Blog Posts - INFORMING BRITAIN by @AndyGibsonTV

DOCTOR WHO: S14E02 / THE DEVIL'S CHORD

11/5/2024

BBC Doctor Who
Series 14 / Episode 2
The Devil's Chord
Saturday 11 May 2024
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
19:05

Writer: Russell T. Davies
Director: Chris May
Series Producer: Ben Chessell
Executive Producer: Julie Gardner
Executive Producer: Phil Collinson
Executive Producer: Jane Tranter
Executive Producer: Russell T. Davies
Executive Producer: Joel Collins

The Doctor and Ruby Sunday meet legendary British musicians, The Beatles and Cilla Black, during a trip back to the 1960s, but discover that the "all-powerful" Maestro is hatching a plot to change history, with the Fab Four and Swinging Cyril, in the thick of it.

Abbey Road becomes a battleground with the future of humanity at stake.

The most star-studded episode of Series 14 to date including Jerick Hoffer who provides his RuPaul's Drag Race-winning, and “internationally tolerated”, icon Jinkx Monsoon to portray the formidable Maestro to give series protagonists The Doctor & Ruby some problems. Can she take the fan favourites down before the course of history alters, morphing the future as we know it, forever?

Oh, and a couple of people from the popular Strictly Come Dancing make an appearance who regular viewers of BBC One on Saturday night might recognise.

CAST

Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor
Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday
Jeremy Limb as Timothy Drake
Ed White as George Martin
George Caple as Paul McCartney
James Hoyles as Ringo Starr
Chris Mason as John Lennon
Josie Sedgwick-Davies as Cilla Black
Philip Davies as George Harrison
Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro
Kit Rakusen as Henry
Simon Jason-Smith as Vinnie
Johannes Radebe as Himself
Shirley Ballas as Herself
Murray Gold as Himself
Chan Shocker as Studio Producer
Laura June Hudson as Elderly Woman
Sherinne Kayra Anderson as Tea Trolley Lady
Susan Twist as Tea Lady

DOCTOR WHO: S14E01 / SPACE BABIES

11/5/2024

BBC Doctor Who
Series 14 / Episode 1
Space Babies
Saturday 11 May 2024
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
18:20

Writer: Russell T. Davies
Director: Julie Ann Robinson
Series Producer: Vicki Delow
Executive Producer: Julie Gardner
Executive Producer: Phil Collinson
Executive Producer: Jane Tranter
Executive Producer: Russell T. Davies
Executive Producer: Joel Collins

Ncuti Gatwa stars in his first full series, as The Time Lord, alongside Millie Gibson. as his companion Ruby Sunday, following their debut in the 2023 BBC Christmas Special.

In the far future, Ruby learns The Doctor's amazing secrets when they encounter a baby farm being run by babies and being haunted by a mysterious Bogeyman.

This episode promises to be a great series opener for all avid followers of the magical Whoniverse.

CAST

Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor
Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday
Golda Rosheuvel as Jocelyn Sancerre
Michelle Greenidge as Carla Sunday
Angela Wynter as Cherry Sunday
Mason McCumskey as Eric
Sami Amber as Voice Of Eric
Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps as Poppy
Shola Olaitan-Adjiboye as Voice Of Poppy
Lonnee Archibong as Voice Of Adjani
Param Patel as Voice Of Marcel
Cadence Williams as Voice Of Sandra
Reyes Ortiz as Rico Trieste
Yasmine Bouabid as Lucia Colasanto
Robert Strange as Bogeyman

GRANITE HARBOUR: S02E02

8/5/2024

Granite Harbour
Series 2 / Episode 2
Thursday 09 May 2024
BBC Scotland / BBC iPlayer
22:00

Encore Presentation:
Friday 10 May 2024
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
20:00

Writer: Jillian Mannion
Writer: Adriel Leff
Writer: Kul Mahay
Director: Alex Browning
Series Producer: Donna Molloy
Executive Producer: Martin Smith
Executive Producer: Colin McKeown

When breakthroughs are made in both murder cases, loyalties are put to the test - with brutal consequences for both police and criminals alike, as Aberdeen's BBC Drama, Granite Harbour, continues.

After a dinghy linked to the Stolthet washes up on the beach, DCI MacMillan moves to have the Cargo Ship impounded. Meanwhile, Lindo and Bart bring Captain Nielsen in for questioning – with shocking consequences.

