Keeley on "A Murder is Announced"

Keeley on her role (Philippa Haymes) is Marple: A Murder is Announced (2005). From the press kit.

A war widower with a young child, Philippa is a little misunderstood... She's actually very, very sweet and she just wants to be liked. She has come to the village to find a better way of life for her and her son. She works as a gardener and beekeeper.

She lives at Little Paddocks along with all the other misfits and seems rather settled with her lot. None of them know much about one another, but somehow they all muddle along together. I understand these situations were quite usual during that period, and it certainly adds to the range of characters under one roof.

Letitia seems to really like Philippa -- perhaps it's her widowed status that gives her a tragic element, but Philippa's main concern is the welfare of her young son.

As far as the beekeeping is concerned I had a 'stand-in' for most scenes. I think I got off very easily -- tending the borders was about as much as I had to do. And I'm not that green-fingered really!

(Via the PBS Mystery! website.) Read More......

Keeley on "Macbeth"

Keeley talking about Macbeth (2005). From the press packet.

Talking about her role as Ella Macbeth, Keeley Hawes explained that playing a woman who has lost her baby was a huge challenge.

"Most of my scenes are emotional in one way or another but the scene with the baby was actually quite disturbing.

"I'd just had a baby, three months before, and although being a mother helped me get in touch with the right feelings, I had to separate myself from it all because I was talking about a tiny baby and I had my little one at home. I was quite emotional anyway because I'd just given birth," she reveals.

It was the quality of Peter Moffat's script which tempted Keeley back in front of the cameras so soon after giving birth. The star of Spooks and Tipping the Velvet explains: "I was thinking about going back to work when the script came through the door and I couldn't believe how fantastic it was.

"I thought it was so cleverly done and when reading some of the lines, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.

"I love the play, too – it's something I've aspired to do. I'd also seen Hawking, which Peter Moffat wrote (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and thought that was brilliant."

Despite the play's darkness, there were amusing moments.

"We all laughed a lot," says Keeley. "You get that many boys [her co-stars] in a room and you're going to laugh. Everybody got on so well. It has to be kept light when you're talking about stabbing people to death or you're being showered in blood, otherwise it could all have been quite depressing. There'd be fits of giggles – it was all quite light-hearted."

Explaining what motivates the ambitious and feisty Ella Macbeth, Keeley says, "I think the loss of the baby means that she's very damaged – although that's no excuse for what then happens! Because of her job and the status she has within the restaurant, she has to be seen to be holding it together at all times.

"So when she brings up the subject of murder, things must be at their lowest. She just feels that she's got nothing else to lose. She's lost her baby and is disturbed that Joe and she have not talked about it or expressed any of their emotions.

"Also, they feel like they're not appreciated or respected for what they do at the restaurant. It almost sounds like there should be some sort of excuse for what happens, but there's no excuse really," stresses Keeley.

Asked if the viewers will understand why Ella is driven to the ultimate crime, Keeley replies, "Hopefully. I watched it and I didn't come away full of hate for her. I had a shred of sympathy for her; and it's not like she runs off into the sunset. The whole thing is a tragedy."

Keeley had no qualms about appearing in "the Scottish play". "I don't really have any of those superstitions about it," she says with her infectious laugh, "and nothing went horribly wrong."

Keeley's research included watching Dame Judi Dench - and having a slap-up meal.

"My husband (Spooks co-star Matthew MacFadyen) bought me the DVD [of the 1979 Macbeth starring Judi Dench] so we sat and watched it," she explains. "I also went along to a successful restaurant called Locanda Locatelli. We had lunch there and then went into the kitchen where I met a fantastic lady, the wife of the head chef, who was the Ella of that restaurant.

"You could see the relationship working in a Michelin-starred restaurant. It was fantastic to have had the opportunity to meet her and see what it is like running a restaurant."

Despite Ella's prowess as a queen of cuisine, Keeley herself doesn't lay claim to any cooking ability.

