Writing
Tony Marchant is a British playwright and television dramatist.
Series of single made-for-television dramas.
What are the secrets of our favourite TV shows? Famous names from both sides of the camera reflect on making some of the most popular and influential programs of all time.
Screenplay was a drama anthology television series, broadcast on BBC between 1986 and 1993. Numerous episodes were produced including one named "Boswell and Johnson's Tour of the Western Islands" starring Robbie Coltrane as English writer Samuel Johnson who in the autumn of 1773, visits the Hebrides off the north-west coast of Scotland. That episode was directed by John Byrne and co-starred John Sessions and Celia Imrie.
The adventures of the eponymous Lovejoy, a likeable but roguish antiques dealer based in East Anglia. Within the trade, he has a reputation as a “divvie”, a person with an almost supernatural powers for recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antique from clever fakes or forgeries.
Six single dramas adapted from six of Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century Canterbury Tales, transferred to a modern, 21st century setting, but still set along the traditional Pilgrims' route to Canterbury.
The true tale of pioneering 18th century barrister William Garrow, who acted as counsel for the accused, introducing the concept of 'innocent until proved guilty' at London's Old Bailey.
London, 1886. Unbeknownst to his loyal wife Winnie, Verloc, a Soho store owner, works as a secret agent for a powerful foreign government.
Orphan Pip discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham, and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella, he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.
From a young age, 11-year-old, Max, has identified as a girl and as puberty looms, she begins to present increasing signs of gender variance. When Max was eight, her father, Stephen, left the family home. But as Max’s conviction that she’s in the wrong body intensifies, her distress escalates, and Stephen seizes the opportunity to return to live at the family home and support his daughter.
A bond between a troubled 25-year-old Aaron Simmons and Julie Ranmore a 44-year-old mother of two, whose marriage has lost all passion, has profound implications for both.
The lives of a seemingly unconnected group of Londoners are strangely affected by the murder of a young woman. While some are able to take a newfound hope from the remains of the tragedy, others, including food critic Gary Rickey, simply watch on as despair begins to unravel in the light of the aftermath.
A series of plays designed specifically for the medium of television.
Joe Keyes ignores a woman in distress in his rush to get home to his family. His decision to remain a passer-by has terrible consequences.
Goodbye Cruel World is a 1992 British miniseries starring Sue Johnston, Alun Armstrong and Brenda Bruce. The three-part series was aired on BBC One during January 1992 and was aired again in summer 1993. Johnston played the character of Barbara Grade, a woman who is diagnosed with a terminal degenerative illness, and the series focused on how Barbara and her family and friends deal with her worsening condition. It was written by Tony Marchant and directed by Adrian Shergold and was nominated for Best Drama at the 1993 British Academy Television Awards.
When Danny, 'one of Maggie's wandering minstrels', visits a seaside horror museum, he is rather disappointed. 'It's all about victims. Now people are interested in who done it, not who it got done to ...' So begins a process of disintegration which culminates in a new type of exhibit, 'an attraction' for the modern age.
Public Enemies explores the relationship between 28-year-old Eddie, recently released on life licence from prison after serving 10 years, and his probation officer, Paula, returning from suspension following a shocking crime committed by an offender under her supervision.
Linda: When are we going? Gary: Next Friday. Linda: Have you booked? Gary: It's called making a reservation. Linda: I feel excited Gal. My stomach feels all funny. Gary: If it feels funny now, wait till next Friday ...
After a bomb kills their company commander in Iraq, British soldiers Treacle and Shane are ordered to round up suspects and use torture on the detainees. Back home, the press gets the story and the pair achieves instant infamy.
Paul and Kim meet when their vehicles collide. Paul is fascinated with the attractive Kim. It turns out that the two were childhood friends in Catholic boys' school, but back then, before the operation, Kim was named Karl.