March 24, 2010
Richard Armitage Eye Candy Pix aka Magical Mid-week Pick-me-ups
What mid-week pick-me-up inspiration is more effective than a drool session...can't think of any;)
March 23, 2010
Guy 2 Revisited: Photos
Is Guy dreaming about what might've been...
or perhaps feeling pangs of guilt(unlike Robt Lovelace) about his other woman - the mother of his child(RH1)
Richard Armitage Clarissa Review
Glowing words for RA's rakishness as Lovelace...
http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/27637/radio-drama
Notice the remarks in the review re her family. If not a novel but rather an 18thC news report would the Harlowe family, as a result of their treatment of Clarissa, have experienced a visit from beyond the grave...
http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/27637/radio-drama
Notice the remarks in the review re her family. If not a novel but rather an 18thC news report would the Harlowe family, as a result of their treatment of Clarissa, have experienced a visit from beyond the grave...
Don't believe in apparitions of any sort, just find the photo interesting - the famous brown lady ghost.
Anyone who knows a prolific photographer
realizes the same type of ghost-like quality often occurred when one snap was accidently superimposed over another.Richard Armitage: May 1-7 Starting Date as John Porter in Strike Back
CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK
[A brand new six part drama for Sky1 HD and Sky1 (Week 18 / 1-7 May)]
Starring Richard Armitage, Andrew Lincoln, Jodhi May and Orla Brady
High-octane drama explodes onto Sky1 HD and Sky1 with a brand new action-packed contemporary drama series based on the book by former SAS man CHRIS RYAN. Starring RICHARD ARMITAGE (Spooks, Robin Hood) and ANDREW LINCOLN (Teachers, This Life), CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK is a compelling story of betrayal, glory, atonement and revenge played out through the interlinking lives of two former soldiers: Hugh Collinson (Lincoln) and discharged veteran John Porter (Armitage).
Produced by the BAFTA award winning producers of WALLANDER and PRIME SUSPECT the six-part series features an impressive international cast that includes JODHI MAY (The Last Of The Mohicans), COLIN SALMON (Dr Who), SHELLEY CONN (Party Animals), DHAFER L’ABIDINE (Sex and The City 2), ORLA BRADY (Mistresses), SHAUN PARKES (Moses Jones), DAVID HAREWOOD (Mrs Mandela), TOBY STEPHENS (Jane Eyre) EWEN BREMNER (Trainspotting) and ALEXANDER SIDDIG (Star Trek:Deep Space Nine).
The first two episodes were written by JED MERCURIO (Bodies, Cardiac Arrest), the second two by JED MERCURIO and ALAN WHITING (Wire In The Blood, Kingdom) with the final two written by ROBERT MURPHY (Murder City, Rebus). Produced by ANDREW BENSON (Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Hornblower) the series was directed by DANIEL PERCIVAL (Place of Execution, The State Within) and EDWARD HALL (Spooks, Trial & Retribution).
Filmed on location in the epic landscapes of South Africa on 35mm film for a stunning HD image, the series promises to wow audiences with its cinematic proportions.
In three stand alone narratives based in Iraq, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Pakistan, dramatised over six one hour episodes, the stories interweave the dramatic politics of war with the personal demons of two very driven men: Collinson and Porter.
Episode one begins in 2003 as the military invasion of Iraq gets underway. John Porter leads a Special Forces Unit on a daring hostage rescue mission into the heart of Basra, culminating in a disastrous turn of events for him and Collinson. Porter bears the burden of guilt, with the repercussions haunting him for years. Then an unexpected opportunity presents itself for Porter to return to Iraq and redeem himself. After several years apart, Porter and Collinson’s lives are set to collide once again…
RICHARD ARMITAGE comments; “It’s an ambitious project for television. We’ve made three feature films on a TV budget and schedule. But the advantage of that is that these three feature films are linked together so you get a really interesting character arc through all episodes. American television is being brave and doing that at the moment, and this is stepping into that area.” [Thanks for noticing, baby. We're keeping a close eye on you as well];)
Best known as the one who got away in the Bravo Two Zero team CHRIS RYAN, now a prolific best-selling author, is acting as the series consultant and script advisor.
CHRIS RYAN comments on what it’s like to see his novels transferred to the screen: “It’s great. When you produce a novel it’s like a child and to see it put onto screen opens it up to a greater audience. I class myself as a storyteller now, and to tell that story on paper is a great privilege, then to see it on screen is even better.”
CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK was commissioned by ELAINE PYKE (The Take, Skellig, Colour of Magic), Head of Drama, Sky1/HD, Sky2, Sky3. ANDY HARRIES (The Queen, Wallander, The Damned Utd), Chief Executive, Left Bank Pictures and ELAINE PYKE are Executive Producers.
ANDY HARRIES, Chief Executive, Left Bank Pictures comments; “I was interested in developing a quality action series out of the UK because it’s something we don’t do very often, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t. I was keen to create on the small screen the high-octane excitement you get in the Bourne films. We’ve got a great tradition of SAS books and there’s a great interest in the SAS. Chris Ryan’s books are a very good basis for a series and I felt that there was an opening for a new, international, action series but with a British flavour. And Strike Back does this perfectly.”
CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK will air on Sky1 HD and Sky1 in May 2010 (Week 18 / 1-7 May).
The UK cast list is as follows:
Richard Armitage (Spooks, Robin Hood) John Porter
Andrew Lincoln Hugh Collinson
Jodhi May (The Last of The Mohicans, Emma) Layla Thompson
Colin Salmon James Middleton
Shelley Conn Danni Prendiville
Nicola Stephenson Diane Porter
Orla Brady (Mistresses, Shark) Katie Dartmouth
Of course, Jodhi May is the younger sister in LOTM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6VW4tMZbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWGRnHOhGiE&feature=related
Vangelis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BydBT6pEqz4&feature=related
My absolutely fav soundtrack and perhaps fav movie (with only a couple others in the running). Jodhi gave a splendid, sensitive portrayal of the understandably terrified young woman...
STRIKE BACK - EPISODE ONE *Contains Spoilers*
March 18 2003, 24 hours before the invasion of Iraq: John Porter (Armitage) leads a Special Forces unit on a mission to extract a hostage held by terrorists. Porter and his men are confronted by a young Iraqi boy, a potential suicide bomber and events take a tragic turn. Two of Porter’s comrades are killed and a third is left fighting for his life. Porter takes the blame and wracked with guilt he quits the army, his life falls apart.
Iraq 2010: British TV news journalist Katie Dartmouth (Brady) is kidnapped. Collinson (Lincoln), now Head of Section 20 British Military Intelligence recognises one of the kidnappers – it is the suicide bomber As’ad (Ali), now a young man. Begging to be involved in the rescue, and adamant that his knowledge is vital, Porter is reactivated. Danni Prendiville (Conn) helps Porter prepare for the mission.
Misjudging the terrorists’ motives, the British authorities offer money for Katie’s release. This insults The Sword Of Islam’s Hakim Al Nazeri (L’Abidine), resulting in a public show of Nazeri’s outrage. With Katie’s life hanging in the balance immediate action is taken, but the mission to save Katie ends in disaster.
Porter knows what he has to do. Alone, he sets out to retrace his steps and relocate the scene of that fateful night in 2003.
EPISODE TWO *Contains Spoilers*
Returning to the site of the 2003 hostage extraction and battling the memories of that disastrous night, Porter (Armitage) becomes the hostage taker. Capturing one of the terrorists, Porter engineers a move to where the kidnapped TV news journalist Katie Dartmouth (Brady) is being held.
Back at Section 20, the politics of the situation take hold: Collinson and SAS Commander Chris Pemberton (MacAninch) are over ruled by Whitehall, as James Middleton (Salmon) categorically denies their request to send in another SAS unit. Alone, the pair choose to ignore orders and another extraction team, led by Section 20 Operative Layla Thompson (May) sets out to rescue Porter and Katie.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, the situation escalates. At dawn Porter and Katie will be executed, Porter first and Katie second. At the last moment Al Nazeri (L’Abidine) switches the order of execution. Porter has to think on his feet and reconfigure his plan and Sword of Islam soldier As’ad (Ali) finds his loyalty tested.
A nail-biting desert chase ensues with Sword of Islam gunmen pursuing the escapees, whilst in the air a helicopter carrying Layla and the SAS team is in pursuit too. The rescue team spots Porter struggling to hold off the gunmen. A rescue gets underway but it’s not just Porter and Katie who want to be air-lifted to safety. Back at Section 20 on the satellite link to Layla, Collinson won’t give authorisation to extract the third person.
Back safely in the UK, Katie tells Porter that As’ad revealed that it was a soldier who killed his friends in 2003…
EPISODE THREE *Contains Spoilers*
Harare, Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe makes a live address at the National Assembly. As he leaves Mugabe is shot dead. Colonel Tshuma (Harewood) of Zimbabwe’s Secret Intelligence Service and his Elite Guards hunt for the perpetrators. A lone gunman, Felix Masuku (Parkes) is cornered – as an official fleet of black limousines sweeps by Masuku wonders if Mugabe is really dead?
