ITV wins war for Margaret Thatcher biopic after The Crown star signs up to play former Prime Minister
IT looks like the latest big biopic of Margaret Thatcher – one of four being developed – will end up airing on ITV.
The broadcaster is believed to be in the early stages of developing the story of the former Prime Minister’s life.
The coveted lead role of Maggie has been snapped up by Lesley Manville, who played Princess Margaret in Netflix’s The Crown.
A TV insider said: “Apart from the top casting, getting a huge channel like ITV backing the show is a huge vote of confidence in the project.
“It’s also something of a departure for ITV because other biopics featuring Maggie have tended to air on the BBC or Channel 4.
“But this is a shrewd move for them as this is being mooted as a top quality drama, which is virtually guaranteed to be a hit with viewers.
“It hasn’t been commissioned yet and so filming is way off, but if everything falls into place it could be on our screens at some point in late 2025.”
This isn’t the production that’s been talked about for months and being made by Mammoth Studios, who also made Poldark for the BBC and period drama Victoria for ITV.
Which is a surprise given the fact that Mammoth is part of ITV Studios.
But competition to get these shows on screen is fierce.
First past the post is Channel 4, who are making a drama, Brian and Margaret, featuring Dame Harriet Walter as the former PM.
As well as the Mammoth biopic, a fourth is also being developed with a big production company and writer attached, which may end up getting bagged by a streamer.
But details of that have yet to emerge, and there is a growing fear that not all of the planned shows will make it onto the screen.
Who knew the Maggie biopic market would end up reaching saturation point – 11 years after she died.
Pete to rehome hounds
FORMER Towie star Pete Wicks is coming to the rescue of vulnerable dogs in need of rehoming.
Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, which will air on U&W later this year, will see him meet four-legged friends who are most in need at the Dogs Trust.
Pete will travel the country with the animal welfare charity to help rehabilitate and rehome pooches who have been abandoned, or can no longer be cared for by their owners.
He said: “Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer animals to people, so this show is a real passion project.
“With two rescue dogs of my own, animal welfare is close to my heart, and I am super excited to be teaming up with U&W for this amazing opportunity.”
Crisis covered
NEW comedy Totally Completely Fine will explore the mental health crisis.
Thomasin McKenzie plays Vivian, a suicidal woman saved by a phone call revealing her grandad died leaving her his house.
John Noble and Brandon McClellandalso star.
The series airs on ITVX from Monday.
Luke is maid for romance
BRIDGERTON’s next series will focus on an upstairs downstairs love story.
Fans will see hunk Luke Thompson, who plays second son Benedict, fall for a mysterious guest at a ball – who happens to be a maid.
He was last seen living a bohemian lifestyle, engaging in a threesome and enjoying a fling with cougar Lady Tilley.
Netflix announced the new plot with a video of a crew member handing Luke a suit and telling him: “It’s for the masquerade ball.”
Luke said: “Benedict’s always been a little lost – or free, depending on the way you want to look at it. But now he’s trying to find something a bit more solid in himself.”
Showrunner Jess Brownell added: “We wanted to see him living a big life before he settles down.”
Filming starts in autumn ahead of a 2026 premiere.
Out the gates
JOCKEY show Champions: Full Gallop has beaten all sports documentaries across the streamers this year with its launch.
The series, on ITV1 and ITVX, drew in 1.7million viewers for its first episode, eclipsing Netflix hit Drive To Survive and Disney+ series Welcome To Wrexham.
Miriam’s roaming closer
MIRIAM Margolyes has no plans to slow down after heading to Australia for her latest series.
But the 83-year-old writer and broadcaster is hoping to stay closer to home for her next travelogue.
She said: “I’d next like to travel to places around Scotland, Ireland and Wales, keeping my green credentials intact.
“Of course, I miss going to Africa and Antarctica and South America, but the nearer home one is, I think the more surprised one should be.
“Although I’m older and less mobile, I hope I still get the chance to travel and test my reactions against a surprising number of people and things.”
Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian Adventure airs from Friday, August 2 on BBC Two at 9pm.