[dullagj2]

I couldn't find a thread for this, is anyone else looking forward to this 5 part drama?


Synopsis from radio times for episode one

1/5. New series. Drama about the lives of Ronnie Biggs and his wife Charmian, starring Daniel Mays and Sheridan Smith. The couple meet on a London commuter train and embark on a passionate affair, after which they elope to the south coast with money he made her steal from work. Ronnie goes to prison, and following his release vows to go straight - but everything changes when he asks old friend Bruce Reynolds to lend him the deposit for a house. Reynolds' money is tied up planning what is to become the biggest heist in British history - the Great Train Robbery - and he manages to wear down Ronnie's reluctance about becoming involved in the crime. With Adrian Scarborough, Caroline Goodall and Jay Simpson.

Cast list:
Charmian Biggs: Sheridan Smith
Ronald Biggs: Daniel Mays
Muriel Powell: Caroline Goodall
Bernard Powell: Adrian Scarborough
Mike Haynes: Tom Brooke
Bruce Reynolds: Jay Simpson
Peter: Ron Cook
Mr Kerslake: Robin Hooper
Gordon: Luke Newberry
Bob the foreman: Harry Miller
Polish Henry: George Oliver
Gillian Powell: Bebe Cave
Gordon Goody: Jon Foster
Buster Edwards: Matthew Cullum
Mary: Rachel Bell
Charlie Wilson: Iain McKee
Police inspector: Michael Shaeffer
Warder: Charlotte Eaton
Policeman: David Partridge
Landlady: Joanna Brookes
Chairman of the magistrates: Edmund Kente
Woman on train: Gabrielle Lloyd

[Wynne Evans]

Originally Posted by dullagj2

I couldn't find a thread for this, is anyone else looking forward to this 5 part drama?


Synopsis from radio times for episode one


Cast list:
Charmian Biggs: Sheridan Smith
Ronald Biggs: Daniel Mays
Muriel Powell: Caroline Goodall
Bernard Powell: Adrian Scarborough
Mike Haynes: Tom Brooke
Bruce Reynolds: Jay Simpson
Peter: Ron Cook
Mr Kerslake: Robin Hooper
Gordon: Luke Newberry
Bob the foreman: Harry Miller
Polish Henry: George Oliver
Gillian Powell: Bebe Cave
Gordon Goody: Jon Foster
Buster Edwards: Matthew Cullum
Mary: Rachel Bell
Charlie Wilson: Iain McKee
Police inspector: Michael Shaeffer
Warder: Charlotte Eaton
Policeman: David Partridge
Landlady: Joanna Brookes
Chairman of the magistrates: Edmund Kente
Woman on train: Gabrielle Lloyd

Sheridan Smith I'm out as i cannot stand the girl, a desperate poor wannabe Joanne Froggart.

[radioanorak]

looking forward to this
No

[Steve9214]

Not the same criminal - but the film same crime - the movie "Buster" was 102 minutes long and covers pretty much the same story. You can save 3 hours of your life watching that instead..
Plus it has Julie Walters, whose London accent is way better than Sheridan Smith.

5 hours of drama - and we all know how it ends.

Why would we be interested in the life a criminal's wife - we can watch that on Eastenders every week, or re-runs of "Birds of a Feather"

[myss]

Sheridan Smith was pretty good in a recent role in the BBC1 drama series Accused, so I might just look in on it. Would be great to know if this would tell us anything different than the film or the number of previous programmes on the crime and/or Buster.

[Gellymiss]

I might, tho the story doesn't interest me but Daniel Mays is a little gem and always worth watching.

[Mr Sirs]

Looking forward to it, but I'm concerned it's a 5 parter - my initial thought too was couldn't the story just fit into 2 parts? There's a possibility viewers won't stick with it.

[roddydogs]

Of course Biggsy is a good guy really, he only got into it by accident!
If he pops his clogs during the showing, will they pull it?

[morecowbell]

Originally Posted by Gellymiss

I might, tho the story doesn't interest me but Daniel Mays is a little gem and always worth watching.

Absolutely. I normally avoid dramas like the plague but will give this one a go.

[joshua_welby]

I will be watch this, I have already seen some of it in the Previews and the Interviews

[david1955]

five parter seems a bit long , but it might be worth a watch. I do wonder though , why they cannot be a bit more imaginative and have a drama about one of the lesser known train robbers. We all know the story of Ronnie Biggs , but not too much about the rest of them.

I forget the guy's name but one of the lesser known ones was killed in a car crash and it only then came out that he was one of the train robbers. He had changed his name and gone straight and his wife and work colleagues had no idea of his real identity until after he died. That would have made an interesting drama..

[fairy_]

This should be worth a watch - it's written by the same chap who wrote 'Appropriate Adult' which did very well indeed.

[joshua_welby]

This has now become a six-parter programme because according to the Broadcast Now website there will be a follow up documentary on the subject
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/c...contentID=2319

[KornerKabin]

I've not seen Sheridan Smith play anything other than skanky chavettes, so I'm keen to see her in this.

[dullagj2]

Originally Posted by fairy_

This should be worth a watch - it's written by the same chap who wrote 'Appropriate Adult' which did very well indeed.

Yeah it was brilliant and done well at the BAFTAs.

Originally Posted by KornerKabin

I've not seen Sheridan Smith play anything other than skanky chavettes, so I'm keen to see her in this.

She was good in Accused last week. I can see her winning awards for this.

[Doghouse Riley]

This story has been done to death, because of what it's about I'll give it a miss. Though for once it's a drama with several episodes, that makes "a refreshing change" or will be for some.

[ChynaS]

I find it disgusting that they are sensationalizing scum like this and so I will def. not be watching it.

[tracystapes]

They're focusing on MRS BIGGS, not Mr Biggs......

[JMTD]

Starts now, taping it and watching it tomorrow when I get time.

Looks like it's going to be bloody brilliant.

[fizzle90]

Originally Posted by KornerKabin

I've not seen Sheridan Smith play anything other than skanky chavettes, so I'm keen to see her in this.

Me too. I hope she pulls it off.

[Wynne Evans]

So far so crap, Smith is wooden as a MFI flatplack, folks get Buster and save six hours of your lives.

You will learn nothing new, everything interesting has already been covered by the film Buster.

[sarahj1986]

5 parter and on for 1.5 hrs each time. I'll see how I get on with it tonight

[fizzle90]

Adrian Scarborough is doing a fantastic job.

[MC57]

Originally Posted by ChynaS

I find it disgusting that they are sensationalizing scum like this and so I will def. not be watching it.

What did poor old Mrs. Biggs do to be classed as scum ?

[guestofseth]

Originally Posted by sarahj1986

5 parter and on for 1.5 hrs each time. I'll see how I get on with it tonight

Only the first part is 90 minutes, it's an hour from next week.

So far so good imo, nothing spectacular but it's only the first 30 minutes of a episode that was never going to be anything more than build up (like most first eps of mini-series are.)

I've seen Sheridan Smith in drama roles before and she has been quite good (haven't caught up with Accused yet) a far cry from her days in Two Pints.