"My husband is the chef of the family; he's a brilliant cook. Actually, it makes you quite lazy when you have somebody that's so good at cooking under the same roof. It's all beans or spaghetti when I'm left to run it," she confesses.

"When Matthew was performing at the National Theatre for eight months he was out most evenings and by the end of it I was at a total loss. He'd have to make something on the Sunday and leave it in the fridge for me to have for the next few days. How pathetic!

Keeley feels that modern adaptations such as this help to bring the classics to a wider audience.

"I did one of the Chaucers – The Knight's Tale – and they were a huge success," she adds.

"So I think it can't fail and I think schools will probably be able to use them. There's no downside to doing it."

(Via the BBC website.) Read More......

Marple: A Murder is Announced (2005)

Genre: TV Movie, Mystery

Director: John Strickland

Writer: Stewart Harcourt based on the novel by Agatha Christie

Synopsis: In the picturesque town of Chipping Cleghorn, a murder is announced in the local paper at the home of Miss Blacklock. Curious locals turn up at the appointed date and time, only to discovered the putative murderer ... murdered.

Keeley's Role: Philippa Haymes

Other Cast Members:
Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple
Zoë Wanamaker as Miss Letitia Blacklock
Sienna Guillory as Julia Simmons
Matthew Goode as Patrick Simmons
Elaine Paige as Dolly
Alexander Armstrong as DI Craddock

Status: Available on DVD (Regions, 1, 2 and ?).
Aired 2 January 2005 on the BBC and PBS.

Links:
A Murder is Announced photos

also see,
IMDb
PBS site Read More......

ShakespeaRE-Told: Macbeth (2005)

Genre: TV Movie, Drama

Director: Mark Brozel

Writer: Peter Moffat based on the play by William Shakespeare

Synopsis: The "Scottish Play" is re-set in a trendy London restaurant, with Lady Macbeth as the hostess, Macbeth as the chef and King Duncan the restaurant owner, as part of the ShakespeaRE-Told series.

Keeley's Role: Ella Macbeth

Other Cast Members:
James MacAvoy as Joe MacBeth
RIchard Armitage as Peter Macduff

Status: Available on DVD (Regions, 1, 2 and ?).
Aired 14 November 2005 on the BBC.
Aired August 2006 on BBC America.

Links:
Macbeth photos

also see,
IMDb
BBC site Read More......

"Under the Greenwood Tree" Publicity Photo

New (to this archive) publicity photo from Under the Greenwood Tree (2005).

(Photo credit: PBS/Masterpiece Theatre.) Read More......

Under the Greenwood Tree (2005)

Genre: TV Movie, Costume Drama, Romance

Director: Nicholas Laughland

Writer: Ashley Pharoah based on the novel by Thomas Hardy

Synopsis: Educated young beauty Fancy Day returns home to care for her ailing father, and finds herself with three very different suitors.

Keeley's Role: Fancy Day

Other Cast Members:
James Murray as Dick Dewey
Ben Miles as Parson Maybold
Steve Pemberton as Farmer Shiner

Status: Available on DVD (Regions, 1, 2 and ?).
Aired 25 December 2005 on ITV.
Aired 23 April 2006 on PBS.
Filming occurred in the Channel Islands (Jersey) shortly after Keeley had completed her last episode of Spooks.

Links:
Under the Greenwood Tree photos

also see,
IMDb
PBS (Masterpiece Theatre) site Read More......

"Ashes to Ashes" BTS #4

More behind-the-scenes pictures from the last days of filming Ashes to Ashes from Dean Andrews's official blog. The Christmas dinner one is cute, no?

(From Dean Andrews's official blog via K-H.com.) Read More......

"The Bank Job" Trailer and Clips

Here's the trailer for The Bank Job.



The official British website for the movie has also gone live here with three clips. Looks quite fun. Unfortunately, Wendy Leather (aka Keeley) does not figure in the trailer or clips.

(Via K-H.com.) Read More......

"The Best Man"

Publicity images for The Best Man (2006) with Richard Coyle and Toby Stephens.

(Picture credit: BBC America and Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......

