Ripper Street: Downton Abbey and Ripper Street battle it out for No1 period drama spot

According to the Express, Downton's reign for number 1 top TV period drama may be coming to an end.

The second series of Ripper Street, starring Matthew Macfadyen and Jerome Flynn, will now start at the end of this month and could be pitched against Downton

A BBC spokesman last night refused to reveal which night Ripper Street will be scheduled on but ruled out going head-to-head with Downton on Sunday nights.

Ripper Street has already taken over from Downton as Britain’s costliest period drama at £1.5million an episode.

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Ripper Street S2: audio from the launch Q and A

David Stephenson of youtube has posted the audio portion of the Ripper Street Series 2 launch Q and A which you can listen to if you don't mind SPOILERS!

See video
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Ripper Street S2: Launch Photo

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Ripper Street: The Return of the Elephant Man

Joseph Merrick, popularly known as The Elephant Man, will be appearing in the first two episodes of the upcoming second series of Ripper Street.

Spoilers beware, but if you'd like to know more, visit the Radio Times

 

Joseph Merrick, the real life man who managed to withstand a life of terrible deformity and prejudice before his death in 1890, is to appear as a character in the series, which returns to BBC1 for later this year.

Played by actor Joseph Drake, Merrick is instrumental in episode one as a witness to some chicanery by a police officer. He also appears in episode two, set in the last days of his life at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

Also appearing in Ripper Street is the character of Frederick Treves, the compassionate and pioneering surgeon who rescued Merrick from his work in a Victorian freak show.

 

New characters also include the villainous Detective Inspector Jedediah Shine, played by Joseph Mawle, an unscrupulous officer described by the show's writer Richard Warlow as the “dark opposite” to the hero, Edmund Reid played by Matthew Macfadyen.

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Ambassadors: Airdate announced on BBC2

Expect to see Ambassadors with Keeley Hawes (and guest star Matthew Macfadyen) on BBC 2 starting Wednesday 23rd October from 9:00-10:00 pm

BBC TWO

Ambassadors

Set in the fictional Central Asian Republic of Tazbekistan, David Mitchell plays newly arrived British Ambassador Keith Davies and Robert Webb his seasoned second in command, Deputy head of mission, Neil Tilly.

The British ambassador to Tazbekistan is tasked with securing a £2 billion helicopter contract for the UK. Things begin badly when Davis accidentally shoots an Ibex, the national animal, while on a hunting trip with the president - and are further jeopardized when an arrogant young British human rights activist is arrested by the regime on trumped-up charges. This throws Davis into direct conflict with Neil, who believes Britain should be prioritising human rights over winning arms contracts. Neil, though, has ethical troubles of his own when the Tazbek secret police blackmail him into spying on the British for them.

The embassy is hosting a 'Best of British Festival' which offers an opportunity for Davis to impress the Tazbeks and persuade them to go with the British helicopters. However, the best the festival can offer is a medieval folk group from Gloucestershire, a demonstration of how to make a pork pie and a one-man production of Frankenstein. Nobody, least of all Davis, is feeling too confident...Then news reaches them that the human rights activist is facing the death penalty and the ambassador and his team are forced to make a tough decision.

Keith is played by David Mitchell, Neil is played by Robert Webb, Jennifer is played by Keeley Hawes, POD is played by Matthew Macfayden, The President is played by Yigal Naor, Ludmilla is played by Debbie Chazen.

 

Ambassadors is written by Rupert Walters and James Wood, produced by Chris Carey and directed by Jeremy Webb.

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