The Stolthet's Crew meet with their business associate to discuss the police heat on them and their ship. Sensing Axel's growing unease, Elsa forces him to reveal the truth – there was another stowaway on board and she escaped, presenting a threat to them all.

Elsewhere, Nazir tries to gather information about the drugs case but Mallick remains tight-lipped, quietly suspicious of his brother.

As the team question the crew of the Stolthet, Grace does her own digging while her nephew, Duncan, moves to silence Mariam for good.

Back at the Police Station, Mallick uncovers a disturbing discrepancy in the importation of Ketamine and the identity of the person responsible. This discovery leaves him stunned, throwing the case, and investigation, into further jeopardy.

CAST

Romario Simpson as DC Davis Lindo
Hannah Donaldson as DS Lara "Bart" Bartlett
Bhav Joshi as DI Jay Mallick
Michelle Jeram as DS Simone "Monty" Montrose
Dawn Steele as DCI Cora MacMillan
Sophia McLean as Sgt. Belinda Everett
Christopher Rygh as Alex Berg
Melina Åkerman-Kvie as Elsa Henrik
Alex Hogh Andersen as Emil Veggem
Sam Garioch as Duncan McFadden
Sani Mamood as Nazir Mallick
Sorem Malling as Captain Neilson
Kate Bracken as Katie Forsyth
Afsaneh Dehrouyeh as Mariam Faraki
Lesley Hart as Grace McFadden
Patrick Robinson as Grantley Lindo
Macleod Stephen as Pierce
Fraser Sivewright as NRPS Official
Mark Sangster as Harbour Master

GRANITE HARBOUR: S02E01

25/4/2024

Granite Harbour
Series 2 / Episode 1
Thursday 02 May 2024
BBC Scotland / BBC iPlayer
22:00

Encore Presentation:
Friday 03 May 2024
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
20:00

Writer: Robert Fraser
Director: Martin Smith
Series Producer: Donna Molloy
Executive Producer: Martin Smith
Executive Producer: Colin McKeown

Popular drama series Granite Harbour returns to Aberdeen for a new three-part series as Lindo, Bart and Police Scotland investigate two fatal cases with dark consequences at their heart, immersing the Major Investigations Team in The Granite City's criminal underworld.

When drug kingpin Grace McFadden's notorious fixer turns up dead, the MIT have their work cut out to find the source of a new cocaine and ketamine compound flooding the streets. Fearing an impending drugs turf war is brewing, the team fight to uncover the truth.

To complicate things, Lindo investigates the case of pregnant stowaway, Mariam, who claims her partner was killed on their journey across the sea. At the dockside, Lindo and Bart's suspicions are raised by the guarded behaviour of Captain Anders Nielsen and his protege Axel Berg from the Stolthet, a Norwegian Cargo Ship which recently arrived at Aberdeen Harbour.

After complications and conflicts arise, DCI MacMillan pulls Lindo and Bart off the stowaway murder investigation. However, Lindo has other ideas, refusing to give up on his hunch the Stolthet's crew are guilty of something sinister.

With the drug investigation making slow progress, Monty and Mallick are further frustrated by The McFadden Family's unwillingness to cooperate.

As the investigation pulls the team in different directions, Lindo faces an added complication when his estranged father, Grantley, arrives for a visit from Jamaica. However, it's clear he has got an agenda of his own.

CAST

Hannah Donaldson as DS Lara Bartlett
Michelle Jeram as DS Simone "Monty" Montrose
Bhav Joshi as DI Jay Mallick
Dawn Steele as DCI Cora MacMillan
Sophia McLean as Sgt. Belinda Everett
Romario Simpson as DC Davis Lindo
Layla Kirk as Ruth McFadden
Melina Akerman Kvie as Elsa Henrik
Kate Bracken as Katie Forsyth
Alex Hogh Andersen as Emil Veggem
Sam Garioch as Duncan McFadden
Afsaneh Dehrouyeh as Mariam Faraki
Lesley Hart as Grace McFadden
Soren Malling as Captain Nielsen
Patrick Robinson as Grantley Lindo
Sani Mamood as Nazir Mallick
Sakuntala Ramanee as Sharmila Mallick
Christopher Rygh as Axel Berg
Russ Bain as Lucas Galloway
Yusef Chaudhri as Hassan Faraki
Macleod Stephen as Pierce

PASSENGER: S01E06 - LAST IN SERIES

8/4/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 6
Monday 08 April 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Nicole Charles
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

In light of a revelation about the night of Jim’s attack, Riya loses faith in her entire investigation, until a bittersweet farewell unlocks one final piece of evidence.