Back in London, news reports state that Zimbabwean officials claim the British government is behind the assassination plot which resulted in the death of one of Mugabe’s body-doubles. Section 20 / Collinson (Lincoln) is tasked with making the problem go away and Porter (Armitage) is despatched to Zimbabwe, under the guise of a diamond dealer.
Arrested for smuggling, Porter is thrown into the same prison as Masuku. With the help of his fellow Section 20 Operative Layla (May), Porter engineers a prison break. However, the mission is placed in jeopardy when Layla rouses the suspicions of Tshuma.
Beyond the prison walls, driving a stolen get-away car Porter and Masuku put some distance between themselves and Tshuma / his Elite Guards. Stopping at a lonely deserted spot Porter is set to complete his mission and make Masuku disappear. However, with a gun to his head Masuku reveals who really hired him and Porter learns that he may not have been told the whole truth. He’s left wondering who he can trust…
EPISODE FOUR *Contains Spoilers*
Colonel Tshuma (Harewood) leads the hunt for Porter (Armitage) and Masuku (Parkes) as the fugitives attempt to rendezvous with Layla (May) and escape Zimbabwe. Porter informs Layla that Masuku was tasked by the British government with killing Mugabe and he is bringing him in. Back in London, at Section 20 the hunt is on for a double agent.
As the pair trek through the Zimbabwean bush, they try to stay one step ahead of Tshuma’s men. But Tshuma has a secret weapon, a bushman tracker. Cornered on a cliff’s edge, with a helicopter overhead Porter and Masuku know there’s only one way to go…
Porter and Masuku happen across an orphanage. The orphanage is used by bandits as a trading post for trafficking people across the border. Porter and Masuku feel obligated to liberate the terrorised orphanage. However, this allows Tshuma and his men to gain ground and under siege, with nowhere to run Porter and Masuku make a final stand.
Meanwhile, Collinson (Lincoln) has travelled to Africa to confront the double agent, who turns out to be someone already on the payroll. Later, with the help of South African Special Forces, Collinson leads an assault on the orphanage to get Porter out. However, Porter is anything but happy to see Collinson. And with Masuku unaccounted for Collinson wants to know where he is?
Back in the UK, Layla quizzes Porter about the ill-fated hostage extraction in 2003. Increasingly suspicious of Collinson, Layla is wary of the history and secrets between the two men. She needs to know which of them she can trust…and what happened on that stairwell in Basra?
EPISODE FIVE *Contains Spoilers*
Southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan: American forces engage with Taliban fighters. Heavily out-numbered and with more enemy approaching, they’re in desperate need of air support. On a hilltop a man types furiously on a laptop. As British air support arrives and a missile released, the Marines breathe a sigh of relief. But the typing becomes more hurried and the missile suddenly changes course, hitting the US troops. The computer hacker lets out a cheer of jubilation – he’s British.
Section 20, London: An investigation is launched into how British air support failed and it’s discovered that encryption codes were hacked into in the field. Evidence leads to a former missile guidance engineer, Gerald Baxter (Bremner) who served in Iraq but was dismissed, suffering with PTSD.
Collinson (Lincoln) sends Porter (Armitage) to Afghanistan to investigate. Posing as an arms dealer who can sell illegally gained ISAF missile codes, he is kidnapped by his contact and taken to meet Baxter. But the Americans locate them, attack the camp, capturing Porter and Baxter. Porter wants to know why the Americans want Baxter dead?
Escaping US Forces the pair head to Pakistan to meet Zahir Sharq (Siddig) the man Baxter claims is the future of Afghanistan, and will buy the ISAF missile codes from Porter. On arrival as Porter sets about doing the deal, Baxter gleefully demonstrates his loyalty to Sharq, exposing Porter’s true occupation – ‘a Special Forces Operative’.
But Baxter’s world is thrown into a spin, as he overhears a telephone conversation between his beloved leader, Sharq and an American, Frank Arlington (Stephens). Is Baxter set to be one of Sharq’s sacrifices?
EPISODE SIX *Contains Spoilers*
Collinson (Lincoln) meets US representative Frank Arlington (Stephens) in London. The Americans want the British government to apologise to the families of the Marines killed in the friendly fire missile incident. Collinson refuses to accept responsibility for a situation that the CIA created by using Baxter.
Back in Pakistan, Zahir Sharq (Siddig) is exploiting Baxter’s fragile mental state and playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with his and Porter’s lives. But in a moment of clarity, Baxter (Bremner) shoots one of Sharq’s guards and the two men escape.
