TV & Showbiz

ITV to air documentary on Manchester Arena attack

The two-part programme will air five years after the attack took place.

The Manc The Manc - 18th May 2021

ITV has announced a two-part documentary on the Manchester Arena attack will air next spring.

The programme is set to broadcast five years on from the 2017 suicide bombing – in which 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured at an Ariana Grande gig.

The documentary will explore the events leading up to, and the aftermath of, the devastating incident – using insights gleaned from the Manchester Arena Public Inquiry which has been ongoing since September 2020.

The programme will also feature testimonies of those who were there on the night.

Award-winning independent production company Label1 (Hospital; School) is putting the documentary together, with BAFTA nominee Marcus Plowright (Football, Prince William and Mental Health; The Murder of Jill Dando; In Cold Blood; Generation Gifted) directing.

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Tom Giles, Controller, Current Affairs at ITV, said: “As we approach the fifth anniversary of the devastating attack at the Manchester Arena, we’re pleased to be working with Label 1 on this series, which aims to provide fresh insight into what happened and ask what lessons can be learned.”

Creative Director, Label1, Simon Dickson, added: “The programmes will sensitively piece together the timeline leading up to the bombing and its aftermath, as well as exploring the evidence that has been presented to the Public Inquiry”.

Featured image: David Dixon / Geograph

TV & Showbiz

Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home needed for new Channel 4 series

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant The Dog House

Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your opportunity.

In just the past couple of weeks alone, TV casting directors have been looking for open-minded single Mancs to take part in the next series of Love Is Blind UK, and Mancs keen to test their music knowledge with the chance to win a whopping £10,000 cash prize… but now, it’s time for dog-lovers to step forward.

The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, and producers are on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home.

Mancs are being encouraged to apply.

Channel 4 is looking for Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home / Credit: Channel 4

Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.

Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.

But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, however, as many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.

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Casting for the next series of smash-hit TV series The Dog House is currently underway / Credit

“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for the next series of The Dog House reads.

“We’d love to reach dog lovers in Manchester who may be considering welcoming a rescue dog into their lives.”

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Does this sound like you? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.

You can find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

TV & Showbiz

Stephen Graham sheds light on the ‘possibility’ of a second season of Adolescence

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stephen Graham on Adolescence series 2

Pretty much everyone has been getting through the incredible yet harrowing experience of watching Adolescence on Netflix this month, and though it may have seemed unlikely at first, series star Stephen Graham recently discussed the possibility of a second season.

For those who aren’t aware, it was never expected that the four-part limited series surrounding a young boy accused of a violent crime would be the global phenomenon it has been, nor was it hoping to secure a deal for another season: the whole point of the show was to tell a powerful but self-contained story.

However, with it becoming the most-watched thing on the platform in just four days – not to mention notching all manner of streaming records – it’s no surprise that the suggestion of capitalising on its smash hit success has come up.

Many feel the kind of narrative it tells is so important that the idea should at least be explored.

Speaking in a recent interview with Variety, co-creator and lead Graham sat down with his wife Hannah Walters, who also helped write and produce the show, to discuss the reaction

When asked quite simply if any discussions have been had about an Adolescence season two, while it sounds like there’s nothing official yet, he didn’t dismiss the concept outright.

“Possibly, let’s see how the figures are, but yeah, there’s the possibility of developing another story”, says the 51-year-old from Kirkby.

It might not be much to go as yet; however, just knowing that there’s room to tell another chapter is good enough – especially given the “smirk” the 51-year-old is said to have responded with during his answer.

Many fans thought the chances of a second series had been dashed early doors after fellow co-creator Jack Thorne recently went on This Morning and dismissed the potential pretty much altogether.

In his words: “I don’t think we’re the right people to tell Katie’s story […] I think there are other makers out there that could tell beautiful dramas about Katie or girls like Katie [the victim in the show], and that those shows should be made.”

That being said, just because he doesn’t sound like he’d be involved will an Adolescence sequel, it doesn’t mean Graham might not be.

You can see his interview here.

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The impact of the show, especially here in the UK, cannot be overstated and not just because of the cross-generational viewing figures.

Fellow Adolescence actor Jo Hartley, who was born down the road in Oldham, joined countless celebrities in waxing lyrical over the importance of the show following what she called an “overwhelming” reaction in just the first few days.

In fact, the shockwaves it sent across Britain and beyond have been so strong that the writers have even been invited to Parliament to discuss the series’ themes and how to help tackle them better.

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Featured Images — Netflix (screenshots)

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