Matthew Graham
Encyclopedia
Matthew Graham is a British
television
writer, and the co-creator of the BBC
/Kudos Film and Television
science fiction series Life on Mars
, which debuted in 2006 on BBC One
and has received international critical acclaim.
He began his career writing for the soap opera
EastEnders
and the children's drama Byker Grove
, both for BBC One
. In the 1990s he wrote for the popular BBC Two
drama series This Life
, and created and wrote the post-apocalyptic drama serial The Last Train
for ITV
. He has also written episodes for Spooks
, Hustle
and wrote "Fear Her
", an episode of the 2006 series of Doctor Who
.
Ashes to Ashes
, a Life on Mars
spin-off which he co-created with Life on Mars writer/co-creator Ashley Pharoah
, was first broadcast on BBC One
on 8 January 2008, to an audience of 7 million, according to overnight figures.
In the US
, ABC
commissioned a remake of Life on Mars, also to be called Life on Mars
, developed by David E. Kelley
, creator of Ally McBeal
, for broadcast in the 2007/08 midseason.
In 2006 he formed Monastic Productions with the writer Ashley Pharoah
(co-creator of Life on Mars). Monastic Productions are involved in the Life on Mars spin-off Ashes to Ashes
and co-producing Bonekickers
, a 6-part drama series about archaeology, set in Bath. Both series are productions for BBC One. Bonekickers
was not renewed after the first series, but Ashes to Ashes
completed its third and final series in May 2010.
In November 2010, Graham announced the production of a new television series co-created with Ashley Pharoah
for ITV
. Eternal Law tells the story of two angels who are sent to Earth to assist in the salvation of mankind as lawyers in a York law firm. He also confirmed that he would be returning to the world of Doctor Who
in 2011, writing Episodes Five and Six of the sixth series, a two-part story entitled "The Rebel Flesh
" and "The Almost People
". Ashes to Ashes
star Marshall Lancaster
also guest starred in these episodes.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
writer, and the co-creator of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
/Kudos Film and Television
Kudos (production company)
Kudos Film and Television is a British independent film and television production company. It has produced television series for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and its productions include Spooks , Hustle, Life on Mars and its spin-off Ashes to Ashes, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard and M.I. High...
science fiction series Life on Mars
Life on Mars (TV series)
Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
, which debuted in 2006 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and has received international critical acclaim.
He began his career writing for the soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
and the children's drama Byker Grove
Byker Grove
Byker Grove was a British television series which aired between 1989 and 2006 and was created by Adele Rose. The show was broadcast at 5.10pm after Newsround on CBBC on BBC One...
, both for BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. In the 1990s he wrote for the popular BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
drama series This Life
This Life
This Life is a BBC television drama that was produced by World Productions and screened on BBC Two. Two series were broadcast in 1996 and 1997 and a reunion special in 2007....
, and created and wrote the post-apocalyptic drama serial The Last Train
The Last Train
The Last Train is a British six-part post-apocalyptic television drama serial first broadcast on the ITV network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2 in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel...
for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. He has also written episodes for Spooks
Spooks
Spooks is a British television drama series that originally aired on BBC One from 13 May 2002 – 23 October 2011, consisting of 10 series. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a...
, Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
and wrote "Fear Her
Fear Her
"Fear Her" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 24 June 2006.The episode takes part on the day of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, almost exclusively on a fictitious cul-de-sac named after the British athlete...
", an episode of the 2006 series of Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
.
Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (TV series)
Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
, a Life on Mars
Life on Mars (TV series)
Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
spin-off which he co-created with Life on Mars writer/co-creator Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah is a British Television writer, co-creator of the successful drama series Life on Mars, which began on BBC One in 2006....
, was first broadcast on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
on 8 January 2008, to an audience of 7 million, according to overnight figures.
In the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
commissioned a remake of Life on Mars, also to be called Life on Mars
Life on Mars (U.S. TV series)
Life on Mars was a science fiction crime drama television series which originally aired on ABC from October 9, 2008 to April 1, 2009. It is an adaptation of the BAFTA-winning original UK series of the same name produced by the BBC...
, developed by David E. Kelley
David E. Kelley
David Edward Kelley is an American television writer and producer, known as the creator of Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry's Law, as well as several films. Kelley is one of the only screenwriters to have had a show created by him run on...
, creator of Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia...
, for broadcast in the 2007/08 midseason.
In 2006 he formed Monastic Productions with the writer Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah is a British Television writer, co-creator of the successful drama series Life on Mars, which began on BBC One in 2006....
(co-creator of Life on Mars). Monastic Productions are involved in the Life on Mars spin-off Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (TV series)
Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
and co-producing Bonekickers
Bonekickers
Bonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
, a 6-part drama series about archaeology, set in Bath. Both series are productions for BBC One. Bonekickers
Bonekickers
Bonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
was not renewed after the first series, but Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (TV series)
Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
completed its third and final series in May 2010.