In the UK, events surrounding the ill-fated 2003 hostage extraction start to become clear. Confronting Collinson, Layla (May) accuses him of wanting Porter (Armitage) dead to save his own skin and bury the truth about what happened in Basra in 2003.
Meanwhile, struggling to evade capture and under constant Taliban attack, Porter and Baxter finally make it to safety and the pair are united in jubilation - but will it last? It is now that Layla tells Porter that she has proof Collinson was responsible for his comrades being killed in 2003.
Collinson arrives in Afghanistan to meet Porter and prepares for a showdown. But Porter doesn’t want revenge, he only wants to clear his name and relieve the burden of guilt. As the pair recall that fateful night in 2003 Taliban forces launch an attack and what follows is a bloody and uneven battle from which few men would escape …
http://www.skypressoffice.co.uk/SkyOne/news/showarticle.asp?id=2942&month=3&year=2010
[A brand new six part drama for Sky1 HD and Sky1 (Week 18 / 1-7 May)]
Starring Richard Armitage, Andrew Lincoln, Jodhi May and Orla Brady
High-octane drama explodes onto Sky1 HD and Sky1 with a brand new action-packed contemporary drama series based on the book by former SAS man CHRIS RYAN. Starring RICHARD ARMITAGE (Spooks, Robin Hood) and ANDREW LINCOLN (Teachers, This Life), CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK is a compelling story of betrayal, glory, atonement and revenge played out through the interlinking lives of two former soldiers: Hugh Collinson (Lincoln) and discharged veteran John Porter (Armitage).
Produced by the BAFTA award winning producers of WALLANDER and PRIME SUSPECT the six-part series features an impressive international cast that includes JODHI MAY (The Last Of The Mohicans), COLIN SALMON (Dr Who), SHELLEY CONN (Party Animals), DHAFER L’ABIDINE (Sex and The City 2), ORLA BRADY (Mistresses), SHAUN PARKES (Moses Jones), DAVID HAREWOOD (Mrs Mandela), TOBY STEPHENS (Jane Eyre) EWEN BREMNER (Trainspotting) and ALEXANDER SIDDIG (Star Trek:Deep Space Nine).
The first two episodes were written by JED MERCURIO (Bodies, Cardiac Arrest), the second two by JED MERCURIO and ALAN WHITING (Wire In The Blood, Kingdom) with the final two written by ROBERT MURPHY (Murder City, Rebus). Produced by ANDREW BENSON (Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Hornblower) the series was directed by DANIEL PERCIVAL (Place of Execution, The State Within) and EDWARD HALL (Spooks, Trial & Retribution).
Filmed on location in the epic landscapes of South Africa on 35mm film for a stunning HD image, the series promises to wow audiences with its cinematic proportions.
In three stand alone narratives based in Iraq, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Pakistan, dramatised over six one hour episodes, the stories interweave the dramatic politics of war with the personal demons of two very driven men: Collinson and Porter.
Episode one begins in 2003 as the military invasion of Iraq gets underway. John Porter leads a Special Forces Unit on a daring hostage rescue mission into the heart of Basra, culminating in a disastrous turn of events for him and Collinson. Porter bears the burden of guilt, with the repercussions haunting him for years. Then an unexpected opportunity presents itself for Porter to return to Iraq and redeem himself. After several years apart, Porter and Collinson’s lives are set to collide once again…
RICHARD ARMITAGE comments; “It’s an ambitious project for television. We’ve made three feature films on a TV budget and schedule. But the advantage of that is that these three feature films are linked together so you get a really interesting character arc through all episodes. American television is being brave and doing that at the moment, and this is stepping into that area.” [Thanks for noticing, baby. We're keeping a close eye on you as well];)
Best known as the one who got away in the Bravo Two Zero team CHRIS RYAN, now a prolific best-selling author, is acting as the series consultant and script advisor.
CHRIS RYAN comments on what it’s like to see his novels transferred to the screen: “It’s great. When you produce a novel it’s like a child and to see it put onto screen opens it up to a greater audience. I class myself as a storyteller now, and to tell that story on paper is a great privilege, then to see it on screen is even better.”
CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK was commissioned by ELAINE PYKE (The Take, Skellig, Colour of Magic), Head of Drama, Sky1/HD, Sky2, Sky3. ANDY HARRIES (The Queen, Wallander, The Damned Utd), Chief Executive, Left Bank Pictures and ELAINE PYKE are Executive Producers.