The Best Kept Village judges arrive in Chadder Vale to find a town in crisis.

Meanwhile, an old acquaintance has a terrifying message for Derek, putting the factory in dire straits.

Elsewhere, Jakub faces the terrible consequences of a past mistake, before Ali and Nish follow the breadcrumbs to find answers.

Last in series.

CAST

Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
Pam Shaw as Nan Whittaker
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Terri-Ann Brumby as Lynn Hargreaves
Ray Castleton as Geoff Blakefield
Shelley Williams as Dina Dawson
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge
Gemma Wardle as Vicky Trowbridge
Matilda Freeman as Lilly Wells
Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Michael Hodgson as Tom Trowbridge
Neil Sandland as Mike Barton
Harry Egan as Simon
Luke Ayres as Kid On Wall

PASSENGER: S01E05

5/4/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 5
Sunday 07 April 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

As Kane Jackson faces a grilling from Riya Ajunwa, Linda Markel has other ideas of how best to spend police time.

Ali Day and Nish Chowdry, gaining confidence in their detective skills, trace Mehmet's footsteps and find a whole new layer of mystery.

The course of the investigation changes when Nina Karlsson makes a confession.

Meanwhile, Lilly Wells confronts her dad about his violent past, resulting in a face off in the forest where Jim Bracknell plays a fateful role.

Elsewhere, the truth about Eddie Wells comes out.

CAST

Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Matilda Freeman as Lilly Wells
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Terri-Ann Brumby as Lynn Hargreaves
Alexandra Hannant as Debbie Nickson
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Clare Burt as Sue Goodheart
Ray Castleton as Geoff Blakefield
Michael Hodgson as Tom Trowbridge
Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan
Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Gemma Wardle as Vicky Trowbridge
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
Nico Mirallegro as Kane Jackson
Tom Lister as Nick Goodheart
Karen Henthorn as Cath Benjamin-Dale
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Shelley Williams as Dina Dawson
Andrew Readman as Keith Grouse
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Synnove Karlsen as Nina Karlsson
Anna Tymoshenko as Inaya Shah
Narinder Samra as Dr. Singh
Luke Ayres as Kid On Wall

PASSENGER: S01E04

1/4/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 4
Monday 01 April 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

Riya Ajunwa may have tracked down Chadder Vale's missing wheelie bins, but a conversation with Nina Karlsson gets her in big trouble with Linda Markel.

Reeling after being told she is being transferred, Nina heads to the pub with Jakub Makowski, but can she resist her old flame, Nick Goodheart?

Jim Bracknell has no choice but to reopen the fracking site.

Meanwhile, Eddie Wells struggles to be the family man he wants to be - and reaches breaking point.

Elsewhere, as Ali Day and Nish Chowdry bond by the wheelie bins, they find a clue which points to a suspect.

CAST

Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Synnove Karlsen as Nina Karlsson
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Tom Lister as Nick Goodheart
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Nico Mirallegro as Kane Jackson
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Anna Tymoshenko as Inaya Shah
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Clare Burt as Sue Goodheart
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan
Harry Egan as Simon
David Atkins as Nina's Husband

PASSENGER: S01E03

31/3/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 3
Sunday 31 March 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

Andrew Buchan's drama series about people in Chadder Vale continues.

As day breaks, the residents of Chadder Vale learn the tragic news about Mehmet.

Katie and John are initially pulled back together in the face of grief, until revelations surface - threatening their new engagement.

Meanwhile, as accusations mount, Jim vows to fight to prove his innocence.

Elsewhere, a heartbroken Riya decides to keep her head down and focus on the tasks given to her by Linda, but unexpected clues land on her lap, leading her to a major discovery.