In November 2010, Graham announced the production of a new television series co-created with Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah
Ashley Pharoah is a British Television writer, co-creator of the successful drama series Life on Mars, which began on BBC One in 2006....
for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. Eternal Law tells the story of two angels who are sent to Earth to assist in the salvation of mankind as lawyers in a York law firm. He also confirmed that he would be returning to the world of Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
in 2011, writing Episodes Five and Six of the sixth series, a two-part story entitled "The Rebel Flesh
The Rebel Flesh
"The Rebel Flesh" is the fifth episode of the sixth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 21 May 2011 on BBC One and on BBC America in the United States...
" and "The Almost People
The Almost People
"The Almost People" is the sixth episode of the sixth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 28 May 2011...
". Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (TV series)
Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
star Marshall Lancaster
Marshall Lancaster
Marshall Lancaster is a British actor. He has appeared in many television dramas, including Coronation Street, Holby City, The Lakes and Family Affairs, but is probably best known for playing DC Chris Skelton in the BBC time-travel police dramas, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.Lancaster is a...
also guest starred in these episodes.
Selected filmography
Writer- The Last TrainThe Last TrainThe Last Train is a British six-part post-apocalyptic television drama serial first broadcast on the ITV network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2 in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel...
(1999)
- SpooksSpooksSpooks is a British television drama series that originally aired on BBC One from 13 May 2002 – 23 October 2011, consisting of 10 series. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a...
- "Spiders" (2003)
- HustleHustle (TV series)Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
- "Picture Perfect" (2004)
- "Confessions" (2005)
- Life on MarsLife on Mars (TV series)Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
- Series 1, Episode 1Series 1: Episode 1 (Life on Mars)The first episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 9 January 2006. The episode, known erroneously as "The Crash", was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One....
(2006) - Series 1, Episode 2Series 1: Episode 2 (Life on Mars)The second episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 16 January 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One.-Synopsis:...
(2006) - Series 1, Episode 3Series 1: Episode 3 (Life on Mars)The third episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 23 January 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One.-Synopsis:...
(2006) - Series 1, Episode 6Series 1: Episode 6 (Life on Mars)The sixth episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 13 February 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One.-Synopsis:...
(co-written with Ashley PharoahAshley PharoahAshley Pharoah is a British Television writer, co-creator of the successful drama series Life on Mars, which began on BBC One in 2006....
, 2006) - Series 1, Episode 8Series 1: Episode 8 (Life on Mars)The eighth, and final, episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 27 February 2006...
(2006) - Series 2, Episode 1Series 2: Episode 1 (Life on Mars)The first episode of the second series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 13 February 2007. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One.-Synopsis:...
(2007) - Series 2, Episode 5Series 2: Episode 5 (Life on Mars)The fifth episode of the second series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 20 March 2007...
(2007) - Series 2, Episode 8Series 2: Episode 8 (Life on Mars)The eighth episode of the second series, and overall finale of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on 10 April 2007...
(2007)
- Series 1, Episode 1
- Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
- "Fear HerFear Her"Fear Her" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 24 June 2006.The episode takes part on the day of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, almost exclusively on a fictitious cul-de-sac named after the British athlete...
" (2006) - "The Rebel FleshThe Rebel Flesh"The Rebel Flesh" is the fifth episode of the sixth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 21 May 2011 on BBC One and on BBC America in the United States...
" (2011) - "The Almost PeopleThe Almost People"The Almost People" is the sixth episode of the sixth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 28 May 2011...
" (2011)
- "Fear Her
- Ashes to AshesAshes to Ashes (TV series)Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
- Series 1, Episode 1 (2008)
- Series 1, Episode 7 (2008)
- Series 2, Episode 2 (2009)
- Series 2, Episode 8 (2009)
- Series 3, Episode 1 (2010)
- Series 3, Episode 8 (2010)
- BonekickersBonekickersBonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
- "Army of GodArmy of God (Bonekickers)Army of God is the first episode of the BBC archaeology drama, Bonekickers, airing on July 8 2008. It was written by Life on Mars creator Matthew Graham, and filmed in the City of Bath. A small amount of the episode, as with the following episodes, relies on a flashback to the time that the...
" (2008) - "Eternal Flame" (2008)
- "The Cradle Of Civilisation" (2008)
- "Follow the Gleam" (2008)
- "Army of God
External links
- Radio Wiltshire interview with Matthew Graham
- Participant in the Café of Ideas creative community based in Bath, UK
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8115817/Screenwriters-clash-over-state-of-TV-drama.html
- Matthew Graham Interview with Best British TV