Alan Plater, 1935-2010

The great writer for television remembered in words and clips

by Jasper ReesSaturday, 26 June 2010

Plater's republic: the cast of Z Cars

They don't make television writers like Alan Plater any more. He entered the profession when there was still an audience that could be relied upon to sit down in their millions and watch challenging drama from strands such as Armchair Theatre and The Wednesday Play. He made his name in that great academy of small-screen writing, Z Cars. Other than Dennis Potter, it's difficult to think of a writer who, though he also produced half a dozen novels and many stage plays including the memorable Peggy for You about the legendary theatrical agent Peggy Ramsay, dedicated the greatest moments of a long career to television. Plater won the Dennis Potter Award in 2005, the same year as his CBE for services to drama. Joe Maddison's War, his final script, will be broadcast this autumn on ITV. In the meantime, enjoy these star-packed reminders of his sensitivity and range.

Buy

Find Alan Plater on Amazon

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more TV

Prime Target, Apple TV+ review - the appliance of science Boffins and baddies collide in Steve Thompson's complicated thriller

Out There, ITV1 review - drugs and thugs disfigure the Welsh landscape Martin Clunes stars in Ed Whitmore's smartly-written drama

What's the Matter with Tony Slattery?, BBC Two review - absorbing but troubling search for answers RIP TONY SLATTERY How mental illness cut short a brilliant showbusiness career

American Primeval, Netflix review - nightmare on the Wild Frontier Peter Berg's Western drama is grim but gripping

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, Sky Atlantic review - Colin Firth stars in gruelling dramatisation of the 1988 terror attack Will we ever hear the full story of what happened to Pan Am Flight 103?

SAS Rogue Heroes, Series 2, BBC One review - Paddy Mayne's renegade warriors invade Italy Second helping of Steven Knight's hard-rockin' World War Two drama

The Split: Barcelona, BBC One review - a soapy special with seasonally adjusted sentimentality Abi Morgan's fine legal drama loses its sting on foreign soil

Best of 2024: TV Stars of stage and big screen all want to be on the telly

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, BBC One review - hilarious high five to an indelible cast of characters In Nessa, Ruth Jones has left behind a unique comic creation

10 Questions for Mark Gatiss, writer-director of 'A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone' Gatiss explains why his eerie tale begins with its original Victorian-Edwardian author Edith Nesbit

All Creatures Great and Small, Christmas Special, Channel 5 review - Mrs Hall steps into the spotlight Everyday saga of Yorkshire vets does exactly what it says on the tin

Death in Paradise Christmas Special, BBC One review - who killed Santa Claus? Don Gilet steps into the detective's shoes on the island of Saint Marie

Follow @theartsdesk