Marchlands (2011)

5-part series on ITV beginning February 3rd, 2011

"Marchlands is the gripping story of three different families living in the same house in the 1960’s, 1980’s and present day. The families are linked by the spirit of a young girl – the 1960’s family’s daughter who died in mysterious circumstances. It’s a brand new five-part drama from ITV Studios written for ITV by Stephen Greenhorn (Glasgow Kiss, Doctor Who).

Alex Kingston (Doctor Who, Hope Springs, ER) and Jodie Whittaker (Cranford, Wired, Venus) will star alongside Dean Andrews (Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars), Shelley Conn (Strike Back, Mistresses), Anne Reid (Upstairs, Downstairs, Five Days), Elliot Cowan (The Fixer, Lost in Austen), Denis Lawson (Criminal Justice, The Passion), Jamie Thomas King (Mad Men, The Tudors) and Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses).

ITVS Senior Executive Kate Lewis and Creative Director of Drama, Kate Bartlett are the executive producers, along with Stephen Greenhorn. The 5 x 60 min series is directed by James Kent (The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister, Margaret) and produced by Chrissy Skinns (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Auf Wiedersehen Pet). It was filmed on location around London.

The drama has been commissioned by ITV’s drama commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes. Marchlands, previously named The Oaks, is the first commission to come from the creative collaboration between ITVS and Twentieth Century Fox. The drama is based on an original US pilot from David Schulner.

“Marchlands is a really original concept that blends relationship drama with an atmospheric ghost story,” said Laura. “Stephen’s scripts are compellingly written and this is a very distinctive drama to add to our slate.”

“This is a strongly authored, ambitious piece and we’re thrilled to have such an exciting and talented cast on board,” said Kate Lewis, Executive Producer.

Marchlands marks the first commission to come from the creative collaboration between ITV & Twentieth Century Fox.

The Interrogation of Leo and Lisa

Here's a mini film that I had seen before but not posted here, starring Kevin Spacey, Elliot Cowan (Leonardo Da Vinci) and Thandie Newton (Mona Lisa).

Produced by Kevin Spacey, where he also performed the lead role, ‘The Interrogation of Leo and Lisa’ was originally performed on the occasion of the IWC gala evening ‘”Serata di Leonardo” at the SIHH Watch Fair. Spacey is "a dominant, boorish and autocratic inquisitor with the mission to address the question of Mona Lisa’s smile."

Click on "The Play"

Lost in Austen

Anyone still in the mood for another Jane Austen adaptation?

Lost in Austen, a 2008 4-part miniseries plays a little time travel with our beloved heroine. I can't imagine that Jane would have ever dreamed that her cherished novels would touch so many readers and inspire so many varieties of films (see other movies based on Jane) Although some critics and Janeites are predicting this new film to be a disappointment, it still might be fun to watch!

Here's the plot:
Amanda (Jemima Rooper), an ardent Jane Austen fan, lives in present day London with her boyfriend Michael, until she finds she's swapped places with Elizabeth Bennett (Gemma Arterton). Read more on ITV site

[I thought it would be cheesy throughout but there's sentimental moments that draw you in before they zap you with a comedic turn! Jemima Rooper is fun to watch as the spunky Amanda! ]

Screencaps and quotes from
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

Watch the movie here
[Full version - includes scene where Amanda sings Downtown
which was deleted from some DVD editions]

How Can I Not Love You? - Amanda & Darcy
Check out this awesome fan video

Lost in Austen -Built to Last
another fun fanvid

Amanda Price

Elizabeth Bennett

Mr. Darcy

Mr. Bingley

Mr. Bennett

Mrs. Bennett

Jane Bennett

Caroline Bingley

Mr. Collins

"Pemberley" - Harewood House

"Rosings" - Allerton Castle

~ CAST ~

Jemima Rooper plays Amanda Price

Gemma Arterton plays Elizabeth Bennett
who gets swept to the modern world...

(Gemma is also in Tess of the D'Urbervilles and
the latest James Bond "Quantum of Solace)

Elliot Cowan
as Darcy


Tom Riley
as Wickham

Alex Kingston
as Mrs. Bennett
(Moll Flanders)

Hugh Bonneville
as Mr. Bennett


Lindsay Duncan
as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
(seen on left as Servilia in "Rome")



Guy Henry
as Mr. Collins
(he also played in Rome
as Cassius)

Morven Christie
plays Jane Bennett

She's also in The Young Victoria (2008)
and plays Rose in Oliver Twist (2007)



Michelle Duncan
plays Charlotte Lucas


Tom Mison
plays Bingley
(Ben in The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard)

Christina Cole
plays Caroline Bingley
(He Knew He was Right,
Jane Eyre)

Screencaps and quotes from

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

How Can I Not Love You? - Amanda & Darcy
Check out this awesome fan video