Longitude is a 2000 TV drama produced by Granada Productions

Granada Productions

Granada Productions was a British commercial television production and distribution company. The company took its name from the successful ITV franchise, Granada Television....

 and the A&E Network

A&E Network

The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...

 for Channel 4

Channel 4

Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...

, first broadcast in 2000 in the UK on Channel 4 and the US on A&E. It is an adaptation of the 1997 book of the same title

Longitude (book)

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time is a best-selling book by Dava Sobel about John Harrison, an 18th century clockmaker who created the first clock sufficiently accurate to be used to determine longitude at sea—an important development...

 by Dava Sobel

Dava Sobel

Dava Sobel is a writer of popular expositions of scientific topics. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and Binghamton University...

. It was written and directed by Charles Sturridge

Charles Sturridge

Charles B. G. Sturridge is an English screenwriter, producer, stage, television and film director.-Personal life:Sturridge was born in London, England to Alyson Bowman Vaughan and Jerome Sturridge. He was educated at Stonyhurst College...

 and stars Michael Gambon

Michael Gambon

Sir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...

 as clockmaker John Harrison

John Harrison

John Harrison was a self-educated English clockmaker. He invented the marine chronometer, a long-sought device in solving the problem of establishing the East-West position or longitude of a ship at sea, thus revolutionising and extending the possibility of safe long distance sea travel in the Age...

 (1693–1776) and Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy John Irons is an English actor. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969, and has since appeared in many London theatre productions including The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the...

 as horologist

Horology

Horology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...

 Rupert Gould

Rupert Gould

Rupert Thomas Gould , was a Lieutenant Commander in the British Royal Navy noted for his contributions to horology .-Life:...

 (1890–1948).

Plot

Longitude presents the story of Harrison's efforts to develop the marine chronometer

Marine chronometer

A marine chronometer is a clock that is precise and accurate enough to be used as a portable time standard; it can therefore be used to determine longitude by means of celestial navigation...

 and thereby win the Longitude Prize

Longitude prize

The Longitude Prize was a reward offered by the British government for a simple and practical method for the precise determination of a ship's longitude...

 in the 18th century. This is interwoven with the story of Gould, a retired naval officer, who is restoring Harrison's four chronometers and popularises his achievements in the early twentieth century.