ANDY HARRIES, Chief Executive, Left Bank Pictures comments; “I was interested in developing a quality action series out of the UK because it’s something we don’t do very often, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t. I was keen to create on the small screen the high-octane excitement you get in the Bourne films. We’ve got a great tradition of SAS books and there’s a great interest in the SAS. Chris Ryan’s books are a very good basis for a series and I felt that there was an opening for a new, international, action series but with a British flavour. And Strike Back does this perfectly.”
CHRIS RYAN’S STRIKE BACK will air on Sky1 HD and Sky1 in May 2010 (Week 18 / 1-7 May).
The UK cast list is as follows:
Richard Armitage (Spooks, Robin Hood) John Porter
Andrew Lincoln Hugh Collinson
Jodhi May (The Last of The Mohicans, Emma) Layla Thompson
Colin Salmon James Middleton
Shelley Conn Danni Prendiville
Nicola Stephenson Diane Porter
Orla Brady (Mistresses, Shark) Katie Dartmouth
Of course, Jodhi May is the younger sister in LOTM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6VW4tMZbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWGRnHOhGiE&feature=related
Vangelis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BydBT6pEqz4&feature=related
My absolutely fav soundtrack and perhaps fav movie (with only a couple others in the running). Jodhi gave a splendid, sensitive portrayal of the understandably terrified young woman...
March 18 2003, 24 hours before the invasion of Iraq: John Porter (Armitage) leads a Special Forces unit on a mission to extract a hostage held by terrorists. Porter and his men are confronted by a young Iraqi boy, a potential suicide bomber and events take a tragic turn. Two of Porter’s comrades are killed and a third is left fighting for his life. Porter takes the blame and wracked with guilt he quits the army, his life falls apart.
Iraq 2010: British TV news journalist Katie Dartmouth (Brady) is kidnapped. Collinson (Lincoln), now Head of Section 20 British Military Intelligence recognises one of the kidnappers – it is the suicide bomber As’ad (Ali), now a young man. Begging to be involved in the rescue, and adamant that his knowledge is vital, Porter is reactivated. Danni Prendiville (Conn) helps Porter prepare for the mission.
Misjudging the terrorists’ motives, the British authorities offer money for Katie’s release. This insults The Sword Of Islam’s Hakim Al Nazeri (L’Abidine), resulting in a public show of Nazeri’s outrage. With Katie’s life hanging in the balance immediate action is taken, but the mission to save Katie ends in disaster.
Porter knows what he has to do. Alone, he sets out to retrace his steps and relocate the scene of that fateful night in 2003.
EPISODE TWO *Contains Spoilers*
Returning to the site of the 2003 hostage extraction and battling the memories of that disastrous night, Porter (Armitage) becomes the hostage taker. Capturing one of the terrorists, Porter engineers a move to where the kidnapped TV news journalist Katie Dartmouth (Brady) is being held.
Back at Section 20, the politics of the situation take hold: Collinson and SAS Commander Chris Pemberton (MacAninch) are over ruled by Whitehall, as James Middleton (Salmon) categorically denies their request to send in another SAS unit. Alone, the pair choose to ignore orders and another extraction team, led by Section 20 Operative Layla Thompson (May) sets out to rescue Porter and Katie.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, the situation escalates. At dawn Porter and Katie will be executed, Porter first and Katie second. At the last moment Al Nazeri (L’Abidine) switches the order of execution. Porter has to think on his feet and reconfigure his plan and Sword of Islam soldier As’ad (Ali) finds his loyalty tested.
A nail-biting desert chase ensues with Sword of Islam gunmen pursuing the escapees, whilst in the air a helicopter carrying Layla and the SAS team is in pursuit too. The rescue team spots Porter struggling to hold off the gunmen. A rescue gets underway but it’s not just Porter and Katie who want to be air-lifted to safety. Back at Section 20 on the satellite link to Layla, Collinson won’t give authorisation to extract the third person.
Back safely in the UK, Katie tells Porter that As’ad revealed that it was a soldier who killed his friends in 2003…
EPISODE THREE *Contains Spoilers*
Harare, Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe makes a live address at the National Assembly. As he leaves Mugabe is shot dead. Colonel Tshuma (Harewood) of Zimbabwe’s Secret Intelligence Service and his Elite Guards hunt for the perpetrators. A lone gunman, Felix Masuku (Parkes) is cornered – as an official fleet of black limousines sweeps by Masuku wonders if Mugabe is really dead?
Back in London, news reports state that Zimbabwean officials claim the British government is behind the assassination plot which resulted in the death of one of Mugabe’s body-doubles. Section 20 / Collinson (Lincoln) is tasked with making the problem go away and Porter (Armitage) is despatched to Zimbabwe, under the guise of a diamond dealer.
