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10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 Ian McKellen to play legendary Salford artist L.S. Lowry in new BBC documentary
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has landed himself an exciting new role, and he’s set to play one of Greater Manchester’s most iconic sons.
One of the most celebrated British actors of all time playing one of the most celebrated British artists of all time? It was meant to be. That’s right, Ian McKellen is set to portray Salford’s very-own L.S. Lowry in the new BBC documentary, L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes, produced by award-winning Wall to Wall Media and coming soon to BBC Two and iPlayer.
Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, this immersive documentary film will focus on the touching and often surprising exchange between the enigmatic artist and Angela Barratt – a young fan whose interviews capture Lowry in his most intimate and reflective moments.
Recorded in the artist’s own living room, these tapes reveal Lowry’s authentic voice, which Burnley-born actor McKellen will lip-sync on screen.
Across these candid conversations, Lowry traces his journey from childhood right through to his final days, sharing the memories and experiences that shaped him both as an artist, and crucially, as a man.
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Alongside this deeply personal account, the documentary is also set to explore the dramatic transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, which Lowry, of course, depicted so prolifically in his work.
“To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege,” commented Ian McKellen as his casting was announced this week.
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“These tapes reveal an intimate insight into the artist’s thoughts – his ambitions, regrets and his humour. Anyone like me, who admires his paintings and drawings, will be intrigued and delighted that the artist is brought back to life through his own words.”
Mark Bell, who is the Commissioning Editor at BBC Arts, added: “Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, and celebrating Arena’s own 50-year tradition of ambitious, intelligent storytelling, this film comes at a very special moment.
“The inspired casting of Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith feels like life imitating art in the best possible way. But this film isn’t just about the life of the artist, it also provides an insight into the realities of urban life in Greater Manchester in the 20th century.”
Read more:
- Lowry’s ‘Going to the Match’ comes to life at new immersive experience in Salford
- Ian McKellen goes misty-eyed telling lovely Manchester anecdote on hit podcast
- Viewers baffled as Ian McKellen and John Bishop hatch from giant golden egg on The One Show
L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes is directed by James Kent, following his recent Emmy win for Lost Boys and Fairies, with executive producer Morgana Pugh, and producer Hannah Mirsky.
Further broadcast details will be announced in due course.
Featured Image – BBC / Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Connor Harris
The nominations for the 2026 MOBOs are officially out
Danny Jones
Another awards season is already well underway, and over in the music business, the nominees for the 2026 MOBOs have just been revealed.
Founded by the legendary Kanya King back in 1996, the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year
In case you missed the news back in September, this year’s ceremony will be held right here in Manchester for the very first time, and we’re understandably buzzing about it.
As heading up North wasn’t already exciting enough, the nominations are looking well and truly stacked as always; without further ado, here is the shortlist in full:
2026 MOBOs Nominees
BEST FEMALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH got2b
- FLO
- KWN
- LITTLE SIMZ
- OLIVIA DEAN
- PINKPANTHERESS
- SASHA KEABLE
BEST MALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROSTATE CANCER UK
- CENTRAL CEE
- ELMIENE
- JIM LEGXACY
- NEMZZZ
- ODEAL
- SKEPTA
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH AMAZON MUSIC
- CENTRAL CEE – CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS
- EZRA COLLECTIVE – DANCE, NO ONE’S WATCHING
- FLO – ACCESS ALL AREAS
- KOJEY RADICAL – DON’T LOOK DOWN