The Best Man (2006)

Genre:TV Movie, Thriller

Director: Alex Pillai

Writer: Russell Lewis

Synopsis: Shortly after her marriage, Kate discovers a terrible secret that binds her husband and his best friend.

Keeley's Role: Kate Sheldrake

Other Cast Members:
Richard Coyle as Michael Sheldrake
Toby Stephens as Peter Tremaine

Status:
Aired 20 March 2006 on ITV.
Aired 2 June 2006 in Australia.
Aired 23 March 2007 on BBC America

Links:
The Best Man photos

also see,
IMDb
BBC America page Read More......

Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

Genre: Movie, Drama

Writer/Director: Baillie Walsh

Synopsis: "A fading Hollywood star (Daniel Craig) whose life of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll has taken its toll, looks back at the days of his youth as he returns to his hometown for his childhood best friend's funeral." (IMDb)

Keeley's Role: adult Jessie, the fading star's sister

Other Cast Members:
Daniel Craig as Joe Scot
Harry Eden as young Joe Scot
Eve as Ophelia Franklin
Jodhi May as Evelyn Adams
Helen McCrory as Peggy Tickell
Mark Strong as Manny Miesel
Olivia Williams as Grace Scot
James D'Arcy as Jack Adams
Claire Forlani as adult Ruth
Emilia Fox as Sister Jean
Felicity Jones as young Ruth

Status:
Region 1 DVD release date: 4 October 2008
Region 2 DVD release date: 18 August 2008

limited American release date: 15 October 2008
UK premiere date: 18 April 2008
Portuguese premiere date: 8 May 2008

Links:
Flashbacks of a Fool photos
trailer (from Youtube)

also see:
IMDb
official site Read More......

After Thomas (2006)

Genre: TV Movie, Drama

Writers: Lindsey Hill

Synopsis: The true story of the Grahams, a couple dealing with their son's autism, and his connection with their dog, Thomas.

Keeley's Role: Nicole Graham

Other Cast Members:
Ben Miles as Rob Graham
Andrew Byrne Kyle Graham

Status: Aired December 25, 2006 on ITV.

Links:
After Thomas photos

also see: IMDb Read More......

The Vicar of Dibley (2006/7)

Genre: TV Series, Comedy

Writers: Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer

Synopsis: In the final two episodes of the series, Geraldine finally finds love.

Keeley's Role: Rosie Kennedy

Other Cast Members:
Dawn French as Geraldine
Richard Armitage as Harry
Emma Chambers as Alice

Status: The episode "The Handsome Stranger" originally aired 25 December 2006 and "The Vicar in White" on 1 January 2007 on the BBC. Both episodes are now available on DVD in various regions.

Other Titles: these episodes were subtitled "2006 Christmas Special" and "2007 New Years Special - finale."

Links:
The Vicar of Dibley photos

also see: IMDb Read More......

"Ashes to Ashes" BTS #3

More behind-the-scenes snaps from Ashes to Ashes.























(Photo credit: Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......

Ashes to Ashes (2008-2010)

Genre: TV Series, Mystery, Crime, Fantasy

Writers: Matthew Graham, Mark Greig and Ashley Pharoah

Synopsis: In this spin-off from Life on Mars, DI Alex Drake finds herself transported from 2008 back to 1981, where she meets DCI Gene Hunt and his side kicks, DI Carling and DC Skelton.

Keeley's Role: DI Alex Drake

Other Cast Members:
Philip Glenister as DCI Gene Hunt
Dean Andrews as DI Ray Carling
Marshall Lancaster as DC Chris Skelton
Monserrat Lombard as WPC Shaz Granger
Amelia Bullmore as Caroline Price
Stephen Campbell Moore as Evan White
Andrew Clover as The Clown/Tim Price

Status: Renewed for a third and final series (season). Series three is expected to consist of 8 episodes and will begin filming September 2009 with an expected airdate in 2010.

The second series of 8 episodes aired on BBC1 starting April 21, 2009 and finished June 8, 2009. Filming of the second series began September 8, 2008 and ended in March 2009.

