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

A Hobbit Christmas Carol by Wolfanita on DeviantArt

Have a very Merry Christmas

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.

Love, Love, Love - October 23

What a dream come true, to see Richard Armitage on stage in a play.  Part of me is still there, and not yet back to my real world.

Just some impressions of my wonderful day.

I haven't read the play. I deliberately avoided reading any review or commentary that had too many details, or spoilers. I wanted to see the play fresh as it happened.

I loved, loved, loved, the play.

This type of dark, political, social commentary, comedy fits Richard Armitage perfectly. I think it must bring joy to the comedy soul I know has always been part of the man. He masters the three ages of Kenneth with ease and charm. I especially loved the first act, Richard is at his most hilarious and lovable  as 19 year old Kenneth, And perfectly believable as 19 year old. He is excellent in this play.

The entire cast, the entire ensemble, is excellent together. I do feel that Amy Ryan's Sandra lacks charm, which may have made her character more effective in Act I (Kenneth is the center of attention and attraction in Act I), but Sandra is the terrible monster of a lover, wife, and mother in Act II and III. I also thought Alex Hurt was very good as the older brother, and our memory of him follows us to the last act.

As the kids, Zoe Kazan has the central role as the very emotional Rose, and she makes us believe her transition from confused teenage to unhappy adult. Ben Rosenfield is heartbreaking yet funny as Jamie.  I know some reviewers have said Rose is the conscience of the play, but I have a problem with her lamentations about her fate as an unhappy 36 or 37 year old. If I had been there in that scene I would have said, stop complaining Rose, and take some action to change your life, to change your career, a house won't solve your problems.

I loved, loved, loved, LOVE,LOVE,LOVE and if it moves to Broadway with Richard Armitage as Kenneth, I'll be there.

If seeing Richard on stage was not already a dream come true, we had a post performance talk that afternoon. What a gift to have Richard, Alex, and Zoe talk about their work.  This was more than a bonus, it was heaven.

I won't give any details since I know the video is out there.  Richard came very quickly, but quietly, on stage and sat on a couch that was at the front of the stage. For the first question he was there on his own, a few feet away. He looked so very "Lucas North" except for the shoes. The shoes were 100% Armitage.

It was a wonderful day in New York. A day of getting together with RA friends, and meeting new RA friends. Hope we all get a chance to do this again soon.

On a personal note, I confess I am a Baby Boomer -  a "Middle Boomer." I was still a kid in the summer of love when Kenneth and Sandra first meet each other. But I remember well 1967.

Berlin Station "Global PR Tour" - Richard Armitage and Michelle Forbes

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Leicester Mercury's 2016 list of the Most Influential People in Leicestershire

Richard Armitage, actor

Richard Armitage was born and raised in Leicester, and was a pupil at Brockington College for a time. He attended performing arts school Pattison College in Coventry, and studied at LAMDA (the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).

He was named after King Richard III, as he was born on the anniversary of the king's death at the Battle of Bosworth.

Read more at 
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/most-influential-people-in-leicestershire-2016-culture-sport-media-and-religion/story-29744981-detail/story.html#V5PTDm2wbBAI717g.99








Thanks to:

Love so many people on this list 🤗 @RCArmitage @StephenGraham73 @therealgokwan via @Leicester_Merc https://t.co/MEYs45Ugko

— Chrissyinwm (@chrissyinwm) September 24, 2016

Love, Love, Love - Look What You've Done to Me

Photos Today from Theatermania and Roundabout Theater of Love,Love, Love Rehearsals

See you next month in New York 

Watch Berlin Station Now - First Two Episodes - For Free

Go to the link below to watch:


http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/09/epix-premieres-a-slate-of-original-programming-that-shows-us-what-matters-now

On YouTube:

https://youtu.be/tlhyKE9L5Js

 CIA Headquarters - Virginia

Richard Armitage comments on his Facebook page:

Happy Birthday and Love, Love, Love to Richard Armitage

Happy Fabulous Forty-Five

Richard 

Happy Birthday - Feliz Cumple 

Around 11 years ago I first set eyes on him

Richard Armitage as John Thornton

North and South

Richard as Claude Monet 

and then a year or so later, I set eyes on him again - The Impressionists


and then  Robin Hood in 2007

Guy of Gisborne

2007 -2009/2010

Cupid really hit me with his arrow when I watched this interview -  who is this charming, adorable, man I wondered?

