Thompson on Hollywood

'The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector,' After Music Clearance Issues, Finally Gets U.S. Release on BBC America

Features

“The problem with being a fookin’ gun nut is that sooner or later somebody gets shot,” said Ringo Starr to filmmaker Vikram Jayanti, the subject of their conversation also being the subject of Jayanti’s sensational documentary, “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector,” which finally gets a national U.S. release Tuesday night -- on BBC America.

By John Anderson
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April 1, 2013 4:26 PM
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Peabody Awards 2013 Include 'Girls,' 'Doctor Who' and 'Game Change'

Awards

The 2013 Peabody Awards for excellence in entertainment, broadcast journalism and electronic media were announced today, with HBO's "Girls," "Game Change" and documentary "Marina Abramovich: The Artist Is Present," along with the BBC's "Doctor Who," all taking honors.

By Beth Hanna
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March 27, 2013 4:28 PM
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Casting Watch: UK's Finest Rylance to Play Ruthless Tudor Advisor Cromwell in BBC-HBO Adaptation of Mantel Bestseller 'Wolf Hall'

News

In a casting coup, Brit Mark Rylance, one of the greatest Shakespeare thespians of our time, will play statesman Thomas Cromwell in a BBC-HBO adaptation of Hilary Mantel's bestsellers "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies." (Mantel got slammed recently for calling out the media's handling of such royal femmes as Kate Middleton.) Peter Straughan, who garnered an Oscar nod for co-penning 2011's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," is set to direct the six-part mini-series.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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March 8, 2013 1:50 PM
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BBC Adapting Tolstoy 'War and Peace' Mini-Series, Slated for 2015

News

The BBC has commissioned a six part mini-series adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace"...

By Sophia Savage
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February 18, 2013 1:18 PM
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Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West to Play Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton for BBC

News

Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West are on board to play Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in a BBC biopic titled "Burton and Taylor." The film, written by William Ivory, will focus on the story of their appearance in 1983's Broadway revival of the Noel Coward play "Private Lives"...

By Sophia Savage
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February 12, 2013 2:27 PM
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BBC to Release Documentary 'One Life' from Creators of 'Earth' -- Daniel Craig Narrates

News

BBC Worldwide announces a limited engagement run of documentary "One Life," narrated by Daniel Craig. From the creators of "Earth: the Movie," the fifth highest-grossing documentary to date, the film follows the spectrum of the human journey from birth until the "delivery of the next generation."

By Beth Hanna
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February 6, 2013 1:47 PM
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In the Works: BBC Set to Adapt J.K. Rowling's 'Casual Vacancy'; 'Jane Eyre' Producer Onboard

Television

The BBC is adapting J.K. Rowling's foray into non-YA lit, "The Casual Vacancy." Brit film and TV producer Paul Trijbits will executive produce a television production of the bestseller. Trijbits is first tasked with finding a writer to adapt.

By Beth Hanna
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December 12, 2012 11:47 AM
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For Love of Benedict: Cumberbitches Fan Club Dedicated to 'Sherlock' Star

News

Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the BBC's hit series "Sherlock," is his own one-man Beatle, apparently. A fan club called "The Cumberbitches" has formed, comprised of 37,000 members and obsessively dedicated to, in their words, the "high-cheekboned, blue-eyed sex bomb."