The first series consisted of 8 60-minute episodes and aired on BBC1 on Thursday nights at 9pm February 7, 2008 until March 27, 2008, and on BBCAmerica on Saturday nights at 9pm March 7, 2009 until April 25, 2009. Filming occurred July - December 2008.

Links:
Ashes to Ashes photos
Ashes to Ashes Series Two photos

also see,
IMDb
BBC America site
Wikipedia
Ashes to Ashes TV (fan blog)
Dean Andrews's blog
Philip Glenister's official website Read More......

The Bank Job (2008)

Genre: Movie, Thriller, Heist

Director: Roger Donaldson

Writers: Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais

Synopsis: "Based on the true life story of a London based heist that netted "Oceans Eleven" money with no arrests and not one penny recovered." (IMDb)

Keeley's Role: Wendy Leather

Other Cast Members:
Jason Statham as Terry
Saffron Burrows as Martine
Stephen Campbell Moore as Kevin
David Suchet as Lew Vogel

Status:
Region 1 DVD release date: 15 July 2008
Region 2 DVD release date: 30 June 2008

UK release date: 29 February 2008
US release date: 7 March 2008
Finnish release date: 11 July 2008
Belgian release date: 6 August 2008
Australian release date: 31 July 2008

Filming took place January - March, 2007. Jason Statham and Saffron Burrows promoted the movie at Cannes (May 2007).

Other titles: "Baker Street," "D-Notice" (both working titles)

Links:
The Bank Job photos

also see,
IMDb Read More......

First still from "The Bank Job!"

Here's the first still from Keeley's new movie, The Bank Job! Keeley's character is named "Wendy Leather," according to IMDb. The movie will be released in the US on March 7, 2008 and stars Jason Statham (pictured) and Saffron Burrows.

(Thanks sonny2fine.) Read More......

"Ashes to Ashes" BTS #2

More from the set of Ashes to Ashes, taken in the autumn of 2007. With Keeley is actor Rupert Graves.

(Photo Credit: Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......

"Ashes to Ashes" BTS

Photographs from the set of Ashes to Ashes, taken in the autumn of 2007. With Keeley are Philip Glenister and Rupert Graves.

(Photo credit: Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......

"Ashes to Ashes" Publicity Photos

Publicity photos for Ashes to Ashes. The last two are scans from The Sun, which is why they're so grainy.

The BBC press pack also had this to say about the show:

Gene Hunt is back, bigger and brasher than ever before – but he's no longer the self-styled "Sheriff of Manchester". Gene has transferred from the Manchester of Life On Mars to London's Met Police where he's about to finally meet his match with DI Alex Drake.

He can't take his eyes off her, he desperately wants her, knows he'll never have her – and at the same time she drives him up the wall! Having risen through the ranks of the Met in the modern world of 2008, Alex is an intelligent, independent DI and single mother who suddenly finds herself in 1981 surrounded by speedboats, city dealers, guns, brothels, well-dressed criminals and New Romantics.

The police are no longer seen as friendly coppers – they're resented by the communities they're trying to police. It's the year of the Brixton Riots, the Royal Wedding and the Docklands Development, and Thatcher is here to stay.DS Ray Carling, DC Chris Skelton and new team member WPC Sharon "Shaz" Granger are on the front line helping Gene and Alex in their quest against crime.

They've donned Ray-Bans, bomber jackets and leather ties, and Gene's bought himself a brand, spanking new red Audi Quattro, but their attitude is still the same – scum is scum wherever you are and they'll get results whichever way they can.Ashes To Ashes stars Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster and Montserrat Lombard.

Ashes to Ashes is tentatively scheduled for transmission in February 2008 in the UK.

(Photo credit: Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......

"The Pain and the Itch" Premiere

Keeley and Matt at the premiere of his play, The Pain and the Itch, Royal Court Jerwood Theatre, 21 June 2007.

(Photo credit: Keeley-Hawes.com.) Read More......