where he and Louisa go to London for the conference and they show you quite a bit of the reception area/hotel they stayed at. Well, I am watching and saying to myself "this is all so familiar to me, like I've been there". Then ping, it hits me why - that is the hotel I stayed at in London in December on the Hubs and my Christmas trip. It was really nice to see it again, so much more real feeling seeing it close up on screen as opposed to a photo. 

@BritMystery   

Then ping, it hits me why - that is the hotel I stayed at in London in December on the Hubs and my Christmas trip.

WOW  ..   that's  cool  Brit .  

Yes, it is, Solar! It was a nice surprise. 

Some good news for "All Creatures" fans - I just read on the PBS Masterpiece website that it has been renewed for two more seasons AND Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) will be returning for the fifth season. 

Oh how cool, Brit. 

Re All Creatures, I'm glad, the writing and acting are very good, and they deserve to come back.

If Spade comes back, I hope he buys swimming trunks.

Well ,  that's  good news  about   '  All  Creatures '   ..    2 more  Seasons  ( hopefully more ) ,   surprised Tristan  will be back for  S5  ..   didn't expect ta see him  again , thought  Callum Woodhouse was gone for good .   

Nice way ta end  S4 of  ' All  Creatures '  ...  by way of what's showing tomorrow night on   PBS   ' All  Creatures  ..  Touring  the  Dales ' .   Got it in  PVR  in case I nod  off .  

@solar wrote:
Nice way ta end  S4 of  ' All  Creatures '  ...  by way of what's showing tomorrow night on   PBS   ' All  Creatures  ..  Touring  the  Dales ' .   Got it in  PVR  in case I nod  off .  

Thanks for the heads up, got it set to record! 

I was also surprised that Callum Woodhouse is returning for S5 - didn't see that happening either. I did take a look at IMDB to see what he has done in the last year or so beyond "All Creatures" - nothing with a continued presence; it is nice to be a free agent if another role takes its' place that has some staying power; or you are in great demand and can take your pick. He may have had second thoughts about walking away from a starring role on a hit series with a steady paycheck. 

Of course I am speculating, he could have been busy with theater gigs as well during this time that wouldn't be reflected on his IMDB resume.

@BritMystery  wrote :

He may have had second thoughts about walking away from a starring role on a hit series with a steady paycheck. 

Thought that as well Brit ..  this series has been on a steady rise and received  high praise at the recent  TV Choice awards  in  London .  Interesting  you mentioned  Theater  as this was the reason John Nettles gave for leaving Midsomer .  Wanted ta get more theater in before he hung up his skates for good before retirement. 

How fun is that Brit, déjà vu! Glad that it didn't take you long to figure out the location!!  LOL

Nice to see that All Creatures is carrying on! I wonder if they will skip over the war years? and, I see that they plan on keeping Carmody, even with both boys returning to the practice. I hadn't been to the PBS site, as the next two series for me air mid March.

I have Touring the Dales set as well, Soler. It will be fun to travel along. I wonder if we will be going by bus or by car? Some of those roads looked verry narrow!  

Watched   Touring the Dales  last  night .  Fun watch I might say .  Liked how they used a lot of the time to show  set-ups for production locations  and interviews with the actors .   Thought it was going to be mostly viewing the  countryside.  Pleasantly  surprised .  Thought of you appara  when they started talking about those  narrow roads and bridges. LOL  Those old  buses could not go over those bridges  ..  bus scenes locations had to be picked accordingly .  Amazed at the amount of work and planning that went into the  production .  Ex.  Vet clinic / home  was  exterior shot of private home and interior  of  clinic / home   was  constructed in a warehouse .   Ready for  S5  and it's two  thumps up for my  ' feel good '  show .

It was very well done, Solar! I watched with a bowl of popcorn, ready for some enjoyable viewing and it did not disappoint. I was quite surprised to find several Americans among the locals - didn't expect that. The people seem very welcoming and the countryside is gorgeous. I mentioned to the Hubs that the American transplants were able to adapt to driving there - something we have been unwilling to do. When you add the narrow roads with poor visibility due to hedges/berms running along side with the fact that you are driving counter intuitively on the opposite side, I give them a lot of credit. I wish we could, but I don't see that ever happening - it is just too confusing and thus dangerous for us and anyone on the road with us. We won't take the chance.

One thing I did note was that both the Americans moved to the dales a year or two before the series started so they have had the benefit of living in a popular area that is booming economically. Let's be honest, with all the notoriety, that is a hopping place. Not the quiet enclave it once was. Life there remains gentler and it is a close community, but that makes a difference in the vibe of the local. Not quite as out there in the boonies as one would expect. I just think it has made it an easier transition for the American "locals" who are use to a different pace of life. 

Yes Brit  ...    I was surprised to see the Americans there as well  ...  they seem happy and content  and adjusted to  the changes .  Agree  on the driving  ...  not for me either  ...  driving on the wrong side  (  just them and I think the Aussies  do it )  just one second lapse in thinking could be tragic.  just sit back and let the locals do the driving  and besides it gives ya the chance to look around  more .  The locals seem quite content with the chaos of large film crews plugging up everything  and I'll bet the curious visitors that come ta see the  familiar  houses and  lanes  and  spend  their cash is not  frowned upon  either.  lol   Reminds me of  Highclere Castle in  Downton which was in need of  some very expensive repairs when all of a sudden  Downton film crews  come in with all kinds of cash ta film in and around the Castle.  Timing was perfect .  Quaint  little village  manners  .. Two cars meeting on the bridge  ..  and both  backing up   ...  can ya imaging the wars that would start  here .  LOL   

Big changes coming up for "Miss Scarlet and the Duke". This from "Deadline".

