TV & Showbiz

ITV releases new Take That documentary looking back on 30 years of iconic boyband

For the first time publicly, the band will discuss their tax evasion scandals, Robbie Williams regrets, and why Jason Orange left in 2014.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th June 2023

A brand-new documentary taking a look back over 30 years of iconic boyband Take That has just been released.

Aptly-titled 30 Years in the Making, and now available to watch exclusively on streaming platform ITVX, the new documentary has been dubbed a “joyous celebration” that takes a deep dive and a retrospective look at the three-decade long success of the beloved boyband that formed in Manchester all the way back in 1990.

The new 72-minute documentary is ultimately all about the relationship between the now trio, once five-piece boyband, and their thousands of loyal fans across the UK.

ITV says it’s been created as a “companion piece” to the new feature film Greatest Days – which is set to hit cinemas nationwide this Friday (16 June).

ITV releases new Take That documentary looking back on 30 years of iconic boyband / Credit: Take That (via Instagram)

The new documentary not only features the challenges the band, directors, and creative team faced to bring Greatest Days to the big screen, but also “shines a light on the mutual dedication built over three decades between the band and its fans”, and even sees band members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Donald Howard touch on topics they’ve either never or rarely discussed publicly before.

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The lads apparently talk openly about their 2012 tax evasion scandal, regrets over how former bandmate Robbie Williams left the group to launch his solo career, and will finally discuss the reason for Jason Orange’s departure in 2014.

Gary, Mark, and Howard are joined by a “massive ensemble cast” for the documentary – including famous Take That enthusiasts Alesha Dixon, Mel and Sue, Calum Scott, and more.

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Producers say the new Greatest Days film “captures the joy of being a lifelong music fan”, and ITV adds in a description on its website: “From Take That’s 90s boy band fame, to its shocking breakup, its triumphant comeback in the 00s, and beyond, the band’s highs and lows are reflected in evolving friendships.”

The new documentary, on the other hand, “juxtaposes the story of the production, pandemic lockdowns, challenging shooting locations, and critical casting decisions, with the story of how Take That fans have followed the band throughout the years.”

Read more:

Take That: 30 Years in the Making is now available to stream across the UK, and you can head over to the ITVX website to watch it here.

Featured Image – Take That (via Twitter)

TV & Showbiz

Adored BBC show Peaky Blinders set for return to British for a ‘new generation’

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The team behind beloved TV series Peaky Blinders have just announced it will be returning to our screens while welcoming some very new faces.

If there’s one thing us Brits love more than a cuppa, it’s a period TV drama, and when you throw generational heartthrob Cillian Murphy into the mix, you’re onto a winner.

This time, Peaky Blinders is gearing up to welcome a new era of Shelbys into the much-loved 20th-century programme that fans will definitely be looking forward to.

The latest announcement from the writer and creator of the show lets fans know they can expect to watch not one but two new series.

Each of the latest instalments will contain six brand new 60-minute episodes and is executive produced by Mr Thomas Shelby himself, Cillian Murphy, alongside a roster of notable industry talents.

An official press release from the BBC confirms these new segments of the show will be set in Britain, 1953, not long after WWII, and see the city of Birmingham undergoing a huge shift, turning to concrete and steel.

Throughout the course of the new seasons, this huge reconstruction becomes a battle, one of “unprecedented opportunity and danger: with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart”.

The mastermind behind the cult classic British TV show, Steven Knight, reveals: “I’m Thrilled to be announcing this new chapter in the Peaky Blinders story.”

Peaky Blinders has gained a cult following and this new chapter welcomes a whole new era of Shelbys / Credit: GoodFon
Peaky Blinders has gained a cult following, and this new chapter welcomes a whole new era of Shelbys (Credit: GoodFon)

Knight – who is also behind the upcoming Oasis reunion documentary – adds: “Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys has now taken the wheel, and it will be one hell of a ride”.