CAST

Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
Karen Henthorn as Cath Benjamin-Dale
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Anna Tymoshenko as Inaya Shah
Shelley Williams as Dina Dawson
Michael Hodgson as Tom Trowbridge
Richard McIver as Jordan Miller
Matilda Freeman as Lilly Wells
Lisa Allen as Jill Haleford
Neil Sandland as Mike Barton
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Clare Burt as Sue Goodheart
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Andrew Readman as Keith Grouse
Tom Lister as Nick Goodheart
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Shervin Alenabi as Mehmet Shah
Nico Mirallengro as Kane Jackson
Gemma Wardle as Vicky Trowbridge
Kirsty Hoiles as Trish McHugh
Alejandra Bacelar Pereira as Yolanda Sanchez
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Harry Egan as Simon
Luke Ayres as Kid On Wall
Elijah Braik as Local Imam

PASSENGER: S01E02

25/3/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 2
Monday 25 March 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

As the town - and the Wells family - gather at the Carvery to grapple with the return of Eddie, Riya enlists Ali and Nish to help get to the bottom of what happened to Katie in the forest.

Lilly takes out her anger on Jim, warning him that the protests are only just beginning.

Meanwhile, Katie and Mehmet hatch a plan to move to Manchester, but first, he has something important to do at home.

Elsewhere, a stranger arrives in town, having made a pilgrimage to see The Tree Of Good Hope.

CAST

Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Jack James Ryan as Jack Trowbridge
Shervin Alenabi as Mehmet Shah
Matilda Freeman as Lilly Wells
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Anna Tymoshenko as Inaya Shah
Neil Sandland as Mike Barton
Clare Burt as Sue Goodheart
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Nico Miranllegro as Kane Jackson
Shelley Williams as Dina Dawson
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Lisa Allen as Jill Haleford
Terri-Ann Brumby as Lynn Hargreaves
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Ray Castleton as Geoff Blakefield
Karen Henthorn as Cath Benjamin-Dale
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Synnove Kalsen as Nina Karlsson
Pam Shaw as Nan Whittaker
Richard McIver as Jordan
Luke Ayres as Kid On Wall

PASSENGER: S01E01

24/3/2024

Passenger
Series 1/Episode 1
Sunday 24 March 2024
ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player
21:00

Writer: Andrew Buchan
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Series Producer: Sumrah Mohammed
Executive Producer: Jane Featherstone
Executive Producer: Simon Maloney
Executive Producer: Lucy Dyke

Welcome to Chadder Vale, a close-knit town where nothing seems to perforate the mundane. DI Riya Ajunwa is bored of solving petty crimes by day and looking after her batty mother-in-law by night. So, when Katie Wells goes missing one night in the forest, Riya thinks this could be the case that changes everything. The only problem is, Katie Wells shows up at home, safe and sound, 24 hours after she disappeared.

But Riya is not convinced. Something doesn't add up. Where did Katie go, and why won't she tell Riya what happened in the forest? What about the reports of other young people who are disappearing - all seemingly with a connection to the fracking site and the old tree on the town's outskirts? And then there's the dead stag on the forest road, which has been obliterated into a thousand pieces by someone. Or something.

Does it all have something to do with Katie's dad Eddie Wells, who has just been released from prison? One drunken night 5 years ago he committed a monstrous crime, and Riya was the one who locked him up. Or does her nouveau-riche mate Derek - who runs the local bread factory - have something to do with it? He and his anxious brother are certainly hiding something.

Tired of being lumped with petty crimes, DI Riya Ajunwa begins to draw connections between an apparently solved missing person’s case, a mysteriously obliterated stag and the eco protestors at the fracking site.

Meanwhile, trouble is brewing at the bread factory.

Elsewhere, Katie has a frightening encounter in the forest, a monster from the past rears its head: her father, whom Riya arrested for committing a violent crime five years ago, is released from prison early.

CAST

Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge
Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson
Sophie Ellicott as Bev Broadbent
Jo Hartley as Linda Markel
David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell
Wunmi Mosaku as Riya Ajunwa
Anna Tymoshenko as Inaya Shah
Shelley Williams as Dina Dawson
Neil Sandland as Mike Barton
Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells
Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry
Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan
Gemma Wardle as Vicky Trowbridge
Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski
Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day
Natalie Gavin as Joanne Wells
Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson
Shervin Alenabi as Mehmet Shah
Clare Burt as Sue Goodheart
Alexandra Hannant as Debbie Nickson
Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
Nico Mirallegro as Kane Jackson
Matilda Freeman as Lilly Wells
Luke Ayres as Kid On Wall