Alan Plater, 1935-2010 | reviews, news & interviews
Alan Plater, 1935-2010
Alan Plater, 1935-2010
The great writer for television remembered in words and clips
Saturday, 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.
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.
Explore topics
Share this article
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
The Perfect Couple, Netflix review - an inconvenient death ruins lavish Nantucket wedding
Liev Schreiber steals the show in adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's novel
Sambre: Anatomy of a Crime, BBC Four review - satisfying novelistic retelling of a French true crime saga
Compelling story of a rapist who hid in plain sight for 30 years
Kaos, Netflix review - playing fast and profuse with the Greek myths
A rainbow of acting talent, but too many ideas thrown into the labyrinth
Slow Horses, Season 4, Apple TV+ review - Gary Oldman returns as the 'gross and inappropriate' Jackson Lamb
Latest instalment of the Slough House saga exerts a vice-like grip
theartsdesk Q&A: David Morrissey on (among other things) the return of 'Sherwood' and 'Daddy Issues'
Liverpool-born actor reflects on a journey from Everyman Theatre to film and TV stardom
Sherwood, Series 2, BBC One review - maybe time isn't such a great healer
Gripping continuation of James Graham's Nottinghamshire saga
Freddie Flintoff: Field of Dreams on Tour, BBC One review - a passage to India with the Preston irregulars
Cricket helps Fred overcome near-death experience
The Instigators, Apple TV+ review - Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are back on the Beantown beat
Doug Liman's black-comedy thriller is lifted by its high-octane cast
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, Sky Documentaries review - the New Jersey rocker with many strings to his bow
Bill Teck's film reveals that Van Zandt wasn't just Bruce Springsteen's right-hand man
Time Bandits, Apple TV+ review - larky expanded rerun of the Gilliam/Palin classic
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement give children's sci-fi a human touch
Lady in the Lake, Apple TV+ review - a multi-layered Baltimore murder mystery
Natalie Portman stars in screen adaptation of Laura Lippman's novel
The Jetty, BBC One review - lowlife in a Northern town
Jenna Coleman stars in a dark tale of abuse and exploitation
Add comment