«Breaking News» BBC drama king screenwriter claims women bosses are forcing him to make female characters feisty

In his illustrious 50-year career, screenwriter Andrew Davies has forged a formidable reputation for creating strong female characters

In his illustrious 50-year career, screenwriter Andrew Davies has forged a formidable reputation for creating strong female characters.

But now he says he is not allowed to make his women anything but feisty – by the powerful female executives who run television.

Davies, who is known for adaptations of classics such as Pride And Prejudice and War & Peace, says bosses want to see an image of themselves projected on screen, and veto any 'droopy, soppy' girls he wants to pen.

He said: 'I started writing lead characters for women who disconcerted men quite early on in my career. Now it's compulsory because drama networks are run by strong women who like to see themselves reflected. 

'I often find myself pleading, 'Can't I write a really droopy, soppy girl?' And they say, 'No, she's got to be strong and independent.' '

His comments, made in a forthcoming documentary to celebrate his career, will reignite the debate about how much classic literary works should be altered to fit modern attitudes.

The 2016 BBC version of War & Peace included a controversial storyline of incest to enhance the role of Helene Kuragin played by Tuppence Middleton

Davies, 82, has changed female characters in several adaptations. In the BBC's 2005 version of Bleak House, critics noted that housekeeper Esther Summerson was more 'forceful and knowing' than originally depicted by Charles Dickens.

Three years later, his BBC adaptation of Little Dorrit focused more on the title character Amy Dorrit than Arthur Clennam, the older man who falls in love with her, as Dickens had.

In an interview at the time, Davies said: 'It's called Little Dorrit. Let's try to put her at the centre.' 

The 2016 BBC version of War & Peace included a controversial storyline of incest to enhance the role of Helene Kuragin played by Tuppence Middleton.

Jane Tranter, a former BBC executive who worked with Davies on several dramas, told the documentary: 'Andrew will take those sort of pale-skinned, young, Dickensian virgin heroines and make them interesting. He will give them spirit.'

Firth's terror over Mr Darcy wet shirt scene 

Colin Firth was sick with nerves about playing Mr Darcy in Davies's Pride And Prejudice

Colin Firth was sick with nerves about playing Mr Darcy in Davies's Pride And Prejudice. 

Producer Sue Birtwistle says: 'When we did the read through, Colin was being sick in the men's loos.' 

She also insisted Darcy should wear a shirt in the lake scene. 

She and Davies clashed on the issue but she says: 'It was the right decision. Everybody talks about the wet shirt, don't they?'

Davies last night sought to play down his comments which he suggested had been made 'half in jest'. 

He added that any female characters he reinvented were an attempt to capture the zeitgeist, rather than to appease female TV bosses.

Andrew Davies: Rewriting The Classics will be screened on BBC4 next Sunday to coincide with the start of his six-part adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/23/bbc-drama-king-screenwriter-claims-women-bosses-are-forcing-him-to-make-female-characters-feisty/
Main photo article




In his illustrious 50-year career, screenwriter Andrew Davies has forged a formidable reputation for creating strong female characters

In his illustrious 50-year career, screenwriter Andrew Davies has forged a formidable reputation for creating strong female characters.
But now he says he i...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/12/23/00/7746936-6523873-image-m-29_1545523554988.jpg