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Preternatural Research Bureau
''P.R.O.B.E.'' is a series of direct-to-video science-fiction films mostly written by Mark Gatiss and produced by BBV Productions. It was the first live-action ''Doctor Who'' spin-off series. The series features Caroline John as Liz Shaw, working for the Preternatural Research Bureau. Many former ''Doctor Who'' actors, including former Doctors Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, appear in the series playing different roles. (Due to licensing restrictions, no overt reference to The Doctor is permitted.) ''Doctor Who'' alumna Louise Jameson co-stars with Caroline John in the original four films, as Patricia Haggard. Originally released on VHS, the series was not widely available on video. When an interviewer commented to series author Mark Gatiss that he had never seen the series, Gatiss replied "No, and you never will. One, they're not available. And two, I forbid it. Christ, for all I knew, they were the only things I would ever get to make. And I lear ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caroline John
Caroline Frances John (19 September 1940 – 5 June 2012) was an English actress. She played classical roles on the stage as well as several television roles. She is best known for playing Elizabeth "Liz" Shaw in the BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' Early life and education John was the third of eight children born to Vera (''née'' Winckworth), an actress and singer, and Alexander John, a theatre director. She was educated at St. Joseph's Convent School, Crackley Hall in Kenilworth. After training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, she worked in theatre and toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre Company. She appeared in '' Juno and the Paycock'' in a 1966 production directed by Laurence Olivier, ''King Lear'', ''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead'', and ''The Merchant of Venice''. John also appeared as Hero in Franco Zeffirelli's 1965 National Theatre production of ''Much Ado About Nothing''. This production was ada ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, television series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was prevalent before streaming platforms came to dominate the TV and movie distribution markets. Because sequels or prequels of larger-budget films may be released direct-to-video, review references to direct-to-video releases are often pejorative. Direct-to-video release has also become profitable for independent filmmakers and smaller companies. Some direct-to-video genre films (with a high-profile star) can generate well in excess of $50 million revenue worldwide. Reasons for releasing direct to video A production studio may decide not to generally release a TV show or film for several possible reasons: a low budget, a lack of support from a TV network, negative reviews, its controversial nature, that it may appeal to a small ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stephen Bradshaw
Stephen or Steven is an English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; he is widely regarded as the first martyr (or "protomartyr") of the Christian Church. The name, in both the forms Stephen and Steven, is often shortened to Steve or Stevie. In English, the female version of the name is Stephanie. Many surnames are derived from the first name, including Stephens, Stevens, Stephenson, and Stevenson, all of which mean "Stephen's (son)". In modern times the name has sometimes been given with intentionally non-standard spelling, such as Stevan or Stevon. A common variant of the name used in English is Stephan ( ); related names that have found some currency or significance in English include Stefan (pronounced or in English), Esteban (often pronounced ), and the Shakespearean Stephano ( ). Origins The name "Stephen" (and its comm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Kay
Alfred Charles Piff (31 August 1930 – 8 January 2025), better known by his stage name Charles Kay, was an English actor. Early life and education Kay was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, the son of Frances (née Petty) and Charles Beckingham Piff. Originally educated at Warwick School, Kay went on to study medicine, then decided to train for the stage. He went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and in 1957, after graduation, joined the Radio Drama Company by winning the Carleton Hobbs Bursary. He went on to join the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre. He created the roles of Jimmy in Arnold Wesker's ''Roots'' (1959) and Charles V in John Osborne's '' Luther'' (1961). He was also in Wesker's ''The Kitchen'', '' The Changeling'' (1961), and ''Twelfth Night'' (1962). Theatre Kay joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and appeared in Stratford and at the Aldwych, London. He remained until 1966, during which time he portrayed a wide variety of rol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reece Shearsmith
Reeson Wayne Shearsmith (born 27 August 1969) is a British actor, comedian, writer and magician. He was a member of The League of Gentlemen, with Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson. Jointly with Pemberton, he created, wrote and starred in the sitcom '' Psychoville'' and the dark comedy anthology series ''Inside No. 9''. He had notable roles in ''Spaced'' and '' The World's End''. Early life Shearsmith was born in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. He attended Andrew Marvell High School and then Bretton Hall College of Education, where he met Mark Gatiss and Steve Pemberton, fellow actors and comedians. Career 1995–2005 ''The League of Gentlemen'' began as a stage act in 1995, transferred to Radio 4 as ''On the Town with The League of Gentlemen'' in 1997, and arrived on television on BBC Two in 1999. The last saw Shearsmith and his colleagues awarded a British Academy Television Award, a Royal Television Society Award and the prestigious Golden Rose o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charmian May