Arrested for smuggling, Porter is thrown into the same prison as Masuku. With the help of his fellow Section 20 Operative Layla (May), Porter engineers a prison break. However, the mission is placed in jeopardy when Layla rouses the suspicions of Tshuma.
Beyond the prison walls, driving a stolen get-away car Porter and Masuku put some distance between themselves and Tshuma / his Elite Guards. Stopping at a lonely deserted spot Porter is set to complete his mission and make Masuku disappear. However, with a gun to his head Masuku reveals who really hired him and Porter learns that he may not have been told the whole truth. He’s left wondering who he can trust…
EPISODE FOUR *Contains Spoilers*
Colonel Tshuma (Harewood) leads the hunt for Porter (Armitage) and Masuku (Parkes) as the fugitives attempt to rendezvous with Layla (May) and escape Zimbabwe. Porter informs Layla that Masuku was tasked by the British government with killing Mugabe and he is bringing him in. Back in London, at Section 20 the hunt is on for a double agent.
As the pair trek through the Zimbabwean bush, they try to stay one step ahead of Tshuma’s men. But Tshuma has a secret weapon, a bushman tracker. Cornered on a cliff’s edge, with a helicopter overhead Porter and Masuku know there’s only one way to go…
Porter and Masuku happen across an orphanage. The orphanage is used by bandits as a trading post for trafficking people across the border. Porter and Masuku feel obligated to liberate the terrorised orphanage. However, this allows Tshuma and his men to gain ground and under siege, with nowhere to run Porter and Masuku make a final stand.
Meanwhile, Collinson (Lincoln) has travelled to Africa to confront the double agent, who turns out to be someone already on the payroll. Later, with the help of South African Special Forces, Collinson leads an assault on the orphanage to get Porter out. However, Porter is anything but happy to see Collinson. And with Masuku unaccounted for Collinson wants to know where he is?
Back in the UK, Layla quizzes Porter about the ill-fated hostage extraction in 2003. Increasingly suspicious of Collinson, Layla is wary of the history and secrets between the two men. She needs to know which of them she can trust…and what happened on that stairwell in Basra?
EPISODE FIVE *Contains Spoilers*
Southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan: American forces engage with Taliban fighters. Heavily out-numbered and with more enemy approaching, they’re in desperate need of air support. On a hilltop a man types furiously on a laptop. As British air support arrives and a missile released, the Marines breathe a sigh of relief. But the typing becomes more hurried and the missile suddenly changes course, hitting the US troops. The computer hacker lets out a cheer of jubilation – he’s British.
Section 20, London: An investigation is launched into how British air support failed and it’s discovered that encryption codes were hacked into in the field. Evidence leads to a former missile guidance engineer, Gerald Baxter (Bremner) who served in Iraq but was dismissed, suffering with PTSD.
Collinson (Lincoln) sends Porter (Armitage) to Afghanistan to investigate. Posing as an arms dealer who can sell illegally gained ISAF missile codes, he is kidnapped by his contact and taken to meet Baxter. But the Americans locate them, attack the camp, capturing Porter and Baxter. Porter wants to know why the Americans want Baxter dead?
Escaping US Forces the pair head to Pakistan to meet Zahir Sharq (Siddig) the man Baxter claims is the future of Afghanistan, and will buy the ISAF missile codes from Porter. On arrival as Porter sets about doing the deal, Baxter gleefully demonstrates his loyalty to Sharq, exposing Porter’s true occupation – ‘a Special Forces Operative’.
But Baxter’s world is thrown into a spin, as he overhears a telephone conversation between his beloved leader, Sharq and an American, Frank Arlington (Stephens). Is Baxter set to be one of Sharq’s sacrifices?
EPISODE SIX *Contains Spoilers*
Collinson (Lincoln) meets US representative Frank Arlington (Stephens) in London. The Americans want the British government to apologise to the families of the Marines killed in the friendly fire missile incident. Collinson refuses to accept responsibility for a situation that the CIA created by using Baxter.
Back in Pakistan, Zahir Sharq (Siddig) is exploiting Baxter’s fragile mental state and playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with his and Porter’s lives. But in a moment of clarity, Baxter (Bremner) shoots one of Sharq’s guards and the two men escape.
In the UK, events surrounding the ill-fated 2003 hostage extraction start to become clear. Confronting Collinson, Layla (May) accuses him of wanting Porter (Armitage) dead to save his own skin and bury the truth about what happened in Basra in 2003.