"Stuart Martin, who played William “The Duke” Wellington in the previous four seasons, will not return for season 5.  Kate Phillips will return as Miss Eliza Scarlet for a fifth season of investigations, and the series will be retitled Miss Scarlet.

... Filming on season 5 has begun in Belgrade, Serbia. Additional casting will be announced later.

This new chapter in Eliza’s story is going to bring our audience more of what they’ve come to love about this series – mystery, humor, potential romance and most of all, Kate Phillips’ terrific performance as Miss Scarlet,” said Masterpiece Executive Producer Susanne Simpson."

"Stuart Martin, who played William “The Duke” Wellington in the previous four seasons, will not return for season 5.

Gone to NY, eh? I thought not. Wonder what's behind this?

This new chapter in Eliza’s story is going to bring our audience more of what they’ve come to love about this series – mystery, humor, potential romance and most of all, Kate Phillips’ terrific performance as Miss Scarlet,” said Masterpiece Executive Producer Susanne Simpson."

No, I don't think so. Oh well, count me out.

Tried this show several times ..  just couldn't get into it.  Think I would have more luck if it was set in modern times.  That's funny because I have no problem with  Downton  it's just some period  pieces I can't get thru .   Nothing on PBS tonight ....   Beg-a-thon is in full motion .  

I wondered if that was what would happen with The Duke taking a secondment in New York - I'm assuming his skills made the move permanent. Damn. That's two characters I enjoyed that have gone missing now! I like Eliza enough to tune in for the next installment, maybe she picks up a partner to go into cahoots with?  

I also read somewhere that Grantchester is making a big change too. Altho, I"m not sure if Will leaving might be a signal that this series is coming to an end?

I just wrote a long response and lost it.🤬 Yep, that's me with some choice words as I don't have it in me to rewrite it. Quick summary, I don't watch "Miss Scarlet" either Solar, but I know Deedee and Appara do and even without the benefit of being a viewer, when I read that "the Duke" was leaving the "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" series, I knew this was big. 

I read the comments to the article Deedee and quite a few people said the same as you, without the Duke they are done. 

I couldn't get a sense of whether the actor who played the Duke left of his own accord or was told that they were continuing on without the character and that no contract was coming for the next season. You and Appara would have a better idea regarding this. I did read in a comment or two that his role as the Duke had diminished of late, and it would be understandable that the actor may have wanted to move on. 

He was gracious in his response as he wished the future of the series well, but that, in and of itself, tells us nothing as more than likely the last thing he would want is to make an announcement that he was kicked to the curb. He may just want to go quietly, make no fuss, and start looking for his next gig. 

Well, in the end I pretty much did rewrite it! 

I just wrote a long response and lost it.🤬

Hate when that happens  Brit ...   same thing happened to me yesterday ,  just  thru hands up and walked away from  'puter  for an hour . 

Noticed two shows coming on March 17 th. ( PBS )    Nolly  /  Alice  &  Jack ....   Helena  Bonham  Carter  is in  Nolly  Don't know anyone in  A & J .  will watch 1 st. Eps. ta see if any mystery is involved .   Mr. Bates vs The Post Office  (  April  7 th. )  may have some merit .   Guilt  S3  E1  starts    April  28 th.    Will be looking forward to this .  

You're all more forbearing than I, good people. 

Looks like even PBS was surprised by the Duke's exit. Rats. I don't like surprises. So what's his face will be head of the police dept.? Blech. And she will get her former boss out of jail and they will be romantically involved? Double blech. So Matthew Beard is dead on one show and in limbo on another? Too bad, he's a good actor. Here's hoping he comes back to Magpie/Moonflower/Whatever.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/shows-coming-to-masterpiece-in-2024-and-beyond/

No to all until the list came to Toby Jones in the Post Office scandal, love Toby Jones.

Yes, Grantchester is replacing the Reverend. I'll give it a chance.

I hope Moonflower is as good as Magpie, boy did I love Atticus Pünd.

No to all the others. Oh well.

Due to the dearth, I took to watching Elementary all over again, and I cried at the end. Good show, good writing, good acting.

So, on the British front I'm waiting for the 2 new shows airing in mid march....which means they are not that far away now! 

From what I've read on the PBS blurbs, I'm looking forward to Nolly over Alice & Jack. I admit to never having watched even a single episode of Crossroads, so I'm not invested in 'Nolly, beloved soap matriarch'. But, it's always interesting to get a peek behind the scenes on actors/actresses that had a personality, on screen and off. 

Alice & Jack and their epic unrequited love story? I've seen so many variations on this theme, usually with a little murder mystery to help things along? I hope they come up with some fresh and believable storylines. Yeah, gonna have to psych myself up for this one! and, there's 6 episodes for them to figure it out.  LOL

Of the offerings on my local TV, I'm still enjoying Will Trent, and I hope that this new series Tracker gets picked up for a full order.