Lee Thompson
@leethompson89.bsky.social
Screenwriter. Spending far too much time working out what fictional people might say...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
This is a really good piece by @adey70.bsky.social for The Big Issue. An accurate assessment of what to expect of Channel 5's new Play for Today, which mentions some of the less often trumpeted greats from the original strand, like Destiny (1978), Sorry (1981) &, actually, The Spongers (1978).
Play for Today helped launch the careers of Ken Loach, Ray Winstone, June Brown and Kenneth Branagh. Now Channel 5 is bringing it back…
Why the return of Play for Today is good news for British televisio
www.bigissue.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This is a really good piece by @adey70.bsky.social for The Big Issue. An accurate assessment of what to expect of Channel 5's new Play for Today, which mentions some of the less often trumpeted greats from the original strand, like Destiny (1978), Sorry (1981) &, actually, The Spongers (1978).
Play For Today is back. I've written Special Measures which is coming soon to Channel Five.
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Play For Today is back. I've written Special Measures which is coming soon to Channel Five.
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Did this over the summer! www.independent.co.uk/travel/famil...
These Portuguese islands offer respite for my neurodiverse family
Kim Wiltshire and her children found peace and tranquility in the little-known Ria Formosa lagoon
www.independent.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Did this over the summer! www.independent.co.uk/travel/famil...
Had a brilliant night yesterday at the @laproductionsuk showcase of Play For Today with a Q&A afterwards. Amazing to see my script Special Measures brought to life by so many talented people. I feel so lucky and very excited for people to see it on screen. Coming soon to @channel5_tv
#PlayForToday
#PlayForToday
October 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Had a brilliant night yesterday at the @laproductionsuk showcase of Play For Today with a Q&A afterwards. Amazing to see my script Special Measures brought to life by so many talented people. I feel so lucky and very excited for people to see it on screen. Coming soon to @channel5_tv
#PlayForToday
#PlayForToday
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Great opportunity for fresh new writers and untapped talent here. It’ll be me, Steven Knight, Jack Thorne and I think we can get the Williams Brothers to do a few if they’re up for it
Channel 5 revives BBC’s Play for Today to ‘help shape future of British drama’
Channel 5 revives BBC’s Play for Today to ‘help shape future of British drama’
Series aims to follow original in tackling ‘thornier issues’, and to support talent from lower-income backgrounds
It was one of the most influential British television series of the last century, renowned for exploring thorny societal issues and bringing the work of emerging talent, such as Ray Winstone, Alison Steadman, Helen Mirren and Dennis Potter, to mass audiences.
Now Play for Today is being revived on Channel 5, to give young writers, actors and producers from lower-income backgrounds a way into TV, helped by established talent. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 17, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Great opportunity for fresh new writers and untapped talent here. It’ll be me, Steven Knight, Jack Thorne and I think we can get the Williams Brothers to do a few if they’re up for it
Reposted by Lee Thompson
It’s also fun on rewatch to pay attention to characters like Kleya, who become much more prominent in s2, but are already fully formed here.
a man and a woman are standing next to each other
Alt: Kleya
media.tenor.com
August 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It’s also fun on rewatch to pay attention to characters like Kleya, who become much more prominent in s2, but are already fully formed here.
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Just finished Andor s1 rewatch. First 3 eps are still punishingly slow, and most of the supporting characters are more interesting than Cassian, but once the heist arc begins, it’s just brilliant.
a man in a red uniform is screaming in front of a crowd of men .
Alt: In the Andor season one finale, a man in a red uniform is screaming in front of a crowd of men .
media.tenor.com
August 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Just finished Andor s1 rewatch. First 3 eps are still punishingly slow, and most of the supporting characters are more interesting than Cassian, but once the heist arc begins, it’s just brilliant.
Delighted to have written an episode for this revival of Play For Today. Out later this year!
www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/c...
www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/c...
Channel 5 revives Play For Today to 'help shape future of British drama'
Play for Today is being revived on Channel 5, to give young writers, actors and producers from lower-income backgrounds a way into TV, helped by established talent
www.mirror.co.uk
August 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Delighted to have written an episode for this revival of Play For Today. Out later this year!
www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/c...
www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/c...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Wait. Chloe Kelly has scored the winner in two Euro Finals. Has any footballer ever done that?
July 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Wait. Chloe Kelly has scored the winner in two Euro Finals. Has any footballer ever done that?