Richard Armitage Interview - 2008

Somewhere around there came the Spy of my heart

Richard Armitage as Lucas North 

and people have laughed at me - but I always knew Lucas Lives

and of course - John Porter

and John Proctor

Thank you Digital Theatre

and 

One More Time 

my

King

Forever

and as I looked back, I remember the first time I added a photo of Richard Armitage to one of my "Granda Moses Style" videos was in 2009. 

Those were really the years, 2009-2010, that I knew I wanted to find other fans, well-wishers, supporters, whatever we individually and collectively want to call ourselves these days.  

I miss those early fandom days. I miss The Hobbit days. Not because I love Richard less, he's now part of my life every day. But I am less connected to the fandom than I felt I was in those times.

I'm looking forward to seeing him on stage in Love,Love,Love. 

Have a Beautiful Birthday 

Richard Crispin Armitage

and 

Thank you for all the enjoyment you bring to my life 

December 2012 

Daniel Miller - Berlin Station

"With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,.."

Stephen Hunter''s Actors Talk About Themselves - Jed Brophy Interview

What a great idea from Stephen Hunter!  Don't miss this informative interview, conversation really, between two friends.  

Stephen interviews Jed Brophy and they both discuss life, work, and family as working actors, and a few memories of working on The Hobbit. If you love acting and actors, watch this video. 

Looking forward to future videos of "Actors Talk About Themselves" from Stephen Hunter. 

Great Richard Armitage Photo with Berlin Station Fellow Cast Member Michael Paul Chan

Richard Armitage and Michael Paul Chan - Berlin Station 

Check out the source of the photo, and article and interview with Michael Paul Chan on Mystery Playground

http://www.mysteryplayground.net/2016/07/michael-paul-chan-from-major-crimes.html

New Berlin Station Poster - Richard Armitage

New Berlin Station poster on their Facebook page  - thank you Epix

Richard Armitage as Daniel Miller - Berlin Station 

SUFC Legends Charity Game - Sean Bean

(Photo thanks to RT from Donna DeBoer on Twitter)

Head of Community @marktodd08 with his gaffer for the afternoon Sean Bean at the @SUFC_tweets Legends Charity game! pic.twitter.com/MZsbEzI0cN

— SUFC Community (@CommunitySUFC) May 22, 2016

Happy Birthday Sean Bean

Happy Birthday Wishes Dear Sean

He's still a handsome devil

I'm glad he's had a chance this past year to return to period drama in The Frankenstein Chronicles. Good to know too that Sean has had a role in producing some of his recent work. Hope he does more.

I'm looking forward to his new comedy "Wasted" - wonder if we'll see it in the US.  Sean has a great sense of humor, so I think this will be great. Many years ago he did a one man radio show during Christmas and it was hilarious. One of those music and radio theater the UK does so well. Very low key, dry wit in the British way. 

He's also recorded and performed several audiobooks in his career. Audible has a few of them, and I was happy to find my favorite of Sean's audiobooks (well, my favorite other than the Sharpe audio books, they are #1 of course) "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table" among them.

Sean was born to be a knight. 



Go to Audible.com to hear audio sample of books below

PLAY AUDIO SAMPLE

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

• Written by: Benedict Flynn
• Narrated by: Sean Bean
• Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook

• )
• 
  

  SAMPLE

  AUDIOBOOK

  Heroes and Heroines from Classic Tales

  ABRIDGED

  • By Mark Twain, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling
  • Narrated By Sean Bean, Garrick Hagon
  • Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
  • Release Date: 10-26-00
  
  
• 
  

  SAMPLE

  AUDIOBOOK

  The Big Game

  UNABRIDGED

  • By Rob Childs
  • Narrated By Sean Bean
  • Length: 34 mins
  • Release Date: 10-30-08

  
  

• 
  

  SAMPLE

  AUDIOBOOK

  The Big Match

  
  
• 
  

I Need A Spy to Keep Me Warm - Agent Daniel Miller

@BerlinStation @EpixHD @MYKITAofficial @MishkaForbes you guys sleep; some of us have to earn a living #sundayspy pic.twitter.com/M7mcC4Srp1

— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) February 28, 2016

More Spies I Love:

Lucas North and John Porter