Jed Mercurio is certainly the ‘man of the moment’ (and if you don’t know who he is, where’ve you been?!). He’s the writer of Bodyguard – THAT BBC 1 drama (10.4 million people watched the final episode last Sunday!).
It’s been credited with a return to the ‘good old days’ of TV, when we all watched the same programmes (because we didn’t have box-sets or the choice of a million channels). And certainly, over the past few weeks, my experience was, if you asked people “Are you watching Bodyguard?” they’d all say “Ooh yes!” Even my ex-police officer neighbour, who hates most police dramas because they’re so unrealistic, was gripped.
I’ve been a fan of the writer Jed Mercurio (with his amazing, Shakespearean-sounding name), ever since I watched Line of Duty, which he also writes. He’s one of the few TV/script writers that actually gets some recognition and isn’t just a faceless name lost in the credits.
He’s also something of a ‘whizz kid’. He’s a qualified doctor – oh and a former RAF officer (it doesn’t seem fair, does it, that someone can not only save lives and fly planes but is also a brilliant writer?) and he only got into writing when he answered an advertisement in the British Medical Journal and got involved in writing his first TV drama, Cardiac Arrest.
Here’s an interview with him, talking about Bodyguard – on the BBC Writers Room.
I’ve probably mentioned the BBC Writers Room website before.
It’s a great resource of information and opportunities for anyone wanting to write TV drama, radio, comedy, children’s programmes – and more.
For example, at certain times of the year, the BBC has ‘submission windows’ when they will accept and read unsolicited scripts. They next ‘window’ is likely to be for drama and towards the end of this year. Good news, then! They are actively looking for new ideas and new writers!
The website also has a script library, which is fascinating. Bodyguard isn’t on there (yet!) but all 4 series of Line of Duty are – and plenty of others, if you’re interested.
And if you’re missing Bodyguard… here’s another TV tip from me.. Killing Eve is brilliant!
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I loved Cardiac Arrest. Does that make be an Early Adopter of the JM canon? I’m usually the last to know! I watched the first episode of Killing Eve last night: oh my word!
I must be in a minority because we gave up after episode 2. It was so predicable they would have an affair. Can’t these writers think of anything else? Kiling Eve is way better. It’s obviously not to be taken seriously and David Haig is always brilliant.
Keith, having seen both of these series all the way through, there are a couple of comments I could make BUT they’d be spoilers, so I’ll keep stumm!
Thanks, Helen. I’m tempted to watch it on iPlayer but I think I’ll stick to the old-fashioned way. Then I’ll have something to look forward to each week.
Just seen you’ve put the same, Keith 😊
I loved The Bodyguard and also Line of Duty. My favourite now is Killing Eve – a masterclass in how to combine suspense with humour.
Yes, it’s very clever, isn’t it, Wendy? I love the characters. Even the ‘minor’ ones, like the techie lad in the office (can’t remember his name. Ryan?) – anyway, even he is completely believable and ’rounded’ and got his own issues and problems!