Meanwhile, struggling to evade capture and under constant Taliban attack, Porter and Baxter finally make it to safety and the pair are united in jubilation - but will it last? It is now that Layla tells Porter that she has proof Collinson was responsible for his comrades being killed in 2003.
Collinson arrives in Afghanistan to meet Porter and prepares for a showdown. But Porter doesn’t want revenge, he only wants to clear his name and relieve the burden of guilt. As the pair recall that fateful night in 2003 Taliban forces launch an attack and what follows is a bloody and uneven battle from which few men would escape …
http://www.skypressoffice.co.uk/SkyOne/news/showarticle.asp?id=2942&month=3&year=2010
March 22, 2010
Richard Armitage Kisses: Which Will it Be?...see poll
Margaret's kiss was slow and scrumptious...
Somehow Sarah's kiss was rather stimulating as well...
Guy of Gisborne: Is He an Angel When Compared to Robert Lovelace?
Have you listened to RA as loveless Lovelace in Clarissa? If so, can we say with some confidence that Sir Guy is almost angelic in comparison...
While applying for Guy's wings discovered something tat fanciers might appreciate...difficult to believe anyone would actually do this -
his & her's wings...
March 21, 2010
Richard Armitage: Listen to Clarissa Pt II - The Flight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rd4p1
March 20, 2010
Richard Armitage Co-Star Poll Results
Apparently with only a few hrs to go Clive Owen is the choice to be a future RA co-star.
Clive gave an excellent performance in 'The International.' Anyone else notice a strong resemblance between Clive & Gerard Butler? Possibly both actors have Welsh or Scottish roots? That would explain it. I know Owen is a Welsh surname....believe Butler is Irish but any genealogist researching the British Isles quickly learns there was heavy migration between those nations starting many centuries ago.
Clive
Gerard 
I wouldn't kick either one of them out of,,,err,,,that is, show either one the door, however they are missing a certain charismatic quality RA oozes both on & off screen.
Unfortunately he missed the co-star poll, but sue says British actor Gary Lucy could be a junior RA...let's take a look...
More calorie free mid-week eye candy...Facial similarity w/RA is striking in these pics.
Clive gave an excellent performance in 'The International.' Anyone else notice a strong resemblance between Clive & Gerard Butler? Possibly both actors have Welsh or Scottish roots? That would explain it. I know Owen is a Welsh surname....believe Butler is Irish but any genealogist researching the British Isles quickly learns there was heavy migration between those nations starting many centuries ago.
Clive
Unfortunately he missed the co-star poll, but sue says British actor Gary Lucy could be a junior RA...let's take a look...
hmmmm, verrry nice. Yes, sue, I can see somewhat of a resemblance between Gary and Richard, especially in other pics at his website. Crucial question is however can this new entry act? According to his site he's an ice skater - however was disappointed to find 'other countries' cannot access the evidence of him 'dancing on ice.' Thx for the heads up sue:)
UPDATE: hahaha...obviously she noticed my male preferences. Thank You sweet Sue!:)
Mr Lucy definitely shares RA's body type.....oh yeah...
More calorie free mid-week eye candy...Facial similarity w/RA is striking in these pics.
John Thornton: The Antidote to Lovelace
Recent N&S video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOMh5hxhG3c
Yet another antidote to ruthless Lovelace...
Lucas North Poll: The Rachel vs Frieda Debate on Life of Wylie Blog
Have you been following the comments at the Life of Wylie blog re Spooks 9? Relevant post follows - follow the link and scroll to the comments by Rachel(Mar 19) & Frieda(Mar 20). Air your opinion in this blog's latest poll.
From Life of Wylie:......FILMING of the 2010 series of Spooks has been going on for some time now. But fans have been waiting for an official production release.
Well, here it is.
Although it raises more questions than it answers.
With what looks like quite a twist in the tale ahead.
I’ve got my own theories. How about you?
Anyway, here is the release:
Prepare for dramatic revelations as filming gets underway on the ninth series of critically-acclaimed Spooks, produced by Kudos Film and Television (Ashes to Ashes, Hustle) for BBC One.
The new series of this thrilling drama will introduce a host of new characters who shake things up and give cause for concern as Section D are left wondering who can really be trusted. Friendships will be tested and the depth of deceit will lead to an unprecedented game of cat and mouse for the Spooks.
Sophia Myles (Underworld, Doctor Who), Max Brown (Mistresses, The Tudors), Iain Glen (The Blue Room, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Simon Russell Beale (Much Ado About Nothing, Uncle Vanya) and Laila Rouass (Primeval, Footballers’ Wives) join Spooks as series regulars but the characters they play and the impact they have on the team dynamic is being kept tightly under wraps.
