Where Do I Know That Actor?

MR. BATES VS. THE POST OFFICE is a four-part MASTERPIECE series that concluded its run Sunday night. According to PBS, it’s a “shockingly true David vs Goliath story following one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.” Britain’s Telegraph called it “undeniably powerful and finally redemptive.” Most viewers probably just know it as engrossing television.

If you’ve been watching, you probably recognized a few of the actors appearing in this limited series. Let’s see who’s who…

Toby Jones starred as Subpostmaster Alan Bates, the man responsible for assembling those wronged by the Post Office. I would have thought an actor of his talent and career would have made many appearances on shows we’ve aired on public broadcasting but I only found a few of note. He played Roger in Capital, Daniel Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop and Ste Fox in Aristocrats. There were also guest spots in Cadfael and The Way We Live Now plus memorable appearances in Sherlock (as Culverton Smith in “The Lying Detective”) and in Midsomer Murders (as Dan Peterson for four episodes).

Sounds Familiar

“Today, Fenny Compton. Tomorrow, the world.” – Alan Bates (Toby Jones), MR. BATES VS. THE POST OFFICE on MASTERPIECE

Monday Montage

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

Explore the dramatic story of how nearly five centuries of ancient Roman democracy was overthrown in just 16 years… by one man. Don’t miss JULIUS CAESAR: THE MAKING OF A DICTATOR – Tuesday night at 9 on PBS NC.

For her next project, Jodie Comer (Remember Me) will narrate an audiobook of a novel based on her play Prima Facie, for which she won a Tony.

Travel around the world with futurist Ari Wallach as he weaves together history, science and storytelling to expand our understanding of where we find ourselves and what we can do to ensure a better future for the generations to come. Tune in for A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FUTURE – Wednesday at 9pm on PBC NC.

Where Do I Know That Actor? (Harry Potter Edition)

Unless you’ve been asleep since the turn of the century, you’re no doubt are aware of one of the biggest blockbuster cinematic franchises ever – Harry Potter. The eight films premiered over a period of ten years starting in 2001 and it’s no exaggeration to say they made an immense impact on pop culture. Later this week, HBO Max will present a reunion of many of the series’ actors and, as I watched a promo for this much-anticipated event, I couldn’t help but notice how many faces I knew from PBS programs.

In celebration of this celluloid juggernaut, I thought it might be fun to cast an eye (or spell) towards the cast of the Harry Potter franchise and see just who’s who from public broadcasting fare.

To start with, Daniel Radcliffe plays the titular hero, Harry Potter, aka The Boy Who Lived. He was John Kipling in the 2008 Masterpiece production of My Boy Jack (based on David Haig’s 1997 play). However, going back to 1999, we see that Radcliffe made his acting debut as David Copperfield in a 2000 adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic on Masterpiece Theatre.

The late Richard Harris played Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. While it is true that Harris is best known for film, he did appear once on Masterpiece Theatre in the mid-90s – as Ernest Kandinsky in The Great Kandinsky.

Monday Montage

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

Explore the life of the groundbreaking author of The Joy Luck Club in an intimate portrait by AMERICAN MASTERS. Don’t miss AMY TAN: UNINTENDED MEMOIR – tonight at 9 on PBS NC.

Sir Ian McKellen (Vicious) will star in The Cherry Orchard at Theatre Royal Windsor, alongside Francesca Annis (Home Fires).

FRONTLINE delivers an unprecedented undercover investigation into one of the world’s most repressive regimes. Tune in for ESCAPING ERITREA – Tuesday at 10pm on PBS NC.