Sally Wainwright: Last News

BBC One’s finale of BAFTA-winning crime drama Happy Valley took 7.5 million viewers last night in the UK.

Sky is seeking inspiration from Happy Valley for its next hit show as programs boss Zai Bennett says the pay-TV giant is taking a ‘less is more’ approach to original content.

As millions of viewers in the UK prepare to sit down on Sunday evening for the grand finale – and last ever episode – of hit crime drama Happy Valley, one small town will have a special reason to toast the success of this massively popular and critically acclaimed show. 

Fresh off the back of the penultimate episode of BBC smash Happy Valley, creator Sally Wainwright this morning cryptically teased her next project, as she talked up the virtues of taking a six month hiatus.

Sylvia Syms has died at age 89. The actress was known for having played dressmaker Olive Woodhouse in BBC soap opera 'EastEnders' between 2007 and 2010 but her children Beatie and Ben Edney confirmed on Friday (27. 01.

Disney+ has handed a second season order to Extraordinary – the superhero series from up-and-coming writer Emma Moran and Killing Eve producer Sid Gentle – two days prior to first season launch.

BBC bosses are so keen to keep the ending of crime drama Happy Valley under wraps even the cast don't know how it ends.

K.J. Yossman First look images have been revealed of the third and purportedly final season of crime drama “Happy Valley.” The six-part final season, made by Lookout Point for BBC One and BBC iPlayer in co-production with AMC Networks, will see Sarah Lancashire return as Sergeant Catherine Cawood and James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce. The first images show Lancashire sporting a bloody nose following a police raid while Royce, with a new look, is locked in his prison cell. Siobhan Finneran stars as Catherine’s sister Clare and Rhys Connah as her teenage grandson Ryan.

K.J. Yossman Louisa Harland, Nick Mohammed, Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester (pictured above, left-to-right) have boarded upcoming Disney+ series “The Ballad of Renegade Nell,” Variety can exclusively reveal. The Lookout Point production, which is written and exec produced by “Gentleman Jack” writer Sally Wainwright, is an upcoming eight-part adventure and fantasy series about an 18th century young woman who finds herself unwittingly becoming the most famous highwaywoman in the country. “Derry Girls” star Harland will play the quick-witted and courageous Nell, who ends up on an extraordinary adventure after she is framed for murder – a twist of fate that has far bigger consequences than Nell could ever dream of. Mohammed (“Ted Lasso”) joins as Billy Bling, a “plucky but prickly” spirit while Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”) is eccentric newspaper magnate Lady Eularia Moggerhanger.

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a first look at Disney+’s Wedding Season, which Deadline can exclusively reveal will launch September 8.

Gentleman Jack creator Sally Wainwright is not giving up on a third season for the lesbian period drama series following its cancellation last week by HBO.

Ellise Shafer “Gentleman Jack” has been canceled at HBO after two seasons, Variety has confirmed.Set in 19th century Yorkshire, the historical drama is based on the life of Anne Lister (Suranne Jones), a landowner and industrialist who is often referred to as the “first modern lesbian” due to her diaries, written in secret code, that documented her relationships with women. “Gentleman Jack” is a co-production with BBC One and also stars Sophie Rundle, Joe Armstrong, Amelia Bullmore, Rosie Cavaliero, Gemma Whelan, Gemma Jones, Timothy West and Tom Lewis.“HBO will not be moving forward with a third season of ‘Gentleman Jack,'” the network said in a statement to Variety.

EXCLUSIVE: HBO will not be proceeding with a third season of Sally Wainwright’s period drama Gentleman Jack. The news comes a little over a month after the series, a co-production with the BBC, wrapped its Season 2 run on HBO. Gentleman Jack aired on the lower-trafficked Monday night, with its second season, delayed by the pandemic, among HBO’s lower rated original series.

Naga Munchetty has comforted Sally Wainwright following the death of screen writer Kay Mellor.The BBC Radio 5 Live host, 47, comforted the Last Tango in Halifax writer earlier today after she appeared on the radio show to pay tribute to her friend and mentor following her death aged 71.Naga said to Sally: "I mean obviously you're paying tribute to her but I mean she did an interview and this is what she said about you."The BBC host read: "'She was talented and raw, she didn't care, you know."'She would write what she wanted, that's what I love that kind of boldness and funny to get"'It reminded me of how I was and how I wanted to be,'" Naga finished reading, before adding: "Now there's an accolade, there's a compliment."Sally replied: "Well, one of the things I remember Kay telling me when I started working at Grenada was, 'Be bold.'"And that stayed with me all my life, she was very - I'm sorry," she added, before starting to break down and cry.Stepping in to reassure the screenwriter, Naga said: "Sally, it's absolutely fine."When you talk about someone like Kay Mellor who has shaped your environment and shaped your career and it's more than just shaping your talent, it's about shaping your confidence."And giving you the strength to break into a space that is so tough," she added.Earlier today, a spokesperson for Kay's TV production company, Rollem Productions, confirmed the sad news of her death.The statement said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague Kay Mellor on Sunday 15th May 2022.“We have lost a phenomenal talent and a true luminary."We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time," it ended.Kay

Naman Ramachandran Sally Wainwright’s RTS-winning and BAFTA nominated hit “Gentleman Jack” will return for a second season on Apr. 10 on BBC One and iPlayer.

Anne Lister, it's set in beautiful Halifax in 1832 and stars BAFTA winning Suranne Jones, known for her Coronation Street beginnings and Doctor Foster as well as Sophie Rundle, known for Peaky Blinders, Bodyguard and the Nest. As viewers will know, Gentleman Jack follows the diaries of Anne Lister, part written in cryptic code, and follows her private and public life, including her romantic relationship with Anne Walker. For more of the latest TV, celebrity and showbiz news, click here. Series 1 drew to a dramatic end with the couple finally married and looking to settle down as wife and wife.

Gemma Arterton has joined the cast of J Blakeson’s upcoming Disney+ heist series Culprits alongside Eddie Izzard and a string of other big names, with principal photography kicking off this week.

Suranne Jones has sent Gentleman Jack fans into overdrive after sharing the first look images of the anticipated second series. Posting a series of snaps on her Instagram account, the 47 year old actress teased what is to come when the show returns to our screens, including how her character Anne Lister and her new wife Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) are finding married life.

The BBC and HBO have teased a set of first look images for the second season of Sally Wainwright’s Gentleman Jack. 

Sally Wainwright, Daisy May Cooper and the hosts of Top Gear, along with senior BBC execs, will address next month’s BBC Studios Showcase, as the commercial outfit unveils a packed lineup for the online-only event.