The BBC, Classic-novel adaptations and other related things

The BBC and women

By TV adaptations

Women at the BBC Woman's Hour 1946 The early years The BBC employed women from the very start; in fact Reith's first appointment was his personal secretary, Isabel Shields in January 1923. Although the majority of the Company's early female employees...

The Radio Times

By TV adaptations

The Radio Times The beginnings It all began in spring 1923, when John Reith, the BBC's first director-general, received an ultimatum from the Newspaper Publishers' Association warning him that if the corporation didn't pay a hefty fee, none of the NPA's...

The BBC Broadcasting House

By TV adaptations

Broadcasting House The first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK Designed by G Val Myer and built in 1932, Broadcasting House was the BBC's first purpose-built home for radio broadcasting. It is situated in central London between Oxford Street and...

Alexandra Palace: the birthplace of TV

By TV adaptations

Alexandra Palace The birthplace of television Alexandra Palace is situated in North London and known around the world as the birthplace of television. In fact it was never owned by the BBC, but in 1935 the Corporation leased the eastern part of the building...

Woman's Hour launched 70 years ago

By TV adaptations

Seventy years ago, radio history was made. At 2pm on 7 October 1946, the very first Woman’s Hour was broadcast on the BBC Light Programme. Every weekday thereafter, the hour-long magazine featured musical requests, listeners’ questions, a serial and “talks...

The Moonstone

By TV adaptations

Here they are – the cast of BBC1's latest period drama The Moonstone. Miranda's Sarah Hadland stars alongside Cold Feet actor John Thomson in the new version of Wilkie Collins' 1868 mystery, believed by many to be the first ever detective novel. Thomson...

Could this be the final ever series of Sherlock?

By TV adaptations

Sherlock fans: brace yourself. Benedict Cumberbatch just hinted the BBC detective drama could be reaching its natural end. Speaking to GQ magazine about the upcoming series of the show, Cumberbatch said it felt “complete” and like “the end of an era”....

Sir Kenneth Branagh's new film of Murder on the Orient Express.

By TV adaptations

Dame Judi Dench and Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley form part of Sir Kenneth Branagh's starry cast in his new film of Murder on the Orient Express. Entertainment & Arts Image copyright PA/BBC Image caption Ridley and Dame Judi take on roles previously...

The iconic 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice on France 23 tonight

By TV adaptations

The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency on the BBC

By TV adaptations

Certain actors take the business of preparing for a role extremely seriously. For My Left Foot, Daniel Day-Lewis insisted on the crew pushing him around in a wheelchair between takes. Marlon Brando stuffed cotton-wool balls in his cheeks to play Vito...