The two new and highly anticipated series will be produced by Kudos, who are known for shows such as House of Guinness, Grantchester, as well as Garrison Drama, who have worked on Peaky Blinders series one to six AND the impending film.

It looks like we’ll be getting the feature-length movie before we get this series, and it remains to be seen how the two will knit together with the original show and exactly which characters will be involved on either front.

That being said, we’d be VERY surprised if you didn’t get to see a fair bit of the Peaky patriarch.

A Peaky Blinders film is OFFICIALLY coming to Netflix and it’s one ‘for the fans’
Cannot wait for this one.

In the wise words of the iconic character Tommy Shelby, “When you plan something well, there’s no need to rush.”

Amen to that.

It also goes without saying that since the Peaky crew filmed around Greater Manchester on multiple ocassions throughout its duration, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more familiar sets popping up over in Castlefield, Stockport and more.

With the show having 12 years under its belt already, not to mention still amassing more fans, this very statement has definitely stood the test of time.

Tommy Shelby has become a staple face on our TVs over the last thanks to the success of period drama Peaky Blinders / Credit: BBC Media Centre
Tommy Shelby has become a staple on our screens over the last decade, thanks to the success of Peaky Blinders (Credit: BBC)

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Featured Images – Supplied/GoodFon /BBC Media Centre

TV & Showbiz

How Netflix transformed the Northern Quarter into New York for hit series House of Guinness

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson House of Guinness filming has transformed the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

House of Guinness, the hotly-anticipated new drama from the creators of Peaky Blinders, has finally hit Netflix – and Manchester has a starring role once again.

Our city is no stranger to doubling up as New York City – it’s done it for Captain America, The Crown, and more recently the Batman spin-off Clayface.

And Netflix came back again last year with film crews transforming the Northern Quarter back into New York.

House of Guinness has whisked audiences back to the 1860s, where the titular Guinness family are ‘on the precipice of greatness’.

For this series – which is sitting at the top of the charts on Netflix this week – Steven Knight has traded in the foggy streets of a Peaky Blinders Birmingham for the back alleys and stately mansions of Dublin, although filming locations are scattered right across the UK.

The eight-part series is set across Dublin and New York, but eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed that it’s our very own cobbles that were used to shoot the scenes in the States.

A House of Guinness chase scene down Dale Street in Manchester
A House of Guinness chase scene down Dale Street in Manchester
Looking towards the Langley Building on House of Guinness
Looking towards the Langley Building on House of Guinness
House of Guinness scenes in Manchester
House of Guinness scenes in Manchester
Dale Street transformed into a New York market
Dale Street transformed into a New York market

One particular scene sees a wild-eyed and naive Jack Gleeson (who played Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones) arriving into Bowery in New York City, before being chased through the streets.

The scene opens with him on the corner of Dale Street and Paton Street, with the former turned into a bustling market street complete with colourful awnings and horse and carts.

The buildings in the Northern Quarter were barely changed for House of Guinness – it’s very clearly recognisable as our very own city.

You can even see the gold sign of Eleska House at 58 Dale Street left in shot.

Manchester has been turned into 19th century Dublin. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester turned into 19th century New York. Credit: The Manc Group
House of Guinness filming has transformed the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
House of Guinness filming transformed the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Netflix crews are back in Manchester to film House of Guinness. Credit: The Manc Group
Netflix crews back in Manchester to film House of Guinness. Credit: The Manc Group

Netflix then used China Lane as a more grubby back street, the beautiful distinctive arched windows of Langley House visible in the background.

The scene wraps up with a dramatic chase down Dale Street (which, weirdly, is exactly what Captain America used it for).

It was a fairly open set when filming of House of Guinness took place in Manchester last year, with Mancs able to see the old market stalls and shop signs used to transport the area back through the centuries, as well as the dirt and cobbles that were used in abundance to cover the modern road markings.

And that’s not all – filming also took place in parts of Stockport, and Tatton Park leant its library in the Mansion and conservatory in the Gardens as filming locations too.

House of Guinness is streaming now on Netflix.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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