Sarah Brandist, BBC Executive Producer, said: “We are very proud to introduce an extraordinary number of exciting new characters to this new series. The new additions will really ruffle some feathers but, as intrigue and betrayal is at the heart of the new storylines, we don’t want to give too much away at this stage. All will be revealed when the series transmits on BBC One later this year!”
Andrew Woodhead, Executive Producer Kudos Film and Television, added: “The ninth series of Spooks is stronger than ever with twists and turns that promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As well as thrilling storylines we have wonderful new cast members who, with our brilliant established cast, will raise the bar once again.”
Spooks is a Kudos Film and Television production for BBC One filming in London until mid July. It was commissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning. Spooks is produced by Lachlan MacKinnon and executive produced by Jane Featherstone , Simon Crawford Collins and Andrew Woodhead for Kudos Film and Television and Sarah Brandist for the BBC.
~~~~~~~~
Was great to see Frieda and others come to Lucas' defense when clueless:) Rachel used the word 'wooden' in her comment.
http://lifeofwylie.com/2010/03/19/spooks-drama-ahead-on-the-grid/
Are these wooden expressions?
Someone must've grabbed his last chocolate donut;)
From Life of Wylie:......FILMING of the 2010 series of Spooks has been going on for some time now. But fans have been waiting for an official production release.
Well, here it is.
Although it raises more questions than it answers.
With what looks like quite a twist in the tale ahead.
I’ve got my own theories. How about you?
Anyway, here is the release:
Prepare for dramatic revelations as filming gets underway on the ninth series of critically-acclaimed Spooks, produced by Kudos Film and Television (Ashes to Ashes, Hustle) for BBC One.
The new series of this thrilling drama will introduce a host of new characters who shake things up and give cause for concern as Section D are left wondering who can really be trusted. Friendships will be tested and the depth of deceit will lead to an unprecedented game of cat and mouse for the Spooks.
Sophia Myles (Underworld, Doctor Who), Max Brown (Mistresses, The Tudors), Iain Glen (The Blue Room, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Simon Russell Beale (Much Ado About Nothing, Uncle Vanya) and Laila Rouass (Primeval, Footballers’ Wives) join Spooks as series regulars but the characters they play and the impact they have on the team dynamic is being kept tightly under wraps.
Sarah Brandist, BBC Executive Producer, said: “We are very proud to introduce an extraordinary number of exciting new characters to this new series. The new additions will really ruffle some feathers but, as intrigue and betrayal is at the heart of the new storylines, we don’t want to give too much away at this stage. All will be revealed when the series transmits on BBC One later this year!”
Andrew Woodhead, Executive Producer Kudos Film and Television, added: “The ninth series of Spooks is stronger than ever with twists and turns that promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As well as thrilling storylines we have wonderful new cast members who, with our brilliant established cast, will raise the bar once again.”
Spooks is a Kudos Film and Television production for BBC One filming in London until mid July. It was commissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning. Spooks is produced by Lachlan MacKinnon and executive produced by Jane Featherstone , Simon Crawford Collins and Andrew Woodhead for Kudos Film and Television and Sarah Brandist for the BBC.
~~~~~~~~
Was great to see Frieda and others come to Lucas' defense when clueless:) Rachel used the word 'wooden' in her comment.
http://lifeofwylie.com/2010/03/19/spooks-drama-ahead-on-the-grid/
Are these wooden expressions?
Don't know about Rachel but it's very doubtful Sarah suffered any splinters...
The irony pf the discussion is the fact that a few Spooks fans considered Lucas too emotional for MI5 :), which certainly proves the wisdom of a famous person's remark "you can't please all of the people all of the time."
March 19, 2010
Richard Armitage Varied & Sundry
Sweet dreamakers....
Is Sir Guy thinking "who's that bloke and why is he dressed so weird"?
Obviously, had just discovered a duplication feature...
Reminder: Clarissa Part II...does RA often channel the 18thC? Don't many of his chosen photo shoot locations look as though the buildings are at least as early as the 1700s...
He looks so content sitting on that scruffy mess - There's vintage and there's trash:)
How was this gem overlooked in my Mar 13 'wearin' o' the green t-shirt'(etc) post?? Green leather....hehehe...can't really laugh though since I've a full length green leather coat hanging in the back of my closet (same shade)...not worn for at least 5yrs and never w/purple:) Yikes! Note to self: Out it Goes asap!
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