- LITTLE SIMZ – LOTUS
- OLIVIA DEAN – THE ART OF LOVING
SONG OF THE YEAR
- AJ TRACEY FEAT. JORJA SMITH – ‘CRUSH’
- DONAE’O FEAT. OMAR, LEMAR & HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR – ‘NIGHTS LIKE THIS’
- FRED AGAIN, SKEPTA & PLAQUEBOYMAX – ‘VICTORY LAP’
- JIM LEGXACY & DAVE – ‘3X’
- KWN – ‘DO WHAT I SAY’
- MYLES SMITH – ‘NICE TO MEET YOU’
- OLIVIA DEAN – ‘MAN I NEED’
- PINKPANTHERESS – ‘ILLEGAL’
- RAYE – ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’
- TIM DUZIT – ‘KAT SLATER’
BEST NEWCOMER
- DC3
- ESDEEKID
- FINESSEKID
- JIM LEGXACY
- KWN
- NAMESBLISS
- NIA SMITH
- SEKOU
- SKYE NEWMAN
- YT
VIDEO OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH VEVO
- POZER – ‘SHANGHIGH NOON’ (DIRECTED BY BAS HASELAGER)
- FKA TWIGS – ‘EUSEXUA’ (DIRECTED BY JORDAN HEMINGWAY)
- JIM LEGXACY – ‘FATHER’ (DIRECTED BY LAUZZA)
- LITTLE SIMZ – ‘FLOOD FEAT. OBONGJAYAR & MOONCHILD SANELLY’ (DIRECTED BY SALOMON LIGHTHELM)
- RAYE – ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ (DIRECTED BY THE REIDS)
- SKEPTA & FRED AGAIN – ‘BACK 2 BACK’ (DIRECTED BY DOMAMANIC and SKEPTA)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
- ELMIENE
- FLO
- KWN
- ODEAL
- OLIVIA DEAN
- SASHA KEABLE
Yes, the magical Ms Dean is absolutely ALL OVER this list…
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT
- ALT BLK ERA
- BLOOD ORANGE
- HAK BAKER
- MICHAEL KIWANUKA
- NOVA TWINS
- RACHEL CHINOURIRI
BEST GRIME ACT, SUPPORTED BY TRENCH
- CHIP
- JAYAHADADREAM
- KASST 8
- RUFF SQWAD
- SCORCHER
- WILEY
BEST HIP-HOP ACT
- AITCH
- ASCO
- CATCH
- CENTRAL CEE
- D-BLOCK EUROPE
- KOJEY RADICAL
- LITTLE SIMZ
- LOYLE CARNER
- WRETCH 32
- YOUNGS TEFLON
@the.manc The limited edition 4 Box is out now at @Archies in collaboration with @Aitch – so we sat down to try it for the first time with the man himself. 👏 #themanc #mancheshester #manc #archies #aitch #burger #manchestermusic #takeaway #manchesterfood #manchestereats #manchestertakeaway ♬ original sound – The Manc
BEST DRILL ACT
- 36
- BOOTER BEE
- CHY CARTIER
- ESDEEKID
- K-TRAP
- LEOSTAYTRILL
- NEMZZZ
- POZER
- TWIN S
- WOHDEE
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
- AYRA STARR
- CARDI B
- CLIPSE
- GUNNA
- KEHLANI
- LEON THOMAS
- MARIAH THE SCIENTIST
- MOLIY
- TYLA
- VYBZ KARTEL
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
- BEMI OROJUOGUN (BUS AUNTY)
- DJ AG
- IN MY OPINION
- MELISSA HOLDBROOK-AKPOSOE (MELISSA’S WARDROBE)
- NADIA JAE
- NIKO OMILANA
- PK HUMBLE
- REMI BURGZ
- UCHE NATORI
- WINNERS TALKING
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM
- AARON PIERRE – MUFASA: THE LION KING
- ASHLEY THOMAS – HOSTAGE
- ASHLEY WALTERS – ADOLESCENCE
- CYNTHIA ERIVO – WICKED
- DAMSON IDRIS – F1
- DAYO KOLEOSHO – EASTENDERS
- LENNIE JAMES – MR LOVERMAN
- MARIANNE JEAN-BAPTISTE – HARD TRUTHS
- STEPHEN GRAHAM – ADOLESCENCE
- WUNMI MOSAKU – SINNERS
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT
- ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
- AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)
- DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
- JOSHUA BARAKA (UGANDA)
- MOLIY (GHANA)
- REMA (NIGERIA)
- SHALLIPOPI (NIGERIA)
- TIWA SAVAGE (NIGERIA)
- TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
- WIZKID (NIGERIA)
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
- AYETIAN
- LILA IKÉ
- MASICKA
- SHENSEEA
- VYBZ KARTEL
- YUNG BREDDA
BEST JAZZ ACT
- CKTRL
- EGO ELLA MAY
- EZRA COLLECTIVE
- KOKOROKO
- NUBYA GARCIA
- YAZMIN LACEY
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT, SUPPORTED BY BEMA & MIXMAG
- FKA TWIGS
- JAZZY
- KILIMANJARO
- PINKPANTHERESS
- SALUTE
- SHERELLE
BEST GOSPEL ACT, SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL
- ANNATORIA
- DC3
- FAITH CHILD
- IMRHAN
- SONDAE
- STILL SHADEY
BEST PRODUCER
- INFLO
- JAE5
- MILES CLINTON JAMES
- P2J
- SAMMY SOSO
- ZACH NAHOME
What do you make of the nominations this year?
There’s also still a chance of grabbing a seat to watch the 2026 MOBO Awards ceremony in person at Co-op Live if you’re interested.
You can find out more about the remaining ticket availability right HERE.
Read more:
- Five Greater Manchester-based artists we’ve been listening to this month | December 2025
- Biffy Clyro at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
- Madison Beer announces massive Manchester show at Co-op Live arena
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)
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