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Not many writers have made more of a difference than Jimmy McGovern. It was an honour to interview him for @liverpoolecho.co.uk on drama, Unforgivable, the importance of putting Liverpool on screen and how a builder working on his house launched his TV career
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Jimmy McGovern's life changed after builder noticed 'something wrong'
The legendary writer spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about his incredible career and new TV drama Unforgivable
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Not many writers have made more of a difference than Jimmy McGovern. It was an honour to interview him for @liverpoolecho.co.uk on drama, Unforgivable, the importance of putting Liverpool on screen and how a builder working on his house launched his TV career
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Hurrah for #channel5. www.televisual.com/news/channel...
Channel 5 to launch 'Drama of the Week' strand - Televisual
Channel 5 is set launch a new drama strand, under the working title 'Drama of the Week.'
www.televisual.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Hurrah for #channel5. www.televisual.com/news/channel...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
One for my filmmakers pals or any one interested in screenwriting.
The great Scott Frank adapted Get Shorty & Out of Sight and wrote & directed Godless & The Queen’s Gambit.
Smart guy with a lot of practical advice. Good chat about film noir, too.
www.wtfpod.com/podcast/epis...
The great Scott Frank adapted Get Shorty & Out of Sight and wrote & directed Godless & The Queen’s Gambit.
Smart guy with a lot of practical advice. Good chat about film noir, too.
www.wtfpod.com/podcast/epis...
Episode 1647 - Scott Frank — WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
Scott Frank is one of Hollywood’s most prolific screenwriters but he still has perpetual anxiety about his job security. Scott and Marc talk about the impulse that keeps him grinding away, whether he’...
www.wtfpod.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
One for my filmmakers pals or any one interested in screenwriting.
The great Scott Frank adapted Get Shorty & Out of Sight and wrote & directed Godless & The Queen’s Gambit.
Smart guy with a lot of practical advice. Good chat about film noir, too.
www.wtfpod.com/podcast/epis...
The great Scott Frank adapted Get Shorty & Out of Sight and wrote & directed Godless & The Queen’s Gambit.
Smart guy with a lot of practical advice. Good chat about film noir, too.
www.wtfpod.com/podcast/epis...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
The irony if Ange wins this of winning in a controlled style that many people thought he couldn’t manage.
May 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The irony if Ange wins this of winning in a controlled style that many people thought he couldn’t manage.
Reposted by Lee Thompson
✨️I'm teaching a one-off online writing workshop on the evening of Monday 23rd June all about IDEAS.✨️
How do you have them on demand? How do you recognise a good one? And when you've had one, what the hell do you do next?
Sign up here! 🎟
www.eventbrite.com/e/ideas-writ...
How do you have them on demand? How do you recognise a good one? And when you've had one, what the hell do you do next?
Sign up here! 🎟
www.eventbrite.com/e/ideas-writ...
May 4, 2025 at 11:06 AM
✨️I'm teaching a one-off online writing workshop on the evening of Monday 23rd June all about IDEAS.✨️
How do you have them on demand? How do you recognise a good one? And when you've had one, what the hell do you do next?
Sign up here! 🎟
www.eventbrite.com/e/ideas-writ...
How do you have them on demand? How do you recognise a good one? And when you've had one, what the hell do you do next?
Sign up here! 🎟
www.eventbrite.com/e/ideas-writ...
An absolutely fantastic drama is being repeated tomorrow on BBC4. The Lakes by Jimmy McGovern. The first series is one of his absolute best. Well worth a watch. #JimmyMcGovern
April 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
An absolutely fantastic drama is being repeated tomorrow on BBC4. The Lakes by Jimmy McGovern. The first series is one of his absolute best. Well worth a watch. #JimmyMcGovern
Reposted by Lee Thompson
This week's Scriptnotes has Tony Gilroy (Andor, Michael Clayton) talking about the second season, and his shift from features to series. Already up in the premium feed. scriptnotes.net
March 31, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This week's Scriptnotes has Tony Gilroy (Andor, Michael Clayton) talking about the second season, and his shift from features to series. Already up in the premium feed. scriptnotes.net
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Great move. Ideally something called Drama Of The Week would run for more than three weeks at a time, so I hope it does well enough for that to happen. LA Productions used to make Moving On for the BBC, so are experienced in low-budget standalone plays. www.advanced-television.com/2025/02/24/c...
Channel 5 launching Drama of the Week strand
Channel 5 is set launch a new drama strand, under the working title Drama of the Week. Initially the strand will comprise of commissioning six, one-hour standal
www.advanced-television.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Great move. Ideally something called Drama Of The Week would run for more than three weeks at a time, so I hope it does well enough for that to happen. LA Productions used to make Moving On for the BBC, so are experienced in low-budget standalone plays. www.advanced-television.com/2025/02/24/c...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
The #Andor Season 2 trailer has arrived – with the Rebellion sparking revolution across the galaxy.
