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This week, as part of the virtual press tour for PBS Masterpiece Roadkill star Hugh Laurie and writer David Hare sat down with the press and shared about the upcoming modern fictional drama and there might have been one or two satirical moments and some great laughs such as when Hugh Laurie asked, “Is someone being murdered somewhere?” when someone forgot to mute their mic.
Who is David Hare?
Writer David Hare is an English playwright, screenwriter, and director whose credits include Denial (the 2016 movie), The Hours (the 2002 movie), The Seagull (a stage adaptation of Chekhov’s Sea-Gull in 2015), and Skylight (the 1995 stage play).
Hare has received 1 BAFTA Award and 2 Academy Award nominations for The Hours and The Reader. He has also earned 2 Olivier Awards for New Play in London as well as 3 Tony Award nominations for his work in New York.
In 2011 and 2014, Hare had PBS MASTERPIECE viewers on the edge of their seats with his Worricker Trilogy starring Bill Nighy and Felicity Jones about a spy on the run.
He was knighted in 1998.
Is ROADKILL fiction or based on true life?
David Hare insists that his new television series, starring HOUSE’s Hugh Laurie, is based entirely in the realm of fiction. In fact, he said during the interviews,
“I am fighting for the right to write fiction.”
Too often, as Hare puts it, the medium has been overridden by documentaries. In Roadkill there is no Brexit or Coronavirus. It is a world of invented characters and situations.
David Hare is fighting for the right to write fiction in a medium dominated by documentaries.#presstourpbs #masterpiece #pbs #roadkill #davidhare
— THE JOYOUS LIVING entertainment + disabled blogger (@thejoyousliving) July 29, 2020
What Inspired ROADKILL?
For the last 40 or something years, Britain’s been ruled by the Conservative Party. Yet, Hare would argue that there has been little written about the Conservative Party in fiction. Mind you, there have been movies made about Margaret Thatcher but they were more of a character piece.
Creator David Hare was fascinated to write about Conservativism as he looks at contemporary leaders of the world such as Prime Minister Johnson and President Trump and is amazed at how “shame has disappeared from politics”.
“I am a relaxed Conservative who admires progress… Conservativism is about loving the idea of the future.”
– Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie)
Upcoming Work for David Hare
After battling and winning against Coronavirus, David Hare has written a monologue to be produced on the stage in the near future. Keep an eye out in London for “Beat the Devil”.
About ROADKILL
Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie) is a self-made, forceful and charismatic politician. Peter’s public and private life seems to be falling apart – or rather is being picked apart by his enemies. As the personal revelations spiral, he is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse, expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe as he seeks to further his own agenda whilst others plot to bring him down. However, events show just how hard it is, for both an individual and a country, to leave the past behind. With enemies so close to home, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own secrets to win the ultimate prize?
The Hastings Connection
David Hare was born and raised in Hastings, Sussex, and Hugh Laurie’s character is a politician from Hastings.
Cast of ROADKILL
Other cast includes Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, MotherFatherSon), Sidse Babett Knudsen (The Accident, Westworld), Saskia Reeves (Us, The Child in Time), Sarah Greene (Dublin Murders, Normal People), Patricia Hodge (A Very English Scandal, Miranda), Ophelia Lovibond (W1A, Hooten & the Lady), Iain De Caestecker (Us, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Katie Leung (Chimerica, Strangers), Olivia Vinall (The Woman in White, Apple Tree Yard), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Harlots, MotherFatherSon), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl, Bad Mothers), Pip Torrens (Poldark, Preacher), Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom) and Danny Ashok (Deep Water, Capital).
Tune Into ROADKILL
Roadkill premieres on PBS Masterpiece on November 1, 2020 9/8c.
November 1, 2020
November 8, 2020
November 15, 2020
November 22, 2020
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Continue the Conversation
What is your favorite David Hare movie, tv-show, or play?
This is the first time I heard about David Hare. I hope to check out his fictional works.
I’ve never heard of them before but that sounds interesting. Will check this out sometime.
To be fair, there are a lot of documentaries. He may be on to something. 🙂
Hugh Laurie is a great actor and Roadkill sounds like a good series to keep an eye on! I am gonna be watching that pilot.
SOunds like a really great show that I suddenly can’t wait to go watch! Thanks so much for this review
I havent heard about david nor hugh laurie but this looks interesting. I will check this out.
this sounds really interesting. i’ll have to check it out even more.
I’d never heard of David Hare before, but I’m wiling to watch anything with the brilliant Hugh Laurie — whether it’s based on fact or fiction!
This is really interesting! I’d love to check that out!
Ooo you say Huhg Laurie…well I must deffo checking this out…thank you so much for this x
Hugh Laurie! Definitely checking Roadkill when it comes out!
My first time hearing about David Hare, what an interesting article.
I would definitely check out an episode or two for Hugh Laurie! It’s cool you’ve done so much research on this!
I would love to check this out! It sounds so intriguing! I bet this series is so amazing!
Kileen
I love Dr House! Will definitely check roadkill when this comes out.
I love Hugh Laurie! I’m not a fan of politics in shows but this sounds interesting if it’s done right.
Hugh Laurie is the man! I watched ever episode of House religiously, and then I went out and found a bunch of British shows that he did. I can’t wait to give this a try.
I’ll definitely have to give this a look. I’m a big fan of Hugh Laurie. He’s an amazing actor.
I have never heard of David Hare but will check out this piece for sure! Thanks for the recommendations!
I did not know about these movements. And I really support him and agree with his points.
This is the first time I heard about David Hare. I’ll check his works. Great advocacy though!
This sounds like a great show. I really like Hugh Laurie, watched every episode of House. Will have to tune in to this one.
Hhhaaaaaa….there is no favourite movie, when it comes to Hare! He is good in all, that I have watched him in.
I will watch it even if only for Hugh Laurie that I really like, but the plot is also very intriguing!
This is the first time I knew about David Hare, but the story is very interesting!
I have not heard of David Hare, but I am a fan of Hugh Laurie. I would love to check this out.
I want to see this just for Hugh Laurie. The series sounds great, and I know anything with him in it is going to be absolutely amazing. I have to check it out!
David Hare is a new name fot me , but he sure has a story to tell, Thank you for sharing it. Will check out the series ?