Wednesday, December 28, 2016

New Projects for the New Year from my Two Favorite Actors



I look ahead at the new year with some trepidation. I also look ahead with fear of how fragile life is for all of us.

For peace, and enlightenment, and entertainment, and adventure, and escape, and joy, I look to my two favorite actors. 

I know they will always surprise me with new projects.


Richard Armitage:

I'll start with Richard, since he has a long list of projects completed, but still to be seen by most of us.  I hope to see the following films in 2017 at a theatre near me.

Brain on Fire

Pilgrimage

Urban and the Shed Crew

Sleepwalker

Those of us who saw Berlin Station Season 1 know what happened to Daniel Miller.  But will we see Daniel in Season 2?

Berlin Station (Epix) - S2

I hope the creator, and writers and showrunners, use all the constructive criticism of Season 1 from media critics and from fans, take it to heart, and create the groundbreaking spy drama it has the potential to be for Season 2.  And I hope that if Daniel Miller is back, that they write the intriguing and strong character that Richard Armitage deserves.

The "plays the thing"....we know that Richard's heart and soul (and comedy timing) belong on the stage. So what play will he surprise us with in 2017.  If I had my wish it would be:

Richard Armitage starring in a play directed by Yael Farber in New York City and/or Washington DC. 

....and the play would go from NY or DC to London. 

But whatever the theatre gods have in store for RA, I'll be watching either in person, or "virtually."

and of course - another audiobook or two narrated/performed by Richard from our friends at Audible. 

Maybe we'll see a revival of some projects, talked about but not realized:

Bridget Cleary

Summer  (Edith Wharton)

Clearance 

Or Richard will surprise us with a new amazing project 



Sean Bean:

Sean is one of the busiest actors in the world, but not one to talk much about future projects, or offer clues, or give interviews even. He's not on social media (and I don't see him ever doing so, and I'm glad) so difficult to get any clues that way. But I know he always has many and varied projects.

There is one project he's been working on in Liverpool that I'm very much looking forward to:

Broken 
by Jimmy McGovern

Sean plays a priest in a tough parish in present day Liverpool: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/broken-casting-press-release

Sean is also one of the executive producers of this 6 part BBC series. He's had good luck working with Jimmy McGovern. 

Frankenstein Chronicles Season 2

Season 2 will start filming in the spring of 2017. I'm looking forward to the second season of this series starring Sean. 

Hopefully A&E who bought the rights to air the series in the US, will show Season 1 soon.

http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/2016/12/21/frankenstein-chronicles-to-film-in-spring

That's two series to look forward to from SB in the new year. 



Happy New Year






Saturday, December 24, 2016


A Hobbit Christmas Carol by Wolfanita on DeviantArt


Have a very Merry Christmas

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Richard Armitage - On Today Show (US) December 12 - Interesting Development




I had been wondering if the Richard Armitage appearing on the Today show on Monday, December 12, would the US Richard Armitage or our Richard Armitage.


Our Richard
Listing for NBC TWC NY

Today Show December 12 - TV Listing for NBC TWC NY 
Today:
Actor Richard Armitage; Golden Globe nominations with Dave Karger; Jimmy Buffett performs. Starring: Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer

Richard has only appeared in the Today show once, as far as I know, with Hoda and Kathie Lee back in the Hobbit days. They identified him then as the "Hobbit Actor". I'm glad for Richard they're now acknowledging he has a name. 

So what is he doing in this US morning chat/talk show on Monday?  

Next week is the last week for both Berlin Station and Love, Love, Love - both end on December 18. So if he's there to announce something, what could it be?

He's also been very quiet on social media. More quiet than usual, even on the release day of Romeo and Juliet: A Novel by David Hewson, performed by Richard Armitage, on Audible. 

Below my own thoughts and pure speculation - "Fake News" if you will. I have no knowledge of what he will be doing at the Today show on Monday.

What could Richard be talking about on the Today show December 12:

1.   Romeo and Juliet: A Novel - PR for the audiobook and Audible.

2.   Second season of Berlin Station...or Berlin Station available on Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu...one of those.

3.    Doesn't look like LLLplay will be broadcast, or move to Broadway...but anything is possible.

4.     A new play with Yael Farber....in New York 

5.   Some announcement connected with Universal Pictures, they are owned by NBC Universal, as is the Today Show.

Universal Pictures is working on films like...

Mortal Engines (Producers: Peter Jackson - Fran Walsh)

6.    None of the above.  One of the many things I enjoy about being a fan (or well-wisher) of Richard Armitage is the many times a new project has surprised me. 

We'll be watching on Monday



He's not saying, not even a clue so far



*Update 12/11/16:  So he's back, on Twitter and FB. Interesting post on FB by RA. Doesn't answer the question of what he'll be talking about tomorrow on Today, but maybe answers the question of Berlin Station S2 and Daniel Miller???  Was he negotiating his contract for S2?  Makes me happy he's back amongst us this Sunday.