Sign the Petition to Save the Mills from North and South

https://t.co/a57oHciI8I

— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) November 21, 2015

Click on the link below to sign the petition:

https://www.change.org/p/councillor-jennifer-mein-save-lancashire-s-mill-museums?recruiter=72221269&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Happy 10th Anniversary North & South - Memories of John Thornton

November 14, 2014 is the 10th Anniversary of the first airing, the premiere in the UK, of the BBC series North & South, starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe.

Like so many fans/supporters/well-wishers the first time I saw Richard Armitage was in this series as John Thornton. No, I didn't see it on November 14, 2004, but one night on my local U.S. public television station (yes on PBS) in 2005.  I will admit I had not heard of Elizabeth Gaskell before, and had no idea what the series was about, but I saw it was a period drama, and that was enough incentive for me to watch.

I remember feeling a bit annoyed towards this interfering busybody, Mr. Thornton, as Margaret Hale marched to the mill to confront him. Then amid the noise and the floating cotton fluff there he was, standing above it all, the most beautiful man I had ever seen. 

By the start of the second episode I made sure I knew the name of the actor: 

Richard Armitage

video by lucifmello

Five Years Later

It was the first weekend in the few months since my mother had passed away that I was alone. No family or friends making sure I had company for part of the day, or calling to check if I was OK.  

Somehow on this weekend they all had gone back to their own lives, leaving me alone with mine. The door had closed on my life and I sat in my living room not knowing what to do with the rest of it. I only knew I couldn't continue this way.  

Why I suddenly remembered North & South that day I don’t really know. It had been a while since I watched it, but somehow I remembered the strong bond between John Thornton and his mother.  My mother and I had a similar bond. Very much like John and Hannah, as a single mother and child, we had worked, trusted, and depended on each other in order to survive. 

In the last few years of my mother's life, as she declined rapidly and I became the inadequate caregiver, our world changed. I desperately needed to remember an earlier time in our lives as mother and daughter, somehow I felt it would console me.  

I watched North & South all the way through that night. I cried at all the scenes with John and Hannah, cried when Margaret’s parents both died and cried again when John said “look back, look back at me." That night I fell in love again with John Thornton. 

More than that, for reasons I still don’t understand, watching North & South that weekend gave me the will and the strength to continue on. John Thornton and the man who gave him life, Richard Armitage, will always have a special place in my heart. 

It was also that night that I first searched for "Richard Armitage fan sites."   

That most handsome man of all I first saw as John Thornton in 2005 is now handsomer than ever.  

Join a special 10th Anniversary  ArmitageWatch:

http://armitagewatch.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-special-anniversary-lookback10.html

 and the NS10 Group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/489423124530809/

North and South with Richard Armitage on US TV Channel INSP July 14

My hope is that after this Sunday, July 14, Richard Armitage will have many new fans in the US after they watch him as John Thornton on the Inspiration (INSP) network.

Don't miss the "INSP Network Premiere" of all four episodes of North & South starting at 8:00pm this Sunday, July 14.  

To find out if you have INSP in your area with your cable or satellite TV service provider click on the link below and type in your zip code:

http://www.insp.com/insp-channel-finder/

I have never watched INSP before, but I found out my cable provider did indeed have this channel. Though I own the DVD  I will tune in at 8:00pm on Sunday and watch part of it thinking of all the people around the country watching for the first time, or those like me, watching to feel we are joining in the moment. 

Below is a link to the INSP page about North & South:

http://www.insp.com/shows/north-and-south/


 and below the trailer on their site:

THANK YOU INSP

Images thanks to Fanpop

Three Richard Armitage Fan Projects I Support: Bring North and South to PBS, Armitage for Dawsey Adams, Armitage as Ross Poldark

Yes, I know, it doesn't really matter what I support - who am I to say!  I have nothing to do with initiating or maintaining any of the three projects below, other than my interest, and yes, my firm support. 

It is Richard Armitage's decision of course what his next project, and future projects will be. We don't know what he's auditioned for or has been offered, or is interested in pursuing. The most important thing for me is his satisfaction and happiness with his career. I will follow wherever he leads us. 

But if you are a Richard Armitage fan and happen to drop by this blog intentionally or accidentally, I did want to bring to your attention three Armitage related fan projects that may be worthwhile for fans to explore further and see if they want to join and support their fellow fan efforts. 

Bring North and South to PBS

Looks like there will be renewed efforts and a new campaign soon in the ongoing project to have PBS (US Public Television) show North and South with Richard Armitage nationwide, or make it available nationwide, on PBS stations. Click on the link below for more information and to join and show your support:

https://www.facebook.com/NorthSouthtoPBS

The new efforts, from what I'm reading on the FB page, will be directed towards the BBC and not just PBS. (Thanks to Me and Richard Armitage for the original info).

