Author: James Tanner

Photo by Elaine Howlin It goes without saying that Jane Austen is a staple of Englishness. Having reached icon status in the 200 years after her death, not every author can claim to be one of the bestselling authors of all time, after Shakespeare, with a devoted fanbase (called Janeites) and having the honour of being featured on the £10 bank note. We would not be the society we are today without Jane Austen. As a self-confessed Janeite for more than a decade, I was brought up on her tales of manners and marriage, amazed by her witty insights into…

Some people decide to keep a record of what they eat throughout their lives – food diaries to document their three meals of the day and every snack in between. I’ve never been a self-confessed diarist in this respect – and until now I’ve never really written about my dietary habits. But I feel like I’ve undergone a journey in the past year and ¾, so decided to share that through this article. Let us start off in September 2019 – I’d recently turned 21 and just moved into a house for my third year of University. Living with a…

Photo by Yoav Hornung Television has and continues to be an important part of our lives, representing our society in as deep and meaningful a way as possible. If you were to put a mirror between them, however, this could only really be true in the last two decades. Previously, there was an absence of LGBTQ+ characters represented on screen, as the topic of these relations was frowned upon and skirted over. Thankfully, now more people recognise these themes and issues as an integral part of our society, and there is more diverse queer content than ever before. In 2019,…

Photo by Adolfo Felix As we approach the end of the semester and exam season, the summer months are not far out of sight. If you are feeling like you’re drowning in work already, fear not – this is your passport to jet you off into warmer climates, as even if you can’t go physically, television will do the hard work for you! Here are some recent, new, and upcoming releases that will transport you from the heat of Italy to the mountains of Asia. Historical: Leonardo (Amazon Prime, streaming from April 16th) You may think you know the Renaissance…

Image by Pexels from Pixabay It has recently been reported that BBC Four will be made into an archive channel, no longer producing original content for its audiences. Since its launch in 2002, for nearly two decades it has provided a selection of diverting content, from documentaries and crime dramas to comedies and sketch shows; but in recent years has undergone considerable strain. The channel has sought to provide alternative BBC content, achieving some success especially with the popularity of such favourites like The Detectorists, the metal-detecting sitcom starring Toby Jones and Mackenzie Crook and as an innovative base for…

Photo by Chloe (CC BY 2.0) One of the defining events of the awards season calendar is the BAFTAs , celebrating the best of British talent on screen in the past year. After a slightly delayed schedule date, the ceremony has been confirmed to take place on Sunday 6th June in a studio with social distancing guidelines in place.  Presenter, writer and comedian Richard Ayoade will host the event for the second year in a row as usual. After the success of the recent film awards on 10th April, with winners such as Nomadland and Frances McDormand to name a…

Photo by Sean Reynolds On Friday 16th April 2021, the sad news was announced to the world of the passing of Helen McCrory, OBE, an incredibly versatile actress of stage, film, and television, at the age of 52. Several moving tributes have been made by those who knew and performed alongside her, after her husband, actor Damian Lewis, 50, revealed on twitter that she had been battling with cancer for some time. He described her as a ‘meteor’ who ‘shone more brightly in the last few months than you’d imagine the brightest star could shine’. The two had met in…

Photo by John Mark Smith On 12th March 2021, I attended a panel talk hosted by Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax in conversation with Sally Wainwright, a prolific screenwriter well known for her work on TV over the past two decades. Boasting a strong CV ranging from Happy Valley to Gentleman Jack, Wainwright’s dramas have achieved critical acclaim for their gritty yet warm realism and honest portrayal of the North. This fascinating talk began by drawing attention to the representation of strong women that are featured in her work, as an empowering message considering raised awareness towards sexual violence and Women’s…

Photo by James Tanner. It may come as no surprise that the Welsh landscape has attracted many production companies over the years, with its abundance of mountains and valleys near the sea. North Wales has certainly not fallen short of the mark, as it remains one of the most in-demand regions for TV producers and location managers to this day. Here is a rundown of some nearby spots that have featured on the small screen and with lockdown restrictions lifting soon, they’re all within reasonable distance for you to visit! Hidden (BBC iPlayer, 2 series) – Bangor University, Garth Pier,…

Photo by Laurentiu Iordache Spring has arrived, and while lockdown restrictions are slowly lifting there’s still some unmissable TV for you to indulge in. From killer hunts to celebrity painters, chocolate isn’t the only thing we’ll be binging over the holiday break as we reveal what egg-cellent treats the Easter bunny has delivered this season… Grayson Perry’s Art Club Series 2 (Channel 4/All4) Join Grayson Perry in his quest to find painting talent, as he hosts alongside fellow artists and a new celebrity guest each week. This refreshing series comes as an answer to the BBC’s The Big Painting Challenge…

Photo by Nikolas Nikolic To mark Mothering Sunday this year, what better way to celebrate the mothers in your lives than watching your favourite TV shows together? I’ve certainly shared a lot of special moments on the sofa in front of the small screen alongside my mum, and that never changes. Here is a specially curated watchlist for all the mothers out there – whether you’re spending it with your loved ones, virtually or apart. See if you can spot the variety of mother figures in these shows…   Call the Midwife (Netflix, 8 series) It’s the long-running, nostalgic BBC…

 May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them – our lives are surrounded by strong, female role models who inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves. As well as those that we know, be them friends, family, or colleagues, we also see them on our TV screens. Monday 8th March marks International Women’s Day, so it only seems fitting that we celebrate some of the best female characters in TV today.   Anne Lister – Gentleman Jack (Available now on Britbox) Top of our list is the inspirational Anne Lister – the lead…

 Awards season is upon us, and one of the highlights of the TV and film calendar is the 78th Golden Globes – with some small adjustments, of course. While several other ceremonies such as the Academy Awards have chosen to go virtual, this event may surprise you, as it will be held live on 28th February, and aired on NBC. Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be presenting on the big night, as the red-carpet rolls out for the first time since before the pandemic changed the world last March. There are many amazing performances to be celebrated, so…

Photo by Russell T Davies In the spate of bold TV shows that have arrived recently, none could be more aptly described than It’s a Sin, the newest series created from the pen of legendary writer of the small screen Russell T Davies (Queer as Folk, Years and Years).The drama has become a record-breaking hit for All4, attracting 6.5 million viewers in the first 2 weeks which makes it their most binged series to date. It’s glorious, fun and heartbreakingly elegiac – following a group of 18-year-old friends in 1980s Britain as they explore their sexuality and freedom. However, a…

 The 14th of February marks Valentine’s Day, and although this may seem to divide opinion between those single and in a relationship, you will be happy to know that this is a day for everyone to celebrate. While the options for a romantic date are more limited than ever this year, you cannot go wrong with a cuddle on the sofa in front of your favourite show From historical sagas to contemporary and LGBT+ romances, there has never been a better occasion to watch that series you’ve always been meaning to. So, in 2021, why not spread the love for…

Photo by Mollie Sivaram We are one month into 2021, and although January certainly feels like it has outstayed its welcome, there is still much to look forward to in terms of TV over the coming months. Watching our favourite shows has been a real lifeline for us in the past year, and thankfully will continue while socialising currently remains a no-go. Here are the latest updates about some of the biggest new and returning shows you should know about… Sex Education: Series 3 (Netflix) Hotly anticipated by its avid viewers following the second season’s cliff-hanger, the addictively relatable teen…