Charmian Rosemary May (16 June 1937 – 24 October 2002) was an English character actress best known for her television and film roles. She appeared in the sitcoms '' The Good Life'', '' The Upper Hand'' and ''Keeping Up Appearances'', and the film '' Bridget Jones's Diary''. She appeared as Miss Pershore in episodes 6 and 7 of ''The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'' (1976). She also appeared in ''The Worst Witch'' as Miss Pentangle, in '' Weirdsister College'' as Prof. Alicia Thunderblast, and she was Miss Milton in the Yorkshire Television series, '' You're Only Young Twice''. Amongst her stage work, May was in the original production of '' 84, Charing Cross Road'' at Salisbury Playhouse, and its West End transfer, in 1981. She also toured in the 1970s in a production of ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' by Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in differen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geoffrey Beevers
Geoffrey Beevers (born 9 January 1941) is a British actor who has appeared in many stage and screen roles. Early life and education Only son of D. Beevers, Geoffrey Beevers was educated at Tonbridge School and Wadham College, Oxford, where he read History and took a B.A. in 1962. Career Theatre Beevers has worked extensively at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond upon Thames, both as an actor (including the title role in Jules Romain's '' Doctor Knock'', 1994); and as an adaptor/director of George Eliot's novel '' Adam Bede'' (February 1990), for which he won a Time Out Award, and Honoré de Balzac's '' Père Goriot'' (February 1994). In 2012, Beevers appeared as Fray Antonio in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Helen Edmundson's '' The Heresy of Love''. In March 2013 he played opposite Helen Mirren in Peter Morgan's play '' The Audience'' at the Gielgud Theatre, and reprised the role in February 2015 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City. From ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terry Molloy
Terry Molloy (born 4 January 1947) is an English actor. He is best known for his work on radio and television, especially his portrayal of Mike Tucker (The Archers), Mike Tucker in ''The Archers'' and Davros in three ''Doctor Who'' serials in the 1980s, a role he reprised for audio adventures. Early life Molloy was born in 1947 to a Tyneside theatrical family. His father was a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force. He attended boarding school from the age of five. In the 1960s, he played baritone saxophone in a soul band, The T-Bunkum Band, and appeared at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Career Molloy has been a member of the cast of BBC Radio 4's ''The Archers'' playing Mike Tucker (The Archers), Mike Tucker since 1974 and has won awards for his work as an actor on radio. In 1980 he performed in the Radio 4 adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's war novel ''The Cruel Sea (novel), The Cruel Sea''. On television, Molloy is known for becoming the third actor to play the mad scientis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Stranger (video Series)
''The Stranger'' is a series of direct-to-video (and audio CD) science-fiction dramas produced by BBV and starring Colin Baker. They are now available on DVD. The series began in 1991 with ''Summoned by Shadows'', co-produced with the BBC Film Club as a knowing homage to the long-running British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' (of which BBV founder Bill Baggs was a fan) and in a pragmatic attempt to take advantage of the consequent pre-existing audience. ''Summoned by Shadows'' is a ''Who''-style tale of strange doings in an unspecified time period on Earth featuring three actors known for their roles in ''Doctor Who'' and playing similar characters. The unnamed protagonist (listed in the credits as "The Stranger") is played by Colin Baker, his assistant Miss Brown by Nicola Bryant, who had played the Doctor's assistant Peri Brown opposite Colin Baker for two years, and the villain of the piece by Michael Wisher, who had been the first actor to play Davros. Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robert John Preston
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' () "fame, glory, honour, praise, renown, godlike" and ''berht'' "bright, light, shining"). It is the second most frequently used given name of ancient Germanic origin.Reaney & Wilson, 1997. ''Dictionary of English Surnames''. Oxford University Press. It is also in use as a surname. Another commonly used form of the name is Rupert. After becoming widely used in Continental Europe, the name entered England in its Old French form ''Robert'', where an Old English cognate form (''Hrēodbēorht'', ''Hrodberht'', ''Hrēodbēorð'', ''Hrœdbœrð'', ''Hrœdberð'', ''Hrōðberχtŕ'') had existed before the Norman Conquest. The feminine version is Roberta. The Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish form is Roberto. Robert is also a common name in many Germanic languages, including Engl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred (born 20 August 1962) is an English actress and television presenter. She has worked extensively in children's television as a presenter and voice artist. She played the Seventh Doctor's companion, Ace, in the television series ''Doctor Who'' during the late 1980s, becoming the final companion in the series' first run. Early life Aldred was born on 20 August 1962 in Greenwich, London, but grew up in nearby Blackheath. She sang in the church choir of St James', Kidbrooke, and attended Blackheath High School from 1973 until 1980. She then enrolled as a drama student at the University of Manchester. She graduated in 1983 and embarked on a career in children's theatre. She also sang in working men's clubs around Manchester. Career In 1987, Aldred was cast as Ace in ''Doctor Who'', initially for '' Dragonfire'', the final story of the twenty-fourth season. Her tenure on the show spanned the last nine stories of the programme's original run, which ended in 1989. In ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jonathan Rigby
Jonathan Rigby is an English actor and film historian who has written several books. '' Video Watchdog'' magazine described him as occupying "a proud place in the advance guard of film researchers, writers and critics," and in 2020 he was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Hall of Fame. Biography As an actor, Rigby trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama from 1986 to 1989. Among his earliest roles on graduating was that of Mr Rochester in an adaptation of ''Jane Eyre'' at the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh in 1991.Jonathan Rigby at Theatricalia. His stage play, ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'', was produced at London's Pentameters Theatre in 1997, marking the original novel's centenary, and subseq ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