Star Wars' acclaimed drama returns to Disney+ on 22 April.
Watch the trailer here: www.empireonline.com/tv/news/star...
Star Wars' acclaimed drama returns to Disney+ on 22 April.
Watch the trailer here: www.empireonline.com/tv/news/star...
Andor Season 2 Trailer: The Rebellion Sparks Revolution In Star Wars Drama
Tony Gilroy's excellent Star Wars drama returns with a second and final season on Disney+. Watch the explosive trailer at Empire.
www.empireonline.com
February 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The #Andor Season 2 trailer has arrived – with the Rebellion sparking revolution across the galaxy.
Star Wars' acclaimed drama returns to Disney+ on 22 April.
Watch the trailer here: www.empireonline.com/tv/news/star...
Star Wars' acclaimed drama returns to Disney+ on 22 April.
Watch the trailer here: www.empireonline.com/tv/news/star...
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Some sketches of Rock Hudson and Doris Day after watching Pillow Talk on BBC2 recently.
January 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Some sketches of Rock Hudson and Doris Day after watching Pillow Talk on BBC2 recently.
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Oh so now proprietary material matters does it
OpenAI says it has evidence China’s DeepSeek used its model to train competitor
https://www.ft.com/content/a0dfedd1-5255-4fa9-8ccc-1fe01de87ea6
https://www.ft.com/content/a0dfedd1-5255-4fa9-8ccc-1fe01de87ea6
OpenAI says it has evidence China’s DeepSeek used its model to train competitor
White House AI tsar David Sacks raises possibility of alleged intellectual property theft
www.ft.com
January 29, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Oh so now proprietary material matters does it
Reposted by Lee Thompson
FROM???!!!! FROM!!!! FROM!!!!!!! So £530.00 for 2? I’ve seen a lot of Checkov pal and I’ve been lost in the Barbican complex on countless occasions and even Cate Blanchett is incapable of elevating either thing to a £600 night out thanks, this nonsense must cease
January 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
FROM???!!!! FROM!!!! FROM!!!!!!! So £530.00 for 2? I’ve seen a lot of Checkov pal and I’ve been lost in the Barbican complex on countless occasions and even Cate Blanchett is incapable of elevating either thing to a £600 night out thanks, this nonsense must cease
Reposted by Lee Thompson
In my old life I'd be gearing up for the Prince Harry phone hacking trial this week. I don't think people have clocked this is potentially the peak of20+ years of phone hacking cases.
So a quick thread of the issues (and if you're a broadcaster who needs someone to do a turn explaining this, DM.)
So a quick thread of the issues (and if you're a broadcaster who needs someone to do a turn explaining this, DM.)
January 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
In my old life I'd be gearing up for the Prince Harry phone hacking trial this week. I don't think people have clocked this is potentially the peak of20+ years of phone hacking cases.
So a quick thread of the issues (and if you're a broadcaster who needs someone to do a turn explaining this, DM.)
So a quick thread of the issues (and if you're a broadcaster who needs someone to do a turn explaining this, DM.)
Reposted by Lee Thompson
For me, the only thing that has ever hit the bullseye on many of these fronts re media/journalism is State of Play miniseries. Not the movie! It's bad! I WISH SoP was streaming anywhere in US, it is not, argh. Bill Nighy, Kelly Macdonald, McAvoy, David Morrissey, Polly Walker! it's a twisty delight.
Basically, everything is either a rom-com with a slutty reporter jumping into bed with a source – I am a problematic defender of these! — or a super earnest specific investigative tale, like Spotlight or She Said. I want something that is more about the job itself, both good & bad
January 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
For me, the only thing that has ever hit the bullseye on many of these fronts re media/journalism is State of Play miniseries. Not the movie! It's bad! I WISH SoP was streaming anywhere in US, it is not, argh. Bill Nighy, Kelly Macdonald, McAvoy, David Morrissey, Polly Walker! it's a twisty delight.
Absolutely love this from @kathandersondesign.bsky.social and 'wound with cautious optimism' is a good way to head into any year.
Happy new year! Hope it's a good one but if not, there's always January 2nd.
December 31, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Absolutely love this from @kathandersondesign.bsky.social and 'wound with cautious optimism' is a good way to head into any year.
Reposted by Lee Thompson
Happy new year! Hope it's a good one but if not, there's always January 2nd.
December 31, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Happy new year! Hope it's a good one but if not, there's always January 2nd.