Sounds Familiar

“They say a storm in summer clears the air and leaves the world peaceful. But there are some storms that stir the world so about, that when they have passed, things can never be set back quite as they were.” – Adult Laura (Sarah Lancashire), narrating, LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD

Wednesday Trivia Question

Who played Bill Sykes in a 2009 MASTERPIECE presentation of OLIVER TWIST?

OLIVER TWIST has been adapted for screens big and small multiple times. The Internet Movie Database lists well over twenty television and film productions of Charles Dickens’ classic orphan tale. And that doesn’t even count the Broadway musical!

In 2007, BBC One broadcast a five-part series adapting the 1838 novel. MASTERPIECE ran it in 2009 in two parts (90 minutes each). This particular OLIVER TWIST (another version featuring Keira Knightley, Michael Kitchen, Annette Crosbie, Julie Walters and Andy Serkis aired on MASTERPIECE in October 2000) starred William Miller in the title role. Edward Fox (Edward & Mrs. Simpson) was Mr. Brownlow. Morven Christie (Grantchester) played Rose Maylie. Sarah Lancashire portrayed Mrs. Corney. Sophie Okonedo (The Hollow Crown) was Nancy. There were definitely some other familiar faces but the most important face today is the British actor who played brutish career criminal Bill Sykes.

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Explore the history of social networks as historian/author Niall Ferguson reveals the intersection of social media, technology and cultural movements. Enter NIALL FERGUSON’S NETWORLD – Tuesday night at 8 on UNC-TV.

HBO Max has ordered a series on the life of Julia Child (The French Chef). Sarah Lancashire (Scott & Bailey) stars as the culinary cognoscente and Tom Hollander (Wives and Daughters) as her husband, Paul.

Where Do I Know That Actor? (Yesterday Edition)

Every now and again I like to venture away from the programs UNC-TV offers and look outward to pop culture. Since the actors who perform on MASTERPIECE and your favorite Britcoms have careers beyond public broadcasting, it’s fun to seek them out and see what they are up to on the big screen, whether it’s the latest summer blockbuster or indie smash.

This week, I shine the spotlight on director Danny Boyle’s latest film, YESTERDAY. Unfortunately, the movie (which is #3 at the domestic box office) has gotten mixed reviews but I love the premise: after an accident, a musician realizes he is the only one who remembers the Beatles. The screenplay is by Richard Curtis, a man known for his successful rom coms. However, Curtis has written for a few shows we’ve aired in the past like Not The Nine O’Clock News, Mr. Bean and The Vicar Of Dibley.

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

The water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, has revealed a disturbing truth about the vulnerabilities of our aging drinking water infrastructure. NOVA discovers the chemistry, biology and engineering that led to this disaster. Tune in Wednesday night at 9 on UNC-TV for Poisoned Water.

Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman and Last Tango In Halifax‘s Sarah Lancashire team up for Labour Of Love, a political play to be staged in London’s West End.

Celebrate the most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories in television, radio and digital media as Rashida Jones hosts The 76th Annual Peabody Awards – Friday night at 9 on UNC-TV.

Where Do I Know That Actor?

Another week, another Doctor Who, another guest star.

If you caught Saturday’s episode on UNC-TV, you may have noticed actress Sarah Lancashire in the role of Miss Foster, the head of Adipose Industries. She’s been on UNC-TV a lot recently and throughout her career. Let us start with the most recent and head backwards, shall we?

Sarah Lancashire plays Caroline on Last Tango In Halifax (that’s probably where most viewers have seen her). She was Miss Audrey in The Paradise on Masterpiece. Speaking of Masterpiece, she popped up on Upstairs Downstairs as Miss Whisset. Where you heard her but did not see her was Lark Rise To Candleford, as she provided the voice of Adult Laura there. She was Nelly on Wuthering Heights, which aired on Masterpiece in 2009. Lancashire also portrayed Coral Atkins on Seeing Red (Masterpiece Theatre, circa 2000). She even had a guest role on the Britcom Murder Most Horrid.

So there you have it. Sarah Lancashire in the various places you may have seen her on UNC-TV.

The Doctor Who adventure “Partners In Crime” encores Thursday at noon and Saturday at 4pm on UNC-MX.

Got a face you can’t place from one of the plethora of programs UNC-TV airs from the UK? Email me at sparkymac@unctv.org and I’ll try to help out.