TV News: Fleming on Sky Atlantic

Fleming, starring Dominic Cooper as James Bond creator Ian Fleming has already begun showing in the US and now it's the UK's turn. The first part (of four) is on Sky Atlantic at 9pm on 12 February 2014.

I hope it's as good as it looks on the trailer showing on Sky. I can't find the same one online but the BBC America one is similar but with an added voiceover:




From the Sky Atlantic website:

There's no questioning the iconic status of the man they call 007, and Fleming explores how some of the real-life exploits of Ian Fleming became the inspiration for one of the most enduring and successful characters ever.

Untroubled by the spectre of impending war, roguish playboy Ian Fleming chases women, collects rare books and lives off the family fortune. Forever in the shadow of his brother Peter (Rupert Evans) and an eternal disappointment to his formidable mother Eve (Lesley Manville), Ian is finally given some direction in his life when he's recruited by Admiral John Godfrey (Samuel West) to help in the effort against the Nazis. With the somewhat sceptical support of tough-cookie Second Officer Monday (Anna Chancellor), Ian's extraordinary imagination and ability to spin a yarn makes him a perfect fit for espionage.

The stakes increase as Ian's chance encounter with the captivating Lady Ann O'Neill (Sherlock's Lara Pulver) becomes a passionate affair that shapes both their lives. Directed by Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and the BAFTA®-nominated Road to Guantanamo) and written by John Brownlow and Don Macpherson, Fleming captures both the opulence of high society London and the suspense and intrigue behind enemy lines.

While Bond fans will spot many a nod to the legendary agent, the series is ultimately a gripping account of a playboy spy and the woman who won his heart.

Jeffery Deaver to write James Bond

Quite a surprising announcement this I think but American author Jeffery Deaver is to write the next authorised James Bond story and it is to be set in the present day. I listened to the last one, Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks and though the narration was superb by Jeremy Northam I found the story a little dull.

From The Guardian:

Best known for his quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme, the star of books including The Bone Collector and The Stone Monkey, Deaver has been commissioned to write a new Bond novel by Fleming's estate. Currently known as Project X, the book will be set in the present day, unlike Sebastian Faulks recent addition to the Bond oeuvre, Devil May Care, which took place in 1967.

Apart from its contemporary setting, Deaver was giving little else away about the plot, but revealed it would occur over a short period of time and take 007 to "three or four exotic locations around the globe". He has already started writing the book, which is out next May, and promised it would retain "the persona of James Bond as Fleming created him and the unique tone the author brought to his books", while also incorporating his own "literary trademarks: detailed research, fast pacing and surprise twists".

Fleming's estate was moved to approach Deaver after he raved about the Bond books in an acceptance speech for the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger award.

There is an official website James Bond Project X.

Guardian's Ian Fleming Quiz

The Guardian has an Ian Fleming quiz and I managed to get 007/10 even though I've only read one book so far. (A few lucky guesses helped). Try the quiz, here.

From Darcy to Bond and back to Darcy (via Fossum)

I like to put on the blog the cover of what I'm reading or listening to but I haven't been able to find an image of the audio book cover of my current listen: Octopussy by Ian Fleming which is narrated by David Rintoul.

I've long been a fan of David Rintoul's narration skills as he is absolutely fabulous in his interpretation of Karin Fossum's Inspector Sejer series, including He Who Fears the Wolf and When the Devil Holds the Candle.

Whilst I was trying to find a cover I came across a casting coup equivalent to Colin Firth playing Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary. Mr Darcy's Diary by Maya Slater is also narrated by David Rintoul and David Rintoul played Mr Darcy in the BBC's 1980 production of Pride and Prejudice.


You can watch a fuzzy snippet of Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul in that version of Pride and Prejudice on You Tube.

This version of Pride and Prejudice is available as Region 1 (US) but the Region 2 is in German though an amazon poster says that you can play it in English.