I posted about the original campaign in 2010- you can read about it at the link below:

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2010/09/bring-north-south-to-pbs-postcard.html

Richard Armitage for Dawsey Adams

This has been a long running fan campaign to have Richard Armitage cast as Dawsey Adams in the future film based on the book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Armitage-for-Dawsey-Adams-Campaign/228951940486649

The campaign seems to have gained new momentum after Richard mentioned in an interview recently, during the Australia Hobbit DVD Promo I believe, that he's been auditioning or talking to producers in Los Angeles, and that one of the projects is based on a charming book that we (his fans) would like (I'm paraphrasing here).  Could the "charming book" be Guernsey?

I also posted about this fan campaign a while back, and you can read if interested at the link below:

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2012/04/guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel-pie.html

Now, some fans believe that Armitage should play another character from the book,  Markham V. Reynolds, rich and handsome American.  I agree that the physical description in the book matches Armitage, and I have no doubt that he could play this ultimately not always sympathetic character well.

I'm with the fans that think he would be perfect for Dawsey, and for me that has to do with the "inner RA" more than the outward physical beauty of the man.  On the Dawsey/Armitage side I offer the description of Dawsey when book heroine Juliet first sees him:

"Then Dawsey held out his hands. I had been expecting him to look like Charles Lamb, and he does, a little - he has the same even gaze... Dawsey is dark and wiry, and his face has a quiet, watchful look about it - until he smiles...he has the sweetest smiles I've ever seen..."

Portrait of Charles Lamb:

The Guernsey film project is currently "In Development" according to IMDB.

Poldark Fans Want Richard Armitage 

Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark

The BBC has announced they are producing a remake of the very popular 1970's series Poldark.  I was a great fan of the Poldark series in my teens thanks to PBS airing the entire series here in the US. I also read all the Poldark books at the time, and still own them. I agree that Richard Armitage would be the perfect Ross Poldark - the only actor I can think of that I would accept without reservations as playing the character other than the original, the wonderful Robin Ellis.

For those that have never heard of Poldark, below is a video of a documentary about the series that may answer some of your questions:

Below is a link to the original article saying that the Poldark Appreciation Society members voted for Richard Armitage as their favorite to play the lead, Ross Poldark, in the new BBC series in production:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/poldark-fans-want-richard-armitage-1962515

If you want to show your support below is the link to the Poldark Appreciation Society on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/18575480860/

_______________

I hope Richard Armitage gives us more hints soon as to his future 

projects. I'm a believer that mention of fan interest in seeing him on stage, screen, or our TV sets, is a good thing. 

Image sources many and varied from various fan sites, Wikipedia, RichardArmitageNet.com

Weekend Bliss: North & South Groupwatch and WETA UK June 1-3

loschicosdelaprincesajazmin.blogspot.com

For many of us UK Television fans around the world, this blissful weekend will start tomorrow and continue through Sunday with the North and South Groupwatch on Twitter and Facebook. 


For all the details, time zones, Twitter training, and more, go to Armitage Watch at the link below. I'm planning on participating and adding to the Twitter chatter.

http://www.armitagewatch.blogspot.com/

For my fellow Anglophiles in the Washington DC Metro Area more good news awaits this weekend. Starting this Saturday PBS/WETA will launch WETA UK with twenty-four hours of pilots and previews of all the programs that will be on the regular lineup starting on Monday.  


In between watching North and South, doing laundry, and paying bills this weekend, I plan to tune in to my favorite programs on WETA UK.

Of course, I have to highlight one program starring the man who is at the top of this post as John Thornton. Richard Armitage also stars as Guy of Gisborne in BBC's Robin Hood on WETA UK this weekend. Below is a clip of an interview with Armitage talking Gisborne:

For all the news on the WETA UK lineup this weekend, go to Telly Visions at the link below:

 http://blogs.weta.org/tellyvisions/2012/05/31/weta-uk-almost-here-get-details-our-special-premiere-weekend-schedule-now

Here's the preview of Robin Hood that WETA has been showing on their Programmer's Choice site:

How can I not mention also that this weekend is the start of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne. For all the news click on the official website link below:

http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/

Great Way to Start the Summer: North & South and Richard Armitage Global Groupwatch and Sharpe and Sean Bean Global Groupwatch

So now that the regular fall shows are all having their finales, and that we only have three (is it?) episodes to go of Game Of Thrones, we need a way to start the summer.What could be better than watching Richard Armitage and Sean Bean in the two British TV programs that made them both famous in the UK and known around the world.


