Cathy Come Home, BBC Production Options

[Jules]

The Daily Mail - Mail on Sunday is reporting that Orlando is to take part in the remake of a movie called Cathy Come Home. It is apparently a movie that was originally done in the 60s about homelessness. The article says that Colin Firth and Anne-Marie Duff are to star in it too. I read the article in a subscribed newspaper database, (i.e, it's password protected), so unfortunately, I can't give a link to the article itself. Any UK Ka-Bloomies get the Mail on Sunday?

The article wasn't very long and didn't give any timelines.

It sounds like a really interesting movie - very gritty: Wikipedia - Cathy Come Home Article

Jules

[Jackie]

Now that would be an interesting project for him to be involved with. Cathy Come Home is a highly celebrated production over here - it was a landmark in TV drama for its very gritty social realism, at a time when most tv was anodyne, and I remember the shock of so many people who had no inkling of what life was like for homelesss people. I think that the charity Shelter was founded on the back of the public interest it generated.

ETA: I see from the wikipedia article that Shelter was indeed founded at about the same time that the play was broadcast.

It would certainly be a breakaway from the kind of role we are used to seeing Orlando play. I don't get the Mail On Sunday, and can't find any reference on the MOS website. I would pop out and buy one, but I can't drive right now. As with so many of these possible projects, I'll wait till I hear it confirmed before I get my hopes up too high.

[Geri]

Can't wait to see if there's any truth to it. Wouldn't surprise me to learn Orlando would put his hand to something like this, though.

[Aniethen]

My long-suffering husband just went out to get the Mail on Sunday for me. Now all I have to do is try and FIND the article - stay tuned!

OK, as Jules said, it isn't long so I'll type it up for the record:

BBC to remake Cathy Shocker
Colin Firth is set to star in a new version of the ground-breaking Sixties tv film about homelessness, Cathy Come Home.
Anne-Marie Duff, star of the Channel 4 series Shameless, and Orlando Bloom of Lord of the Rings fame are also lined up to take part in the production, which will be broadcast to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1966 drama that sent shockwaves through British society.
Firth, star of Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice, will play a wealthy hedge fund manager disillusioned with his job, while Anne-Marie is expected to be Cathy.
The BBC said the new film, by writer-director Dominic Savage, is not a direct remake but will explore similar themes and is likely to be shot in the same gritty style as Ken Loach's original.
A spokesman said "It feels timely to look at poverty and inequality in Britain today".

So no word about what role Orlando would play but I'm guessing probably Reg (Cathy's husband).

If Orlando does it, it will probably be broadcast around November, as that's when the play originally aired.

[Jan]

I've been hoping for quite some time that Orlando would participate in some televised drama(s) in the UK. In a very British story.

I, too, went looking to read about this show and, sadly, it would still be a contemporary tale.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about this. Thanks, Jules.

[Jackie]

Yes, I'd definitely have pegged him for Reg. OK, now I am crossing my fingers very tightly, because not only would it be a great role, but wouldn't that keep him here in the UK for a couple of months?

[Annabelle]

Let's hope we hear more about this soon. This sounds like a great role and movie, one that covers a subject that needs more light shed on it (homelessness), not only in the U.K., but also here in the U.S. It sounds like something Orlando would be attracted to.

Am I right in thinking that this will be a regular movie for the theaters, rather than a TV series? Although I don't recognize the young actress's name, with Colin Firth and Orlando attached, it seems that it should do well in theaters around the world.

As much as I prefer Orlando in period movies, I know that he will do well in a more contemporary role.

[little_green]

Am I right in thinking that this will be a regular movie for the theaters, rather than a TV series? Although I don't recognize the young actress's name, with Colin Firth and Orlando attached, it seems that it should do well in theaters around the world.

I think it's a one-off drama intended to be shown on the BBC. It wouldn't be shown in cinemas, although I'm sure you guys will get it on TV over there, too.

I'm excited about this - I hope Orlando gets the opportunity to do it. Homelessness is still a massive problem in this country.

Anyone who saw the original drama - where was it set? Oop norf or dahn sarf?

[Wendi]

I've been doing a spot of 'googling' on Cathy Come Home and have found a very interesting page at The Museum of Broadcast Communications.

It states that it was originally broadcast on 16 December 1966. I was only 4 months old at the time, so I'm not familiar with it. It certainly sounds an extremely interesting project for Orlando and it would also tie in with his involvement in the 'Make Poverty History Campaign'.

[Jules]

Anyone who saw the original drama - where was it set? Oop norf or dahn sarf?

IMDB - Cathy Comes Home Summary IMDB says it was based in London:

From the BBC's influential 'Wednesday Play' series. This tells the bleak tale of Cathy, who loses her home, husband and eventually her child through the inflexibility of the British welfare system. A grim picture is painted of mid-sixties London, realistic, but the viewer cannot but realise that a political point is being made. One of the consequences of this film was the formation of the housing charity 'Shelter'.

Sure hope he does this!

Jules

[Kim]

This is great news. I hope it is shown over here in the U.S. I would love to see him do a role like this. I know PBS (Public Broadcasting System) here in the U.S. carries a lot of programs from the U.K. and so doesn't the A & E Network, so I am hoping if he does do this project one of those stations will carry it.

Thank you for the information.
Kim

[Jan]

It could show up on PBS, A&E - or BBC America, and though it would be set in Britain, it could easily be set here. Such a sad commentary.

Homelessness has long been a social problem in 'socialized' countries, which I find unfathomable with all the wealth amongst people and corporations. I don't know the answer, but there has to be one.