Cast

18th Century

20th Century

Michael Gambon Michael Gambon Sir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...  — John Harrison John Harrison John Harrison was a self-educated English clockmaker. He invented the marine chronometer, a long-sought device in solving the problem of establishing the East-West position or longitude of a ship at sea, thus revolutionising and extending the possibility of safe long distance sea travel in the Age... Jonathan Coy Jonathan Coy Jonathan Coy is a British actor born in Hammersmith, London on 24 April 1953. He has worked since 1975 largely in television, notably as Henry in the long running legal series Rumpole and as Bracegirdle in the television series Hornblower, adapted from the books by C. S. Forester...  — Adm. Sir Cloudsley Shovell Christopher Hodsol — Capt. Ainsley Gemma Jones Gemma Jones Gemma Jones is an English character actress on both stage and screen.-Early life:Jones was born in London, England, the daughter of Irene and Griffith Jones, an actor. Her brother, Nicholas Jones, is also an actor...  — Elizabeth Harrison John Nettleton John Nettleton (actor) John Nettleton is an English actor.One of his most notable roles was that of Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary in Yes Minister and President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in the follow-up Yes, Prime Minister...  — Minister for the Navy Nigel Davenport Nigel Davenport Nigel Davenport is an English stage, television and film actor.- Early life :Davenport was born Arthur Nigel Davenport, however he goes by the first name of Nigel. Davenport was born in Shelford, Cambridgeshire, the son of Katherine Lucy and Arthur Henry Davenport. Davenport's father was a bursar...  — Sir Charles Pelham Charles Pelham (disambiguation) Charles Pelham may refer to:* Charles Pelham , U.S. Representative from Alabama* Charles Pelham, Lord Worsley , British peer who died in action during the First World War... Ian Hart Ian Hart Ian Hart is an English stage, television and film actor.-Early life:Hart, the grandson of Irish immigrants, was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. He is one of three siblings and was brought up in a Roman Catholic family...  — William Harrison Liam Jennings — Young William Harrison Frank Finlay Frank Finlay Francis Finlay, CBE is an English stage, film and television actor.-Personal life:Finlay was born in Farnworth, Lancashire, the son of Margaret and Josiah Finlay, a butcher. A devout Catholic, he belongs to the British Catholic Stage Guild. He was educated at St...  — Admiral Sir Charles Wager Charles Wager Sir Charles Wager was a British Admiral and First Lord of the Admiralty between 1733 and 1742.Despite heroic active service and steadfast administration and diplomatic service, Wager's reputation has suffered from a profoundly mistaken idea that the navy was then at a low ebb... Andrew Scott Andrew Scott (actor) Andrew Scott is an Irish film, television, and stage actor. He received the 2005 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs production of A Girl in a Car with a Man and an IFTA award for the film Dead Bodies...  — John Campbell John Standing — Capt. Proctor John Wood John Wood (English actor) John Wood, CBE was an English actor.-Biography:Wood was born in Derbyshire and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford where he was president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Changing to drama, Wood became known as a stage actor, appearing in numerous West End productions as well as on...  — Sir Edmund Halley Ian McNeice Ian McNeice Ian McNeice is a prolific English screen, stage, and television character actor.-Early life:McNeice was born in Basingstoke in Hampshire. McNeice's acting training started at the Taunton School in Somerset, followed by two years at the Salisbury Playhouse...  — Dr Bliss David Wood David Wood (actor) David Wood OBE is an English-born actor and writer, called "the National Children's Dramatist" by The Times.He was educated at Chichester High School For Boys and Worcester College, Oxford....  — Ditton Mark Tandy — Whiston Stephen Fry Stephen Fry Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...  — Sir Kenelm Digby Samuel West Samuel West Samuel Alexander Joseph West is an English actor and theatre director. He is perhaps best known for his role in Howards End and his work on stage. He also starred in the award-winning play ENRON...  — Nevil Maskelyne Nevil Maskelyne The Reverend Dr Nevil Maskelyne FRS was the fifth English Astronomer Royal. He held the office from 1765 to 1811.-Biography:... Bill Nighy Bill Nighy William Francis "Bill" Nighy is an English actor and comedian. He worked in theatre and television before his first cinema role in 1981, and made his name in television with The Men's Room in 1991, in which he played the womanizer Prof...  — Lord Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten... Brian Cox — Lord Morton James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton KT FRS was a Scottish astronomer and representative peer who was President of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh from its foundation in 1737 until his death... Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan is an English character actor, known for many supporting roles in a variety of British film and television productions. He has worked extensively on the stage, becoming known for roles such as police inspectors, Soviet agents and similar parts...  — George Graham George Graham (clockmaker) George Graham was an English clockmaker, inventor, and geophysicist, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.He was born to George Graham in Kirklinton, Cumberland. A Friend like his mentor Thomas Tompion, Graham left Cumberland in 1688 for London to work with Tompion... Clive Francis Clive Francis -Early life:He is the son of actors Raymond Francis and Margaret Towner. He was born in Eastbourne.His father played Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in the 1960s series No Hiding Place and his mother still acts today - most recently she played Jira, Anakin Skywalker's friend, in Star...  — Capt. Digges Tim McInnerny Tim McInnerny Tim McInnerny is an English actor. He is known for his role as Percy in Blackadder and Blackadder II, and as Captain Darling in Blackadder Goes Forth...  — Christopher Irwin Stephen Simms — James Harrison Cliff Parisi Cliff Parisi Cliff Parisi is an English actor of Italian descent, largely recognised for his performance as Rick 'Minty' Peterson in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.-Career:...  — Lt. Draper Rupert Baker — Lt. Bertie Charles Gray Charles Gray (actor) Charles Gray was an English actor who was well-known for roles including the arch-villain Blofeld in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, Sherlock Holmes' brother Mycroft Holmes in the Granada television series, and as The Criminologist in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show in...  — Adm. Balchen John Balchen Admiral Sir John Balchen was an officer of the British Royal Navy with a long and distinguished career during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In the course of his service at sea, Balchen saw action in numerous battles against the French and Spanish navies across 60 years and three... Trevor Cooper Trevor Cooper Trevor "Trev" Cooper is an English actor.-Background:Cooper studied law at Kingston Polytechnic and graduated with a masters degree in law from the University of Warwick...  — Roger Willis William Scott-Masson — Lt. Knorvler William Thomas William Thomas (actor) William Thomas is a Welsh actor, who has appeared in many TV episodes and films. He made his first appearance on TV in 1974, and his work, as an actor, is still ongoing...  — Arthur Mason Ian Burfield — Jos Killick John Quentin — Dr. Bradley Alfred Burke Alfred Burke Alfred Burke was a British actor, best known for his portrayal of Frank Marker in the drama series Public Eye, which ran on television for ten years.-Early life:...  — Rear Admiral Nick Reding Nick Reding Nick Reding is a British actor. During a career of more than two decades, he is probably best known for playing PC Pete Ramsey in The Bill and DI Michael Conner in Silent Witness...  — Capt. Campbell Charles Edwards Charles Edwards (English actor) Charles Edwards is an English actor, the youngest of four brothers in his family He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1992. His first professional theatre engagement was in Blithe Spirit at age 24...  — Lt. Seward Gary Waldhorn Gary Waldhorn Gary Waldhorn is a veteran English actor, known for his role as David Horton in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, but who has also had a notable television and theatre career.-Theatre:...  — Cmdre. Forrest Frederick Warder — Bosun Pip Torrens Pip Torrens Pip Torrens is an English actor.He was born in Bromley, Kent, England. He studied English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge...  — Capt. Lindsay Frederick Treves Frederick Treves (actor) Frederick William Treves BEM, is an English character actor with an extensive repertoire, specialising in avuncular military and titled types....  — Governor Nicholas Rowe Nicholas Rowe (actor) Nicholas James Sebastian Rowe is a Scottish actor.-Biography:Rowe was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of English parents Alison, a singer, and Andrew Rowe, a Member of Parliament and editor. He attended Eton and received a BA in Hispanic Studies from Bristol University...  — King George George III of the United Kingdom George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death... Heike Makatsch Heike Makatsch - Early life :Makatsch was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, the daughter of former German national ice hockey team goaltender Rainer Makatsch. She spent several months in New Mexico in 1988 in an effort to improve her English, and later studied politics and sociology at the University of Düsseldorf for...  — Queen Charlotte T.P. McKenna — Edmund Burke Edmund Burke Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party.... Kelvin Cook — Carpenter Peter-Hugo Daly Peter-Hugo Daly Peter-Hugo Daly is an actor and musician. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Daly was a member of new wave band the Cross along with fellow actor Phil Daniels. The band released a single, "Kill Another Night" on RCA Records in 1979...  — John Jefferies Eliza Darby — Portuguese child Duane Fierro — Naval captain Daniela Lavender Daniela Lavender Daniela Lavender, Lady Kinsley is a Brazilian actress, appearing on Brazilian television, and English-language television, film and stage, including touring with the British Shakespeare Company.-Early life:...  — Courtesan Roger Lloyd-Pack — Capt. Man Gavin Molloy — Marine Daragh O'Malley Daragh O'Malley Daragh O'Malley is an Irish film, theatre and television actor, best known for his portrayal of the much loved and ever faithful but rather fearsome Patrick Harper in the legendary Sharpe TV series along side Sean Bean...  — Capt. Bourke

Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons Jeremy John Irons is an English actor. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969, and has since appeared in many London theatre productions including The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the...  — Rupert Gould Rupert Gould Rupert Thomas Gould , was a Lieutenant Commander in the British Royal Navy noted for his contributions to horology .-Life:... Peter Cartwright Peter Cartwright (actor) Peter Cartwright is an actor who has made hundreds of appearances in television, film and on radio and has worked extensively in the theatre, both in the provinces and London's West End....  — Army doctor Anna Chancellor Anna Chancellor -Family:Chancellor was born in Richmond, London, England, the daughter of the Hon. Mary Alice Jolliffe and John Paget Chancellor. Through her mother's mother, Lady Perdita Rose Mary Asquith, Chancellor is the great-granddaughter of The Hon. Raymond Aquith and the great-great-granddaughter of Prime...  — Muriel Gould Geoffrey Hutchings Geoffrey Hutchings Geoffrey Hutchings was a British stage, film and television actor.-Early life and career:Hutchings was born in Dorchester, Dorset, England. After attending Hardye's School, he studied French and Physical Education at Birmingham University before he became a member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic...  — Estate manager Robert Demeger — Observatory porter Sarah Badel Sarah Badel Sarah Badel is a British stage and film actress. She is the daughter of actors Alan Badel and Yvonne Owen.-Theatrical career:...  — Society lady Alec McCowen Alec McCowen Alexander Duncan "Alec" McCowen CBE is an English actor. He is known for his work in numerous film and stage productions. He was awarded the CBE in the 1985 New Year's Honours List.-Personal:...  — Sir Frank Watson Dyson Frank Watson Dyson Sir Frank Watson Dyson, KBE, FRS was an English astronomer and Astronomer Royal who is remembered today largely for introducing time signals from Greenwich, England, and for the role he played in testing Einstein's theory of general relativity.- Biography :Dyson was born in Measham, near... Sophie Millett — Dyson's secretary Lucy Akhurst Lucy Akhurst Lucy Akhurst is an English actress, writer and director who has been working mainly in television since the 1990s...  — Nurse Grace Ingram Michael Cochrane Michael Cochrane Michael Cochrane is an English actor who specialises in playing upper class characters, sometimes with a suaveness that hides their villainy....  — Waddington, Gould's solicitor John Leeson John Leeson John Leeson is a British actor who is best known for voicing K-9 on the television series Doctor Who from 1977 to 1979, and again in the 1980–1981 season. He was called back to do the voice of K-9 again for the 2006 episode "School Reunion" and again for the 2008 Doctor Who episode "Journey's End"...  — BBC radio producer Peter Penry-Jones Peter Penry-Jones Peter David Penry-Jones was a Welsh actor.-Career:His television credits include: Colditz, The Professionals, To the Manor Born, Bergerac, Howards' Way, Kavanagh QC and Midsomer Murders...  — Surgeon Sasha Hails — BBC PA John Normington John Normington John Normington was an English actor who appeared widely on British television from the 1960s until the year of his death. Normington was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in more than 20 RSC productions...  — Mr. Greene Rebecca Clay — Observatory assistant Richard Janes Richard Janes Richard Janes is an English actor, film and theatre director.From the age of 11 Janes was brought up spending his summers at The Cannizaro Park Open Air Theatre in Wimbledon, London where his parents ran the bar as an off shoot from their wimbledon based café and catering business...  — Young assistant Faith Kent — Lady curator John Quayle John Quayle (actor) John Quayle is an English actor who is best remembered for his roles in many sitcoms including All Gas and Gaiters, Terry and June, Steptoe and Son and The Liver Birds.-Career:...  — Dr. Demainbray James Bradshaw James Bradshaw (actor) James Bradshaw, born 20 March 1976 in Stamford, Lincolnshire in England, is a British actor best known for playing Gordon Grimley in the popular Granada TV series The Grimleys, which ran for three series from 1999...  — Callboy Barbara Leigh-Hunt Barbara Leigh-Hunt Barbara Leigh-Hunt , Bath, England, is a British actress who has appeared on stage, film, television and radio.-Career:...  — Dodo Gould Clare Moody — Staff nurse

Awards

In 2001, Longitude was nominated for the British Academy Television Awards

British Academy Television Awards 2001

The 2001 British Academy Television Awards were held on Sunday May 13, 2001. The ceremony took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.-Winners:*Best Actor**Winner: Michael Gambon — Longitude...

 in ten categories, winning in five, including Best Actor

British Academy Television Award for Best Actor

- 1950s :*1955 Paul Rogers — *1956 Peter Cushing — *1957 Michael Gough — *1958 Michael Hordern — *1959 Donald Pleasence — - 1960s :*1960 Patrick McGoohan — *1961 Lee Montague —...

(Michael Gambon) and Best Drama Serial.

External links

• 2000 — The Year in Review (Channel 4)