British playwright and dramatist James Graham will ship the flagship tackle of this yr’s Edinburgh TV Competition, the James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture.
Graham’s work contains the BAFTA and RTS-winning Sherwood, starring David Morrissey and Lesley Manville, set towards the backdrop of his hometown of Ashfield in Nottinghamshire which returns to BBC later this yr, in addition to The Means, a collaboration with Michael Sheen and Adam Curtis. The award-winner was additionally the mastermind behind the massively fashionable Quiz starring Matthew Macfadyen and Sheen.
Latest stage work contains Olivier award-winning Expensive England starring Joseph Fiennes which debuted on the Nationwide Theatre and transferred to the West Finish earlier this yr and is presently being tailored right into a TV collection for BBC and his new musical Tammy Faye, written with Elton John and Jake Shears, which is quickly to debut on Broadway.
Graham has additionally penned a variety of political tasks, together with Brexit: An Uncivil Struggle starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings; RTS successful Coalition starring Bertie Carvel as Nick Clegg in the intervening time he made his pivotal determination relating to the coalition authorities in 2010; the play Better of Enemies, starring David Harewood and Zachary Quinto concerning the political debates between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr; and his breakout play, This Home about life within the U..Okay’s Home of Commons of a Nineteen Seventies hung parliament.
Within the lecture, Graham might be exploring “the role and responsibility of television drama in shaping the political agenda and illuminating social injustices.”
He stated: “I am genuinely honored to be invited to deliver the MacTaggart lecture this year of all years, following a potentially landmark election. In these difficult and divided times, culture and the arts have never been more important; TV moments can still bring a nation together through shared viewing experiences whether it’s in a drama that brings our collective attention to unbelievable injustices or a sporting performance that unites us in celebration (or disappointment!). I’m aware that delivering this lecture is a real moment, as well as an opportunity, to consider the future direction for the creative industries. I’m keen to look at the wider role that drama, storytelling and culture can play in politics, society and in particular those left-behind communities.”
Graham follows an extended line of famend audio system. Earlier lecturers embody Michaela Coel, Rupert Murdoch, Jon Snow, Elisabeth Murdoch, David Olusoga, Jack Thorne, Emily Maitlis and Louis Theroux.
The Edinburgh TV Competition takes place Aug. 20-24.