Join Armitage Fans and lovers of the best of period drama on June 1-3 for the Global North and South Groupwatch on Twitter and Facebook.  For details click on the links and go to the two sites below:

http://armitagewatch.blogspot.com/2012/05/theres-homework-to-do-part-ii.html?spref=tw

http://distractedinreality.wordpress.com/

And the following weekend if you're a Sean Bean fan or saw him first on Game of Thrones, join the Sharpe Saturdays Groupwatch starting in June. Sharpe Saturdays is still in the planning stages, but look for more information on Twitter #SharpeSaturdays from organizer Fanny/iz4blue


If you haven't seen either program or are curious about the early work of either Richard Armitage or Sean Bean, or both, this is a great opportunity to find out more and see them in two roles they made their own,while sharing the experience with others around the world.


Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with the idea or the planning for either of the Groupwatches, but I plan to take part in both. 


Look forward to watching these two great series together.  

Update May 23:


From Saturday to Sunday! Sharpe Sundays starting June 24? Still in the planning stages, but check Twitter and #Sharpe or #SharpeSundays in early June for more information.

Once Upon a Time with Sinead Cusack

Most Richard Armitage fans know Sinead Cusack for her unforgettable performance as Hannah Thornton in the BBC's 2004 series "North and South".  When I first was lucky enough to watch "North and South" on US TV (aired only once in 2005!) I remembered the name first, and then slowly the face, as someone familiar. You see I once was more than lucky to see Sinead Cusack on stage back in 1985 in the US city I call home.

We're lucky enough in my part of the world to get visits from touring companies from the UK, usually The National Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company.  When I was younger I seemed to have more spare time somehow, and also the tickets were not as expensive as now, and I used to go to the theater from time to time. Imagine my delight when I saw that one of my favorite plays, "Cyrano de Bergerac", would be in town with a great actor I new  and loved well from  US Public Television (PBS) and "I, Claudius", Derek Jacobi.  The only thing I knew about Ms. Cusack before seeing her on stage was her marriage to another wonderful UK actor, Jeremy Irons.  On reading the program and actors bios that evening I was impressed to learn that Sinead Cusack came from an illustrious acting family and was the daughter of Cyril Cusack who I also remembered from many classic movies. (I think you know by now I'm a bit of an Anglophile.)

You may wonder how I remember all of this so many years later, and especially Sinead Cusack as Roxane. Well, remember that "Cyrano" is one of my favorite plays and I've seen the play in different film and TV incarnations and also on stage various times, but that night and that performance by Mr. Jacobi and Ms. Cusack is in my heart and mind as one of the most wonderful performances of the play and most moving and satisfying nights at the theater I've ever had. I don't remember every minute of course, but I can close my eyes and still remember the final scene and the two of them alone on stage.

The production was also filmed and aired on UK TV sometime in 1985.  Below is a scene with Derek Jacobi as Cyrano and Sinead Cusack as Roxane:




Fast forward years later to be lucky enough to see Sinead Cusack in another wonderfully moving performance as John Thornton's (Richard Armitage) strong,willful, loving, mother Hannah in "North and South". Here's a scene between Hannah Thornton and Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe):




I think it must be a challenge to actors to portray the many layers of  emotions and history between a mother and adult son or daughter. The fine tuned and multi-layered performances of Mr. Armitage and Ms. Cusack  are perfect in showing the love and respect between them, but also the challenge for the mother, Hannah, to let go of John's exclusive affection and John's fine balance between pursuing the woman he loves, Margaret, and maintaining loyalty to his mother.  There's not a moment in this series when you can catch either of them "acting" but rather fully feeling and living their roles.

Thank you for letting me share my stroll down memory lane today.  Hope it will encourage all of us to learn more about Sinead Cusack's  illustrious career.

Thank you to RichardArmitageNet and others for photos and screencaps.

Bring North & South to PBS - Postcard Campaign from Me&Richard Armitage

I grew up watching Masterpiece Theater - now known as Masterpiece- on American Public Television (PBS). I think it's a wonderful idea for US fans of the great BBC series "North & South" starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe to participate in a postcard campaign to bring this series to PBS and American audiences.

Calling all US Fans of RA & North & South!!!

Another year goes by & still the US doesn’t broadcast North & South…

Maybe they don’t know what a ‘masterpiece’ it is. Why not spread the word?

We are searching for fans of North & South & Richard Armitage who have access toPBS to join a postcard campaign.

To read the details of how to participate in this campaign go to Me&Richard Armitage at the link below:

http://meandrichard.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/bring-north-south-to-pbs/

photo from The Art of Clothes Blog

Update: May 4, 2012

Join the Global North & South Rewatch in June 1,2,3 2012

On Twitter and Facebook

For details go to the link below:

http://distractedinreality.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/i-have-a-dream-about-a-date-with-a-cravat-and-a-kiss/